Each year, the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Auxiliary offers scholarships to area high school graduates or continuing college students pursuing a career in a medical or health-related field. This year, the Auxiliary named six recipients who each received $3,000 for a grand total of $18,000. The 2016 SYVCH Auxiliary scholarship selection committee consists […]
SHELLY CONE
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Santa Barbara County students achieve academic excellence
Twenty six students from throughout Santa Barbara County were selected for the Santa Barbara Foundation’s 2016 Fleischmann and Spaulding awards, honoring academic excellence and dedication to community service. The awards were presented at a reception for students and their families on May 12. “These extraordinary young leaders present a compelling case for hope for the […]
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Michelle Minetti-Smith named Santa Barbara County’s Teacher of the Year
Michelle Minetti-Smith, a first-grade teacher at Mary Buren Elementary School in the Guadalupe Union School District, has been named the 2017 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. Minetti-Smith is in her 20th year of teaching at Mary Buren. Not only is teaching “in the genes” for Minetti-Smith, so, too, is the very building in […]
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SMHS student Jose Rios earns agricultural mechanic award
Demonstrating superior achievement in the development and application of agricultural mechanics, Santa Maria High School FFA member Jose Rios earned the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency Award at the 88th State FFA Leadership Conference in Fresno. Rios has been working at the PRO Diesel Service and Repair shop where he performs basic tractor […]
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Minerva Club awards scholarships
The Minerva Club held its annual scholarship awards celebration at the club on May 1. Guest speaker Andrea Martinez, member services director of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, encouraged students to get involved with their community as they strive for their personal goals. She said that everyone can make a positive impact by helping one […]
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It’s a bad, bad, bad world
Are more people going to the dark side or is it just the merchandising?
My youngest son was 4 years old the first time we took him to Disneyland. We made him wear a button that told everyone it was his first time there, and because of that button Disney staff went out of their way to make his visit as impressive as possible. That included getting special treatment […]
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Finding a place called home: A revamped Santa Barbara County campaign aims for more placements of foster youth
Editors note: Dylan’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. Little black rain boots sit on the back patio of the home of Matt and Michael Pennon. Dylan, 3, flies across the room, slips his feet into them, and begins to stomp around the expansive yard. He explains that he helps collect chicken eggs […]
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Senior strong: Santa Maria grandmother Sylvia Leichter wins bodybuilding competition
When it comes to entering those Golden Years, some people like to indulge in hobbies like golf, gardening, and cuddling the grandbabies—others like to lift, sweat, and squat. Sylvia Leichter speaks in a soft, pleasant voice. Sitting on the floor at the Western Village gym where she works out, her hair is neat, her outfit […]
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Alvin Elementary School earns Gold Ribbon School Award
Alvin Elementary School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, was one of nine schools in the county and 722 in the state to recently receive a California Gold Ribbon School Award. Alvin earned the award for its distinctive College Starts Here program, which encourages students as early as kindergarten to start thinking about choosing a […]
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Sen. Jackson discusses workforce development, youth, and community with students at Santa Maria’s Center for Employment Training
Students at the Center for Employment Training (CET) Santa Maria training facility had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) while the senator toured the facility on April 22. Jackson discussed the importance of workforce development opportunities for youth and adults in Northern Santa Barbara County. The visit also gave Jackson personal […]
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Science students head to state competition
A family trip to the beach resulted in a science fair win for Pioneer Valley High School senior Juan Lara. Lara is one of three students from Santa Maria headed to the state science fair after qualifying with wins at the county level. “I went to the beach with my family. I saw there was […]
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Orcutt’s Old Town 4-H holds general meeting
On March 15, Old Town 4-H held its general meeting. Old Town 4-H is a local club based in Orcutt with approximately 80 members. The meeting began with an ice cream social fundraiser. Members enjoyed their sundaes while the officers talked about upcoming events, and the beef project gave a presentation, according to Jacqui Huebner, […]