Exiting his Orcutt garage, Rockie Daren Ginter already had his hands raised as he approached Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies on the morning of his arrest. Owned by Ginter’s parents, the house on Genoa Way was emitting flames and black smoke, according to court documents. Ginter allegedly told deputies about the voices in his head […]
Diverted from jail: Judge grants convicted arsonist mental health help instead of sending him to trial
Posted inOpinion
Stand with education equity
The White House recently issued an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. If enacted, this decision would roll back decades of progress in ensuring equal access to quality education, disproportionately harming marginalized communities, including the youth we serve. While an executive order alone does not have the authority to shut down the […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s all politics
I am 70 years old, and I want to retire. I can financially live on my Social Security income with supplements from my savings. I planned and saved for this. But now I’m fearful and not sure if Social Security will be around much longer. Is talking to others about Social Security political talk? Is […]
Posted inOpinion
Is supporting noncitizens economically sound?
What are the impacts to American citizens from creating a sanctuary state or city? Providing sanctuary for immigrants who enter our country without following the proper protocols is costly in many ways to persons who are American citizens either by birthright or naturalization. Politicians aren’t noted for looking ahead to see what might happen if […]
Posted inOpinion
Spanked for the audacity
Sable Offshore Corporation is heading for troubled waters—giant waves that most of us could see from a few miles away. The California Coastal Commission is pissed at the oil company for work it’s been doing to fix its old, janky pipeline that spilled oil all over Refugio Beach in 2015, work the company insists it […]
Posted inNews
Local gongfu practitioner and tea sommelier leads ceremonial meditations
Tea parties are given a whole new meaning for hosts who take a leaf or two from Jennifer de Tréglodé’s book. Through her company, Inari Tea & Art Experiences, the San Luis Obispo local is frequently hired to lead ceremonial tea meditations at public and private events alike, including bridal showers, birthday parties, mindfulness workshops, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Local woman’s ‘hard work pays off’ through desserts and determination
Treat yourself Rositas Manzanitas, now based in Guadalupe, can be found on Instagram @rositas.manzanitas. Since September of 2024, when she launched her treat-making business, Rose Angulo has overcome homelessness, moved into her first-ever apartment, taken classes at Allan Hancock College, and secured a job at a local preschool, all while selling homemade desserts and taking […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer chronicles the botched investigation into a series of missing and murdered women
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix The Gilgo Beach serial killings haunted the Long Island community for years. What was once just a 911 call followed by a missing person unfolded into a multitude of slayings, one uncovered after the other spanning 15 years […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: April 17, 2025
• On April 3, Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) recognized Tere Jurado with the 2025 California Woman of the Year award as part of an annual celebration of women’s leadership. According to a release from Hart’s office, he presented Jurado with the award in a standing-room-only ceremony attended by family members, friends, and special guests, […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office pins increase in liquor law violations on Isla Vista
The number of liquor law violations reported in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s coverage areas nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024, according to newly released statistics. Chief Deputy Brad Welch, who helped compile the report, said the 89.7 percent increase—from 573 violations in 2023 to 1,087 in 2024—correlates with an increase in enforcement, specifically […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
G20 casts Viola Davis as a badass U.S. president fighting terrorists
G20 What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Prime Patricia Riggen (Under the Same Moon, The 33, Miracles from Heaven) directs this action thriller about U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Viola Davis), who must tap into her past military experience when terrorists descend on the G20 summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Think of […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approves road widening attached to Rancho Luis development
Widening a road as part of a proposed Santa Ynez Valley ranch expansion is a focal point for neighbors of the rural site. To move forward with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s approval, the development plan for Rancho Luis—an existing ranch on track to become a certified animal boarding and equestrian training facility—includes […]