The beach has always presented a free option for summer fun—a place where families can spend a day soaking in the rays and splashing in the chilly surf without spending any money. However, no-cost visits to the local jeweled coastline may soon belong to a bygone era, as officials are seriously considering charging $3 to […]
JEREMY THOMAS
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Lompoc won’t abort a space center mission
The California Space Authority may be history, but the city of Lompoc is still interested in pursuing a $220 million space enterprise complex within city limits. On June 21, the Lompoc City Council voted 3-1 to continue discussing the California Space Center project as a city-led endeavor. Council members Bob Lingl, Dirk Starbuck, and Mayor […]
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Locals to Relay for Life
About 800 participants and more than 70 relay teams are expected to take part in Santa Maria’s Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on July 9 and 10. Participants will camp out overnight at the Elks Unocal Event Center and take turns walking or running for 24 hours, to represent the fact […]
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Tournament will honor a fallen base airman
Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, a Vandenberg Air Force Base airman killed in Afghanistan in 2010, will be remembered at a Memorial Golf Tournament at the Santa Maria Country Club on July 11. The cost is $150 per person for the four-person scramble event, which includes green fee, cart, lunch and drinks on the course, and […]
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BMX heats up in Santa Maria
Like bikes? Bicycle Motocross racing (BMX) is ready to get down and dirty this summer at Santa Maria BMX, and the organization is looking for riders of all ages to participate. Races will be held on most Fridays and the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Practices take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 […]
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Working for the weekend
Roadblocks to a Saturday farmers’ market in the Santa Maria area persist for local growers
After two years of attempts to open the first weekend farmers’ market in Northern Santa Barbara County, Nipomo produce vendor Christy Laschiver is losing her patience. Laschiver, along with Nipomo farmer Varden Nonella, had planned to establish a farmers’ market in the parking lot of the Cool Hand Luke’s restaurant in Santa Maria, running Saturdays […]
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Greka Oil sued in federal court over Santa Barbara County spills
Federal and state agencies filed a civil lawsuit on June 17 accusing Greka Oil & Gas of violating environmental laws as a result of 21 oil spills in Santa Barbara County from 2005 to 2010. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges Greka, which changed its name to […]
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An eagle or an albatross?
Buellton’s $500,000 purchase of a failed golf course raises questions
Tucked away just off Buellton’s Avenue of the Flags, the Zaca Creek Golf Course doesn’t look like much these days. Overgrown with weeds, overrun by gophers, and sporting greens more accurately described as browns, it’s certainly seen better days. But the city of Buellton is banking on bringing the modest nine-hole executive course back from […]
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Spotlight on: Coghlan Vineyard & Jewelers
Eric and Samantha Coghlan, owners
From the friendly confines of what was once a Sears catalog kit house, Los Olivos couple Eric and Samantha Coghlan are hoping their unique combination of wine and jewelry is a match made in heaven. After spending more than a year renovating the circa-1890s house they own, the couple opened their tasting room/jewelry shop on […]
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CEO of county retirement system steps down
Vincent Brown, chief executive officer of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System (SBCERS), has notified the county he’s leaving the post effective June 24 to take another in-state job. The county is currently seeking a replacement for Brown; in the meantime, SBCERS Assistant CEO Lila Deeds will take over as the interim CEO. Brown […]
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Senior All-Stars to meet at Elks Field
For the eighth time, the best of the Pac-7 senior baseball players will go head to head against the cream of the crop in the Los Padres League at the Senior All-Star Game on June 3. The game is sponsored by the Santa Maria Packers and was conceived by Packers general manager Scott Nickason as […]
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Yeehaw! It’s rodeo time!
The historic Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is back for its 68th go-round, promising an old-fashioned “Western Weekend” for the whole family June 2 to 5. This year’s four-day extravaganza kicks off with Dave Osburn Memorial Pro Bull Riding on “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night, June 2 at 7 p.m. The first two Professional Rodeo […]
