Cover Story
Violence is relative: Federal stats put Santa Maria in the top 10 most violent cities in California–but local leaders say the numbers are skewed
Just weeks before the scheduled opening of the new jewel of downtown Santa Maria—the Regal Theater—a report began to circulate on social media calling attention to the city’s ranking as the 10th most violent city in the state. The report that surfaced in November was based on the FBI’s ranking of most violent cities in…
What are your thoughts on DUI checkpoints?
Kim Davis CASA executive director “I think anything that decreases anyone getting hurt by drunk drivers is a good thing.” Tara Gross CASA outreach coordinator “I think they’re great. They’re a deterrent to keep drunk drivers off the streets.” Joy Bat office manager/bookkeeper “I’m for them. I think they’re warranted on holidays and major community…
Resolve to listen: Support and enjoy local music in 2014
With the New Year comes the hopes of a better future. While some make resolutions to get in shape, remove a bad habit, or make a long-strived-for accomplishment, others are reminded of the immense possibilities that the New Year holds. I will challenge myself, as well as my readers, to engage more with music on…
Go digital: Santa Maria Public Library offers free workshop to learn how to download eBooks
The Santa Maria Public Library is offering a free workshop for locals to learn how to download eBooks and digital audio books from the library, computer, or a handheld device. Topics at the workshop will include the free software that most devices need to complete the checkout and downloading process. The workshop will be held…
Central Coast McDonald’s restaurants celebrate Herb Peterson Day
Central Coast McDonald’s restaurants are celebrating the sixth annual Herb Peterson Day by offering the iconic Egg McMuffin sandwich for only $1 on Jan. 6 at participating Central Coast franchises. Herb Peterson opened his first McDonald’s franchise in Santa Barbara in 1968 and quickly was overseeing six stores. Peterson noticed a deficit in local breakfast…
Santa Maria Public Library shares stories for film screening
The Santa Maria Public Library is offering a screening of a documentary film titled Stories We Tell on Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Shepard Hall at the library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. The film, created by Sarah Polley, tells a story through interviews with members of her family, which show that…
Cachuma Lake stocks up on fish
The Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers many recreational events for the community, but one of the lake’s programs makes local anglers especially happy. Cachuma Lake receives regular trout plants, including up to 300 pounds of fish for each plant. Full loads of triploid trout were dropped off for the months of November and December, but…
Art all around: Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center hosts photography hike
A sand dune seems like a pretty simple thing; a big pile of sand that moves around when the wind blows. It’s not until spending some time with a sand dune that it begins to reveal the complex mystery and beauty that all of nature holds to those with keen enough eyes to see it.…
Eagle cruises reveal the ecology of Cachuma Lake, home of many flora and fauna
For someone who finds it hard not to sleep through the morning on a weekend, I was surprised to find myself at the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area marina at 9:30 a.m. on a recent Saturday. But thanks to a cup of coffee and the clear Cachuma air, I was wide awake and ready to board…
Sneaky flatulence
Editor’s Note: Mr. Krider is neither a medical doctor nor a licensed marriage counselor. This list is based solely on his minimal qualifications—that he has both an anus and a wife. He has no other scientific proof to back up his claims of how to fart through 17 years of marriage and get away with…
Ring in 2014 with Restaurant Month
January is the most delicious month of the year—it’s California Restaurant Month, a special time to “Splurge, Savor, and Save” in practically every major city in the state. It’s a promotion created by Visit California to support the state’s position as the top culinary destination in the nation. Go to DineinCA.com for a list of…
Santa Maria-Bonita district office celebrates holidays by giving
The Santa Maria Bonita School District raised more than $9,000 for various nonprofit groups with a recent holiday fundraiser. Throughout the month of December and the last week of November, 10 different departments within the Souza Center and the district office raised money for 10 charities. Departments offered baked goods, held raffles, wrapped presents, delivered…
FFA breaks out food and fun for the holidays
FFA programs at three high schools stocked up hundreds of pounds of food for the needy before the holiday break. Canned goods were donated to Santa Maria Valley organizations in need before Christmas. Food was earmarked for St. Louis de Montfort Church and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. The food drive was part of…
Spotlight on: Coffee a la Cart
After playing a long game of soccer in the mid-day sun, most kids are in the mood for a treat. Well, if Pam Rowan’s mobile coffee shop, Coffee a la Cart, is nearby, they’re in luck. And if they know the “secret menu,” they’re in for something extra special. In a recent interview with the…
Community Corner: Get in the pool!
