• Frustrated by his colleagues’ reactions to the State budget crisis, State Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) recently introduced two constitutional amendments regulating legislators’ salaries. Maldonado’s “No Budget, No Pay or Per Diem” bill, SCA 7, would prohibit legislators from receiving their salaries or per diem if the budget has not been passed by the […]
Political Watch
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Need cash for college?
As high school seniors start to hear back from college admissions offices, determining the cost of a college education will soon become a reality for many families. Students and their parents can help ease the financial burden by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) or applying for a Cal Grant. To […]
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National publication recognizes Santa Maria High School for stellar college
The College Board, a national nonprofit association of schools, colleges, and universities, recently listed Santa Maria High School as a school with “exemplary college counseling.” The high school was one of six schools listed in the publication Inspiration and Innovation: Ten Effective Counseling Practices from the College Board’s Inspiration Award Schools. Commissioned by the College […]
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Hook a green investor for your green enterprise
The California Coast Venture Forum recently announced the launch of its Clean Business Investment Summit, set for March 26 at UCSB’s Corwin Pavilion. “Clean tech,” green, socially responsible, and sustainable businesses will present their companies to investors at the event. The California Coast Venture Forum is looking for such enterprises—in renewable energy sources, agricultural technology, […]
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How did Community Bank of Santa Maria fare in 2008?
Jim Glines, president and chief executive officer of Community Bank of Santa Maria, recently released the bank’s year-end earnings report. “Our financial numbers are a direct reflection of the community we service,” he said in a release to the media. “We hope the new year will bring an economic upswing that will undoubtedly strengthen the […]
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Explore short sales in a local seminar
Explore short sales in a local seminar Pat Haley, sales manager with Short Sale Realty, set up a seller seminar with the hopes of explaining how short sales are made, why they’re “better for sellers than a foreclosure,” and why buyers tend to get a better house in better condition than if they bought a […]
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Taking the bench
In November 2008, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Kay Kuns to fill a judgeship vacated by retiring Santa Maria Judge Rodney Melville. In a recent interview with the Sun, Kuns said the appointment came as a bit of a surprise. “I put in an application several years ago and didn’t think much else about it,” Kuns […]
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Community Notebook
TUESDAY, FEB. 3 • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. Agendas are available at bos-agenda.sbcgov.net. • The Vandenberg Village Community Services District has its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office […]
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They’ve improved Santa Maria recreation
On Jan. 22, the Santa Maria City Recreation and Parks department held its Meritorious Community Service Awards dinner at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center in Santa Maria. According to Dennis Smitherman, recreation supervisor with the city, the awards, which are handed out every two years, recognize community members who have a history of helping improve […]
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Vandenberg Air Force Base airmen handle a lot of (fake) casualties
Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base’s 30th Space Wing medical group are in the final stages of completing their annual Medical Emergency Response Capability Assessment and Training (MERCAT) exercise. The four-day exercise, which ends on Jan. 29, tests the ability of airmen to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack on the base. […]
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California Conservation Corps is in danger of closing
The California Conservation Corps is facing possible extinction under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most recent budget plan, which proposes nixing the 33-year-old program to help relieve the state’s $42 billion deficit. The cut could save the state as much as $17 million, according to estimates from the Capitol. If approved, the cut would force dozens of […]
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New U.S. Census Bureau will generate jobs in Santa Maria
A newly opened U.S. Census Bureau office in Santa Maria could create more than 200 local jobs and as many as 1,500 jobs in five counties, according to estimates from bureau officials. At an opening ceremony on Jan. 21, potential employees, along with a handful of local and state representatives, met at the new office […]