The Solvang Chamber of Commerce urged the Solvang City Council to send a letter to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors disapproving of the county’s proposed ordinance that would legalize micro-kitchen operations. During the April 26 council meeting, Chamber Executive Director Tracy Beard said the Chamber is adamantly against micro-kitchens, citing the health and […]
KAREN GARCIA
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Financial assistance is available for funeral expenses due to the coronavirus
Central Coast residents who lost a loved one to COVID-19 and incurred funeral expenses can now apply for financial assistance through a federal aid program. U.S. Rep Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced on April 14 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began accepting applications for funeral assistance through its COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program. The […]
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Solvang Trolley wants to provide rides on two new electric trolleys
Solvang Trolley & Carriage Company owner Sal Orona requested that the Solvang City Council review his company’s business license to include two additional electric trolley vehicles to service his customers when it’s not appropriate to use horse-drawn carriages. During the April 12 City Council meeting, Orona spoke during public comment, saying his company is always […]
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Santa Barbara County’s Commission for Women have four vacancies left in its 3rd and 4th districts
The Santa Barbara County Commission for Women announced the recent appointments of two new commissioners, bringing the number of commissioners appointed by the county Board of Supervisors to 11. There are four vacancies remaining, three in the 4th District and one in the 3rd, according to Eva Camarena executive assistant to the county’s Community Service […]
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The Equality Act supports human rights
Morro Bay resident Willow Kawamoto, describes the Equality Act as a powder keg. “The result is just an explosion of its own, encompassing so many different aspects of what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ community,” Kawamoto said. “And it’s now obviously affecting children.” The Equality Act, passed by the House of […]
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Santa Barbara County seeks grant funding to patrol Santa Ynez riverbed
Drivers are damaging private property and the environment in the Santa Ynez River and areas bordering Lompoc, according to residents’ complaints to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. “These vehicles cause various types of damage including damage to ecosystems, damage to fence lines where cattle have gotten loose, and we have also had instances where […]
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Santa Ynez Valley Youth sports gets a free pass on banner fees
On March 22, the Solvang City Council unanimously approved waiving a $350 banner fee for Santa Ynez Valley Youth Football League and Cheer as the youth program picks up again after its 2020 athletic year was canceled due to COVID-19. The council moved the request further up the agenda that evening as Brenda Messer, vice […]
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Santa Barbara and SLO Counties work through barriers to provide COVID-19 vaccine to farmworkers
Santa Barbara County is one of eight counties in California that has already carried out pilot programs to vaccinate their farmworker populations. The county launched its trilingual, tri-cultural pilot program on Feb. 28, providing vaccinations for nearly 500 farmworkers in Santa Maria. Jackie Ruiz, Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health spokesperson, told the Sun […]
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Carbajal co-chairs the recently launched New Dem Immigration Task Force
The New Democrat Coalition made up of more than 100 Democratic legislators who are committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies, virtually launched the New Dem Immigration Task Force on March 11. The task force, co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), is a commitment to building a fair and inclusive […]
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Solvang begins to rebuild its staff and services
Currently operating with a bare-bones staff, Solvang City Manager Xenia Bradford thinks projected increases in transient occupancy tax (TOT) could be a way to rebuild the city’s staff. During the March 8 City Council meeting Bradford said there haven’t been any complaints in terms of processing requests or services during the pandemic, however, the turnaround […]
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Santa Barbara County successfully vaccinated nearly 500 farmworkers
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department launched its first trilingual, tri-cultural COVID-19 vaccine pilot program on Feb. 28, providing vaccinations to nearly 500 farmworkers in Santa Maria. Public Health Department spokesperson Jackie Ruiz told the Sun that the initial goals of the pilot program are to work through cultural and linguistic barriers and respond […]
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Solvang approves regulations for sidewalk vendors without community input
Solvang adopted rules for future sidewalk vendors during a Feb. 22 City Council meeting, citing sidewalk accessibility and social distancing concerns, but the decision lacked public feedback. City Manager Xenia Bradford said she proposed the regulations as an urgency ordinance because the city’s current sidewalk vendor code doesn’t comply with Senate Bill 946, which went […]