In 2014, fewer than half of all Santa Barbara County residents eligible for CalFresh, the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), were enrolled in the program. The county’s participation rate of 42 percent was one of the lowest rates of all counties in the state at the time. After three years and some program changes, […]
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Environmental organizations sue federal agencies over tree removal project
In an effort to stop a project to remove trees in Los Padres National Forest, three conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. In the lawsuit—filed by Los Padres ForestWatch, the John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute, and the Center for Biological Diversity—the […]
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Pale Blue Dot Ventures pitches latest attempt to build themed attraction
Fifty years after astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon, the city of Lompoc continues to pursue its own sort of space exploration. Over the last decade, numerous people have unsuccessfully tried to build a space-themed park on an 82-acre parcel of land in Lompoc with views […]
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After city opposition, LAFCO approves minimal changes to annexation requirements
After some cities strongly opposed significant changes to the Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) open space and agricultural land policies, the commission instead opted to pass a less consequential amendment at its July 11 meeting. LAFCO began reviewing its existing policies last year. In late March 2019, commission staff sent a letter […]
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County supervisors tighten commercial cannabis ordinances
Close to a year after its original cannabis ordinances went into effect, Santa Barbara County has made substantial changes to its regulations and is poised to make more. At its July 9 meeting, the county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved expanding the noticing requirements for when a commercial cannabis operation application is submitted to the […]
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Spotlight on: Proposition 68 grant funding
Parks in Santa Maria and Lompoc could receive overdue updates if the cities are successful in securing millions of dollars in grant funding from the state. In June 2018, California voters approved a $4 billion bond referendum that funds, among other projects, parks in low-income neighborhoods. According to state documents, projects are only eligible […]
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Organization protecting sex offenders’ rights continues statewide lawsuit campaign, sues Lompoc
An organization dedicated to protecting the rights of registered sex offenders is on a campaign to sue cities throughout California with ordinances in place that it believes are unconstitutional. The city of Lompoc is one of the group’s most recent targets. Attorney Janice Bellucci, who is the founder and executive director of Alliance for Constitutional […]
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Lompoc City Council backs businesses, not city staff on grease traps
Twice in the last two months the Lompoc City Council has voted against the recommendation of city staff and upheld appeals from local business owners to avoid installing grease traps. This equipment captures and prevents grease and other materials from traveling into the city’s wastewater system. Owners of the Vitamin and Herb Store and P.J.’s […]
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State commission terminates oil and gas leases offshore Santa Barbara County
The State Lands Commission terminated three oil and gas leases and a right-of-way lease for a pipeline off the coast of Santa Barbara County after the companies holding the leases failed to pay rent for more than three years. Carone Petroleum Corporation stopped making annual rental payments on the oil and gas leases in […]
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County, cities seek federal grant to fight gang violence
The Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) is applying for a grant through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a more collaborative approach to reducing gang violence in the county. According to a memorandum of understanding between the CAC and the jurisdictions sponsoring the grant application, the commission will lead an […]
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Surf Beach closures have helped the birds recover, but have burdened beachgoers
Standing only a few inches off the ground, a Western snowy plover scurries down a sand dune and across a flat stretch of beach searching for bugs to eat in a clump of kelp that’s washed ashore. Weighing about 2 ounces, its tiny frame carries just enough weight to leave faint impressions of its quick […]
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Lompoc seeking input on biking, walking plan
Walkers, joggers, bikers, and other interested Lompoc residents can participate in a community survey to provide input on a pedestrian and bicycle master plan for the city. The goal of this plan is to assess the existing conditions of sidewalks and bike paths throughout the city and to identify where improvements are needed. According to […]
