Believe it or not: There are flying ambulances on the Central Coast. For the past eight years, California Shock/Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR) has been operating an air ambulance service out of the Santa Maria Airport. The company uses fully equipped medical helicopters and one fixed-wing airplane to treat and transport critically ill, injured, and pediatric […]
Heroes in the sky
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Correction
The Sun misspelled a Spanish word in the headline of its June 24 cover story, which should have read, “¿Cuanto cuesta?”
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Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society bites back
On June 19, former volunteers of the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society held a protest rally in Buellton to voice their concerns with shelter staff, the shelter’s euthanization policy, the discontinuation of the dog volunteer program, and how the shelter’s run in general. In a statement detailing the shelter’s response, Laurie Owens, the president of […]
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Close, but no cigar
In the June 22 primary for the 15th District California Senate seat, San Luis Obispo Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee garnered the most votes in the district—which spans SLO, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties—but not enough to avoid an Aug. 17 runoff. With thousands of uncounted ballots and a paper-thin margin between Blakeslee […]
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Report: Pesticide drift recorded in Sisquoc exceeds regulatory standards
On June 22, Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) released results of an air-monitoring study performed by Sisquoc residents documenting high levels of pesticide drift during and after fumigation of strawberry crops. The report, titled Poison Gases in the Field, presented the findings of a study conducted in April 2008. Over 19 days, two Sisquoc […]
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Search for missing firefighter suspended
After five days of scouring the Santa Barbara County coastline, authorities have suspended the search for missing Vandenberg Air Force Base firefighter Sean Fleming. “Our condolences go out to Sean’s family and friends,” 30th Space Wing commander Col. Richard Boltz said in a press release on June 25. “Team Vandenberg will continue to support them […]
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Wine competition winners announced
The Central Coast Wine Competition announced the results of its 2010 vintners’ contest on June 17, with Santa Barbara County wineries taking home many of the top prizes. Local winning labels included Santa Maria’s Rancho Sisquoc for Best of Merlot and Best of Super Tuscan Red, Santa Ynez’s Quail Crossing for Best of Pinot Grigio, […]
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Health Club opens for business
Western Village Health Club, a 47,000-square-foot fitness center in Santa Maria, is now open to help residents get into summer beach shape. The new health club offers more than 150 pieces of cardio equipment, an indoor pool, steam rooms, a whirlpool, saunas, a women’s workout area, certified personal trainers, and a group exercise department. New […]
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Chiropractor thanks vets in July
Local chiropractor Fred Carbone would like to honor the sacrifices of Santa Maria-area veterans throughout July with an Independence Celebration at his practice, Aloha Family Chiropractic. All month long, Santa Maria vets and active duty personnel will qualify for a free health and wellness checkup. Carbone specializes in spinal correction and family wellness care and […]
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Women’s Network ropes in blue ribbon
Yeehaw! The Santa Maria Women’s Network took the bull by the horns and nabbed the top prize at the Chamber of Commerce’s “Big Corral Trade Show,” held at the Fairpark on June 17. Decked out in western wear, booth representatives greeted all comers with a cheery welcome by ringing a cowbell. The Network would like […]
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Learn online with Hancock College
Allan Hancock College is offering more than 180 online classes during its fall semester, the college recently announced. The classes are designed to offer students the flexibility of completing courses at their own pace at home or on campus computers. Both credit and Community Education/Spectrum courses are offered online. Some subjects for credit courses include […]
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Community Action Commission serves up free meals
Pull up a seat and tuck a napkin under your chin, the Community Action Commission Summer Food Service Program is providing free lunch—and in some cases breakfast—to children who qualify as low-income and who are attending summer youth programs in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Goleta, and Guadalupe. Participating children typically get free or reduced-cost lunches […]