First 5 Commissions throughout Southern California are tackling the health care needs of low-income children one tooth at a time, according to a recent study. The First 5 Southern California Alliance for Learning and Results study found that funds disbursed by local First 5 commissions over the last several years have made quality oral health […]
First 5 just says no to tooth decay
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Turn groceries into funds for local schools
A tough economy might be forcing people to tighten their belts when it comes to making charitable donations, but local school officials said there are still ways to support education. One easy way to help support local schools is to save “Box Tops for Education” labels and Campbell’s soup can labels, Maggie White, a spokeswoman […]
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Forum tackles health care concerns
For many, a lost job also means lost health insurance coverage. Santa Maria Valley residents concerned with affordable health care plans are invited to attend a free forum to be held by the League of Women Voters on March 12. A panel of health care experts will be on hand to discuss available options and […]
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Local leaders become ‘principal for a day’
The Santa Maria Industry Education Council and Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the 18th annual “Principal For a Day” program that brings business and community leaders together with local educators. On March 11, participants will visit the campus of one of 37 schools taking part in the program this year and meet […]
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Be safe, get a pizza
If you order a pizza from Domino’s on March 6, don’t be alarmed if it’s already paid for. The pizza chain, the National Fire Protection Association, and local fire departments are working together to promote fire safety by awarding free pizza to customers in cities throughout Northern Santa Barbara County who currently have working smoke […]
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Have your taxes done for free
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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]