Cornered into frustration by high gas prices and the low economy? Never fear. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is running a program—“Old Car Buyback”—to entice drivers to take their older cars off the road, which will, in turn, lower the amount of greenhouse gases pumping into the atmosphere. Under the program, the […]
County puts a $1,000 bounty on polluting cars
Direct examination, part II
To better understand the candidates in the district attorney race and their campaigns, the Sun contacted Senior Deputy District Attorney Joyce Dudley and Chief Trial Deputy Josh Lynn and asked them each to answer a handful of questions. Find the first set of questions and answers archived at santamariasun.com. The first question-and-answer set appeared in […]
SLORTA fares are going up
On Aug. 1, the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority will raise the cost of its fares for the second time in two years. According to RTA officials, the agency is facing desperate financial times: Federal and state public transportation money is drying up or is tenuous at best, a development that might eventually cause […]
Like liquid gold
After bleeding its reserve fund dry, San Luis Obispo County Public Works recently decided to impose higher sewage and water rates on hundreds of Nipomo residents. “We’re caught in a very difficult bit of public process here,” SLO Supervisor Bruce Gibson said as the board reticently approved the last of three proposed rate increases. “I […]
New Cuyama gets a new pool just in time for summer
About 50 New Cuyama kids got to take an inaugural plunge in the town’s public swimming pool after a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 28. Santa Barbara County supervisor Joe Centeno had the honor of snipping the red ribbon before officially declaring the Joseph Centeno Cuyama Pool and Aquatics Complex open for business. The Board […]
Tie personalities with summer fun
Stuck in a summer activities rut? Parents can now get suggestions on the best activities based on their children’s personalities using the new Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment on the Central Coast-based website Kidzmet.com. The short test helps parents understand how their child’s personality type impacts learning and play behaviors. For more information, visit kidzmet.com, or find […]
Teachers get a break
Local chiropractor Fred Carbone is giving thanks to local teachers by celebrating Teacher’s Month all June long at his practice, Aloha Family Chiropractic in Orcutt. Carbone would like to reward teachers for putting children first by offering them free health and wellness evaluations. The exams include complete consultation and examination, computerized spinal analysis, and any […]
Shop–in the name of scholarships!
Need an outfit or special gift for a birthday, wedding, or other special event? Ruby Red Fashion Boutique and the Santa Maria Women’s Network are teaming up for an “Afternoon of Fashion Shopping” on June 3. Drawings for prizes will take place at the event, and wine and light refreshments will be served. Ten percent […]
Accounting firm tabs Orcutt
McDermott and Apkarian, LLP, an accounting firm serving clients in Santa Barbara County since 1983, announced the opening of a new office in Orcutt to serve the needs of an expanding client base. Partners Patrick McDermott and Thomas Apkarian, Jr., have a combined total of 32 years of tax and accounting experience. Their firm offers […]
One less voice will chime in
I am 83 years old and have been quite sick for years, but always voted. Well, that has ended. I am tired of being rushed to the phone to hear a recording about who I should vote for and why, each time thinking one of my five children might be phoning me for a chat. […]
Unite to save beaches
O, come all ye faithful and righteous citizens of San Luis Obispo, you who are so upset by the smoke on sidewalks, the feeding of ducks, and past-bedtime partying: I beg you to rise and stand against the most repulsive polluter of them all, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreational Area (ODSVRA). Residents in the […]
Vote no on Proposition 16
Proposition 16 is total rubbish, a disgrace to the democratic process. PG&E is sponsoring the proposition to prevent municipalities from getting into the energy business to compete with the company. It would require a two-thirds vote by municipal residents to approve funding for local public power projects, which we all know would be the kiss […]

