Cover Story

Less than 2 percent of the homes in Santa Barbara County are vacant. This makes it extremely challenging to find rentals for anyone, especially those experiencing homelessness, said Sylvia Barnard with Good Samaritan Shelter.  “We find that for anyone experiencing homelessness, it’s over 120 days to get into housing,” Barnard said. “Having the resources available […]

The glass slippers. The fairy godmother. The pumpkin that turns into a carriage. Few retellings of the Cinderella story exclude these magic motifs, and the best ones manage to still feel fresh while doing so. The Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) new take on the classic rags-to-riches fantasy is one such case. Now playing through Dec. […]

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is in the home stretch, but the holiday season is here, which means food, festivities, friends, family, and fringe benefits—like gifts! As Thanksgiving bears down on us, the Sun is here to get you prepared to tackle the bedecked, glittery world through New Year’s Eve. In this year’s annual […]

Longer wildfire seasons and more extreme heat days are some of the current ways Santa Barbara County residents are already seeing climate change affect their everyday lives.  To address these impacts, Santa Barbara County instituted the regional climate collaborative: a network of organizations working together to create climate mitigation and “resiliency” efforts, according to the […]

Nearly a decade after researchers found more DDT pesticides in Oso Flaco Lake than in any other water body in the state, local stakeholders are finally zeroing in on a project they say will help fix it. The Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (RCD) is partnering with Teixeira Farms on a remediation project to […]

After serving as an elected official for eight years, Santa Maria 4th District City Councilmember Etta Waterfield is stepping away from her role and moving to Montana to retire.  Attorney and city Planning Commissioner Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez is facing off against obstetrics and gynecologist and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board President Carol Karamitsos […]

Cut chains and trampled fences. Tractors with missing wheels and broken windshields. Stolen drip tape. Missing ATVs. Throughout Santa Barbara County, property crime is hitting agricultural businesses and farms hard.  “Our losses have been up to $70,000,” Hampton Farming Company partner Jim Stollberg said. “I know a lot of other growers have had much higher […]

October is both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For that reason, this issue is dedicated to both. Inside you will find a story about one organization that helps survivors leave dangerous, volatile situations and one about new mammogram technology at a local hospital. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks with Domestic Violence […]

Second District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart will face off against environmental attorney and previous county Supervisor Mike Stoker for a seat in the state Assembly to represent California’s 37th District.  After redistricting, the new 37th District now encompasses all of Santa Barbara County and southern San Luis Obispo County, prompting both candidates to […]

A paramedic pumps nasal spray into an unconscious person’s nose while placing a ventilation bag over their mouth to get them to breathe. In less than half a minute, they’re conscious and animated, with open eyes. “There’s no question in my mind when this person is not breathing and I give them this—and 20 seconds […]