In its first season in the Ocean League, after two years in the Sunset, the Santa Ynez High girls soccer team seems to really be hitting its stride.

The Pirates are in the midst of a five-game winning streak, and seven-game unbeaten streak, and stands at 6-0-1 in the league, 8-1-1 overall

“It’s finally starting to come together,” said SYHS head coach Rob Cantrell. “We work really hard with some of the things we’re doing, and the girls are just playing for each other.”

That was in evidence on Jan. 23, when the Pirates beat Nipomo 8-0 in a game that saw five different players score for SYHS.

“I think we have a better chemistry this year,” Cantrell continued after the Nipomo game. “These kids have played with each other a long time.”

Assistant coach Julia Pritchard, a former player for the Pirates, said she senses a better attitude with the team.

“We’re connecting this year, and we found a calm,” Pritchard said. “I feel like past seasons were so hectic and out-of-place, and this year we found our groove.”

Some of that can be attributed to a bolstered coaching staff, as Cantrell recruited SYHS employee Polo Amador to join him and Pritchard on the sidelines.

“I finally got him to coach for us this year, and it allows us to see the game through three eyes,” he said. “We can see things differently, but with the respect we have for each other, the girls see that the and are buying into that. It’s just a real good synergy right now.”

In that win over Nipomo, Hannah Ricci scored four goals and assisted on three others, while Kailani Ladera had a goal and 3 assists of her own. Meanwhile, Campbell McClurg and Coral Murray scored their first goals of the season.

Ricci and Ladera currently have 7 goals apiece on the season to tie for the team lead.

The Pirates followed up the win over Nipomo with victories over Morro Bay (2-1) on Jan. 27 and Templeton (2-1) on Jan. 30. Ladera and Isabella Rubio had a goal apiece in each of those wins.

SYHS closes out the regular season schedule with three road games, starting with the one against Mission Prep that was played on Tuesday, Feb. 3. After that, the Pirates go to Morro Bay on Friday, Feb. 6, and Cabrillo on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Boys soccer all even in league after loss to Nipomo

The Pirates boys soccer program lost to Nipomo 4-0 on Jan. 23, and stood at 2-2-2 in the Sunset League and 6-4-3 overall. The team took a week’s hiatus on the schedule and returned to action on Tuesday, Feb. 3, against Morro Bay, and will play its regular-season finale Friday, Feb. 6, at home against Templeton. Game time is 6 p.m.

Vince Guerrero leads the team in scoring, with 6 goals and and an assist for 13 points on the year, with Cristian Sandoval tallying 4 goals of his own. Mario Villegas has a team-high 5 assists.

Boys basketball continues to shine in league play

The SYHS boys basketball team traveled to Righetti on Jan. 30 and defeated the host Warriors 66-46 to raise its record to 4-1 in the Sunset League and 14-10 overall.

Mason Skidmore led the Pirates with 22 points in that game, with Jude Pritchard adding 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Lucas Ollenburger (12) and Gael Villalobos (11) also scoring in double figures.

SYHS played at Templeton on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and will close out the regular season with home games against Paso Robles on Friday, Feb. 6, and Tuesday, Feb. 10. Game time for both is 6:30.

Pirates girls basketball suffers third straight loss

The SYHS girls basketball team fell to Righetti 53-45 at home Jan. 30. It was their third straight loss and dropped them to 2-5 in the Sunset League and 10-9 overall.

The Pirates suffered an even bigger loss during its 41-29 defeat to Lompoc on Jan. 23 as one of their top players, Helina Pecile, went down with an injury. It was unclear at press time how long she would be out.

SYHS played a home game against Cabrillo on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and will end its regular season with road contests against Atascadero (Feb. 6) and Lompoc (Feb. 10).

The post Pirates girls soccer riding new ‘calm’ to undefeated league record appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

It’s not often you see the high-school wrestling coach handing out cookies to his wrestlers after a hard-fought couple of duals, but last week there was Sean Yamasaki, in his first season heading the Pirates program, distributing the baked goodies Jan. 28 after his boys and girls teams defeated Nipomo on their respective Senior Nights.

“My mom used to do that with me,” he said. “Back when I was in high school and wrestled, and even in college, she would come to the dual matches and always have a big batch of cookies for everyone. So, I’m continuing that.”

The days of Yamasaki wrestling competitively are actually not that long ago. He was hired by SYHS last summer shortly after graduating from San Francisco State with a degree in kinesiology with Cum Laude honors. He is also a 2020 graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta.

At SFSU, an NCAA Division II school, Yamasaki was named team captain and finished in sixth place at NCAA Super Region 6 tournament as well as third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference tournament. At DPHS, he finished his high school career as one of only three wrestlers in Channel League history to be a four-time league champion.  He was also a three-time CIF Southern Section top 10 competitor.

