Cover Story
Nefarious crimes, cold cases: Santa Barbara County is linked to some of the country’s notorious, and unsolved, murders
Senior Skip Day is an event not officially sanctioned by local schools, but it’s a day anticipated by many high school seniors. Many from Lompoc High School went off to a beach on this day, June 4, 1963. While some students basked together on the beach, Bobby Domingos and Linda Edwards instead went to a…
Oil and water: Venoco Inc. pursuing adjusted lease to extract more oil offshore of Goleta
Venoco Inc. is attempting to adjust the lease boundary for its oil drilling operations in the South Ellwood Oil Field, about 2 miles offshore of Goleta. The proposed project is meeting resistance from local conservationists and some Goleta city officials, who argue that the company’s facilities are outdated and the oil drilling practices endanger the…
Political Watch 10/27/16
• Gov. Jerry Brown recently welcomed France, host of the United Nations’ 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21), as the latest jurisdiction to join the Under 2 Coalition—the global pact among cities, states, and countries to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, the level of potentially catastrophic consequences. “The work…
Community Notebook 10/27/16 – 11/3/16
TUESDAY, NOV. 1 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at http://santabarbara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx#current. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office…
Undocumented immigrants in custody granted due process in California
Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law on Sept. 28 the Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act, which aims to provide transparency on immigration law enforcement. The TRUTH Act applies to individuals in custody regarding civil immigration violations. Locally, the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy estimates more than 110,000 undocumented…
Chumash and Santa Barbara County push forward toward Camp 4 agreement
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians met with the Santa Barbara County Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the ninth time on Oct. 21 to negotiate the terms for Camp 4, a 1,400-acre parcel of land the tribe aims to make part of its reservation and use as tribal member housing. While previous meetings were stagnant…
Picture perfect: New Times Media Group presents annual Winning Images exhibit
A photograph can capture a moment in a way that words simply can’t. And the way in which that point in time is portrayed has everything to do with the person behind the camera. The New Times Media Group celebrates those moments and the people who captured them with an exhibit of our annual Winning…
Santa Maria Public Library holds reception for Shepard Hall artists
The Santa Maria Public Library will hold an artist reception on Oct. 28 for the myriad artists currently showing their work in the Shepard Hall. The current exhibit in the hall showcases a variety of work by known local artists, like the recipient of the Sun’s Best Local Artist distinction in the Best Of readers’…
Sarah Raines welcomes singers to join the chorus
The Sarah Raines Concert Series, headed by local classical singer Sarah Raines, is inviting singers to join the chorus for a performance of George Fredric Handel’s Messiah. Singers are welcome to join the choir or audition for a solo part in the iconic oratorio. The performance will take place on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.…
Los Padres Artist Guild celebrates 40th Christmas show
The Los Padres Artist Guild will celebrate a great milestone in the organization’s decades-long history, its 40th annual Christmas show. The art show happens over three days, Nov. 4, 5, and 6, at Lakeview Jr. High School in Orcutt. Member artists will showcase a variety fine art and holiday gifts. The guild’s annual show has…
Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley to dance ‘Thriller’ at local events
Some songs are just destined to be iconic, but when an pop superstar releases one of those songs, it can’t be stopped. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is just such a song. It has come to epitomize the artist and the Halloween season ever since its release in 1982. Icons like Jackson and “Thriller” never go out…
Santa Maria welcomes all to celebrate the Day of the Dead
There is an ancient celebration that still lives on today. Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a celebration of the dead, by the living, that happens each year on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and 2. The tradition began in Mexico but has spread elsewhere, including throughout the United States.…
What are you going to dress up as for Halloween?
Brianna Martinez student “I’ve always loved princesses, so I’m going to be Pocahontas.” William Russell student “Spider-Man is the best, so that’s what I’m doing.” Peter MacClain student “A penguin because I have a penguin costume already.” Jeremy McNeil student “The Kool-Aid man.”
Taking a knee: The Benchwarmer weighs in on Kaepernick’s protest
It would seem that scandalous events are now part and parcel of every football season of the last few years. But this season’s current scandal has reached an all-time low, and it’s making people (at least myself) question how we go about protesting issues within our country. During week six of the NFL season, the…
Tricks and treats
It’s finally here! That season when little ghoulies don their masks and go door to door begging for a handout. And though it may sound familiar, I’m not talking about political candidates—they’ve already done that part. I’m talking about Halloween. When certain hedonistic activity becomes acceptable. When it’s OK to eat all the candy you…
Money and the 3rd District supervisor race
In the race for 3rd District supervisor, who would best represent us in this large swath of Santa Barbara County? We’ve all read comments and exhortations in this space by informed and loyal supporters of both Joan Hartmann and Bruce Porter. We’ve seen pro and con campaign literature, TV ads, lawn signs and over-sized roadside…
Fareed is a voice for agriculture
I’m a small-business owner in the local agriculture community, and these past few years have been some of the hardest faced by farmers and ranchers on the Central Coast. Not only are we being hit hard by the drought and environmental issues, we are being hit hard by our own government. There isn’t a day…
Bruce Porter supports small family wineries
Recently, after four plus years, scores of outreach meetings and four county Planning Commission meetings, the winery ordinance came up for a final vote. The Santa Barbara Vintners Association, the Econ Alliance, and the Santa Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance urged the Planning Commission to permit direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine sales for small family-owned wineries. More…
More corruption or real change?
