• Approximately 190 million barrels of recoverable oil reserves are estimated to remain in the area off the coast of Santa Barbara County, according to the federal Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which announced on July 25 that it was working with Sable Offshore Corporation to bring a second Santa […]
Political Watch: August 14, 2025
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County is ready to build out rural broadband networks
Designs are complete for high-speed internet networks in nine rural Santa Barbara County communities, but the projects are still waiting on funding for construction. The county received a state grant in 2023 to kick-start its broadband effort, Marjie Kirn, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) executive director, told the Sun. Using the grant, […]
Posted inNews
Local water agencies weigh in on federal cloud seeding bill
Solvang is planning to send a letter to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee opposing U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Georgia) bill that aims to ban cloud seeding. On Aug. 11, the Solvang City Council unanimously approved the move as part of its consent agenda. City Manager Randy Murphy told the Sun that he […]
Posted inNews
Gifford Fire exceeds 123,000 acres while crews plan burning operation
Air tankers and drones are among the forms of aerial support available to the crews—made up of more than 4,000 personnel—tackling the Gifford Fire, which has grown to 123,000 acres since Aug. 1. Helicopters are in the mix as well—some armed with a crucial accessory firefighters will use to essentially fight fire with fire. “We […]
Posted inNews
Breaking ground: An empty Santa Maria department store begins its transformation into apartments—aiming to revitalize downtown
Making its downtown area more lively and walkable has been a goal of Santa Maria’s since 2004. About four years’ worth of community workshops ushered in the city’s first downtown revitalization plan, adopted in 2008 with hopes of increasing foot traffic through new retail, restaurants, and housing opportunities. But over the course of the next […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA’s Songs for Nobodies welcomes everybody to Marian Theatre and Solvang Festival Theater
A one-woman show featuring songs from five iconic artists will open at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria on Aug. 14. In Songs for Nobodies, five famous singers meet five women in a “tour de force of inspiration and resilience,” according to the PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s description. Award-winning actor and singer Bethany Thomas is […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc art duo’s fifth show is on display at Gallery Los Olivos
Visit the gallery Gallery Los Olivos is located at 2920 Grand Ave. in Los Olivos and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The current show, Rhapsody in Hue, will be on display until Aug. 31. For more information, visit gallerylosolivos.com. On a 12-by-16-inch canvas, artist Neil Andersson intertwines shapes and colors as […]
Posted inOpinion
Now is the time to help each other prepare for eventual evacuations
Two friends, who have lost absolutely everything to wildfires, say now is the time to help one another prepare to evacuate. If it’s not this fire, or an earthquake, or a tsunami warning … it will be some big challenge in the near future. How about we each help an elderly or disabled neighbor? Help […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rideau Vineyard celebrates National Relaxation Day with new wines
In its 141 years of existence, the Rancho El Alamo Pintado Adobe has lived many lives. It was a French countess’ social spot, an innkeeper’s guest house, and a rancher’s home. In 1996 Iris Rideau bought the estate, and Rideau Vineyard was born. The adobe is now Rideau’s tasting room, where guests take in a […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Into the Wild is cautionary tale of an idealist and dreamer
Into The Wild What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2007 Where’s it showing? Monday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m., at the Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Sean Penn directs this 2007 film he adapted from Jon Krakauer’s novel about the true story of Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a disconnected recent college grad who travels throughout North America, […]
Posted inOpinion
The Central Coast desperately needs to build its way out of the housing crisis
We are pro-housing. Period. At Generation Build, housing is our core mission. We advocate for it all: for all types, at all levels. Unlike some organizations, we aren’t afraid to engage in the tough political conversations that others shy away from. That’s because we know real progress requires bold action, not empty platitudes. To solve […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Casino is an expansive, gritty mob picture
Casino What’s it rated? R When? 1995 Where’s it showing? Friday, Aug. 15, 7:15 p.m. at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Director and co-writer Martin Scorsese knows his way around a mob picture, and in this sprawling story that takes place over more than a decade, we see Chicago sport handicapper Sam “Ace” […]