Sexual health education is often an uncomfortable topic to address, one that can be surrounded with stigma and shame, said Trish Hecker. So she stepped into the gap and founded Open Door Support, a program that helps parents engage with their kids on the topic. “For generations, sexual health in relation to how our body […]
Taylor O'Connor
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Jameson, Gibraltar, and Cachuma reservoirs reach capacity
Cachuma, Gibraltar, and Jameson reservoirs hitting their capacity levels for the first time in years is a silver lining amid the damage from recent storms, Santa Barbara County Water Agency Manager Matt Young told the Sun. “Having most of our major surface waters full is an incredible benefit to the agencies and people that rely […]
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U.S. Rep. Carbajal visits Guadalupe to assess storm damage
After a Santa Maria River levee broke during early January’s severe storms, around 20 families evacuated and are now staying in temporary H-2A housing for farmworkers or sleeping in the Guadalupe Auditorium, Guadalupe Mayor Ariston Julian said. “This has happened about four times in the last 30 years. It can’t happen anymore,” Julian said about […]
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North County representatives and residents reflect on Santa Barbara County’s storm response
Melony Edwards woke up on Jan. 10 to large sections of Colson Canyon Road just gone, leaving her and her neighbors stranded. When a historic storm hit Santa Barbara County on Monday, Jan. 9—bringing more than 12 inches of rain in 24 hours to some areas—the creek on Colson Canyon Road overflowed and the water […]
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Santa Barbara County nonprofit CommUnify hosts a celebration day for its 211 crisis line
The statewide information and referral system 211 provides people with help and human services, disaster relief, and general information about available local resources. Local nonprofit CommUnify oversees the Santa Barbara County helpline, which received 29,505 calls in 2021 and has been helping people since 2014, Community Services Director Kemba Lawrence said. “It’s a staple throughout […]
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‘Atmospheric river’ dumps historic rain levels throughout Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to more than 400 calls related to service, with more than 100 of them involving rescues from Jan. 9 to 9 a.m. on Jan. 10, Fire Chief Mark Hartwig told the Board of Supervisors during its Jan. 10 meeting. “There are no injuries or anyone missing reported. Our […]
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County Animal Services reopened Lompoc shelter after nearly three years
Pet adoptions, lost and found assistance, microchipping, and volunteer opportunities return to Lompoc as county Animal Services opened its Lompoc shelter—located at 1501 West Central Ave.—for the first time since 2020, Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar said. When the facility first closed, a lot of people were at home and adopting pets, providing the shelter […]
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VOLUNTEERS 2023
For our annual Volunteers issue, Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor spoke with LGBTQ-plus organizations in North County about creating community and support. Volunteer at LGBTQ-plus organizations to help strengthen their presence in North County Trish Heckler didn’t expect a lot of interest or support for an LGBTQ-plus organization when she first moved to the Santa Ynez […]
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The Santa Maria Public Library received a grant to purchase science, technology engineering, arts, and math kits for several branches
The Altrusa International Foundation has several branches dedicated to serving local communities—including Santa Maria—through grants and education scholarships. The Santa Maria chapter has donated money to the Oasis Senior Center and its senior lunch program, the Orcutt Academy Dance Team, and recently provided a $3,688 grant for the Santa Maria Library to purchase science, technology, […]
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Housing development project wants Santa Maria to annex county land
A project proposal to add Santa Barbara County property to Santa Maria for residential and commercial development could help local leaders meet state housing requirements, but the development has some residents concerned about density and consistency with the surrounding areas. Richards Ranch Annexation Project requested that the city annex a 43-acre county property southeast of […]
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A Santa Maria-Bonita School District teacher completed his third young adult fiction book
Steven Waiters wanted to be a writer ever since he was in high school. As he went through life, raising a family and teaching at the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, he never let that dream go. “Writing has given me an outlet to do something different that I actually can bring into the classroom and […]
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Guadalupe declares impasse on Fire Department wage agreement
The Guadalupe Fire Department hasn’t seen a wage increase in 20 years, doesn’t have a full-time fire chief, and only has six full-time staff members, Fire Capt. Ryan Danger Mack said. “We realized we didn’t have any rights because we didn’t have an MOU [memorandum of understanding] agreement, and it became a huge priority for […]
