Fidenzio Brunello has resigned halfway through his fifth term on the Board of Trustees for the Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD). The 14-year board member wrote in his resignation letter that he plans to spend more time with his family. “I have decided that, at this stage in my life, I would like to spend […]
Longtime Santa Maria-Bonita School District board member resigns
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Santa Maria Elks: More than ‘an old men’s drinking society’
The Santa Maria Elks lodge has done a lot right in its 89-year history: It’s donated big bucks to local community programs, hosted delicious indoor barbecues, and racked up more than 3,000 members, making it the biggest Elks lodge in the state and fifth biggest in the nation. It has not, however, appointed a female […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s your favorite part of springtime?
Francisco Cadena Santa Maria High School student “Spring break, with vacation time away from school.” Loreina Rosales prospective student “Being able to wear a sundress.” Cristian Barajas merchandiser “The weather and the time change. It’s more time to do activities later, like basketball.” Denys Torres prospective student “I like to spend time with my family.”
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Political Watch 3/31/2016
• In response to the controversial firing of Coastal Commission Executive Director Charles Lester last month, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) is introducing legislation to prohibit private, off-the-record communications with coastal commissioners that could influence decision-making. Next week, Jackson will amend her Senate Bill 1190 to prohibit “ex parte” communications with commissioners, effectively banning any […]
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Community Notebook 3/31/16 – 4/7/16
MONDAY, APRIL 4 • The Solvang Planning Commission has its regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang TUESDAY, APRIL 5 • 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. • […]
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Event gives Santa Maria area students a look at higher education opportunities
Students from Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Righetti high schools learned about higher education during a recent field trip to two Bay Area universities through the Student Academic Achievement Seminar. The experience brought the young learners to the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University where they toured the campuses and participated in […]
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Author visits English learners
Students in Santa Maria Joint Union High School’s English 2 Intensive Class for English Learners received a literary treat when the author of a memoir they’ve been reading spoke to their classes on March 22. Author Reyna Grande, who wrote a memoir entitled The Distance Between Us, gave students a first-hand account of her experience […]
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Kiwanis offers student scholarships
On March 15 Santa Maria Kiwanis held the 55th Annual California Scholastic Federation/Honor Student Awards and Recognition Dinner at the Veterans’ Memorial Community Center. More than 300 students and supporters attended. All the work to put on the event was handled by club volunteers and members of Kiwanis-sponsored Key Clubs. Key Club members are made […]
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Hobnobbing with Helen
March 18 was an important date for the Orcutt Oasis Center. Everybody knows that the Oasis Center is a nonprofit membership organization that provides programs, services, classes, and socializing opportunities for seniors. On Friday, March 18, the Center held its seventh annual Spring Gala, a fundraising event, at the Radisson Hotel. This was a particularly […]
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Spotlight on: Mission City Fumigating
You may not know Mission City Fumigating, but owner Mary Hernandez said her company performs an important role in battling bug infestations. Mission City sub-contracts for other companies. Her customers are other companies in the same industry, companies that provide fumigation chemicals or inspectors like Dead On Termite Services, which is owned by Jaryd Fylstra, […]
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Rumblings in the outback: Cuyama’s Community Services District looks ahead to improved operations
Cuyama sits in Santa Barbara County’s most northeast corner. It’s a dusty and dry landscape 50 miles from Santa Maria to the east, and more than 60 miles from Ojai to the south. Everything in between is either farmland or the Los Padres Forest. There’s no direct water line going to the small community of […]
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Santa Barbara County suspends meetings with Chumash
It’s time for a breather. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Santa Barbara County’s ad hoc subcommittee are taking a break from their monthly meetings to step back, work out some kinks, and plan out how to move forward. The meetings began in September 2015, after Congress told the county to sit down […]