• U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pennsylvania) recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation aimed at improving housing access and affordability for U.S. veterans. The Home for the Brave Act would exempt veterans’ disability benefits from counting toward total income when determining their eligibility for housing assistance programs through the Department of Housing and […]
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Find one-of-a-kind treasures at The Garden Shoppe in Lompoc
In one word, Gale Dodds called her Lompoc consignment store “eclectic.” Even though it’s called The Garden Shoppe, vendors sell a little bit of everything, not just greenery. “It’s kind of hard to describe because we do have all of the handmade treasures that local people make … but then there’s all the other really […]
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Coroner’s conflict: A new state law requires an independent autopsy of in-custody deaths
Dozens of law enforcement agencies across California have less than two years to comply with a new state law, one that the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office believes will do more harm than good. Inspired by a 2024 county grand jury report, Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s (D-Santa Barbara) FACTS Act calls for independent medical investigations of […]
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County takes a closer look at the Sheriff’s Office’s vehicle expenses
When picking the make and model of a rental car, requesting a police cruiser sounds like a prank. But it’s a serious ask for law enforcement agencies that contract with Enterprise for vehicle leases. In 2021, Santa Barbara County entered a five-year agreement with Enterprise to supply the Sheriff’s Office its patrol fleet on a […]
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Santa Maria’s public transportation system goes fully electric
Gamaliel Anguiano remembers when Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) received its first electric bus in 2022. “It’s amazing to see how much the technology has improved over the last three years,” the transit services manager told the Sun. During the first week of November, SMRT was set to receive the last couple of vehicles it […]
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Guadalupe appoints interim city administrator to fill Todd Bodem’s shoes
A nationwide search for a city administrator brought Todd Bodem to Guadalupe in 2019. His resignation in October triggered the city’s next search, underway with applications due on Nov. 30—Bodem’s last day with the city. “To ensure continuity in city operations and leadership during the recruitment and appointment process for a permanent city administrator, it […]
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Political Watch: November 6, 2025
• In an Oct. 30 letter to President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) asked the administration to reverse its tariff policies, which Carbajal described as ultimately functioning to impose hidden taxes on American families and businesses. “Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost […]
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Ritual Reform puts its signature spin on a new Santa Maria studio with XFormer Pilates machines
Carving out some time to focus on the here and now set the tone for Sarah Whitmore Boe’s present and future, the owner and founder of three—soon to be four—local Pilates studios explained. “My journey to it was really during a time of change in my life. I got sober 10 years ago and really […]
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Protests and partisans: Locals weigh in on Proposition 50, California’s attempt to redraw congressional districts
Come Nov. 4, all eyes will be on California when eligible voters cast their ballots containing only one item—Proposition 50. The measure would authorize temporary use of new state congressional district maps through 2030, directing the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume its map-drafting duties in 2031. Spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Proposition 50 is […]
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SpaceX authorized to double Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently signed a decision allowing aerospace company SpaceX to increase rocket launches out of Vandenberg Space Force Base. The uptick is necessary to meet commercial and federal space launch requirements, according to the decision. SpaceX can increase Falcon 9 launches from 50 to 100 per year, including up to five […]
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Lompoc tightens its overnight parking rules
Prior to a new Lompoc ordinance, the city’s municipal code stated that a vehicle parked on a street for more than 72 consecutive hours was subject to being towed. Steering clear of the original rule was easy for more overnight parkers than members of the Lompoc City Council assumed, City Attorney Jeff Malawy explained. “The […]
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Solvang considers spending $8 million on a new City Hall building
The former home of Thrifty Ice Cream was briefly on a short list of spots Solvang officials are eyeing for potential City Hall expansion. “What if we just retrofit the Rite Aid?” Solvang City Councilmember Elizabeth Orona said after City Manager Randy Murphy informed the council that some departments—including Public Works, Community Development, and Parks […]
