Picture young Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights as he takes his dad’s car for a cruise at the grocery store while his mother looks on, distraught. “Look Momma—I’m goin’ fast,” screams little Ricky. That’s about the age that local racer Kyle Heckman got behind the wheel of his first car. Heckman, who grew up on […]
KRISTINA SEWELL
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Adopt a furry friend
Cats and kittens have taken over shelters in Santa Barbara County. With “kitten season” still in full swing, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is partnering with the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) and the Santa Barbara Animal Care Foundation to find homes for the felines. On Aug. 18 and 19, Animal Services, ASAP, and the […]
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Truancy crackdown
A new partnership aims to reduce Santa Barbara County truancy rates
Leaders from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, county officials, and local school districts recently announced their new partnership in the battle against truancy. In October 2011, a Santa Barbara County Grand Jury issued a report Where is the Truancy Program in Santa Barbara County? The report recommended that the county, the DA’s office, […]
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Step into another era
Polish your spats and grab your garter belts—the Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis is presenting its third annual “Speakeasy” event. Set to include dinner, dancing, and mock gambling, the Speakeasy event is part of the Kiwanis’ fundraising efforts to support local youth organizations. On Aug. 10, make your way to the door of the Veterans Memorial […]
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Keeping it local
See how these small farms are changing the way we support local agriculture
The grand white house, originally built in 1927, stands among imposing industrial buildings on Blosser Road. With a scattering of trees and a small vegetable stand in the driveway, the house is a throwback to small-town Santa Maria. The property belongs to Jerry Mahoney, a third-generation farmer and owner of Blosser Urban Garden TKP Farms. […]
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Help for our heroes
The Department of Veterans Affairs remains on edge, potentially facing cuts in its spending budget this year if Congress can’t agree on a new deficit reduction plan. Despite the impending slash in funds, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to provide medical and health care to qualified veterans across the United States. This year marks […]
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Spotlight on: Uptown Attic
Danika Randa, owner
Danika Randa is a self-proclaimed “stuff” lover; she loves to make and collect “stuff.” So when she decided to abandon her grueling Emergency Medical Technician career and open a consignment store specializing in unique “stuff,” it was a dream come true. Located in Orcutt, Uptown Attic opened four months ago after three months of preparation […]
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Pioneer Valley says goodbye to a beloved coach and teacher
A collection of flowers, pictures, and candles maintained by students on their summer vacation currently surrounds the flagpole at Pioneer Valley High School, commemorating the life of former teacher and coach Neil Reed. Reed’s sudden and unexpected death on July 26 has left a family grieving and a tight-knit school community reeling with shock. Reed […]
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Athlete of the Week: Brandon Erickson
Local golfer Brandon Erickson claimed the championship trophy at the Fred Grant Memorial Junior Golf Tournament on July 13th, sponsored by the Santa Maria Elks at the Rancho Maria Golf Club. The tournament is held annually in honor of Fred Grant, who was a longtime member of the Elks, as well as an advocate and […]
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Woman in combat
Santa Maria’s Florinda Camarillo-Hernandez is ready to fight on the front lines
The M1 Abrams tank weighs in at a formidable 62.8 tons of heavy metal. It can reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour. Originally entering the U.S. Army service in 1980, the M1 Abrams tank uses mobility, shock effect, and sheer firepower to eliminate enemy forces. Equipped with a 105-millimeter main armament gun, […]
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Athlete of the Week: Pete Fabela
When 22-year-old Pete Fabela first walked into the Hitman gym in Santa Maria, he had no idea of the path that lay before him. Two years ago, Fabela found he was following a destructive path, and he decided to make a change. That decision led him to the doors of Hitman, and the intense world […]
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The legacy of Joe White lives on
Joe White, former Allan Hancock College basketball coach and athletic director during the 1970s, helped to establish an athletic program that encourages student-athletes to excel both on and off the field. To honor White and all he did for AHC Athletics, the AHC Boosters Inc. is getting ready to hold its 11th annual Joe White […]