The Lompoc Police Department (LPD) sent out a gentle reminder to its citizens on Nov. 8—if you see suspicious activity, call 911. Or, at the very least, call the department’s main office line at 736-2341. LPD Police Sgt. Kevin Martin told the Sun the effort was a response to several instances of suspicious or potentially […]
Lompoc Police tell residents to call to report crimes
Posted inNews
Warming centers provide shelter to homeless during winter months
Despite California’s famously warm and sunny weather, winter months still bring rain and nighttime temperatures that dip below freezing—conditions that can and have claimed lives. A homeless man, Freedom, died on Santa Barbara’s streets during such weather conditions in 2009. The incident sparked pressure from community members for the development of local warming centers, short-term […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc city manager to become Santa Maria’s assistant city manager
Patrick Wiemiller, Lompoc’s at times embattled city manager, will take his services a few miles north, about 28 to be exact. In roughly three months, he will join Santa Maria as its new assistant city manager. Both cities made the announcement a little after 3 p.m. on Nov. 9. Lompoc’s public information officer, Samantha Scroggin, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gallery Los Olivos highlights pastel artists’ friendship and love of nature
Terri Taber is most at home when she’s lost deep in nature. “I’ve always really loved the outdoors. To me the outdoors is always a source of giving me strength. It regenerates. Solace.” Taber, along with fellow painter Carol Talley, is featured in a new show highlighting the pair’s love of the outdoors called Surrounded […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: California’s Gas Tax
California’s 12-cent gas tax hike kicked in on Nov. 1 and consumers almost instantly felt pain at the pumps. “The tax hike’s effect at many, but not all, gas pumps was immediate on Wednesday,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring in a statement. “While we believed the switch to the cheaper winter blend of gasoline […]
Posted inNews
Attorney claims youth client was beaten in Juvenile Hall lock-up
On Jan. 23, 2016, detainees at the Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center in Santa Maria beat Paul Purter III while in lockup. The attack was brutal. More than once, Purter was kicked in the chest, head, and face. He suffered permanent optic nerve damage to his right eye and a contusion to his eye […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Los Angeles area poets grace Orcutt stage for Poetry at Core
Poet Rick Lupert can almost recall the very first time he was called on to create a poem. “I have a vague memory of third grade,” he said. “We had some poets come to our school and teach poetry. I don’t recall a lot about it, but they took everything we wrote and bound it.” […]
Posted inOpinion
Where do you like to play sports on the Central Coast?
Curt Miller Owner of Sports Authority “I like playing baseball and basketball at Arroyo Grande High.” Eric Bouza lab technician “I like playing baseball at areas around Santa Maria, Simas Park.” Daniel Zepeda works at On Deck 2 Batting Cages “My favorite place to play baseball is at Pioneer Valley High School.” Ron Schram police […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sake Sushi is the top spot for Japanese fare in Santa Maria
It’s almost become a cliche to declare a love for “underground” food spots. It’s sort of an absurdist statement, if you really think about it. What do you exactly love? That food is prepared for you in a highly suspect environment that isn’t entirely on the up-and-up? Should this really be a thing foodie culture […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Dawn of The Briteen
It has been a hell of a week. Our grandson, The Briteen, was trying out for soccer at his high school, participating in a week of scrimmages after school. But first, prospective candidates had to endure “Hell Week.” This involved a fitness endurance regimen every day at 6:30 in the morning, which meant that our […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
LOCAL NOTES: IndiePulse holds an instrument drive for local kids
The moment a young musician gets his or her first instrument is a transformative one. Joseph Timmons, publisher of the online music magazine IndiePulse and a lifelong drummer, remembers his first drum set clearly. Timmons has been the main writer and editor for IndiePulse for several years, and four years ago he decided to use […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria unveils more painted utility boxes
The city of Santa Maria has five more colorful murals by local artists now that Phase Two of the Utility Box Art Project is complete. Phase Three of the project remains on hold until further funding is acquired. Last month, five local artists—Autumn Jennings, Angelina LaPointe, Frank Dominguez, Laura Lozano, and Ruben Espinoza—painted mini murals […]