Krishna Flores is going up against Bob Nelson in the Santa Barbara County 4th District supervisorial race with a little more than $2,000—$44,000 less than incumbent Nelson. “As a challenger running a true grassroots campaign, we never expected large sums of money, but we had a great plan to spend the money wisely and strategically,” […]
News
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Cost of living
Santa Maria city employees, firefighters want more money than the city is bargaining for
Santa Maria firefighter Shea Weidler has lived in a van since October because he can’t afford housing costs with the salary he makes. “As a 30-year-old, you see yourself owning a home and more stable, but when you’re living in a van, living paycheck to paycheck, it kind of wears on you,” Weidler said. “While […]
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Solvang plans to amend recreation master plan amid pickleball dilemma
Hans Christian Andersen Park is home to Solvang’s two dedicated pickleball courts, both on the verge of closing to the public, according to Parks and Recreation Director Jenny McClurg. “The current courts are getting to the point where it could become a safety hazard and could warrant a closure,” McClurg, who attributed some damage to […]
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Board of Supervisors unanimously approve funding new CalFresh positions
Facing a 69 percent increase in CalFresh caseloads from 2016 to 2023 while staffing increased just 28 percent, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved 86 new CalFresh positions for the county’s Social Services Department. “For years our funding in the CalFresh program has been constrained by policies in the early 2000s, which […]
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County Planning Commission approves Cuyama oil well testing project
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission voted 4-1 (with 3rd District Commissioner John Parke dissenting) during its Jan. 31 meeting to approve a proposal to drill a single oil and gas “exploration well” in the Cuyama Valley. Michigan-based oil and gas company West Bay Exploration Company proposed the Hidden Canyon Test Well, which would be […]
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Northern Santa Barbara County receives minimal damage in storms
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara, SLO, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, among others, after an atmospheric river slowly made its way through the California. Storms began on Jan. 31. As of Feb. 6, parts of Santa Barbara County had received between 1 and 15 inches of rain total in […]
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Solvang accepts applications for new advisory committee
Out of commission for nearly a year, Solvang’s Tourism Advisory Committee is undergoing a reboot, and currently recruiting new members. The group’s resurfacing also comes with rebranding, as it’s now called the Tourism and Marketing Advisory Committee (TMAC). The purpose of the board is to “advise city staff on matters relating to promoting Solvang as […]
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State Parks increases number of campers allowed at Oceano Dunes
After months of advocating for State Parks to bring camping reservations back to pre-pandemic levels, the Friends of the Oceano Dunes is pleased that the number of units available to overnighters at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) recently increased to 500. The group is also looking forward to working with State Parks […]
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Strauss Wind Energy Project begins operating in Santa Barbara County
After years of going through the Santa Barbara County planning process, the Strauss Wind Energy Project is officially running—generating enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes, said Errin Briggs, supervising planner for the Energy, Minerals, and Compliance Division of the county Planning and Development Department. “I think it’s just really impressive that they were able […]
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Hancock’s first rodeo
Santa Maria’s community college is hosting its inaugural competition in March at the Elks event center
Spring roundup Contact ahcrodeo@gmail.com or (805) 357-6324 for vendor or sponsor information, or if you are interested in volunteering to help Allan Hancock College host its first college rodeo. Gates open at 5 p.m. at the Elks Rodeo Grounds on March 14 and 15, and the college rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. each day. Paloma […]
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Incumbent Joan Hartmann leads fundraising for 3rd District race
Third District Santa Barbara County supervisor candidate Jenelle Osborne is heading into the March 5 primary election with only $100 in her coffers, according to campaign finance filings. She’s raised the least among the three candidates, so far. “I got into the race late so I didn’t start funding or did any appeals for funds, […]
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Rooster rules
Santa Barbara County residents speak out about a new ordinance limiting the number of roosters on properties
Eduardo Ramos began raising chickens at his Cebada Canyon home when he bought the property a little more than a year ago, Ramos told the Sun. “I did extensive research before acquiring the property and saw that this is the right place to keep my fowl because of zoning,” he said. “Then I started hearing […]