On the evening of Sunday, June 8, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office answered a call for help from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, deploying 32 deputies to Los Angeles to assist with civil unrest that has gripped the region in recent days. The officers, drawn from the department’s Sheriff’s Response and Special Enforcement Teams, arrived in downtown Los Angeles late Sunday night and worked into the early morning to provide building security and public safety support.

They join a growing force of law enforcement and military personnel now operating in the greater Los Angeles area in response to escalating tensions, protests, and violent disturbances sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions and broader frustrations with government authority.

Sheriff Bill Brown emphasized that the deployment is strictly a mutual aid agreement and not linked to federal immigration enforcement.

“Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are not engaged in immigration enforcement activities in Los Angeles,” Sheriff Bill Brown said. “But rather our role is to assist allied law enforcement agencies and help them ensure the safety and security of their communities in response to these violent disturbances.”

Brown condemned the violence that has erupted, noting that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the situation in Los Angeles and elsewhere has deviated far from lawful demonstrations.

“The events unfolding in Los Angeles, other cities in California, and across the nation are far from peaceful First Amendment protests,” Brown said. “We are witnessing destructive attacks on private property and targeted attacks on law enforcement officers, both of which are completely unacceptable. Our agency remains committed to ensuring public safety and supporting our law enforcement partners and the Southern California community. Over the past 15 years, Santa Barbara County has repeatedly benefited from mutual aid resources from both the city and the county of Los Angeles during our front country wildfires, and we are reciprocating with our support in their time of need.”

The call for mutual aid follows a week of rising violence and political division. On Saturday, June 7 a protest near a Home Depot in the city of Paramount began peacefully but spiraled out of control as reports emerged that federal agents were staging immigration enforcement operations in nearby office spaces. Social media footage showed tear gas, looting, and burning vehicles. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and attempted to disperse the crowd.

By that night, similar unrest reached downtown Los Angeles, with the LAPD declaring an unlawful assembly and warning protesters of arrest if they did not disperse.
The situation escalated further on Sunday when the federal government, under a directive from President Donald Trump, deployed National Guard troops from California’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to protect federal property and law enforcement personnel. According to U.S. Northern Command, around 300 soldiers were initially deployed, with the potential for more.

Citing recent threats to immigration detention centers and attacks on federal officers, the White House invoked a rarely used federal statute — 10 U.S.C. 12406 — to justify the use of military personnel in domestic operations. The order allows the National Guard to be used for up to 60 days or longer at the Secretary of Defense’s discretion.

Simultaneously, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the results of an extensive enforcement sweep in Los Angeles. According to a June 8 press release, agents arrested more than a dozen undocumented immigrants described as “the worst of the worst,” including individuals with convictions for violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault.

“These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on our streets,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers who are making our communities safer.”

The ICE statement — and the timing of the arrests — has inflamed public sentiment. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal actions and warned of the toll they are taking on already anxious immigrant communities.

“This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles,” Bass wrote in a social media post on Monday, June 9. “The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real. It puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing we need.”

Bass emphasized that the city stands with all its residents, regardless of immigration status, and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Still, as the violence mounted, she made clear that criminal activity would not be tolerated. “ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,” she added in a June 10 post. “You will be held accountable.”

The deployment has ignited a renewed debate about the role of federal authority in local jurisdictions, particularly in California, where state leadership has long pushed back against federal immigration policies.

Governor Gavin Newsom called the federalization of troops a dangerous precedent. “The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens,” Newsom said in a televised address. “This is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy.”

Monday, June 9, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that 700 active-duty U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton would also be deployed to Los Angeles, citing ongoing threats to federal facilities and law enforcement. Hegseth defended the decision, saying, “We have an obligation to defend federal officers — even if Governor Newsom will not.”

In contrast, many Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez residents remain uneasy about the militarization of California’s largest city. Local leaders and advocacy groups have expressed concern about the broader implications for civil liberties and public trust in government institutions.

Despite the tension, Sheriff Brown reiterated the professionalism and limited scope of Santa Barbara’s involvement.

“We hope for a swift restoration of order in Los Angeles,” Brown stated. “Allowing all law enforcement personnel to return to their homes safely.”

As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes remain on Los Angeles — where the clash between local control, federal enforcement, and public unrest may define the next chapter in the ongoing national conversation about justice, immigration, and civil order.

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The many movers and shakers in the region gathered at Craft House at Corque in Solvang to discuss the economic direction on Thursday, June 5, at the 2025 Santa Ynez Valley Economic Summit.

