Local veterans say fireworks are a multi-month ordeal in Santa Maria. Matthew Woody, a local resident and veteran, spoke during public comment at a July 20 Santa Maria City Council meeting where Fire Chief Todd Tuggle presented a fireworks report to the council members. Woody said he started hearing fireworks as early as May this […]
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Allan Hancock College resumes in-person teaching of the winemakers of tomorrow
Allan Hancock College’s Viticulture and Enology Program is the epitome of hands-on learning. Students not only learn the science behind grape growing and winemaking, but also how to operate a winery and actually harvest the crop. Walking into the college’s winery, one is met with wine-stained barrels stacked on top of one another. Against the […]
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Santa Barbara County Foodbank’s Picnic in the Park program provides nutritious meals to local kids when school isn’t in session
On July 14, local resident Maria drove up to Minami Park around 11:30 a.m. Two smiling Foodbank volunteers opened a large cooler and handed her two pre-packaged meals. Patsy Aguirre, who has volunteered with the Foodbank for the last four years, said that she typically hands out 70 to 80 meals in an hour at […]
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Santa Barbara County Supervisors declare drought emergency as county contends with Central Coast Water Authority lawsuit
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors declared a local drought emergency at a July 13 meeting. The proclamation comes on the heels of Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) filing a lawsuit against the county last month after the board put limits on the agency’s ability to sell excess water outside of the county. While […]
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Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM) helps prevent childhood trauma and supports those who have gone through it in Santa Barbara County
Like many child abuse and domestic violence prevention organizations, Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM) saw a sudden drop in calls at the very start of the pandemic. But the abuse that was being reported was worse. “Our referrals went down, but acuity was higher,” CALM North County Regional Manager Yvonne Nelson said. “Of the calls […]
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Delta variant is on the rise, vaccines remain effective
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department believes the Delta variant could account for as many as half of the new COVID-19 cases in Santa Barbara County. Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg explained that even though the county saw just a handful of confirmed Delta cases in June, this data point only tells part […]
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Kevin the peacock becomes beloved Nipomo mascot
Before he had a name, he was just a peacock on the loose. Some concerned neighbors thought he might belong to someone. A post would pop up every few months in the Nipomo Neighbors Facebook group: “Did someone lose a peacock?” Now, he’s known as Kevin: by neighbors, by local kids, and even by the […]
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Ocean Fathoms says the seafloor makes for ideal wine storage with little marine life impact. Coastal Commission says otherwise
Emanuele Azzaretto believes the seafloor is the best spot on Earth to store wine. He’s one of the co-founders of Ocean Fathoms, a Santa Barbara County based company that developed a process to store wine bottles at the bottom of the ocean. The consistent cold temperatures and dark waters make an ideal environment for the […]
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Fish and Wildlife Service wants to save two local plant species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) wants to protect two plants that are only found in the Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes area and get them both off the federally endangered species list. The Nipomo Mesa lupine is a small annual plant that produces vibrant purple flowers, and it’s currently only found in the Nipomo Mesa within […]
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School board approves school resource officer positions, despite opposition
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District approved its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) at a June 23 board meeting outlining district goals and spending that supports students. The plan includes funding for two school resource officers, which some board members and public commenters opposed. In the drafted LCAP presented at a June 9 board meeting, […]
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In lieu of the typical county fair, locals can still find rides, food, and fun at the Santa Maria Fairpark this year
Although the traditional Santa Barbara County Fair isn’t happening this year, those seeking this quintessential summer fun can still get their carnival fix at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Helm and Sons Amusements will continue its Greatest Portable Theme Park at the fairgrounds from July 8 to 11. Helm and Sons is the same company that […]
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North Blosser Road to get protected bike lanes, new crosswalk
Santa Maria residents will see some construction along Blosser Road over the next few months as the city adds protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly crosswalks, and brings sidewalks up to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. David Beas, the city’s principal civil engineer, said the North Blosser Road Improvement Project will take 75 working […]