Goody bags. Discounted gummies. Complimentary munchies. On the eve of a local dispensary’s 4/20 celebratory sale, Root One got a price reduction of its own tied to a city fee the cannabis retailer pays to operate in Guadalupe. During a public hearing on April 14, Guadalupe officials discussed a request from Root One owner Austen […]
Greenbacks: Guadalupe’s sole dispensary asks for a local cannabis-tax ballot measure
Posted inNews
County endorses Gregg Hart’s jail accountability bill
Resolving some residents’ misunderstanding of state Assembly Bill 2257 was a key issue for both supporters and detractors of the proposed legislation during the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ April 21 hearing. “This was pulled by quite a few members of the board. I personally pulled it for a couple reasons,” 4th District Supervisor […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria-Bonita brings on a statewide nonprofit to run after-school programs
Two local groups will continue providing after-school enrichment for elementary and middle school students in Santa Maria, but a statewide organization will soon be in the mix, too. Santa Maria-Bonita School District board members voted 4-1 on April 15 to approve three-year contracts with the Boys and Girls Club of the Central Coast, the Santa […]
Posted inNews
Strawberry grower pays $66,000 to resolve labor dispute
A saga brewing since 2022 for two local ag workers led to a recent $66,000-plus settlement from their employer. In early April, the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) announced that a complaint filed against Red Blossom Farms in Santa Maria was resolved when the strawberry grower agreed to compensate two individuals for $66,925 in […]
Posted inNews
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently signed onto U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin’s (D-Maryland) bill to give Congress a role in determining when a president is unfit to carry out their duties. The bill would establish a nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office, the body called for […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria Valley Chamber partners with campaign professionals to host a candidate academy
For anyone who’s ever been interested in running for office, there’s an upcoming candidate workshop in Santa Maria to help first-timers hit the ground running. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce partnered with Pacific Campaign Solutions to organize a master class-style event that aims to show participants the ins and outs of managing an […]
Posted inCanary
Angry Andy
Andy Caldwell sure likes to make a big stink about things! His e-blast before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ April 21 meeting was dramatic. “HUGE attack on Sheriff Brown and Law and Order at Tomorrow’s BOS MEETING,” the subject line screamed. “Unfortunately, Chair [4th District Supervisor Bob] Nelson put an item … on […]
Posted inOpinion
Santa Maria City Council’s appointment process is seriously flawed
Ricardo Batalla was chosen to represent the voters of District 1 on the City Council by Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmembers Gloria Flores and Maribel Aguilera at the April 7 council meeting. I wish Mr. Batalla, father of three and director of youth development at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, the very best. He will […]
Posted inOpinion
Help keep Oceano Dunes free of vehicles forever
A federal court recently ruled that the California Department of Parks and Recreation violates the Endangered Species Act by allowing motorized vehicle use that harms shorebirds at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. The ruling also restricts that use. Since Tuesday, April 14, big signs at the Oceano beach vehicle ramp alert beach drivers […]
Posted inOpinion
Claims of voter fraud are fraud
The June 2 election is fast approaching. All eligible California voters will receive a mail-in ballot the first week in May. Now is the time to make sure you will receive your ballot in a timely fashion. To make sure your voter registration is up to date, to change your registration information, or, if you […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A local director presents Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s last show of the season
A 20-year drought. No private bathrooms. Corporate greed. That’s the dystopian recipe for Urinetown. Not your average musical, the fast-paced dark comedy with over-the-top characters prompts real questions about the shortcomings of bureaucracy and how society manages precious resources. It’s No. 1Urinetown runs from May 15 to 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit smct.org […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Experience the work of a Danish violinist in Solvang
Musician and composer Mads Tolling will show off all that a violin can do on the Elverhoj Museum’s patio. The May 9 performance starts at 7 p.m. in Solvang, and doors open half an hour prior. The two-time Grammy award winner is originally from Copenhagen, Denmark. Tolling was part of The Turtle Island Quartet and […]