After putting the fiscal future of the city in the hands of its residents, Lompoc civic leaders lauded preliminary election results, which showed that voters approved a 1 percent sales tax increase for the city. The tax will generate an estimated $4.8 million in revenue annually while it’s in place over the next 15 years. […]
ZAC EZZONE
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Hartmann poised to secure second term as supervisor
The same winner emerged from a repeat race of four years ago for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor. Incumbent Joan Hartmann and challenger Bruce Porter faced off again after vying for the same position in 2016. That race led to a runoff in November—which Hartmann won—after both candidates failed to secure a majority of […]
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More than a year after cleaning up the Santa Ynez Riverbed, Lompoc weighs a second attempt
More than a year after spending nearly $500,000 on cleaning up the Santa Ynez Riverbed, the city of Lompoc is weighing its options on how to address the problem again. Between September 2018 and January 2019, the city, along with a variety of nonprofits and some Santa Barbara County agencies, evicted people who were illegally […]
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The three candidates for 3rd District supervisor ran against each other for the same position in 2016
Voters in Santa Barbara County’s largest district will face a familiar decision when voting for county supervisor in the March 3 primary election. The county’s 3rd District covers a sprawling area stretching from Guadalupe to the Santa Ynez Valley to Isla Vista. Incumbent Joan Hartmann faces challenges from Bruce Porter and Karen Jones, both of […]
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County purchases electric vehicles, charging stations
Santa Barbara County is beginning its transition of replacing its fleet of vehicles with electrical ones with the purchase of 56 cars and 71 charging stations. Skip Grey, the county’s assistant director of its General Services Department, presented plans to make these purchases at the Feb. 25 Board of Supervisors meeting. During the meeting, Grey […]
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Two Sheriff’s Office employees arrested for sex offenses
A lengthy investigation led by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office detectives has concluded with the arrest of two department employees who worked at the county jail. On Feb. 21, the Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Salvador Vargas, who worked at the jail as a social worker involved with inmate discharges, and Gabriel […]
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County volunteers look for answers in animal services director firing
Santa Barbara County has fired its Animal Services director less than a year after she was appointed, and volunteers aren’t happy with the decision. During the county Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 11, volunteers who spend time with animals at county shelters spoke in defense of former director Tara Diller. Of the nine people […]
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Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Humane Societies announce merger
Amid financial challenges, and a week after its executive director stepped down, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society announced it’s merging with the Santa Barbara Humane Society. The organizations announced this change on Feb. 4. This move comes after 18 months of discussions among various animal welfare groups throughout the county about how to work […]
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Coastal Commission approves amendment streamlining county housing permit process
Santa Barbara County is attempting to overcome some of its existing labor and housing shortages by streamlining its process for developing homes for agricultural employees. The county Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance making changes to its permit process for agricultural employee dwellings during its Dec. 11, 2018, meeting. While this took care of much […]
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An ag panel discusses present challenges, potential for the future
Labor shortages and government regulations tied to groundwater usage continue to hinder local farmers, but technological advancements could ease some of these concerns, according to a panel of agriculture experts who spoke at a recent event in Santa Maria. The panel met as part of a forum the local nonprofit Econ Alliance hosted at the […]
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County receives $28.1 million in Thomas Fire settlement
Almost two years after pursuing litigation following the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides in Montecito, Santa Barbara County received $28.1 million in a settlement it reached with Southern California Edison. The county filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the utility company—which is blamed for one of its power lines sparking the fire—on April 18, 2018, […]
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Just a plant: Farmers stress that cannabis is another agricultural commodity
From continuously changing regulations to scrutiny from some local groups and the threat of the black market, farmers at the forefront of the cannabis industry have to be adept at navigating a number of challenges. As of Jan. 15, Santa Barbara County has received applications for 218 cannabis cultivation projects totaling 2,346 acres, according to […]
