The revised schedules include enhanced routing and the introduction of new and permanent stops to better serve the community’s needs. Among the key updates:

• New permanent stops at the Chumash Casino and the Tribal Health Clinic, offering easier access to two of the region’s most frequented destinations.
• A new stop at the Buellton Library, giving residents and visitors improved transportation options to this important community resource.

“These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to improving accessibility, reliability, and convenience for SYVT riders,” said Bridget Paris, the City of Solvang’s public works director. “We’re excited to make public transit work betterfor everyone in the Santa Ynez Valley.”

Riders can view the updated schedules and route maps at www.syvt.com or pick up a printed schedule on board any SYVT bus.

For more information, please contact SYVT Customer Service at (805) 688-5452 or info@syvt.com.

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Santa Barbara County nonprofit, Santa Ynez Valley Pride (www.SYVPride.org), is planning for the fourth annual Pride celebration to take place in the region’s various wine country towns, a multifaceted lineup of events spanning June 1-30, 2025.

“This year’s Pride theme, ‘Lead with Love,’ is about a bold and brave kind of love that requires action. It will ask us to stand up for all members of our community, especially our trans and immigrant neighbors,” said Lauren Lastra, president of SYV Pride. “It will require that we act with kindness in the face of adversity and that we garner strength and hope through community. It will empower us to create safe spaces throughout the Valley where folks can unapologetically be themselves and know that they belong here.” 

Formed in 2022, SYV Pride’s mission is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering home for the local LGBTQ+ community in the Santa Ynez Valley through the education and celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. In June 2022, SYV Pride organized and successfully completed its inaugural Pride celebration held in varied locations throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.

Pride month (2025) with SYV Pride is blasting off on Sunday, June 1, with a Pride Brunch at Brave & Maiden Estate in Santa Ynez, followed by a disco-themed Pride kick-off event at the Future Perfect Wine tasting room in Los Olivos. Beginning Tuesday, June 3, continuing each Tuesday in June, the legendary Maverick Saloon in the town of Santa Ynez will host “Gayraoke.” On Thursday, June 12, Stolpman Fresh Garage hosts “All Colors of the Rainbow,” a wine event in Los Olivos.

The month’s main attraction arrives on Saturday, June 14, as the SYV Pride Parade (11 a.m.) will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, music, and more, ending with a family-centric Pride Festival at 12 p.m. in the center of town, in and around Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Festival attendees should expect a kid-friendly afternoon complete with bounce houses, face painting, vendor booths, a beer and wine garden, food vendors, and live music, including a performance by The Molly Ringwald Project and tunes by DJ Darla Bea.

The June 2025 SYV Pride celebration is open to the public with ticketed and non-ticketed events. Event updates will be announced on the SYV Pride website (www.SYVPride.org), and Instagram and Facebook feeds: @SYV.Prideand facebook.com/SYVPride. Proceeds, in part or in whole, and donations from all events will benefit SYV Pride.

SYV Pride wishes to thank sponsors and supporters, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians; Farmacy Santa Ynez, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden; Allan Hancock College; Lefty’s Coffee Co.; Rio Vista Chevrolet; and Carla & Jon Mead.

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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) is proud to announce that it has earned a 5-star rating from the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), which recognizes excellence and commitment in rural healthcare. SYVCH has also been named to the National Rural Honor Roll.

This designation is a testament to SYVCH’s dedication to delivering high-quality care and meaningful patient experiences. The NRRS evaluates hospitals based on rigorous standards, including patient satisfaction, quality of care and overall hospital performance.

“We take great pride in being a trusted source of care for the Santa Ynez Valley community,” said Katie Gorndt, vice president of Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it underscores the trust our community places in us and highlights our commitment to delivering exceptional care.”

The 5-star rating reflects SYVCH’s ongoing commitment to meet the unique healthcare needs of the rural community it serves. This recognition highlights the hospital’s success in providing outstanding medical services, despite the challenges often faced by rural healthcare facilities.

The 2025 National Rural Honor Roll honorees include rural hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient experience, based on cumulative ratings submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. This annual recognition reinforces NRHA’s commitment to supporting and uplifting rural health care facilities as pillars of their communities.

Since 1964, the not-for-profit SYVCH has provided high quality outpatient surgical services, inpatient care, comprehensive imaging, on-site laboratory, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac clinic and 24- hour emergency services to the community.