For the second straight year, Danna Stroud, community-based solutions regional manager at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), was the keynote speaker for the event, talking about the job situation statewide. Other speakers included Solvang Mayor David Brown, Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Buellton City Manager Scott Wolfe, EconAlliance CEO Janelle Osborne, and Santa Barbara Vintners CEO Alison Laslett. There were also two three-person panels who took time to field questions from the audience.

Brown took the floor first to talk about Solvang, and said the city had a unique position in the area as a tourist destination.

“We are a town of 6,000 that draws 5 million tourists a year,” Brown said. “The town offers an immersive experience of an earlier time and is on the national radar.”

Brown pointed out the attention Solvang has gotten with travel columns and awards, such as the “Best Small Town in the West” it earned from online voters in the USA Today/10Best travel series. Solvang was also in the top 5 for the series categories of “Best Small Town Food Scene” and “Best Main Street”

While Brown painted a positive picture of his city, he said there are still issues it needs to confront.

“Our housing is still our most urgent issue,” he said. “We need more units and its tougher to do it without extending the Urban Growth Boundary.”

Brown said the town needs to become more water-independent, and transportation needs to be addressed, as Solvang has a main thoroughfare, Mission Drive, that doubles as a state highway and for many is the only way in and out of town, with Brown admitted can be a concern if there is an evacuation situation.

However, the mayor said the situation still looks rosy in Solvang. “We will continue to build a vibrant and solid future.”

Later on, Wolfe took the podium to talk about Buellton’s state and its role in the Valley.

“Buellton has really involved in the six years that I’ve been here,” he said, pointing out a public arts program, a new library that opened this year, and an expansion of social services.

Wolfe likened Buellton’s situation to a fictional town in a family-favorite animated movie.

“If you all have ever seen the movie ‘Cars,’ they have the town of Radiator Springs, that died when the highway went past it,” Wolfe explained. “Well, that was Buellton in 1968. The highway moved a few blocks away, but there was an area [Avenue of Flags] that needed to be redeveloped.”

That was done partly thanks to the Pea Soup Andersen’s restaurant that has been closed for a few years now, but will be replaced by a development that will include a new Pea Soup Andersen’s. Wolfe also pointed out a flags project on Avenue of Flags, and a proposed hotel, market, and coffee shop in the lots next to the Sideways Hotel and Flying Flags RV Resort.

“Buellton is in a big shift,” Wolfe said, “and has gone through bigger changes in the last three years than in the previous 50.”

Brown, Wolfe, and Hartmann also conducted a panel discussion on needs for the area, and much of it centered on providing activities for children and teens.

To that end, Wolfe mentioned a bowling alley project that the city has been trying to get off the ground for multiple years and multiple owners. While pointing out the agreement the city made in partnering in the developing Children’s Museum, he said that most of the efforts to bring in activities would be through the private sector.

Hartmann said while they were always looking at stuff to add, there were activities that families could enjoy if they know where to look and pointed out the zipline attraction that operates near Buellton and Highway 146. Brown said that Solvang’s population tends to skew older, so they are always in search of activities that seniors can take part in.

The three also discussed the issues of transportation, keeping homes protected against possible fire, and affordable housing, which Brown and Wolfe both agreed was difficult for having to deal with the state government and codes.

A second panel made up of Buellton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Vreeland, Visit SYV CEO Shelby Sim, and Anna Ferguson Sparks of Stilletto Marketing, which serves Solvang, discussed tourism issues.

Sim, who defined his job as putting “heads in beds” at local hotels, said this year was going better than 2024. “Nature helped us out this year,” he said, describing the lack of heavy rain that hindered tourism at the beginning of 2024. “Los Angeles has been a great source for visitors who want to come up, and we get 85% of our visitors from Southern California.”

Vreeland recognized the double-edged sword in Buellton of citizens wanting less distractions in town, but then pointed out that the Transient Occupancy Tax, paid mostly by tourists, represents 38% of the city budget.

“Some complain, but we want them to come in here,” she said. “We have to deal with it, but we are measuring our success with tourism.”

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The Solvang City Council, in its Monday, June 9, regular meeting approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management to activate a new emergency mapping platform.

City Management Analyst Olivia Uribe-Mutal introduced the item and said approval would allow the city to participate in ReadySBC.com, which provides alerts and information in times of emergency and the platform known as Genasys EVAC.

Uribe-Mutal described Genasys EVAC as a “zone-based emergency response tool” that enhances the ability of public safety agencies to plan, coordinate, and communicate protective actions during emergencies. Santa Barbara County selected Genasys EVAC as a countywide tool to complement existing alerting platforms, such as Everbridge, and to streamline multi-jurisdictional coordination.

