On Jan. 3, the Lompoc Police Department conducted a DUI and drivers license checkpoint in the 600 block of East Central Avenue. About 250 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. Officers stopped eight people driving without a valid license and two people driving on a suspended license. Seven people were evaluated on suspicion of driving […]
Lompoc PD continues to crack down on drunk driving, unlicensed drivers
Posted inNews
Vandenberg deals with ‘suspicious package’ scare
On Dec. 30, Vandenberg Air Force Base officials reported stopping a man at the main entrance to the base because he was transporting what appeared to be suspicious packages in his vehicle. According to a press release from the base, the man refused to answer base officials’ questions about the contents of the packages. […]
Posted inNews
Caltrans will close northbound lanes on Highway 101
Caltrans will close northbound lanes on Highway 101 Drivers annoyed by alternating lane closures on southbound Highway 101 from the Route 135 Interchange to Santa Maria Way will be happy to know that they’ll reopen on Jan. 9. The closures last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The lane closures allow […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Play ball!
Report unfolded a major-league steroid scandal in national media, the Santa Maria Indians were reeling from the departure of head coach Scott Nickason and other key staffers with the team. The dearly departed didn’t stay gone for long, however. Nickason and crew quickly came together to head up the independent Packers, and both the Packers […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Calendar 1.1.09
SPECIAL EVENTS THE ELKS CLUB presents a firefighters’ appreciation night featuring a barbecue beef dinner on Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $12. Info: 922-1538. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY picks up Christmas trees for recycling through Jan. 8 in North County, Jan. 5 through 9 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Openings and closings
It was a year of gains and losses, of firsts and 50ths. Galleries that have closed will be missed, but new ones promise to fill the void. PCPA entertained audiences with a world premiere, while Santa Maria Civic Theatre celebrated a half-decade of productions. This year’s happenings show that Santa Maria’s art scene is anything […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Eating and sipping through 2008
Another year rides the bullet train into history, leaving us with a blur of memories steeped in area wines and the fragrance of Santa Maria-style cookery. A look back reveals a landscape of pungent falafels, fresh sushi, cooking competitions, and mail-order barbecue. Personal chefs have gone organic, winemakers embraced unusual varietals, and new wineries continue […]
Posted inNews
A year of change
“Challenge and change” was the theme for Santa Barbara County in 2008. Firefighters, government officials, and local nonprofits worked together to confront two wildfires and their aftermath. A changing economy and political climate ushered in new leadership at both the county and city levels. County residents voiced their opinions-“both at the polls and on the […]
Posted inNews
Holiday season brings three spills for Greka, whose leaders cry foul at county officials
Greka President Andrew DeVegvar said the energy company has been the victim of a “political overreaction” in the final days of 2008. He made the statement at a Dec. 29 press conference, criticizing Santa Barbara County’s response to a series of recent accidents at the company’s Bell Lease facility in Santa Maria. Oil and produced […]
Posted inNews
Student government leaders head to Obama’s inauguration
Jeff Hamsher and Marcus King, president and vice president of Allan Hancock College’s Associated Student Body Government, respectively, were getting ready to walk in the Santa Maria Parade of Lights when an e-mail came through announcing unbelievably good news: They had tickets to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. In an interview with […]
Posted inOpinion
What was the most important news story of 2008?
Taylor Dacus student “The election—after eight years of Bush and Cheney, and this being the first African-American president.” David Estrada retired “Election of President-elect Obama. Look at the recession and especially the war in Iraq. President Bush hasn’t given much to people here.” Jerry Turley satellite tech “The failed economy. Work being sent out of […]
Posted inNews
Hancock will offer four-day computer courses this spring
Allan Hancock College is offering several four-day Fast Track computer training courses on the Santa Maria campus during the upcoming spring semester. The classes, scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 13, are structured to offer intensive, hands-on training. The cost for the one-unit Fast Track courses is $20, plus occasional minimal fees. Available Fast […]