Gabriela Fernandez

People gather outside the Victory Mission shelter on Soledad Street in Salinas, Calif. City leaders approved using more than $1.1 million in federal funds to potentially purchase the property as part of a Chinatown revitalization effort.

Grover Beach is taking a closer look at its water future. The city launched an in depth Water Supply Study to evaluate its long-term needs, and officials say drought and community growth are driving their efforts.

Aerial view of Government Point, located by the Point Conception Marine Protected Area. The California Fish and Game Commission will review several proposals including expanding Point Conception SMR eastward by 14.6 square miles.

California Democrats are demanding answers from an oil company that overstepped state law to restart offshore oil production near Santa Barbara.

Santa Maria City Hall. The council will vote on the issue this Tuesday.

Santa Barbara city leaders are moving forward with a proposal to revive a vacant shopping center in its downtown core. The plan would re-develop the Macy’s building into a local software company’s headquarters and the old Nordstrom space into housing.

The San Luis Obispo City Council has unanimously approved the city’s nearly $225 million budget for the next fiscal year. Officials say the spending plan avoids staff layoffs and major service reductions.

Santa Barbara city leaders are moving forward with a proposal that would create the city’s first rent stabilization program. The city council this week reviewed a draft ordinance and voted to release it for a 30-day public comment period.

The Santa Barbara City Council is moving forward with a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, but officials say difficult financial decisions lie ahead.

The Bureau of Land Management said the updated plans do not affect the Carrizo Plain National Monument, which is managed under a separate resource management plan. He said the monument remains closed to new oil and gas leasing, although a small number of preexisting leases remain active.