California is under a fiery siege, and emergency responders across the state and country have been dispatched in large numbers to stem the flaming tide. Santa Barbara County Fire sent a team of two engines on Nov. 9 to the 125,000-acre Camp Fire in Northern California. As of Nov. 13, the blaze had claimed more […]
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Spotlight on: Lompoc Valley Medical Center
Nora Wallace, public relations coordinator
Changes are coming to Lompoc’s health care industry. On Aug. 24, Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC) announced the planned acquisition of the Lompoc Sansum Clinic and its 14-year-old building. A spokesperson said the medical center held an informational discussion on Nov. 13 with its CEO, Jim Raggio. The event, held at the Ocean’s Seven Cafe […]
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County officials say new warning systems will save lives
As the one year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and Montecito mud flows approach, emergency responders and government officials are attempting to assure the public that they will receive proper warning if the worst is to occur. On Nov. 6, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors accepted a report from the county executive and […]
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Toussaint defeats Richardson, ends ten year mayorship
There’s a new mayor in Solvang. Councilmember Ryan Toussaint unseated incumbent Jim Richardson by a margin of more than 300 votes, or roughly 60 percent of all ballots cast. Elected in 2008, Richardson held the position for a decade before being ousted by the sitting council member known for starting an IT company at 19 […]
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Lompoc’s Jenelle Osborne becomes first woman mayor in 20 years
For the first time in 20 years, Lompoc’s mayor will be a woman. “I really wanted to give the community an opportunity to have a choice in who the voice and face representing them was,” Councilmember Jenelle Osborne told the Sun before capturing more than 50 percent of the vote to seal her victory just […]
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Spotlight on: Central Coast Sports Arena
Tobin Flamm, co-owner, general manager
When Tobin Flamm, 27, and his mom, Lori, bought the Central Coast Sports Arena some six months ago, they did so with one goal in mind. “We just want to help give kids an outlet and encourage them to stay off the streets and shoot for their goals and dreams,” Tobin told the Sun. “If […]
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Spotlight on: Treetop Yoga
Nicole Lowe, owner
For Nicole Lowe, owner and lead instructor at Santa Maria’s Treetop Yoga, a seventh year anniversary is an occasion to take in stride. The studio celebrated the milestone in mid October by hosting a series of free classes that include yoga sessions for all ages and skill levels. “It was neat to kind of have […]
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What went wrong: Santa Barbara County analyzes action during Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow
For a brief stretch of time spanning December 2017 to January 2018, Santa Barbara County was synonymous with the word “disaster.” First, the Thomas Fire in December scorched hundreds of thousands of acres of federal, state, county, and private land, becoming one of the largest fires in California’s recorded history. Barely a month after the […]
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Solvang opts to allow only one medical dispensary
Tempers flared to close a Solvang City Council meeting on Oct. 22 when the topic of cannabis came up on the night’s agenda. The issue at hand? How many medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed within city limits. “I’ve talked to many constituents that are totally opposed to a dispensary [in town], period,” Mayor Jim […]
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Pacific Pride says Needle Exchange Program not bringing drug addicts near kids
A social media post and a TV news segment pushed the Pacific Pride Foundation’s Needle Exchange Program, which involves a small van delivering clean needles to drug addicts, into the spotlight the week of Oct. 16. Quoting a single Facebook post, Santa Barbara-based KEYT reported on Oct. 18 that residents in Lompoc were concerned about […]
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Officials hold roundtable with United Way about its Real Cost Measure Index
A collection of local business owners, politicians, and community leaders took part in a roundtable on Oct. 15 to discuss how best to determine if a family or individual is living below the federal poverty line. “Imagine you’re part of a family of four; two adults, one infant, and one school-aged child,” said Henry Gascon, […]
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Spotlight on: Vivid Cycling Club
Calvin Harris, founder
Calvin Harris began cycling years ago. The activity became a daily habit before becoming an “on-and-off thing,” he said. After a brief hiatus, which featured a few months carved out of the year to train for the Boston Marathon, Harris hopped back on his bike. It’s been full steam ever since, he told the Sun. […]