The Santa Maria-Bonita School District hopes to increase equity between its students by putting a preschool at every elementary school site and making sure kids are progressing by at least one grade level every year. These are among the six goals and priorities in support of equitable student outcomes that Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services […]
MALEA MARTIN
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The Luffa Farm in Nipomo will teach you something new about nature’s sponge
What comes to mind when you hear the word “luffa”? Is it the brightly colored, meshy plastic bath sponge? The rough, dense exfoliator, often tacked to the end of a wooden stick, that you might find at the drugstore? If you haven’t yet visited The Luffa Farm in Nipomo, chances are these are the only […]
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The pandemic ushered in an industry-wide wave of community-based sheltering for animals
Bob, a Santa Maria local, is a longtime dog owner. He used to own three dogs but now owns just one, a rambunctious Australian shepherd mix who loves to run, he told the Sun. Instead of going to the pet supply store to buy food for his dog, Bob (who asked the Sun not to […]
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Santa Maria Recreation offers summer fun despite staffing challenges
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is gearing up to bring local residents a summer of fun with new programming and opportunities for everyone from youth to the elderly. Finding the staff to operate these programs, though, has proven difficult. Recreation Services Manager Dennis Smitherman said that while the past year was challenging for […]
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Santa Maria gives another $2 million to Police Department in budget amendments
Tax revenues ended up being higher than anticipated for the city of Santa Maria over the past pandemic year. The City Council recently passed budget adjustments that will increase funding for public safety and other departments, which the Police Department plans to use for a mental health response vehicle. The city passed its biennial budget […]
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Area Agency on Aging runs senior meal delivery while seeking local organizations to take on the service
With CommUnify’s Senior Nutrition Program set to end on June 30 because it’s not financially sustainable, the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging will be taking over senior meal delivery starting July 1—at least for now. “The Area Agency on Aging is a local entity that’s responsible for bringing in federal […]
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Promotores Network receives grant to train more volunteers
Santa Barbara County’s Promotores Network will grow in the near future thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. The Promotores is a group of volunteers throughout Santa Barbara County who engage Spanish-speaking community members and bridge the gap to help them access resources. The organization operates as part of Children […]
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As cities await finalized American Rescue Plan Act guidelines, some funding decisions remain in limbo
Lompoc Interim Fire Chief Brian Federmann is well aware of the health risks that his job carries. But seeing those risks impact one of the Lompoc Fire Department’s own made it all a bit more real. “Cancer has become quickly one of the No. 1 killers in firefighting,” Federmann said. “It used to be heart […]
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Kid’s Work Therapy uses yoga and other interventions to help kids with developmental challenges to find their balance
The goal of Kid’s Work Therapy, founded by occupational therapist Dr. Stephanie Foster, is simple: to help kids have fun, learn, and live to the best of their abilities. “I’ve been doing private, small, pediatric practice out of my home since 2002,” Foster said of Kid’s Work Therapy, located in Santa Maria. “I started to […]
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North County police chiefs look forward to new jail, advocates concerned about population
With crime on the rise this year, local police chiefs say opening the North County jail will alleviate challenges their departments are facing. But some inmate advocates and elected officials are concerned about what it all means for the future of inmate population reduction. Senior Project Manager for the Northern Branch Jail Project John Green […]
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Santa Maria to look at housing ordinance again after HUD calls it discriminatory
After voting not to repeal Santa Maria’s employee housing ordinance, despite the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) determination that parts of it may be discriminatory, City Council members will consider the item again on June 15. City officials said they’re also now double checking that future employee housing projects—such as a proposed large-scale […]
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Downtown Fridays begin again in Santa Maria
Downtown Fridays are back, and the event organizers expect them to only grow as COVID-19 restrictions loosen. After taking a pandemic-induced hiatus, the popular event kicked off its fifth year on May 28 at the Santa Maria Town Center West. From August to November 2020, Downtown Fridays went virtual with weekly livestreamed concerts, but last […]