Enrollment in Allan Hancock College’s new classes in Guadalupe more than doubled in just one week, as word quickly spread about the chance to earn college credit closer to home. The community college partnered with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District to offer classes in Guadalupe, allowing local high school students the opportunity […]
Allan Hancock College starts new program in Guadalupe for local students to earn college credits
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Political Watch: February 6, 2025
• On Jan. 29, one day after President Donald Trump moved to freeze funding for a range of federal programs, the president’s budget office rescinded the order, according to the Associated Press (AP). Trump’s move had prompted “widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country,” AP News reported. Locally, Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) issued […]
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Dana Reserve developers hit with new lawsuit over environmental impact concerns
The Nipomo Action Committee and the San Luis Obispo chapter of the California Native Plant Society filed another lawsuit against Dana Reserve developer Nick Tompkins and the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) over the potential discovery of a new manzanita plant on the Nipomo Mesa. Bill Waycott with the California Native Plant […]
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County Planning Commission gets closer to cannabis odor ordinance changes
Santa Barbara County’s cannabis odor ordinance needs to include a time element, according to 3rd District Planning Commissioner John Parke. “Measuring your [odor] at 10 a.m. for an event that occurred at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. is just meaningless,” Parke said during the Jan. 29 county Planning Commission meeting. “It’s not going to be […]
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Guadalupe enacts new parking restrictions to increase turnover at public EV chargers
For a full battery, electric vehicles on empty parked at either of Guadalupe’s two free charging stations need to stay plugged in for about 11 hours, according to city staff. But anyone caught parked in those spots for more than four hours is now subject to ticketed fines thanks to a new city ordinance. During […]
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Local school districts work to uphold students’ right to education amid concerns about ICE entering campuses
ICE information The local coalition, 805 Immigrants, operates a regional alert system to notify community members of confirmed ICE activity. Individuals can sign up by texting “alerta” or “alert” to (805) 870-8855. Federal laws entitle every child, regardless of immigration status, to a public elementary or secondary education, according to the United States Department of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cheers to the garagiste: Micro-wineries are ready to pour you a taste in Solvang
Hall of fame Solvang’s 11th annual Southern Exposure Garagiste Festival will hold its rare and reserve tasting on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and its grand tasting on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. Both events will take place at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
On Call offers a gritty look at police work
On Call What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf, this police procedural follows Long Beach Police Department veteran Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) as she trains her rookie partner, Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente). Harmon is a no-nonsense, by-the-book officer, which puts her at odds with […]
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Slingshot examines isolation and space madness
Slingshot What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Mikael Håfström (Evil, 1408, Escape Plan) directs this psychological sci-fi thriller about a trio of astronauts—Capt. Franks (Laurence Fishburne), John (Casey Affleck), and Nash (Tomer Capone)—on a mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan, that requires several chemically induced hibernation cycles on the multi-year […]
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Companion is a thought-provoking horror gem
Companion What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande First, it would be better for you to go into his movie cold, and we highly recommend you do, so stop reading and just […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The Sun awards local high school senior with 10 lessons at the Coelho Academy of Music
Orcutt Academy High School (OAHS) senior J.J. Lemus was recently selected to receive an award from the Sun, in collaboration with the Coelho Academy of Music, designed to nurture his artistic talents. Regarded among those who know him as an exceptional participant of OAHS’s theater arts program, Lemus is eager to broaden his creative horizons […]
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Santa Maria Airport displays Valley Art Gallery’s latest exhibit
The Valley Art Gallery is currently showcasing a collection of artworks by its new featured artist, Adria Chalfin, whose diverse pieces range from mixed media to copper repoussé. The display debuted at the Santa Maria Airport in early February and is scheduled to remain on view through Sunday, April 6. A graduate of CalArts, Chalfin […]