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Miner’s Ace Hardware celebrates 70 years of service with its 10th store in Paso Robles, proving that this family-owned chain thrives not just on tools and paint—but on deep community ties. From youth sports to local schools, they’ve built a legacy rooted in giving back, thanks to generations of loyal customers and employees. To mark the milestone, they’re hosting special events and a big sale on J...

Santa Barbara County is flipping the script on energy this summer with a bold new solar ordinance set to hit the supervisors on July 14th, opening up industrial and agricultural zones for solar farms — a move that could transform the region’s energy landscape and boost local economies through innovative agrivoltaics. This comes after a decade-long struggle to expand solar beyond one valley, and no...

Santa Barbara City College is under fire for spending most of Measure P’s $198 million—meant to fix academic and vocational facilities—on a flashy new gym, sparking outrage that the community voted for career-focused upgrades, not athletic recruitment. While officials say the upgrades boost morale and education remains a priority, critics argue the funds are misaligned with voters’ expectations, e...

Miner’s Ace Hardware is celebrating 70 years of serving the Central Coast — from their 1956 roots to their 10th store in Paso Robles just last year. President Paul Filice reflects on decades of community bonds, thanking customers and team members for making Miner’s more than a hardware store — it’s a “Helpful Place” that measures success by impact, not just sales. To mark the milestone, they’re ro...

This weekend, the Central Coast explodes with fun—from “Oliver!” on stage to French films, lavender fields, and vintage planes. Don’t miss the Santa Barbara County Fair’s final days, the Lompoc Old Town Market’s weekly buzz, or the SBIFF French Wave Festival kicking off Friday. Seniors get connected at the Allan Hancock Expo, cinephiles enjoy “The Princess Bride” at Bianchi Winery, and art lovers...

The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation is honoring the unsung heroes of the valley and Los Alamos with its 31st annual Champions of the Valley awards—recognizing selfless volunteers who lift their communities. Nominate a local hero, adult or youth, by July 27th at syValleyFoundation.org/Champions. Winners, selected by a committee of past honorees and board members, will be announced in late August and c...

Eva Haller, Holocaust survivor and global humanitarian, joins Unite to Light’s Board of Directors, bringing decades of leadership in social justice and environmental causes. A longtime supporter since the organization’s founding, she helped launch the iconic “Luke Light” initiative in Kenya, honoring a fallen colleague while illuminating lives. With a legacy spanning the Jane Goodall Institute, Wo...

SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg this Friday, carrying 24 new Starlink satellites on its 35th flight—marking another milestone in building out global internet coverage. The booster will land on a droneship in the Pacific, aiming for a smooth touchdown on the “Of Course I Still Love You” platform. If skies clear, spectators in Lompoc and parts of California may witness a da...

Sable Offshore is pushing to seize vast swaths of California land—including prime sections of Gaviota State Park—to build a West Coast strategic petroleum reserve, sparking outrage from environmentalists who see it as a blatant abuse of eminent domain. The company, already operating a pipeline under the park that triggered the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill, restarted production after federal intervention...

You’re not failing God—you’re already His beloved child. Your standing with Him is secure, not based on performance but on Christ’s finished work. Like a time-release capsule, your full inheritance is already yours, with God’s Spirit sealing you and gradually unfolding His power within you. Stop measuring yourself against others or your past; God’s work in you is ongoing, and He’s faithful to comp...

A Santa Barbara man, 50-year-old Jeffrey Kyle Snyder, was arrested in June 2026 after detectives linked him to injecting methamphetamine into a 17-year-old girl during an in-person meeting he arranged after meeting her online — followed by sexual assault. He was caught exiting a rideshare, booked on felony drug charges to a minor and an existing probation violation warrant, with bail set at $325,0...

A 19-year-old, Jorge Hurtado, faces life-altering charges in the February shooting death of Luis Terrazas, a fellow teen on bail for a prior stabbing, in a case prosecutors tie to a criminal street gang. Hurtado, already with a criminal record including a prior assault arrest, is being tried as an adult with a $3.1 million bail — while two other minors arrested in the case remain in private juveni...

