Cover Story
Seal the deal: Santa Barbara County government and cultivators work to hammer out recreational cannabis regulations for 2018
For the past two decades, California has regulated medicinal cannabis with a loose legal framework. On Jan. 1, 2018, all that goes up in smoke, and counties like Santa Barbara are scrambling to keep up as the state steadily releases its new set of rules for legalized adult-use recreational marijuana. The day will mark the…
The Nature Conservancy acquires 24,000 acres near Vandenberg
The Nature Conservancy announced the purchase of 24,000 acres of coastal habitat along Santa Barbara County’s coast surrounding Point Conception and bordering Vandenberg Air Force Base on Dec. 22. The historic purchase was made thanks to a donation of $165 million from Jack and Laura Dangermond, conservationists and co-founders of Esri, based out of Redlands,…
Donations to the Hancock Promise push college closer to goal of $10 million in funding
Donations from a small group of community members, foundations, and businesses allowed Allan Hancock College to announce at a press conference on Dec. 13 the start of its five-year, $10 million endowment campaign to support the Hancock Promise program, which will give local high school graduates a free first year of tuition and fees at…
Spotlight on: Posh Pet Sitting
When Joanne Trudeau took her two great danes to a nearby kennel before going on vacation a few years back, she knew at least one of the dogs was going to struggle with the experience. Instead, they both did. And by the time she and her husband, Michael, came home from their seven-day trip, the…
How do you think Santa Barbara County should regulate recreational cannabis?
Rudy Ruiz business owner “I’m not one for cannabis, but if it was to be done it needs to be regulated the same way that we regulate alcohol. If people want to have marijuana bars, I guess I’m OK with that, but I think it needs to have the same laws where you can get…
Political Watch 12/21/17
• Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) sent four letters as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee requesting information related to the Senate investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible obstruction of the FBI’s investigations into potential ties between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia. Feinstein sent a letter to K.T. McFarland,…
LOCAL NOTES: Lompoc Theatre Project holds benefit concert with Sgt. Pepper
Half a century ago, a band of four 20-somethings from Liverpool, England, got tired of constantly touring the world to perform their billboard-topping rock ‘n’ roll songs, and so composed a studio album that would change rock history. The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was an incredible new sound in 1967 when it…
Local artists thrive at Santa Maria Public Library in December
There has been much talk of the need for public arts in the city of Santa Maria this year. Thankfully, no matter what a bunch of city lawmakers decide, at least residents can count on the Santa Maria Public Library as a resource for viewing compelling and unique work from local artists. The library’s Shepard…
Lawsuit seeks court-ordered reforms for treatment of inmates in Santa Barbara County Jail
From September 2016 to January 2017, at least 12 prisoners in the Santa Barbara County Jail attempted to kill themselves while inside isolation cells, according to court documents. That’s more than one suicide attempt every two weeks. One inmate, Hector Higareda, died on Oct. 16, 2016, after hanging himself in one of the jail’s isolation…
The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant and Cafe is ready to bring authentic homemade food to Santa Maria
It’s a quiet evening in downtown Santa Maria when we enter The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant and Cafe. Owner Reda Kchik comes out to warmly greet us and joins us as we sip red wine and talk about the newly opened venue. He is eagerly sharing stories of the work he has put into the stunning…
Humor: Krider recalls his last Christmas with a real tree in the house
During this time of year my house contains a beautiful, tall, decorated Christmas tree. It has colorful lights, shiny ornaments, and like any good old American family in the 21st century, our tree is completely made of plastic. We didn’t always have a fake tree; back in the day I was more of a purist.…
Wildling Museum hosts Theodore Waddell exhibit with works by his mentor and friend Isabelle Johnson
While the art lovers viewing his work at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang enjoy moderate temperatures that barely demand a thin pair of socks to stay comfortable, Theodore Waddell is bracing for a bitter winter in his Montana home. “It’s about 13 degrees right now,” he explained during an interview with…
Rigoberto Maldonado
Pioneer Valley High School senior Rigoberto Maldonado is a man of few words. He lets his play on the soccer field do the talking. The soft-spoken striker has compiled five goals during the Panthers’ blazing-hot 4-1 start to the winter season, including a two-goal effort on Dec. 8 against crosstown rival Santa Maria High School…
BENCHWARMER: The woman’s war: Sexual misconduct is a problem in sports and beyond
I have yet to reach the point in my life where I feel ready and willing to have children. But given the recent events of rampant sexual misconduct in Hollywood, politics, and professional sports, I have two options for children: Don’t have any. Or find some way to genetically ensure that I give birth to sons.…
Burning green