The National Rural Honor Roll was created to honor rural and critical access hospitals and clinics that consistently deliver exceptional healthcare, showcasing them as leaders in patient-centered care within their communities. Facilities included on the Honor Roll receive recognition for their dedication and excellence that sets them apart, demonstrating their commitment to patient well-being. For more information visit RuralRatings.US

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Academic awards are bestowed each spring at Muhlenberg College’s annual Honors Convocation — a formal academic ceremony designed to honor and celebrate leadership and scholarly excellence in the college community. This year’s convocation was held on Sunday, April 27, in Egner Chapel.

Sydney Vogel of Santa Ynez received the Novartis Endowed Science Scholars Program Award, given to a junior or senior science major who has achieved a 3.5 or higher grade point average in the major field of study and who has clearlyindicated the intention to pursue postbaccalaureate work in the sciences leading to an advanced degree.

A graduate of Dunn School, Vogel is studying biology at Muhlenberg College.

Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is a highly selective, four-year residential, liberal arts college in the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, with nearly 2,000 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree-seeking students. The college’s curriculum and experiences are designed to open doors to new ideas, discoveries, friendships and a lifetime of personal and intellectual growth.

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An early-morning fire engulfed an abandoned three-story building on the corner of 1st Street and Molle Way in Solvang on Friday, May 2. The building is Hans Christian Andersen Square, informally known in town as the “Water Wheel Building.”

Santa Barbara County Fire responded to a 5:29 a.m. for a structure fire, and firefighters arrived at the scene with the building already fully in flames. Originally a two-alarm fire, the incident was upgraded to a third alarm, with a strike team from the Operational Area being ordered.

“We went into defensive operations to keep the fire from spreading to adjacent building,” said County Fire PIO Scott Safechuck in a video posted on X. “[We also] evacuated a block in either direction due to the fire conditions and the heat coming off the building.”

Safechuck reported the fire was knocked down at 7:19 a.m. County Fire said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The property at 1st and Molle consists of three buildings that hosted a number of shops and a museum, but has sit abandoned for over a decade.

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A new season brings in new styles. Here is what’s new at Elna’s Dress Shop right now.

Will you know when what you wear will be perfect as you want? It will make the world around you more incredible the whole time you are wearing it. Feel good and you look good. Remember, our sales staff is ready to assist in your wardrobe building. Personalized service is what we pride ourselves in giving our customers. If you haven’t discovered Elna’s Dress Shop, now is the time to do so.

Come in and check out our May special just in time for Mother’s Day on May 11, which is also Elna’s Dress Shop’s 84th anniversary, so drop by and say hello.

At market, which my sister Carol and I attended in the middle of April, we saw a lot of jeans — you know the lived in look. Great for casual wear, going to the farmers market (every Wednesday in Solvang), to the beach, and for warmer weather. Top your look with a solid or patterned T-shirt, a shirt, or jacket, and away you go looking put together and comfortable. Separates are always in, and it is so much fun to coordinate to give you more than one look. Remember, it is so nice to be able to touch and feel the items before you buy, and then you feel good wearing them. Our spring and summer season is showing a very big interest in dresses and shifts, short sleeve, sleeveless, and three-quarter sleeve. We carry a variety of styles, casual and luncheon type, long, and knee length. A very good way to vary your spring/summer wardrobe.

Our store invites you to come in and talk to us. Let us make suggestions, coordinating fashion with your lifestyle in mind. Wardrobe building is a free service at Elna’s Dress Shop, which is open Monday, closed Tuesdays, and open Wednesday through Sunday.

Store hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. We are located at 1673 Copenhagen Drive, in Solvang.

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BUELLTON — The Buellton Union School District (BUSD) announced April 16 the appointment of Dr. Adam Bailey as its new superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. With over three decades of experience in education and leadership across California school districts, Bailey brings a proven track record of excellence, innovation, and student-centered leadership to Buellton. Bailey will succeed Dr. Randal Haggard, BUSD’s current superintendent, who will be retiring after nine years of dedicated service to the district.

Bailey currently serves as the principal at Carter High School in the Rialto Unified School District in San Bernardino County, where he oversees the education and well-being of approximately 1,900 students. His extensive career includes serving as an administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, an administrator in personnel services for the Riverside County Office of Education, and vice president of school development for Oxford Preparatory Academy.Throughout his career as a classroom teacher and principal, Bailey has focused on increasing student achievement, promoting a positive school climate, and providing safe schools for students, staff, and families in each district he has served.

“Dr. Bailey is a visionary leader whose deep commitment to academic excellence and community collaboration will greatly benefit our students, staff, and families,” said Ryan Sullivan, president of the Buellton Union School District Board of Trustees. “His diverse experience at all levels of education will be an asset to our district.”

