• Congress advanced federal legislation that acknowledges the disruption that space launch noise has on nearby communities, a first for federal decisionmakers, according to a Dec. 12 statement from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s (D-Santa Barbara) office. Carbajal secured the language as well as helped outline the steps the Department of Defense should take to mitigate […]
Political Watch: December 19, 2024
Posted inNews
Bird, bat deaths take Strauss Wind project back to Planning Commission
At least 47 animal deaths, including one known golden eagle fatality, brought the Strauss Wind Energy Project back to the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission to see if the project’s operations need to be adjusted to better preserve birds and bats. However, the Planning Commission decided that it needed more data before any significant operational […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Planning Commission supports new land use standards to increase housing density
Designed to pave the way for slightly taller buildings and other development changes in Lompoc, a list of potential code revisions will move forward to the City Council with the Planning Commission’s support. During its final meeting of 2024, the Planning Commission unanimously signed off on staff’s proposal to update certain land use designations and […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc approves its first environmental justice element
A new blueprint for a greener future in Lompoc is moving forward thanks to a recent City Council decision. Over the course of four public hearings (held in May, June, August, and September), the Lompoc Planning Commission worked with city staff to discuss and draft the city’s first environmental justice element, which the City Council […]
Posted inNews
Board of Supervisors extends senior mobile home park protections as overlay develops
Senior mobile home parks will be protected from conversion to all-ages for 10 more months after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a moratorium extension during its Dec. 10 meeting. “The issue of senior mobile home park conversion mostly directly impacts my constituents in my district, especially in the Orcutt area—which has […]
Posted inNews
Heat shock: Cuyama Valley farmers lost crops due to extreme temperatures over the summer
White jujube flowers shriveled up and fell off Alisha Taff’s trees during the summer, and all she could do was watch. “The type of fruit tree I have is really resilient,” Taff said. “It’s the perfect tree to grow out here but the extreme duration and heat temperatures in July were very impactful. … When […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Flying Goat Cellars donates 40 percent of new pinot noir sales to local horse sanctuary
Pinot neigh To find out more about Flying Goat Cellars, call (805) 736-9032 or visit flyinggoatcellars.com. The winery is located at 1520 E. Chestnut Court, unit A, Lompoc. Call (805) 737-9246 or visit returntofreedom.org for more info on the Return to Freedom wild horse sanctuary, located at 4115 Jalama Road, Lompoc. Sweet notes of cola […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: Dear Santa
Dear Santa What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus Bobby Farrelly directs this comedy about sweet but dyslexic sixth-grader Liam Turner (Robert Timothy Smith), who’s too old to believe in Santa Claus but writes his annual letter anyway, accidently addressing it to “Satan.” The next night, “Santa” (Jack Black) shows up, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Interior Chinatown
Interior Chinatown What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu Oh boy! An adaptation of a book I read for my book club has come my way! If you’re unfamiliar with movie script formatting, this book may pose a challenge; however, the television show is here! Interior Chinatown follows the story of background […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nightbitch is a hilarious and emotional examination of motherhood
Nightbitch What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Writer and director Marielle Heller (The Diary of a Teenage Girl) helms this magical-realism/horror-comedy based on Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel about a woman (Amy Adams) who pauses her […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Pryor Baird and supporting acts hold acoustic holiday shows in Orcutt and Atascadero
As Christmas approaches, so do two chances to see Pryor Baird live in concert without venturing outside of the Central Coast. The prolific blues and country musician with local roots, widely known for his time on NBC’s The Voice, will perform in Atascadero on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6:30 p.m., and in Orcutt on Saturday, […]
Posted inOpinion
Renewable energy will eventually replace fossil fuel
Thank you for publishing another well-informed and well-written piece by John Ashbaugh (“Don’t be afraid to talk about climate change during the holidays,” Dec. 5). The statement by Trump’s nominee for secretary for energy, Chris Wright, “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition, either,” is just wishful […]