When Daniel Contreras rounded out Buellton’s five-member Planning Commission, one of his first goals was to help the city make better use of existing properties that become idle for one reason or another. “[We] have a lot of facilities and parcels that are just gathering dust at the moment, and we’re not revitalizing those areas,” […]
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Political Watch: December 25, 2025
• U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and John Curtis (R-Utah) co-introduced the Timeshare Pricing Transparency Act on Dec. 18. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect consumers from confusing contracts, hidden fees, and unclear exit options in the timeshare industry. “Americans deserve to have all of the information they need upfront, before entering any timeshare commitment, […]
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At Santa Maria’s Neurofighters gym, boxers combat the progression of neurological conditions
Around 20 boxers filed into a studio on East Main Street on a Wednesday afternoon in December. Led by sisters Kristi Boasso and April Huckabey, the class warmed up with moves like marching in place, opening and closing their fists, and cross body punches. The oldies station was on, and a few participants sang along. […]
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Finding fugitives: Santa Barbara County tackles arrest warrants with focus on most violent felonies
Robbery. Carjacking. Assault with a deadly weapon. Brandishing a firearm. Several outstanding felony warrants were stacked against Victor Manuel Ayala Sanchez on the day of his arrest in Santa Maria Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies took the 30-year-old into custody in mid-August after a four-hour standoff outside of Sanchez’s residence on East Sunset Avenue. […]
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LAFCO highlights struggling cemetery districts
Hoping to clear the cobwebs around an ongoing issue plaguing Central Coast cemeteries, the Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) wants to explore the possibility of consolidating some of those cemetery districts. In its 2025 review of countywide municipal services, LAFCO staff highlighted a handful of cemetery districts, including Oak Hill Cemetery in […]
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More cultural arts programming is headed to Santa Maria-Bonita schools
Starting in January, students at 15 elementary schools will have the opportunity to join a ballet folklórico dance program after school. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District board approved a roughly $59,000 contract with Children’s Creative Project at the Dec. 10 meeting. “By securing these services, we demonstrate our commitment to providing students with high quality, […]
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Los Olivos CSD considers testing groundwater wells once a year
A local agency’s decision to postpone one of Los Olivos’ regularly scheduled groundwater well tests—used to measure nitrate concentration levels—opened the floodgates to a different kind of monitoring for resident Kathryn Lohmeyer Rohrer. “It seems problematic on several fronts,” Rohrer said during public comment at the Los Olivos Community Services District’s (CSD) Nov. 12 meeting. […]
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Political Watch: December 18, 2025
• The House of Representatives recently passed U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s (D-Santa Barbara) legislation to rename a post office in Goleta for Frederick Lopez, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Marine Corps with a 30-year career of distinguished service. “General Lopez represents the best of the Central Coast and of our nation’s armed forces,” […]
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Oak Folk Studio combines kid-friendly yoga, improv, painting, and more in Orcutt
Movement and mindfulness go hand in hand at Oak Folk Studio, where self-expression takes on many forms for many ages. Since its soft opening in November, the eclectic Orcutt venue has hosted kid-friendly classes in art, performing arts, and yoga. “I feel like they all kind of weave together,” founder, owner, and instructor Katlin Majewski […]
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Food patrol: The county aims to tackle unpermitted streetside vending with the help of a task force
Tensions were sky-high the night Lompoc Mayor Jim Mosby went viral on TikTok for protesting a taco stand located behind a Conserve Fuel station. “This is not legal,” Mosby told sidewalk vendors on the corner of North A and North H streets. “Where’s the refrigeration? What are your temperatures? You have no health permit.” He […]
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Lompoc City Councilmember Steve Bridge pleads not guilty to felony charges
Charged with embezzlement and misuse of city funds, Lompoc 1st District Councilmember Steve Bridge showed no intention of stepping down from the dais after one of his peers called for his resignation. “I will be found not guilty. Therefore, I’ll continue to support and represent every member of the community and District 1,” Bridge said […]
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Santa Maria Fire Department sees improvements from new dispatch center and internal changes
Anyone in Santa Barbara County who calls for emergency fire or medical help receives the quickest response possible from firefighters thanks to the new regional dispatch center. It’s the same story in Santa Maria, and this year, the city’s Fire Department also made changes to improve efficiency. “You’re getting the closest unit down to the […]
