Oceano is hoping for a brand new 2024. The little town in southern San Luis Obispo County is hoping that its Community Services District will finally pull itself together, that the governing board will do more than bicker, and that its new leaders will move forward into a more civil era of policymaking. I wouldn’t […]
Sleight of hand
Posted inNews
CASA Santa Barbara County wants to recruit more volunteers so it can help more children in the foster care system
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County served an estimated 509 children going through the court system in 2023, Executive Director Kim Colby Davis said. CASA becomes involved in a child’s life after the court and county social workers have decided that they need to intervene for the child’s safety and well-being. […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: January 4, 2024
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), along with several colleagues, advocated for a new law to strengthen the cybersecurity practices for the United States’ nuclear weapons system, which was signed by President Joe Biden. Reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published in September 2022 and June 2023 found that the National Nuclear System […]
Posted inNews
Inmate death highlights ongoing need for mental health care
A 61-year-old inmate jumped from the second floor of a housing unit at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail Intake and Release Center and later died at Cottage Hospital, where he was being treated for his injuries, according to a Dec. 31 statement from the Sheriff’s Office. “Although this appears to be an apparent suicide, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Out-of-town artists flock to the Central Coast for local showcases in 2023
Throughout 2023, galleries and other art venues across Northern Santa Barbara County proved to be not only familiar outposts for paint brush-happy locals, but hubs for traveling artisans as well. Some of my favorite exhibits in the Sun’s coverage area this year showcased artists hailing from settings far from the Central Coast, such as London, […]
Posted inOpinion
The Dana Reserve development is too big
In response to Michael Massey (“We need housing,” Dec. 21). I notice you have not addressed the traffic problem on the 101 freeway that has gotten exponentially worse in the past few years. I have realized we need more responsible housing projects, but this one is far too large! Alyx Michell Nipomo
Posted inOpinion
Elections matter—new political leadership is greatly needed
Every year many of us make New Year’s resolutions that we sometimes keep; this year will be no different. Instead of sharing my personal resolutions, I will talk about those that voters should make and keep in the coming year. We need new leadership in our county, state, and country. The current crop of appointed […]
Posted inOpinion
For the birds!
We sure did a lot of fighting this year! Maybe it was all that rain in January and March, filling up Northern Santa Barbara County’s streets with mud and debris, causing our reservoirs to spill over, and leaving us with repair needs—some of which have yet to be fixed. It made us grumpy for the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Team Starkey picks their favorite films of 2023
Neither of us are typically a “my favorite (fill in the blank) is” kinds of people. We might have current favorites of the moment, but how can we pick an overall favorite band, writer, visual artist, or even a favorite color for that matter? We can obviously tell you if we like something or not, […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara-based tutoring center expands services into Lompoc
With more than 64 percent of Lompoc Unified School District’s population considered socioeconomically disadvantaged and students in historically marginalized communities scoring below state learning standards in test scores, Connie Alexander and Audrey Gamble saw a need for additional educational support and services. Alexander and Gamble own and operate Gateway Educational Services, a tutoring center founded […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: December 28, 2023
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) highlighted new authority spelled out in this year’s annual defense policy bill that allows the Space Force to share more of the upkeep costs for their bases and launch ranges with the commercial space companies using military-owned ranges, according to a Dec. 21 statement. As a senior member […]
Posted inNews
Solvang committee re-evaluates juice bar signage after improper analysis
A local smoothie shop’s six-month journey toward displaying a new wall sign didn’t go as smoothly as its owner hoped, thanks to initial backlash from the Solvang Design Review Committee (DRC). Miguel Limon, owner of Sano Pecado in downtown Solvang, requested permission from the DRC in May to put up new signage at the juice […]