A unanimous vote from the California Fish and Game Commission granted new safeguards to roughly 9 square miles of marine habitat off the coast of Guadalupe. “I understand how hard it is to lose yet another fishing area,” Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin said at the hearing. “However, the Chumash people were displaced. Their lands taken. Forced […]
News
Posted inNews
Santa Maria asks residents to vote yes on sales tax increase
With a tax bump to consider on the Nov. 3 ballot, Santa Maria’s registered voters will determine the fate of some local playgrounds, pickleball courts, and public pools, according to City Manager David Rowlands. “These are all quality-of-life items, … services that are at risk due to the ongoing budget pressures,” Rowlands told attendees of […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe tackles unpaid water bills tallying up to $250,000
To make up for years of letting some Guadalupe residents’ unpaid water bills slide, the city ramped up its monthly shutoff average from 10 customers to 90 this October. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to start shutting off water. The city has $250,000 in unpaid water bills,” City Administrator David Trujillo told the City Council at […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: October 29, 2026
•Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2257—authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara)—into law. This legislation grants county boards of supervisors across California the option to confirm a sheriff’s nominee to lead county jail operations. The law establishes a direct role for supervisors in approving jail leadership, helping close what Hart calls an accountability […]
Posted inNews
CoastHills partners with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to donate 100-plus beds
For the second year in a row, dozens of employees of a local credit union spent one of their days off on a team building project, so to speak. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which fell on Oct. 12 this year, 150 CoastHills Credit Union workers volunteered their time to build 105 beds for local children […]
Posted inNews
Four candidates contend for two seats on the high school district board
Tackling overcrowded local high school classrooms is one major issue for those running to fill seats on the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board. In 2024, the district’s bond measure aimed at building a new high school to address the issue didn’t receive enough votes to pass. Diana Perez, who’s running for the […]
Posted inNews
Some Santa Maria candidates raise thousands of dollars in donations
Depending on the outcome of November’s election, up to three seats on the Santa Maria City Council could change hands. Of those three races, the 4th District race is guaranteed to bring new blood to the dais, without an incumbent to consider. While current 4th District Councilmember Maribel Aguilera vies for retiring Santa Barbara County […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria delays hearing ‘to ensure safety’ of City Council
On Oct. 6, the city of Santa Maria issued a formal notice canceling the City Council’s regular meeting scheduled for that evening. Originally described as “due to a lack of quorum,” the short-notice cancellation prompted a more specific explanation from the city in an Oct. 8 release. “For further clarification, the meeting was canceled per […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: October 15, 2026
•Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1875—authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara)—into law on Oct. 6. This legislation grants judges discretion to waive or shorten California’s six-month divorce waiting period for victims and survivors of domestic violence, as the time period surrounding separation and divorce can be particularly dangerous for victims of domestic violence. […]
Posted inNews
California grants $2 million to the future Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum
Dave Bemis has volunteered with many nonprofits in his life, but never at a start-up like the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum. He experienced new challenges in his role as the president of the board. “It’s hard to recruit people and to raise money for something that doesn’t exist yet. It’s hard to explain to […]
Posted inNews
Rematch: Jeremy Ball and Jim Mosby are battling in another Lompoc race, this time to become the city’s next mayor
For the second time in six years, Lompoc is asking voters to choose between Jim Mosby and Jeremy Ball. The two City Council incumbents previously squared off in 2020 for the 4th District seat, which Ball won. Mosby’s successful run for mayor against Jenelle Osborne in 2024 put him back on the dais—where he’s served […]
Posted inNews
Police use drones as first responders in Lompoc
Two Flock Safety drones launching from the roof of the Lompoc Police Department have been responding to emergencies in the city since August. The extra eyes in the air help officers locate subjects and navigate difficult terrain within a 3-mile radius of the station. “I think it’s been helpful in multiple cases,” Community Services Sgt. […]
