Cover Story

By the end of 2020, reports of the most serious violent crimes were trending 10 percent higher than the immediately preceding three-year average in areas of Santa Barbara County served by the Sheriff’s Office.  Reports of arson were trending 41 percent higher, reported robberies were up by 30 percent, and reports of forcible rape were […]

Turns out, so much happened in 2020 that we really don’t have space to cover it all. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic is the big story, with social and political tensions taking a close second. Although California also had a record fire season in 2020, Santa Barbara County thankfully didn’t. Santa Maria made […]

Libraries have always been about more than the books. A library is a community gathering space, a place to access the internet, and a creative learning environment. So when the pandemic not only forced the city of Santa Maria Main Library’s physical doors to close, but also threatened its funding, the stakes were high for […]

While health care workers in California received the state’s first doses of the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, nine pharmaceutical companies are continuing human clinical trials for their vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved emergency use of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 11. The decision came just a […]

Gift local During this second round of stay-at-home orders you can still get holiday gifts from local stores like these BY SUN STAFF There’s nothing like the holiday spirit to pull you out of your COVID-19 shutdown depression! Christmas is still coming, whether you’re ready or not, and there are plenty of local shops that […]

The Central Coast has no shortage of things to do. Hiking, biking, beach walking, and more are right outside your front door. And there’s also no shortage of all of those “specialty,” “artisan” tchotchkes that so often get thrown into a drawer somewhere after the gift-giving season is over. This year for the Sun’s annual […]

In 30 years, the Sta. Rita Hills hasn’t let Greg Brewer down.  “I’ve been reflecting a lot on my relationship with this place,” the Brewer-Clifton winemaker said. “I’m very loyal to this place. I’m very provincial in that way. I’ll always work here. I’ve only worked here.”  He describes his relationship with the region as […]

This week we shine a light on what we should be paying attention to year round: breast cancer and domestic violence. This year, in the Sun’s Awareness Issue, Staff Writer Zac Ezzone writes about one family’s move to “save the ta-tas” while taking back their powerlifting tradition. Staff Writer William D’Urso speaks with Domestic Violence […]

It’s October, and that means more than just the beginning of spooky season. This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which means that it’s time for the Sun’s annual Awareness issue! This year you can read about state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s work to help prevent domestic violence and aid its victims, […]

Canceled holiday travel plans got you down? Local food and drink attractions can bring you back up this winter season BY MALEA MARTIN Home for the holidays” may be taking on a more serious tone this year with many people’s travel plans in limbo, but there’s one thing that won’t be canceled no matter how […]

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about previously unexperienced struggles: Some people lost their jobs, used food banks, or applied for rent relief for the first time in their lives.  But for those who are already familiar with these challenges, such as the veteran community, the pandemic only exacerbated the hardship. It’s well documented that […]

After several months of closure, two of Solvang’s most prolific indoor museums have reopened their doors to the public. The first week of November marked a return for in-person visitations at both the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, according to IDK Events—Solvang’s tourism marketing arm. “With […]