An Allan Hancock College instructor is using his own past struggles as a single father to help current students going through the same thing. Will Bruce, director of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program, enrolled at Hancock 15 years ago in search of an education and new career. As an unemployed single father, […]
AMY ASMAN
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Recycle, reduce, reuse!
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is teaming up with cities across the nation, including Santa Maria, on Nov. 15 to celebrate “America Recycles Day” to educate people about the need to reduce waste by reusing, recycling, and buying recycled products. Santa Maria Utilities Department staffers will be at the Town Center Mall from 10 a.m. to […]
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State propositions get ratified and rejected
On top of the assortment of political candidates California voters had to choose from on Nov. 2, there were also plenty of ballot measures to consider. Here’s what voters had to say: Proposition 19—perhaps the most dubious of the measures—ended up failing by a margin of approximately eight percentage points, thus dashing some Californians’ hopes […]
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to Santa Marians working to prevent bullying and intolerance
People of all different ages and ethnicities stand together in a semi-circle, clutching clear plastic Starbucks cups filled with flickering white tea lights. A young man in a pastel dress shirt steps before a microphone set up in front of the crowd. Over the gentle murmur of conversation, he starts to speak: “I’d like to […]
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Two hearts, one mind
A Santa Maria family uses its medical journey to highlight the importance of organ donation
On a winter day in 2000, Santa Maria resident Susan Friesen took her family to a McDonalds in Santa Clarita for lunch. The Friesens had temporarily relocated to Southern California because their oldest daughter, 6-year-old Shivan, was awaiting a heart transplant at the UCLA medical center. “The girls were playing in the playhouse,” Susan recounted […]
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Feed the hungry this holiday season
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is working overtime this holiday season to feed more than 150,00 families and seniors living in the county. Through Dec. 31, the foodbank locations will station food collection bins in local grocery stores and hold special events to encourage people to donate during these especially busy months. “Now more […]
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Questions for the college bound
Allan Hancock College is getting ready to hold its annual University Transfer Day—the day students, parents, and community members get to learn all about making the transition from community college to a four-year college or university. The event, which is open to the public, will be held on Nov. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 […]
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School board bout
Two incumbents and one new challenger vie for seats on the Santa Maria-Bonita District Board of Education
Whitman vs. Brown. Maldonado vs. Newsom. Capps vs. Watson. When these candidates face off in their respective political races on Nov. 2, voters will probably know enough about their platforms to make a decision. In contrast, many people might not know enough about who’s running for the local school board. With this in mind, the […]
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Memorial services scheduled for Vandenberg airman killed in Afghanistan
Family members, friends, and fellow servicemen and women planned to gather Oct. 13 at a memorial service honoring Vandenberg Air Force Base airman Daniel Johnson, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. Air force officials sent out a press release on Oct. 12 announcing there would be a body transfer ceremony at the base […]
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Santa Marians honor victims, call on the community to stand against harassment
Several dozen people gathered at Santa Maria City Hall on Oct. 11—National Coming Out Day—in memory of the many lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender youth who have committed suicide or had their lives taken by others due to bullying or violent discrimination. The evening vigil began with a somber slide show of pictures of individuals […]
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Hancock honors philanthropy
Allan Hancock College, along with a handful of local nonprofit organizations, is inviting the public to “Celebrate Philanthropy!” at an annual luncheon on Nov. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at the Santa Maria Country Club. The event thanks longtime philanthropists whose work has impacted the community. This year’s honorees will be Royce Lewellen, Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, […]
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Santa Barbara County supervisors pick a new CEO
The search for a successor for Santa Barbara County Executive Officer Michael Brown is over. On Sept. 28, the Board of Supervisors announced the selection of San Diego resident Chandra Wallar to fill Brown’s shoes. Wallar will take the helm as the county’s chief financial officer on Nov. 1. Brown, who has been with the […]
