Cover Story
Stemming the tide
As California Department of Fish and Game Warden Ryan Hanson drove toward the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse on his way to Morro Bay, he didn’t exactly have “catch Mexican drug cartels and human traffickers” on his day’s agenda. It was just after 8 a.m. on a gloomy, windswept May morning in San Simeon, and Hanson instead…
Chief Macagni put on administration leave
The Sun has confirmed with sources at the city of Santa Maria that Police Chief Dan Macagni has been placed on paid administrative leave. City Manager Rick Haydon said Cmdr. Craig Ritz will oversee the department in Macagni’s absence.
Santa Maria police chief Macagni retires
Santa Maria police chief Danny Macagni, who came under increased scrutiny in recent months as a result of officer-involved shootings and an outside audit of his department, has retired, city officials announced Aug. 3. Macagni’s retirement is effective immediately. “On behalf of the City of Santa Maria, we would like to extend…
Monterey Run:Part Three
Ed. note: We now present, after a slight delay, the much-awaited conclusion to the (mis)adventures of a car-crazed local and his equally infatuated cohorts. Concours d’Elegance Sunday “Roger, we should get a real early start tomorrow for Concour Sunday to be ahead of the crowds. This is the big day.” “John, I…
Showcasing Santa Rita Hills
The Sta. Rita Hills, the red-hot wine region between Buellton and Lompoc, is sizzling with excitement over the wine events planned for the weekend of Aug. 17 to 19. Passions burn bright in one of the colder grape-growing regions in California. Local wine pioneers warmly welcome the next generation of young wine producers choosing to…
Reaching out with music
The public library is a cornerstone in any community, offering near limitless access to knowledge and information. The Lompoc Library Foundation—a nonprofit organization that supports libraries in Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, and Buellton—adds to that awesomeness by presenting an educational concert series. “Free Family Concerts on the Library Lawn” is a series presented by the Lompoc…
The naked truth
My little brother decided to get married … again. Which meant that I would be the best man … again. Which also meant I would be required to throw him a bachelor party … again. I’m only bent out of shape about it because what this all really means is I have to get my…
Country group Lonestar plays Chumash Casino
Multi-platinum country music group Lonestar will play the Chumash Casino, Thursday, Sept. 9. The Texas-bred band, known for merging its country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has officially reunited with original lead singer Richie McDonald. The band’s four original members—keyboardist Dean Sams, drummer Keech Rainwater,…
Free dance performance offered
A “Celebration of Dance in Performance” will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Everybody Can DANCE studio, 800 S. Broadway, in Santa Maria. The event is free and open to anyone with an interest in the dance arts. Diane Zink, founder and artistic director of the studio and the Santa…
Santa Maria singer/songwriter releases latest album
Santa Maria singer and songwriter Chris Lambert will release his seventh full-length album, The Weatherman, on Aug. 28 via his own Radiant Radish label. The album reaches back to the 1960s for its expansive sound palette, which includes sitar, woodwinds, vibraphone, string sections, and 12-string guitars—a stark contrast from the futuristic sounds of his previous…
Brushes at high noon
One day a year for 26 years, artists have been strutting into Los Olivos and proving their quickness on the draw—drawing board that is. They converge on the tiny wine and art town for the annual Los Olivos Quick Draw and Art Auction. In the warm Los Olivos air, in plain sight of onlookers, artists…
Daddy dearest
John Caird is one of the foremost writer/directors working in theater today. His collaborative efforts span decades and a variety of artistic media, including opera, musical theater, television, and a Siegfried and Roy stage show in Las Vegas. He’s perhaps best known for adapting and directing the award-winning musicals Les Misérables and Jane Eyre, based…
Athlete of the Week: Justin Bruner, Orcutt
The annual Santa Maria Disc Golf Open took place July 28 and 29 at Santa Maria Waller Pines’ 27-hole course. Orcutt’s Justin Bruner held it down for his hometown—in second place after Day One of the of the two-day tournament—but unfriendly weather conditions pushed him back into a three-person tie for fourth place by the…
On the roster
• Soccer skills camp: Youth soccer camp run by Santa Ynez High girls’ soccer coach Rob Cantrell takes place at Santa Ynez High School. Designed for children aged 6 to 14, the camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 6 through 10. The cost is $85 and $75 for siblings; children signing up for…
Golf tournament to benefit youth
The 12th annual Jane Merlo Memorial Golf Tournament, which provides scholarships for youth in golf, will be held at the Rancho Maria Golf Club in Santa Maria on Aug. 25. The fundraiser is a nine-hole scramble and begins with a check-in at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. followed…
Cruzin’ For Life brings classic cars and music to SM
The annual car show, cruise, and concert fundraising event Cruzin’ For Life has been extended to three days this year, running from Sept. 21 to 23 at the Santa Maria Fairpark. The weekend kicks off with Family Fun Night, an evening of carnival rides and games, a car show meet and greet, and a ’60s…
Girl power
Dismissed as a sideshow by some in the boxing world even a decade ago, women’s boxing marks an important milestone in 2012. On Aug. 5, the sport will make its debut in the Olympic Games with three events: the women’s fly, women’s middle, and women’s light. USA Boxing dropped several men’s divisions to accommodate the…
What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
Carmen Gutierrezn nutritionist “Meeting my husband, having kids, and having my grand kids.” Maura Jimenez stay-at-home grandmother “The best thing to happen to me was getting divorced from my ex-husband. Now I’m single and better off.” Issa Marasovich retail “Planting my garden and watching everything grow.” Melissa Castillo instructional assistant “Having my two kids, Natalee…
Thou shalt not kill
