The California Coastal Commission recently delayed deciding on whether SpaceX should be able to increase the number of rockets it launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. SpaceX proposed expanding its Falcon 9 space program by increasing launch activities from six to 36 per year, with anticipation for an additional increase to 100 per year at […]
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County resource constraints prevent better jail health care, according to sheriff
During a special meeting to discuss jail health care, Santa Barbara County residents and the Board of Supervisors expressed concerns about care transparency, inmates’ access to timely care, and continued care for individuals once they leave the jail system. While the Sheriff’s Office shared ongoing efforts to address these concerns, jail staffing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, […]
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Solvang prioritizes solving parking issues for 2024-26 budget
With the aim of completing 15 projects in a two-year time frame, the city of Solvang is recruiting additional staff members, including a management analyst. At least half of the hiree’s workload will be dedicated to helping resolve issues the City Council decided to prioritize for the 2024-26 budget. Traffic congestion, code enforcement, and water […]
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Slowed revenue, new state legislation limit county’s 2024-25 budget
Facing increasing costs and revenue that’s struggling to keep up, the Santa Barbara County Executive Office is recommending that the county allocate funds that will maintain current services and avoid expansions. “Our theme this year is prudence and progress,” County CEO Mona Miyasato told the Board of Supervisors during the April 9 budget workshops. “We […]
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Aquarium science: A Cabrillo High School CTE program that involves octopus and hands-on training is expanding
A 1-year-old octopus gently wrapped one of its tentacles around Jenna Gorndt’s fingers as the Cabrillo High School senior lightly touched the top of its aquarium. “I think it’s cool, having an animal that can recognize you when you’re trying to interact with her, because most animals, they aren’t going to be this excited to […]
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Santa Maria amends ADU ordinance amid lingering frustrations
Since 2018, Santa Maria’s approved 1,526 accessory dwelling units (ADUs), equivalent to eight apartment complexes, leaving residents frustrated with overflowing trash bins, increased traffic, and less parking. “It’s not uncommon for us to see a single-family property with one or multiple ADUs and so it begins to take on a neighborhood characteristic of something that’s […]
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Buellton amends zoning laws on emergency shelters
While a dedicated emergency shelter doesn’t currently exist in Buellton, the option to build one was on the table for property owners in the city’s commercial districts before a recent ruling. During its March 28 meeting, the Buellton City Council enacted an urgency ordinance to temporarily ban the development of emergency shelters in areas zoned […]
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Board of Supervisors holds off on new sales tax measures
Recent Santa Barbara County survey results showed that cost of living and financial security concerns would hold many voters back from voting in favor of any additional sales tax this election. “There’s a level of trust we need to build before we ask [voters] for more money,” 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson said during the […]
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Clean up and abandon: While the state undertakes its largest orphan oil well project in California history, environmental groups worry about lack of accountability for oil operators
About a year ago, the California Department of Conservation embarked on the largest oil well plugging and abandonment project in state history, starting in Santa Barbara County. The department’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) set off to plug and abandon 171 orphaned wells in the Santa Maria Valley’s Cat Canyon with $34 million in state […]
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Cannabis conundrum: Santa Barbara County looks at new cannabis tax models after revenue transparency and forecast concerns
When Santa Barbara County opened the doors to legal cannabis operations in 2017, officials designed a tax system without precedent. “There was no model to work from because we were the first ones in the boat,” 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said. During this time, consultants presented the county with two options: taxing the gross […]
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Roy Lee elected as new 1st District Supervisor
Incumbent 1st District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams called candidate Roy Lee on March 14 to congratulate him on becoming the next supervisor representing Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria, and Cuyama come January 2025. “I wanted to do what none of my opponents in 21 years had done, actually have a personal concession and wish him […]
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County grand jury finds fault with Visit Lompoc’s financial reports
Previously disputed by Lompoc’s legal counsel, a local resident’s 2023 complaint against the city’s tourism board and its accounting practices ignited a Santa Barbara County grand jury investigation. In a report released on March 22, the jury concluded that the Lompoc Tourism Business Improvement District’s annual reporting “shows hundreds of thousands of dollars in unaccounted-for […]