Boos erupted during a Buellton hearing after the conversation shifted from how to fill a City Council vacancy to second-guessing the outcome of November’s mayoral election. “The only reason we’re doing this is because you didn’t do your four-year term, and that’s a fact,” 3rd District Councilmember John Sanchez told Mayor and former 4th District […]
Buellton City Council’s 4th District seat will remain empty through August
Posted inNews
Encampments return to Santa Maria riverbed
About 20 encampments have sprung up in the unincorporated areas of the Santa Maria Riverbed since it was cleaned out last year. “The majority of the folks that are out in the riverbed … are the more hardcore, where they’re not going to accept the resources that we provide,” Senior Park Services Officer Ruben Ramirez […]
Posted inNews
Encampment risks: Those living in the Santa Ynez Riverbed are at risk for human trafficking, something local officials want to tackle
See something, say something To learn more about efforts to combat trafficking and exploitation across the county, visit kingdomcauses.org/httaskforce. To report possible cases of human trafficking, contact 911 for emergencies or email humantrafficking@sbsheriff.org for nonemergencies. The struggle to survive in a Santa Ynez Riverbed encampment can be brutal. “In order to have a tent to […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Elverhoj Museum of History and Art highlights The Absent One during next book club meeting
Attendees of the next book club meeting at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in Solvang will discuss author Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novel The Absent One. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. The Absent One is the second entry of Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series and follows an investigator who reopens […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Nipomo’s Gallery at Monarch Dunes showcases paintings and photos from Trilogy residents
Dune patrol The Gallery at Monarch Dunes will host an opening reception to celebrate the Trilogy Art Group’s Winter Showcase on Friday, Jan. 24, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The show will remain on display until sometime in March. The gallery is open to the public each Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m., and is […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Fess Parker celebrates 25th anniversary of boutique label Epiphany Cellars
Boutique and chic To find out more about Fess Parker’s boutique label, Epiphany, call (805) 686-2424 or visit fessparker.com. Epiphany Cellars is located at 2974 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. One couple’s honeymoon plans set in motion the creation of Epiphany Cellars, a Santa Barbara County-based boutique label celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Had Tim […]
Posted inOpinion
Our Pyrocene era
We live in the “Pyrocene” era … the age of fire. Supercharged Santa Ana winds, record high temperatures, and drought have fueled the current wildfire crisis. There is death in Los Angeles County, tens of thousands have been displaced, and countless homes are reduced to ashes. In the far north of our state, massive fires […]
Posted inOpinion
Are we prepared?
As wildfires rage across Southern California, it’s impossible not to think about how vulnerable our own Santa Ynez Valley could be in a similar scenario. Fires are unpredictable, devastating, and increasingly common in drought-prone areas like ours. Add to that the overgrowth, high winds, and the growing number of high-density developments here, and it’s clear […]
Posted inOpinion
Incompetent political leaders led to the challenges LA firefighters are facing
There is a lot of criticism in the media concerning the response to the catastrophic fires in LA County in mid-January, but is it all justified? Was it the fire department’s response or the result of politicians making bad decisions? First there was the water supply. A retired Orange County fire chief correctly pointed out […]
Posted inOpinion
Slow claps all around
The Santa Barbara County jails’ health care contractor has paid the county back $1 million since 2017. Why? Well. The California Forensic Medical Group—aka Wellpath—hadn’t employed all the staffers it was contracted to employ and was paid for it anyway. That $1 million in credits is Wellpath’s way of reimbursing the county for unfilled positions. […]
Posted inNews
Community support fuels expansion of Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit
Before Santa Barbara County Deputy James Carovano reports for duty, he gets his partner ready for patrol by helping him put on his vest and opening the car door for him. His partner, Obi, is a 2-year-old German shepherd, trained in patrol, urban tracking, and narcotics detection. Carovano and Obi recently joined the Santa Barbara […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: A Real Pain
A Real Pain What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu, Amazon Prime I missed this one when it played at the Palm Theatre, but it’s made many critics’ Top 10 lists for 2024. I wouldn’t put it in my top 10 (A lot of competition last year!), but this is a thoughtful […]