The city of Lompoc is reworking its economic development capacity from the inside out, specifically targeting its outdated zoning ordinances in an effort to drive more business into the city. On April 21, the City Council unanimously voted to award a $396,899 contract to San Francisco-based consultants Dyett and Bhatia to write new land-use ordinances […]
DAVID MINSKY
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Los Olivos mother coordinates earthquake relief effort in Nepal
Theodora Stephan has two daughters, Anita and Sunita Williams, whom she adopted from Nepal when they were children. She was able to bring them to the Central Coast through a humanitarian effort. Now, Stephan is part of another humanitarian effort, only this time she is trying to help bring relief to Nepal, which was struck […]
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Spotlight on: Passion Parties
Alejandra Ochoa, consultant
What is a Passion Party? Before we answer this question, do a Google search. The first result says “sex toys parties for women.” Whoa—that’s provocative. “What we do is educate; it can be women and couples to having in-home parties to bring passion to life,” said Alejandra Ochoa, a consultant for Passion Parties Inc. “We […]
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HAZMAT team called after suspicious package found in Santa Maria
On April 17, a county HAZMAT team was called to the scene of a building at 1318 S. Broadway in Santa Maria after a suspicious package was reported to police, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. Shortly before noon, an employee working with the county Department of Social Services opened an envelope containing a small […]
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Lompoc spars with the county over proposed housing development annexation
The proposed annexation of a housing complex near Lompoc is a point of contention between city and Santa Barbara County officials because of the potential tax revenues it could generate for whichever government has jurisdiction. On April 15, an ad hoc committee comprised of Mayor Bob Lingl and Councilmember Dirk Starbuck met with supervisors Doreen […]
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Santa Maria is attempting to take over a house on North Thornburg Street after it catches fire
Santa Maria fire fighters successfully snuffed out a house fire on North Thornburg on April 20, and city officials are attempting to take ownership of the property due to a spate of code violations. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and no injuries were reported, according to city Fire Chief Mike Barneich. And […]
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Toxic Canyon: A quarter-century later, Casmalia is still waiting for Superfund cleanup
It’s 3:30 p.m., and in one hour the Hitching Post begins serving its “world famous” barbecue. That familiar, drifting smell of burning red oak sweetens the breeze. Thirty-one years ago, a vastly different smell penetrated the air. “The way I remember it smelling was this weird blueberry smell,” said Louis Meza, a chef at the […]
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Spotlight on: Santa Maria Stereo
Jon Blaies, store manager
An orange-colored classic car, maybe a Chevy Impala, pulls into the parking lot of Santa Maria Stereo and a tan, middle-aged man wearing sunglasses gets out. Store manager Jon Blaies greets him and a short conversation ensues. A few laughs, a couple pats on the shoulder, and the man walks out with a satisfied look […]
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Hard sell: Lompoc talks body cameras for its police department
Police body cameras are so hot right now they made Lompoc City Manager Patrick Wiemiller’s State of the City speech on April 7. He said the cameras weren’t an easy sell for him, but noted that Police Chief Pat Walsh was somehow able to win him over on the issue. Although no one in the […]
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Lompoc police and fire officials discover alleged hash oil labs
Three people were arrested in Lompoc on April 7 after police and fire fighters searched two residences where alleged cannabis honey oil labs were discovered, according to the Lompoc Police Department. Police served warrants to search two homes on North L Street. Following the searches, Sterling Ranft, 26; Christian Wayne Attula, 25; and Edward Henderson, […]
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Southern SLO County drug raid yields a dozen arrests
State and federal authorities arrested 12 people on April 7 following a raid on an alleged drug trafficking organization in southern San Luis Obispo County, according to FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller. Dubbed “Operation: All In The Family,” the raid conducted in the early morning hours was a coordinated effort between the FBI; California Highway Patrol; […]
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Spotlight on: Sula Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar
Sally Elias, owner
Sally Elias never imagined she’d own a restaurant, but it makes sense given her history with food. She began college at UC Santa Barbara in the early 2000s studying computer science but ended up graduating with a degree in political science. To make money, she found herself making foot-long sandwiches at Subway. Her life shifted […]
