Bipartisan support from legislators helped push a new directive forward that changes how courts throughout California decide whether to grant criminal offenders diagnosed with a mental illness a treatment-based alternative to jail time. Recently signed into state law, California Assembly Bill 46 redefines a judge’s discretion when considering a defendant’s application for mental health diversion.…
Solvang’s legal advisors have until Aug. 3 to respond to a civil lawsuit after a judge rejected the city’s argument to throw out the case. In mid-July, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge James F. Rigali overruled Solvang’s petition to dismiss local developer Ed St. George’s suit against the city for issuing a stop work…
Often set to polka or waltz-style melodies, songs labeled as narcocorrido—or drug ballad—are banned from radio use in several states in Mexico due to the subgenre’s reputation for glorifying cartel activity and drug culture. About four years before being incarcerated in Lompoc, convicted drug trafficker Omar Briceno-Quijano was the subject of the 2021 ballad titled…
• During the House of Representatives’ July 21 debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) criticized an amendment that would authorize the secretary of defense to use federal eminent domain to acquire permanent easements across California-owned lands and submerged lands under the Las Flores Pipeline System. This amendment—which…
Rustic. Enduring. Knee-length. The timeless overalls best known as lederhosen were among the first outfits on display at The Velvet Rut, a new storefront in downtown Solvang. Two child-sized pairs of the traditional German breeches once occupied a prominent corner of the shop, where only one set remained in July. Owner Shona Stargill said she…
Solvang lost some of its Danish charm in a battle over one partially developed lot with nine almost-built little cottages on it. A fight over what the developer calls whimsical and how closely it resembles the permit granted to him by the city landed the two sides in court. The gloves came off, and the…
When people bring home a carton of California strawberries, they probably aren’t thinking about plant diseases, soil health, or the students spending long days collecting samples in a field. As a plant pathologist, I do. Because behind every strawberry is years of research, countless hours of fieldwork, and a shared commitment to finding better ways…
As public hearings continue regarding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, San Luis Obispo County residents must confront a terrifying reality. While regulators use rare loopholes to bypass environmental rules for a supposedly brief five-year extension—this is the bait—the truth is a multi-decade push to secure power for a surging tech sector and unpublicized AI data…
At the opening reception for Bridging Worlds at the Indah Gallery, many of the 100-plus gallery visitors asked artist Max Gleason, “What’s going on with this one?” They stood in front of Entering the Arctic, a 6-foot-tall painting blending blues, greens, oranges, and pinks. It’s not just the colors that turn heads, though. Viewers inquired…
Fabulous. Fed up. Flippin’ funny. That’s a good description of the protagonists in Orcutt Community Theater’s The Hallelujah Girls, directed by L. Chatel. Join the girl gang at the OASIS Senior Center to watch their trials and tribulations, evoking emotions across the spectrum. “An old flame struts back into town, a surprise proposal turns heads,…
If you don’t have three hours to spare at your local movie theater watching Christopher Nolan’s rendition of an epic poem from more than 2,000 years ago, perhaps a shorter conversation about a contemporary odyssey will tickle your fancy. Author Irena Smith penned Troika, published in April, about a California road trip with her mother…
Created by Will Ferrell, Harper Steele, and Chris Henchy, The Hawk follows Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins (Ferrell), a former No. 1 ranked golfer who years ago exited the pro ranks in disgrace, as he attempts a return to pro golf by working his way up to play the U.S. Open. If he wins, he’ll complete…
72 HoursWhat’s it rated? R When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Netflix Take a bro-cation with Kevin Hart as Joe and a bunch of young punks who jokingly invite him to their Florida bachelor weekend after an accidental addition to their group chat. Joe is a career-driven marketing exec, but he’s quickly aging out of his…
Bottle ShockWhat’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2008 Where’s it showing? Le Vigne Winery, 5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, Saturday, Aug. 8 (doors at 6:30, film at 8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $22.84 at pasopictureshow.com) Randall Miller (Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing & Charm School, Nobel Son, CBGB) directs this quirky comedy-drama he co-wrote with Jody Savin and…
When Tracy Fleming started her first catering business, there was no social media. “It was word of mouth and a little bit of advertising and treat your clients really well because you need to keep them,” Fleming remembered. So, she “cracks up” at the fact that because of social media, two women appeared at her…
