After a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge ruled that the Board of Supervisors acted within its rights to deny the 4,000-acre Rancho La Laguna subdivision project, attorneys representing the developers filed an appeal to the decision. That appeal was short-lived as the developers later withdrew it, letting the Superior Court decision stand, said Linda […]
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Creating space: The Santa Maria Valley lacks dedicated places for the LGBTQ-plus community
In the early days of the Allan Hancock College Pride Alliance, students wrote on name tags preferred names and pronouns, with the understanding that the names would only be used during meetings for safety reasons, said Jackie, a student and Pride Alliance member. The student organization is dedicated to helping LGBTQ-plus students through events and […]
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Preliminary election results show low voter turnout during March 5 primary
While ballots are still being counted, Santa Barbara County election results show lower voter turnout than in previous presidential primaries. Michael Daly—Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder, Assessor, and Elections Office chief deputy assessor and registrar of voters—told the Sun that 41.6 percent of registered voters had their ballots counted so far during the March 5 primary. […]
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Nipomo residents are upset about another housing development
The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission approved another housing development in Nipomo, despite community members’ protests. Commissioners unanimously approved the construction of 72 affordable, multi-family residential units on 2.57 acres along Magenta Lane during a March 14 meeting. The development will consist of three three-story apartment buildings, an attached community room to the front […]
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More than 1,600 Santa Barbara County jail inmates filed grievances
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office saw an increase in inmate complaints about access to medical, mental health, and dental care as well as medication-assisted treatment for inmates facing substance use disorders. Second District Supervisor Laura Capps pulled the report for discussion during the March 19 Board of Supervisors meeting because grievances haven’t been discussed […]
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Court orders Los Alamos fisherman to pay $19,000 for abandoning lobster traps
Christopher Miller, a 67-year-old Los Alamos resident, pleaded guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for failing to complete lobster commercial fishing records and paid $19,340 in restitution to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and a partnering nonprofit agency to remove at least 156 abandoned lobster traps around Santa Cruz Island. Lobster […]
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Boundary lines: Santa Barbara and SLO counties work together to address Santa Maria Riverbed homeless encampments
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are teaming up to address a growing number of homeless encampments in the Santa Maria Riverbed. A $6 million grant Gov. Gavin Newsom awarded to Santa Barbara County in 2023 aims to clean up encampments, including in the Santa Maria Riverbed between Santa Barbara and SLO counties that’s […]
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Preliminary results show incumbents lead in state races, Prop. 1 approved by 1 percent
While both sets of candidates in the local state Senate and Assembly races will march forward to the November general election, preliminary results show incumbent Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and state Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) in the lead. “I’m gratified and humbled by the results, and I’m excited about getting back to work […]
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Solvang funds study on roadside trail for pedestrians, bicyclists
To help curb a lingering safety concern, the city of Solvang is preparing to renovate a 2,400-foot segment of Fredensborg Canyon Road. While there are residential driveways on both sides of the route, neither side has a sidewalk. Public Works Director Rodger A. Olds referred to this stretch of Fredensborg as “the greatest danger to […]
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Das Williams behind, fellow incumbents lead in Santa Barbara County supervisor races
A round of applause and shouts burst out in the Santa Maria Country Club as preliminary election results loaded on a big screen, showing Santa Barbara County 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson ahead of challenger and Los Alamos resident Krishna Flores. “I’m floored to be honest,” Nelson told the Sun on March 5. “There’s been […]
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Lompoc man found guilty of fentanyl distribution resulting in death
A Los Angeles jury found Kaelen Jacobkeali Wendel—a 32-year-old Lompoc resident and northern Santa Barbara County jail inmate—guilty of distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death and serious injury of two inmates, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to court documents, Wendel smuggled fentanyl into the North County Jail’s D unit on […]
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‘Long overdue’
Santa Maria Fire Department implements annual physicals and seeks additional funding for preventative care
Santa Maria Fire Battalion Chief Evan Scott got his third physical exam in his 20-year career as a Santa Maria firefighter after he helped establish the department’s health and wellness program. “It was a big deal. It was the goal I was shooting for before I retired,” Scott told the Sun. “I banged that drum […]