And now, he is quickly transitioning from a student/athlete to a teacher on the wrestling match.

“It’s been a learning experience for me, I actually look like one of the students here, so it’s not always easy to tell my wrestlers ‘hey, you have to listen to me,” he said with a laugh.

Also, Yamasaki is learning how to take his knowledge and convey it to his athletes.

“When things come natural for me, it’s hard to think about and break it down to get them to understand the generic movements and how I can get them to understand what they’re supposed to be doing,” he said. “One thing I’m trying to do is think of key words to make them understand and finding terminology that clicks with them.”

If the boys and girls dual meets against Nipomo are any indication he seems to be making progress. The Pirate girls defeated the Titans 18-12 in a result that came down to the last match, and the boys dominated Nipomo to the tune of a 58-12 final score.

In the girls match, the Pirates had built a slim 15-12 lead thanks to pins from Willa Hansen at 120 lbs. and Patricia Silva at 155, as well as a decision by Dallana Margarito at 145.

The final girls match, at 170, pitted SYHS’s Andrea Garcia against Nipomo’s Anna Benitez. Garcia built up an 11-4 lead with less than two minutes left in the final period when Benitez was able to get the upper hand and tried to get Garcia’s shoulders to the mat for a pin that would have given the Titans the dual-match win. However, Garcia was able to hold off the pin attempt until time ran out and gain the decision and clinch it for the Pirates.

The boys match had no such suspense. The Pirates got pins from Cole Arrellano (113), Jake Montejano (120), Luke Elliott (132), Carter Franson (150), and Anthony Herrera (215), as well as major decisions from Curren Lane (144) and Neil Cunningham (157).

Three days after the Nipomo matches, the Pirates sent nine wrestlers to the CCAA League Finals in San Luis Obispo, with six placing in their weight classes.

For the girls, Willa Hansen placed sixth at 117, Dallana Margarito second at 147, and Andrea Garcia second at 172. For the boys, Luke Kruse placed third in 146, Jonathon Rodriguez second at 159, and Jack Kohne third at 167.

SYHS will compete in the CIF Team Tournament in Morro Bay this weekend, Feb. 6-7, and the weekend after, Feb. 13-14, will be the CIF tournaments in Hanford (Sierra Pacific High School, girls) and Fresno (Edison High, boys), where competitors hope to move on to the subsequent CIF Masters and State tournaments.

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For its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 26, the Solvang City Council discussed land use at Mission Santa Ines, more specifically the 2024 zoning change made to give the mission more flexibility in use of its property.

In the item, the first of five discussion items on the evening, was prompted by public comment during the Nov. 10, 2025, City Council meeting. During that session, Char Goetz, who owns the Flying Miz Daisy Vintage Market that periodically operates on the mission’s property and also serves on the city’s Design Review Committee, stated her objections to what she saw as overly restrictive oversight by the city’s Community Development Department while conducting her event. She requested that the zoning return to its designation before the 2024 change.

In the Jan. 26 meeting, Community Development Director Rafael Castillo reported that the current land use and zoning framework, adopted in July 2024, with and supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was intentionally crafted to convert the Mission from a non-conforming use to a conforming “quasi-public” facility while preserving parish activities, historic resources, and future flexibility. Staff also reviewed the Temporary Use Permit (TUP) process established under the 2024 Zoning Ordinance, which provides a streamlined and flexible mechanism for regulating temporary events on private property, and recommends no changes to the existing land use designations, zoning, or TUP regulations at this time.

The TUP allows for events such as the Vintage Market and the annual Fourth of July fireworks event to be held on mission grounds.

Castillo said prior to the adoption of the Land Use Map and General Plan, Mission Santa Ines was designated “Agriculture (AG)/Institutional (I)” (Figure 1). The Mission’s ancillary offices, and residential uses were located in the Institutional zone, considered an “allowed use”, and the remainder of the Mission was in the Agriculture zone, which required a conditional use permit (CUP) for meeting facilities, and the remainder was considered existing, non-conforming uses.

Castillo pointed out that the complaint was made by someone who was not the property owner or a representative, and that the zoning changes were approved by City Council in 2024 and supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which has authority over the mission.

“So at this point, the city staff is recommending no change to any of the land uses that has been designated as part of the General Plan by the zoning ordinance,” Castillo said.

However, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona questioned whether the zoning was appropriate, suggesting that the mission receive its own zoning designation. “Something singular like with the Alisal Guest Ranch or the mobile home park,” she said.

City Manager Randy Murphy repeated that the current zoning is fine with the archdiocese, which then prompted Elizabeth Orona to ask if the local administration had been consulted on this. Murphy answered that the city just deals with the archdiocese in those matters.

