After living in Santa Maria for 38 years and serving as an elected city official for eight, Etta Waterfield’s stepping down from from her seat on the Santa Maria City Council to retire and move to Montana. City Planning Commissioner Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez is running to take her place as a candidate for the 4th District […]
Taylor O'Connor
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‘Vote,’ local pro-choice advocates say in wake of ‘Roe v. Wade’ decision
It felt like a “gut punch” when Pam Gates heard that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade—a 1973 ruling that said women had the constitutional right to an abortion—after 50 years of standing. “Now it’s [about asking] ‘Where do we go from here? How do we unite? How do we protect what rights […]
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Board of Supervisors debate unallocated budget funds
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the 2022-23 budget 4-1 (with 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson dissenting), with a motion to divide unallocated funds between the county’s districts—a conversation that sparked heated debate between the supervisors. For the upcoming fiscal year, the county has a $1.4 billion budget, with an unallocated remaining […]
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Illegal marijuana bust signals larger county problem
During the warranted search of a Santa Maria resident’s home, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Cannabis Compliance Team found more than 2 ounces of cocaine, more than 2,000 counterfeit pills (frequently containing fentanyl), more than $5,000 in cash, and an illegally possessed assault weapon with high-capacity magazines, according to the Sheriff’s Office. “The suspect, […]
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As COVID-19 lingers, county officials work to provide adequate mental health services to support both English- and Spanish-speaking communities
Steve DeLira wasn’t expecting to have an aunt die of COVID-19, or any relative for that matter. His cousin held her mom in her arms as she passed away, he recalled, and one thing DeLira remembered worrying about was whether his cousin would catch COVID-19 too, he said. “How could I let my mother pass […]
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A new grant program allows Santa Maria to provide outdoor recreation opportunities
Outdoor space became more important for Santa Marians when COVID-19 hit and social distancing took over, said Dennis Smitherman, the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department manager. “If you drove by a park [in Santa Maria] and it wasn’t full, it was a bad weather day,” Smitherman said. “I think people got used to being […]
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Santa Maria seeks solutions for mobile home rent challenges
After a heated debate, more than 20 public comments, cheering, scoffing, and shaking heads, the Santa Maria City Council voted 3-2 (with Mayor Alice Patino and Councilmember Etta Waterfield dissenting) to re-analyze the city’s enforceable model lease for mobile homes, hold community listening sessions, and see if there’s room for improvement to help alleviate ever-increasing […]
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Incumbents reelected for county offices
Santa Barbara County will likely have the same superintendent of schools and the same sheriff in the coming four years, as it did in the last, according to preliminary vote counts from the primary election. Current county Superintendent Susan Salcido holds 64 percent of the vote—with 28,877 votes thus far—and candidate Christy Lozano earned 35 […]
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Hart, Stoker head to general election for Assembly District 37
Candidate for the 37th District Assembly race Gregg Hart spoke with the Sun on June 8 after a morning hike to de-stress and get some fresh air in celebration of finishing the trail to the primary election. Campaigning efforts in SLO and Santa Barbara county seemed to pay off as preliminary election results show Hart […]
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Lompoc Library partners with CalFresh to provide food education for kids
Whether kids are the picky eaters who sniff at vegetables on their forks, or if they’re always on the go and need something quick, it can be difficult for parents to get kids all the nutrients they need for their growing bodies. That’s why the Lompoc Library partnered with the CalFresh Healthy Living UC Cooperative […]
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse begins restoration project
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse began undergoing a multi-phase restoration project to create a safe, weathertight roof and a more stable structure all while saving the building’s historic qualities. “The courthouse is very much a part of the community. It’s an important part of what we do, people think it’s an important place to be, […]
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Three arrested on suspicion of hate crimes, vandalism at Cabrillo High School
Racial slurs, profane messages, and graphic images were found painted across Lompoc’s Cabrillo High School campus on May 31. Concrete was poured in front of classroom doors in an attempt to prevent them from opening. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the vandalism and has arrested three men suspected of being involved in […]
