A survey of 400 Santa Maria residents showed that 60 percent of them would vote yes on a half-cent sales tax increase, as long as the extra funds—approximately $13 million a year—went toward essential city services. While 31 percent of participants answered no to the survey, which assured all hypothetical funds would stay local with […]
Santa Maria considers ballot measure for sales tax increase
Posted inNews
Solvang bans public urination, defecation
Constant giggling bled into the Solvang City Council’s discussion of a recent incident that inspired officials to formally ban public urination and defecation within city limits. A sighting of the latter specifically prompted the legislation, City Manager Randy Murphy explained. “I don’t think ‘number one’ was the issue here,” Murphy said at the council’s May […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: May 14, 2026
• On May 8, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California), U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), and Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) joined Environmental Defense Center Chief Counsel Linda Krop and other local environmental leaders to rally against the Trump administration’s restart of offshore oil platforms owned by Sable Offshore Corporation along the Gaviota coastline. During […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria approves a package delivery warehouse to be built on West Stowell
Two Santa Maria planning commissioners thought last week’s meeting drew the biggest crowd they’ve experienced at a hearing. The only item on the May 6 agenda occupied the bulk of the nearly three-hour discussion. Following three study sessions that date back to 2024, the Santa Maria Planning Commission approved a project that would bring a […]
Posted inNews
Buy aesthetic home goods from a Lompoc candlemaker
Listen for the whisperFind Esperanza Jimenez’s candles at the Oceano Seabreeze Market (410 Air Park Drive) on May 30 and at the Route One Farmers Market. Discover all her products online by visiting whisperingwoodsboutique.com and on Instagram @whisperingwoodsboutique. The warmth of a yellow flame. The crackles of a wooden wick. The enchantment of a scented […]
Posted inOpinion
Defecation station
Is there a way to have a civilized discussion about excrement and urine? The city of Solvang attempted it—but giggles ruled the day. Because you can’t talk about bodily functions with turning into a child. Apparently, it’s legal in that city to do your business in a public space because there aren’t any rules in […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc City Council has a potentially costly rebate program audit and investigation on its hands
The city of Lompoc, like almost every other government from the federal level down to small towns like ours, has a problem managing how tax money is distributed to folks applying for rebates, grants, or any other form of government subsidy. This time it’s Lompoc’s conservation rebate program that’s being examined for what some think […]
Posted inOpinion
Future of Oceano dunes vehicular recreation area affects the entire Five Cities region
Regarding the opinion piece, “Help keep Oceano Dunes SVRA free of vehicles forever” (April 23), I have serious concerns. As a local who supports keeping access to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area open, I’m curious who exactly the “local” residents and businesses behind the Oceano Beach Community Association are. A visit to their […]
Posted inOpinion
If vehicles go away from Oceano dunes, no one but plovers will have access
If vehicles go away, the off-highway vehicle funds that actively protect the plover go away. If these funds disappear, State Parks will manage the plovers and other threatened birds as they do at other beaches: build a massive enclosure that is completely free of people. No vehicles. No pedestrians. No fishing. No surfing. No dog […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Santa Maria artist’s newest public installation will be up at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center
Watch for RikoFollow Riko Rivera on Instagram @chilangofine for updates on his public art installations and tattoo business. Call (805) 354-8116 with questions. Picture Mexico City in the early 1990s. It was loud, bright, and colorful. Hand-painted windows and signs lined the busy streets that Riko Rivera walked along with his mom, his wondrous eyes […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Library visitors can participate in a West Coast book club
This year, the Lompoc Public Library is joining the One Book One Coast program out of LA. Readers can pick up a copy of They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, a graphic novel about the author’s experiences in American concentration camps during World War II. Groups will also gather for discussion and a livestreamed […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Betteravia Art Gallery makes way for another exhibit
A new ongoing exhibit is heading to the Betteravia Art Gallery. The opening reception for Post-Wild: Nature in the 21st Century will be held on May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Following an open call for submissions, there’ll be 54 pieces by 34 artists featured in the show ranging from photographs and paintings to […]