October 24, 2025
Loading...
You are here:  Home  >  2009
Latest

The Year in Review 2009

By   /  Monday, December 28th, 2009  /  Top Stories  /  Comments Off on The Year in Review 2009

The top stories, revisited Scroll down to read the top Business Times stories of 2009 by topic and to view a month-by-month timeline of highlights (and lowlights) from the year. Top stories by topic: THE ECONOMY • Stimulus funds flood the region [published Nov. 6, 2009] Stimulus dollars have poured into the Tri-Counties since President Read More →

Latest

Breaking news: PCBC to sell tax-refund loan division

By   /  Thursday, December 24th, 2009  /  Latest news  /  Comments Off on Breaking news: PCBC to sell tax-refund loan division

Santa Barbara-based Pacific Capital Bancorp announced Dec. 24 that it is selling its controversial tax-refund loan program after federal regulators did not approve the bank to originate any refund-anticipation loans during 2010. Pacific Capital, the parent of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and several other banking brands on the Central Coast, said it has signed Read More →

Latest

UCSB scientists create synthetic blood cells

By   /  Monday, December 21st, 2009  /  Uncategorized  /  Comments Off on UCSB scientists create synthetic blood cells

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have created synthetic red blood cells that could be used to deliver drugs, research diseases and aid diagnoses. Synthetic particles can be used to carry drugs where they need to go for more precise targeting than pills or straight injections. They’re already on the market to deliver Read More →

Latest

Chambers warn businesses to be skeptical of map ads

By   /  Monday, December 21st, 2009  /  Uncategorized  /  Comments Off on Chambers warn businesses to be skeptical of map ads

Business owners may be looking for a fresh start for the New Year, but chamber of commerce members might want to think twice before signing up for special advertising promotions. President and Chief Executive Officer Joanne Main said members of her chamber are being targeted by an Iowa-based company called Premier Map Co. And the Read More →

Latest

Even pessimistic forecasts see bright spots on the horizon

By   /  Monday, December 21st, 2009  /  Opinion  /  Comments Off on Even pessimistic forecasts see bright spots on the horizon

California Lutheran University economist Bill Watkins is not going to win any prince of light awards this year. But the normally pessimistic forecaster has a few glimmers of daylight in his latest state and national prediction. For the first time, Watkins sees a turnaround in California’s economy — but it’s weak and it will only Read More →

Latest

Investors wait for answers

By   /  Monday, December 21st, 2009  /  Opinion  /  Comments Off on Investors wait for answers

Now that Don Lukens has been arrested in Chicago, maybe Ventura and Santa Barbara county investors will learn what happened to their money. Millions of dollars are still missing from failed investment programs run by Lukens, who disappeared amid a flurry of law enforcement activity. Much of the reporting on the Lukens affair was reported Read More →

Latest

In our thoughts

By   /  Monday, December 21st, 2009  /  Opinion  /  Comments Off on In our thoughts

We’ll take a few sentences to recognize Ugo Melchiori, founder of Melchiori Construction Co., and Roger Heroux, the retired head of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Just before press time, we learned that Melchiori, patriarch of a construction company that’s been highly successful on the South Coast, passed away after a long illness. Read More →