The last few days of 2025 were very different than the rest of the year when it came to immigration enforcement on the Central Coast. An estimated 147 arrests were made in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties over a four-day period at the end of December, according to 805 UndocuFund Executive Director Primitiva […]
Camillia Lanham
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Court rules in favor of Sable on restart plan, for now
On Dec. 31, an appeals court ruled against environmental groups’ request to stay a federal decision approving Sable Offshore Corporation’s restart plans for two oil pipelines along the Gaviota Coast. The request was part of a lawsuit the Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Defense Center, and others filed against the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety […]
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Political Watch: January 8, 2026
• State Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) recently appointed state Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) to chair the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee for the remainder of the 2025-26 legislative session. “Sen. Laird brings deep experience, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility to the Budget Committee,” Limón said […]
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Local water agencies weigh in on federal cloud seeding bill
Solvang is planning to send a letter to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee opposing U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Georgia) bill that aims to ban cloud seeding. On Aug. 11, the Solvang City Council unanimously approved the move as part of its consent agenda. City Manager Randy Murphy told the Sun that he […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
CalNAM celebrates 25 years with exhibition from its permanent collection
The California Nature Art Museum pulled 25 works of art from its permanent collection of 150 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Curated by former board chair Peter Adams and his wife, Becky, the show features work from local artists such as John Iwerks, Nell Campbell, and museum founder Patti Jacquemain, as well as artists from […]
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See Merry Wives of Windsor during Central Coast Shakespeare Fest
The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival is back on its stunning outdoor stage at Filipponi Ranch in San Luis Obispo to present The Merry Wives of Windsor every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night through Aug. 10. Sir John Falstaff (played by Mark Kassen), Shakespeare’s rotund, vain, often drunk knight, is reduced to a buffoonish, good-natured suitor […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Advocates organize to bring more food access to North Santa Barbara County with a Guadalupe farmers market
Although Guadalupe is surrounded by agricultural fields, what they produce doesn’t often make its way into local households. “We find ourselves in this position in North Santa Barbara County and Lompoc where food is grown all around us,” said Shelby Wild with Route One. “There’s very few, if any, opportunities in those communities where people […]
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Something Rotten! heads to the Solvang Festival Theater
The PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre joins the Bottom brothers on a “riotous quest to outshine Shakespeare” at the Solvang Festival Theater with Something Rotten!, a musical showing through Aug. 23. Nick and Nigel Bottom aim to pen the world’s first musical, targeting Shakespeare as the bard to beat, but along the way the Bottom brothers […]
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Focus on LGBTQ-plus literature with the Rainbow Reads Book Club
Rainbow Reads Book Club Saturdays made a comeback this summer at the Santa Maria Public Library. In June, members discussed No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull. In July, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. On Aug. 9, members will talk about Samuel Burr’s The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers at 3 p.m. inside the Learning Loft. […]
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Cal Poly’s Strawberry Center shares research with farmers during July field day
In eight years, the cost of growing strawberries in California has increased by 40 percent. In 2016, farmers spent about $62,000 per acre of the red berry. By 2024, they were paying $105,000, according to Mohammad Amir Aghaee, who leads the entomology program at the Cal Poly Strawberry Center. “When you have a situation like […]
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County supervisors amend zoning to protect senior mobile home parks
Almost 7,000 seniors populate housing authority waitlists for affordable senior housing in Santa Barbara County. “In the face of such high demand, the preservation of existing affordable housing, including mobile home parks, is clearly important,” county planner Lila Spring said at the July 15 Board of Supervisors meeting. “However, the county lacks regulations to prevent […]
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Local high school students compete in International Thespian Festival
Center Stage Theatre Company performers from Pioneer Valley and Ernest Righetti high schools represented California in Indiana this June while competing in the International Thespian Festival (ITF). They performed 21 Chump Street and competed in vocal solos and duets during the weeklong event at Indiana University Bloomington. Mariah Escobar and Bloom Carrera received superior rankings […]