October usually conjures up visions of fall leaves and spooky tombstones that say “R.I.P.”—but students in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District are now focusing on a slightly different set of letters: “RIF.” The national Reading Is Fundamental “Books for Ownership” program is donating free books to more than 11,500 local children throughout the month. District […]
AMY ASMAN
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Watch before you vote
In case you missed it, the Oct. 9 League of Women Voters forum for candidates for the Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors and the Santa Maria City Council will show on Government Access channel 25 on Fridays at 7 a.m. and on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. until the election.
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Central Coast water quality symposium is scheduled for Nov. 6 in Santa Maria
Santa Maria residents will have a chance to sound off on water issues at the Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition Symposium on Nov. 6. The symposium will highlight the appearance of nitrates and other substances in water sources and its relation to fertilizer. According to a press release from the coalition, a representative from […]
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Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan moves forward
Members of the Santa Maria City Council cheered as city staffers presented the final stages of the Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan at the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, when council members unanimously approved a project blueprint and other final project guidelines. The plan awaits final approval on Nov. 4. According to the project plan and […]
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Measure for measure
Measure D hits Nov. 4 ballots as the new-and-improved Measure A
On Nov. 4, Californians will have a list of 12 state propositions to mull over, focusing on issues from gay marriage to alternative energy to veterans’ benefits. On the local level, Santa Barbara County voters will have several more measures to consider. However, only one of the measures will have a direct impact on the […]
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Caution: Disaster drill is fast approaching
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District will hold its fall disaster drill on Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. Students and staffers at every school and district building will practice the duck-and-cover, fire evacuation, and search and rescue procedures. The district will also test its emergency radio communication process. According to a press release from the district, […]
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Literacy and Multicultural Fest comes to town again
On Oct. 25, Santa Maria residents are invited to “Unlock the Mystery with Literacy” at the Central Coast Literacy Council’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. The event will take place at 6:25 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., and will feature a Mexican buffet, a no-host bar, and a mystery theater performance. […]
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Get your pet chipped!
On Oct. 25, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society will host its monthly microchipping clinic from 10 a.m. to noon. The clinic is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, and both cats and dogs are welcome. The fee is $32 per microchip, per pet, and $27 if the owner is a Humane […]
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Los Padres National Forest participates in a national visitor survey
Officials at Los Padres National Forest recently signed up to participate in a one-year visitor survey called the National Visitor Use Monitoring program. Done in partnership with California State University, San Marcos, the survey will be conducted by interviewers stationed at pre-selected points in the forest. The survey began earlier this month and will last […]
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Santa Barbara County completes hydromulching ahead of schedule
Aerial hydromulching for most of the foothill areas burned during the Gap Fire has been completed—ahead of schedule and on budget, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department officials announced on Oct. 17. On Oct. 7, the county began its portion of aerial hydromulching work for approximately 1,000 acres of land burned by the Gap Fire […]
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Lompoc residents question bringing ‘God’ to city hall
It’s been three weeks since the Lompoc City Council voted in favor of displaying the words “In God We Trust” in City Council chambers and the city hall lobby. Approved by a 4-1 vote, with councilmember Ann Ruhge dissenting, the decision sparked some controversy when it was announced on Oct. 7. And the decision is […]
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Lompoc faces a lot of choices for City Council
Nine candidates throw their hats – and ideas – into the political ring
Come Nov. 4, Lompoc residents will have a long list of candidates to choose from to fill three spots on the Lompoc City Council. This year, longtime Mayor Dick DeWees is up for reelection and is being challenged by Dulcie Sinn and John Linn. Sinn worked for seven years as the city’s former Family Resource […]