Hundreds of animals that have trotted across the Santa Maria Fairpark’s auction grounds over the past three years were raised by young participants of a local charity initiative. Elementary, middle, and high school students who take part in the annual Santa Barbara County Fair’s livestock exhibitions for 4-H, FFA, and Grange programs are eligible for […]
Local nonprofit buys livestock from ag students to help feed the food insecure
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Political Watch: July 3, 2025
• On June 30, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) introduced the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act—legislation to prevent people who are in crisis from accessing deadly weapons, according to Carbajal’s office. The bill would establish grants to support the implementation of extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws, also known as “red flag” laws, […]
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Buellton City Council scrutinizes proposed $500 hourly fee for library meeting areas
Bounce houses. Cocktail hours. Knitting clubs. Members of the Buellton City Council were recently torn on which types of uses it should allow during temporary rentals of the Buellton Library’s meeting rooms and spacious front lawn. However, all four council members came to a quick consensus on one crucial aspect of city staff’s proposed rental […]
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Man found dead in his Northern Branch Jail cell
A 54-year-old Santa Maria man was found dead in his cell at the Northern Branch Jail on June 28. A custody deputy conducting a routine security and welfare check found Juan Lara unresponsive in his cell in the B Unit around 10:45 p.m., according to a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office press release. Deputies and […]
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Guadalupe officials raise foot traffic concerns tied to Highway 166 and a new middle school
In mid-August, the newly built Guadalupe Junior High School’s doors will open for the first time to incoming seventh and eighth graders. The school on Arroyo Seco Road is near the Pasadera housing community. While most of Guadalupe—including its downtown area and the majority of housing within city limits—lies on the north side of Highway […]
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Cutting enforcement: Santa Barbara County supervisors take cannabis tax revenue away from Sheriff’s Office
Deemed overdue for a trim, Santa Barbara County’s budget to enforce against illegal weed is too big, the Board of Supervisors recently concluded. Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino described the board’s unanimous June 17 decision to disband the Sheriff’s Office cannabis compliance team as “redistributing the manpower where it’s most needed.” “Having that strong of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Drover’s Doughnuts ups the dessert competition in Solvang with sandwiches, cake shakes, dirty sodas
Taking the bull by the horns Located at 484 First St. in Solvang, Drover’s Doughnuts is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its 252 E. Highway 246 location in Buellton is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. Visit Drover’s Doughnuts on Facebook and Instagram under its name […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Deep Cover follows a trio of improv comics doing undercover police work
Deep Cover What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Tom Kingsley (Black Pond, The Darkest Universe) directs this British comedy about unsuccessful improv comedy actors Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard), Marlon (Orlando Bloom), and Hugh (Nick Mohammed), who’re recruited by Det. Sgt. Graham Billings (Sean Bean) to buy counterfeit cigarettes from a […]
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The Ballad of Willis Island is a charming comedy about memory and friendship
The Ballad of Wallis Island What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Peacock This film is charming from start to finish and full of fun, earnest, and quirky characters. Charles (Tim Key) can think of no better way to spend some of his lottery winnings than to have his favorite musicians brought to […]
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F1: The Movie follows an older driver taking another shot at greatness
F1 The Movie What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Arroyo Grande, Fair Oaks Theatre Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy, Oblivion, Only the Brave, Maverick: Top Gun) directs this story he co-wrote with Ehren Kruger (Transformers: […]
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Local artist’s metal sculpture exhibit now on display at Elverhoj Museum in Solvang
The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art is now displaying Suzi Trubitz: Through the Years. The exhibit focuses on how the Santa Ynez sculptor transforms raw metal into art. Each piece demonstrates Trubitz’s conversation between fragility and force as a physical testament to her approach to making steel art with flames, according to the museum. […]
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Santa Barbara County awards 12 arts and culture organizations up to $5,000 each
Santa Barbara County awarded arts grants to 12 nonprofits on June 16, providing more than $50,000 to support community development through arts and culture. For the 2025-26 Arts Making Impact (AMI) program, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors selected a dozen organizations to receive grants of up to $5,000 funded by the Santa Barbara […]