I was disappointed to see the lack of balance in Dec. 9’s “Chemical warfare” story regarding the approval of methyl iodide. I had hoped the article would quote actual workers or farmers here in Santa Maria Valley rather than known opponents of pesticides as a whole, whose opinions are nothing if not predictable. These comments […]
Where’s the word from local workers?
Posted inNews
Bonita gets ugly
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board of Education has experienced a leadership shakeup—or at least a reshuffle. District Superintendent Phil Alvarado started the Dec. 8 school board meeting by swearing in incumbent Bruno Brunello and newcomer Will Smith, who beat out longtime board member Jody Oliver in the November election. That victory, however, is receiving […]
Posted inNews
County supervisors tighten laws for tobacco retailers
Watch your pack, Santa Barbara County. New restrictions on where tobacco-selling stores can be located, and the stiffening of penalties against stores that sell to minors, went into effect on Dec. 9. The new ordinance comes after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on Nov. 9 to amend tobacco control sections of […]
Posted inNews
He’s baaaack!
Thought you’d seen the last of former Santa Barbara County Executive Officer Mike Brown? Well, think again. Brown, who served as the county’s top employee for 14 years—until retiring in October—will now be on the payroll of the Agriculture, Business, and Labor Educational Coalition of San Luis Obispo County (COLAB of SLO). In a recent […]
Posted inOpinion
Thanks, Orcutt, for the successful parade!
Yesterday, Dec. 11, the 49th annual Old Town Orcutt Christmas Parade went off (almost) flawlessly. The weather certainly cooperated, but more than anything else our town showed once again how very much it embraces the principles of community. We had wonderful support from the citizens who attended the event in droves and from the merchants […]
Posted inOpinion
Let’s tackle the taboo
Thank you for having the courage to talk openly about child abuse and neglect in our community “(Talk about what’s too terrible to talk about,” Dec. 2). The circumstances surrounding the death of this young boy are certainly heartbreaking, and as a community, we need to respond—not only by scrutinizing the court proceedings and asking […]
Posted inNews
Comcast expands digital offerings
Cable television provider Comcast is switching over more channels to digital signals in Northern Santa Barbara County, requiring some customers to add new equipment. Expanded-basic cable subscribers in Santa Maria, Orcutt, Lompoc, and the Santa Ynez Valley who don’t have set-top cable boxes will need to add digital boxes by mid-February. Comcast will provide those […]
Posted inNews
Insurance broker joins HUB
Santa Maria and Paso Robles-based insurance brokerage firm Byars Thompson Buchanan Insurance and Financial Services recently joined the HUB International Team of insurance agencies. HUB International is the 10th-largest insurance broker in North America. Byars Thompson Buchanan formed in 2001 and brokers employee benefit and insurance programs for people and businesses throughout the Central Coast. […]
Posted inNews
Legal Aid director honored
Santa Barbara Women Lawyers announced the group would award Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County’s Executive Director Ellen Goodstein with the 2010 Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award on Dec. 11. The honor recognizes outstanding legal professionals who are dedicated to the success of women, mentor colleagues and other women, personify professional excellence, […]
Posted inNews
Far Western heads south
After more than 50 years in Guadalupe, the Minetti family, owners of the award-winning Far Western Tavern, will be moving the restaurant to a new location in Old Town Orcutt in late 2011. The new location at 300 Clark Ave., like the current restaurant, will feature separate downstairs bar and dining areas, along with an […]
Posted inNews
Need an academic boost?
Thanks to a new five-year grant from the federal government, Allan Hancock College will now be able to offer its students more on-campus support services. The College Achievement Now (CAN) program—commonly referred to as the TRIO grant—provides academic assistance to low-income and first-generation students, students with limited English proficiency, and disabled students. “This program has […]
Posted inNews
Making an impact
The wellbeing of children—and what locals are doing to ensure it —was the focus of the Santa Barbara County 2010 Youth Impact Awards on Dec. 9 at the Abel Maldonado Community Center in Santa Maria. Each year, Kids Network, a countywide organization of child safety agencies, recognizes individuals in the community who have gone out […]