The Nipomo High School Titan Robotics Club kicked some shiny metal butt on Nov. 13 at the High Desert VEX Tournament in Hesperia, Calif. The club’s Robot 563 went 3-2 in the qualifying matches, and then 2-1 in its quarterfinal match, but lost 1-2 in the semi-final match. Robot 563B finished its qualifying rounds 4-1 […]
AMY ASMAN
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California Supreme Court upholds AB 540, but plaintiffs vow to appeal
A group of out-of-state students and parents opposed to a California law granting undocumented individuals access to in-state tuition has announced it will appeal its case to the United States Supreme Court. In November, the California Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold AB 540. The bill, which was signed into law in 2001, qualifies undocumented […]
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City organizations offer holiday fun for children home from school
The holiday season is fast approaching. School-aged children will soon be on vacation. To help families with working parents, some local organizations are offering Winter Break camps. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is inviting children ages 5 to 12 to “explore their dramatic side” in weeklong drama workshops held at the museum Dec. 27 […]
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Thinking lovely thoughts
PCPA celebrates youth, joy, and freedom with its holiday production of Peter Pan
Ask almost any child—or adult, for that matter—to explain what the beloved literary classic Peter Pan is about, and you’ll probably get several different answers, each depending on what the explainer fancies. “A boy who can fly,” says the matter-of-fact adult. “Pirates, arrr! And Indians!” shouts the hyperactive little boy. “A girl named Wendy, and […]
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Santa Barbara County sees a slight improvement in unemployment rates
Jobs are slowly starting to reappear, according to some Santa Barbara County officials. The Workforce Investment Board announced earlier this month that the county’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.7 percent in October, down three tenths of a percent from last month. The county is faring better than the state and the nation, which reported joblessness […]
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SBCAN files a lawsuit to protect county ag land
The Environmental Defense Center is doing all it can to protect Lompoc’s broccoli, lettuce, artichokes, and celery. Well, sort of. On Nov. 19, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit law firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) alleging the city of Lompoc violated state guidelines when it approved the Environmental Impact […]
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Hancock’s offering a new degree
Beginning in 2011, students who love the outdoors, sports, and other recreational activities will be able to study for a degree or certificate in recreational management at Allan Hancock College. Recreation classes available at Hancock will include introduction to recreation management (REC 101); leadership in recreation services (REC 103); program planning for recreation (REC 105); […]
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Locals remember former Santa Maria Police Chief John Sterling
John Sterling, who served as Santa Maria’s police chief from 1998 to 2003, died Nov. 14 at Stanford Medical Center due to complications from a liver condition. He was 60 years old. City Councilmember Mike Cordero, who worked under Sterling at the Police Department, confirmed his former boss’ passing to the Sun on Nov. 15. […]
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Local students have music in their hearts
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District band program needs your help to win a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. The district, with help from the Santa Maria Boys and Girls Club, recently submitted a band instrument grant request called “Music In Their Hearts.” If selected as a winner, the district would be able to […]
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Union Hotel fire deemed ‘suspicious’
The Nov. 5 fire that started in the saloon area of the 1880 Union Hotel in Los Alamos is suspected to have been intentionally set, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials. It’s suspicious, and it’s under investigation,” department spokesman Cpt. David Sadecki said. Sadecki was unable to reveal any more details about the […]
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Fresh blood
Meet the new faces on Lompoc’s City Council
The people of Lompoc voiced their frustration with local government at the polls on Nov. 2 by ousting two longtime City Council incumbents and electing political newcomer John Linn mayor over incumbent Cecilia Martner. The council will now be composed of members with two years or less of political experience each, including Linn; Martner and […]
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Veterans remembered
In honor of local veterans, fallen and living, the Old Town Orcutt Revitalization Association and several local veterans groups are planning to stand a 60-foot flagpole and memorial plaque at the entrance to the Old Town area. The association, along with area members of the Boy Scouts of America, will hold a fundraising event on […]
