Lions, tigers, and bears. Gorillas, emus, and zebras. Jackrabbits, African saddle-billed storks, and a Xerces blue butterfly. Those are just some of the animals featured in a new exhibit called Animals A-Z showing through Oct. 9 at the Wildling Museum in Solvang. The museum set out to create a challenging new show featuring an animal […]
Wildling Museum exhibit features art inspired by animals of every name
Posted inNews
‘Virtual kidnapping’ scam puts Nipomo school on lockdown
Law enforcement officials quickly mobilized and locked down a Nipomo elementary school in response to the suspected kidnapping of a young girl. The only problem was there was no actual kidnapping. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office were continuing to investigate the incident, which they called a “virtual” kidnapping, warning members of the public […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Cycling for a cause: Thousands of bicyclists passed through Santa Maria to raise money for HIV/AIDS research and services
While the AIDS epidemic is not as far reaching in America as it was in the ’80s and ’90s, those affected by the disease are still fighting just as hard against the illness. The point of the 545-mile AIDS/LifeCycle bike race is not necessarily to create competition, but rather to raise millions of dollars for […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Ryan Hillmer
For Ryan Hillmer, June 4 was a day of accomplishment. Apart from participating in the 24th annual Marianne Talley Memorial Fun Run, Hillmer also celebrated his six-month anniversary of being clean and sober. Hillmer’s road to recovery began when he moved to the Middlehouse, a residential facility in San Luis Obispo for men working through […]
Posted inOpinion
We need prison bail reform
As a kid, growing up in a middle-class family in California, the only time I was ever upset about the state of the criminal justice system was while playing the board game Monopoly and drawing the disappointing card that states: “Go directly to jail—do not pass Go, do not collect $200.” If you had a […]
Posted inOpinion
Whose hair is on fire?
It’s not just Democrats with flaming hair (“Trump sets Dems’ hair on fire,” June 8). It’s easy to spot a sharp party split on climate change in Congress. But if you’re on a local planning commission, your position will depend less on your party affiliation and more on how much you’ve been spending on repairs […]
Posted inOpinion
Wake up
Wake up and smell the coffee everyone! As a journalist, I can’t wake up without smelling some coffee, but you know what I mean. I’m sure that 4th District County Supervisor Peter Adam and 5th District County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino want the other county supes to wake up and smell the budget deficit. We’re talking […]
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Olympic boxer visits Arellanes Junior High
Olympic Boxer and Santa Maria native Carlos Balderas visited Arellanes Junior High on Wednesday, June 14. Balderas, who previously attended the junior high, spoke to the students outside on the field. A banner, paid for by the school’s Builder’s Club, was unveiled after his speech. The banner reads: “Home of Olympian Carlos Balderas Rio 2016.”
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Care for Our Earth grants awarded to 21 schools
Care for Our Earth grants were awarded to teachers at the annual Santa Barbara County Education Celebration on May 25. There were 23 classroom projects—from 21 Santa Barbara County schools—that earned grants. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, Santa Barbara County Education Office, and Santa Barbara County Water Agency awarded the grants as […]
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Santa Maria Valley high school seniors celebrate graduation
On June 8, 581 Pioneer Valley High School seniors lined up waiting for their names to be announced as they walked across the stage. A monumental moment: high school graduation. Pioneer Valley’s graduating class earned $1.1 million in tuition, scholarships, and awards, according to Principal Shanda Herrera. “I’m so proud of the accomplishments of the […]
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Spotlight on: Quality Cell Phone Repair
Few people can brag about starting their own business straight out of high school, but Joel Mendoza—owner and founder of Quality Cell Phone Repair in Santa Maria—is one of them. After graduating from Pioneer Valley High School in 2010, Mendoza saw an opportunity to provide a service to the community, something he already had a […]
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Political Watch 6/15/17
• California’s senators, Dianne Feinstein (D) and Kamala Harris (D), questioned former FBI Director James Comey as members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8. They probed Comey with questions regarding the FBI’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, possible collusion between the Trump campaign, and conversations with President Donald […]