Crunchies tightens its belt in Ch. 11
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, September 5th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Law & Goverment, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Crunchies tightens its belt in Ch. 11

Since filing for bankruptcy protection on Aug. 15, Crunchies has laid off eight people — about a third of its full-time staff — at its Westlake Village headquarters, has reduced expenses by about $2 million and has put marketing initiatives and new product development on hold for the rest of the year.

The posting police: Social Intelligence roots out workers’ comp fraud
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, September 5th, 2014 / Small Business, South Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on The posting police: Social Intelligence roots out workers’ comp fraud

Santa Barbara-based Social Intelligence, a firm that combs social media and other sites for red flags about potential employees, has inked a new deal to help combat workers’ compensation fraud.
Antioch puts social-business spin on new MBA program
By Marissa Wenzke / Friday, September 5th, 2014 / South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Antioch puts social-business spin on new MBA program
Antioch University in downtown Santa Barbara is launching an MBA program that stands out from the rest by teaching students not only how to do business, but also how to do good. With a class of 22 students and a start date of Sept. 5, the new 16-month program isn’t your everyday MBA degree. “It’s Read More →
Public Market, brewery slated for San Luis Obispo
By Elijah Brumback / Thursday, September 4th, 2014 / Central Coast, Latest news, Restaurants, Top Stories, Tourism / Comments Off on Public Market, brewery slated for San Luis Obispo
A new public food market is in the works for the Bonetti Ranch property in San Luis Obispo, with Buellton-based Figueroa Mountain Brewery as the anchor tenant.
Ventura County ex-Sheriff loses supplemental pension lawsuit
By Stephen Nellis / Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 / East Ventura County, Latest news, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Ventura County ex-Sheriff loses supplemental pension lawsuit

A Ventura County judge has denied former Sheriff Bob Brooks’ request for a $75,000 supplement to his existing $283,000-per-year pension.
Chevron gets SLO City Council approval for Tank Farm project
By Elijah Brumback / Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 / Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Chevron gets SLO City Council approval for Tank Farm project

Chevron’s massive Tank Farm Road remediation and commercial project in San Luis Obispo took a big step forward on Sept. 2 as the City Council unanimously approved the final environmental impact report for the 332-acre site. The City Council also approved several amendments to the airport area specific plan. The approvals pave the way for Read More →
Google taps UCSB for quantum computing
By Stephen Nellis / Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 / Latest news, South Coast, Top Stories / Comments Off on Google taps UCSB for quantum computing
Google has selected a UC Santa Barbara lab for a new quantum computing initiative just a short distance from where Microsoft has an outpost, setting up a battle among tech giants on the South Coast.