As the rain poured down from a black Texas sky, Dale McCook, 63, prayed. The flood came fast, and no one was ready. “In [1994], they had a major, major flood—it was the 500-year flood,” he told the Sun. “It never got close to us.” During that storm, the McCooks couldn’t reach nearby Beaumont, but […]
SPENCER COLE
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New Santa Maria housing project for veterans highlights nationally prevalent problem
For many veterans, life after the military can feel like an endless journey in search of a home. La Casa de Flores at 400 W. Church in Santa Maria aims to remedy that, one service member at a time. On Sept. 22, the 2,400 square foot, corner lot house’s newest residents—more than a half dozen […]
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Sheriff’s Office investigates body found in Santa Maria Riverbed
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is releasing scant details about the body of a deceased woman deputies recovered from the Santa Maria riverbed at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. On Oct. 3, Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover said there were no updates to the investigation. Santa Maria Police Department Detective Nathan Totorica […]
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Lompoc Police seize most guns in department history
The Lompoc Police Department seized the most firearms in its history following a series of mid-September raids connected to a gang fight at a local bar. “Ten guns on one case—that’s a lot of guns,” Police Chief Pat Walsh told reporters at a press conference on Sept. 27. “That’s really quite a bit of guns […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Tracy Ward
Tracy Ward was 8 years old when she got her first pony for Christmas. She’s been on horseback ever since. Now an instructor at Eagle Flight Farm in Los Olivos, Ward owns five horses and told the Sun that she rides daily. “It’s pretty much a full-time job,” she said. “If I’m not riding, I’m […]
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Lompoc City Council plans meeting to resolve issues among members
The Lompoc City Council agreed to hold a meeting to evaluate City Manager Patrick Wiemiller and council members in an attempt to improve communication after months of public feuding. “I think it’s important that the council can open lines of communication as a whole,” Councilmember Jim Mosby told the Sun. At its Sept. 19 meeting, […]
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DA: Santa Barbara County employee allegedly misappropriated $1.7 million in public funds
The court case involving a Santa Barbara County senior level accountant who allegedly embezzled $1.7 million in public funds took another step forward on Sept. 25. That morning, Judge Clifford Anderson in Santa Barbara presided over the arraignment of Lynn Hogan, a Public Works Department accountant, on a 27-count complaint filed by the county District […]
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Spotlight on: Orcutt Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Brenda Forsythe, owner
For Dr. Brenda Forsythe, the 10-year span between Orcutt Veterinary Hospital’s grand opening and its decade anniversary celebration on Sept. 17 was like the blink of an eye. “It’s just so exciting,” she told the Sun. “The time just flew by.” The animal care hospital has definitely grown since it opened. Chief veterinary assistant Jen […]
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Investigation of officer-involved shooting of Fernando Castro finds deputies acted reasonably
A report released by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office on Aug. 29 found that five county sheriff’s deputies acted reasonably in May of 2016 when they shot and killed Fernando Castro, 19, outside a mobile home park in Solvang. Castro’s death was preceded by more than 30 chaotic hours of high-speed car chases, […]
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Local water agencies incur penalties
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will address myriad violations that occurred at three separate facilities in May, according to a staff report. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation wastewater treatment plant in San Luis Obispo along with the Cambria and Cuyama community services districts face $84,000, $54,596, and $15,000 in penalties […]
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Cabrillo High School principal on administrative leave has history of sexual misconduct allegations
Jeff Wagonseller, the Cabrillo High School principal placed on administrative leave by the Lompoc Unified School District on Sept. 14, was accused of sexual misconduct with a 16-year-old student while a basketball coach at Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada nearly two decades ago. Wagonseller resigned from the Catholic high school shortly after the allegations […]
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Spotlight on: Cubanissimo
Arqui and Chrystal Trenado, owners
One of the Central Coast’s most beloved food trucks has set up shop in Orcutt, and its owners say they aim to offer patrons a little slice of Cuba. “It’s all about the experience,” Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House & Cafe owner Arqui Trenado told the Sun. “And I think it’s two different parts.” The first? […]