Santa Maria Sun

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Grocery Outlet marks Orcutt debut with $1,000 donation toward local high school resources

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood

A white bear in a puffy chef’s hat and apron by the name of Osito Bimbo greeted the first customers to step foot in Orcutt’s newest grocery store the morning of its May 15 grand opening. Bringing Orcutt its first Grocery Outlet was a venture into uncharted territory for owner and operator Bryan Lutz, even with nearly four decades of grocery retail experience under his belt.
Political Watch: June 5, 2025

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood

• On May 29, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to coordinate with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on reforming existing regulations, including time limits on license application reviews.
Vintners across Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, and Lompoc valleys celebrate Pride with wine-based fundraisers

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood

Since its inception, Los Olivos’ Future Perfect Wine hasn’t let a year go by without donating one of its wine’s proceeds to a cause close to owner and winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker’s heart. “I have released a Pride rosé every year since the tasting room has been open, and we just celebrated our fourth anniversary on Memorial Day weekend,” the local vintner and former film actor told the Sun via email.
Solvang City Council introduces potential camping ban akin to 2002 policy

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood

For more than two decades, Solvang upheld a ban against overnight camping on public property. Two years after a 2023 revamp that made temporary camps lawful, the city is calling back to its 2002 stance. Approved 5-0 by the Solvang City Council on its first reading, the potential new anti-camping ordinance prohibits overnight stays on city-owned and public spaces at all times, City Attorney Craig Steele told the council at its May 27 meeting.
Youth ARTS Alive returns for ninth summer of providing free art classes

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Reece Coren

Summertime is just around the corner. School is ending, giving kids plenty of free time. What is there for them to do that doesn’t require spending money? Nothing—at least that’s the realization Gale McNeeley had in 2017. That’s when he started Youth ARTS Alive, a five-week schedule of free summer art classes for children that culminates with a showcase performance in July. Painting, drawing, and sculpting are just some of the skills children can build.
Pride Issue 2025

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood |Emma Montalbano

It’s officially Pride Month, and despite the national politics surrounding certain LGBTQ-plus issues, the community is ready to celebrate with events across the Central Coast. As part of our annual Pride issue, Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood speaks with a handful of wineries that are contributing a portion of wine proceeds to support local LGBTQ-plus advocacy organizations and hosting events of their own to commemorate the season [5].
Guadalupe appoints nonprofit to accept Royal Theater donations on its behalf

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Caleb Wiseblood

To reassure the public that donations toward Guadalupe’s Royal Theater project won’t be channeled into other uses, city leaders agreed on a new go-between for future contributions. During the Guadalupe City Council’s May 27 meeting, City Attorney Philip F. Sinco explained staff’s reasoning for nominating the Guadalupe Community Action Coalition (GCAC) to fill this role—despite instances where the board and city management overlap.
Alma Rosa annual charity walk through the vineyards raises more than $250,000 for mental health

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Reece Coren

The 2025 Alma Rosa Winery Peace of Mind charity walk raised more than $250,000 to support research on and community services for mental health. On the morning of May 17, more than 250 local community members participated in Alma Rosa’s sixth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction walk.
Offensive lineman-turned winemaker wins Vinter of the Year, celebrates Flying Goat Cellars’ 25th anniversary

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Reece Coren

Norm Yost said he was a beer-drinking offensive lineman for the University of California, Davis when he first tried wine in 1979. “My roommate was a winemaker at the time,” Yost said. “I put down my beer and joined him for a wine tasting one afternoon, and I was completely taken by the whole process.”This spring, Yost was named the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner of the Year, an honor he’ll officially receive in August.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department announces high fire season recommendations

3 days ago | santamariasun.com | Reece Coren

Wildfire season is here. Don’t want your home to burn down? The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has tips it hopes will help you evade disaster. In the first quarter of this year, the Palisades Fire tore through Los Angeles County, burning more than 23,000 acres of land and destroying more than 6,000 structures. Aiming to prevent a similar catastrophe locally, the county Fire Department announced the start of high fire season on June 2 during a press conference.