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 […]
Kicking butts
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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 […]
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Poor air quality in Nipomo Mesa linked to off-road vehicles
It’s official: Off-road recreational vehicles are messing with the air quality of the Nipomo Mesa. That’s according to a scientific study by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution District, released Feb. 22. High levels of coarse airborne particles—small enough to breathe in—are the root cause of the problem, and they’re not necessarily vehicle exhaust […]
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Delta High School gets top honors from United Blood Services
United Blood Services has given its first-ever school club award to a group of students from Delta High School for organizing a blood drive earlier this year. The high school’s community service club was randomly selected to receive the $250 award based on nominations submitted by schools in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Barbara […]
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Community members will serve as principals for a day
Ever wonder as a child what it would be like to be principal for a day? On March 10, 40 local business and community leaders will make that daydream a reality at public and private school campuses throughout the Santa Maria Valley. The Principal For a Day event allows community members to spend the morning […]
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Publisher to address conference
The publisher of a prominent weekly business journal will discuss the future of industry and manufacture on the Central Coast at an upcoming Manufacturers Association meeting on March 23. Henry Dubroff, publisher of the Pacific Coast Business Times, will be the event’s keynote speaker. The meeting will be held at Hardy Diagnostics, located at 1430 […]
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WEV receives $10,000 gift
Women’s Economic Ventures announced Rabobank North America has awarded the group a $10,000 gift to support its new Thrive-in-Five program. Rabobank North America Executive Vice President Donald Toussaint, Senior Vice President Fred Mendez, and Vice President Ida Pointer-Gomez presented the check to WEV’s founder, Marsha Bailey, at the group’s Santa Barbara offices. WEV offers business […]
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Red Cross names development director
The Santa Barbara County chapter of the American Red Cross recently welcomed Brad Vartan to the organization as the group’s new director of development. Vartan has previously held several fundraising and development positions, including associate vice president of development for the Museum of Latin American Art, major gifts account manager for United Way of Orange […]
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Conference talks cap and trade
The cap and trade bill, and the legislation’s demands on small businesses and industry, will be the topics of a conference hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce on March 16. Roy Perez, vice chairman of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a small business advocate, will be the event’s featured speaker. […]