Some of Solvang’s budding scientists had the opportunity to present research projects involving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to their classmates and community members at Solvang Elementary School on Nov. 15. Solvang Elementary fourth and fifth graders, also known as the All Are Scholars Academy, have been researching STEM related topics all year through […]
Solvang Elementary students present science and technology research
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Spotlight on: Marian Regional Medical Center
Marian Regional Medical Center recently added two new state-of-the-art devices to its heart program’s resources. On Nov. 14, the hospital announced Marian’s Sue J. Sword Heart Center will now offer a new type of heart device—one they described as “the world’s smallest pacemaker,” for patients with slow or irregular heart rhythm, otherwise known as bradycardia. […]
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Political Watch 11/23/17
• After the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Republican tax plan along party lines on Nov. 16, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) spoke out against the legislation in an interview with Bloomberg the following day. Brown said that Republicans could see losses in the 2018 midterms and the 2020 elections if the legislation is passed. […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen: Season of tree
It’s that time again. The Christmas tree raffle season opened with the noontime Altrusa Club’s Festival of Trees sponsor reception, which was also the Chamber of Commerce’s November monthly mixer. Held on Thursday evening, Nov. 16, on the lower level of Santa Maria Town Center East mall, the event attracted more than 100 people. Everyone’s […]
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Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies change emergency response protocol to battle opioid overdose deaths
Opioid overdoses caused more than 33,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2015 alone, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC estimates that opioids—ranging from heroin to prescription painkillers—cause nearly 91 overdose deaths in the country each day. The CDC’s website labels the misuse of opioids as a […]
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Lawsuit targeting county Housing Authority says excessive home inspections violate Fourth Amendment
In a cramped 323-square-foot apartment off G Street in Lompoc lives the architect of a lawsuit who says her case contesting governmental warrantless home inspections is but one of thousands. Marsha Waldau, gray haired and bespectacled, peers up from the stack of case files and documents obscuring the wood surface of her kitchen table from […]
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Santa Barbara Supervisor Janet Wolf won’t seek re-election
After more than a decade of continuity, the seat for Santa Barbara County’s 2nd District supervisor is now a question mark. Supervisor Janet Wolf announced on Nov. 16 that she would not seek re-election next year, citing a desire to spend more time with family. Her move to step down could change the political balance […]
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Tourist killed crossing street in Lompoc
A Hungarian tourist was killed on Nov. 17 in Lompoc after she was struck by a car while crossing North H Street. According to the Lompoc Police Department (LPD), the pedestrian was struck in the middle of the roadway. The tourist’s injuries were so severe she was flown to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The driver […]
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Guadalupe teacher placed on administrative leave after allegations of lewd conduct surface
A teacher with the Guadalupe Union School District was recently placed on administrative leave after he was arrested on suspicion of engaging in lewd conduct in San Luis Obispo. James Ungricht, a math teacher at Kermit McKenzie Junior High School, was arrested after Cal Poly San Luis Obispo police investigated reports of the suspect committing […]
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Murder suspect killed by Lompoc officers in shootout
Gunfire shattered a quiet Sunday morning in Lompoc on Nov. 19. In just under an hour, two men were dead, one from an officer-involved shooting. According to Sgt. Kevin Martin with the Lompoc Police Department (LPD), a city patrol unit responded to reports of a homicide victim in the Santa Ynez riverbed at just after […]
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Etta Waterfield announces bid for re-election
Santa Maria City Councilmember Etta Waterfield announced her bid for re-election on Nov. 20 in front of the Santa Maria Public Library, where a group of roughly 40 supporters and colleagues gathered to hear the councilmember speak. “The desire to make a difference still burns within my soul,” Waterfield told the crowd, which included Mayor […]
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Off to the races
Ugh, I can’t believe we have to talk about elections again already. Just when we’ve got over the nausea of the 2016 election, we’re already talking about the midterms! Politics has never been so divisive, it seems, and I’m not just talking about nationally! The fight over Santa Maria’s City Council got nasty earlier this […]
