A hearing requested by Gil Armijo, former executive staff assistant to Supervisor Joe Centeno (5th District), to dismiss felony perjury charges associated with a DUI case has been continued to Aug. 14, according to court officials. Armijo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in December 2007, and eventually reached a no-contest […]
Former supervisorial aide Armijo’s hearing postponed
Posted inNews
SEIU Local 620 asks Guadalupe city officials to share the financial burden of furloughs
On Aug. 7, members of SEIU Local 620 announced they would be going before the Guadalupe City Council on Aug. 11 to protest the city’s intent to lay off several employees to compensate for budget shortfalls. As of press time, SEIU Local 620 spokesman Bruce Corsaw said members offered to take 10 percent […]
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Officials work to contain La Brea Fire
Smoke and ash churned in the skies above Northern Santa Barbara County as the La Brea Fire continued to burn in a remote section of the Los Padres National Forest. As of press time, the fire, which started on Aug. 8, had burned more than 20,000 acres approximately 26 miles east of Santa Maria, […]
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Murder victim Frederick Holgate is remembered for his ‘goodness of heart’
At an Aug. 10 memorial service honoring 69-year-old Frederick Holgate, Rev. Riz Carrariza called on the Santa Maria faith community to help heal a family torn apart by what appears to be a senseless act of violence. “Only by faith will we be able to understand some of the circumstances that have brought us […]
Posted inNews
YMCA offers ‘Stepping Stones’ to a good education
Looking for a safe and educational place to send your preschooler? YMCA Stepping Stones Childcare, located in the Betteravia Government Center, and the YMCA Young Children’s Center, located at 3400 Skyway Drive, are now enrolling children ages 2 to 5 years old. The only prerequisite is potty training. Both programs are licensed and accredited […]
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Allan Hancock College gets recognition for awarding a high number of degrees to Hispanic students
In June, Community College Week magazine ranked Santa Maria’s Allan Hancock College 36th out of more than 50 community colleges for awarding the highest number of degrees to Hispanic students in 2008. The school has ranked among the top 50 in this category for the past seven years, according to a press release from the […]
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Fall into WEV’s business courses
Women interested in launching, growing, and sustaining a successful business can learn valuable tools and resources at the Women’s Economic Ventures’ fall continuum of programs. The group is currently registering participants for its intensive Self-Employment Training course, which will be held in Santa Maria beginning in September. The class runs for 14 consecutive […]
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Community Bank posts quarterly figures
Community Bank of Santa Maria released its earnings report for the second quarter of 2009, revealing the mixed-bag state of the local economy. Bank deposits increased 10 percent from June of 2008 to the quarter’s end this year, from $108.2 million to $119 million. The bank’s total assets tallied $135.2 million, up 5 percent […]
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Pharmacy marks one year
Agewell Pharmacy is celebrating its one-year anniversary. To mark the occasion, the pharmacy will offer 20 percent off vitamins for the entire month of September. Agewell provides patients with access to commercially unavailable dosage forms of medication to better suit individual preferences, needs, and lifestyles. Specializing in chronic pain management, migraines, and arthritis, the […]
Posted inOpinion
In support of the Veterans Administration
My recent letter to the editor (“Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” July 30) included such lines as “Let’s save our vets from big government and its socialized medical programs.” and “Patriots! Tell the Veterans’ Administration no more funding.” Those comments, as well as the entire letter, were written tongue-in-cheek and not intended to […]
Posted inOpinion
I’ve been well served by veteran health care
To your correspondent who decries our veterans’ health care system as socialized medicine (“Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” July 30), I can only say that as a military widow, I feel very well served by the present combination of Medicare and Tricare for Life for us older ones—“the best insurance in the country,” two […]
Posted inOpinion
You choose your health care, and I’ll choose mine
Somehow, I missed the outrageous letter from Jamie Ford of San Luis Obispo, titled “Do veterans deserve socialist health care?” when it first appeared in New Times and the Santa Maria Sun (July 30). While much in it is just cant and nonsense, certain points need a response. If he/she defines veterans health care […]