“I have concerns that the mission administration haven’t been consulted,” Orona answered. “The church should have more jurisdiction than the city on what happens on their property.”

To that, Mayor Dave Brown, who said he is a parishioner at the mission, said the local administration approves of the current setup.

“I’ve talked to the priest,” Brown said. “We’re in agreement to keep it the same.”

Meanwhile, Goetz was present for the Jan. 26 meeting and spoke at public comment, agreeing with the notion that the local mission hierarchy should be consulted.

“I have a wonderful relationship with staff there,” Getz said. “While city staff collaborated with archdiocese, the mission staff themselves were not consulted. Talking to archdiocese is not adequate.”

Goetz also repeated her desire to revert to previous zoning designation.

Ultimately, council decided to table the discussion, and consult the local mission staff before bringing it back at a late date. No action was taken.

In other business, the council approved four first readings of regulations, all meant to “clean up” language and disrepancies in city ordinances. One was Ordinance No. 26-0388, Amending Certain Sections of Title 1 (Administration), Chapter 3 (General Penalties) and Title 4 (Business Regulations), Chapter 9 (Business Certificates) of the Solvang Municipal Code to strengthen enforcement tools.

City Attorney Chelsea O’Sullivan said the item is the city’s effort to increase enforcement tools, make them less of a “paper tiger.” Under the change, the default violation on a citation would be a misdemeanor instead of the lower standard of “infraction,” with O’Sullivan pointing out they can lower a charge to infraction when reviewing it. And while criminal citations are allowed in code enforcement, they aren’t issued as such unless in extreme cases.

Councilmember Claudia Orona asked about the possibility of bringing criminal charges for code violations and whether that was necessary. Murphy repeated the “paper tiger” term and said they were putting some teeth into it.

“How sharp are the teeth?” asked Claudia Orona. “Could I spend six months in jail for not taking out my A-frame out of public?”

O’Sullivan said that while the option of jail time is in the ordinance, she said there was no way a judge would issue that for a city code violation. The point of it, O’Sullivan said, is that it would require the violator to go to court to take care, adding some “gravitas,” to the citation and emphasizing the seriousness of it.

Ultimately, council voted 5-0 to pass the first reading.

The City Council will next meet on Monday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m.

The post Solvang City Council reviews 2024 zoning changes at mission after past public comment appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

GOOD MEDICINE
By Dr. Hyun K. Lee

In the traditional East Asian calendar, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and more specifically, the Year of the Red Horse, also known as the Fire Horse Year. Each year in this calendar system is defined not only by an animal sign, but also by an elemental quality and color.

In 2026, both the zodiac sign Horse and the elemental stem represent Fire, which is traditionally associated with the color red. This is why 2026 is often referred to as the Red Horse Year.

The Horse symbolizes movement, speed, and forward momentum. Fire represents heat, activation, and expansion. When these two forces come together, the year is understood as one marked by strong energy, intensity, and rapid change. This description is not meant as a prediction of good or bad fortune. Rather, it is a way of describing the overall tone and rhythm of the year.

In traditional East Asian medicine, fire-related years are seen as times when heat-related patterns tend to surface more easily. People who are naturally sensitive to heat may notice symptoms such as facial flushing, restlessness, digestive discomfort, headaches, or sleep
disturbance appearing more frequently during such periods.

The key concept is balance. When external conditions emphasize heat and speed, the body and mind are more likely to become overstimulated. Overwork, lack of sleep, excessive exercise, alcohol, and spicy foods can amplify this effect, pushing the system beyond its natural limits.
This is why older medical traditions emphasized moderation during Fire Horse years. The advice was not to slow progress, but to control pace and intensity.

From a modern perspective, the message is remarkably practical. A year associated with strong momentum is not a reason for fear, but a reminder to manage energy wisely — to cool excess heat without suppressing vitality, and to nourish the body without feeding unnecessary fire.

When balance is maintained, a high-energy year like the Red Horse Year can become an opportunity for renewal, clarity, and realignment.

Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment, call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.

The post Understanding the meaning of the Fire Horse Year appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

With the City of Solvang’s designation as the “Danish Capital of America,” many locals have taken interest in President Donald Trump’s recently stated desire to make Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, to become part of the United States, arguing that Greenland is vital to U.S. security.

That idea has prompted opposition from Greenland itself, and many others worldwide, including the U.S.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, local demonstrators showed up at Solvang Park to protest the U.S. administration’s potential attempts in a rally titled “Hands Off Greenland! Solvang Stands With Denmark” — a community rally to affirm respect for national sovereignty, democratic values, and the longstanding cultural ties between Solvang and Denmark.

