Santa Barbara County is one step closer to adopting new requirements for solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. Set for the Board of Supervisors’ second and final reading in late September, a policy package to amend multiple county ordinances for consistency with proposed standards addresses battery units of various sizes—ranging from industrial BESS […]
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Buellton motel seeks relief for long-term tenants weeks ahead of housing ban
An ongoing lawsuit prompted a two-month grace period for long-term tenants of Buellton’s Farmhouse Motel, before new housing restrictions kick in. While a recent city ordinance to help ramp up redevelopment efforts in town requires motel properties along Avenue of Flags—including Farmhouse—to convert units that house long-term renters to traditional motel rooms by October, a […]
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Political Watch: September 10, 2026
•On Aug. 31, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1253, designed to expand recreational access at Santa Margarita Lake, “while maintaining strong water quality protections, according to a release from State Sen. John Laird’s (D-Santa Cruz) office. Drafted by Laird and sponsored by San Luis Obispo County, SB 1253 includes safeguards to protect the reservoir […]
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Hancock’s Fire Academy wins grant from Metallica’s workforce education program
For the second year running, Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy won a grant through the Metallica Scholars Initiative, which will cover scholarships and the cost of textbooks, protective gear, and other training materials. “When I first heard it, I was like, ‘Wait, Metallica, like the band?” first-year Fire Academy student Conner Lee said. “I listen […]
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Historic ruling: Santa Maria judge says prosecutor violated Racial Justice Act
For the first time in Santa Barbara County’s history, a Superior Court judge concluded that the District Attorney’s Office broke a state mandate designed to root out racial discrimination in judicial settings. In mid-August, a hearing to determine former Santa Maria resident and convicted felon Kevin Wayne Burgess’ sentence in a domestic violence case ended […]
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County replies to grand jury report on Sheriff’s overtime use
Long-range plans to reboot the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s payroll system and decommission the South County jail aligned with recommendations from a recent grand jury report. During its Aug. 25 meeting, the county Board of Supervisors discussed the report titled: “What’s up with overtime in the Sheriff’s Office?” “The sheriff’s overtime excesses have been […]
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Santa Maria boosts security deposit assistance for renters
Moving is stressful. It takes time, effort, and money. “Imagine finding a place and needing that $3,000 deposit, and you know that you can do the month-to-month, but you don’t have that initial $3,000 because you’re living paycheck to paycheck,” Santa Maria’s community programs manager, Rosie Rojo, told the Sun. “By the time you’re able […]
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State sues Cuyama landowner for cost recovery from 2023 wildfire
Old wounds in New Cuyama resurfaced with Cal Fire’s recent lawsuit to recoup the costs of fighting a 2023 wildfire from those allegedly responsible. The state agency sued local landowner Wayne Goldwyn and “Does 1-50” on Aug. 14 for $3.3 million for effectively setting the 5,400-acre fire “through negligence and violations of law.” “[Goldwyn’s] failure […]
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Political Watch: September 3, 2026
•On Aug. 27, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 917, designed to expand opportunities for small wineries seeking to sell wine and offer tastings at certified farmers markets. Drafted by state Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), SB 917 modernizes previous California legislation which only allows winemakers to sell wine at farmers markets if it is […]
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Kayla’s Kidz hits three years of secondhand selling in Buellton
Kayla Perez can hardly believe it’s September. At her children’s thrift store, this month marks the pivot from spring and summer to fall and winter. “I have boxes and boxes in my storeroom of winter stuff that I’ve been collecting the last six months,” the business owner told the Sun. “Jackets and raincoats and boots […]
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Damage control: In light of Steve Bridge’s felony charges, Lompoc considers censuring him
Two days before Lompoc City Councilmember Steve Bridge’s arraignment in late 2025, one of his peers on the dais asked him to step down from his role as an elected official. When Bridge—who pled not guilty to forgery, identity theft, and misusing city funds—showed no sign of resigning, Councilmember Jeremy Ball motioned for the council […]
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Santa Barbara County explores alternatives to emergency call boxes
Established in 1987, Santa Barbara County’s emergency call box network once included more than 350 roadside phones across the region. With 47 of those phones remaining, the county continues defying a statewide trend of dismantling public call boxes and is on track to become “a call box island,” Transportation Planner Peter Williamson said. During the […]
