Santa Barbara County is struggling to meet new child care needs created by the pandemic, but local organizations are finding ways to support providers. Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County, a nonprofit that provides services to both families and child care providers, is teaming up with First 5 Santa Barbara County for the […]
MALEA MARTIN
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Newsom hints at stay-at-home order for purple tier counties
Californians who live in purple tier counties may soon be under a stay-at-home order similar to those imposed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom floated the possibility at a Nov. 30 virtual press conference, though he didn’t specify exactly what would necessitate a new order. He said that alarming increases in […]
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The Tri-County Regional Energy Network reduces local energy use, trains the building industry workforce of tomorrow
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties have some of the most ambitious climate goals in the state: Santa Barbara County’s new 2030 Climate Action Plan will seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent over the next 10 years, and the city of San Luis Obispo aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2035. […]
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Lompoc sees rise in gang, gun violence
The city of Lompoc saw a substantial increase in gun and gang violence over the past month and a half, and community members are calling on elected officials to address it. According to a Nov. 18 Lompoc Police Department statement, more than 10 individuals have been arrested since mid-October with connections to gang activity. Many […]
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County prepped to enforce COVID-19 restrictions for businesses
With new COVID-19 requirements for both businesses and individuals in place, Santa Barbara County only plans to take an enforcement approach on the business side of things—at least for now. Santa Barbara County, along with most of California, returned to the purple tier in the state’s reopening system on Nov. 16, and with the most […]
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Solvang and Buellton still plan to put on COVID-safe Christmas festivities
Despite Santa Barbara County’s regression back to the state’s most restrictive reopening allowances, Christmas celebrations in the Santa Ynez Valley are going full steam ahead, thanks to efforts to make events purple-tier compliant. “Fortunately, the strengthening of some of the rules didn’t affect what we had planned, because everything we were doing was already so […]
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In the middle of the pandemic, community leaders find creative ways to rally around those who served our country
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about previously unexperienced struggles: Some people lost their jobs, used food banks, or applied for rent relief for the first time in their lives. But for those who are already familiar with these challenges, such as the veteran community, the pandemic only exacerbated the hardship. It’s well documented that […]
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Santa Barbara County embarks on new challenge to reduce homelessness
Santa Barbara County wants to house 75 homeless veterans by the end of January after successfully housing more than 50 young people over the last few months. If successful, the 100-Day Challenge to Reduce Homelessness Among Veterans would get about half of the county’s current homeless veteran population off the streets. Led by the Santa […]
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High school students protest distance learning changes
Late in the afternoon on Nov. 16, high school students holding protest signs begin to gather on the street corner of Skyway and Fairway in Santa Maria. Every few minutes, a car honks in support as the protesters chant “No education without representation,” and “Sí se puede.” Yellow buses pull into the Santa Maria Joint […]
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The Foodbank’s annual Empty Bowls event is pivoting to a virtual fundraiser, food drive, and local business support campaign
When COVID-19 gathering restrictions came down in mid-March, the Santa Barbara County Foodbank was just days away from putting on its annual Empty Bowls lunch fundraiser in Lompoc. The event, which has been going on for 19 years in Santa Maria and 15 in Lompoc, gives community members a handmade ceramic bowl and soup meal […]
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In the wake of a crime involving flavored tobacco, anti-tobacco advocates continue to push for banning sales of those products in local cities
On Oct. 20, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 20-year-old Solvang man in connection with arranging to meet a 12-year-old minor for lewd purposes. The suspect, Angel Saloman, allegedly attempted to lure the child into sexual acts in exchange for flavored tobacco products, an Oct. 29 statement from the Sheriff’s Office said. The investigation […]
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Mayor Patino wins reelection, Escobedo wins council seat
As voters trickled into the Edwards Community Center, one of Santa Maria’s seven polling places, on Nov. 3 it appeared most were there to drop off mail-in ballots. Only a few were there to cast their votes in person. Bolinda Rodriguez dropped off her and her daughter’s mail-in ballots. She said she felt better about […]