As I read the letters and editorials in your paper, it seems as if Republicans must really hate this country. Everything to them is doom and gloom, and they seem to believe Biden is ruining the country. On the brighter side, this country has now had seven straight quarters of economic growth and unemployment is […]
We should not shrug off Trump’s potential to be a dictator
Posted inOpinion
Stop pouring public money into weapons and war
Cannot our national-level elected officials, Sens. Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla and Congressman Jimmy Panetta, do more to protect our young people from having to work for war and in war corporations? Some young people want to enter the military or to work for war companies, to kill and to risk being killed. But most […]
Posted inOpinion
We can’t go back once we mess things up
It seems we have been gaslighted with the “group think” new agendas. I am a local of San Luis Obispo. I was born in 1951, so I’ve seen a lot of changes in San Luis Obispo city and the county. The very sad thing about the Dana Reserve project is not only the loss of […]
Posted inOpinion
Affordable housing is wishful thinking in this state
If your son/daughter and their mate have a couple of kids and they have a joint income of say $85,000 a year, why can’t they find an affordable home to rent/buy? Well, there are lots of reasons why it will be hard for them, and most are associated with government policies that have dramatically increased […]
Posted inOpinion
We all pay
Why does it always feel surprising when budgets dry up? We go a year or two without having to think too hard about money on the municipal level, and then, bam! Your city’s gotta start pinching those pennies again. Santa Maria’s currently moving forward with a solution for its $21.3 million budget deficit. Sort of. […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department invites the public to its annual Fourth of July celebration
Since the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department’s beginning, it’s hosted a Fourth of July celebration for city residents. While the festivities vary from year to year, it’s continued to be a great opportunity for families, neighbors, and friends to gather for a day of free, fun-filled events, Recreation Manager Stephanie Saucedo said. This year, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
California Hot Dogs expands with new drive-through destination
California, here we come For more info on California Hot Dogs, call (805) 998-0265 or visit the eatery’s Facebook page. The brand’s new drive-through is located at 1311 Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. Fans of Avila Beach’s famed food cart, California Hot Dogs, now have a place to get their frankfurter fix without having to step […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: June 27, 2024
• U.S. Sens. Laphonza Butler (D-California) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) announced the introduction of the Health Equity Innovation Act, legislation to fight racial disparities in health outcomes by expanding access to preventative health care in underserved communities, according to a June 21 statement from Butler’s office. The bill would establish a new grant program […]
Posted inNews
County amends Wellpath contract for improved accountability, greater staffing levels
Additional nursing and behavioral health staff, accountability measures, and continued compliance with a legal settlement surrounding jail health care are some of the amended measures baked into Santa Barbara County’s contract extension with jail health care provider Wellpath. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved these changes during its June 25 meeting. “I do think, even […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Thelma is an action film spoof with a 93-year-old grandma in the lead
Thelma What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre in SLO Writer-director Josh Margolin helms this action comedy about 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) who gets scammed by a grifter pretending to be her grandson and sets out on an adventure to […]
Posted inNews
Solvang debates allocating extra discretionary grant funds
A proposed increase of grant funds in Solvang’s 2024-26 budget stirred up enough backlash to delay its inclusion, but the matter will resurface as a separate resolution in August for further review. Reaction to the amendment—which suggested allocating an extra $125,000 for grant funding—was mixed among the public and elected officials during the Solvang City […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: The Veil
The Veil What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu Imogen is a tough nut to crack, and she has a knack for getting in and out of situations undetected. She’s been sent to a remote camp where Adilah (Yumna Marwan) is being held, but under very dangerous circumstances. After a difficult and […]