California State Controller John Chiang and Free Tax Preparation Services are partnering to offer free tax preparations at Allan Hancock College on March 21 for people making less than $45,000 a year. Eligible taxpayers who want to take advantage of the service will need to provide a valid photo ID, Social Security card, or Taxpayer […]
Have your taxes done for free
Posted inNews
Mr. Maldonado goes to Sacramento
Sen. Abel Maldonado doesn’t have many Republican friends in Sacramento right now. His vote ensured that the Senate would pass a controversial budget that also came with more than $12 billion in tax increases. That vote has won him praise—and the wrath of his own party. Maldonado, a moderate Republican representing the Central Coast, broke […]
Posted inNews
McCoy traffic median is up and running
After several months of community meetings and construction, Santa Maria has completed modifications to the traffic median on McCoy Lane. The changes—including a second left turn lane on McCoy turning onto northbound Broadway—are designed to allow better access into and out of the Kohl’s Shopping Center, city officials said in a recent press release. Other […]
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Santa Barbara County and Santa Maria receiving funds for preventing homelessness
Locals facing homelessness because of recent economic hardship are set to receive a boost from President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. On Feb. 25, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated more than $10 billion to HUD programs throughout the country. According to the HUD website, hud.gov, approximately […]
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Local organizations remind the public ‘Parents Are Teachers Too’
On March 7, experts in child development, education, health, and family dynamics will share their knowledge with hundreds of local parents at the 33rd Annual Parents Are Teachers Too Conference in Lompoc. “The main message of the conference is that parents are their child’s primary teacher, especially during the first five years, which are some […]
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Santa Barbara county supervisors flip on mandated affordable housing
After initially voting in January to reject an affordable housing mandate from the state, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1, with 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray dissenting, to reverse the decision during its Feb. 24 meeting. The board also selected two parcels in Orcutt—Key Site 3 along East Clark Avenue and Key […]
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Land Conservancy of SLO seeks volunteers to help restore land near Nipomo Creek
Beginning this month, several acres along Nipomo Creek will be getting a makeover from the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County as part of a native plant restoration project aiming to install more than 10,000 native shrubs and trees on the property over the next three years. In a recent interview with the Sun, […]
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Justice for all
In 2005, Santa Maria resident Melissa’s* daughter, Stephanie*, was a happy and healthy 16-year-old. She went to school, hung out with friends, and spent time with her family. “She was always a happy-go-lucky child. She was always very spirited,” Melissa said of her daughter. All of that began to change when a relative moved in, […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s the last thing you ordered online?
Leo Flores donation attendant “Nothing. I don’t like computers, because too much weird stuff happens on those things.” Liz Galvez homemaker “Clothes for my kids from Old Navy. There’s better sales online.” Jose Galvan VTC Enterprises “A PlayStation 3 Skate 2 video game for my son’s birthday.” Jasmine Pearson student “Pokemon FireRed version for my […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Clubs & Meetings
4-H welcomes anyone interested in the group to sign up now. Find a nearby club by contacting the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office at 692-1730 or zmhughes@ucdavis.edu. ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, INC. of SANTA MARIA, a nonprofit business and professional organization, meets the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., in the Altrusa Theatre of the Santa […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Spiritual
BAHA’I interfaith worship services are the second Sunday of each month. Info: 489-4172. Children’s classes are the first Saturday of each month. Info: 937-9451. Study circles about The Life of the Spirit are ongoing in Santa Maria. For questions, dates, and times: 614-0963. Info: 937-9451. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH holds worship services Sundays with Holy Communion […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Farmers Markets
SANTA MARIA 100 S. Broadway at Main, Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Features local beekeepers’ honey and bee pollen, breads and pastries, plants and flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables. ORCUTT Corner of Clark and Bradley, Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh honey, flowers, and eggs, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. […]