Artists encouraged to apply to beautify utility boxes in Santa Maria
Chosen artists will receive $500 and be reimbursed for some materials
KSBY
and last updated 2021-02-20 00:37:47-05
The City of Santa Maria is looking for artists to beautify utility boxes in the city.
In Phase 3 of the Utility Box Art Project, artists are encouraged to apply to decorate one of five traffic signal control boxes in Santa Maria.
City officials say artwork that âties to the communityâs social, cultural, and/or historical identity will be a plus.â
âAfter two very successful rounds of Utility Box Art and the creation of 10 pieces of beautiful artwork, the Recreation and Parks Department, along with our partner PLAY, Inc., are excited to be adding up to five additional works of art with the help of local artists,â stated Dennis Smitherman, Recreation Services manager, in a press release.
City of Santa Maria to close Paul Nelson pool to prevent virus spread
KSBY
and last updated 2020-12-30 18:42:22-05
The City of Santa Maria is closing the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center because of a growing number of COVID-19 cases among pool staff.
City officials say about 20 percent of the lifeguards at the aquatic center have either tested positive or been exposed to others who have tested positive for the virus. We are required by the County Health Order and the City s Safety Plan to close the Center, until at least January 14th, the quarantine period date, said Dennis Smitherman, Recreation Services Manager.
“We are required by the County Health Order and the city’s Safety Plan to close the center, until at least Jan. 14, the quarantine period date,” said Dennis Smitherman, recreation services manager.
“It could be imperative for a lifeguard to provide lifesaving maneuvers, which include close or physical contact. Spreading the virus to/from our patrons is a risk we must avoid,” Smitherman said. “We need our community and staff to be safe. We thank them for their understanding and cooperation as we navigate the impacts of this pandemic.”
The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, at at 600 S. McClelland St., reopened in July after a major renovation, and a temporary closure due to budget constraints and to meet COVID-19 safety protocols. Since July, the center has been open for limited lap swimming, fitness classes and Santa Maria Swim Club use. About 100 people per day use the center’s pool.
Housing and Development Newsletter
On Wednesday, the number of Santa Barbara County residents hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county and the total being cared for in intensive-care units smashed the all-time daily highs.
The Public Health Department said 129 confirmed COVID-19 patients were being treated in local hospitals, an increase from 127 the previous day. Of those, 35 people were in ICUs, the second consecutive time the daily record has been broken to date.
As of Wednesday, slightly more than 49% of the county’s ICU hospital beds were being occupied by COVID-19 patients. The county said its availability of ICU beds rose to 9.5%, an increase from 6.6% the previous day.