If COVID-19 allows it, Central Coast residents will very likely be able to attend concerts at the Santa Maria Raceway at some point next year. At a meeting on Nov. 10, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a temporary commercial outdoor entertainment license application submitted by the Santa Maria Raceway, aka […]
Kasey Bubnash
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Supervisor Lavagnino and county officials attempt to dispel voter fraud rumors
Voters hadn’t even started casting ballots in the November 2020 election when President Donald Trump first began questioning the legitimacy of mail-in ballots and the elections system as a whole, and now allegations of election fraud and calls for recounts are spreading among those on the right throughout the nation and in Santa Barbara County. […]
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Los Alamos subdivision proposal leads to concerns about Shaw Street traffic
A proposed subdivision on an empty lot in Los Alamos is leading to concerns among some locals about the potential for traffic congestion on a narrow, private road. The Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department is currently reviewing an application for a tentative parcel map that would split a 1.53-acre lot at 774 Main […]
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Citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission meets for the first time
The first five members of Santa Barbara County’s Citizens’ Independent Redistricting Commission had their first meeting on Oct. 22, where they briefly introduced themselves to the public and set dates for several upcoming meetings where they’ll choose the commission’s remaining six members. At the meeting, all commissioners expressed their dedication to creating a group that […]
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Phillips 66 refinery employee appointed to APCD hearing board in 6-5 vote, leading to concerns about potential conflict of interest
For the last two decades, Cal Poly environmental engineering professor Yarrow Nelson has served as a member of the SLO County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) hearing board, using his background in scientific research to help the district navigate air pollution conflicts and emergencies, including the ongoing dust mitigation efforts at the Oceano Dunes. But […]
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Five chosen for redistricting commission despite representation concerns
The first five Santa Barbara County residents who will serve on a citizens’ redistricting commission were randomly chosen at a Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 13, but hanging over the process were unanswered questions about how applicants in the drawing pool were initially chosen and concerns about lacking representation. Laura Katz, William McClintock, Norman […]
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County approves temporary ban on commercial evictions
A set of temporary protections for commercial renters facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic were set to expire at the end of September, but a day before the expiration date, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the protections through January 2021. At a meeting on Sept. 29, the board voted […]
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Petition calls for continuation of Oceano Dunes closure
It’s been six months since vehicles were allowed in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), and some community members want it to stay that way—at least until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. Hundreds have signed a petition aimed at keeping the Oceano Dunes closed to vehicles for the duration of the pandemic […]
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Santa Barbara County supervisors vote to support controversial Prop. 15
After roughly two-dozen comments from the public and a lively debate, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted on Sept. 15 to symbolically support a controversial state ballot measure that would change California’s current property tax assessment formula. Proposition 15 will be on every Californian’s ballot in November, and if passed, it would amend […]
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County moves to expand farmstays project
Brett Ferini grew up working on his family’s farm, Rancho Laguna Farms, in Santa Maria. There, he learned how to turn barren land into fruitful soil that could host the berries, broccoli, kale, lettuce, and cauliflower that Rancho Laguna Farms produces and sells. He learned about where food comes from and all the work that […]
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County moves to expand farmstays project
Brett Ferini grew up working on his family’s farm, Rancho Laguna Farms, in Santa Maria. There, he learned how to turn barren land into fruitful soil that could host the berries, broccoli, kale, lettuce, and cauliflower that Rancho Laguna Farms produces and sells. He learned about where food comes from and all the work that […]
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Project Roomkey isn’t open to North County, but other homeless services are
Roughly 30 people experiencing homelessness have found housing thanks to a non-congregate shelter that Santa Barbara County opened at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, but the program is only really accessible to South County residents. Homeless advocates in North County say this time, that’s OK. Santa Barbara County opened Project Roomkey, a 74-room non-congregate […]