SLO event ordinance a blow to business
OpinionA prime example of job-killing regulation is coming to light in San Luis Obispo County. That’s because a group of environmentalists and “buy local” have joined forces to advocate for a countywide ordinance that would ban most private, for-profit activity on agricultural land. In other words, no more weddings, retirement parties, fundraisers, corporate celebrations or Read More →
Ventura Co. growers brace for citrus bug
UncategorizedVentura County citrus packers are nearing an agreement designed to stop the potential spread of a pest and disease that could decimate California’s citrus industry if it infects the state’s orchards. After slamming growers in Florida for three years, the Asian citrus psyllid showed up last year near the California-Mexico border and has been found Read More →
California budget may just be a short-term fix, after all
OpinionCalifornia has a budget, but how long will it last? And what will be done about the pension time bomb? Don Facciano of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association believes the legislature will be back considering more cuts in a few months. Others think it may be a mid-year correction. Meanwhile there is the question of Read More →
Pork flows to Tri-Counties
UncategorizedThe U.S. House of Representatives approved $700,000 for the Rice Avenue Interchange transportation project in Ventura County as part of the next fiscal year’s transportation, and housing and urban development appropriations bill passed July 23. The funding request was made by the city of Oxnard, the Ventura County Transportation Commission and the Oxnard Harbor District. Read More →
In memory of Lompoc Mayor Dick DeWees
OpinionThe news that Lompoc Mayor Dick DeWees had died came to me completely out of the blue. I literally picked the news out of the fax machine when Tom Pfeifer of U.S. Rep Elton Gallegly’s office sent out a message of condolence. I had no idea Dick was ill or had a medical condition that Read More →
BREAKING NEWS: Pacific Capital unveils three-year strategy following $362M loss
UncategorizedSanta Barbara-based Pacific Capital Bancorp released its second-quarter earnings on July 30, revealing a staggering net loss of $362.6 million and unveiling a three-year plan to improve the company’s capital position. The net loss, $7.77 per common share, compares to $5.9 million, or 13 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. The Read More →
Hertel debt at $100M, Fowler says
UncategorizedThe business empire controlled by developers Ron Hertel and Bob Fowler racked up $100 million in debts, acquiring five aircraft, a boat, a horse ranch and vineyards before it collapsed last year amid a mountain of real estate-related liabilities. At a hearing in the Santa Barbara office of the U.S. Trustee on July 24, Fowler Read More →
