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It was foggy on Feb. 10, 2012. Correctional officer Ryan Vargas showed up for work at the Lompoc federal prison for a 6 a.m. shift. He’d been back on the job just more than a month, fresh off of an extended leave for depression and stress. Less than two hours later, Vargas was dead, his […]
After being closed as a precaution, Surf Beach near Vandenberg Air Force Base reopened on Oct. 26, three days after a great white shark attack claimed the life of a 39-year-old Orcutt man. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, Francisco Javier Solorio, Jr., was surfing with several friends at Surf Beach around 11 […]
Vandenberg Air Force Base security cited three protestors for trespassing on Oct. 20 and 21 after they attempted to infiltrate the base as part of an anti-nuke demonstration, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Base security forces arrested Fr. Louis Vitale and Los Angeles Catholic Worker community member Rebecca Casa […]
St. Joseph High School principal Joe Myers, who was convicted of failing to report an alleged rape of a female student, has resigned as a result of the verdict, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Archdioceses’ Rev. Monsignor Sabato Pilato announced Myers’ resignation via a letter to parents posted to the school’s […]
On Oct. 10, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office determined Lompoc police were justified in using deadly force against Vietnam veteran Lawrence Kitchen. According to the DA’s report, Kitchen, 67, got into a disagreement on June 4 over parking at his apartment complex on I Street in Lompoc. Armed with a shotgun and handgun, […]
After two years, the Lompoc Valley Motorsports Park Committee is making great strides on its proposed racing complex, dashing headlong into the fundraising stages. Committee members say the project—which includes an eighth-mile drag strip and tracks for motocross dirt bikes and go-karts—will be a “huge” addition for racing fans on the Central Coast, drawing hundreds […]
An institution in Guadalupe for more than 50 years, Far Western Tavern was host to its last dinner at the historic Palace Hotel on Oct. 7. The closure is only temporary, however, as the restaurant’s staff will be moving into its new home at 300 Clark Ave. in Old Town Orcutt, which is on track […]
Among its many charms, Santa Barbara County is also home to some of the best hiking trails on the Central Coast, offering spectacular views and much-needed outdoor activity for all levels of hikers and backpackers. With so many options available, there are plenty of trails within an hour’s drive to add to your bucket list, […]
The city of Lompoc can count itself among a growing number of cities making a commitment to healthier living, resolving to promote community gardens, offer wholesome choices in vending machines, and facilitate workplace wellness. On Sept. 18, the Lompoc City Council passed a Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) resolution, part of a state initiative aimed […]
The California State Water Resources Control Board is giving farmers more time to comply with some provisions in an order imposing tougher environmental regulations on discharged wastewater in irrigated land. On Sept. 19, the board issued a stay on the order, which institutes a three-tier system dividing farms, vineyards, and nurseries based on their threat […]
The alleged victim of a sexual assault involving two students at St. Joseph High School testified in court on Sept. 23 that she asked school administrators to keep the suspected incident from local law enforcement. Jane Doe No. 1—as described in court documents—and her mother both took the stand in the trial of St. Joseph […]
Jobs, immigration, and the economy were at the forefront of a debate between U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and her Republican challenger Abel Maldonado, who met at a women’s forum in Lompoc on Sept. 24. The two candidates, battling for the newly redrawn 24th U.S. Congressional District, spoke at the event sponsored by the […]
