County 10-16

A taskforce will monitor the 11 subdivisions under construction in unincorporated county territory to ensure that they do not create hazards or blight as a result of being abandoned or neglected during the nationwide credit crunch. Planning and Development head John Baker told the Board of Supervisors on 10/14 that 15,000 homes are under foreclosure throughout the county, most of them in the cities of Santa Maria and Lompoc.

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Santa Ynez resident Steve Encell is hoping an 825-pound pumpkin grown by him and his son, Pace, has a chance at not only winning the grand prize at the 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Contest in San Luis Obispo but also breaking the contest’s current record for heaviest pumpkin, 725 pounds. The behemoth squashes are scheduled to be judged on 10/16. (/greatpumpkin)