After months of stalled planning, the three environmental groups made infamous for penning a semi-private deal with a Texas-based oil company have revealed a newly revised agreement aimed at ending drilling off the Santa Barbara coastline. On April 7, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) and 1st District County Supervisor Salud Carbajal joined representatives for the […]
AMY ASMAN
Posted inNews
Republican Tom Watson aims to bump Congresswoman Lois Capps out of her 23rd District seat
When asked what sets him apart from the other Republican candidates running for the 23rd District Congressional seat, Tom Watson said: “I live in the district, for one. I think that’s going to be problematic for [rival Republican] John Davidson.” Davidson, for the record, lives in Thousand Oaks. “I think that’s something [incumbent Democrat Lois] […]
Posted inNews
Let’s talk about sex(ting)
Law enforcement agents and teen groups are reporting an increase in pornographic messages and photos sent via cell phone
Across the nation, thousands of individuals and organizations are dedicated to teaching teens about the importance of safe and healthy sexual habits. There are also plenty of people and groups who advocate for abstinence only. And now, thanks to the increasingly wired world in which we live, those educators are adding another topic to their […]
Posted inNews
Republican candidates for 23rd Congressional District will face off in a public debate
A quartet of Republicans is campaigning for the chance to knock longtime Congressional representative Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) out of her 23rd District seat. The candidates—John Davidson, Dave Stockdale, Clark Vandeventer, and Tom Watson—will match political wits at a public debate on April 25 at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., in Solvang. […]
Posted inNews
Discovery Museum offers free field trips for local schools
Local schools looking for a fun and free field trip for students needn’t search farther than their own backyard. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is offering scholarships so kids can have hands-on learning experiences despite cuts to education funding. “Schools have been taking advantage of this financial program throughout the year, but there are […]
Posted inNews
AHC gets a techno-boost
Beginning this summer, Allan Hancock College students won’t have to stand in line to register for classes anymore, college officials recently announced in a press release. Hancock is using Measure I funds to update all of its operations technology, including a simplified online class registration process and student records. The new operations system replaces the […]
Posted inNews
Keeping it lean
Allan Hancock College teams up with local businesses to teach employees about lean manufacturing
Dozens of students sit hunched over long, plastic tables, meticulously folding and refolding pieces of paper as the teacher monitors their progress with a watchful eye. It’s difficult to see what they’re making under the flurry of smoothing and pinching: Is it origami? Or maybe it’s a gift-wrapping workshop at a local department store? Nope. […]
Posted inNews
Lompoc helps teens jump-start their careers
In preparation for the summer job season, the Lompoc Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Department is hosting a Jump Start Career Camp April 6 through 9 for teenagers interested in finding employment. Professionals at the camp will offer helpful techniques to a successful career hunt, including how to fill out applications, résumé writing, and interviewing […]
Posted inNews
Santa Maria-Bonita School District education board denies petition for charter school
On March 24, members of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board of Education voted unanimously against a local group’s petition to open a charter school in the Santa Maria area. When making their decision, board members—along with district Superintendent Phil Alvarado, who was present at the meeting—argued that the Santa Maria Valley Charter School petition […]
Posted inNews
Eggs take flight at Orcutt Academy
Rather than hunting for eggs in the grass, students in Orcutt Academy’s Introduction to Engineering class launched the fragile, shelled shapes into the sky March 25 as part of a mathematical experiment. Equipped with tissue and wrapping paper, the students were told to design and construct hot air balloons capable of lifting an egg. Each […]
Posted inNews
Bust some mutton at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo
Calling all future rodeo kings and queens: The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is now accepting applications for its annual Mutton Bustin’ event, which will be held June 4 through 6. Entries are being accepted through April 1. According to a press release from the Elks Rodeo, the event is open to children ages 5 to […]