Solvang resident Peter Wright and Santa Barbara County resident Gary Caris were the main organizers of the event, but the person who got the ball rolling on it was a pastor from Simi Valley.

Rev. Jim Burklo is the pastor of the United Church of Christ of Simi Valley and former Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Southern California, and has been a supporter of progressive causes.

When thinking about the situation in Greenland, Burklo said at the rally he thought Solvang would be a great location, knowing about the origin of the town founded by Danish settlers in 1911.

“This [Greenland] issue comes up and I’m thinking what can I do about it, and I’m thinking, of all places, Solvang would be a great place to hold something like this, with our affection for Denmark and our opposition to this invasion,” Burklo said. “So, I didn’t know anybody here, but I was able to call Peter and Gary, and they did most of the work.”

Carig maintained that while members of the Santa Ynez Valley Democratic Organization have helped to organize the rally, this demonstration was “a grassroots response to the widespread distress felt across the community. It
is for Solvang and for anyone who supports the rights and integrity of both Denmark and Greenland.”

“Of course, our town has close ties to Denmark,” Carig continued. “This is something that’s bringing the community together, not necessarily a left or right issue.”

During the event, protesters lined up with signs along Mission Drive in front of Solvang Park. Many displayed the sign given out by organizers that said, “Hands off Greenland! Solvang Stands With Denmark,” although some brought their own signs with sayings like “Greenland is not for sale,” and “LE’GO Greenland and Denmark,” alluding to Denmark’s famous toy building blocks.

As the group demonstrated, many motorists honked in support, although Burklo admitted a few gave “one-fingered salutes” from their vehicles.

Later on, a group of singers accompanied by Lompoc resident Bill Carlsen on guitar, led the crowd in songs like “We Shall Overcome,” and “We Shall Not Be Moved,” and also versions of “This Land is Your Land” and “Hallelujah,” with modified lyrics from Carig (“with apologies to Woody Guthrie and Leonard Cohen”) with references to Trump and the Greenland issue.

One attendee to the event was Karen Johnson, a retired first-grade teacher who had taught in the College District and at Solvang Family School.

“We want to support Greenland and Denmark, because of the Danish roots here, but because it’s really important,” she said. “I have a couple of Danish friends who couldn’t be here today, they had go up north, but they thanked us for being here in support of Denmark. And they were a country that helped in World War II and many do not know that they did a lot to hide Jewish people from the Nazis during that time, so, yeah, they need to be stood up for.”

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February is here and soon to follow is Valentine’s Day, the time for couples, young and old, to celebrate their love and their good times together.

And with that usually comes a night out, and many restaurants and establishments are getting ready to serve those people who choose to celebrate. It could be a fancy eatery, a bar-type atmosphere, or a good old-fashioned barbecue place like Whiskey ‘N Rye in Solvang.

Joe Padilla, the chief operating officer for Whiskey ‘N Rye, located at 442 Atterdag Road, admits his place isn’t the one people would think of for a romantic night out, but he is still expecting a big crowd on Feb. 14, which happens to fall on a Saturday this year.

“We’ve always had good business on Valentine’s Day,” said Padilla, whose restaurant has been at its current location for three years. “We don’t do any specials for Valentine’s or anything, but we think our menu is strong enough on its own.”

That menu a robust list of cocktails, BBQ, vegetarian and even vegan options. Cozy in at Whiskey ‘N Rye and enjoy items including the Loaded Mac N Cheese, a Sampler Trio with ribs, brisket, and pulled pork tossed in Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, and Smoked Spaghetti Squash with Squash noodles tossed with hickory smoked tomato, garlic, shallots, basil, spicy chili flakes.

But Padilla said drawing customers is more than just the food.

“One thing we always stress in hospitality,” he said. “We want to have the absolute best service and filling all the diners’ needs to give them that full experience on a special day.”

It’s a strategy no doubt many other restaurants share no matter the atmosphere or cuisine. One of those is Pico, located at 458 Bell St. in Los Alamos, which describes itself as “Upscale comfort food made with local ingredients, sourced from farmers committed to organic, regenerative, and humane practices. [A] historic dining room with the charm of fine dining, your grandmother’s favorite recipes, edible gardens, and a small town vibe.”

With reservations available on Feb. 14 from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., couples can enjoy a four-course dinner featuring house favorites such as the Avocado Crudo, Finley Warm Broccolini and Kale Salad, Kiani Preserve Filet Mignon with Mighty Cap Mushroom Demi and Flourless Chocolate Cake — all made with the freshest seasonal ingredients from neighboring farms and ranches. Go to www.losalamosgeneralstore.com/special-events to get a reservation.