The platform is composed of an internal user interface for first responders and emergency managers to access real-time decision-support data including hazard overlays, population metrics, evacuation sites, and critical infrastructure; and A public-facing map accessible via the ReadySBC.org website and the Genasys Protect mobile application, displaying live evacuation statuses, road closures, and shelter information. The system enables rapid, zone-based communication during emergencies and is designed to ensure

“The Genasys EVAC is a significant step forward for those of us in emergency management,” Uribe-Mutal said. “Solvang will be able to manage and update its own emergency zones. We’ll be able to gain additional support and improve our situational awareness in rapidly evolving events. We’ll also be fully integrated with the county during these events.”

This will be a no cost to the city, Uribe-Mutal pointed out, as it is covered by a Homeland Security grant through fiscal year 2027-28, and will allow Solvang to keep control of its own data on the system.

In discussions with Santa Barbara County Emergency Manager Stacy Silva, there was confusion over maps. The council has just approved the Fire Severity Zone Map (FSZM) from the state as part of the Consent Calendar, and Councilmember Mark Infanti noted that the zone where he lives has a yellow (or moderate fire hazard) marked on part of his parcel and asked if he would be getting an alert. Silva however, told the council that the county system had nothing to do with that map and emergency zones would be determined locally for the purposes of the specific incident.

After Silva completed an overview of the system, Mayor David Brown asked if ongoing training for the system would be the responsibility of the county or city and what would the cost be when the grant ran out. Silva said the city would be responsible for the training, but then City Manager Randy Murphy said any costs after the grant would be negligible.

Ultimately, Infanti moved to approve the MOA with Councilmember Elizabeth Orona seconding, and the motion passed 5-0.

In other business, council approved the awarding of a project to replace deteriorating pipes in the Nyborg Estates neighborhood to Tierra Contracting Inc. The item contained a dispute because out of the 13 bids, Tierra actually submitted the second lowest, with Joseph Engineering getting the low bid.

However, Facility Director Jose Acosta said Joseph’s application wasn’t complete at the bid deadline, so they went with the next lowest.

Crystal Joseph, the owner and vice president of Joseph Engineering, was at the meeting and during public comment, said the application was incomplete due to a clerical error but was still the lowest bid, and asked if council could delay the item.

City Counsel Chelsea O’Sullivan and Murphy said the council had the right to waive the decision on the bid but weren’t required to. The council opted to approve the Tierra bid after Elizabeth Orona commented that Acosta “took the lowest from your perspective.”

To begin the meeting, council welcomed Scout Leo Brownstein from Troop 33 in Santa Barbara to conduct a presentation on flag etiquette as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Brown said he thought a presentation like this would be a great idea when he from a constituent about seeing some flags not at half staff during the mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, who died last December.

After receiving a proclamation from the city, Brownstein made his presentation with the help of fellow Scouts Nathan and Noah Cortez from Troop 87 in Orcutt, who displayed the proper way to fold a flag.

The City Council will meet next on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m.

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While a three-day weekend in May was celebrated and enjoyed by folks all over the Santa Ynez Valley, speakers and participants gathered at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall on Monday, May 26 — Memorial Day — to remind the Valley what the day really meant.

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony that started at noon at the hall was the culmination of a whole weekend of activities to celebrate those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

“Today we honor all veterans who gave their lives in service to our great nation,” said Jeffrey Willis, commander of VFW Post 7139, former U.S. Marine sergeant, and emcee of the ceremony. “These are the real heroes of America. The Americans we honor today are not exclusive to any gender, race, or religion.

“We are gathered today so that we can remember their sacrifices and celebrate the fact that throughout our history, this great country produces such men and women of honor. We will not forget them.”

At the beginning of the ceremony, everyone came outside to see the raising of the American flag, done by Scout Troop 41 members Ronna Gundry (Scout leader), Quinn Tiffany, Spencer Snodgrass, and Zaden Sherieff. VFW Post 7139 member Chris Neilsen placed the wreath in memory of veterans who died in war, the American Legion Post 160 Honor Guard did a gunfire salute, and bugler Michael Roberts played taps.

An added bonus to the ceremony was a flyover during the flag-raising and wreath laying, courtesy of Jerry Long of the Santa Ynez Airport.

