Peoples’ Self Help Housing is an organization that develops and manages affordable rental housing in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and the group recently received an influx of cash from the Wells Fargo Foundation. “Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations like Peoples’ Self-Help Housing who are working to strengthen our communities. We […]
Wells Fargo Foundation donates $45,000 to local housing advocates
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Local educators celebrate McTeacher’s Night
Fast food fees went toward a good cause on Oct. 21 and 23, when staff members from five Santa Maria-Bonita School District elementary schools participated in McTeacher’s Night at five local McDonald’s restaurants. From 5 to 8 p.m., staff members from Alvin, Battles, Bruce, Sanchez, and Tunnell elementary schools cooked and served hamburgers, fries, and […]
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Forget free candy, RIF gives free books to students
October usually conjures up visions of fall leaves and spooky tombstones that say “R.I.P.”—but students in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District are now focusing on a slightly different set of letters: “RIF.” The national Reading Is Fundamental “Books for Ownership” program is donating free books to more than 11,500 local children throughout the month. District […]
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Political watch
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) will hold mobile office hours in Nipomo on Oct. 30, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Office hours will be held in front of the Nipomo Public Library, located at 918 West Tefft Street. Earlier this month, the 33rd District assemblyman held office hours behind City Hall in Arroyo […]
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Pepperoni and firefighters, together at last
Domino’s Pizza helps raise funds and raise awareness Domino’s Pizza in Orcutt—in partnership with the Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara County fire departments—will be raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and raising awareness of National Fire Safety month on Nov. 1 and 2. The Santa Barbara County Firefighter’s Association will be taking […]
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Watch before you vote
In case you missed it, the Oct. 9 League of Women Voters forum for candidates for the Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors and the Santa Maria City Council will show on Government Access channel 25 on Fridays at 7 a.m. and on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. until the election.
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Central Coast water quality symposium is scheduled for Nov. 6 in Santa Maria
Santa Maria residents will have a chance to sound off on water issues at the Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition Symposium on Nov. 6. The symposium will highlight the appearance of nitrates and other substances in water sources and its relation to fertilizer. According to a press release from the coalition, a representative from […]
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Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan moves forward
Members of the Santa Maria City Council cheered as city staffers presented the final stages of the Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan at the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, when council members unanimously approved a project blueprint and other final project guidelines. The plan awaits final approval on Nov. 4. According to the project plan and […]
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Incumbent Larry Lavagnino faces Ernest Armenta in Santa Maria’s mayoral race
Longtime mayor Larry Lavagnino is up for re-election, and he’s competing for votes with active Santa Maria citizen Ernest S. Armenta. Lavagnino has served as mayor of Santa Maria since 1996. Armenta ran against Lavagnino the last time the mayor was up for re-election four years ago and lost that race. The Sun asked these […]
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Safety first
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Lompoc held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Santa Barbara County Fire Chief John Scherrei, Sheriff Bill Brown, 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, and 5th District Supervisor Brooks Firestone on Oct. 24, celebrating the grand opening of Lompoc’s new public safety building. The 12,600-square-foot shared building includes […]
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Nobel winner visits Allan Hancock College
It’s not every day locals get to listen to a Nobel Peace Prize winner speak about social justice, make an earnest appeal for reason during unreasonable times, and offer sage advice all in one go. The audience for Rigoberta Mench?’s visit to Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria on Oct. 23 got all that and […]
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Measure for measure
On Nov. 4, Californians will have a list of 12 state propositions to mull over, focusing on issues from gay marriage to alternative energy to veterans’ benefits. On the local level, Santa Barbara County voters will have several more measures to consider. However, only one of the measures will have a direct impact on the […]
