After four months of stake outs and information gathering, a team of local and federal law enforcement officials broke up what it calls a “sophisticated drug trafficking ring” that spanned three counties. On July 2, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit—with help from the Santa Maria Police Department, San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department, and […]
AMY ASMAN
Posted inNews
Methyl iodide generates buzz at the state level
California officials have received a record number of public comments regarding the use of methyl iodide, a controversial pesticide that could be used by the state’s strawberry and flower growers. In a recent interview with the Sun, Department of Pesticide Regulation spokesperson Lea Brooks said her office is in the midst of reviewing more than […]
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Local school district mourns one leader, searches for another
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District is now accepting applications from the public to fill the Board of Education seat formerly held by Ken Milo, a longtime district advocate who died in June. Milo had two years left of his four-year board term when he passed away. Applications for the position must be submitted to the […]
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Kids discover the importance of safety
Beginning Aug. 2, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum will be host to a weeklong program called Safety Town, aiming to teach children ages 4 to 6 commonsense safety tips, ranging from learning not to touch the stove to how to recognize a police officer. Members of the police and fire departments, as well as […]
Posted inNews
Killer adventure
A whale expert invites Central Coast residents to get up close and personal with orcas
Despite its rather ominous name, the killer whale isn’t a threat to humans—at least that’s the message educator and author Randall Eaton is trying to get out to the public. Eaton will be leading several expeditions to the San Juan Islands in Washington’s Puget Sound this summer to teach people about orca whales in their […]
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Local vineyard wins top honor
Santa Maria’s Bien Nacido Vineyards has been named the 2010 California Vineyard of the Year. The California Exposition and State Fair planned to officially recognize the vineyard at the 15th annual California’s Grape and Gourmet event on July 7 in Sacramento. Each year, the Vineyard of the Year title goes to a California vineyard that […]
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Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley reveals plan to restructure office
Newly sworn-in Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley is cleaning house. In a July 2 message to office staff members, Dudley announced that rather than appointing a new chief assistant district attorney, she will use the funds to create three new focus divisions. The leaders of these units will report to Dudley directly. The […]
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Federal grants help keep local firefighters up to date
The Santa Maria Fire Department is getting a much-needed upgrade. On July 2, U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced the city’s fire services received a $97,100 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant will go toward the purchase of thermal imaging cameras and crew development training. […]
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Got what it takes to be a leader?
Santa Maria Valley has some new leaders in the community. On June 21, a total of 27 local high school students graduated from the second Teen Leadership Santa Maria Valley class, which is run by several local organizations and teaches participants about important valley issues, as well as leadership skills. Graduating class members came from […]
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Heroes in the sky
Nonprofit trauma company CALSTAR treats the Central Coast’s most vulnerable patients
Believe it or not: There are flying ambulances on the Central Coast. For the past eight years, California Shock/Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) has been operating an air ambulance service out of the Santa Maria Airport. The company uses fully equipped medical helicopters and one fixed-wing airplane to treat and transport critically ill, injured, and pediatric […]
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Search for missing firefighter suspended
After five days of scouring the Santa Barbara County coastline, authorities have suspended the search for missing Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighter Sean Fleming. “Our condolences go out to Sean’s family and friends,” 30th Space Wing commander Col. Richard Boltz said in a press release on June 25. “Team Vandenberg will continue to support them […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Doggie treat
PCPA’s Sylvia offers a howlingly funny night at the theater
I have to admit I was a little skeptical about whether or not Sylvia would be any good. The Drama Desk Award-winning play puts an unusual twist on the ever-popular plot device of a love triangle between a man and the two women competing for his heart; this time, one of the women is a […]