In regards to the 12 who died and the 59 who were injured at the Aurora, Colo., theater, I have to take a long hard search into why this madman injured and killed people. It is not always the criminally insane that cause so much pain, however, it is more the spiritual warfare through Satan…
Find hope in our commonality
The proper lady would never discuss politics or religion with friends. However this election, more than ever, I feel we each are determining the opportunities, debt, health, jobs, safety, education, and environment for our grandchildren and their children. I also feel this forum is a great place to debate. A good debate can help us…
Smith won’t fool us twice
In Will Smith’s “I stand my ground” commentary (“Does speaking your opinion constitute attack?” July 19), Smith writes “people voted for me because they looked beyond the hype and district games.” No, Mr. Smith; people voted for you because you were just another name on a confusing ballot. This community now knows much better. We…
Put a name on it
Mr. Jones wonders why Mr. Smith refers to himself in the third person (“Does speaking your opinion constitute attack?” July 19). All kidding aside, I sort of agree with him regarding the Canary/Shredder guy/guys/committee/whatever it is. Are the readers to assume that it is one guy who snivels about all kinds of stuff? Why is…
Damn you to health
I’m typing this opinion piece with a total of six fingers. I didn’t lose the other four, but thanks to a genetic, progressive, and often debilitating disease, they’re becoming useless. These useless digits on my hand have begun to curl into the center of my palm. As a result, my pointer finger has become a…
Learn online at Allan Hancock College
More than 100 fall online classes are still available at Allan Hancock College, college officials recently announced. Students can complete coursework at home or on campus computers to accommodate work, family, and/or transportation constraints. Details about the online classes are available via the Allan Hancock College website at hancockcollege.edu; click “Class Search” in the upper…
Get ready to brawl at the library!
Santa Maria Valley teens: Do you think you have what it takes to knock everyone else out of the ring? Come to the Santa Maria Public Library to enter and compete in the free Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament on Aug. 3 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Altrusa Theater. Show off your video…
An Eagle Scout helps the Dana Adobe
Eagle Scout is the highest rank young men can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America. To become an Eagle Scout, scouts must earn at least 21 different merit badges, and plan, organize, and lead an extensive service project. Nipomo resident Ian Howell of Troop 450 recently finished his Eagle Scout project: He built a…
There are lots of ways to stay safe around town
Our third annual Safety Town summer camp has been host to some very impressive guests: With a visit from the Santa Maria Fire Department on July 30, the campers were given a generous tour of a real working fire truck and exposed to the feeling of holding and spraying water from a real fire hose!…
Help for our heroes
The Department of Veterans Affairs remains on edge, potentially facing cuts in its spending budget this year if Congress can’t agree on a new deficit reduction plan. Despite the impending slash in funds, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to provide medical and health care to qualified veterans across the United States. This year marks…
Spotlight on: Uptown Attic
Danika Randa is a self-proclaimed “stuff” lover; she loves to make and collect “stuff.” So when she decided to abandon her grueling Emergency Medical Technician career and open a consignment store specializing in unique “stuff,” it was a dream come true. Located in Orcutt, Uptown Attic opened four months ago after three months of preparation…
For the love of science
Is expensive name-band sunscreen any better at protecting skin from the sun’s rays than a $5 bargain brand? That’s the question Xavier Aguilar, a junior at Pioneer Valley High School, is attempting to answer in teacher Riccardo Magni’s Summer Science Institute. For the last three summers, Magni has helped small groups of students develop in-depth…
A line in the sand
It’s still early in the discussion, but Santa Barbara County leaders mulling over charging fees to park at seven county beaches are already facing a groundswell of opposition from locals. At the first of three public meetings held by the Santa Barbara County Park Commission on July 26, about 20 speakers lined up in Santa…
Santa Barbara County receives more funds for the North County jail
The California Board of State and Community Corrections voted on July 26 to award Santa Barbara County a grant of an additional $20 million in funding for the a new jail facility in Santa Maria. The $20 million completes the $60 million partial grant the county received in March under AB 900, also known as…
Man killed in Santa Maria officer-involved shooting
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department is investigating another fatal officer-involved shooting in Santa Maria, which came after a low-speed chase through the city. According to a press release from the department, at around 9 p.m. on July 30, deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman claiming a man with a gun was…
Walmart to open more stores in Santa Maria
Leaders of the big-box retailer Walmart announced on July 25 plans to add two new grocery-style Neighborhood Markets in Santa Maria. The stores are planned for 500 S. Blosser Road, near the intersection of Boone Street, and at 2240 S. Bradley Road, next to the existing Walmart Supercenter in the Crossroads Shopping Center. In a…
Pioneer Valley says goodbye to a beloved coach and teacher
A collection of flowers, pictures, and candles maintained by students on their summer vacation currently surrounds the flagpole at Pioneer Valley High School, commemorating the life of former teacher and coach Neil Reed. Reed’s sudden and unexpected death on July 26 has left a family grieving and a tight-knit school community reeling with shock. Reed…
Roger Briggs: A legacy of clean water
Forcing polluters to pay up and clean up has been just part of a day’s work for water watchdog Roger Briggs, who retired Aug. 1 after nearly 40 years with the Central Coast Water Quality Control Board. And he’s been a watchdog with sharp teeth, tirelessly enforcing state and federal clean water laws. It was…
