To hear Lompoc’s top two public safety officials talk about the legalization of cannabis is like listening to tales about a green-leafed apocalypse. “People are going to jump the fence and rip the grows; there are going to be fights in backyards and brawls,” Police Chief Pat Walsh said during an Aug. 1 City Council […]
The growing dilemma: Some residents believe Lompoc public safety officials’ concerns about marijuana are overblown
Posted inNews
Solvang’s Bacon and Brine suddenly closes its doors
On Aug. 11, a short message posted on the Facebook page of a popular Solvang restaurant sent shockwaves through Santa Barbara County’s foodie community. Bacon and Brine, an eatery featured in national publications and television programs, announced the restaurant would close permanently the following day. “It is with the heaviest hearts and most disappointments that […]
Posted inNews
Apio employee abuse lawsuit reaches proposed settlement
Guadalupe’s Apio Inc. recently reached a proposed $5.9 million joint settlement with several employees who claimed the vegetable shipping company had abused workers’ rights. The class action suit against Apio, a company contracted by Pacific Harvest Inc., claims the company failed to provide appropriate rest and meal times to workers, while also failing to pay […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria sees first Pride celebration
Hundreds of local residents, families, and couples descended on the parking lot of Santa Maria’s Town Center West on Aug. 12 to celebrate the city’s first ever Pride event, organized by several LGBTQ organizations. Jessie Funes—organizer with House of Pride and Equality (HOPE), the group that spearheaded the event—said the goal of the event was […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics, symbols, liberty, and immigration
Immigrants are an irreplaceable source of labor for the United States. They are essential for many regional economies, and the support of our aging society over the long term. Immigrants bring vitality and ingenuity to our communities. Despite common belief, they are less likely to commit crimes than native-born residents. These are readily supported findings. […]
Posted inOpinion
Central Coast residents support the monument
The Carrizo Plain Conservancy announces that it has donated a 42-acre parcel of private land with a quarter mile of shoreline on Soda Lake to the United States of America for inclusion in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. While Interior Department officials in Washington, D.C., consider shrinking or doing away with national monuments in California, […]
Posted inOpinion
Drought far from over
The recent lifting of our drought emergency designation by the California state government was alarmingly pre-mature and reckless. We’ve had one sort of decent rainy season after many years of almost nothing, and all of a sudden we’re in the clear? Seriously? Big agriculture and powerful developers must have really put the screws to California’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Oceano needs environmental justice
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as, “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. … It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc in trouble again
A few months ago the Lompoc City Council stopped the disastrous John Linn-sponsored racetrack in the middle of town. But today, the council is faced with another challenge with the approval of the bi-yearly budget. This budget is unusual because it has to accommodate a state-mandated bill of $70 million to cover costs in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Carbajal turned his back on veterans
Congressman Salud Carbajal ran on the promise that he would help veterans. Considering he is a veteran himself, he should fight harder than anyone to ensure they get the care and treatment they deserve. However, when the Veterans Choice Program came up for a vote, I was shocked to see that Carbajal voted against it. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Best of Northern Santa Barbara County 2017
Calibrate your visual processors and defrag your disks, because Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County 2017 is here with the Robo-Best! We did it up in precision style this year, reaching out to the businesses, people, and androids Sun readers think are at the front of the assembly line. Editor’s notes: • The Sun […]
Posted inNews
Best of Northern Santa Barbara County 2017
Calibrate your visual processors and defrag your disks, because Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County 2017 is here with the Robo-Best! We did it up in precision style this year, reaching out to the businesses, people, and androids Sun readers think are at the front of the assembly line. And we have a robot! Watch […]