An altercation at a Santa Maria pro-Trump rally on Nov. 8 led to a man being held in a chokehold following a multi-car accident that occurred near the rally. According to a video of the incident, which was posted on multiple social media platforms and has racked up thousands of views, a man holds Jacob […]
MALEA MARTIN
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CenCal Health distributes 2,000 pulse oximeters for health care providers to give to Central Coast patients
While many unknowns still remain about COVID-19, what’s well documented is that serious cases of the disease can impact a person’s oxygenation levels—sometimes rapidly and with little warning. Dr. Keith Emmons, medical director at CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan, called this “one of the cruelties of this disease.” “The normal oxygenation would be, […]
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Political sign dispute in Santa Maria neighborhood continues past Election Day
In June, Santa Maria resident Stephen Siemsen decided to protest the White House by hanging an American flag upside down in his window, a choice that drew criticism from some residents of Quail Meadows East, the manufactured home park where Stephen and his wife, Lisa Casillas-Siemsen, reside. But the dispute didn’t end there. Now, the […]
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Recent progress reports for Santa Maria Joint Union High School students reveal unusually low grades during distance learning
Joseph Graack, a parent and social science teacher at Righetti High School, estimates that over the past four years of teaching economics he’s given out maybe two failing grades. But so far this semester, he has “well over 30” students who are failing, despite this being “the most work I’ve ever put into a school […]
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Coalition launches COVID-19 education campaign
A coalition of Santa Barbara County education and health care leaders recently announced a campaign to “save lives, reduce the transmission of COVID-19, reopen more businesses and schools, and maintain access to vital health care.” County Deputy Health Officer and Masked and Mighty coalition leader Dr. Peggy Dodds said the group is made up of […]
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Unemployment rates stagnate after months of improvement
Since joblessness spiked in April, the unemployment rate has seen month-to-month improvements. But September’s numbers indicate that those gains may be stagnating. Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Glenn Morris said that unemployment rates could be tied to what reopening tier on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy that a county […]
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The Delta High School Garden is getting a major upgrade thanks to a partnership with Armando’s Autobody
The Delta High School garden has been teaching students how to grow their own nutritious produce since it was first constructed in 2017, but thanks to a recent community partnership, the high school is now taking its agricultural endeavors up a notch. “Over the last year or so, I had just been wishing that we […]
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Health officials say restrictions are still necessary to maintain public health, despite major improvement in hospitalization rates
In both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, COVID-19 hospitalization numbers are at their lowest since early in the pandemic. But this metric, widely regarded as one of the most accurate for measuring COVID-19 impact in a community, is no longer considered in the state’s reopening system. Some public officials, such as Santa Barbara […]
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Health officials say restrictions are still necessary to maintain public health, despite major improvement in hospitalization rates
In both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, COVID-19 hospitalization numbers are at their lowest since early in the pandemic. But this metric, widely regarded as one of the most accurate for measuring COVID-19 impact in a community, is no longer considered in the state’s reopening system. Some public officials, such as Santa Barbara […]
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Things are looking sunnier for Central Coast tanning salon owners who are finally getting back to business
Cristin Nightingale, owner of Sunkissed Tanning Salon in Santa Maria, had always wanted to own her own salon, “even since high school.” In mid 2019, she decided to take the leap. “It was a long process,” Nightingale recalled. “I had to find the spot, get the [tanning] beds, decorate it, and all that fun stuff.” […]
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Propositions 20 and 25 would impact sentence lengths, DNA collection, parole, and cash bail system
California voters will have the opportunity to vote on criminal justice reforms through two separate measures on the ballot this November: Propositions 20 and 25. Proposition 20 would restrict access to parole for some nonviolent offenses, increase penalties for certain theft-related crimes, and add opportunities for DNA collection. The fiscal result would be higher law […]
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Congressional candidates Carbajal, Caldwell face off in virtual debate
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, the 24th Congressional District incumbent who represents San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, faced off against challenger Andy Caldwell in an Oct. 17 virtual debate, which aired on KEYT Channel 13. The opponents gave their takes on COVID-19 recovery, Diablo Canyon decommissioning, immigration, and police reform. Debate moderator Scott Hennessee […]