Cover Story
Moving forward, looking back: The Sun takes a look at a year of triumph, controversy, and debate
It was a wild ride, but 2015 is almost over. A lot happened in the past 12 months, which may explain why the year went by so fast. We’re all one year closer to death, but so much more experienced at the same time. So from the future, we take a look back at the…
Santa Maria Police Department investigating Dec. 26 double homicide
The Santa Maria Police Department is investigating a double shooting on the evening of Dec. 26 that left two people dead. According to SMPD Sgt. Jesus Valle, officers were dispatched to the area of Jewel and Via Rubio streets to investigate a report of gunshots at 7 p.m. When they arrived, the officers found two…
What New Year’s resolution do you vow to keep in 2016?
Doug Jenzen executive director, Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center “I vow to continue doing great things for the community.” Mollee Barse student, Righetti High School “To not overthink things as much—to be confident in the decisions I make and not let people get in the way of the path that I have chosen.” Regina Venegas caregiver “To…
2015 Sports highlights
This year there was a lot for athletes to feel proud about. Santa Maria got one more way to get fit with the addition of The Pad climbing gym this summer. Veterans from various branches of the military banded together to play ball while youth rugby got a boost on the Central Coast with a…
County issues warning about norovirus
If you frequently wash your hands and avoid constantly touching your face, then you have a good chance of not contracting norovirus. Earlier this month, officials from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said that cases of norovirus—the gastronintestinal virus that makes you vomit and gives you diarrhea for up to three days in…
New laws affect hoverboards, vaccinations, and more
While most of the state is recovering from holiday festivities, a new slew of laws will take effect. Some of those laws affect work and school environments, and others regulate how residents recreate. Here are just a few of the new laws that take effect Jan. 1. SB 491: One new law, SB 491, among…
Santa Maria man arrested in connection with Camarillo stabbing
On Dec. 14, police said they arrested a Santa Maria man in connection to a stabbing in Camarillo. According to Camarillo Police Department Deputy Mario Molina, police responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the area of Las Posas Road and Daily Drive. Deputies from Ventura County Sheriff’s Office found a man who…
City government, community groups unite to address gang violence
A coalition of concerned citizens, law enforcement, government officials, educators, support organizations, and faith community leaders have organized the group One Community Action in an effort to address and reduce gang violence in Santa Maria following a year of increased homicides and gang-related violence. The latest meeting on Dec. 17 included a talk by a…
County reports child deaths are on the rise
Child deaths in the county are on the rise, according to a recent report issued by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. In the report, which was published on Dec. 23, data analyzed by the Santa Barbara County Child Death Review Team (CDRT) shows that child deaths increased at a steady rate in the…
The argument
Five days before Christmas, when the house was decorated with joy, and the lights on the tree were sparkling, the wife and I had a huge fight. No, it wasn’t very jolly of us to have this fight, but we had it anyway, regardless of whether our yelling could be overheard by the kids or…
Home for harmony: From epic orchestral concerts to bluesy bar bands, 2015 beat with a steady rhythm of live music
It may be easy to sometimes forget, but music is all around us, all the time! No, I’m not talking about the background noise piped in through sound systems at the local department store, but the fact that on any given night on the Central Coast, you can find some great live music, you just…
Living is art: 2015 was a year brimming with creative output by local artists of every flavor
Every year brings its own unique challenges, and 2015 wasn’t any different, especially if you paid attention to some of the issues churning through the national and local news cycles. But as always, artists soldier through the world with a brave face, choosing to bring beauty into it, and sharing that beauty with the rest…
Eats in review: 2015 brought new restaurants, artisans, and the earliest wine harvest in memory
As we ring in a new year, it’s also a time to reflect on the good things we enjoyed in 2015 here on the Central Coast, good things like outstanding locally crafted wine, cutting-edge beer, fresh produce grown year round, excellent cuisine, new restaurants, and the creative artisans working so hard to bring us the…