Once inside, the audience listened to speakers Lt. Col. Jeremiah Alefosio, 30th Logistic Readiness Squadron Commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth Spaar, a Solvang resident. Both reiterated the importance of remembering those who died in battle, and reminded the audience that many of those are servicemembers who served voluntarily, not because they were drafted.

Also, on hand to provide musical performances were the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, led by Kay Dominguez, and the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, directed by Hyejin Jung.

In fact, a touching moment occurred during the Chorale’s final number “God Bless America,” when Jung, while leading her singers, suddenly turned around to face the audience members and starting directing to stand up and sing along with them. Most complied, bringing the song to a rousing finish.

“We came up with the idea a few days ago,” Jung said after the ceremony. “We just thought it would be so great to have everyone join in for this song.”

After the ceremony, the audience members and participants were treated to a tri-tip sandwich lunch barbecued by members of the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, and served by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The ceremony was culmination of a weekend full of activities honoring fallen veterans. On Saturday, May 24, volunteers, in conjunction with he American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 7139, placed American flags on veterans’ graves at the Mission Santa Ines, Chalk Hill, Oak Hill, and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley cemeteries.

Also, VFW Post 7139 members handed out Red Buddy Poppies at the front of Albertsons in Buellton on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Red Poppies were first distributed after World War I to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who perished in that war. 

And before the Memorial Day on Monday, the American Legion Post 160 stopped off at all the local cemeteries to conduct short ceremonies.

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The Buellton City Council began discussion of budget consideration for the Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27 Biennial Budget with some salary concerns being moved ahead to the next meeting.

The council was down to three in this meeting with Vice Mayor Elysia Lewis absent.

Ultimately, some items on the Employee Salary and Benefit Assumptions were moved to the next meeting.
The items of Cost of Living Increase, Medical Increase ($600 per month), Housing allowance ($750 per month), Pay Adjustment to Department Heads (10%), and Accounting Technician change from Full-Time to Part-Time were direct to be brought back as resolutions, while Pay Adjustment to Lead Field Worker and CPO (5%) and New Position: Administrative Analyst were directed to be put on the Consent Calendar for the next meeting.

In other business:
During Council Member Contents and Items, Councilmember Hudson Hornick asked about the possibility of Buellton contributing money toward the proposed new Aquatic Center at Santa Ynez High School.

Hornick said he heard that the City of Solvang was behind on funds, and that maybe Buellton could help out since city residents will be getting use out of that.

City Manager Scott Wolfe replied that the plan was for Buellton to contribute once the center was completed, by way of managing the operations. Also Wolfe pointed out that the two cities have been negotiating along with the Aquatics Center organization, and the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.

Wolfe also said he had been planning to open up an agenda item for discussion after the current budget had been finalized, but said he could get something on there after July 1.

Hornick also suggested the idea of increasing hours at the library and finding a way to expand the book selection. He also expressed concern that the library still didn’t have a panic button to keep the facility safer.

Wolfe replied that an increase in hours has been discussed, but also disclosed that the city has been keep money in reserve for the library in the event that they decide to break away from the Goleta Valley Library System and they need to operate in the interim before finiding a new partner.

Wolfe did say he would get the process in motion to install a panic button for the library.

The council also heard from Finance Director Shannel Zamora on a Public Hearing on Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts.

Government Code Section 3502.3 requires public agencies to annually present the status of job vacancies and efforts related to recruitment and retention before the governing board in a public hearing. This hearing must occur at least once per fiscal year and, if a budget is being adopted, before final budget adoption. Additionally, if a recognized employee organization requests it and the vacancy rate in a bargaining unit equals or exceeds 20% of authorized full-time positions, specific data must be disclosed during the hearing.

Zamora reported that the city had 20 full-time positions and one vacancy for a 5% vacancy rate.

Recruitment and retention efforts include advertising job openings on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and the city website to reach a wider and more diverse pool of candidates; remote work flexibility (where applicable); authorization of a 3.94% cost-of-living adjustment for FY 2024-25; authorization of a 5.0% cost-of-living adjustment for the upcoming FY 2025-26; and Providing employees with incentive pay and offering opportunities for professional certifications, licenses, bilingual skills, continuing education programs, and specialized training.

Factors identified as potential obstacles included budgeted compensation below market median for key classifications; related challenges due to city’s size, geographical location, and limited candidate pool; and high housing costs, challenges for relocation and settling for current staff and potential candidates.

Council received and filed the report and Silva thanked Zamora for the info.

The next Buellton City Council meeting will be Thursday, July 10, at 6 p.m.

