In response to leaked U.S. State Department cables by the Internet site WikiLeaks, the U.S. Air Force has blocked a list of news websites that published the material at bases around the globe—including Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. Vandenberg spokesperson Jeremy Eggers confirmed on Dec. 21 that various websites, including the New York Times, […]
MATT FOUNTAIN
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Regulators reject Smart Meter moratorium
California utility regulators won’t block Pacific Gas & Electric from completing installations of its controversial Smart Meters, despite questions about long-term health effects. On Dec. 2, the California Public Utilities Commission rejected a request by a safety watchdog group to postpone PG&E’s installation of the new digital meters until further studies on potential health impacts […]
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Lujan takes stand in his defense
The Lompoc man charged with the murder of his former girlfriend’s 4-year old son spent an entire day testifying in his own defense. James Lujan, 30, of Lompoc, spent Dec. 1 fielding questions from defense attorney David Bixby. The prosecution was able to cross-examine him for roughly 30 minutes before trial convened for the day. […]
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Getting back on track?
A local karting association weighs its options after the FAA shuts down its recreational racing track
Nick Firestone calls the Santa Maria Karting Association’s racetrack at the Santa Maria Public Airport “the Fenway Park of karting.” He should know a good track when he sees one. Firestone has raced on some of the most famous go-karting tracks in the world—Long Beach, Silverstone, Barcelona, Monaco—and has 10 major wins, including the one […]
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Warming centers open in Northern Santa Barbara County
November’s heavy rainfall and drop in temperature, combined with a prolonged bitter economic climate, prompted a couple of local homeless shelters to open their doors early to provide a place for the Central Coast’s homeless population to come in from the cold. Two shelters in the North County—the Bridge House in Lompoc and the Good […]
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The Sun goes ghost-hunting!
The Central Coast Paranormal Investigators help confirm or disprove your supernatural suspicions
Wait a minute—what the hell am I doing?” Driving southbound down Highway 1, rolling past the Guadalupe Cemetery under the full moon of a crisp autumn night, it suddenly dawns on me: I’m being forced to spend the night in a haunted building or I don’t get paid. I love my job. I first met […]
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Sister of alleged murder victim testifies in Lujan trial
Recent testimony in the trial of a man accused of beating his former girlfriend’s son to death has not been favorable for the defense. On Nov. 23, the jury heard testimony from the sister of 4-year-old Diego Calles, who died in July after allegedly suffering injuries at the hands of James Lujan, 30, of Lompoc. […]
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Things they left behind
Construction workers find meth-cooking byproducts dumped in Los Padres National Forest
Construction workers clearing space for a new recreational area in the Los Padres National Forest came across an unnerving find. Barely concealed in the brush was a big heap of nastiness: a meth dump. On Nov. 4, crews found a large cache of solidified chemical compounds—known by authorities to be byproducts of methamphetamine production—loosely wrapped […]
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Prepare for a new installation
Controversial Smart Meters come to Santa Maria
Pacific Gas & Electric is gearing up to expand its industrious-yet-controversial Smart Meter project into Santa Maria in late November. In anticipation of the change, the utility will begin to send letters to its customers in the city, notifying them of the upcoming switch. According to PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno, installations are expected to begin […]
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It’s the purrfect time to get a kitten
On the fence about whether to adopt a cat? This month, there’s no excuse to hesitate any longer. The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is facing an overpopulation of cats, so it’s offering a discount on adoption fees throughout November. All month, the society is holding a “Feline Frenzy,” and offering two kittens or cats […]
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Officers nab suspected dealer
Authorities have arrested a Santa Maria man suspected of distributing methamphetamine in the Northern Santa Barbara County area. Jaime Valdez, 36, was arrested at approximately 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 after investigators served a search warrant at Valdez’s residence in the 300 block of Hidden Pines Way in Santa Maria. According to Lompoc Police Department […]
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Satellite takes off from Vandenberg–finally
After a series of delays caused by mechanical problems, an Earth observation satellite has finally blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Vandenberg officials confirmed a Delta II rocket carrying the Thales Alenia Space-Italia COSMO-4 satellite successfully launched from the base at 7:20 p.m. on Nov. 5. The latest launch was the last in a […]