The choice of president on Nov. 8 is on the brink of history—we have a choice of continuing with the most corrupt Democratic administration since Bill Clinton by electing Hillary Clinton or, we can bring about real change with Donald Trump. Perhaps, one of the reasons that Obama did not prosecute Hillary Clinton is to…
Porter struck a chord at UCSB debate
I attended the recent debate in Isla Vista, hosted by university radio station KCSB, between the candidates for county supervisor, and after making my way through the hecklers at the door I sat beside two students from this great university. For the first time in this ridiculous election season, I was truly hopeful as my…
Shame on you, Mr. Porter
Shame on you, Bruce Porter, for spreading lies about your opponent for 3rd District supervisor. Do you really believe this type of behavior demonstrates leadership? I don’t. Truth is, it is Joan Hartmann, not you, who has a proven record of experience and actual achievements in water-related and conservation issues. It is Joan Hartmann who…
Gary Johnson for president
I strongly endorse Gary Johnson for president! Many newspapers have already done so. My vote goes for him based on all his honest, practical, effective positions and achievements. Go to JohnsonWeld.com to learn more and to get enthused. Here is a CNN/Dana Bash great interview in Las Vegas: cnn.it/2esjKsQ Trump displays his massive unfitness several…
Porter has demonstrated leadership
I support Bruce Porter for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor. As part of making my choice I reviewed Bruce’s website and found an extraordinary record of leadership that extends from the highest levels of national service to personal leadership throughout a wide range of community needs. Bruce is a Stanford-trained engineer. As a West…
Legalizing marijuana will endanger Californians
Proposition 64—the initiative that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in California—would have a terrible impact on public safety in our state. If it passes on Nov. 8, we can expect more innocent deaths on our highways due to drugged driving, significantly higher use of marijuana by our youth, and increased accidental ingestion of marijuana edibles…
Supervisor Adam and Pacific Coast Energy should look ahead
My residence is located near County Supervisor Peter Adam’s residence in Orcutt. We live close enough to hear the same coyotes howling at night. I also share some background with Mr. Adam. Yet, our views are worlds apart. My first job was stacking hay in a barn down the road from where I lived when…
Students learn about indigenous cultures at Chumash event
A dozen Santa Maria High School Chicano/Latino Studies and Club C.E’E.N.I students expanded their textbook knowledge at the 21st annual Chumash Intertribal Pow-Wow this month. The students attended the event near Lake Cachuma to prove that history and cultural lessons don’t always depend on a textbook, and to see that the Native American culture remains…
AHC employee receives recognition for community contributions
Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian honored Allan Hancock College employee Terri Lee Coleman with the 2016 Community Impact Award for the 35th Assembly District, in recognition of her volunteerism and countless contributions to the college and numerous nonprofit organizations. “I am humbled and honored to receive the award. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Assemblyman…
Hobnobbing with Helen
Remember the days when the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum featured a big tank with a small shark and other marine life? Remember the snake (not my favorite) and some lizards and iguanas (which I miss)? The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, under the direction of Executive Director Chris Slaughter, is moving toward the future.…
Spotlight on: Premier Auto Body
If you take a look around Northern Santa Barbara and Southern San Luis Obispo counties in the coming weeks, you might notice that the Sun’s newspaper boxes are repainted, some with fresh yellow paint, and some adorned with murals. The artistry is the work of various art students at Allan Hancock College—who’ll be profiled in…
Matter of jurisdiction: Alleged MS-13 gang members from Operation Matador received a state indictment instead a federal one
In July, a Santa Barbara County criminal grand jury indicted 17 suspected members of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang on more than 50 felony counts, including murder, witness intimidation, and conspiracy to commit murder. However, on Oct. 19 in New Jersey, six members of MS-13 received federal prison sentences for crimes ranging from extortion to…
Corrections
• In the news brief published Sept. 20, “State aims to restrict pesticide use near schools,” the Sun inaccurately attributed data from the California Environmental Health Tracking Program. • In the Sept. 20 article, “To drill, or not to drill?” about Pacific Coast Energy Company’s denial appeal, the Sun misquoted Alicia Roessler. The company’s project…
Cuyama to host groundwater sustainability agency formation workshop Oct. 27
On Oct. 27, the Cuyama Community Services District will host a public workshop regarding the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the formation of the Cuyama Basin Water District. The workshop will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cuyama Elementary School cafeteria located at 2300 Highway 166 in Cuyama and will include…
Federal judge dismisses Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office excessive force lawsuit
On Oct. 18, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a Santa Barbara man alleging excessive force by a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a search. U.S. District Judge James Selna dismissed the case, accepting a report by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gail Standish that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the deputy…
Chow-Ya, Lompoc’s Asian fusion gem, gets two thumbs up
From the outside, Chow-Ya kind of resembles a struggling furniture store. But for the love of God, don’t let that stop you from going in. It’s an Asian fusion restaurant, thrown into the mix in Lompoc about a year and a half ago, and so far dominating its little corner of the city’s culinary market.…
Can you hear me now?
There is a truth that remains persistent in my household despite my best efforts to change it: When mom speaks, no one listens. That’s not exactly true if you believe the arguments from the rest of my household members. My husband will say I must have mumbled. My kids will say that I said nothing…
The Santa Ynez Valley Classical Music Concert Series opens with Schubert song cycle performed by DeAndre Simmons and Robert Cassidy
The Romantic period of Western classical music is often characterized by the expanding size of the orchestra, the lavish operas of the time, and the complex harmonies they made use of. But in some corners, composers found beauty in simplicity, composing works of immense emotion and expression meant for only two performers. This is certainly…
