It’s only been two years and already community members involved with Bring Our Community Home: The 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Santa Barbara County have managed to move hundreds of chronically homeless individuals and families off the streets and into permanent housing. During a press conference on June 17, Bringing Our Community Home […]
AMY ASMAN
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Bee-utiful thing
PCPA’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee offers laughs and lots of heart
A stuttering, pre-pubescent boy stands in front of the microphone. Nervously, he wipes the gleaming sweat from his brow and takes a gulp of air. “Mr. Coneybear, your word is ‘acouchi,’” barks the announcer. “Acouchi?” the boy snickers bashfully. “In a spelling bee?” The young speller pauses and, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, […]
Posted inNews
The hospital of the future is on its way
The structural frame of Marian Medical Center addition is finished, but fundraising continues
A 20-foot steel beam soars through the air above Santa Maria’s Marian Medical Center, the summer sun reflecting off it like light off a mirror. Perched atop it are an evergreen tree and an American flag. There’s no need for psychoanalysis—this isn’t a dream loaded with strange symbolism, it’s the hospital’s official “topping off” ceremony […]
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In the line of fire
The newly appointed Santa Barbara County fire chief says he’s ready for duty
Starting this summer, fires burning in Santa Barbara County will face staunch opposition from a new county fire chief. At a special meeting on June 10, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors announced, after a nationwide search, that it has appointed Michael Dyer as fire chief, effective Aug. 3. “The Board of Supervisors had […]
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Santa Barbara County supervisors approve $780 million budget, but ask how long will it stand?
After a week of emotionally charged budget hearings, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a $780 million budget on June 12. The board also approved eliminating 146 county staff positions. Faced with a looming, multi-million-dollar deficit, the board had advised county departments to make 10 percent cuts across the board, but ended up […]
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Former Tunnel Elementary School principal pleads guilty to three felony sex charges
On June 11, Brookann Collier, the former principal of Tunnel Elementary School in Santa Maria, pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd acts and one of oral copulation with a minor. Collier originally pleaded not guilty in April to seven counts of sex with a minor, but changed her plea to reach a deal with […]
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Allan Hancock College posts fall class schedule online
Allan Hancock College posts fall class schedule online Planning to go to college in the fall? The Allan Hancock College fall 2009 class schedule is now available online at hancockcollege.edu, according to an announcement from the college. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 24. Free hard copies are also available at all college sites and various […]
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Community Action Commission offers free summer lunches to local children
Along with the summer season comes popsicles, watermelon, and barbecue. This summer, Santa Barbara County nonprofit Community Action Commission will take the food tradition one step further by offering free, nutritious meals to children and youth from low-income families. Community Action Commission—partnering with summer youth programs run by organizations such as the Boys and Girls […]
Posted inNews
Wonder women
Local public safety officials help future generations get ahead with a new law-enforcement training course
Women dressed in dark uniforms—each adorned with a unique patch and insignia—stand around the room. They have belts fastened around their hips, all bearing staples of law enforcement gadgetry: guns, handcuffs, and walkie-talkies. Each of these women is ready, at a moment’s notice, to respond to emergency situations specific to their agency. That might mean […]
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The budget game
Santa Maria school officials will be forced to make additional funding cuts come June
When California voters rejected all but one of the Legislature’s six budget-balancing propositions last month, the state’s teachers knew more cuts to education were inevitable. Not long after most of the propositions, including the three affecting education spending, failed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released his May revisions to the budget plan. According to the California Department […]
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Something to celebrate
Class has only been in session for a year at Orcutt Academy, but the charter school is already proving itself academically. According to a press release from the Orcutt Union School District, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently notified Orcutt Academy that it received the highest accreditation status possible for a first-year school. […]
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Everything you wanted to know about integrated waste management and more
The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Santa Maria Integrated Waste Management Facility Project is now available, according to an announcement from the city. The report can be reviewed at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., on the second floor. A digital copy is available on the city’s website at ci.santa-maria.ca.us/207-01.shtml. […]
