Heavily in debt because of a state water obligation it does not need, the Carpinteria Valley Water District should stop investing in capital improvements and consider charging growers more for water, the County Grand Jury said this week. In its final report for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the jury looked into the reasons why many valley residents are paying a monthly service charge that is more than twice as high as what residents pay elsewhere in the county.

County supervisors put the brakes on a land acquisition near Ellwood Mesa Tuesday, meaning a key gateway to the coastal hiking haven could be unprotected from future residential development. Voting 4-1, the Board of Supervisors halted the proposal to give $350,000 to a broader fund-raising push to acquire the property. The land, they said, needs further appraising. Janet Wolf, who supported earmarking the funds, voted no.

City leaders on Tuesday took a step toward banning Styrofoam containers used for prepared food and plastic bags used at grocery stores in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly.

The idea, which would have substantial ramifications for consumers and businesses, has been discussed in prior meetings relating to the need to divert trash from the Tajiguas Landfill.