An anonymous letter sent to local media by a group of “concerned professional firefighters” is raising some concerns about Santa Barbara County’s emergency aviation unit, a joint program between the sheriff’s and fire departments. The departments officially consolidated their helicopter fleets in July to save the county money on maintenance and training costs. Sheriff Bill […]
AMY ASMAN
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God bless ye merry animals
Pets big and small—and even some teddy bears—were the guests of honor at the feast of St. Francis of Assisi blessing on Oct. 4 at St. Mary of the Assumption School. Students and families joined millions of people around the world to have their pets blessed. Father Rolly Clarin led the prayer service and blessed […]
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Educating the electorate
Candidates answer questions at the Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board of Education forum
Four of the six candidates running for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board of Education spoke at a public forum on Oct. 4 at Tommie Kunst Junior High School. For two hours, board incumbents Linda Cordero and Jody Oliver and challengers Ricky Lara and John Hollinshead spoke about meeting children’s educational needs in a financially […]
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The Santa Maria-Bonita school board drama continues
The Oct. 3 school board meeting for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD) was more subdued than some meetings past, but officials and community members alike still had plenty to say. During the public comment period, three individuals got up to speak, including former SMBSD student Joseph Goldin and his father Glenn Goldin, chairman of […]
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Travel to Paris or Rome!
Studying abroad is a right of passage for many college-age students, including those who attend Allan Hancock College. Hancock is offering two unique study abroad experiences this year: a spring session in Rome and a summer session in Paris. There will be an informational meeting on these programs Oct. 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. […]
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Wildfires–they’re not all bad
Wildfire is often viewed as only a destructive force that threatens humans, animals, and property, but in California it also plays an integral role in shaping our regional ecology. Locals can learn more about the relationship between fire and the environment at a free lecture by fire ecologist Jon E. Keeley on Oct. 11 at […]
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District Attorney serves search warrants on former LHCDC director
Financial records belonging to the defunct nonprofit Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation (LHCDC) are finally in the possession of the Santa Barbra County District Attorney’s Office. On Sept. 12 and 13, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kelly Scott served several search warrants on LHCDC’s former director, Sue Ehrlich, and seized dozens of boxes of documents. […]
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Nipomo educator wins SLO County Teacher of the Year
Ann Elliott, a third grade teacher at Dorothea Lange Elementary School, never thought she’d win an award like San Luis Obispo County Teacher of the Year. She distinctly remembers when her husband’s aunt won the award in her school district, more than 25 years ago. “And I thought, ‘Oh, that will never be me,’” Elliott […]
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Who will lead?
The Sun talks to seven people running for two spots on the Santa Maria City Council
The campaign for Santa Maria City Council is shaping up to be one of the most competitive political races on the Central Coast. Three incumbents and four challengers will face off to represent a city burdened by tough economic times and a controversial police department. Current City Council members Alice Patino and Mike Cordero are […]
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Cancer survivors have a night out
Surviving cancer can take its toll on the body, mind, and spirit, but it’s still something worth recognizing and celebrating. On Oct. 3, Marian Cancer Care will host the second annual Girls’ Night Out event for female cancer survivors on the Central Coast. The festivities will start at 6 p.m. in the Mission Hope Cancer […]
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Lucia Mar teachers to vote on TAP again
Members of the Lucia Mar Unified Teachers Association are set to vote Sept. 27 on a new agreement that could potentially change the way TAP—an incentive-based education program—is implemented at district school sites. Funded primarily by grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Incentive Fund, TAP is an educational reform program that aims to […]
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Linking students to the future
The California Department of Education is launching a new pilot program that will give up to 20 school districts across the state money to create curricula designed to help students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in careers and college. Applicants to the Linked Learning pilot program can include school districts, county offices of […]
