Posted inOpinion

Eliminating perceived environmental injustices in Lompoc would cost several million dollars

The city of Lompoc like many other jurisdictions is adding a new environmental justice element (chapter) to the general plan.  The introduction to the new chapter says, “Today, and throughout California and United States history, communities with lower incomes, lower levels of education, and higher proportions of minority residents often bear a disproportionately large burden […]

Posted inOpinion

Pathetic and apathetic

Who do we blame for voter turnout? The election itself or voter apathy or both? I’m going to say both. And Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne might just agree with me.  She challenged 3rd District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann in the primary alongside Republican Frank Troise. Hartmann won, according to the uncertified election results, […]

Posted inNews

Marian Regional Medical Center launches new food recovery program to reduce carbon emissions, redirect food

Rather than seeing pasta sauce, overnight oats, or untouched salad fixings go to waste, Marian Regional Medical Center, in partnership with Replate, will reallocate unused food to community organizations that serve individuals facing food insecurity, Marian Food Services Director Kevin Leitner told the Sun.  “This really was initiated by a [California] food recovery bill … […]

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Creating space: The Santa Maria Valley lacks dedicated places for the LGBTQ-plus community

In the early days of the Allan Hancock College Pride Alliance, students wrote on name tags preferred names and pronouns, with the understanding that the names would only be used during meetings for safety reasons, said Jackie, a student and Pride Alliance member.  The student organization is dedicated to helping LGBTQ-plus students through events and […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Vertigo

Vertigo What’s it rated? PG When? 1958 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on March 23 and 24 (1, 4, and 7 p.m.), and March 25 (7 p.m.) Alfred Hitchcock directs this psychological thriller about a former San Francisco police detective turned private eye, John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart), who’s hired […]

Posted inNews

Political Watch: March 21, 2024

• Assemblymember Gregg Hart announced Assembly Bill 1866, which will address idle wells by requiring oil operators to develop a comprehensive plan to expeditiously plug the estimated 40,000 idle wells in California within the next decade, according to a March 12 statement from Hart’s office. The bill also requires operators to prioritize plugging wells within […]

Posted inNews

More than 1,600 Santa Barbara County jail inmates filed grievances

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office saw an increase in inmate complaints about access to medical, mental health, and dental care as well as medication-assisted treatment for inmates facing substance use disorders.  Second District Supervisor Laura Capps pulled the report for discussion during the March 19 Board of Supervisors meeting because grievances haven’t been discussed […]

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