Cover Story
The bully effect : Why kids bully, whom it hurts, and how to put an end to it
It started in first grade. Rachel* came home from school, stunned. That day, she’d seen a boy pin a female student against a wall, hitting her. It was scary. And when Rachel described the scene, concerned, her mother could hardly believe it. “In first grade,” her mom said, “kids are already trying to be mean?”…
Truth or lives
The revelation that some internet users put out fake news during the election season has caused a lot of controversy, but can fake news ever serve a beneficial function? In February, the Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) issued a ruse press release that was subsequently reported by local news media, the Sun has learned. But…
How do you get ready for the holidays?
Brianna Gutierrez works at Lassens “Shopping is definitely my first priority.” Anthony Estrada works at Subway “I decorate the house right away, both inside and out.” Benjamin Delabra works at Sunrise Growers “Start saving money!” Kim Ortega works at Champs Sports “By mentally preparing to deal with all of my relatives.”
Hancock holds latino leaders conference
Olympic boxer Carlos Balderas will be one of the keynote speakers during Allan Hancock College’s Young Educated Latino Leaders Conference, better known as the YELL Conference, Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus. The event aims to encourage students to set higher educational…
Titan Robotics once again qualifies for state and national championships
The Nipomo High School Titan Robotics team participated at the Bellarmine VEX Robotics Tournament at Bellarmine College Preparatory High School on Nov. 19, vying for the championship against 66 teams. After a seven rounds each, the Titans qualified with the following results: • Team 563B (a first year team)—10th place. • Team 563X (a junior…
Spotlight on: Cali-Kart
Starting with countywide bans, the single-use plastic bag seemed like it was already on its way out the door in California. Now with the passage of Proposition 67, it appears those bags are going the way of the dinosaur. Now shoppers must carry groceries by hand, pay 10 cents for each paper bag used, or…
Wine as usual: Santa Barbara County opts to stick with current winery ordinance
The status quo will remain—for now—for Santa Barbara County vintners, after the Board of Supervisors voted to set aside more than five years of negotiations over the county’s winery ordinance. The 4-1 vote came as a relief to local winemakers who had spoken out strongly against a proposed amended ordinance, which would have required conditional…
Forced to act: In the face of danger, police must make split-second decisions about whether to use force
Police shot a man in Lompoc last week after he allegedly charged officers with a knife. It was the second local officer-involved shooting in recent months, and one of many high-profile national incidents that have prompted discussion about police use of force At approximately 8 a.m. Nov. 21, the Lompoc Police Department (LPD) received a…
Second inmate missing from Lompoc federal prison in three months
Another inmate from the federal prison in Lompoc has allegedly escaped, according to Katina Heckard, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Hector Medina was discovered missing on Nov. 26 during a routine inmate count at the minimum security satellite prison camp in Lompoc, Heckard said. Medina is the second inmate to go missing…
Sheriffs put stop to Santa Maria cockfight tournament
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies busted up a cockfight on Nov. 27 at a farm just east of Santa Maria, in response to an anonymous tip to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies, along with officers from the Santa Maria Police Department and California Highway Patrol, arrived at an in-progress cockfight at approximately 10:45 a.m., according to…
Cubans in the Central Coast react to the death of Fidel Castro
Cuban former president and its communist leader Fidel Castro died on Nov. 25 at the age of 90, according to Cuban state media. While the general feeling among some Cubans along the Central Coast weren’t too far off from their exiled brethren who flooded Miami’s Calle Ocho in celebration, they’re a bit more reserved about…
Santa Barbara County cancels Chumash meeting, tribal chairman calls move ‘political calculation’
After two productive meetings, progress on negotiations between the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors ad hoc subcommittee and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians hit a roadblock when the county canceled the scheduled Dec. 8 meeting. The county and tribe have spent more than a year attempting to reach agreeable terms concerning Camp…
Don’t stop progress
As years do, this one seems to have flown by, instantly bringing us to the end, exhausted and a little confused about why we’re suddenly holding holly in our hands when we were just celebrating new beginnings. And why do you land lovers use that expression “flown by” to refer to something that seems to…
If I were a reporter
This would be my interview if I were a news reporter on the street with the high school and college resisters of Trump as our new president: 1. Have you ever held a full-time job? 2. Have you bought or owned a home? 3. What taxes have you paid other than sales tax? 4. How…
Come together