The post Buellton begins lengthy budget discussion appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBC Fire), in coordination with Cal Fire, the Santa Barbara County Fire Chiefs Association, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Forest Service Los Padres, the County of Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Management, and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), announces the start of the 2025 High Fire Season for all areas of Santa Barbara County, effective Tuesday, June 2.

With the onset of High Fire Season, SBC Fire will suspend all burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard reduction. Simultaneously, the department will increase the deployment of resources to respond to vegetation fires as needed throughout the county.

During the High Fire Season, it is critical for residents, workers, and visitors to exercise increased caution and prioritize fire safety at all times. SBC Fire emphasizes the following key public safety measures:

Vegetation management: Create defensible space

Property owners are urged to maintain defensible space by creating three key zones around homes and structures:

• Zone 0 (0–5 feet): Remove all combustible materials —leaves, mulch, wood piles, and other fuels — immediately around the home. Use non-combustible landscaping materials in this area when possible.

• Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less, remove dead plants and vegetation, and maintain space between trees and shrubs.

• Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Thin or remove excess vegetation, prune tree limbs up 6–10 feet from the ground, and reduce plant density to slow fire spread.

• Access Zones: Maintain vegetation clearance along driveways and private roads to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles. Trim overhanging branches to at least 13.5 feet above roadways and maintain at least 10 feet of horizontal clearance.

Maintaining these zones not only increases survivability during a wildfire but also improves firefighter safety and access.

Home hardening: Strengthen your structure

Flying embers can destroy homes up to a mile from the actual fire. Making small upgrades can significantly reduce your home’s risk.

• Install metal mesh screens (1/8-inch) on attic and crawl space vents

• Replace wood shake roofs with Class A fire-rated roofing

• Cover chimneys with spark arresters

• Use dual-pane, tempered glass windows

• Remove combustible fencing connected to structures

Prepare and Act Early

This three-step program helps residents understand what to do before, during, and after wildfire threats:

• Ready: Prepare your home and property before fire season by creating defensible space, hardening your home, and assembling an emergency kit.

• Set: Stay alert, know your evacuation zone, and be prepared to evacuate quickly if wildfire conditions worsen.

• Go: Evacuate early when told — don’t wait until the last minute. If you feel unsafe or conditions worsen, leave immediately. Never wait for official orders — early evacuation keeps you safe and allows firefighters to operate without added rescue risks.

More information is available in English and Spanish at: https://sbcfire.com/ready-set-go

Protect against wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke and ash contain small particles that can harm the lungs and heart. The best protection is to stay indoors, ideally in a well-sealed “clean air room” with a HEPA air purifier.

The Air Pollution Control District (APCD) provides the following resources:

• Hourly air quality updates: www.ourair.org/todays-air-quality/

• Guidance on creating safe indoor air spaces: www.ourair.org/clean-air-rooms/

• Air Quality Alerts via text message and/or email: https://www.ourair.org/air-quality-alerts/

SBC Fire urges all Santa Barbara County residents to remain proactive and engaged in fire prevention efforts throughout the High Fire Season. With community awareness and cooperation, we can collectively help reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety.

The public is also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at readysbc.org. To download your wildfire preparation checklist and learn how to protect your home before fire season intensifies visit sbcfire.com/ready-set-go/

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During her address at the school’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 30, she reminded members of the Class of 2025 to do the same.

During her first year as superintendent/principal at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Dr. Kimberly Sheehan said she noticed how so many alumni from the school are ready, willing, and able to support the current students although many “don’t even still have students here.”

“Remember, once a Pirate, always a Pirate,” Sheehan said, with the robed and capped graduates-to-be behind her. “The world awaits your greatness. Go out and get it! And someday return to give back to your home.”

Friends and family of the new graduates packed the grandstand on a sunny day at Rio Memorial Field as 211 students took the walk from the gym to their seats on the playing field to get their diplomas.

Graduate Sophia Merz opened the ceremony by taking the podium and welcoming the audience before leading everyone in the pledge of allegiance. She then handed the mic over to Opal Vander Vliet, who sang the national anthem.

After, Grace Vazquez and Jacqueline Godinez came to the mic. Vazquez thanked the audience for coming and then reminded spectators to refrain from using any noisemakers like air horns so people can hear their graduate’s name called. That produced a few audible chuckles from the stands from some who figured the rule would be completely followed. Godinez took the floor to repeat those instructions in Spanish.

Chloe Ann Perez was the first student speaker, and she began by looking back on the differences of the day compared to her and her classmates’ starts as freshmen.