And there are other special events for Valentine’s Day in The Valley. Among them:

Romance at the Ranch, Alisal Ranch, Feb. 13-15

Searching for a unique romantic experience this Valentine’s Day?  Nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Ranch is the perfect California resort destination for a dreamy getaway. Whether you’re joining us for our exclusive “Romance at the Ranch” package or celebrating at home, we’ve got some heartwarming ideas to spark romance, ranch-style. Our 2-night “Romance at the Ranch” package from Feb 13-15, is thoughtfully curated to add a western-style magic touch to your love story. Here’s what you can expect at our luxury dude ranch:

Welcoming gifts: Flowers, champagne, and chocolate in your room ready to celebrate your arrival in true romantic fashion.

Outdoor adventures: Two activities per night like horseback rides, golf sessions, and more.

Wine-Country flavors: Get a taste of ranch life with fun classes like wine tasting and cheese pairing. 

Learn more about our Romance at the Ranch package.

Plenty on Bell Three Course Prix Fixe Dinner on Friday, Feb 13.

Plenty on Bell, at 508 Bell St. in Los Alamos, jump the gun a bit, opening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a dinner                                    

on Friday, Feb. 13, which includes a glass of wine or Champagne. Go to plentyonbell.com

Chocolate and Wine-Tasting Pairings at Sunstone Winery, Feb. 13-15

Celebrate love and indulgence this Valentine’s Day weekend at Sunstone Winery with our guided Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience. From Feb. 13-15, savor the romance of perfectly paired wines and handcrafted chocolates from the renowned Twenty-Four Blackbird in an intimate and enchanting setting.

These exclusive tastings will be offered throughout the day, with limited spots available. The cost for this romantic and delectable experience is $50 per guest. Go to sunstonewinery.com/

Valentines Wine & Truffle Weekend in Santa Ynez with Live Music at Brander Winery & Vineyard, Feb. 14-15

Includes artisan chocolates from Jessica Foster Confections, a flight of five signature Brander wines, and music from Hayli Carleton (Saturday) and Lindsey Marie (Sunday). For more info, go to www.brander.com/winery-events/

Looking for more, see www.opentable.com/events/valentines/region/santa-ynez-valley

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Buellton resident Joe Chavez will be the first to tell you he has traveled a difficult road over the past decade or so, but he is very pleased with where it has taken him.

“I lived in Ventura County with my mom, and then she passed away and I was evicted from the home,” he said. “After that, I spent about eight years as an unhoused person.”

However, after coming to Santa Barbara County, Chavez said he was able to get assistance from, among others, the local branch of People Helping People.

“I spent a lot of time trying to get help getting back on my feet, but couldn’t find it in Ventura County,” he said. “I came up to Santa Barbara County and was able to get help getting a place to live, and now here I am.”

“Here” is the Village Senior Apartments in Buellton, located at 332-334 Valley Vineyard Circle, off McMurray Road. Chavez, who’s lived at the complex for the past few months, spoke about his experience during a ribbon-cutting at the complex, the latest in the efforts to supply affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), which facilitated the project, celebrated the grand opening of Village Senior Apartments on Wednesday, Jan. 28, with an afternoon event at the complex. The newly completed community offers 50 units of affordable housing, including options for seniors, senior veterans, and formerly unhoused senior veterans, with 13 units specifically designated for veterans.

Buellton Mayor David Silva, Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and local affordable housing leaders joined CEDC leadership, including CEDC Board President Aiza Galdo, as speakers during the event. Representatives for for State Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limon; Congressman Salud Carbajal, CA-24; and Assemblymember Gregg Hart also were on hand to offer certificates of achievement.

“We’re excited to open the doors of Village Senior Apartments and welcome more than 50 seniors into their new homes,” said CEDC Chief Executive Officer Victoria Brady. “This community was built with care, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe and beautiful place to belong. Seeing our residents begin this new chapter surrounded by neighbors and support truly reflects what CEDC is all about.”

Brady also credited McCarthy Construction for building the project “ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Silva, who lives in the complex next to Village Senior Apartments, spoke about how he was able to witness the progress of the complex up close.

“I remember when I saw the first shovel go into the ground and I thought ‘Oh boy, here we go'” he said. “The work that comes between the shovel in the ground and this moment is very often undervalued and under-celebrated.”

Silva also recounted the efforts the city made with community members and organizations, as well as CEDC, to get the project off the ground.

“We worked so closely with this team about outreach and communication. We went to weekly Zoom meetings and there were tense conversations,” he said. “I’m so grateful for the community partnerships with SYV Outreach and People Helping People to help us find people in this community that needed these housing resources, and make sure this worked for the city of Buellton.”

