Month: August 2025

Dave Alley

ORCUTT, Calif. – The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table held its first weekly awards luncheon of the new 2025-26 school year on Monday afternoon.

Created 35 years ago, the weekly luncheon takes place on Mondays during the academic year and is intended to honor and recognize the top prep and collegiate student-athletes from the Northern Santa Barbara County region.

“We’re back,” said Round Table President Steve Lavagnino. “Here we are again, at Giavanni’s Pizza and we’re back to highlight some of Santa Barbara County’s greatest athletes. Not only are we highlighting what kids do on the field, and not just what they’re doing on the field, but the combination of putting together the student-athlete. We want the person that’s crushing in the classroom and also doing well on athletic field.”

Each week, different sports are featured during the program. This week, student-athletes from football, flag football and golf attended the luncheon.

“I think it’s just a great opportunity for all the local schools to come together,” said St. Joseph Athletic Director Tom Mott. “You get to hear stories about some of the kids that you read about in the newspapers or see on the highlights and it’s just great camaraderie for all the kids, and obviously, athletic directors like coming every Monday and seeing each other as well.”

A select group of student-athletes attend the event from each member school including: Santa Ynez High School, Lompoc High School, Cabrillo High School, Righetti High School, St. Joseph High School, Santa Maria High School, Pioneer Valley High School, Orcutt Academy High School, Valley Christian Academy, and Allan Hancock College.

“It’s nice to see faces that I recognize from all the sports,” said Lompoc multi-sport standout Tara Terrones. “Being able to meet other athletes and being able to enjoy everybody’s company, it’s very special.”

As lunch is being served, coaches and athletic directors from each school will speak and provide an update on the achievements and accomplishment of the teams and student-athletes that are in attendance.

“I like coming to eat pizza and I like coming and seeing all the faces, seeing my competition, seeing who I’m up against and who I can be friends with,” said Santa Maria flag football quarterback Sophie Juarez. “It’s just it’s a fun experience to come and meet everybody and it’s an honor to be here. Like, I got picked by my school to come and represent the sport, so it’s an honor to come.”

At the conclusion, a Male Athlete of the Week and Female Athlete of the Week are named, with both asked to provide a short speech to the audience.

On Monday, only one award was handed out and was given to Greyson Foy, who helped lead the Santa Ynez football team to an opening night win over Dos Pueblos last Friday night.

Created in 1990, the Round Table has been a staple on the local sports scene through generous community support, particularly from financial contributions from area businesses.

“What we do is we go out and we ask people for money, a lot of these things cost money,” said Lavagnino. “We do this here, plus, at the end of the year in May, we have a big banquet. We give out $1,500 scholarships. One scholarship is $2,000, so we give out about almost $15,000 at our May dinner. It’s all made possible by local businesses and a few people that used to be sitting in these seats that have now done well for themselves and they are writing us checks.”  

Giavanni’s Pizza in Orcutt has been the long-running traditional home of the Round Table and continues to serve as the primary host site.

However, beginning four years ago, Hancock College now also serves as a host site, welcoming the Round Table on the final Monday of each month.

The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table will meet each Monday, except on holidays and vacation periods through May 4, 2026.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Round Table will holds its season-ending Hall of Fame and Scholarship Dinner at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.

During the event, the Round Table will induct new members into its Hall of Fame, as well as name the Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table provides frequent updates and other information on its Facebook page, which can be accessed by clicking here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Some of the basic jobs of the future may not be as certain as once thought and Santa Barbara City College students are making plans and adjusting plans based on the ever-changing conditions.

This is the first week for the fall semester at SBCC. Thousands of students have arrived on campus. Enrollment is slightly lower than 2024.

Santa Barbara City College President Erika Endrijonas said, “we are about five percent down relative to where we were from last year however those numbers do not include our dual enrollment students.”  Those are high school students who are also taking college classes and those numbers will be added  in the weeks ahead.

Fewer international students are on the campus and the school says those who are enrolled had an important blend with the other students.

Endrijonas said, “more international students means we have a broader more diverse community and we expose our students our Santa Barbara county students to all these cultures from around the world. We also have a dual enrollment program with UCSB so some of their international students come here to take classes.”

She also said the campus also gets a solid financial boost from the fees paid by an international student.

Students in the Community College District from Gaviota to Carpinteria are assited with the Santa Barbara Foundation Promise program which covers two years (including Summer school) of the books and tuition costs.

Having a plan and a roadmap to a career has always been the key component for a college education. Some of the careers, for example, finance, manufacturing, writing and marketing may be changing due to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI).

More secure jobs could be in more direct work such as one-on-one health care, including mental health and teaching.

A student in his first year, Esteban Turcios said, “I feel super lucky we have everything we have gas cards too, laptops, to free textbooks everything’s great.”

