Members of the Orcutt Educators Association—the collective union that represents the school district’s faculty—continue to wear black at school board meetings to remind officials that educators are unhappy with their compensation package. So far in the negotiation process, the district has proposed a total 7 percent increase. This figure includes a 2.5 percent on-schedule boost […]
HENRY HOUSTON
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Santa Barbara County officials discuss a state water contract extension
In California, the only thing that seems to match the massive body of ocean it borders is the controversy involving water. On Nov. 5, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors discussed extending the county’s contract with the California State Water Project, the infrastructure that allows water to flow from Northern California all the way […]
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Laz-E-Daze comes out of retirement
Project plans to renovate Broadway retirement center
It might be busy days at Laz-E-Daze Retirement Center soon. Eric Dias, president, and Kevin Teixeira, chief financial officer, of Western Sky Communities, LLC, are planning to transform the former retirement center into what the Santa Maria Planning Commission is calling a high-density apartment complex. However, Dias and Teixeira don’t see it that way. They […]
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It’s in the heart
Marian Regional Medical Center volunteers give their all for patients
Sunday is really the only day off Carrie Robinson has. She’s not busy because she works as a Wall Street exec. No, she likes to busy herself because she loves volunteering. “My family has always been big on service,” said Robinson, who has volunteered with Marian Regional Medical Center for seven years and also serves […]
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Athlete of the Week: Adam Hernandez
Adam Hernandez’s passion for judo began because he had nothing to do with his time. “A friend of mine had me go with him to a judo class,” Hernandez said. “I showed up just to see how it was. A week passed, and I decided to stay with it.” It didn’t take long for Hernandez […]
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Bless you
The National Episcopal Church approves blessings of same-sex marriages
A blessing for same-sex unions has members of the national Episcopal Church jumping feet first into the debate on gay marriage. The blessing will only be binding in states where same-sex marriage is already legal, but it has nonetheless captured the attention of people across the country. With same-sex marriage already legal in six states, […]
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Greeks give back
During Cal Poly’s Greek Week, fraternities and sororities put away their togas and focused their efforts on fundraising for the Lucia Mar Unified School District. Not only did they raise $3,500 for the district, the students also brought in $2,100 for the Head Start program. The fundraising events—a penny war and a lip sync competition—also […]
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Foundation awards more than $245,000
Allan Hancock College hosted its 42nd annual scholarship awards banquet on May 26 in the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium on the Santa Maria campus. A total of 204 Hancock students received scholarships, which were donated by more than 130 different community members. The prestigious Marian Hancock Award was given to honors student Teresa Cortes, who […]
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Nipomo native receives Bill Denneen Award
Graduating Nipomo High School senior Michael Sween was recently awarded the Bill Denneen Environmental Award for his contributions to the community, including many hours volunteering at the Nipomo Native Garden. Sween was closely involved in the garden’s restoration, helping cultivate plants native to the Nipomo Mesa and dunes. He was also involved in general landscape […]
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Like a good neighbor
Grab that family and some cleaning equipment. On June 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a neighborhood clean up at the future site of self-help homes is slated to take place at the corner of North Thompson and Chestnut streets in Nipomo. The clean-up day will be held in celebration of NeighborWorks Week and […]
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Lucia Mar, it’s business time
The Lucia Mar Unified School District is bringing on board an assistant superintendent of business services. Raynee Daley , Ed.D, will be taking over the position, succeeding Janice Smith—who holds the position on an interim basis. Daley, who comes from the Merced Union High School District, will be in charge of planning, communicating, and managing […]
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Hopi away from home
Tori Doss may be a student of the Santa Maria Home School Program, but this upcoming summer, she’ll be far away from home thanks to a program sponsored by Montana Yellowstone Expedition (MYE), a division of the Orfalea Foundation. Doss will partake in the “Explore 1: River and Hopi Service” program, where she and 24 […]