Restricting long-term housing at motel properties along the Avenue of Flags would help maximize Buellton’s efforts in revitalizing the corridor, according to city staff. In local attorney Mack Carlson’s eyes, the proposed ordinance amounts to “gentrification by policy,” he said during the Buellton City Council’s March 12 meeting. “Let’s be clear about the decision before […]
Buellton moves motel conversion rules forward
Posted inPolitical Watch
Political Watch: March 19, 2026
• On March 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Buellton Mayor David Silva to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which consists of 16 members. Silva, who currently serves on the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s board, said he’s “so excited to be able to serve on CARB and bring a local air pollution […]
Posted inSpotlight
The Cloverlane Foundation supplies Hancock’s Fire Academy with new equipment
Every morning at 6:30, cadets arrive to start training at the Allan Hancock College Fire Academy. For the next nearly 12 hours, they complete physical fitness training, classroom studies, and in-field exercises. “These are long, long days,” the program’s coordinator, Leonard Champion, said. “Then when they get home, there’s studying to do. There’s preparation for […]
Posted inOpinion
Standoff
Everyone wants a piece of the Trump administration these days. In what should be a surprise to no one who’s been following the Sable Offshore Corp. saga, the administration ordered the company to restart that pesky pipeline that leaked oil all over the Gaviota Coast more than 10 years ago. And Sable did what it […]
Posted inOpinion
Lompoc school district should not support student walkouts at the expense of education
On Jan. 30, high school and junior high students in Lompoc and other parts of North County took part in demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), (“Local high school students take part in nationwide walkouts to protest ICE,” Feb. 5). The Lompoc Record reported that “at Lompoc High School, students were released early […]
Posted inOpinion
Shut the dunes down to vehicles
Retired attorney John Donegan’s screed (“Learn to share,” March 5) is really off-putting. He likes vehicles on our beaches and wants to keep it that way. Here, he has dredged up all the usual right-wing political claptrap in an attempt to make his point, wrong-headed though it is. Well John, here’s something you missed: The […]
Posted inOpinion
Let workers finish the job on offshore wind
President Trump does not like windmills. In December, his Department of the Interior issued stop-work orders for five offshore windfarms along the Atlantic coast, putting thousands of workers out of a job just days before Christmas. Thankfully, a little more than a month later, federal judges ordered all the projects to move forward, putting workers […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Central Coast artist paints today’s landscapes for tomorrow’s remembrance
When Katy Smith tells people she’s going painting in Orcutt, she gets puzzled looks in return. “They’re like, ‘Where do you paint in Orcutt?’ As if there’s not something here to paint,” Smith said. “There are so many beautiful places in Orcutt to paint, and you just have to stop long enough and take it […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Pops presents an evening of hits by Ella Fitzgerald
Calling all fans of jazz and American pop hits. The Lompoc Pops Orchestra is performing a show dedicated to Ella Fitzgerald’s portfolio on March 29 at 4 p.m. Audience members will cherish the sounds of nostalgia from the era of soul, guided by the Great American Songbook. Though loosely defined, the songbook is a treasure […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A local writer hosts an encouraging book talk in Santa Maria
Paso Robles author Deborah Brasket will discuss why it’s never too late to pursue life’s creative endeavors at the Santa Maria Public Library on March 22. The catalyst for the book talk, Creativity Has No Expiration Date, was the publication of her 2025 debut novel, When Things Go Missing, which she wrote later in life. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Undertone is long on atmosphere but short on substance
In his directorial feature-length debut, writer-director Ian Tuason helms this psychological supernatural horror film about popular paranormal podcast host Evy (Nina Kiri), who is haunted by recordings anonymously send to her and her podcast partner, Justin (Adam DiMarco). (126 min.) UndertoneWhat’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Don’t bother What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Night Agent season 3 is an espionage romp
The Night AgentWhat’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023-present Where’s it showing? Netflix Now in its third season (and renewed for a fourth), The Night Agent is a bingeable, implausible espionage romp with a likeable protagonist. In the first season, FBI Special Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) saved a lot of lives thwarting a DC Metro […]