About a year ago, the California Department of Conservation embarked on the largest oil well plugging and abandonment project in state history, starting in Santa Barbara County. The department’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) set off to plug and abandon 171 orphaned wells in the Santa Maria Valley’s Cat Canyon with $34 million in state…
Since 2018, Santa Maria’s approved 1,526 accessory dwelling units (ADUs), equivalent to eight apartment complexes, leaving residents frustrated with overflowing trash bins, increased traffic, and less parking. “It’s not uncommon for us to see a single-family property with one or multiple ADUs and so it begins to take on a neighborhood characteristic of something that’s…
While a dedicated emergency shelter doesn’t currently exist in Buellton, the option to build one was on the table for property owners in the city’s commercial districts before a recent ruling. During its March 28 meeting, the Buellton City Council enacted an urgency ordinance to temporarily ban the development of emergency shelters in areas zoned…
Recent Santa Barbara County survey results showed that cost of living and financial security concerns would hold many voters back from voting in favor of any additional sales tax this election. “There’s a level of trust we need to build before we ask [voters] for more money,” 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson said during the…
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) led 17 Senate Democrats in requesting administrative relief for undocumented immigrants, according to a March 26 statement from Padilla’s office. As the Biden administration considers executive actions on the border, the letter outlines recommendations to make immigration relief more efficient for…
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lompoc Unified School District has been expanding its social-emotional learning program to help students navigate heightened anxiety and other mental health-related issues as they returned to in-person learning. “We saw that the needs were really big; the district was awesome in supporting us by giving us more roles…
For everyone who’s yammering on about how California is such a strict state to do business in, we sure are lax when it comes to holding oil companies accountable for their messes. Texas has stronger laws than California does. Texas. The state all the RINO’s are leaving us for. Texas state law requires oil field…
Anyone who lives in the city of Lompoc knows that many streets and alleys in our city are in poor shape. But when subjected to a professional review using a nationally accepted roadway standards, how bad are they? During a City Council meeting on March 19 to discuss a public hearing to consider Measure A,…
Having read John Donegan’s recent epic “Do the right thing” (March 28), I do have to admit that I agree with a lot of what he has to say, which, as a recovering progressive, is a bit painful for me. It does seem that it takes American liberals, especially progressives, an inordinate amount of time…
Home on the ranch Voices and Vistas 2024 runs through April 30 at Gallery Los Olivos, located at 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Visit gallerylosolivos.com for more info on this new solo exhibit of Jim Tyler’s pastel paintings. On Sunday, April 28, Tyler will host a special plein air pastel workshop at the Camatta Ranch…
The Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church presents the Friendly Neighborhood Big Band live in concert on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. The local ensemble will perform covers of popular songs made famous by Frank Sinatra during the program, titled Sinatra: The Music of Frank Sinatra. According to the 16-piece band’s Facebook page, the featured members…
The Cuyama Buckhorn’s upcoming three-day Wild Flour Celebration runs Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7. The multi-layered event includes a wide range of culinary offerings, education programs, and other festivities to celebrate the Cuyama Valley’s super bloom of wildflowers. The program kicks off with a Welcome Wildflower Cocktail reception on April 5 (check-in begins…
Constellation What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus Created by Peter Harness (Wallander, Doctor Who) based on a concept by Sean Jablonski (Nip/Tuck), this sci-fi psychological thriller/mystery follows astronaut Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) who after a deadly accident on the…
Road House What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Doug Limon (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs this “not quite a remake” about a bouncer hired to clean up a fight-prone bar who ends up saving an entire community. It’s basically a Western, as this version self-reflexively acknowledges through future…
Singin’ in the Rain What’s it rated? G When? 1952 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on April 6 (1:30, 4:15, 7, and 9:30 p.m.), April 7 (1:30, 4:15, and 7 p.m.), and April 8 (7 p.m.) Ah, Hollywood! This classic rom-com musical stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds…
Micro-education Keep up with Good Witch Farm’s organic microgreens and edible flowers on Instagram @good_witch_farm. For queries, contact owner Jane Darrah at (805) 757-4120. Often forgotten about until it’s time to make a plate of food look pretty, microgreens and edible garnishes are at the forefront of Lompoc cultivator Jane Darrah’s mind. “I found microgreens…