Ainsley Haws, a proud Danish heritage ambassador and 2026 Danish Maid for Solvang’s iconic festival, brings four generations of immigrant grit to life as she steps into the spotlight. Honoring her third great-grandmother Ida Marie Mortensen’s daring 1884 voyage from Denmark, Haws wears a custom green-and-red gown stitched with heirloom lace, symbolizing her roots on Bornholm and the Danish flag. T...

Santa Maria’s future is being shaped by YOU—join the Block Grants Advisory Committee workshop on July 13th at 4 PM at the Public Library to help decide how federal funds will be used for housing and community projects. Your input on past grants and unmet needs will influence the 2027-2028 Annual Action Plan, presented to City Council on September 15th. Translation services available—request by Jul...

Santa Barbara mourns the loss of Sheila Lodge, a visionary civic leader who shaped the city’s soul for over five decades. As the first woman mayor and a tireless advocate for preserving the town’s small-town charm, she fought to protect open spaces, guided landmark decisions, and even authored a book chronicling the city’s planning evolution. Her fearless voice, sharp intellect, and unwavering ded...

Sheila Lodge, the beloved former mayor of Santa Barbara who passed away at 97, was more than a political powerhouse—she was a devoted mother, gardener, and author whose life was woven into the fabric of the city she loved. Appointed to the Planning Commission in 1973, she rose to become mayor from 1981 to 1993, pushing for smart growth, affordable housing, and strong design standards. Known for he...

A massive 244,000-square-foot package delivery hub is set to break ground in Santa Maria, designed for last-mile sorting and van loading. After an environmental group’s appeal threatened to stall progress, they’ve now withdrawn it, clearing the way for construction to begin within weeks. The facility, located near schools and residential areas on Stowell Road, will operate 24/7 with hundreds of va...

Santa Barbara County supervisors shut the door on private immigration detention centers, unanimously approving a report that confirms unincorporated county land is off-limits — even if the federal government tries to use it. While existing ordinances block private companies, they don’t cover federal agencies, sparking concern after ICE ramped up arrests. The county’s current rules don’t permit det...

Costco is eyeing a potential gas station in Goleta near the Santa Barbara Airport, marking its first South Coast outpost and a rare standalone station nationwide. While still in exploratory talks, the 12-month deal could bring big convenience—especially since the nearest Costco gas is in Oxnard. But it’s not the first time Goleta has considered this: back in 2007, neighbors pushed back over traffi...

Twin red panda cubs make their debut at the Santa Barbara Zoo — a rare, heartwarming win for conservation! These adorable babies, born to first-time parents Ruby and Raj, mark the first such birth in 30 years. With only about 2,500 red pandas left in the wild and populations plummeting, this successful breeding effort is a major milestone for the Species Survival Plan. The cubs will remain private...

A tragic crash on Highway 101 claims the life of 22-year-old Dylan Monson, a vibrant UC Santa Barbara grad and passionate motorcyclist, who was ejected during a high-speed collision while lane splitting. Known for his generosity, he’d helped friends like Eli Tiao clear entire days to assist with motorcycles and even completed an EMT program before transferring to college. Friends remember his self...

Isla Vista’s summer slump hits hard as student crowds vanish, leaving local businesses like Deli Mart and Oakberry struggling with record-low sales, slashed hours, and desperate hopes for fall’s return of campus energy. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on...

Two red panda cubs, born at the Santa Barbara Zoo on July 2nd, mark the first such births in over 30 years — a huge conservation win. Parents Ruby and Raj, a first-time duo matched through a national breeding program, are being carefully monitored as the cubs bond behind the scenes for three months. With fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild, this birth is a beacon of hope, showcasing how...

Real estate titan Rick Caruso is unveiling The Miramar Lake Club in Thousand Oaks — a sleek, exclusive golf and social haven set to open this fall. Featuring a rare, 18-hole par-3 course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, it’s touted as the only one of its kind in the U.S. Beyond the greens, expect a resort-style clubhouse with a pool, gym, wellness amenities, and a high-end restaurant on the...

Community Bancorp of Santa Maria is flying high in Q2 2026, posting a 14% jump in year-to-date net income to over $2 million and a solid $1.01 million in Q2 earnings. Their loan portfolio surged 3.4% to $292 million, while book value per share soared from $15.88 to $18.67 — fueling a new stock buyback and a 32-cent dividend. Despite a 4.5% dip in deposits, total assets remain robust at nearly $400...