Dozens of law enforcement agencies across California have less than two years to comply with a new state law, one that the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office believes will do more harm than good. Inspired by a 2024 county grand jury report, Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s (D-Santa Barbara) FACTS Act calls for independent medical investigations of…
When picking the make and model of a rental car, requesting a police cruiser sounds like a prank. But it’s a serious ask for law enforcement agencies that contract with Enterprise for vehicle leases. In 2021, Santa Barbara County entered a five-year agreement with Enterprise to supply the Sheriff’s Office its patrol fleet on a…
Gamaliel Anguiano remembers when Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) received its first electric bus in 2022. “It’s amazing to see how much the technology has improved over the last three years,” the transit services manager told the Sun. During the first week of November, SMRT was set to receive the last couple of vehicles it…
A nationwide search for a city administrator brought Todd Bodem to Guadalupe in 2019. His resignation in October triggered the city’s next search, underway with applications due on Nov. 30—Bodem’s last day with the city. “To ensure continuity in city operations and leadership during the recruitment and appointment process for a permanent city administrator, it…
• In an Oct. 30 letter to President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) asked the administration to reverse its tariff policies, which Carbajal described as ultimately functioning to impose hidden taxes on American families and businesses. “Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost…
Carving out some time to focus on the here and now set the tone for Sarah Whitmore Boe’s present and future, the owner and founder of three—soon to be four—local Pilates studios explained. “My journey to it was really during a time of change in my life. I got sober 10 years ago and really…
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s contract with a rental car company for its law enforcement vehicle fleet gives a whole new meaning to the company’s slogan: “Enterprise. We’ll pick you up” … in handcuffs. Since 2021, the Sheriff’s Office has rented its fleet from Enterprise at a cost of $3 million with an additional…
San Luis Obispo County’s biggest development proposal in decades, the Dana Reserve in Nipomo, just cleared a major hurdle—but the new Dana Reserve plan is still a bad deal for both housing and the environment. After a settlement with the developer, the project now promises only 78 deed-restricted affordable homes instead of the original 156—that’s…
Sacrifice is a calling only the brave can hear. I’ve seen bravery in the still innocent eyes of an Air Force para-jumper, who drops from helicopters on a thin cable to bring home fellow airmen. I’ve seen bravery in the slumped shoulders of soldiers who disappear into the jungle at dusk, so that we could…
My heart is breaking as the damage created by an undemocratic Republican Party under President Trump continues to destroy this country to the point of I do not recognize it anymore. A mere shell exists today of the America that was. The evildoers will soon think nothing of removing opposition to the point of physical…
A blind protagonist, Miranda Griffin, runs through a maze while a vicious werewolf chases her in episode 6 of Simon Machin’s audio drama, The Black Veil. Out of everything he’s done to produce the drama’s 13 episodes, this scene sticks out to Machin because he invented his own werewolf sound effect by modifying a dog’s…
Garrett Speirs brings contemporary landscapes to Gallery Los Olivos with his latest exhibit, Five O’clock Shadows. The featured artist show will be at the gallery until Nov. 30. “These paintings are meant to be viewed both from a distance and close up,” Speirs said in an email to the Sun. “From a distance they are…
Rock 12, a Lompoc distillery, grows its own fruit to infuse homemade spirits. It’s the county’s first farm-to-glass distillery, according to its website, growing apples, apricots, and quince that make their way into cocktails. To celebrate the end of the growing season, Rock 12 is hosting its annual harvest party with live music and libations.…
Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of the Scared Deer, The Favourite, Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness) directs Will Tracy’s screenplay loosely based on South Korean writer Jang Joon-hwan’s screenplay for Save the Green Planet! (2003). The story follows conspiracy theorist—Teddy (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis)—who believe Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the…
The Hand That Rocks the CradleWhat’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Hulu The 1992 original was a chill-inducing affair starring Rebecca De Mornay as Peyton, the new nanny for the Bartel family. For my money, I’ll watch the original over this remake, but this new version also packs a punch. This time,…
Room for Cream ShortsWhat’s it rated? Not rated When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Saturday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m., The Department, 986 Quintana Road, Suite B, Morro Bay Room for Cream Films—Alex Raban and Jenny Gosnell’s film production company—presents a variety of its short films this Saturday in Morro Bay. The evening opens…
Olive trees have been part of the Cuyama Buckhorn’s story since Ferial Sadeghian and her partner bought the property in 2018. They started remodeling the hotel and made a push to bring more drought-tolerant greenery to the 2 1/2 acres. “We worked a lot to make sure that we are doing the right planting that…
