Grassroots deserve some credit
OpinionLet’s give credit where credit is due. It was not just the pressure from local politicians that led Federal Receiver Clark Kelso to shelve, at least temporarily, his plan to build a 1,000-bed state prison hospital near Camarillo. A community group, known as the Prison Hospital Action Committee, was instrumental in gathering support from citizens Read More →
Esmay paved way for leaders
OpinionWe’re going to say a few words about James L. Esmay, the first dean of California Lutheran University’s School of Business. Esmay, who passed away Feb. 10 at age 79, came to CLU in 1965. After a stint at Cal State Northridge, he rejoined the campus in 1979. He was named dean of the school Read More →
Venoco project hits snag
UncategorizedOil and gas developer Venoco hit a setback in its attempt to drill for offshore oil from a site in Carpinteria. Carpinteria’s city attorney filed a complaint alleging that a proposed ballot initiative that would step around city and county approval and go straight to state regulators violates state law. The city attorney must approve Read More →
Star makes cost cuts
UncategorizedThe Ventura County Star said Feb. 18 that it will cut employees’ pay by as much as 5 percent, freeze wages and pension plans, and quit matching 401(k) contributions. The paper said the changes don’t affect its staffing levels. The cuts were announced a day before E.W. Scripps Co., which owns the Star, was slated Read More →
No felony charges in Tea Fire
UncategorizedThe Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office announced Feb. 13 that no criminal charges would be filed against the 10 people linked with starting the November Tea Fire in Montecito. However, the group will face arraignment in Superior Court March 2 on charges of trespassing, building a campfire and failure to obtain a permit required Read More →
Meltdown in SLO – Problems drain $120M from troubled county businesses
FeaturesScandals, shady dealings and projects gone wrong have swamped San Luis Obispo County. In the last year, major homebuilders in the county and their financiers have gone belly up, triggering a flurry of criminal investigations. Bankruptcy filings say thousands of creditors — many of them small-time investors who put up their savings — are on Read More →
Business looks bright – Lampshade shop has outshined big boxes for 20 years
Uncategorized[Editor’s Note: This is the first story in an occasional series from the Business Times called "Stories of Survival."] For local niche businesses looking to stand up against the competition of big box stores, there’s a lamp glowing at the end of the tunnel. That’s because Santa Barbara Lampshades, a custom lampshade store that has Read More →
