It’s fascinating reading the drumbeat of nasty letters launched by [SLO County] Supervisor Lynn Compton’s critics in their efforts to demonize her for the many good things she’s done. Consider the park funding issue. Last year, after discovering that Supervisors Adam Hill and Bruce Gibson had studiously diverted nearly $10 million worth of South County […]
Compton’s critics are off-base
Posted inOpinion
Recusal
Just since 2016, county Supervisor Steve Lavagnino has taken well over $10,000 in campaign contributions from companies with business before the county. Specifically, three companies are seeking permits to drill more than 750 new oil wells in Cat Canyon. There are legitimate concerns about the inevitable problems with drilling, and spilling, and the insertion under […]
Posted inOpinion
Gloege hit the nail on its head
I admit I was thrown off track when I first read the headline to William Gloege’s letter: “Capitalism needs your help!” (April 5). However, his perfectly written letter straightened that out for me. He pointed out the only form of logic with a snowball’s chance of getting through the entrenched belief among adherents to unfettered […]
Posted inOpinion
Olmstead for sheriff, here’s why
At a time when the relationship between our public safety agencies is paramount, we need to consider who is best suited to work cooperatively as leader of our Sheriff’s Office going forward. Sheriff Bill Brown, without a doubt, has had a long and distinguished 40-year public safety career. However, the sheriff has lost the support […]
Posted inOpinion
Fighting for a profitable future in Central Coast agriculture
From passing a strong Farm Bill, to addressing the critical labor shortage and drought conditions, Congress must take these opportunities to step up and support our local agriculture industry. The Central Coast provides families across the nation with nutritious food, and I’m fighting to even the playing field for our local producers. The president’s recently […]
Posted inNews
Allan Hancock College works to update harassment policies but denies changes were spurred by employee who said she was sexually harassed
Allan Hancock College revisited its nondiscrimination and harassment policies on April 10, two months after a longtime employee publicly described to the board of trustees her experience of being sexually harassed and retaliated against. Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program (MESA) Coordinator Christine Reed said at a meeting on Feb. 13 that the harassment she endured […]
Posted inNews
Cold weather and rain to blame for low strawberry production
California’s strawberry production is off to a slow start this year after recent cold weather and rain damaged some of the state’s crops. Southern California’s total strawberry production as of April 14 was down 6 percent from the same time last year, according to shipment data compiled by the California Strawberry Commission, and down nearly […]
Posted inNews
Vandenberg plugs in to massive new solar array
As of Jan. 8 of this year, Vandenberg Air Force Base will receive about a third of its power (over the next 25 years) via solar energy. On April 10, the base held a dedication ceremony for the 65,000 panel, 129-acre solar array. “This is a really big event for the base, and for the […]
Posted inNews
Start your batteries: Die-hard radio-controlled car enthusiasts meet up to race, jump, and kick up some dirt on the Central Coast
Rain usually cancels the regular meetup of Central Coast radio-controlled (RC) car enthusiasts at a home on the Nipomo Mesa. But it wasn’t quite raining on April 7, more of a drizzle, and plenty of diehards still made it out. The heavy fog didn’t slow down Tony Drake or his black and red-striped Traxxas RC […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch 4/19/18
• A public forum for Santa Barbara County Sheriff candidates is scheduled for April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Center, Board of Supervisors Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. Current Sheriff Bill Brown, along with candidates and current Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office lieutenants Eddie Hsueh and Brian Olmstead, […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Paradise Trading Post
Don’t call it a pawn shop. At least not in front of Paradise Trading Post’s owner, Mike Alexander, 57, who will quickly remind the offender what the store really is. “We’re not a thrift shop either. I like to refer to us as kind of an antique store for men,” he said in early April, […]
Posted inNews
Youth Sports Comittee holds first meeting
More than 30 youth sports leagues in Santa Maria Valley provide kids with ample athletic opportunities, but rundown fields, overpopulated facilities, and a general lack of communication have become major issues for local coaches. “I think probably it’s the No. 1 thing I hear from the people I represent, is the need for access to […]