According to the CEDC, Village Senior Apartments provides thoughtfully designed affordable homes where seniors can live with comfort, dignity, and independence. Designed specifically for senior living, half of the homes include mobility features. Each residence includes central air conditioning; durable, easy-to-clean surfaces; modern kitchens with Energy Star–rated appliances, ample storage, and a private balcony.

The two-story community encourages connection and well-being with elevator access, multipurpose gathering rooms, supportive social services, EV charging stations, and landscaped courtyards featuring gardens and shaded seating. On-site solar panels help keep utility costs low for residents. Built to California Green Building Standards and GreenPoint Rated, the fully ADA-accessible community reflects CEDC’s commitment to
sustainability and long-term resident quality of life. Units are still available for individuals earning at or below 50% area median income (AMI).

Residents will have access to free confidential supportive services as well as an onsite coordinator who will develop and provide social, educational, and recreational programs and workshops through collaborations with volunteers, local nonprofits, government and community resources.

“CEDC is proud to celebrate the completion of Village Senior Apartments, which will provide much-needed affordable housing for seniors in Santa Barbara County,” said Derrick Wada, director of real estate development for CEDC. “This milestone reflects the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal partners who share our belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, secure, quality housing to grow and thrive.”

This project is the latest in the efforts to put more affordable housing in Buellton. Village Polo Apartments, located just a short walk away from Village Senior Apartments, was opened in August 2025, and includes a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments that are reserved for households earning between 30% and 60% of Buellton’s median income. That complex was developed through the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO)

The Buellton Garden Apartment, a project being done through People’s Self-Help Housing and located at 10 and 12 McMurray Road (behind the Albertson’s shopping center), had its deadline for applications pass on Feb. 3 and will be conducting a lottery for prospective residents this Tuesday, Feb. 10. The complex hopes to starting moving people in sometime this summer.

The grand opening event is co-hosted by Legacy Builder Sponsor McCarthy Companies, which also provided preconstruction and general contracting services for Village Senior Apartments. Additional sponsors include Rural Community Assistance Corp, Office42, Sean Leonard, and Y&M Architects.

And with the efforts of those business and organizations bearing fruit, people like Joe Sanchez can enjoy the pleasure of their own place to live.

“This place is wonderful,” he said as the ribbon-cutting event came to its conclusion. “It beats living under a bridge.”

The post Civic, nonprofit leaders gather to dedicate Buellton apartment complex appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

After a month of non-league opponents and preseason tournaments the Santa Ynez High boys and girls basketball teams began Sunset League play at the start of the new year. And both posted their first league wins in convincing fashion on Friday, Jan. 16.

Boys defeat visiting Templeton

The Pirates boys squad finished with a 9-9 record in the preseason before falling to Righetti in its league opener to assure they would not go 8-0 like they did last year. On Jan. 16, they defeated visiting Templeton 57-43 to assure they won’t finish 0-8 in league like they did two years ago.

Jude Pritchard, who has a team-high 15.7 points per game so far this year, and Wesley Satterthwaite had 14 points to lead the Pirates. Gael Villalobos had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Satterthwaite also had 7 boards.

“They played us close for three quarters. Their 3-2 zone defense was tough to penetrate,” SYHS head coach Rod Caughell said after the game. “Fortunately, we shot very well from the outside, which can be a weakness with the 3-2, and we were able to open it up in the fourth quarter.”

Caughell also had praise for the Pirates defense.

“We played great defense,” he said. “Templeton’s a great three-point shooting team, but our guys kept their hands in the face. We broke away in the fourth, with some turnovers and they missed some foul shots.”

The Templeton win followed a Jan. 13 loss to Righetti by the score of 70-57. Pritchard led the way for the Pirates with 18 points, while Mason Skidmore scored 12 points and Lucas Ollenburger added 11.

The loss and win over Templeton, showed how erratic the team could be, according to Caughell.

“We’re just a Jeckyll-and-Hyde team,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t show up with the necessary energy to win, and other times we can’t be beat with our level of intensity.”

Caughell believes that his team will do well if they can keep up the energy it had against Templeton.

“We got about four guys who can score in double digits easily,” the coach said, identifying Pritchard and Ollenburger as the go-to guys on the team. “Like I said, if we keep the level of intensity for every game, we’re in good shape.”

The Pirates 1-1 in league and 10-10 overall, traveled to Paso Robles on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and will go to Lompoc on Friday, Jan. 23, before returning home for a non-league game against Carpinteria on Jan. 27.

Girls squad romps at Cabrillo for first league win

In a game against a winless opponent, things turned out as expected for the Pirates girls basketball team as it won easily in the Conquistadores gym 69-32.

