Cover Story
Santa Barbara County officials collaborate on a strategic plan for greater internet service across communities
Some of the only ways to communicate during the pandemic were through cellphones or online, but not everyone in Santa Barbara County has access to cell coverage and internet service. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash experienced a double whammy with poor cell service and no internet access, said Sam Cohen, government and legal specialist…
The Tavern at Zaca Creek launches new sports-themed cuisine and cocktail menu
Thanks to a newly launched sports bar menu, guests of the Tavern at Zaca Creek in Buellton on Sunday and Monday nights will be tempted to try the brown-butter Buffalo wings, among several other new food items and cocktails. Kitchen member Jim Lane—a die-hard Lakers fan who helped spearhead the sports menu and is widely…
Novelist and librarian Nancy Meddings revisits a long-lost manuscript to pen new detective series
While cleaning out her garage one day, local librarian Nancy Meddings uncovered a box of old papers—about 50 pages of a novel she’d started writing in 1984 but never finished. Meddings was a student at Cal State Northridge when she began writing the book as an assignment for one of her English courses. Meddings decided…
Jazz Divine Quartet holds free Christmas concert in Lompoc
The Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ presents A Very Merry Jazz Divine Christmas, featuring the Jazz Divine Quartet, on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. Admission to this special holiday concert is free. Attendees can look forward to hearing jazz renditions of a variety of popular Christmas songs. To find out more…
Elks Event Center holds Christmas in the Country drive-through event
Elks Recreation presents its second annual Christmas in the Country at the Elks Event Center in Santa Maria through Sunday, Dec. 26. Attendees will enjoy a variety of holiday light displays, decorated by local businesses and community members, as they drive through the venue. For tickets and more info, call (805) 925-4125 or visit elksrec.com.…
Santa Maria announces winners of Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decorating Contest
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission recently announced the winners of the 25th annual Lights, Sights, and Holiday Nights Decorating Contest. A total of 37 entries were considered by the contest’s judges, which is the highest number of submissions the yearly contest has received to date, according to the city. The following…
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum opens for the first time since the pandemic with children’s winter camps over the holiday break
Parents wanting to fill their child’s time during winter break with a fun and educational opportunity should look toward the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum’s winter camps. Normally offered in the summer, the two science-based camps give children the chance to be with kids their own age and learn about robotics or space, Program Manager…
Political Watch: December 16, 2021
• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) recently introduced the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act, bipartisan legislation that would create a new competitive grant program through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). “The holiday shopping season serves a reminder of how important small businesses are to our communities and local economies,” Padilla…
Lompoc’s College Park granted $3.6 million for site improvements
California State Parks selected the Lompoc College Park Renovation project as one of 112 park grant projects it will be funding statewide. The proposed College Park design features a completely redone skate park, a playground and game area, basketball courts, a picnic area, landscaping, lighting for extended use, and security cameras, Lompoc Recreation Manager Mario…
SMPD finalizes first multi-year strategic plan
After eight months in development, the final draft of the Santa Maria Police Department’s first formal strategic plan is now available to the public. The multi-year plan outlines a variety of the department’s future goals, with scheduled action items ranging between January 2022 and December 2024. Santa Maria Police Chief Marc Schneider described the document…
Santa Maria City Council approves transit service improvements
Beginning in January 2022, Santa Maria public transportation users will see 25 new bus stops, 45-minute frequencies, consistent schedules, and easier bus transfers, Santa Maria Regional Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano said. Although the pandemic challenged the public transportation system, Anguiano said it also presented an opportunity to fix the system through service changes—which the Santa…
Undefined plans
Before I move to the dark side, I’m going to give a shoutout to the Alisal fire burn scar for making it through this last storm relatively intact! According to Santa Barbara County Public Works rain gauges, areas of the county tallied between 1.3 and 7.5 inches of rain. Wowzers! And kudos to Santa Barbara…
American Rescue Plan Act funds will save Lompoc, but only if council members can make up their mind
The Lompoc budget, like may other municipal budgets, covers a span of two years. A lot can happen to both revenue and expense predictions during that period. The Lompoc City Council wisely chose to have a periodic review to see where they were with the spending plan. On Dec. 7 they received that update, and…
