This is to thank Gary Freiberg for his opinion piece in the Sun reminding us of the power of the people (“The price is wrong,” Jan. 30). Yes! Let’s start with having fewer eggs (or none at all until prices come down). Buy some nuts at the farmers market. Walnuts are shaped like our brains, […]
A small group of us could change a lot of things
Posted inOpinion
All people deserve dignity
In response to “Encampments return to Santa Maria Riverbed” (Jan. 30): I understand that Japan removes homeless people from the street, provides a livable detention area with basic needs. Basically, they are incarcerated. They are cleaned up (from addiction) and given an opportunity to improve their ability to thrive and return back into society. If […]
Posted inOpinion
How many endangered species will be eradicated while misguided politicians try to ‘save the earth’?
In July 2023, a local media outlet reported on progress of a wind farm project south of Lompoc: “Strauss applied to the federal agency for the incidental take permit [to kill birds] in March 2023, with a BayWa representative saying an oversight led to the delayed application,” (Noozhawk, “Strauss Wind Energy Project Seeks to Operate […]
Posted inOpinion
Zapped!
Testy and zesty. That’s a good way to describe some of 3rd District county Planning Commissioner John Parke’s exchanges on Jan. 29. With cannabis odor on the agenda and potential ordinance changes set to come back—again—to the commission, he managed to take over the entire discussion. His insistences left commission chair, 2nd District Commissioner Laura […]
Posted inNews
Allan Hancock College starts new program in Guadalupe for local students to earn college credits
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 […]
Posted inNews
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day after President Donald Trump moved to freeze funding for a range of federal programs, the president’s budget office rescinded the order, according to the Associated Press (AP).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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]