Lexi Molera was top scorer for the Pirates with 18 points on six 3-pointers, while Helina Pecile had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals, and Rylan Agin (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Jazmine Juarez (10 points) also shined.

That first league win followed two losses, to Morro Bay (45-42) and Righetti (65-39).

“It’s a tougher league this year, and we have to contend with Morro Bay and Righetti, so that’s tough,” SYHS head coach Jennifer Rasmussen said. “However, I just want to get this team ready for the postseason, and I think if we can get the playoff berth, we can get a run like last year.”

The Pirates last year made it all the way to CIF Section Finals before losing, but then got a state-playoff berth and won a game before being eliminated. So far this year, SYHS stands at 9-6 with a 1-2 Sunset League record.

The girls team returned home on Tuesday, Jan. 20, against Atascadero, and will play Lompoc at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 (tonight).

Pirates soccer scores season high in win over Dunn

The SYHS boys soccer team had it highest scoring output on the season on Saturday, Jan. 17, in a 5-0 win over Dunn in Los Olivos

Hector Gonzalez, Osvaldo Muro, Vince Guerrero, Danny Garcia, and Yahir Torres scored the goals for SYHS, while Luis Garcia (2), Walker Sweetland, Marcos Rivera and Mario Zepeda got assists.

“As the season comes to an end, the team is getting stronger and ready to compete for a spot into the playoffs,” said Rivera.

Head coach Hector Garcia’s team, with a record of 5-3-3 (1-1-2 in the Sunset League) played at Atascadero on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and will travel to Nipomo on Friday, Jan. 23.

Girls soccer shuts out Cabrillo

The SYHS girls soccer team stayed undefeated in the Ocean League with a 3-0 win over the Cabrillo Conquistadores on Jan. 9.

Hannah Ricci, Isabella Rubio, and Mia Pulido scored second-half goals to lead the Pirates to victory.

After taking last week off, the Pirates played Mission Prep on Tuesday and will play Nipomo at home Friday, Jan. 23

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Reuniting lost pets with their owners could be made a little easier, and ease the burden on local animal services, after a decision by the Buellton City Council in its Thursday, Jan. 8, meeting, the first of 2026.

After a presentation by Linda Greco, the president of the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBACF), and Sarah Aguilar, the director of the county’s Animal Services, the City Council members voted to set aside $1,500 for the installation of five DIY (Do It Yourself) Pet Microchip Scanners, to be placed at different spots in the city: City Hall, the PAWS Dog Park at the corner of La Pita Place and Dawn Drive, the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society on Commerce Drive, and two more sites to be determined.

The Pet Microchip Scanner is a device that can get information on the animal through scanning a microchip embedded in the animal. The SBACF plans to install 20 of the scanners, inside a mounted plastic box, at various sites around Buellton.

During her presentation, Greco explained that any individual using the scanner could find out who the owners are, where they live, and can contact them to return the pet without it going into the county system.

“It’s exciting that it empowers our community to be a part of the story,” she said. “They can be a part of that reuniting with the animal. They get to be a part of that ‘win-win,’ instead of taking it to Animal Services and then wondering what happened to it.”

Aguilar also addressed the council, adding the benefit it gives to those working in Animal Services.

“The volume of stray animals is far more than we get of any other type of intake,” she said. “In 2025, we took in nearly 4,300 animals who entered system as strays. We found that most strays are found within a mile of their homes, and if taken to the shelter, that means their taken into the system, which makes it harder to be reunited with them.

“The microchip scanners can allow pets to be reunited with their owners without having to go to animal services to reunite, and take away an extra layer of process.”

Also after a question from Councilmember Hudson Hornick about the role of the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society in Buellton with strays, Vice Mayor Carla Mead, who chairs the SYVHS board, noted that the facility is not officially equipped to take in strays and must send any they get to the county facility in Santa Barbara.

The proposal drew a positive reaction from the council.

“I think this is a wonderful idea, to the point of doing the right thing,” he said, and said he was for authorizing an amount to get five machines installed. City Manager Scott Wolfe said the amount for $1,500 could be authorized with a location to two recommended.

Aguilar had earlier offered “heat maps,” that show the locations of found strays, but Wolfe suggested the PAWS Park at La Pita Place was an obvious choice, while Councilmember John Sanchez suggested the Humane Society, and City Hall was given as another location. Two other sites would be determined.

Councilmember Elysia Lewis moved to approve the financial authorization and the issuance of heat maps, with scanners to be built at the three approved locations. Sanchez seconded and the motion passed 5-0.

