Noelle Berg and her husband evacuated from their Santa Ynez Valley home on their own accord as they saw helicopters drop retardant on the spreading Lake Fire, Berg told the Sun on July 8. “We encouraged all of our friends to get out, but some of these people have said ‘We’re not leaving. Period,’” Berg […]
Taylor O'Connor
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Lompoc now has two ballot measures to discontinue public park use
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 […]
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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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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, […]
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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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Guadalupe will put Royal Theater bond measure on ballot
Facing grant deadlines and increased costs, the Guadalupe City Council voted 4-1 (with Councilmember Eugene Costa Jr. dissenting) during its June 11 meeting to approve a bond measure for the Nov. 5 ballot that would help fund the Royal Theater renovation project. The project proposes to revitalize the historic site (built in 1940) with a […]
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 […]
