Nonprofit aims to connect entrepreneurs
By Stephen Nellis / Monday, May 19th, 2014 / Latest news, Nonprofits, Small Business, South Coast, Technology, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Nonprofit aims to connect entrepreneurs
A new Santa Barbara-based nonprofit is hoping to connect entrepreneurs with mentors.
UPDATED: Bank of Santa Barbara CEO search underway
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on UPDATED: Bank of Santa Barbara CEO search underway
The Bank of Santa Barbara is searching for a new CEO as it races to comply with a regulatory order related to violations of Bank Secrecy Act reporting rules. Eloy Ortega has left his position as chief executive and Joanne Funari has been appointed interim CEO while a special committee recruits a new leader.

CenCal-USC dispute highlights Medi-Cal pricing issues
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / Central Coast, Health Care & Life Science, Law & Goverment, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on CenCal-USC dispute highlights Medi-Cal pricing issues
A USC hospital is demanding $2 million for a surgery performed on a Medi-Cal patient from Santa Barbara County, more than 25 times as much as Santa Barbara County officials believe the procedure should have cost.

The boulevard is back: Thousand Oaks retail corridor sees new life
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Features, Real Estate, Small Business, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on The boulevard is back: Thousand Oaks retail corridor sees new life

In the three years since Thousand Oaks approved a development plan for Thousand Oaks Boulevard, a bustling downtown district has taken shape along what was once a drive-by stretch of aging strip malls.

Avila schoolhouse tasting room changing hands amid Ch 7. filing
By Tom Bronzini / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tourism, Wine & Viticulture / Comments Off on Avila schoolhouse tasting room changing hands amid Ch 7. filing
The Salisbury Vineyards tasting room in a historic old schoolhouse in Avila Valley has closed amid a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, and a new venue will open there in June under the banner of newcomer Biddle Ranch Vineyard.

Stand and deliver: Lori’s Original Lemonade lands in 300 stores
By Erika Martin / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Small Business, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Women Inc. / Comments Off on Stand and deliver: Lori’s Original Lemonade lands in 300 stores

Ojai-based beverage maker Lori’s Original Lemonade has quickly spread its zest across the West Coast.

Ceres plans to license corn-derived gene patent
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, May 16th, 2014 / Agribusiness, East Ventura County, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Ceres plans to license corn-derived gene patent
Thousand Oaks-based energy crop firm Ceres has been granted a patent on a gene sequence derived from corn and plans to license the patent to big seed companies.