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Posted inNews

Pipeline takeover

ExxonMobil-affiliated companies take ownership of the Plains oil pipeline, environmentalists concerned for future
by Taylor O'Connor

Santa Barbara County’s ongoing discussion about what to do with the oil pipeline that spilled oil onto the Gaviota Coast continues with ExxonMobil’s proposal to take over ownership. While the county Planning Commission approved the application in a 3-1 vote, environmental groups vowed to appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors, citing concerns that it will eventually lead to the pipeline’s restart. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor writes about the conversation and what comes next.

Posted inOpinion

Bud Light’s ad campaign and subsequent backpeddling was explosive on the front lines of the culture wars

by John Donegan

As an aficionado of both beer and the culture wars, the recent Bud Light marketing fiasco has been real catnip for me, and I just couldn’t resist jumping in. To recap: Bud Light employed “influencer” Dylan Mulvaney, a transgendered woman, as a spokesperson to promote their beer and even created a special can depicting Mulvaney […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

The Flash has enough humor and action to overcome its faults

Avatar photoAvatar photo by Anna Starkey and Glen Starkey

The Flash What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, Fair Oaks Theatre, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Andy Muschietti (It, It Chapter Two) directs this time-traveling sci-fi adventure about Barry Allen, aka The Flash (Ezra Miller), who uses […]

Posted inNews

Santa Maria Planning Commission greenlights Blosser Ranch apartments

Avatar photo by Caleb Wiseblood

An LA-based developer’s plan to build 301 new apartments in Santa Maria—featuring an electric vehicle (EV) charging station for each apartment—recently won unanimous approval from the city’s Planning Commission and was lauded as “unprecendented” in its EV provisions. Canfield Development Inc. was granted a planned development permit during the Santa Maria Planning Commission’s June 7 […]

Posted inOpinion

The commercial space industry is poised to continue flourishing at Vandenberg Space Force Base

by Ron Fink

Vandenberg Space Force Base just outside Lompoc has been in the missile launching business for more than six decades. Initially there were scores of launch attempts before a successful mission was completed. Why? Because in the early days several test attempts were required to prove that the design would work. It’s no different with commercial […]

Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture

Reality is a quiet examination of a miscarriage of justice

Avatar photoAvatar photo by Anna Starkey and Glen Starkey

REALITY What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? HBO Max Tina Satter co-writes and directs this based-on-a-true story drama about Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney), a former American intelligence worker who leaked information about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and was given […]

Posted inOpinion

The legislative process exists for a reason, and the governor shouldn’t introduce exceptions at the eleventh hour

by Andrew Christie, director, Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club

In mid-May, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he was submitting a package of bills to the Legislature and declaring an executive order establishing an “Infrastructure Strike Team,” both with the same goal: to “streamline” permitting and judicial review for infrastructure projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA is a vital process that provides […]

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