The Santa Ynez Valley News

Operation Kids Christmas, a tradition at Vandenberg Air Force Base that has outlasted multiple launch systems, numerous unit reorganizations and too many personnel changes to count, on Saturday marked 51 years of delivering holiday cheer to local youngsters. Full Story »

6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 140 W. Highway 246. The new mayor and mayor pro tem will be elected by the five council members. That new mayor could be the current mayor, Russ Hicks, or any other council member. Full Story »

Dr. Takashi Michael Wada has been named as Santa Barbara County’s medical officer, county officials announced today. Full Story »

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors made the first move to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries and control cigarette smoke and associated litter at county parks and beaches Tuesday in its final meeting of 2009. Full Story »

A NASA satellite that will survey the sky for cosmic treasures, using super-cold technology, must wait until at least Friday morning before getting a ride to space from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Full Story »

Santa Claus is always racing around at top speed this time of year, but he’ll be making pit stops in the Valley this weekend as a favor to the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club. Full Story »

About 1,000 jobs in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are waiting to be filled as the local office of the U.S. Census Bureau prepares for the 2010 tally of people living in America. Full Story »

State officials announced last week that the State Water Project would allocate only 5 percent of its customers’ contracted amounts — a record low — but Solvang’s top utilities official said there is no need to panic. Full Story »

Santa Claus had a rival Monday afternoon at the Vikings annual Christmas party. Children excitedly surrounded Pintito the miniature pony, wanting to pet him or sit on him for a picture, during the party at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. Full Story »

A frigid winter storm dumped rain across the Central Coast Monday, leading to precarious driving conditions but mostly just minor accidents. The cold front moving through the region brought a dusting of snow to higher elevations overnight, though Tuesday turned out clear and sunny. Full Story »

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a special trip to the Santa Ynez Valley last weekend to be the grand marshals for the Julefest tree-lighting ceremony and parade. Full Story »

Based on a book by Michael Lewis, “The Blind Side” chronicles the real-life story of homeless African American teen Michael Oher who, with the help of a benevolent family, overcomes adversity to become a college student and later a 2009 first-round NFL draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens. Full Story »

Decisions on the county’s telecommunications law and a residence on the Gaviota Coast were made last week by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. Full Story »

Pam Stover of Los Olivos Elementary School was honored in November as the Valley’s Educator of the Month for September by the Valley Oaks Branch of Montecito Bank and Trust. Full Story »

A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Mission Santa Ines for Santa Barbara County firefighter Dean Moore, who was stationed in Los Alamos. Full Story »

A small part of Hancock College’s $180 million Measure I reconstruction is called the Phoenix Project. Like the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, the project will do the same for the college’s data systems, according to Carol Van Name, Hancock’s director of information technology. Full Story »

Santa Barbara County’s head honcho, Chief Executive Officer Mike Brown, plans to retire within the year. Full Story »

Any time a local law enforcement officer successfully concludes the chase of a suspect, Steve Yamaichi feels a bit of satisfaction. Full Story »

diversity of opinion on the subject. Representatives of Preserv-ation of Los Olivos (POLO) have asked people to write letters or attend the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting today to seek a moratorium or ban on pot dispensaries. Full Story »

This is the 19th year that Bent Olsen has made a giant gingerbread house for spectators to view during the holidays, and the Solvang baker says he never grows tired of his personal Christmas tradition. Full Story »

brightest Christmas display every holiday season, but this year the couple is going a step further. The Alexanders are putting their display to good use, in partnership with Old Mission Santa Ines, by hosting a toy drive for underprivileged children in the Valley. Full Story »

Elder David Clark has just completed the first year of a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is serving in the Cebu Philippines Mission, where he is presently working in the city of Apas Lahug. Full Story »

Ann Bramsen’s favorite place to work as an attorney is the courtroom, which offers the challenge of making split-second decisions and constantly changing strategy. Full Story »

Home foreclosures haven’t been on the forefront of the local consciousness for the past few months, but in Santa Barbara County they have remained steadily high in 2009. Full Story »

Authorities believe a man who was driving a vehicle that crashed off the side of East Camino Cielo remained injured at the crash site for 24 hours before he was found Tuesday afternoon. Full Story »