Lompoc has taken a bad turn after good years of reconstruction. Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann encouraged Lydia Perez to run to unseat Mayor Jenelle Osborne, a decline-to-state candidate (“The election is over, now can we all just get along?” Nov. 14). But at the same time, Jim Mosby, a longtime Lompoc activist on the […]
Lompoc lost its best mayor in years
Posted inOpinion
Biden has one last month to ensure climate protections
With just one month left before Donald Trump returns to the White House, we are running out of time to lock in protections for our climate and communities. One critical action President Biden can take right now is to permanently shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The pipeline is currently operating illegally, even as […]
Posted inOpinion
Protecting endangered steelhead and our region’s water future can go hand in hand
As organizations committed to both the health of our region’s ecosystems and the well-being of our communities, we feel compelled to respond to San Luis Obispo County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding’s recent editorial regarding the Lopez Dam lawsuit (“‘Environmental groups are threatening South SLO County’s water security,” Dec. 19). While we respect the supervisor’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Hopes and dreams
This past year was a bit of a rough one. Starting in Guadalupe—the littlest city that could, but only if the deadline is tomorrow and staff has to overnight something to a state agency after City Council approves it tonight. Talk about last minute! That city is flying by the seat of its pantaloons. The […]
Posted inNews
The Lompoc Parks and Recreation Division offers new Food Truck Collective for its mobile businesses
Whether it’s sipping on a sweet agua fresca, munching on smoky roasted corn, or chowing down on a juicy burger and crisp fries, Lompoc residents can find a variety of goodies at the city’s new Food Truck Collective. “This is a great opportunity for families to come out to experience some of the wonderful food […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: December 26, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) called out House Republicans for “dragging their feet” on finalizing government funding for the current fiscal year, leaving more than $14 million in funding specifically designated for Central Coast projects in limbo, according to a Dec. 18 statement from Carbajal’s office. “Republican leadership in Congress has spent months […]
Posted inNews
Turn around: A peek back at 2024 in northern Santa Barbara County
In a year overshadowed by a contentious presidential election full of surprises, northern Santa Barbara County still managed to make its fair share of headlines. Local elections had their own drama in places like Lompoc and Santa Maria, where some incumbents held their own while others were voted out. The Lake Fire broke out near […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A soup box to stand on: The ramen, shave ice, tater tots, chicken wings, and vanilla lattes that defined 2024
After looking back at my foodie adventures over the past 12 months, I feel so grateful for the outpouring of winemakers, chefs, and business owners who invited me to their places of work for savory grub, sweet treats, soft and hard drinks, and warm conversation. In summing up this year’s most memorable occasions, I’d be […]
Posted inNews
Farm stays, camping, events approved as part of Ag Enterprise Ordinance
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the first-of-its-kind Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance, closing years of time and effort poured into one document. “The AEO [Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance] supports the continuation of farming and ranching on agricultural lands,” Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann told the Sun. “It will allow for activities […]
Posted inNews
Restoring resources: While repairing damage from Lake Fire suppression efforts, the Forest Service and the Chumash protect Indigenous cultural sites
Chumash Fire Department Capt. Quntan Garcia placed a stalky beige plant into my hand and slowly trickled water from his Kirkland water bottle over it. My hands were slightly coated with dust after spending a dry October day outside on Sierra Madre in Los Padres National Forest. “This is soap plant,” he explained as he […]
Posted inFood & Drink
New book Sideways Uncorked is an ode to the 20-year-old movie that made pinot noir a star
For wine and film aficionados Order copies of Sideways Uncorked via publisher Applause Theatre & Cinema Books at applausebooks.com and meet authors Kirk and Mira Advani Honeycutt at upcoming book-signing events in Paso Robles—Dec. 21, 1 to 3:30 p.m., at Spare Time Books; Dec. 21, 4 to 8 p.m., at Tudor Wines; Dec. 27, 1 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: Black Doves
Black Doves What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project, Giri/Haji), Black Doves is a compelling action thriller about international espionage and political intrigue. The storyline, as it moves back and forth in time to offer the characters’ backstories that give context to their present actions, […]
