Jack Dindia

With loud farm-animal utterances in the air, youth livestock exhibitors showed a variety of cows, pigs, sheep and goats at the Santa Barbara County Fair. This year’s event at the Santa Maria Fairpark was split into two parts for the first time to coincide with the Fourth of July weekend and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The second weekend of the event, on now through Sunday, features livestock exhibits from different local youth groups such as 4-H, FFA and Grange.

Lompoc’s annual Old Town Market begins this Friday, bringing different themes and entertainment throughout the summer. The six-week market, organized by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, will be held every Friday through Aug. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the 100 block of South H Street. The market will include local vendors, live music, food and drinks, as well as free entertainment for children.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors discussed two attempts to appeal transient occupancy tax bills from Montecito and Lompoc short-term rentals, the former being denied and the latter being halted. A transient occupancy tax, or a “hotel tax,” is a municipal fee charged to hotels, motels and short-term rentals. While the tax is paid by guests, the operator has the responsibility to remit the tax to the county on a monthly basis.