Women’s volleyball and women’s soccer at Allan Hancock College are both set to get new coaches next season. Athletic Director Kim Ensing has recommended Julio Molina as the new volleyball coach and Rodrigo Garcia for women’s soccer. Molina has coached at the high school level for the past five years, most recently as the junior […]
SARAH E. THIEN
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Groups seek to limit methyl bromide exposure
Health advocates hope that a state appeals court ruling will ultimately create safer working and living conditions
Methyl bromide. It’s a chemical that residents of the Santa Maria Valley have heard a lot about, especially if they pay attention to the news. Most recently, it’s being tossed around in discussions about combating the “charcoal rot” fungus in local strawberry fields. The pesticide-that-could is back in the news—and has been back in court—since […]
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Athlete of the Week
After scoring his team’s only goal in the Santa Maria All Stars vs. Chivas USA exhibition game, Andy Contreras has been receiving a lot of attention. For a kid who hopes to play professional soccer someday, that’s a good thing. “He got a lot of compliments from the Chivas’ head coach,” said coach Al Garcia. […]
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BMX finally rides into Santa Maria
Santa Maria BMX is out of the gate and ready to ride
Break out some gloves, a helmet, and that small-ish bike stashed away in the corner of the garage: It’s BMX time. The sport, which can best be described as a group of bike riders rolling over hills and berms at incredible speeds, has found its way to Santa Maria—and it’s just in time for a […]
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MotionZ is back in business
There’s good news for MotionZ, the beleaguered laser tag and arcade destination. It’s back in business and staying in the Santa Maria Town Center. According to a news release from MotionZ owner George Majoue, the owner and mall manager of Santa Maria Town Center East were touring several units in the mall and were impressed […]
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Commute challenge: Drive less and win prizes
It’s back: the Traffic Solutions Commute Challenge. The annual competition has returned with more prizes for participating teams. Here’s how it works: Teams of five people resolve to drive alone less and keep track of how often they succeed. At the end of the competition, the team with the highest number of sustainable transportation days […]
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Santa Barbara Bank and Trust holds white elephant sale
One person’s unwanted possession is another’s treasure. In the spirit of a white elephant gift exchange, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust employees have brought some of their possessions to local branches. In a slight twist, the items aren’t gifts, they’re for sale. The white elephant sale is part of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust’s annual […]
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Two Hancock baseball players move on
Dane McLaughlin and David Harman, both outfielders, will be leaving the Bulldogs and moving on to four-year programs next season. McLaughlin, a sophomore from Arroyo Grande High School, will be playing for Fresno State University, the reigning NCAA champions. At Hancock, McLaughlin led the Bulldogs in batting average with a .343, and had 60 hits, […]
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Athlete of the Week
Just two years ago, Ashley Moody, 17, was the No. 1 girl in her age group at BMX racing. Then she took a year off to help build the new Santa Maria BMX off-road bicycle track behind the Elks Rodeo Arena. If that seems like a waste of time for a top rider, she doesn’t […]
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Buynak Law Firm opens new office in Solvang
Santa Barbara-based law offices, Buynak Law Firm, have opened a new location in Solvang, with Lana Clark, a 35-year resident of the city, serving as resident attorney. “We specialize in business, corporate, real estate, land use, tax, and estate planning,” S. Timothy Buynak, founder of the firm, said in a press release. The new office […]
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Humane Society offers low cost micro-chipping for local pets
More than one million pets wind up in animal shelters every year and are euthanized because they’re never reunited with their owners, according to the Santa Maria Humane Society. That’s why they’re going to help. On July 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Humane Society will be holding its monthly micro-chipping clinic. Cats and […]
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Lompoc Collaboration Faire brings nonprofits together
The sixth annual Lompoc Collaboration Faire’s purpose is to help nonprofits do their work better. To help achieve that end, the coordinators of the event have brought together guest speakers and are planning on holding panel discussions, seminars, and networking opportunities for nonprofits. Panels and discussions include “An Honest Look at Board Development,” with Joyce […]