Jonathan Santamaria is majoring in automotive and “hopefully I can transfer somewhere and graduate there too and start my own business.”

In addition to the normal transition of high school students to city college for those who are well on their way to a career and want to pivot the school says SBCC  is the place where that can happen. 

“Opportunities for working professionals displaced homemakers going back to the work place.    anybody,” said Endrijonas. “I think what we have todauy is make sure we stay focused on what are students actually interested in doing because it is about it’s really about what do you want to do the rest of your life. We are here to help them.”

At the start of the new school year, there’s still room to make a plan or change a plan.

Nathan Egan was between classes on campus and said, “I was doing business administration but not too sure about that I was looking into the nursing program. I have some friends who are nurses and they say I should look into that.”

Audrey Kaobayashi is a student who went to high school in Northern California and said at SBCC she wants to learn, “architecture but you know I am trying to figure out what is transferable to go to the college I want to go to. Probably math and I am trying to get into physics right now, working that out.”

A student who came from Huntington Beach, Illeana Horany, said she likes physics and is also interested in the underwater welding program the school is offering.

There’s still an option in many classes to attend in person or online.

Naya Schaefer said, “I feel like the quarantine and on line learning that was a struggle for everyone especially  when you are bad at focusing.  For me I need to be  physical learning.  Learning in an environment with other people and a teacher teaching.”

At SBCC, a wide variety of on-campus and online classes are available for those who have a career path,  those that are getting their basic courses completed while looking at a major and also classes to retrain workers for the jobs of the future.

While many students do not feel like they have the skills they need for their first job, SBCC and other schools are regularly offering counseling and job fairs to help them meet employers and shape a plan.

The City of Santa Barbara has also held job fairs right in the heart of downtown with employers ranging from banks to the medical industry and law enforcement.

The campus athletics department is also going through a change this year with the new $105 million physical education complex construction underway. Voters approved a bond to help with the funding and $71 million will be coming through that fund source known as Measure P.

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Below is a press release from Santa Barbara Unified School District regarding the appointment of its new Student Board Member for the 2025-2026 school year, Carlos Vasquez

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara Unified is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Vazquez, a senior at San Marcos High School, as its new Student Board Member for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Carlos will succeed Erick Gonzalez Ramirez, a recent graduate of Santa Barbara High School, who served with distinction during his term.

Carlos Vazquez brings a wealth of leadership experience and a strong commitment to student advocacy to his new role. As an active leader in his community, Carlos currently serves as a member of the Santa Barbara Youth Council, has been President of his AAPLE Academy class for the past three years, and is Co-President of the San Marcos MEChA chapter, an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Latino culture on campus.

Passionate about amplifying youth voices both in schools and across the broader community, Carlos is especially committed to fostering diverse and inclusive school environments where every student feels represented and supported. He hopes to focus on students and educators working collaboratively to build a culture of belonging, ultimately leading to academic success.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as the Student Board Member and represent the voices of students across our district,” said Carlos Vazquez. “I believe our students thrive when they feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued. I look forward to working with the School Board to promote inclusive, collaborative school communities where every student is supported and empowered to succeed.”

Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado extended a warm welcome to Carlos and expressed gratitude to the outgoing member. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Carlos Vazquez to the Santa Barbara Unified School Board. His dedication to student voice and his impressive leadership experience will be invaluable as we continue to work towards creating supportive and equitable learning environments for all our students,” said Dr. Maldonado. 

Carlos Vazquez’s term as Student Board Member will run throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Thousands of students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District returned to class Monday as district leaders pledged to prioritize both safety and learning in the new school year.

Superintendent Hilda Maldonado said the district is addressing concerns from families, including fears about the potential presence of federal immigration agents on school campuses. She emphasized that staff members have been trained on safety protocols designed to protect students.

“We will use our safety protocols to ensure we validate who’s here, what is their business, and do they really have a real reason to be here,” Maldonado said. “If not, we will not allow them to take any student or family from our campus. We know that fear is real. For us, having the students participate in a free public education is our main mission.”

District officials said they have also strengthened partnerships with community groups to provide additional resources for families. Leaders stressed that fear should not prevent students from accessing an education or feeling supported.

The Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA) said educators share the district’s concerns about safety but want more specific guidance. “SBTA wants to see more leadership and guidance from Santa Barbara Unified so that educators and staff are better able to support our students and families,” said SBTA President York Shingle. “While we agree that we can’t predict every scenario, we need more specific training from our district leaders so we know what we can and can’t legally do if ICE tried to enter our campuses.”

Shingle said teachers are worried current protocols could inadvertently reveal student information. “For example, saying ‘I’m not sure if that student is here today’ actually communicates that the person named is a student at the campus,” he said. The association wants training on neutral responses such as, “I cannot confirm if anyone is a student at this site.” Teachers are also seeking clarification on what actions are legally acceptable if ICE agents do not follow district protocol, including whether shutting a classroom door is allowed.

