Pop star Ciara is calling all teens to get off the couch and do something to help their communities. The Grammy-winning singer recently teamed up with DoSomething.org and Staples for the second annual Do Something 101 school supply drive. According to a press release from DoSomething.org, Ciara is asking teens to make a difference […]
AMY ASMAN
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Santa Maria applies for more homelessness prevention funding
Santa Maria city officials have applied to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for increased federal funding, according to a press release from the city. The city recently submitted a revised final annual action plan for Fiscal Year 2009-10 under the Community Development Block Grant Program. According to the report, the city expects […]
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Santa Barbara supervisors approve a free prescription discount card
As lawmakers continue to debate potential health care plans on Capitol Hill, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has approved a program that will give all county residents free access to discounted prescription drugs. On July 14, the board voted unanimously to establish a free prescription discount card program. The card, which is available […]
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California legislators produce a budget plan
After months of heated debate and stalemates, members of the California Legislature announced on July 20 that they’ve reached a budget agreement that closes the state’s more-than-$26 billion deficit. At a press conference following the budget negotiations, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, accompanied by leaders of the State Senate and Assembly, remained vague about budget specifics. The […]
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Guadalupe Police Department gets some long overdue funding
A grant for $9,000 might not seem like a lot, but for the Guadalupe Police Department it’s a great starting point. Earlier this month, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced that the department will receive funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In an interview with the Sun, Guadalupe Police Chief George Mitchell said […]
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Hancock administrator says goodbye to the Bulldogs
After 17 years at Allan Hancock College, vice principal of student services Roger Welt is retiring. Welt oversaw the college’s financial aid, counseling, and disabled services department. He also played a significant role in designing and developing the Lompoc Valley Center, and establishing centers in Solvang and Vandenberg. Welt said bringing the other centers to […]
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Access to the past
La Purisima Mission staffers and volunteers offer ideas for keeping the State Park open and available to the public
When guests enter La Purisima Mission State Park, they’re not just visiting one of more than 200 state parks in California, they’re crossing the threshold into another time. After parking the car and taking a stroll through the state-of-the-art visitor center, visitors cross an old oak bridge and are immediately transported to the rugged California […]
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Farewell, customs
Local companies balk at the removal of a customs facility at Santa Maria Airport
International flights carrying foreign goods are going to have to go through inspections someplace else following the Santa Maria Airport District Board of Directors’ decision to shut down its three-year-old U.S. Customs facility. Earlier this year, the board voted to terminate customs services after a district staff report found that continued operation of the $218,000-plus […]
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Wishing and hoping
Fighting a deadly disease can make a normal childhood incredibly difficult. Instead of going to soccer practice and sleepovers, kids have to deal with doctors’ offices and drug treatments. But thanks to organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, children with life-threatening medical conditions get to forget about their troubles and focus on just being kids. Since […]
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Cold Spring Bridge suicide barrier report is ready for public viewing
Caltrans has completed the environmental impact report for the proposed suicide barrier on the Cold Spring Bridge on State Route 154, according to a press release from the state. Members of the public can review the document at the Santa Barbara County libraries in Santa Barbara, Solvang, Goleta, and Montecito. The project proposes constructing a […]
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West Nile virus is in Santa Barbara County, officials say
Earlier this month, Santa Barbara County officials reported that a bird had tested positive for west Nile virus in the Santa Ynez area. The bird, which was submitted for testing by the Mosquito and Vector Management District, marked the county’s first instance of west Nile virus this year. “This is not unexpected,” Dr. Elliot Schulman, […]
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It’s official: The Sun is an award-winning newspaper
The Santa Maria Sun is now a national award-winning paper. The Sun received four top awards from the 2009 Better Newspaper Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest, held by the National Newspaper Association. Best of Santa Maria Valley 2008 took first place for Best Special News, Sports, or Feature Section or Edition, non-daily division, circulation […]
