THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents a film screening of the documentary Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women on March 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. in the library’s Shepard Hall, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us. THE SANTA MARIA FAIRPARK holds an electronic recycling event March […]
Special Events
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The man who whispers to teens
Imagine a family in crisis: The teenage son has become increasingly defiant since his parents’ divorce. Once a straight-A student, he’s started sneaking out at night to party with friends. When his mother confronts him about it, the son becomes irate and threatens her physically. At the end of her rope, the mother pleads with […]
Posted inOpinion
How do you feel about red light cameras?
Jesie Uribe sales representative “They probably reduce red light runs and accidents. I’m sure, though, if they weren’t there people would always run red lights.” Rick Barretto painter “I think that it’s a beautiful thing for our safety, but it is nice to see them go.” Rachele Uribe preschool teacher assistant “I don’t like them […]
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Political Watch 3.04
The leader of a local grassroots group recently had her e-mail hacked and has since received calls from friends asking if she is in some financial trouble. In an e-mail to the media, Dianne Howes reported, “My e-mail address was stolen. Do not send money. I am fine!” Howes added that the technical glitch won’t […]
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Community Notebook 3.04
MONDAY, MARCH 8 • The Santa Maria City Block Grants Advisory Committee has its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 110 E. Cook St., Santa Maria. TUESDAY, MARCH 9 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center’s […]
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Breakfast club helps VTC
Vocational Training Center (VTC) Enterprises of Santa Maria is planning to build a new facility on its property off of A Street. The effort recently got a big financial boost from the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club. Rotary members presented a check for $25,000 to VTC representatives at a special event on Feb. 26. The […]
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A minus for the Plus program?
Before entering foster care at age 17, Tamera Richardson spent a large portion of her life—about 10 years—taking care of her mother and two younger siblings. Richardson struggled to ensure her siblings were clothed and fed; she cleaned the house, cooked, and made sure everyone got to school on time. The children eventually found their […]
Posted inNews
Kicking butts
Think that kid looking to buy a pack of cigarettes is just thinking of starting up a new habit? Think again—especially in light of recently released information from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Underage decoys, working with the Sheriff’s Department, went into retail establishments throughout the county in an attempt to purchase tobacco […]
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Santa Maria’s Strawberry Queen contest is now open
Ever dreamed of being queen for a day? How about a whole year? Those are the questions being posed by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce as part of its quest for a 2010 Strawberry Queen. The contest is open to girls ages 5 to 18. To participate, each girl must sell as many […]
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Santa Maria Police Department investigates a bank fraud case
Locals be warned: The Santa Maria Police Department has received word of another bank scam. According to police reports, an elderly resident of the Santa Maria Valley recently got a phone call from a man claiming to be employed by the Bank of America security/fraud department. The caller is said to have sounded like an […]
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Armijo sentenced to 90 days in jail
An ongoing legal battle between Santa Barbara County and a former employee has finally come to an end—for now, at least. On March 1, former 5th District supervisorial aide Gilbert Armijo was sentenced to 90 days in county jail as part of a felony perjury case. The 58-year-old was arrested on suspicion of driving under […]
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Local man charged with grand theft, check forgery
Santa Maria’s John Thomas Glines appeared in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on March 1, pleading not guilty to charges he embezzled more than $300,000 from his former business associates. Glines, 41, was arraigned on six felony counts: four counts of grand theft and two counts of multiple check forgery. According to a formal complaint […]