Everyone recognizes that Lompoc is a community with immense potential. From its beautiful natural surroundings, historical richness, and vibrant cultural life to its agricultural prowess and dedicated residents, Lompoc has all the makings of a thriving city. However, despite these desirable assets, we’ve seen the city struggle with a lack of active leadership on its […]
Vote Lydia Perez for Lompoc mayor
Posted inOpinion
Alice Patino is good for Santa Maria
Mayor Alice Patino has been serving the community of Santa Maria since 2000. As a city official for 24 years, she has a proven track record of supporting public safety. Under her leadership, backing, and approval, Mayor Patino has facilitated adding two new fire stations, relocating a fire station, and adding a second fully staffed […]
Posted inOpinion
Jerri Thiel has a proven track record of serving on the Lompoc school board
Jerri Thiel is competing for reelection to the Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) board of trustees for District 1. In her current term she has a credible voting record and has proven to be an able representative for her constituents and everyone else in the entire school district. Back in 2017, I wrote this Noozhawk […]
Posted inOpinion
Get fierce
There’s nothing like the feeling of turning a dream into reality, especially after a long wait. Allan Hancock College is right there, on the threshold of bringing a long-awaited goal to fruition for local students. For the 12 years he’s been at Hancock’s helm, Kevin Walthers has worked to get a bachelor’s degree offered on […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc Unified School District invites the community to celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Marigolds, colorful paper banners, traditional foods, candles, and memories. These and other meaningful elements will come together to create a community altar at this year’s Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) Dia de los Muertos event. The district invites community members to celebrate their ancestors and culture on Nov. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. at […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: October 31, 2024
• Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Joe Holland reminds voters that as Election Day approaches, voters have several options for returning their ballots, according to an Oct. 24 statement from the county. “All registered voters in Santa Barbara County were mailed an official vote-by-mail ballot and voting materials in early October,” Holland said in […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Joint Union school board candidates address school safety
In the face of student violence, discrimination allegations from students, leadership changes at Pioneer Valley High School, and behavioral issues, high school district board candidates Gabriel A. Morales and Alma Hernandez see communication from the district as a key component to addressing these issues. Morales and Hernandez are facing off in the Santa Maria Joint […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sta. Rita Hills’ Alma Rosa Winery launches first open-air tram tour
Now boarding Find out more about Alma Rosa Winery’s new open-air tram tour, visit almarosawinery.com. The tour is offered daily, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., for parties of up to seven people. Admission is $100 per person. Reservations are required in advance. The tram begins and ends at Alma Rosa Winery’s historic Ranch House, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Halloween
Halloween What’s it rated? R When? 1978 Where’s it showing? Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Writer-director-composer John Carpenter helms this classic slasher film about mental patient Michael Myers, committed to a sanitarium at age 6 for stabbing his teenage sister to death with a chef’s knife. […]
Posted inNews
Solvang amends its 2024-26 city priorities after progress report
Six months into its projected two-year duration, Solvang’s list of city goals is split between projects underway and those dormant since April. City staff recently drafted a status update that outlines some of the campaign’s improvement projects in progress, while stamping others as “on hold” or “no work completed.” Originally labeled as a consent item, […]
Posted inNews
County and cities face health, safety concerns with unpermitted food vendors
Al pastor meat sitting in a 5 gallon, dirty plastic bucket on the side of the road. Beans, tamales, and/or fruit resting in coolers with no hint as to where the food’s been prepared. Grease from what’s been cooked dumped into gutters, storm drains, and transportation paths. These are some of the food health […]
Posted inNews
Home base: Local students could soon earn four-year degrees at Allan Hancock College—but the program awaits CSU approval
For the 12 years Kevin Walthers has been with Allan Hancock College, he has tried to work with the California State University System to make obtaining four-year degrees an opportunity for students on the Santa Maria campus. He’s so close to making that long-awaited dream a reality. Hancock recently received provisional approval from the California […]