Concerned family members of inmates incarcerated in the Lompoc federal penitentiary organized a car rally on April 25 in hopes that the prison would answer to their demands, including moving nonviolent offenders to home confinement, restoring phone and internet access to inmates, providing personal protective equipment for all staff and inmates, and access to COVID-19 […]
MALEA MARTIN
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With the new Book Club over the Phone, Santa Maria Library patrons can read through quarantine
For those of us lucky enough to have a little extra time on our hands during quarantine season, now’s the perfect chance to pick up a new hobby. Sticking to that hobby, though—especially without the motivation that comes with having others around—can be challenging. But the Santa Maria public library has just the solution to […]
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Lompoc penitentiary’s COVID-19 outbreak grows, but an understaffed facility threatens the ability to keep up with prisoners’ needs
Incarcerated people are among those with the least agency in the United States. Some argue that this is a key part of serving justice. The punishment—confinement and everything else that comes with it—fits the crime. Others say prisoners should have more rights, advocating for felon enfranchisement or labor compensation. “Inmates have a Ph.D. in what […]
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Increase in 211 calls signals that community members want help, program manager says
Even outside of times of disaster, Santa Barbara County’s health and human services information line—accessible by dialing 211—is always there to help by connecting callers with resources like housing, food, health care, transportation, and more. But during times of increased and unprecedented need, these services become a vital community resource. In the last two weeks […]
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Unemployment rates in the county increase, Workforce Development Board goes virtual
Unemployment rates in Santa Barbara County—at first glance—don’t appear too out of the ordinary. At 5.6 percent unemployed, the county had the exact same rate in March as the state of California as a whole, according to the county’s Workforce Development Board Executive Director Raymond McDonald. But when compared to last year’s numbers, a different […]
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While Lompoc’s prison deals with the county’s worst COVID-19 outbreak, the county jail remains relatively unscathed, but some warn it may be next
Between the Santa Barbara County Jail and the Lompoc federal prison, starkly different situations are unfolding. While the Lompoc prison suffers from the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the county—67 inmates and 24 staff members tested positive as of April 14—the county jail had no confirmed inmate cases as of April 10. But according to Aaron […]
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Good Samaritan takes over temporary homeless shelter at Santa Maria High
Since the school district agreed to share the Santa Maria High School gym as a temporary homeless shelter a little more than three weeks ago, usage of the satellite shelter has only gone up. The shelter was established in late March under the county’s Unified Command, including the Office of Emergency Services as well as […]
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Driscoll’s donation to Santa Barbara Foodbank came when community needed it most
Residents of Santa Barbara County are no strangers to overcoming disasters—but as reflected by statistics from the Foodbank, what the county faces now is unprecedented. “We served healthy, nutritious food—from January to March of this year—to 85,000 individuals,” Judith Smith-Meyer, marketing communications manager at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, told the Sun. “As opposed […]
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No matter your fitness level, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA has a virtual class for you
Before COVID-19 orders forced the Santa Maria Valley YMCA to temporarily close its doors, it was more than just a gym. “The Y,” as it’s often dubbed, was a place for people of all fitness levels to gather and get to know one another. “It’s a community at the Y,” said Julie Cruse, fitness director […]
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Coronavirus-related scams pop up across Santa Barbara County
Scammers have followed the spread of COVID-19, taking advantage of a bad situation and targeting those who don’t know better. According to District Attorney Joyce Dudley, it’s not the first time Santa Barbara County has seen a public disaster lead to fraudulent activity. “During the fire, I did see specific ones that were geared toward […]
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Local hospitals talk about their changing roles during the pandemic
In a matter of weeks, hospitals and public health departments have gone from organizations that rarely make the news to ones that are providing it. On top of that shift, the health care industry must also grapple with disseminating this information in a way that complies with social distancing, avoids inciting mass panic, and protects […]
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Santa Maria teachers organize a car parade for their students
As teachers across the country adjust to a virtual classroom reality, some are getting creative with finding ways to see their students. First grade teacher Tami Williams, who works at Bruce Elementary School in Santa Maria, is no exception. With the help of fellow teacher Jillian Smith, Williams planned a car parade through their students’ […]