A dedicated educator, Bailey holds a Ph.D. in urban leadership from Claremont Graduate University, where he researched the factors that affect teachers’ job satisfaction and how they have a benefit to students in the classroom. Dr. Bailey earned his administrative and teaching credentials, a Master’s degree in educational administration and a Bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, San Bernardino.

“I am honored and excited to join the Buellton Union School District,” Bailey said. “I look forward to working with our outstanding Board of Education, students, staff, families, and community members to build on the district’s strong foundation and support every student’s success.”

Bailey’s appointment marks a new chapter of leadership for the district as it continues its mission of delivering high-quality education in a supportive, inclusive environment.

For more information, please contact the Buellton Union School District Office at (805) 686-2767 ext. 1.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, in cooperation with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, has named SYHS senior Nicholas Duran as the April Student of the Month.

Nicholas, known more familiarly as “Nico,” was announced as the winner during the Elks Lodge meeting on April 17 and received a $100 check.

Nico is a student that embodies resilience and determination, having excelled in the school’s special education program while embracing the warmth of the Valley community. 

His high school journey has been punctuated by his newfound passion for football in his senior year — a testament to his adventurous spirit and ability to forge lasting friendships. Nico stated that “he decided to play football to try something new. He made a lot of friends and wishes he had played all four years. He said the summers were hot, but it was still fun.”

Off the field, Nico embraced SYHS’s Career Technical Education pathways, studying automotive mechanics, welding, and culinary arts, both at SYHS and through concurrent enrollment at Allan Hancock College. His aspiration to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and older brother as a welder at Hancock, reflecting his deep-rooted family values and commitment to his chosen career path.

Nico is the student that I might be the most excited to speak about all year,” said SYHS Administrative Assistant Alexa Tomasini. “Nico has worked very hard in our special education program.”

Outside of academics, Nico loves fishing and the beach. His dedication to community service further underscores his role as a valued citizen and a joy to have in any classroom setting. He has matured into an excellent man who everyone who knows him is so proud of.

If Nico could give his younger self advice, he would ask for more help for his disability and not be quiet. He would tell himself to do you and make good choices.

Nico is not just a student; he is a model of resilience, a testament to the power of perseverance and self-discovery. As he prepares for Allan Hancock College, we commend Nico for his unwavering spirit, his dedication to family, and hispositive impact on all who have had the pleasure of knowing him.

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More than 500 anglers of all ages dealt with changing weather, fishing under rain, sun, and even rainbows at Cachuma Lake during the Neil Taylor Nature Center’s 28th Annual Fish Derby on April 26-27.

A total of 571 contestants fished Cachuma Lake during the tournament hours and were also able to fish from shore at any time during the Derby, including Saturday night. Nature Center volunteer and retired Division Chief Mike Marlow fired the flare off at 6 a.m. at the harbor to start the Derby on Saturday and it lasted until 12 p.m. Sunday.

The Fish Derby is a benefit fundraiser for the Neal Taylor Nature Center, which is located at Cachuma Lake and offers programs and exhibits on the history, flora, and fauna of Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez River Watershed.

The weekend event, planned and operated by 65 volunteers that also included a raffle and children’s activities, brought in over $38,000 through sponsorship, donations, and registrations, with an additional $12,000-plus in merchandise donations for door prizes and raffle prizes.

As for the main part of the derby, lots of fish were caught in all categories, making for happy anglers. The $599 prize for heaviest trout went to Brian McElhiney, 66, from Oxnard, while the heaviest bass went to Kayla Maher, 30, from Lompoc. Kelly Holcomb, 33, from Templeton won the prize for heaviest crappie.

Prizes for the heaviest catfish and heaviest carp were both by children: The $300 Heaviest Carp Caught prize went to Bodhi Druckman, 11, from Goleta, while 7-year-old Max Diamond of Carpinteria, took home the prize for heaviest catfish.

The list of winners for the Neil Taylor Nature Center Fish Derby:

$599 Heaviest Trout Caught

Brian McElhiney, 66, Oxnard 7.63 lbs./25.5”

$300 2nd Heaviest Trout Caught

Jules Hain, 70, Lompoc, 7.58 lbs./24”

$599 Heaviest Bass Caught

Kayla Maher, 30, Lompoc, 4.41 lbs./20.5”

$300 2nd Heaviest Bass Caught

Van Lang, 12, Santa Ynez, 4.41 lbs./19.5”

$599 Heaviest Crappie Caught

Kelly Holcomb, 33, Templeton, 1.9 lbs./15”

$300 2nd Heaviest Crappie Caught

Kyle Perez, 36, Arroyo Grande, 1.68 lbs./14”

$599 Heaviest Catfish Caught

Max Diamond, 7, Carpinteria, 7.8 lbs./24.5”

$300 2nd Heaviest Catfish Caught

Waylon Estes, 8, Santa Maria, 6.35 lbs./24.25”

$300 Heaviest Carp Caught

Bodhi Druckman, 11, Goleta, 11.02 lbs./27.5”

$150 2nd Heaviest Carp Caught

Bryan Belluz, 39, Lompoc, 8.68 lbs./26.5”

$125 Heaviest Fish caught by Girl 11-15 yrs.