“I remember about four years ago, we came to high school wearing masks trying to make friends with faces we didn’t even know. Literally,” she said. “It was the era where the terms ‘mask fishing’ and ‘mask reveal’ were thrown around, and I can’t lie, at the time, being told one of those phrases was my biggest fear.”

“Now I stand here today, with no mask, seeing familiar faces in the field who I’m graduating with — and my biggest fear is what comes next?”

Perez went to thank the teachers at SYHS, singling out one “Ms. (Claudia) Pena: She taught me that all emotions are valid and gave me advice on how to overcome them. If you’re here Ms. Pena, thank you. You were there for me even when I felt I had no friends to talk to.”

Perez ended her address by invoking the pirate theme prevalent at SYHS: “We boarded this pirate ship as stowaways and are now embarking on a new phase of life as captains of our own destinies.”

The second commencement speaker was Ilan Torres, who stressed the “power of connection” in the class and, like Perez, marveled at how far they’ve come.

“Since freshman year, our dreams have become bigger and our jeans have become baggier,” he said. “We’ve gained powerful tools of rhetoric, leadership, and resilience by participating in school activities and sports. This is backed up by the numerous awards and CIF titles on our wall of accolades.”

Torres also joked about the student body’s degree of “connection” as well as previous years’ instability of school leadership.

“Something else that makes this student body unique is that’s it’s deeply connected,” he said. “You could pick any two students from this class and there would be a 50% chance that they’ve dated each other at some point. There’s a lot of love here. Still, some of these studentshave had as many high school exes as principals.”

However, Torres concluded that relationships and connections are the most important things.

“We must never forget that humans are designed to be together,” he said. “Many of our emotions function to promote social bonding and collectivity, which makes our species more powerful in nature.”

After Torres spoke, Sheehan returned to recognize the 46 members of the Class of 2025 who earned the distinction of Graduates with Highest Honors: Those who earned a GPA of 4.0 or better for seven semesters. After that announcement, and then a musical performance from Ruby Andreu and Naomi Ferguson, it was time to award the diplomas.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board President Chris Johnson took the stage to accept the Class of 2025, then the first graduate to be announced was Malia Ortiz, who was absent because she was competing in the CIF State Track and Field meet in the pole vault.

The handing out of diplomas started as the over 200 graduates took “the walk” to the podium and then down the ramp toward the stands to cheers from the crowd. Then, the final graduate, Cailin Glover arrived at the podium and instructed her classmates to “turn your tassels.”

After the ceremony, the new graduates celebrated with their family and friends on the field, and express mixed feelings about the experiences they leave behind and the ones that are ahead. One of them is Kurran Kays, who proudly displayed the red-and-black logo on his mortar board signifying his future school, San Diego State University, where he will be majoring in journalism.

“It kind of bittersweet, there are a lot of people I’m going to miss here, but I’m pretty excited about where I’m going,” said Kays, who said his favorite memory at SYHS is “Ms. Rod’s honors geometry class, that was my sophomore; she gave me the tools to learn and really took that the rest of the way.”

Congratulations to the Pirates’ Class of 2025.

The post ‘Once a Pirate, always a Pirate’: SYHS graduates 211 in 2025 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

A month after requests were heard for fiscal year 2025-26 grant funds, the Solvang City Council approved the grant fund awarding for various organizations in the city during its Tuesday, May 27, regular meeting.

The meeting was held on Tuesday because the usual fourth Monday was the Memorial Day holiday. Councilmember Mark Infanti participated in the meeting due to illness, an arrangement which the council approved unanimously before the meeting started.

In Agenda Item 8.a, Solvang Administrative Services Director Wendy Berry announced the recipients and amounts of the grants. Mayor Dave Brown recused himself from the proceedings, because his wife, Karen, was a representative of one of the applicants, and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Orona conducted the proceedings.

At the April meeting, it was disclosed that only four of the 12 applicants for grant funding had completed their paperwork for the grant funding, so the council’s ad hoc committee for the grants, consisting of Councilmembers Elizabeth Orona and Louise Smith, gave an extension for them to do so. Berry announced at the May 27 meeting that all the applicants had completed their paperwork.

Berry said for the grants, the city prioritized funding for services and programs that directly benefit Solvang residents, with particular focus on the following populations: senior citizens, veterans, youth and minors with disabilities, and initiatives that serve the Solvang community specifically.

