• As co-chairs of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus, Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) drafted a joint letter to urge the Trump administration “to stop its expansion of drilling off California’s coast.” The March 27 letter was addressed to Bureau of Ocean […]
Political Watch: April 9, 2026
Posted inNews
Shaping impact of new train tracks on local estuary is one QR code away
Results from a community survey will help determine how local agencies approach replacing a coastal railroad bridge in the Lompoc Valley. “What makes this community engagement process really unique is that it’s starting super early,” said Sophie Bartley, Central Coast region project manager for LegacyWorks, one of the groups spearheading the initiative. Replacing the 100-plus-year-old […]
Posted inOpinion
Vacancy problems
The most problematic property in Orcutt continues to be a thorn in the side of developer Michael Stoltey, who didn’t get his wish granted by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on April 7. Supes declined to agree to the proposed tax exchange from the city of Santa Maria for annexing the Richards Ranch […]
Posted inOpinion
Community members should not let themselves be silenced
On March 12, the Santa Maria Sun newspaper published a signed opinion column by Roy Reed about the election for Santa Barbara County District 5 supervisor (“Know before you vote”). At first glance, it seemed like a simple, straightforward opinion. Still, when you read it carefully, it reveals something deeper: the power of language to […]
Posted inOpinion
The beauty of protest and finding community
She was small, thin, elderly, and perhaps not in the best of health. And yet she was standing in a crush of people waiting to join the protest march. I was wearing my yellow day-glo traffic vest and feeling a bit like the maître d at a wildly overbooked restaurant: “Watch your step, thank you […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Brick and Builds Festival returns to Solvang
What better place to celebrate the Danish-made toys, Legos, than in the Danish Capital of America? On April 18 and 19 festivalgoers have the opportunity to watch builders use their imaginations to create wonderous scenes out of the small, colorful bricks. “This immersive weekend celebration brings together professional builders, Lego Master Builders, and brick enthusiasts […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Ynez Valley Community Theater presents Annie
Cast and crew members of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Theater will bring Annie to life at the Solvang Festival Theater on April 17 and 18. See their months of hard work in action during the musical’s two-night run, supported by Buellton’s Arts and Culture Committee. “This is more than just a play—it’s a celebration […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Drama is a cringe-inducing black comedy ride through premarital jitters
Helmed by Norwegian writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself, Dream Scenario), The Drama examines a transitioning relationship as Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) and Emma Harwood (Zendaya) plan their wedding while second-guessing their commitment to one another and struggling with self-doubt. (105 min.) The DramaWhat’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Netflix’s The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson examines professional cyclist’s murder
The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah WilsonWhat’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2026 Where’s it showing? Netflix Moriah Wilson was badass. Her cycling career wasn’t by chance. Raised in a family of athletes, Moriah was passionate and competitive from a young age in whatever sports she partook in. Biking was the pinnacle, though, and soon Moriah […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cheech & Chong’s 1978 Up in Smoke screens on 4/20 at Bay Theatre
Up In SmokeWhat’s it rated? R When? 1978 Where’s it showing? Bay Theatre, Monday, April 20 (doors at 3:20, show at 4:20 p.m.; $17.91 at my805tix.com) Calling all stoners! The ultimate ’70s stoner comedy, Up in Smoke, is screening at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20. Co-directed by Lou Adler and Tommy Chong and written by Cheech […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Feed My Seoul is the only Korean food truck serving artisanal Asian barbecue in SLO and Santa Barbara counties
Bowl callFeed My Seoul can be found most Wednesdays starting at 5:30 p.m. at Machado Plaza in Santa Maria. Follow @feedmyseoul805 on Instagram to keep up with weekly locations. Place orders in advance until an hour before service by calling or texting co-owner Grace Kim at (805) 888-7226. Book Feed My Seoul as your next […]
Posted inNews
Caught on camera: New evidence based on bus video footage led to mistrial, guilty plea in deadly forklift crash case
Nearly two years after pleading not guilty to vehicular manslaughter, Santa Maria resident David Baskett agreed to plead guilty to killing a local resident while driving a forklift. Baskett’s March 24 plea followed new evidence that Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen said contradicted what the 83-year-old originally told Santa Maria Police Department […]
