AMY ASMAN
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New hospital, new hope

Lompoc Valley Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s most improved hospitals, but it still faces plenty of challenges
by AMY ASMAN

Sun photographer Steve E. Miller and I are standing in a labor and delivery suite at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. And, in this case, the term “suite” really does apply. It’s a large space—about the size of a living room—with polished wood paneling and ambient mood lighting. Hanging on the walls are pastoral paintings of […]

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A win-win raffle

by AMY ASMAN

A lucky Santa Maria or Orcutt resident could be getting a brand new car soon, thanks to the sixth annual Save Our Schools Car Raffle presented by St. Joseph High School. The school started the raffle in 2005 to help pay for the renovation of its gym. “A number of alumni who are involved in […]

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A different home for the holidays

Local firefighters share what it’s like to work when other people are celebrating with family
by AMY ASMAN

It’s Thanksgiving afternoon, and you’ve just sat down to a mouth-wateringly delicious meal. You’ve taken a few minutes to express thanks over a plate piled high with turkey, pie, and all the traditional holiday fixin’s. You’re raising a forkful of steaming mashed potatoes to your lips when … the fire alarm goes off. But instead […]

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Police identify shooting victim

by AMY ASMAN

The Santa Maria Police Department has identified the teenager who died Nov. 20 from injuries sustained at a shooting in the 100 block of West Stowell Road: Juan Morales Montar. Santa Maria resident Montar, 15, and a 26-year-old man were both transported by police to Marian Medical Center after the incident, which happened around midnight. […]

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A Lompoc nonprofit’s legal woes continue

by AMY ASMAN

A second bank has filed a lawsuit against the foundering nonprofit Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation (LHCDC). The suit also lists the city of Lompoc as a defendant because officials allocated $75,000 to LHCDC through the city’s redevelopment agency. According to court documents filed on Nov. 8, Citibank is suing LHCDC on behalf of […]

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Hancock releases its spring 2012 class schedule

by AMY ASMAN

Allan Hancock College’s schedule of spring 2012 classes is now online at hancockcollege.edu. MyHancock’s “class search” feature allows both credit and Community Education students to search for the spring classes by term, subject, time of day, location, or credits. Copies of the printed spring 2012 schedule will be available at all college locations and public […]

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Let’s circle up, girls!

by AMY ASMAN

Sometimes girls just need to get together to talk about their day-to-day stresses and overall outlook on life. To help facilitate this, the Santa Maria Police Athletic League (PAL) and Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department are offering Girls Circle, a confidential program dedicated to improving the lives of girls in seventh through 12th grades. […]

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Kings of the deep

Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers respond to the much-publicized death of a great white shark
by AMY ASMAN

The great white shark is a powerful and mysterious creature that elicits a strong emotional response in humans. Love them or hate them, revere them or fear them, people can’t seem to get enough of the infamous ocean predator. When a new juvenile great white went on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in September, […]

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Enjoy fine dining for a good cause

by AMY ASMAN

Feast on seafood and steak at St. Mary of the Assumption School’s first-ever All You Can Eat Surf and Turf Celebration on Nov. 12 in the multi-purpose hall at 302 S. Miller St. in Santa Maria. The dinner will include king crab legs, top sirloin, side dishes, and dessert. A limited number of $50 tickets […]

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Sock it to me!

by AMY ASMAN

Instead of focusing on dancing, dresses, and tuxes over Homecoming Week, students in Ken Noe’s Faith in Action class at St. Joseph High School showed their school spirit by challenging fellow students, faculty, and staff members to donate as many socks as possible for local homeless shelters and hospitals. More than 1,100 pairs of socks […]

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It’s a Blue Jacket Bonanza!

by AMY ASMAN

The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau recently received a national County Activities of Excellence Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation for its “FFA Blue Jacket Bonanza” program. Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau representatives will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, next January to display their award-winning program at the annual national meeting. County Farm Bureau launched […]

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