Funding was proposed for nine of the 12 applicants: Atterdag At Home ($20,000), Bethania Food Distribution ($10,000), Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics ($450,000), Santa Ynez Valley Fruit and Vegetable Rescue ($10,000), Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum ($7,000), Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People ($15,000), Solvang Danish Days Foundation ($40,000), Solvang Rotary Foundation ($10,180), and Viking Charities ($3,000). Three organization did not have funding proposed despite applying: Solvang Arts and Music Foundation, Santa Ynez Valley Heritage Foundation, and Solvang Chamber of Commerce.

During council comment, Claudia Orona asked about the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics outlay, which at $450,000 was by far the largest grant to be awarded.

“The SYV Aquatics definitely stands out,” she said. “Obviously, it’s big project that benefits everyone in the community, but it’s going to be very costly.”

However, Elizabeth Orona answered that the Aquatics grant was a little bit different from the usual grant funding in that the money will be available upon the future groundbreaking.

“Pledge for the Aquatic Center has the conditions that funding comes available at time of groundbreaking,” she said. “We’re looking for full valleywide commitment to the project, as well as other potential partners in the Chumash and Buellton, that will need to continue and we want to make sure the project is moving forward when the money is available. It’s a meaningful check box for them to continue fundraising.”

Elizabeth Orona, who served on the committee with Smith to help applicants understand the grant application process, praised the staff for their work on the grant funding.

“I compliment the staff on the approach to take our broad community through rigorous and disciplined process, workshops very effective onboarded communities as to how the grants were leveraged and oriented to community use,” she said.

In other business:

The council voted unanimously to introduce a new Fire Severity Zone Map (FSZM) recently submitted by the state. City Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo pointed out the map is based on “hazard,” based on the physical conditions of an area that can create the likelihood of a fire, rather than “risk,” which refers to the potential damage a fire can do under current conditions. Castillo compared the criteria of a FSZM to the flood maps obtained by the city.

Castillo also pointed out that it is a state requirement for the council to adopt the map by the next regular meeting on July 7.

When Brown asked about changes on the map, Castillo said while the previous map had no “Very High” hazard zones (in red), the new map contains red areas on the southern tip of Solvang boundaries and in the canyons south of the city. The map can be seen online at www.cityofsolvang.com/568/Proposed-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Map-Update.

Some members of council also asked about the effect the new map could have on homeowners’ insurance and whether some policies could be discontinued. However, Castillo said the state fire marshal has said that the maps will have no effect on insurance renewals.

Although she said the council may not agree with the map, Elizabeth Orona, noting the state requirement, moved to adopt the map, with Infanti seconding, and the motion passed 5-0.

In another item, council, on a 5-0 vote, accepted first reading on the city camping ordinance. The ordinance was amended in 2023 due to related court decisions in Idaho and Oregon, but those decisions have now been overturned. The council tabled the item on the May 12 meeting until they could properly review some “11th-hour feedback” from the county that day.

The ordinance will come up for a second reading at the next City Council meeting on Monday, June 9, meeting (6:30 p.m.) and if accepted will take effect 30 days from that datCouncil agreed to table the discussion item on the city camping ordinance. The ordinance was amended in 2023 due to related court decisions in Idaho and Oregon, but those decisions have now been overturned. Brown suggested council postpone the item until they could properly review some “11th-hour feedback” from the county.”

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The Granada Theatre, a cornerstone of Santa Barbara’s vibrant performing arts scene, and Santa Barbara Records are proud to present an evening dedicated to community and local artistry while celebrating the music of David Crosby, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a resident of the Santa Ynez Valley at the time of his passing in 2023.

Various singer-songwriters and seasoned performers will perform at this event celebrating the full circle of Santa Barbara’s music scene. “Locals and Legends: Celebrating The Music of David Crosby” will take place on Saturday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. 

Santa Barbara Records, a local record label dedicated to uplifting Central Coast talent, will showcase an exceptional lineup of artists, including Glen Phillips, Chris and John Beland, Shawn Thies, Jonathan Firey, and Kathleen Sieck. These musicians will take the stage at The Granada, joined by an all-star band and the Santa Barbara Symphony, under Music and Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti, performing Crosby’s iconic songs and original works from some of the region’s finest musicians.

The evening features special guests who have played pivotal roles in Crosby’s musical legacy. James Raymond, Crosby’s son and longtime musical collaborator, and Steve Postell, Crosby’s music director and guitarist, will take the stage to perform some of the legendary musician’s most beloved songs. Vocalists Miriam Dance and Lois Mahalia will lend their powerful voices, adding new depth to Crosby’s timeless catalog. Backed by an all-star band composed of some of Santa Barbara’s most accomplished musicians, this unique collaboration with symphonic arrangement is a concert experience created by and for the Santa Barbara community.

