Nicholas Walter
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What’s with weed?

The already controversial marijuana is in the midst of an identity crisis as Californians struggle with the fine points of its medicinal legality
by Nicholas Walter

Whether you think of it as a gateway drug or miracle medicine, you have to admit: Marijuana has been in the news lately.   From the debate over a proposed marijuana dispensary in Orcutt, to the 30,000 plants found near the origins of the Los Padres fire in August, to the recent Santa Maria arrest […]

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SLO County supervisor makes a bid for the Assembly

Katcho Achadjian hopes to fill the 33rd District seat
by Nicholas Walter

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor and business owner Katcho Achadjian is running for office because, as he says, Sacramento is out of touch with local leaders and ruling bodies throughout California. “State government has disconnected itself from local government. We’ve become their ATM,” he said. “They’re sucking out funds without thinking of the impact.” The […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Follow the rules

A recent lobster-hunting dive trip turned into a close call
by Nicholas Walter

“Emhasize the physicality.”   That’s what Executive Editor Ryan Miller told me when I asked him if I could do a sports (and recreation!) story on lobster diving at Anacapa Island.   Later, as I stood—red faced and swearing horribly—in the dive shop fitting room struggling to get into a wetsuit that, I’m sure, was […]

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The rise of civilization

Brew your own beer for economic, historical, or purely pleasurable reasons
by Nicholas Walter

A wise man once said: “This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption … beer!”   For all of recorded history, it’s been with us. Beer, in fact, may have been responsible for recorded history. According to Bryon Burch in his book, Brewing […]

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Grants will keep locals in their homes

Five nonprofits will use funds to combat homelessness in Santa Maria
by Nicholas Walter

Homelessness is a problem every city deals with. There are countless groups and nonprofits around the country that serve a needy population by providing shelter, food, and other amenities to people who literally have nothing.   And there are other groups that fight the problem from the other end, by aiming to prevent homelessness in […]

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The thin green line

Long hours, lower pay, and a love of the job: Spend some time with local game wardens
by Nicholas Walter

It’s a little after 1 a.m. We’re racing down a dirt road in a truck, with only the dim glow of sneak lights illuminating the way for 10 feet or so in front of us.   The plane overhead radios in: “They’ve stopped now. One of them is moving around to the back of the […]

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A healthy debate

Health care town hall meetings come to the Central Coast
by Nicholas Walter

Unless you’ve had your head under a rock recently, it’s hard to miss that debate going on in this country over health-care reform.   Depending on where you stand, H.R. 3200—America’s Affordable Health Choices Act—is either the first step on the road to the horrors of socialism or the wonder-drug cure-all for a broken system. […]

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Two arrested at base protest

Protests and arrests mark another successful missile launch at Vandenberg
by Nicholas Walter

A monk and a nun walk onto an Air Force base. No, seriously. In the early hours of Aug. 23, as protesters chanted “Stop the tests!” outside Vandenberg Air Force Base, Father Louis Vitale and Sister Megan Rice crossed the thick blue demarcation line onto base property.   Neither of them had permission.   The […]

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Hancock makes do with less money

Local students face a fee increase and reduced services because of state budget woes
by Nicholas Walter

Facing the deepest budget cuts in its history, Allan Hancock College raised tuition fees for the fall semester by $6 dollars a unit while at the same time making further cuts to student services.   Facing a $4.5 million budget deficit, college administrators are dealing with some tough choices this semester.   “These are the […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Locals kart around history

Drivers can’t make a living from their vehicles, but the Santa Maria karting track draws competitors from near and far
by Nicholas Walter

Growing up, I had friends with go-karts that we would drive in their backyards. Twenty mph was so blazing fast, it seemed our hair was on fire.   Today, at the Santa Maria Karting Association’s racetrack at the Santa Maria Public Airport, there’s no kart doing less than 50. Some of these guys hit 60, […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Elizabeth Pulido

by Nicholas Walter

Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Pulido is new to Santa Maria, but no stranger to swimming. The eighth grader moved here from Bakersfield with her mother in January, and has been swimming for coach Mike Ashmore and the Santa Maria Swim Club ever since.   Coach Ashmore doesn’t mince words about his swimmer: “She’s probably one of the […]

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