Chloe King, 12, Solvang, Bass, 2.73 lbs./17.75”

$100 2nd Heaviest Fish caught by Girl 11-15 yrs.

Allana Gaytan, 13, Lompoc, Trout, 2.69 lbs./19”

$50 3rd Heaviest Fish caught by Girl 11-15 yrs.

Sadie Palmer, 11, Filmore, Bass, 2.38 lbs./16”

$25 4th Heaviest Fish caught by Girl 11-15 yrs.

Hannah Hirsch, 13, Lompoc, Bass, 2.2 lbs./16.5”

$125 Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.

Bodhi Druckman, 11, Goleta, Carp, 11.02 lbs./27.5”

$100 2nd Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.

George Taylor, 14, Santa Barbara, Trout, 6.01 lbs./25”

$50 3rd Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.

Van Lang, 12, Santa Ynez, Bass, 4.41 lbs./19.5”

$25 4th Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.

Mateo Pena, 14, Lompoc, Bass, 3.17 lbs./18.25”

$125 The Dutch Wilson Prize (the fish caught by the oldest angler)

James Lemp, 80, Filmore, Trout 6.35 lbs./24”

$250 with $25 ea. to first 10 kids 10 yrs. & under to catch a fish! ($25 prize & 1 rod per kid)

1. Abigail Belluz, 6, Lompoc, Bass, 0.92lbs./13”

2. Blaine Evans, 6, Buellton, Bass, 1.63 lbs./15-3/4”

3. Max Diamond, 7, Carpinteria, Bass, 1.1 lbs./14.5”

4. Adilyn Batchelor, 9, Santa Maria, Trout, 0.35 lbs./13”

5. Duke Harmony, 7, Goleta, Crappie, 0.66/11.5”

6. Remington Abundis, 9, Santa Barbara, Bass, 0.97 lbs./13.25”

7. Waylon Estes, 8, Santa Maria, Crappie, 0.84 lbs./13”

8. Dane Harmony, 5, Goleta, Crappie, 0.84 lbs./12”

9. Ariana Hernandez, 7, Goleta, Bass, 2.07 lbs./17.25″

10. Maxwell Emerson, 10, Auburn, Bass, 1.28 lbs./13.75″

The Fish Derby organizers thank the event sponsors (Bronze Sponsor) Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Mechanics Bank, Schafer Family Foundation – In Memory of Johnny, (Royal Coachman) Dr. Bill & Vivien Foran, Stevens & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc, The Filter Factory, Inc, MarBorg Industries, Vague Rods & Mike Lum, (Derby Sponsor) Tracy Angel in Memory of Ray Angel, Jerry & Sandi Witcher, Dr. Lowell & Shirley McLellan, Buellton Rotary Club Foundation, Brian & Kris Kittle, Leo & Patti Sandow, Rotary Club of Los Olivos, ExplorUS, Advenco LLC, James & Christine Gaskin

Rincon Broadcasting. Santa Barbara Currents, News Channel ABC, NBC, FOX & TELEMUNDO TV. The organizers also thank their volunteers and many generous donors!

The Fish Derby will be back again next year at Cachuma Lake, with the dates already announced for July 18-19, 2026. For more info on the derby and the winners, go to www.troutderby.org/2025-winners/

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Visitors can explore the museum, including the historic Parks-Janeway Carriage House, while learning about the agricultural heritage of the Santa Ynez Valley. The event includes a tasting of Rancho Olivos olive oil in the open-air courtyard and an opportunity to sample and take home a free assortment of locally grown produce from a Babé Farms pop-up market. 

Rancho Olivos farmers John Copeland and Shannon Casey, plus representatives from Babé Farms, will share stories about their farms and provide information about their agricultural and production practices.

For those interested in a more comprehensive experience, the museum will conduct “History of Agriculture” tours at 1 and 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience website, sbce.events/day-on-the-farm. Select the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum Tour option.

Eight farms and vineyards are participating in the May 16 Day on the Farm. Due to driving distances between locations, organizers recommend visitors select no more than three farms to visit.

Day on the Farm is sponsored by Heritage Farmland Touring Company, specializing in California and international travel tours to farmland sites.

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