Two ballot measures related to the conversion of 82 acres of public land and open space for a private, space-themed education center are heading for Lompoc’s ballot after residents initiated a measure and the City Council approved its own in May. “The council may want to withdraw the city measure because you are obligated to […]
Taylor O'Connor
Posted inNews
County and nonprofits deploy services to protect residents during high temperatures
With the first heatwave in what’s expected to be a scorching summer, Santa Barbara County officials and local nonprofits are taking action to keep residents safe from high temperatures. Good Samaritan Shelter Director of Homeless Services Kirsten Cahoon told the Sun that the organization deployed its outreach teams on July 5 to provide unsheltered individuals […]
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All day, all night: A YMCA in Santa Ynez wants to stay open 24/7, but its neighbors are against the plan
Working out at a gym was a lifeline for Danielle Laudon Ruse after having her son. “I suffered from severe sepsis and preeclampsia after giving birth. Going to work out was significant to my health and well-being and making me feel like I was in control of my body after what had happened,” the Santa […]
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Guadalupe Royal Theater bond measure fails during second reading
Guadalupe voters won’t have a chance to weigh in on a bond measure to fund the Royal Theater renovation project after the Guadalupe City Council voted 3-2 to put it on the ballot (with Councilmembers Eugene Costa Jr. and Christina Hernandez dissenting). It required one more vote in favor to pass. “I’m now going to […]
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Assemblymember Gregg Hart selected CALM as nonprofit of the year for its work on healing and preventing family trauma
CALM President and CEO Alana Walczak traveled to Sacramento in May to receive the 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year award from Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) in recognition of the organization’s work throughout Santa Barbara County. “It was a huge surprise for our CEO Alana Walczak to get the call from Hart that we […]
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Coming soon: Guadalupe plans to ask voters for $3 million to help fund Royal Theater renovation
There are wants and needs for Guadalupe, resident Shirley Boydstun told the Sun, and while a renovated Royal Theater would be nice, it’s not needed. “It’s a wonderful offering; it is a beautiful drawing for a city that has more money and the ability to handle it. We’re not there yet, that’s for sure,” Boydstun […]
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Santa Maria City Council passes 2024-26 budget, with general fund deficit
Facing the looming challenges of filling a deficit, the Santa Maria City Council voted 3-2 (with Councilmembers Gloria Soto and Carlos Escobedo dissenting) to pass its 2024-26 biennial budget. The total budget for fiscal year 2024-25 is almost $364 million and $347 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, Deputy City Treasurer Xenia Bradford told the […]
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County amends Wellpath contract for improved accountability, greater staffing levels
Additional nursing and behavioral health staff, accountability measures, and continued compliance with a legal settlement surrounding jail health care are some of the amended measures baked into Santa Barbara County’s contract extension with jail health care provider Wellpath. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved these changes during its June 25 meeting. “I do think, even […]
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Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department invites the public to its annual Fourth of July celebration
Since the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s beginning, it’s hosted a Fourth of July celebration for city residents. While the festivities vary from year to year, it’s continued to be a great opportunity for families, neighbors, and friends to gather for a day of free, fun-filled events, Recreation Manager Stephanie Saucedo said. This year, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Sex and the City
Sex and the City What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 1998-2004 Where’s it showing? Max, Netflix After years of people recommending the show and not knowing the answer when I was asked whether I was a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda, I finally decided to hop on the train and watch the 25-year-old HBO series Sex […]
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Farmers struggled in 2023 despite high crop values
While Santa Barbara County’s agricultural industry saw a $1.87 billion gross production value in 2023, increased costs and high regulations continue impacting farmers’ ability to survive, Claire Wineman said during the June 18 Board of Supervisors meeting. “The numbers presented today are before any costs and not take-home profit,” the president of the Grower-Shipper Association […]
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Santa Barbara Community Rowing looks to expand after its juniors team placed in nationals
Two Santa Barbara County high schoolers took Santa Barbara Community Rowing’s Junior Racing Team to nationals for the first time, where the girls took seventh place in the United States, head coach Gracie Barbara told the Sun. “I was crying all weekend because I was so proud of them,” Barbara said. “To make it to […]