“Locals & Legends is more than a concert — it’s a showcase featuring our region’s prolific musical landscape, spotlighting legendary and emerging artists while celebrating David Crosby’s roots in Santa Barbara,” said Tariqh Akoni, producer and director of A&R at Santa Barbara Records while concurrently serving as music director for the show. “This night is a true community collaboration, bridging generations through the music that shaped our past and the artists who will define our future.” 

Sponsored by the Manitou Fund/Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, The Hazen Foundation, The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation, and Davis Fansler, this one-night-only event is a night to honor where we come from, who we are, and the sounds that unite us. 

For more information on the theater and its upcoming shows, please visit granadasb.org

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During its regular meeting on Monday, May 12, the Solvang City Council discussed the viability of the Design Review Committee in the building permit process before ultimately deciding that the DRC should remain as a city committee.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona was absent from the meeting.

The DRC was formed by the City Council in early 2021 as a successor committee to the Branding and Design Committee (BDC), and the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), which was disbanded in 2020.

However, in its Sept. 9, 2024, meeting, the council voted 3-2 to put a discussion item on a future meeting agenda on the possible elimination of the DRC. No reason was given, although some applicants had expressed to city staff that the DRC process was cumbersome and time-consuming.

In his report on the item, Solvang Planning and Building Manager Rafael Castillo stated that since the September meeting, changes in the city zoning ordinance had streamlined the application process and modified the role of the RDC. Among those changes were the codification of objective standards and elimination of subjectivity, establishment of a pre-application reviews to give the DRC flexibility, and the elimination of the requirement for DRC to review residential projects for consistency with adopted Housing Element policies.

Also in late 2023, changes to the application process introduced checklists that outlined minimum requirements for applications, helping alleviate the adversarial atmosphere between applicants and the DRC when the paperwork is incomplete.

Castillo said with these changes, DRC has been able to give clear direction to applicants, and “highly” recommended that the committee be retained.

When Councilmember Claudia Orona asked Castillo about recent feedback on the application process, Castillo said the checklist bring a “certainty” to the process with each side knowing what’s required.

Mayor David Brown stated he was one of the councilmembers in September who wanted the discussion on the RDC.

“I wanted to document the relevance, because the complaint came from a developer with difficulties in the process,” he said. “Now we’ve baked in codes, I’m for the DRC. It maintains our brand of why we’re the Best Little City in the West. I back keeping DRC.”

In public comment, Dennis Beebe wondered if, “with the state sticking its nose into our business,” the city shouldn’tgive even more influence in design decision and touched on Brown’s “Best Little City in the West” reference.

“Do you think Solvang would have won that ‘Best in the West’ award if not for the decisions of the DRC?” he stated.

DRC Chair Esther Jacobson Bates spoke to advocate for the role of her committee and complimented Castillo and his staff for objectifying and making clear the elements of design.

“With that clarification, we don’t have that adversarial role that Rafael described earlier,” she said.

After public comment, councilmembers all voiced support for keeping the RDC. As Orona put it, “If it isn’t broke, don’tfix it.”

Infanti moved for the RDC to not be eliminated, with Orona seconding. The motion passed 4-0.

In other business:  

During his Manager’s Report, City Manager Randy Murphy introduced Santa Barbara County Fire Battalion Chief Tom Himmelrich and Station 30 Capt. Andrew Weddle to brief council on the May 2 fire at the “Water Wheel Building” on 2nd Street and Molle Way.

Himmelrich said the “Molle Incident” was first reported at 5:29 a.m. that morning when two callers reported smelling smoke in downtown Solvang. Station 30, located in the same building on Oak Street as the Council Chambersresponded to the incident and arrived with the building in flames.

Himmelrich then said more engines were called, and four engines and one battalion chief answered the call. Answering questions from Infanti and Brown, he said the fire was currently under investigation and the building was a total loss.

Brown praised the firefighters for their efforts: “Thank you and your team for an awesome response and efforts to prevent damage to other buildings.”

After the item on the RDC, council voted to receive and file the Solvang Entitlement and Building Checklist.

Council unanimously passed a motion to change the name of the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee to the Revenue Measures Oversight Committee.

Council agreed to table the discussion item on the city camping ordinance. The ordinance was amended in 2023 due to related court decisions in Idaho and Oregon, but those decisions have now been overturned. Brown suggested councilpostpone the item until they could properly review some “11th-hour feedback” from the county.”

With the fourth Monday of May being Memorial Day, the City Council will next meet on Tuesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m.

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