• Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed new state legislation that was partly based on a 2024 Santa Barbara County grand jury investigation, according to Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s (D-Santa Barbara) office. Authored by Hart, the Forensic Accountability, Custodial Transparency, and Safety (FACTS) Act of 2025 requires medical investigations of all deaths that occur in county jails, […]
Political Watch: October 23, 2025
Posted inNews
Local life coach and overnight pet sitter’s nomadic journey takes her off the beaten path
As much as she loves cats and dogs, Sarah “Bolty” Bolton doesn’t own any pets. She prefers “the cool aunt” role over full-time pet parent, which led her to start her own pet-sitting business, the Central Coast resident explained. “Pet-sitting is a way that I’m able to get my fill of puppy love and kitty […]
Posted inOpinion
Political microcosm
Who knew an oil pipeline in little ol’ Santa Barbara County could be on the national political radar? The Trump administration is weighing in on Sable Offshore Corporation’s battle to get the Santa Ynez Unit, its affiliated offshore oil rigs, and a corroded pipeline up and running. On X—formerly known as Twitter—no less. Actually, it’s […]
Posted inOpinion
What really drove the LA fires?
”Total garbage.” That’s how wildfire scientist Jon Keeley describes studies blaming climate change for Los Angeles’ catastrophic 2025 fires. Every summer and fall, Southern California braces itself for fire season. On June 2, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department officially declared the start of high fire season, suspending all burn permits and ramping up resources […]
Posted inLetters To The Editor
The Five Cities has a historic opportunity for water security
In May of 2017, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) mandated the SLO South County Waste Water Treatment plant to begin planning for possible relocation of the Oceano facility by May of 2047. The CCC has legitimate concerns that the treatment plant could be compromised by climate change-induced sea level rise and creek flooding. It also […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Behind the scenes of Studio of Performing Arts’ Rocky Horror anomaly
The cult following of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one that Shannon Lowrie admits she didn’t understand when her studio first started performing it. “I thought, ‘I want to see what the deal is about this because I don’t get it,’” Lowrie told the Sun. “I just became obsessed with it.” A lifelong singer […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Solvang Festival Theater lines up entertainment for fall
Shows at the Solvang Festival Theater continue this season with a diverse mix of live performances and community events. Eerie frights await those brave enough to enter the annual Solvang Parks and Recreation’s haunted house. Walk through on the evenings of Oct. 24 and 25. Kid-friendly tours run from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and then […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Vote for the Taylor Park mural design, then lend a hand painting it
Make your artistic voice heard by choosing from designs of tropical flowers, sunshine and a garden, or whimsical doodles for the city of Santa Maria’s next mural, which will be painted at Taylor Park in November. Vote online through the Recreation and Parks Department website until Oct. 28, according to the department’s marketing coordinator, Karen […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Task is a family dynamics-focused gritty crime show
Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) created and wrote this crime drama focusing on Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), a Philadelphia-based FBI agent and former Catholic priest put in charge of a task force investigating a series of robberies targeting motorcycle gang stash houses. (seven 60- to 68-min. episodes) TaskWhat’s it rated? TV-MAWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full […]
Posted inUncategorized
Wayward is psychological mystery involving a troubled teen academy and a shady head teacher
WaywardWhat’s it rated? TV-MAWhen? 2025>Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by and starring comedian and musician Mae Martin, Wayward tells the increasingly familiar story of “camps” created for “troubled teens” whose surface-level purpose is to whip kids into compliance and discipline the rebellion out of them. In reality, these camps are absolute cesspools of abuse, neglect, […]
Posted inSun Screen
The Birds screens as a fundraiser for The Rock Community Radio on Oct. 27 at Bay Theatre
The BirdsWhat’s it rated? PG-13When? 1963Where’s it showing? Bay Theatre of Morro Bay, Monday, Oct. 27(doors at 5, show at 6 p.m.; $17.91 presale at my805tix.com) In time for Halloween, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1963 nature-horror film will screen as a fundraiser for The Rock Community Radio. The screenplay by Evan Hunter is loosely based on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A Santa Maria couple celebrates one year of their signature hot sauce, Hot Lil Mama
Michael and Diana Muranaka quote their favorite movie, Bridesmaids, to each other so often that one scene inspired the name of their hot sauce company. The scene follows a police officer who stops Kristen Wiig’s character and recognizes her from a sign at her bakery. “You’re Cake Baby,” the officer said, referencing the name of […]