In other business:

• In the first of two proclamations, the council recognized the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. After Mayor David Silva read the proclamation, Ann McCarty, Executive Director of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center and member of the Human Trafficking Task Force, said a few words.
• “Human trafficking not a distant problem, it is happening in our community, and it thrives in silence,” McCarty said. “This [proclamation] is doing more than issuing a piece of paper … you’re sending a message that the city is watching, that there is no safe haven for those who exploit or harm others. You’re telling survivors they’re seen.”
• The second proclamation was to declare the following day, Friday, Jan. 9, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in the City of Buellton.
• Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Kurowski was on hand to accept the proclamation, saying, “Thank you to the board, thank you to the audience, and we look forward to our continued relationship and service to Buellton.”
• The council approved budget amendments from operational changes related to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget through the first quarter ending Sept. 30, 2025. Finance Director Shannel Zamora said the latest amendment put the city at an operational deficit of $594,132.

The City Council meets next on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.

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Holding its first meeting of the year, the Solvang City Council on Tuesday, June 12, spent a while talking with staff about how they can properly interpret and enforce the upcoming draft ordinance on city signage.

Community Development Director Rafael Castillo introduced the discussion item Discussion and direction on Draft Title 11, Chapter 13 Sign Ordinance Amendments, with the councilmembers seemingly frustrated at times over what they would be able to enforce.

Castillo said in his report the city staff has prepared a working draft of comprehensive, content-neutral sign ordinance amendments intended to modernize regulations, improve legal defensibility, streamline permitting, and preserve Solvang’s character, with the goal of adoption in Spring 2026 alongside a companion sign handbook. He requested City Council direction on:

two key policy issues needed to refine the draft:

The appropriate level of review authority for permanent signs, whether all permanent signage should be approved administratively by staff, remain entirely under Design Review Committee approval, or proceed as currently drafted allowing staff approval of blade/suspended signs only with all other permanent signage reviewed by the DRC.

The maximum amount of permanent signage allowed per business, whether to maintain the proposed cap of up to 20 square feet or building frontage (whichever is less) inclusive of all permanent signage, modify the standard to be based on linear frontage as recommended by the Planning Commission, or provide alternative direction.

Based on Council input, staff will finalize the draft ordinance and return it to the DRC and Planning Commission for formal recommendations prior to City Council adoption.

At its special joint meeting with the Planning Commission on March 13, 2025, city staff received direction on proceeding with proposed sign ordinance amendments. City staff has commenced amending the sign ordinance based on comments and feedback received from the workshop and its November meeting with the City Council.

Staff has taken the draft sign ordinance to the Design Review committee in three sections to receive input and discussion. The DRC discussed the sign ordinance at its June, August, and October meetings of 2025. The

Planning Commission has reviewed a draft of the draft revisions at its November 2025 meeting and provided additional comments on the draft ordinance.

Discussion on City Council was on two points: whether sign approvals would be done by city staff, by the city’s Design Review Committee or approvals would fall under draft ordinance, which allows blade/suspended signs to be reviewed and approved at a staff level, and all other permanent signage needs to be reviewed and approved by the DRC.

The second topic was maximum signage and whether to keep at the current policy that allows a total of 1 square foot of signage per linear feet for “dominant” building

frontage, and ½ square foot per linear feet of “subordinate” square footage for permanent signs, or just have it at a max of 20 square feet.

When Mayor David Brown asked for guidelines on the discussion, Castillo said that review for signage was limited to “time, place, and manner,” but not content, a policy necessitated by Supreme Court cases like Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which protected free speech on signs.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona than asked “So signs are exempt from color governance?” When Castillo confirmed that they were, she answered, “That’s a big departure. We have a color palette. We have no method to find aesthetic consistency between a sign and building.”

City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan explained, “This is a whole other thing in case law. All content restriction is struck down. We’re trying to come up with something realistic.”

Elizabeth Orona wondered if the city design book that’s currently being worked on could leverage sign design to be more consistent

Castillo suggested while they can’t reject anything on content, they can mentioned to prospective business that the designs in the book are “preferred” and people would fall in line with that.

“Anything you can do to streamline is ideal,” Brown replied. “Call it a brand book or preferred methods. If you called it the standards, they would follow.”

Later, during Public Comment, Esther Jacobsen Bates, chair of the DRC, called in by Zoom (though speaking as a private citizen) said she thought all the approvals should fall to the DRC.

She also brought up the subject of murals in town, which she believed were a category unto themselves and should be reviewed by the DRC.

“DRC should be authority on that,” Jacobsen Bates said. “Have shared mural standards, and recognize that not every wall needs to have a mural, and we should review those carefully.”

Ultimately, the council gave direction to determine maximum signage by linear feet, give the DRC authority on the murals, and keep approval authority as it is in the draft ordinance.

Castillo thanked the council and said, “It’s been a long journey and you will see the final draft soon; I should get this in your hands by March.”

The City Council will meet next on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m.

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