Jan 30 – Feb 9, 2025

Jan 30 - Feb 9, 2025 / Vol. 25 / No. 49
In Lompoc, human trafficking and homelessness intersect in the Santa Ynez Riverbed, where advocates say some people might have to deal with sexual violence in order to have a tent to sleep in. Tackling the issue is tough, and one Santa Barbara County supervisor believes it will take the city, nonprofits, and the county working […]

Cover Story

Encampment risks: Those living in the Santa Ynez Riverbed are at risk for human trafficking, something local officials want to tackle

See something, say something To learn more about efforts to combat trafficking and exploitation across the county, visit kingdomcauses.org/httaskforce. To report possible cases of human trafficking, contact 911 for emergencies or email humantrafficking@sbsheriff.org for nonemergencies. The struggle to survive in a Santa Ynez Riverbed encampment can be brutal.  “In order to have a tent to…

Political Watch: January 30, 2025

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) responded to the executive actions that President Donald Trump made on his first day in office by calling some of them illegal and unconstitutional. This includes orders to pause funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan…

BINGEABLE: How to Die Alone

How to Die Alone What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024-present Where’s it showing? Hulu Mel can’t seem to get out of the rut she finds herself in every day. She’s got a good crew of people at work, including Rory (Conrad Ricamora), who she tools around with on one of those airport golf carts. But…

NEW FLICKS: Back in Action

Back in Action What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix After an 11-year acting hiatus, Cameron Diaz has returned to the big screen, but good grief, she couldn’t find something better than this derivative, silly, rote action comedy? Co-written and directed by Seth Gorgon (Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief), the film follows CIA…

Local dog trainer embraces positive reinforcement to help dogs stay in homes

Training a dog is 70 percent about teaching the human and 30 percent about teaching the canine, Ember Leash Dog Training owner Skylar McClellan said.  “It’s about consistency and bringing everybody together so that they are all being as consistent as possible with the way that they’re responding to their dog’s behaviors,” McClellan noted. “When…

Hot and bothered

If things weren’t spicy in Buellton before the November election—with a sitting City Council member running against the sitting mayor—they are now.  The council is split down the middle, with two council members on one side and the newly elected mayor and another council member on the other. They couldn’t decide on who to appoint…

Encampments return to Santa Maria riverbed

About 20 encampments have sprung up in the unincorporated areas of the Santa Maria Riverbed since it was cleaned out last year.  “The majority of the folks that are out in the riverbed … are the more hardcore, where they’re not going to accept the resources that we provide,” Senior Park Services Officer Ruben Ramirez…

Buellton City Council’s 4th District seat will remain empty through August

Boos erupted during a Buellton hearing after the conversation shifted from how to fill a City Council vacancy to second-guessing the outcome of November’s mayoral election. “The only reason we’re doing this is because you didn’t do your four-year term, and that’s a fact,” 3rd District Councilmember John Sanchez told Mayor and former 4th District…


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