Today’s newsletter is presented by Esparza Law Group.
We’re strengthening our North County coverage and this week we bring you a couple of stories that tell the story of two communities in transition.
• Tom Schultz travels to Santa Maria to provide a detailed account of the Fifth District Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors forum. Cory Bantilan, Ricardo Valencia and Maribel Aguilera are all battling for the seat being vacated by Steve Lavagnino.
Much is at stake in this contest. The Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee is trying to flip the seat to a Democrat and have endorsed Valencia. The North County tends to skew politically conservative. It’s probably the most intriguing race on the ballot locally. Unless a single candidate gets a majority, the Top 2 will battle in November for the seat that includes Santa Maria and Guadalupe.
• Schultz also spent some time in Buellton this week for the State of the City event. Buellton is more than just a gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley, and Schultz explains how this community of 5,500 is having its moment in the sun.
• Former News-Press Managing Editor Jesse Chavarria is also providing us a regular community column on Santa Maria. Chavarria, who is bilingual and grew up in Santa Maria, has a way with words.
Like everything we are doing here at the News-Press, we are just getting started with our North County coverage. Santa Maria is the biggest city in the county and deserves robust coverage of more than just crime and press releases. Our plans include focusing on the people, the culture and the community to tell a complete story.
• Back in Santa Barbara, check out Julianna Lozada’s story on technology and potential abuses of it in Santa Barbara schools. Parents are concerned that students can access harmful material on school-issued devices. They also believe there is a general over-reliance on technology over pencil and paper. Lozada spent five hours at the school board meeting and did some interviews prior to the meeting. (and I took the photos).
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In Santa Barbara the weekend includes the popular I Madonnari festival. The News-Press will have photos, video and a story over the weekend.
Joshua Molina
News-Press Editor
Top read of the day
Parents demand Santa Barbara Unified adopt ‘tech with intent’ policy and greater oversight over iPads
By Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press
A group of 50 parents packed the district’s meeting last night, arriving early with signs reading “if it’s good enough for LAUSD, it is good enough for SBUSD!” and “pencils not pixels.”
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Local voices
‘The community is asking for less reliance on these online platforms, and yet, it seems like students are still tethered to this as an only option.”
— Emily Zacarias, Goleta Union School District board member
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