Taylor O'Connor

toconnor@santamariasun.com
Posted inNews

Hancock’s first rodeo

Santa Maria’s community college is hosting its inaugural competition in March at the Elks event center
by Taylor O'Connor

Spring roundup Contact ahcrodeo@gmail.com or (805) 357-6324 for vendor or sponsor information, or if you are interested in volunteering to help Allan Hancock College host its first college rodeo.  Gates open at 5 p.m. at the Elks Rodeo Grounds on March 14 and 15, and the college rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. each day. Paloma […]

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Strauss Wind Energy Project begins operating in Santa Barbara County

by Taylor O'Connor

After years of going through the Santa Barbara County planning process, the Strauss Wind Energy Project is officially running—generating enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes, said Errin Briggs, supervising planner for the Energy, Minerals, and Compliance Division of the county Planning and Development Department.  “I think it’s just really impressive that they were able […]

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One805 reflects on funding year-round counseling services for firefighters, new equipment purchases for first responders

by Taylor O'Connor

One805 launched as a nonprofit supporting Santa Barbara County first responders after the 2017-18 Thomas Fire and 2018 Montecito mudslides.  “First responders are an essential part of our community, and part of our mission is to encourage people to understand that they need us to appreciate them and help them, and that it’s not an […]

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Rooster rules

Santa Barbara County residents speak out about a new ordinance limiting the number of roosters on properties
by Taylor O'Connor

Eduardo Ramos began raising chickens at his Cebada Canyon home when he bought the property a little more than a year ago, Ramos told the Sun.  “I did extensive research before acquiring the property and saw that this is the right place to keep my fowl because of zoning,” he said. “Then I started hearing […]

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County forecasts balanced budget, despite 3rd District supervisor candidate’s deficit concerns

by Taylor O'Connor

Santa Barbara County refuted allegations from 3rd District supervisor candidate Frank Troise that the county would be facing a $15 million to $20 million deficit for the next three to four years.  Kelsey Gerckens Buttitta, Santa Barbara County’s public information officer, told the Sun that the county is forecasting a balanced budget for its upcoming […]

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Cal Poly professors win a patent for their wildfire-detecting software

by Taylor O'Connor

Two Cal Poly engineering professors’ concern for preserving the environment for future generations sparked a trailblazing project with intentions to prevent widespread fires. Majid Poshtan and Joseph Callenes-Sloan—associate professors of electrical engineering and computer engineering, respectively—advanced a software program that can be attached to high-power transmission lines and detect fledgling local fires, their growth, and […]

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Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approves new rooster ordinance

by Taylor O'Connor

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 (with 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson dissenting) to approve an ordinance that regulates the number of roosters on private properties to address noise complaints and illegal cockfighting concerns.  “When I was asking [my predecessor] about things that were tough on this board, he said, ‘You are […]

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