About 200 community members’ voices—crying out either for climate change awareness and against the oil industry’s negative environmental impact, or for jobs needed in the community and in favor of the industry’s economic benefit—echoed in rapid-fire one-minute public comments on March 8. Although the project up for discussion at the Santa Barbara County Board of […]
Cover Story
Posted inNews
SPRING ARTS 2022
Spring 2022 is shaping up to be chock-full of events—just like old, pre-pandemic times. The Sun’s annual Spring Arts issue has all the good ones ready for you to tick off your list, from gallery exhibits to plays to live music, crafting activities, and food festivals, Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood pooled them into a calendar […]
Posted inNews
A local wind port may be the key to capturing the economic boost of offshore wind projects, but some are skeptical that it’s feasible
The Central Coast has the green light from the federal government to develop wind energy off the coast of Morro Bay, and lease auctions are opening up this year. But how much the local economy will benefit from such a project is still unclear—and the answer depends on the feasibility of a local port. “Last […]
Posted inNews
K-12 students experience heightened anxiety and combat other mental health-related issues as they return to in-person learning
Fighting, fidgeting, or a lack of focus. Sudden withdrawal or violent outbursts. Students can express their anxiety in many ways, it all depends on the individual and their experiences, said Lompoc Unified School District Social-Emotional Learning Counselor Emily Stone. “A lot of students are coming in for panic attacks. Often they say, ‘I zone out […]
Posted inNews
A county- and state-funded housing project proposed in Santa Maria exposes a bigger debate
A controversial plan to convert a Motel 6 on Santa Maria’s East Main Street into permanent housing for the homeless led to questions about the city’s ability to collaborate with Santa Barbara County on similar projects. Fifth District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino asked to pull the project from the Board of Supervisors’ Jan. […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County stopped allowing mental health evaluators to enter the Main Jail, pausing services for inmates
The Santa Maria Police Department arrested Jonathan Paul Thomas on suspicion of domestic violence and false imprisonment on Jan. 11 at 9:32 p.m. They transported him to the Santa Barbara County Main Jail, where the 45-year-old made statements about suicide and was escorted to a single-occupant safety cell, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found […]
Posted inNews
A new California organic waste law will change how residents organize their trash
Greasy banana peels, old lettuce heads, chopped-off jalapeño stems, coffee grounds, and bread crusts from all California kitchens have a new destination. As of Jan. 1, a new state law requires schools, businesses, restaurants, and households to recycle their organics—and local governments have to oversee the new recycling program—to mitigate climate change. It’s the biggest […]
Posted inNews
Nine new state laws to pay attention to in 2022
New Year’s Day brought a slew of new laws for Californians to follow. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 770 bills in 2021, which officially became laws on Jan. 1, 2022. This week, the Sun sorted through the pile to highlight nine key laws that locals should look out for in 2022. From attempts to relieve the […]
Posted inNews
A year that started with uncertainty also ended with it
At the end of 2021, it’s hard to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is still here, ever-changing and continuing to test communities, their governing bodies, businesses, schools, and residents. But while it was an ever-present part of the past year, instead of simply struggling to keep up with the pandemic, we were challenged to adjust […]
