SB crop values rise
Santa Barbara County’s crop values rose $34 million, or about 3 percent, in 2008, according to the Agricultural Production Report released Monday. The county’s overall crop value rose to more than $1.13 billion last year, marking the third consecutive year that gross value has surpassed $1 billion. The high figures persisted in 2008 despite less Read More →
While the federal government continues to dole out to financial giants, smaller public companies are finding it too expensive to stay on the nation’s big exchanges. Santa Barbara-based The Walking Co., formerly Big Dogs, took itself off the Nasdaq on March 23. The company had incurred some big restructuring costs, and with only about 100 Read More →
Plea due in Southwest Exchange fraud case
The daughter of a prominent Santa Barbara entrepreneur faces years in prison if she is convicted on felony charges in a case that Nevada’s Secretary of State called “quite possibly the largest case of embezzlement in the history of the state.” Nikki Pomeroy, daughter of McGhan Medical Corp. founder Donald McGhan, was indicted on 11 Read More →
When the chord changes – Guitar Center tells its layoff story
Firings hurt. They can throw an employee’s life into disarray, especially when the job market is already tight during a downturn. And most managers feel a heavy burden when they carry out cuts. “The hardest thing you do as a manager is fire somebody who doesn’t deserve it — in other words, someone who hasn’t Read More →
Visualizing expansions – Oxnard tech company plans to grow its staff
While many tri-county companies frantically figure out how to tactfully lay off staff to save costs, one business is ready to bulk up. Visual Concepts, based in Oxnard, may add as many as 10 high-paid, seasoned tech gurus to its current staff of 20 by the end of the year, all thanks to big contracts Read More →
JMike living in a galaxy far, far away
Ordinarily the tale of a 29-year-old running as a longshot candidate for mayor of the sixth largest city in the Tri-Counties would merit a passing mention on the newsmaker page. But the city happens to be Santa Barbara. And Justin, J, J Michael, JMike or, more formally, Justin Michael (Slatkin) is not your run-of-the-mill 20-something. Read More →
