Rocket engines and old stories of spaceflight take up vast stretches of undulating terrain just above sea level. Northwest of Lompoc, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) encompasses 110,000 acres, more than 15 times the size of the town right next to it. The base is rich in aerospace expertise and extra land, and broad coalition […]
William D'Urso
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Solvang makes multiple management changes
After the recent divorce with its tourism nonprofit, the city of Solvang announced another separation and a new partnership. Solvang parted ways with City Manager David Gassaway in a mutual decision, according to a Sept. 9 news release from the city. Gassaway had been appointed to city manager in February. “Mr. Gassaway brings a lot […]
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Solvang looks for new options after separating from its tourism and conference bureau
Talks between the city of Solvang and its tourism nonprofit have failed. Again. And both parties say discussions are done for good. With negotiations dead, the city insists that the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has gone dark while the people who run the bureau are under a different impression. “We’re not going to […]
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From house-made seasonal sausages to the high-demand hanger steak, Woody’s Butcher Block sells it all
”Come in and I’ll give you a taste of something fun.” The invitation came from Tim Woodbury, the owner, or as his business card reads, “Head Honcho” of Woody’s Butcher Block. He followed it up with a wave of a meaty hand. Toothpick between his fingers, he speared a piece of sausage, an experiment he […]
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For local districts, easy-access after-school programs are elementary
When the Lompoc Unified School District kicked off the new school year, it began an experiment to broaden access to after-school programs for its elementary school students. The district beefed up options with the Boys & Girls Club in Lompoc at La Honda STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) Academy. It now has 60 students, […]
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New use-of-force law won’t change law enforcement, Sheriff’s Office says
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill strengthening the state’s use-of-force rules for law enforcement to “one of the strongest use-of-force laws in the country,” his office said in a news release. Announced in an Aug. 19 news release, Assembly Bill 392 was introduced by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) and supported by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham […]
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Spotlight on: April Sargeant, owner, Neuroboxing Santa Maria
What would become personal trainer April Sargeant’s life’s work first began as a request. It came from Lisa Murray, a fellow attendee of a women’s group who asked Sargent to work with her husband, Ed. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative condition that weakens motor skills and often slurs speech. Sargeant had […]
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Land Trust announces expansion plans
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County announced ambitious plans to broaden its conserved area to 40,000 acres by 2025. “One of the most important innovations at the Land Trust over the past few years has been a discernible shift in the execution of our mission from an opportunistic and largely reactive organization to one […]
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Guadalupe is ready for some parks and rec
The city of Guadalupe plans to create a new five-person recreation commission to spend $4.5 million the city received in state grant funding. The commission was re-established on Aug. 13 during the Guadalupe City Council meeting. Mayor Ariston Julian said it was one of the city’s top priorities. “We felt, and the community felt, we […]
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Santa Maria high school district aims to make financial aid forms mandatory for graduating seniors
Diana Perez and her fellow members of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board of education saw a problem: Too few students were attending college. The culprit in their minds? Not enough students filing financial aid applications. “I think the students who were missing were middle-income students,” Perez said. “I think middle-income students […]
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Kindergartners at Arellanes become full-time students
At Arellanes Elementary School, the kindergartners have joined the big kids. When the first bell of the school year rang Aug. 12, 46 kindergartners had packed for a full day at school—not just for one half-day session as in years past, but a whole day, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and ending at 2:10 p.m., just […]
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Caldwell announces jump from pundit to politician
After decades of talking politics, Andy Caldwell is diving in. The longtime radio personality and op-ed scribe announced his campaign for the 24th U.S. Congressional District on Aug. 12, setting him up for a potential 2020 showdown with incumbent Democrat Salud Carbajal. “He’s driving voters away from himself,” Caldwell said. “His party wants Medicare for […]