Grab a copy Santa Maria writer Chris McGuinness’ first book, Hellbound Bastards—a vintage cosmic Western horror with classic roots—is available at amazon.com. As a preteen, Chris McGuinness began his journey down the horror path after receiving a copy of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot for Christmas. “That was the first adult horror book I ever read,” […]
Hellbound Bastards author Chris McGuinness shares layers of writing journey
Posted inOpinion
Richards Ranch development will bring much-needed housing and opportunities to Orcutt
As a lifelong resident of Orcutt, I’ve watched this community grow and change over the years—but some things haven’t changed at all. One of those is the empty Richards Ranch property, which has sat vacant for more than 40 years, growing weeds instead of providing homes and opportunities for local families. I knew the original […]
Posted inOpinion
National chaos has become a local crisis
For years, I’ve devoted my time to local issues. I’ve done so not because I’m apathetic to national politics, but because I’ve believed—and still believe—that our most direct influence lies in our own backyard. While the media machine churns 24/7 content about Congress, cable news spats, and whoever President Trump is threatening this week, I’ve […]
Posted inOpinion
Testy and zesty
Things got a little testy at a recent Guadalupe City Council meeting. Any guesses as to the topic du jour? Ding, ding, ding! Yes. It was the Royal Theater renovation project—you know the one, with grant issues, cost issues, redesign controversy, and the failed potential ballot initiative idea. Residents have complained multiple times about the […]
Posted inNews
APCD models new Santa Maria headquarters within a sustainable framework
Wielding a giant pair of scissors is one skill Aeron Arlin Genet now has firsthand experience with. One of her recent duties as the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) executive director was cutting the ribbon at an open house event to celebrate the agency’s new Santa Maria office. “The scissors were a […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: May 22, 2025
• On May 14, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined immigration advocates and some of his colleagues at a press conference to speak out against anti-immigrant provisions in Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill—such as increased funding for the border wall and immigrant detention centers, according to Padilla’s office. […]
Posted inNews
Board of Supervisors lays groundwork for countywide oil and gas phaseout proposal
Ten years almost to the date after the Refugio oil spill, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors revisited news headlines centered on the coastal disaster. Second District Supervisor Laura Capps shared snippets of media coverage from May 2015 at the board’s May 13 meeting. She also compiled excerpts from articles on the 2017 Thomas […]
Posted inNews
Solvang could join growing number of California cities outlawing encampments
On May 27, Solvang City Council members will vote on whether the city will become the next domino to fall in line with California’s legislative push against unhoused people trying to live outside of shelters. Lompoc introduced public and private camping bans in March. In February, members of the Fremont City Council tried to criminalize […]
Posted inNews
Guadalupe council member accuses Royal Theater project manager of misrepresenting costs
A status report on Guadalupe’s initiative to restore its shuttered Royal Theater teed up an argument between the project’s lead and the elected official who serves on its capital campaign committee. During the Guadalupe City Council’s May 13 meeting, Councilmember Whitney Furness said there’s not enough city oversight when it comes to finances tied to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Great American Melodrama stages Les Misérables parody
From now until June 14, the Great American Melodrama in Oceano will host Less Miserable, a comedic parody of the iconic play Les Misérables, based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel. “We keep all of the plot points,” said John Keating, artistic director for the Melodrama. “We’re telling the whole story of Les Misérables.” Keating said […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Solvang Theaterfest celebrates summer kickoff with picnicking and live music by Pablo Cruise
Solvang Theaterfest welcomes back summer with a Pablo Cruise concert on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Executive director Chantel Green said Solvang will also host an open picnic for the community from 4 to 6 p.m. that day. She encouraged interested community members to bring their own meals and parents to bring their children. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Graphic novelist Kane Lynch publishes Reel Life, a tween book about divorce
Meet the artist Graphic novelist and cartoonist Kane Lynch releases his debut Scholastic graphic novel, Reel Life, at a launch party at the SLO Library (995 Palm St.) on Saturday, May 24, starting at 1 p.m. He’ll read from Reel Life, engage in a Q-and-A, and sign copies. Preorder at kanelynch.com. Lynch will also offer […]
