Fatal citrus threat approaches county line
UncategorizedVentura County citrus growers are bracing themselves for what could be the most dire threat their crops have ever faced. The Asian citrus psyllid, an invasive insect that can transmit an incurable, fatal disease to citrus trees, has been steadily making its way north from Mexico for months and was most recently discovered just 20 Read More →
Firm sees China in its future
TechnologySanta Barbara-based medical equipment maker TrueVision Systems plans to enter a joint venture with one of the biggest health care technology firms in China. TrueVision makes a 3-D heads-up display system that attaches to microscopes used in brain, spine and eye surgery, along with software that helps guide the surgeon’s cuts. Think “Avatar” meets neurosurgery. Read More →
PCBC buys time to survive
UncategorizedThough Pacific Capital Bancorp announced narrower losses and an intent to sell branches, the drama surrounding the fate of the struggling parent of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust is likely to continue for months. On Feb. 1, Pacific Capital, which has been under pressure from regulators to boost its capital ratios, announced a $20 million Read More →
Hayes report: Half of 2009 sales on South Coast from four transactions
ColumnsHayes Commercial Group in Santa Barbara just released its year-end report, with some grim numbers that just go to prove 2009 is best left forgotten. To its credit, the Hayes team found some unexpected countertrends and even signs of growth among the depressing stats, but the fact remains that real estate remained lackluster in 2009 Read More →
Weyrich properties hit the auction block
UncategorizedSan Luis Obispo County businessman David Weyrich gave up several large properties, including the winery named after him, at a public auction Feb. 2, the Tribune reported. Aegon, an insurance and financial services firm and one of Weyrich’s creditors, now owns the Martin and Weyrich Winery and Villa Toscana, a bed-and-breakfast near Paso Robles, as Read More →
Cuesta cuts classes
UncategorizedCuesta College, a community college outside San Luis Obispo, announced Feb. 2 that its summer class offerings will be all but eliminated this year because of budget issues. The school said that the only classes to be offered this summer will be classes that support its health curriculum and classes that support the San Luis Read More →
Walking Co. Reorganizes
UncategorizedOn Feb. 2, Santa Barbara-based shoemaker The Walking Company Holdings filed a reorganization plan that would let the company keep 96 percent of its store locations open and pay off all of its debts and future obligations to trade creditors. The company said it is positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 protection sometime this spring. Read More →
