Gunmen rob McDonald’s restaurant in Lompoc

Staff report

Two masked men robbed the McDonald's restaurant in the 800 block of North H Street in Lompoc of an undisclosed amount of money about 4:30 a.m. today, police said.

Nov 20, 2009 | 9:55 am | (1) Comments

DUI driver given 15-year term

Samantha Yale Scroggin/Staff Writer sscroggin@lompocrecord.com

There were no expressions of outrage or triumph in the Santa Maria courtroom Thursday as a woman convicted of second-degree murder in a drunken-driving crash that killed a District Attorney’s Office investigator last year was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:45 pm | (0) Comments

North versus south arises in Measure A debate

By Sam Womack/Staff Writer swomack@lompocrecord.com

Discussion Thursday about a report on how to spend Measure A transportation funds in Santa Barbara County digressed into an age-old argument: the needs of the North County versus the South Coast.

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:40 pm | (0) Comments

Guidelines set for filling vacant school board seat

By Bo Poertner/Managing Editor bpoertner@lompocrecord.com

Treading familiar ground during a 2-minute special meeting Thursday, the school board set guidelines for filling the vacancy left by board member Tim Moncier.

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:40 pm | (0) Comments

Testimony describes abuse and death of 4-year-old boy

By Glenn Wallace/Staff Writer gwallace@lompocrecord.com

Diego Calles, the 4-year-old boy killed in a Lompoc motel room in July, was subjected to extended abuse and died as a result of repeated blows to the stomach, which ruptured his intestine and caused internal bleeding, a coroner testified Thursday.

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:40 pm | (0) Comments

Community celebrates children’s efforts

The second annual Community Breakfast event was held Thursday at the Boys & Girls Club of Lompoc. More than 140 members of the community, including 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, attended the breakfast, which celebrated efforts to help the community’s children. Unit director Den…

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:35 pm | (0) Comments

About Town

Turkey Trot Fun Run to be held Sunday at River Park

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:35 pm | (0) Comments

Family seeks help to pay for traditional Hmong funeral for Pfc. Kham Xiong

Staff Report

Arrangements have been made for a traditional, three-day Hmong funeral for Pfc. Kham Xiong, formerly of Lompoc, who was among 13 people killed on Nov. 12 in the shootings at Fort Hood Army Base, Texas. The family is seeking financial help from the community to pay for the funeral.

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:30 pm | (0) Comments

Johnigan sentenced to 15 years to life in prison

By Staff

A woman convicted of murder in a drunken driving crash that killed a District Attorney’s Office investigator last year should spend at least 15 years in prison, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge James Rigali ruled today.

Nov 19, 2009 | 2:15 pm | (0) Comments

Volunteers rested and ready to go

By Bo Poertner/Managing Editor bpoertner@lompocrecord.com

Volunteers who carried the Lompoc Valley to first place in the America in Bloom contest in October are rested and ready to plunge into the next phase of community beautification.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:20 pm | (0) Comments

About Town

Free Thanksgiving meal offered

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:15 pm | (0) Comments

Thrift store raises money for new CT scanner

By Dave Bemis/Associate Editor dbemis@lompocrecord.com

Hospitals across the country are constantly struggling with budget problems, but Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital has a secret weapon in the financial battle: the volunteers in its nonprofit auxiliary organization.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:15 pm | (0) Comments

County likes solar-power plan

By Sam Womack/Staff Writer swomack@lompocrecord.com

All five Santa Barbara County planning commissioners threw their weight behind a proposed 45-megawatt commercial solar project in Cuyama Wednesday, and urged the applicant to move forward with it.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:10 pm | (0) Comments

Annual Julefest begins Friday in Solvang

Staff report

The “Danish Capital of America” will be transformed into a Northern European-style Christmas village beginning Friday through Jan. 8 for Solvang’s annual Julefest Celebration.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:05 pm | (0) Comments

SMOOTH rides face rough financial road

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer jramos@lompocrecord.com

Whether it’s a ride to the doctor, pharmacy or grocery store, some senior citizens would be home bound without the Senior Dial-A-Ride program from Santa Maria Organization of Transit Helpers (SMOOTH).

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:05 pm | (0) Comments

Parking banned near troubled bridge

Samantha Yale Scroggin/Staff Writer sscroggin@lompocrecord.com

Starting this week, vehicle parking at turnouts on each end of the Cold Spring Canyon Bridge in the Santa Ynez Valley is permitted only in emergency situations.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:05 pm | (0) Comments

School board member Moncier resigns

By Bo Poertner/Managing Editor bpoertner@lompocrecord.com

Tim Moncier became the second school board member to quit in the past five months when he resigned unexpectedly Tuesday, citing an inability to serve effectively because of “health, welfare, and personal reasons.”

Nov 17, 2009 | 10:50 pm | (1) Comments

After five years, $83.6 million wastewater plant dedicated

By Glenn WallaceStaff Writer gwallace@lompocrecord.com

After five years and $83.6 million, the city has finished upgrading the Lompoc Regional Wastewater Reclamation Plant.

Nov 17, 2009 | 10:50 pm | (2) Comments

Dispute erupts over transportation fund priorities

By Sam Womack/Staff Writer swomack@lompocrecord.com

It’s uncertain whether Santa Barbara County voters who approved the Measure A transportation tax will get what they bargained for as officials debate which projects to finance first.

Nov 17, 2009 | 10:45 pm | (0) Comments