The OMG We Are All in This Together art show at GALA Center Gallery, 1060 Palm, San Luis Obispo, has been held over until Jan. 21, the day after inauguration of the president-elect. This art show is quite popular, with more than 200 people coming through the gallery on Nov. 4, during the last Art…
Trump’s contract with America
Despite overwhelming opposition from the establishment of both parties, along with a unified front of media hacks, a political novice, against all the odds, has been elected president of the United States. The Donald did it, and he did it his way. Words can’t describe the earthquake that has shaken the world’s political class to…
Jojo Walker
America has long been known as the “Land of Opportunity.” Since the nation’s inception, people have journeyed from near and far in search of a better life. It’s what motivated the pilgrims, it’s what motivates so many immigrants today, and it’s what motivates St. Joseph High School basketball player JoJo Walker. Walker is from Carolina,…
A season of tradition: St. Joseph High School’s football program continues to grow its reputation for success
Tradition. As this time of year rolls around, that word starts to mean more and more. St. Joseph High School has a rich football tradition; as the winner of eight league titles and alma mater of former NFL quarterback Mark Brunell, the school has enjoyed its share of success on the gridiron. When Brunell—who was…
Grace Baptist Church hosts live reading of ‘Toy Story’
A one-night live reading of the Toy Story script takes place Dec. 9, at Grace Baptist Church. The community is invited to attend the free, nonprofit event. “Toy Story is a script that’s left a positive, nostalgic mark on our generation,” organizer Weston Scott told the Sun. “It’s both an honor and an artistic challenge…
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department seeks artists to beautify utility boxes
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department encourages local artists to apply to redesign five traffic signal control boxes. Residents from Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are welcome to apply. The city suggests the art should relate to the community’s social, cultural, and/or historical identity. The city is offering a…
Abel Maldonado Center displays Remembering Our Fallen exhibit
The city of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce invite the public to attend the Remembering Our Fallen exhibit opening on Dec. 2 at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. The exhibit was created to honor California’s men and women in the United States military who died serving in the Iraq and…
Daytripper: Head south to Santa Barbara for a perfect date day
My wife would be the first to tell you that I’m not the most prolific planner of dates. She wouldn’t mean it in any harsh way though; she’s particular, and I’m lazy, so I’ve always been more comfortable with her planning our outings and such. That’s why she was a bit surprised when I told…
The season begins with parades, tree lightings, and festive affairs
It’s finally here. Some wait all year for the span of time we call the holiday season to arrive with its colorful lights, shiny tinsel, and jingling bells at the ready. Local cities and organizations have been waiting too, to round up parades and deck out and light the trees with public gatherings of community…
Sound of the season: Local ensembles prepare to make the holiday season sing with music from across the centuries
Around this time of year you begin to hear it, the distinct sound of holiday music. This could be the vocal chords of traditional Christmas carols, or the warmth of a secular, jazzy holiday song, but it’s there. Why does holiday music have such a distinct sound? Hundreds of years of tradition have brought us…
All by herself: Rebecca Rose gets a weekend to herself at home and happily accomplishes nothing
I think a rite of passage into adulthood is finally figuring out how to manage your free time effectively. I’m always impressed by my friends who schedule their days off with penciled-in times to read great books or go on long hikes. I had such an opportunity to exhibit my adulting free time skills recently…
Chicken fingers crossed: California Grill sets the bar for chicken strips in Nipomo
I left California Grill with one major regret—I forgot to try their famous “Cali sauce.” It haunts me in my sleep. That fateful moment keeps replaying in my head over and over. “What kind of dipping sauce do you want with your chicken strips?” the cashier asked me. My answer was the same robotic phrase…
His victory was a surprise
Donald Trump’s victory in being elected as the president of the United States, came as a surprise, given what we know about him. I’m not too surprised, when you consider the fickle mindset of many American voters. They hear the political rhetoric, but their mindset fails to intelligently consider its impact on their lives. Donald…
Political Watch 12/1/16
• Gov. Jerry Brown Jr., Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on Nov. 18, the final day of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco: “Today, as COP22 comes to a close—two weeks after the Paris Agreement came into force—leaders from…
Community Notebook 12/1/16 – 12/8/16
MONDAY, DEC. 5 • The Solvang Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang. TUESDAY, DEC. 6 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. •…
