Santa Barbara County Superior Court judges recently selected Darrel Parker to succeed retiring Court Executive Officer Gary Blair, effective July 1. Blair, who’s leaving his post after 37 years with the county, will be handing off his duties to someone he believes is extremely capable and has the skills and expertise to get the job […]
Camillia Lanham
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Righetti High graduate’s art to show in D.C.
The image of a boarded-up Santa Barbara County diner has made it to Washington D.C. thanks to 2013 Ernest Righetti High School graduate Christa Weston. Weston won the U.S. Congressional Arts Competition for California’s 24th District with the photograph and will head to a reception in Washington, D.C., on June 26. Her image is […]
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Children’s Spanish classes offered at Hancock
Kids can get an introduction to the Spanish language in a new, introductory Spanish course offered through Allan Hancock College Community Education’s College for Kids. The class, “A Taste of Spanish,” is for children who have little or no background in the language who are entering second, third, or fourth grade in the fall. […]
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Education conversation
Parents who want change at Santa Maria High School recently released a platform outlining what they think will help move students along
Change is coming. Ultimately, that’s the goal for parents and community members who voiced their desire for change by creating an education platform. The platform was produced by the recently formed Parents/Community Involvement Committee. Some of the group’s members are the same parents who wanted, among other things, an equal share of votes on Santa […]
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Bonds and basin levels
A dry spring led to lower-than-usual water basin levels within the Nipomo Community Services District, pushing officials to move quickly on the $17.5 million water pipeline project, which starts with the sale of $10.5 million worth of bonds. Not that low water basin levels on the Mesa are anything new for the district, said NCSD […]
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County supervisors add $7.13 million to final budget
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate an extra $7.13 million in addition to passing the staff-recommended budget for 2013-2014 during its final budget hearing on June 14. Additional money went to fund more than 20 programs, departments, and projects whose representatives successfully pleaded their cases to supervisors over the previous week. […]
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Anticipating the end
With yet another fumigant facing stricter regulations due to health risks, strawberry farmers wonder what’s next
Black ink practically screamed “Safe Strawberries Now!” from neon pink stickers worn by attendees at a recent Santa Maria meeting to discuss the latest pesticide to face increasing regulations. Fieldworkers and activists echoed the sentiment spelled out on their chests during the public comment period at the end of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation-led […]
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Santa Maria High seniors leave parting gifts
What do you give a school that took care of you over the course of four years? Most seniors leave nothing, but a conscientious few from Santa Maria High School decided to give a gift that left a lasting impression—and got themselves a good grade in the process. Students from the Advancement Via Individual Determination […]
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Bilingual seniors earn special recognition
The art of mastering two languages is tricky, and for 111 seniors graduating from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, it did take some work. Those students earned themselves a special Seal of Biliteracy Recognition Award on their high school diplomas by taking four years of high school languages with a 3.0 GPA, […]
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Lucia Mar re-funds some cut programs
Lucia Mar re-funds some cut programs In addition to the programs and positions the Lucia Mar Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to restore in May, all district employees are anticipating a 2 percent pay increase. The board was expected to approve the bump at its June 11 meeting. The increase would be a […]
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The rodeo’s medicine man
Rick Foster walks the line between rider and animal through his work as a trainer with Justin Sports Medicine
Bulls and broncos are separated, cordoned off into their designated holding corrals next to an empty arena. A rider walks over to one of the fences and climbs up two rungs to peer at what the night will have in store for him. It’s May 31 and the rodeo doesn’t start for three more hours, […]
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Lady Knights make one big hairy donation
Two hundred inches of hair can go a long way to help those in need. In the case of hair donated to Locks of Love, it provides disadvantaged children with medical hair loss a chance to wear their hair down. On May 28, 19 Lady Knights from St. Joseph High School each shed at least […]
