When Jessica Zarate moved to the U.S. from Mexico as a child, she was so young that the memory didn’t stick, and she grew up thinking she was born and raised an American. It wasn’t until high school, when Zarate’s mom first brought up college, that Zarate found out she wasn’t a documented U.S. citizen, […]
Kasey Bubnash
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Strips that save: Pacific Pride Foundation distributed thousands of fentanyl test strips in past year
It’s been a little over a year since several organizations throughout the state started giving out free fentanyl test strips in an effort to curb opioid overdoses. Since then, California has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars distributing the strips to syringe exchange programs across California, including Santa Barbara County’s Pacific Pride Foundation, which alone […]
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Lompoc High School Unified Basketball
After beating out teams from across the nation in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, the Lompoc High School Unified Basketball team took home bronze medals on July 6. More than 4,000 participants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in 14 team and individual sports at the tournament, which Seattle hosted […]
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County works to detain fewer youths
Fewer kids are being detained in local juvenile detention facilities because of several newly implemented policies that county officials say could better aid at-risk youth and their families. As part of Renew 22, a five-year countywide initiative aimed at increasing departmental efficiency, the Santa Barbara County Probation Department launched an internal investigation into its juvenile […]
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Laurus College now offering four bachelor’s degree programs
Santa Maria residents hoping to get a bachelor’s degree at home are in luck. Laurus College, a family-owned private college established in 2006, is now offering four bachelor’s degrees in business systems management, digital arts and computer animation, information technologies and network systems, and web design and development. The programs, which were already offered by […]
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Guadalupe awarded $4.5 million for LeRoy Park renovations
Long-awaited repairs are coming to Guadalupe’s LeRoy Park and its community center, according to Guadalupe Mayor John Lizalde, who announced on July 10 that the city was awarded a $4.5 million federal grant to fund the project. A sprinkler system, barbeque pits, and new landscaping will be added to the 5-acre park, which Lizalde said […]
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Gloria Soto announces candidacy for District 3 City Council seat
Surrounded by dozens of enthusiastic supporters, lifelong Santa Maria resident Gloria Soto announced her candidacy for the City Council’s District 3 seat outside the Minami Community Center on June 21. Business owners, several recent high school graduates, and staff members of various advocacy organizations gathered outside Minami at noon that day to show support for […]
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SMAT bus driver involved in fatal collision will not face criminal charges
The Santa Maria city bus driver involved in April’s fatal collision with a bicyclist will not face criminal charges, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Santa Maria resident Veronica Perez, 43, was seriously injured when she was hit by a Route 7 Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) bus just before 6 p.m. […]
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Orcutt American Little League player Carson Gooley
Although Orcutt American Little League player Carson Gooley is truly versatile on defense, head coach Jim Stollberg said his exceptional infield game is unmatched by any local athletes his age. “Carson was our most electric player and his positive attitude made his teammates play better every day,” Stollberg told the Sun. Gooley, who recently wrapped […]
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Federal funding reinstated to Community Action Partnership sex ed programs
It’s been a financially rocky year for some Community Action Partnership San Luis Obispo programs, but because of a recent federal court ruling, the nonprofit will continue offering its reproduction education courses to local schools and youth organizations. Community Action Partnership won grant funding in 2015 through the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, which provides financial […]
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Santa Maria City Council puts increased sales tax on November ballot
If Santa Marians want to improve and maintain the city’s public safety services, it’s going to cost. The Santa Maria City Council voted unanimously on July 3 to put Measure U2018, the Public Safety and Essential Services Measure, on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The measure, according to a city staff report, would extend […]
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Central Coast Competitive Cheer
The Central Coast Competitive Cheer team may be new to the game, but its members are ready to be aggressive, B-E aggressive. Experienced coaches Kira Farrell and Candace Robertson-Farrell cheered at Cal Poly and Robertson studied dance at Allan Hancock College–have their sights set on a national championship. But Farrell and Robertson said the cheer […]
