Like a wildfire, this pandemic is now at a point where those fighting the emergency are either going to successfully put out the numerous spot fires and prevent a disaster, or lose control and move into a defensive posture where they are struggling to care for the many victims who will overwhelm our capabilities. As […]
Wildfire and pandemics
Posted inOpinion
CANARY: Disconnected
Well, it’s official. The apocalypse is back in full swing! Indoor activities are mostly off-limits, and the state is closing down again. Gross! I don’t want to write about this, again. I’m tired of it. You’re tired of it, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s tired of it, believers and nonbelievers are tired of it. We’re sick and […]
Posted inOpinion
Two Lompoc City Council members are on the receiving end of apparent disdain from the rest of the council
In August 1920 a woman’s right to vote was ratified and became public law, and later women were guaranteed the right to serve in elective positions in local, state, and federal governments. Since then, many have been elected and served as council members and as mayor in Lompoc. I have worked with and for women […]
Posted inNews
A recent meeting gave Orcutt residents the chance to weigh in on a future cannabis store
The process of selecting the owner and location of the single cannabis retail store that’ll operate in Orcutt recently kicked off with a virtual community meeting. Santa Barbara County officials held the meeting on July 9, which included an overview of how the decision will be made and a chance for residents to provide input. […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: July 16, 2020
• On July 9, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would hire 858 more firefighters and six California Conservation Corps (CCC) crews through October, according to a press release from his office. “Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the state of California hasn’t taken its eye off the threat of wildfire,” Newsom […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc sues Mission Hills Community Services District over 20-year old annexation agreement
Lompoc, a city looking for new housing, is taking legal action to try to move forward a development that city officials said is being held up by a 20-year-old agreement. In 2000, the city of Lompoc and the Mission Hills Community Services District entered into an annexation agreement that states the land slated for a […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria, Lompoc to reopen aquatic centers
The cities of Santa Maria and Lompoc each recently announced plans to reopen their respective aquatic centers, with modifications. Santa Maria’s Paul Nelson Aquatic Center is slated to open on July 20, though only partially and in accordance with county public health guidelines. “The rescheduling is going to look completely different than we’ve had in […]
Posted inNews
Public health, agricultural officials discuss COVID-19 mitigation
At the Santa Maria City Council’s July 7 meeting, County Public Health Director Dr. Van Do-Reynoso presented findings from a demographic study conducted by the county that compares Santa Maria COVID-19 cases to those outside of Santa Maria. “We were able to denote that, countywide, 18 percent of our cases as of June 11 represent […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc City Council approves pay raises for police officers
Amid nationwide and local calls for redistributing funds from police departments, the city of Lompoc recently approved pay raises for its officers. During its meeting on July 7, the City Council approved an agreement with the Lompoc Police Officers’ Association that includes a 2 percent salary increase for the union’s members. According to a staff […]
Posted inNews
County shifts COVID-19 testing recommendations, asks cities for help
At a Santa Barbara County Public Health Department press conference held on July 10, county officials asked only certain county residents to seek COVID-19 testing at community based testing sites. “In order to ensure the community has access to testing, we have heavily promoted the broad use of these sites,” Nick Clay, Santa Barbara Emergency […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
TV REVIEW: LENOX HILL
TV REVIEW: LENOX HILL Where’s it playing? Netflix What’s it rated? TV-MA Netflix’s new series follows four doctors at New York City’s renowned Lenox Hill Hospital—two are neurosurgeons who take on the tough cases that have been turned away elsewhere, one is an emergency room physician, and the fourth is a chief resident OB-GYN, the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
TV REVIEW: THE LAST KINGDOM
TV REVIEW: THE LAST KINGDOM Where’s it playing? Netflix What’s it rated? TV-MA Beginning in 866 A.D. and covering more than four decades through the fourth season, the series follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon noble captured by the Danes as a child and raised first as a slave and then as a […]