Need a good workout after the holidays? The Lompoc Aquatic Center will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 4, after a 12-day closure to make minor repairs and preventative measures to the facility’s pool heaters. The schedule for Saturday will be lap swim from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and recreational swim…
Political Watch 1/2/14
• Three bills authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) took effect on Jan. 1. Senate Bill 400 prevents employers from being able to fire or discriminate against an employee who has been a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill also requires employers to make reasonable efforts to protect the victims…
Community Notebook 1/2-1/9
MONDAY, JAN. 6 • The Solvang Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang. TUESDAY, JAN. 7 • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room, 3757 Constellation Road, Vandenberg Village. • The Santa…
Checkpoints help Santa Maria move down intoxicated accident ladder
The Santa Maria Police Department wasn’t kidding when it said police were going to crack down on impaired driving over the holiday season. During December, police screened 1,287 vehicles at three different checkpoints and arrested six people for driving under the influence. Maybe six DUIs doesn’t sound like a lot of people for all that…
Lake staffers report finding invasive mussels in Ventura County
If the mussels discovered in Ventura County’s Lake Piru on Dec. 18 are indeed Dreissenid mussels, also known as quagga or zebra mussels, the finding would constitute the first time the invasive mussels have been found in a Southern California water body that doesn’t receive water from the Colorado River. The California Department of Fish…
A kitchen fire forces the Far Western Tavern to close over New Year’s
Dinner was cut short Dec. 29 for patrons of the Far Western Tavern after a small kitchen fire prompted a restaurant evacuation. Capt. David Sadecki with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department said firefighters contained the blaze, which started around 7:10 p.m., to the stove’s hood system and flue. Diners were escorted out of the…
Grand Jury scolds Lompoc for work-in-progress audit
In a letter sent out before Christmas, the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury wagged its finger at the city of Lompoc for not yet implementing an audit policy for nonprofits. “The city of Lompoc, despite its agreement to do so, has not instituted a requirement for organizations receiving city grants and loans to submit annual…
Vandenberg officials honor firefighters who died in the Honda Ridge fire
On the morning of Dec. 20, 1977, high winds reportedly caused a power line pole to snap, igniting the dense chaparral in a canyon on the southern portion of Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. According to information from base officials, firefighters responding to the incident attempted numerous tactics to suppress the flames. While many…
Here’s to a more peaceful new year
I heard a few weeks back about Santa Maria’s appearance on a list of the most violent cities in California, so I’m glad to see that the editors here at the Sun decided to explore that idea with a cover story. If you skipped right to my column—and I certainly wouldn’t blame you for doing…
Deadly New Year
Driest year on record, worst storms on record, warmest year on record, most carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the dinosaurs. Those who continue to believe climate change is a farce or have thrown up their hands in surrender, take note: It will get worse. CO2 continues to rise as fossil fuel use increases worldwide.…
A variety of contributions ensure a better future for students
A few weeks ago, we publicly thanked the Orfalea Foundation for its 12-year support of school nutrition programs countywide. With one year wound down and a new year beginning, it is a fitting time to say thanks on behalf of our public schools to all the business and community members who supported our local classrooms…
What’s on Deck? 1/2 – 1/9
Thursday, Jan. 2 Girls’ Water Polo St. Joseph vs. Paso Robles @ Paul Nelson, 3:15 p.m. Pioneer Valley vs. San Luis @ PVHS, 4 p.m. Santa Ynez vs. Rio Mesa @ Rio Mesa, 3:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 Girls’ Basketball St. Joseph vs. Arroyo Grande @ SJHS, 6 p.m. Santa…
Still time for tennis
Ark Tennis will be host to a holiday tennis camp scheduled to run through Jan. 9. Run by Ark Tennis owner/operator Patrick Ortiz, the camp will be held at the Orcutt Junior High School tennis courts. Kids will have a chance to get some exercise and learn valuable skills for the game of tennis with…
Andrew Ibarra
Righetti High School wrestling is off to another successful start this season, taking third place as a team at the Duca Tourney Dec. 7 and the junior varsity wrestlers dominating the duals at Pioneer Valley Dec. 14. At the Mann Classic on Dec. 21, four varsity wrestlers placed in the top 10 at the tournament.…
Local Air Force vet Jacari Miller plays in college, thanks to new GI Bill
For Jacari Miller, basketball has always been a way to relax and unwind. A member of the U.S. Air Force, Miller played basketball overseas and participated in several tournaments. “Basketball has always been an escape route for me when I am stressed or need to get away,” Miller said. “It clears your mind so that…