For families choosing not to send children to campus, Santa Barbara Unified will continue offering online learning options, similar to the virtual classes provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

District leaders said their focus this year remains clear: keeping students safe and supported while delivering a strong academic experience.

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Below is a press release from the County of Santa Barbara Health Department, Animal Services regarding them seeking the community’s help as local shelters begin facility improvements

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) is calling on the community to help find temporary or forever homes for approximately 50 dogs from August 27 to September 30, 2025 as two shelters undergo major improvements.

Lompoc Animal Shelter Gets a Fresh New Look:

The Lompoc Animal Shelter is getting a long-awaited facelift, with fresh paint to create a brighter, more welcoming space for pets and visitors. During the renovation, the shelter will temporarily limit the capacity to just 20 dogs to ensure safely and reduce stress to the animals.

Santa Barbara Animal Shelter Play Yard Renovations:

Thanks to a generous grant from the ASPCA, in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBCACF), the Santa Barbara Animal Shelter’s play yards will be transformed into more functional, enriching spaces for dogs with a more inviting and comfortable place for visitors. The project will expand playgroup opportunities, reduce stress, and help dogs show off their best personalities to potential adopters. To accommodate the construction, the shelter will temporarily limit the capacity to just 30 dogs.

A Call to Action for Dog Lovers

To support these improvements, SBCAS is seeking foster families and adopters who can open their hearts and homes to dogs during this transition, for a month—or a lifetime. Foster care provides a loving, low-stress environment for dogs, while freeing up shelter space for construction and incoming animals in need.

“This is a unique moment where the community can directly help us improve the quality of life for shelter dogs — both now and for years to come,” said Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director. “By fostering or adopting this month, you’re not just helping one dog — you’re helping us create better spaces for every dog who comes through our doors.”

How to Help:

Foster: Provide a safe, temporary home for any of our shelter dogs until October SBCAS provides supplies, medical care, and support.

Adopt: Make the commitment permanent and give a dog a lifetime of love

Spread the Word: Share our posts and anyone who might be able to help.

Interested in fostering or adopting? Stop by any of our shelter locations to meet available dogs and get matched up!

Santa Maria Animal Center: 548 W Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Lompoc Animal Center: 1501 W Central Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436

Santa Barbara Animal Center: 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111

About Santa Barbara County Animal Services:

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is the leading animal welfare organization in Santa Barbara County, caring for over 6,000 pets in their shelters annually, and thousands of families across the community. SBCAS is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing comprehensive animal care services to enhance the lives of both pets and people in the community. Through various programs and initiatives, the organization strives to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of animals.

About the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBCACF):

Founded in 2002, the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to giving every adoptable and treatable animal in Santa Barbara County a second chance at a loving home. In close partnership with Santa Barbara County Animal Services, SBCACF provides life-saving medical funding for abused, neglected, and injured shelter animals — covering everything from heartworm treatment and emergency surgeries to amputations. The foundation also funds essential equipment and supplies, ensuring the county’s three shelters have the resources needed to care for the most vulnerable pets. Through community support and steadfast commitment, SBCACF works tirelessly to create a more compassionate, caring future for animals in need.

About the ASPCA:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is one of the nation’s largest animal welfare grant makers, committed to providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals across the United States. Since 2001, the ASPCA has awarded more than $200 million in grants to over 4,000 animal welfare organizations, agencies, and programs — supporting everything from disaster response and emergency care to innovative pilot programs and best-practice implementation that improve the lives of animals nationwide.

Traducción al Español:

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCAS, por sus siglas en inglés) está haciendo un llamamiento a la comunidad para ayudar a encontrar hogares temporales o para siempre para aproximadamente 50 perros del 27 de agosto al 30 de septiembre de 2025 como dos refugios someterse a importantes mejoras.

El refugio de animales de Lompoc se renueva:

El refugio de animales de Lompoc recibe un esperado cambio de cara, con pintura fresca para crear un espacio más luminoso y acogedor para mascotas y visitantes. Durante la renovación, el refugio limitará temporalmente la capacidad a solo 20 perros para garantizar la seguridad y reducir el estrés de los animales.

Renovación del patio de recreo del refugio de animales de Santa Bárbara:

Gracias a una generosa subvención de la ASPCA, en colaboración con la Fundación para el Cuidado de los Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCACF), los patios de juego del Refugio de Animales de Santa Bárbara se transformarán en espacios más funcionales y enriquecedores para los perros, con un lugar más acogedor y cómodo para los visitantes. El proyecto ampliará las oportunidades de los grupos de juego, reducirá el estrés y ayudará a los perros a mostrar sus mejores personalidades a los posibles adoptantes. Para acomodar las obras, el refugio limitará temporalmente la capacidad a sólo 30 perros.