Man, who thought setting fire to a green plant would be so controversial? But wait a sec, I’m not talking recreational cannabis, which is legal first thing on Jan. 1, 2018. No, I’m talking about Steve Minami, the 23-year-old Guadalupe resident who allegedly torched the Santa Maria Police Department’s (SMPD) Christmas tree in the department’s…
Hobnobbing with Helen: The Women’s Network raises funds at holiday party
Decorated trees, wreaths, and poinsettias set the stage for a festive and fun holiday luncheon meeting (Christmas Extravaganza) of the Women’s Network on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Santa Maria Country Club. Spirits were high—not a “bah humbug!” in the room—as guests bought raffle tickets for the 25 cellophane-wrapped and bow-tied raffle baskets (with a…
Crews make gains against historic Thomas Fire
After two brutal, blistering weeks of burning, the Thomas Fire is finally slowing down. On Dec. 19, the incident’s command team released an update reporting crews were able to strengthen containment lines due to minimal fire activity the night before. As of the Sun’s press time, the fire’s size was 271,750 acres, or more than…
Tax nightmare
To all Republicans, Democrats, and voters, this administration is trying to sneak through the largest giveaway to the rich ever, the Trump tax plan. Let me just show you some of the giveaways the media aren’t reporting on. 1. Well, let’s try to get the college students involved under this new absolutely, wonderful, totally awesome…
ITN2
Yes, ITN-squared: “It’s The New Normal.” I love these guys! The “Great California Drought,” ITN2. Had nothing to do with the abandonment of Gov. Pat Brown’s plans for a growing California with more reservoirs and infrastructure programs. Nooo! Global warming is the villain. Historic forest fires destroying homes, closing freeways and rail lines, shutting down…
God is not an excuse
What a heart of stone you have Mr. Castellanos (“Stop using God as an excuse,” Dec. 14). Attacking evangelicals must be what gives you peace. We evangelicals are built on strong family values and morals that God gives through his word. This does not make us perfect, it shows our boundaries, all the while being…
Special thanks
Special thanks to Caleb Wiseblood, calendar editor for the New Times and Sun for highlighting our annual Angel of Hope Memorial Service on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Santa Maria Cemetery. Those in attendance had memorial bricks there in remembrance of their children. Some came because they had read about our service and never knew…
A Cheech and Chong economy
I’ve heard some of my critics; I’m “obsessed with economics” and economic development, and that I would support any business or any industry and at any cost to our quality of life or social fabric. It turns out this isn’t true. Indeed, it turns out I’m less than enthusiastic about the proposition of Santa Barbara…
Honey oil lab found in path of Thomas Fire
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office raided a Montecito home on Dec. 13 in the Thomas Fire mandatory evacuation zone after fire crews noticed signs of a marijuana “butane honey oil” extraction lab. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies seized more than 300 to 500 pounds of cut marijuana, numerous cans of unopened butane fuel,…
Local homelessness support organizations merge
The Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H) Policy Council voted on Dec. 14 to consolidate its services with Home For Good Santa Barbara County, a community-led action plan aimed at ending homelessness that will effectively replace C3H. The vote signals an effort to improve the core functions of C3H, an alliance of government agencies and…
Reused Falcon 9 to launch Iridium satellites from Vandenberg
The heaviest payload in SpaceX history is set to blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base laden with low-orbit communication satellites on Dec. 22. Iridium CEO Matt Desch told the Sun in an email that the company is investing $3 billion to replace an older satellite network that dates back two decades. He said the…
SMPD arrests man for alleged Christmas tree arson
A Guadalupe man was arrested outside the Santa Maria Police Department on Dec. 17 after he allegedly ignited the department’s lobby Christmas tree, causing major damages to the building. Steven Minami, 23, arrived at the police department a little before 4 a.m. that morning, according to Lt. Terry Flaa, where the suspect used the lobby…
Lompoc announces holiday home decorating contest winners
The Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission announced the winners of the 23rd annual Holiday Decoration Contest. A home on Rose Rock Lane took first place for a prize of $50, and a home on Almond Avenue was awarded the $25 sweepstakes prize. Other notable winners included Solvang Brewing Company and Family Market. Members of the…
Orcutt Community Theater debuts first production
The Orcutt Community Theater (OCT) presents its inaugural production, Miracle in Bedford Falls, a musical adaptation of the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life in January. The holiday show is directed by Dixie Arthur and features Joe Kidd, Grace Kitchen, Emily Zaas, David Campbell, David Bathe, and many others. Shows are scheduled for Jan. 6…
Typewriter workshop comes to Guadalupe
The Dunes Center in Guadalupe is hosting a free typewriter workshop in honor of Kathleen Goddard Jones, nicknamed “Defender of the Dunes.” The program will take place on Jan. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Dunes Center. Jones, who died in 2001, was a local environmental activist with a passion for the Guadalupe-Nipomo…
