Roughly 40 Santa Maria residents, and city and state officials talked housing and employer requirements on Aug. 23 at the Edwards Community Center, where the city held its third of five community forums regarding the H-2A guest farmworker program. While the first and second meetings included presentations from city and county officials, the Aug. 23 […]
Kasey Bubnash
Posted inNews
County prohibits duck feeding at Waller Park
Like bread for a duck, a new animal feeding ban at Waller Park could be tough to swallow. New educational signs outlining the park’s rules–and reasons for them–were installed on Aug. 23, and North County Parks Operations Manager Dan Pedersen said the move is an effort to protect Waller Park’s ducks, fish, and ponds. For […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Julia Vargas
Pioneer Valley High School golfer Julia Vargas is only a junior, but her years of experience on the varsity team are putting her ahead of the competition. As the lowest scoring player and captain of her team and an A-plus student, Vargas has a full plate. But head coach Marcus Guzman said her work ethic […]
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A strained friendship: Santa Maria library opens used bookstore in space vacated by Friends group
It’s been barely a month since an unresolved legal dispute led the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library to pack its bags, close its used bookstore, and move out of the library lobby in mid July. Now another bookstore occupies the recently emptied space, and the business opened its doors to customers on Aug. […]
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County approves streamlined permitting process for accessory dwelling units
Local homeowners can now build accessory dwelling units on land protected under agricultural preserve contracts, according to amendments to the Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves that were unanimously passed by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 14. At the meeting, supervisors also approved changes that will make it easier for owners of […]
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Community mourns death of former county and city official Toru Miyoshi
After a life of public service, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor and Santa Maria City Councilmember Toru Miyoshi died on Aug. 13. He was 90 years old. Miyoshi served as a Santa Maria City Council member from 1978 to 1982, according to a county press release. Later in 1982, he was elected to the Santa […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Sebastian Saiz
Santa Maria High School’s starting quarterback Sebastian Saiz has a challenging football season ahead of him. The 17-year-old senior is following in the immediate footsteps of last year’s All-Area MVP, and he’s working with a young, inexperienced team. But head football coach Dan Ellington said Saiz is determined to make this football season a good […]
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UCSB SmartFarm uses cloud computing to help farmers increase sustainability
The cloud. It’s that mysterious term that IT technicians rattle off but never really explain, the confusing technology that somehow backs up our phones, saves our endless emails, and allows for quick and easy video streaming on Netflix. Cloud computing technology–which allows businesses and individuals to deliver and receive storage, processing power, and other computing […]
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Federal appeals court orders EPA to ban possibly harmful pesticide
In a 2-1 ruling on Aug. 9, a federal appeals court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the use of a pesticide that is widely used on California fruit and nut crops within the next 60 days. The order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit panel came as a […]
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Brandon Harper Foundation raises $2,000 for extra scholarship
Just two years into its existence, the Brandon Harper Foundation received 56 applications for its $2,000 college scholarship this school year. The Brandon L. Harper Memorial Scholarship, which is entirely paid for by donations and through fundraising, typically goes to one charismatic and resilient Santa Maria Joint Union High School District graduate each year. But […]
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“Fighting” back: Bullying behavior can both cause and be the result of trauma, and researchers say fun activities can help kids manage
The reggae that had been bumping softly throughout the gym for nearly an hour suddenly stopped, and about a dozen barefoot children stood and lined up along the edge of a bright yellow mat. Each dressed in a different colored gi, the traditional uniform worn by Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors, the students waited to be handpicked […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Bruce and Henry Newby
Up-and-coming taekwondo stars Bruce and Henry Newby are taking over the local martial arts scene. For these boys, taekwondo is more than just a sport–it’s a family affair. Their father, Cort Newby, has been practicing taekwondo since the ’90s, and the brothers train tirelessly with him at their family-owned gym, Santa Maria Taekwondo Academy. The […]