Una llamada al acción para los amantes de los perros

Para apoyar estas renovaciones, SBCAS busca familias de acogida y adoptantes que puedan abrir sus corazones y sus hogares a los perros durante esta transición, durante un mes o para toda la vida. La acogida proporciona un entorno afectuoso y poco estresante, y a la vez libera espacio del refugio para la construcción y la llegada de animales necesitados.

Cómo ayudar:

Acogida: Proporcionar un hogar seguro y temporal para uno de nuestros perros. SBCAS proporciona suministros, atención médica y apoyo.

Adopción: Haz un compromiso permanente y dale a un perro una vida de amor.

Corre la voz: Comparta nuestras publicaciones con quienes puedan ayudar.

¿Está interesado en acoger o adoptar? Pase por cualquiera de nuestras instalaciones para conocer a los perros disponibles y encontrarlos.

Santa Maria Animal Center: 548 W Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Lompoc Animal Center: 1501 W Central Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436

Santa Barbara Animal Center: 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Acerca de los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara:

Los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara es la organización líder en bienestar animal en el Condado de Santa Bárbara, cuidando a más de 6.000 mascotas en sus refugios anualmente, y a miles de familias en toda la comunidad. SBCAS se dedica a la promoción de la tenencia responsable de mascotas y la prestación de servicios integrales de cuidado de los animales para mejorar la vida de las mascotas y las personas en la comunidad. A través de diversos programas e iniciativas, la organización se esfuerza por garantizar la salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de los animales.

Acerca de la Fundación para el Cuidado de los Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCACF):

Fundada en 2002, la Fundación para el Cuidado de Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara es una organización sin ánimo de lucro 501(c)(3) formada exclusivamente por voluntarios y dedicada a ofrecer a todos los animales adoptables y tratables del condado de Santa Bárbara una segunda oportunidad de encontrar un hogar cariñoso. En estrecha colaboración con los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara, SBCACF proporciona financiación médica para salvar la vida de los animales maltratados, abandonados y heridos del refugio, cubriendo todo, desde el tratamiento del gusano del corazón y cirugías de emergencia hasta amputaciones. La fundación también financia equipos y suministros esenciales, garantizando que los tres refugios del condado cuenten con los recursos necesarios para atender a las mascotas más vulnerables. Gracias al apoyo de la comunidad y a su firme compromiso, la SBCACF trabaja incansablemente para crear un futuro más compasivo y solidario para los animales necesitados.

Acerca de la ASPCA:

La Sociedad Americana para la Prevención de la Crueldad contra los Animales (ASPCA, por sus siglas en inglés) es una de las organizaciones de bienestar animal más importantes del país, comprometida a proporcionar medios eficaces para la prevención de la crueldad contra los animales en todo Estados Unidos. Desde 2001, la ASPCA ha concedido más de 200 millones de dólares en subvenciones a más de 4.000 organizaciones, agencias y programas de bienestar animal, apoyando desde la respuesta ante catástrofes y la atención de emergencia hasta programas piloto innovadores y la aplicación de las mejores prácticas que mejoran la vida de los animales en todo el país.

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Below is a press release from Santa Barbara County Association of Governments regarding free rides on MTD Route 19X as the school year begins.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), will offer free rides on MTD Route 19X from August 25 to September 12, 2025.

The 19X provides fast, direct service between Carpinteria, Eastside Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara City College. SBCAG funds the express route that has been in operation since August 2023 to ease traffic during the construction of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

“We want commuters to take advantage of the free 19X service as the Fall semester begins,” said Marjie KIRN, Executive Director of SBCAG. “The 19X route is a fast, convenient option between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara that also helps relieve the stress of traffic on Highway 101.”

The 19X Express Bus operates weekdays with limited stops to ensure faster travel times. Riders can view the full route schedule at https://sbmtd.gov/routes/19x/.

“Line 19X is a great route that provides an express one-seat ride to important destinations in our community. We are excited for SBCAG to cover free rides for three weeks, and encourage Carpinterians and Santa Barbarans to give it a try,” said Hillary Blackerby, planning and marketing manager at SBMTD. “This promotion helps us reach new riders and reward those who choose transit as part of their daily routine.”

The free fare promotion on the 19X is part of SBCAG’s “Try Transit” initiative, which encourages commuters to explore bus options. Riders on the 19Xwho register and log four trips at SmartRide.org between Aug. 25 to Sept. 12, 2025 will be entered to win free monthly passes on Santa Barbara MTD.

The “Try Transit” program is open to all commuters countywide, who can request 10 free rides by completing the pop-up form at SBCAG.org/transit.

For more information about free-fare promotion on 19X or ways to save money and try transit, email info@sbcag.org or call (805) 963-SAVE (7283).

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