Stories that shaped 2011
With the rip of a calendar page, a new year begins today — chock full of events and stories yet to unfold and be told.
It’s a time of natural optimism, of resolutions and hopes for better days ahead, but also a time to reflect on the year that was.
Like every year, 2011 was full of triumphs and tribulations, disasters and accomplishments, murder and mayhem, politics and civic activity, gains and losses, coming and goings.
It’s all too much to fit into a single edition, but below we excerpt many of the stories that resonated with our news-gathering staff during the year.
So as you ring in the New Year, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to bid farewell to the old one.
Hospital takes shape
Much of the work on the new Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria was completed in 2011. The 235,000-square-foot, four-story hospital tower will feature 191 private rooms, an expanded emergency department, 20 critical-care beds, a 21-bed neonatal intensive care unit and state-of-the-art surgical services.
Right next door, the Mission Hope Cancer Center also took shape during the year.
The vision of Dr. RobertDichmann, medical director of Marian Cancer Services, the center will offer a one-stop shop for cancer care from diagnosis to recovery.
Both medical facilities are scheduled to open in early 2012.
Going green
On the west side of the Santa Maria Valley, Windset Farms raised two massive greenhouses and a production and packaging facility to grow tomatoes.
The Canadian company’s two 32-acre greenhouses produced their first crops in November, and the company announced plans for two more greenhouses in the near future.
Changing of the guard
As the year drew to a close, Mayor Larry Lavagnino announced he would not seek re-election in 2012 after 10 years in office and 16 years on the City Council.
City Manager Tim Ness and Fire Chief Jeff Jones announced their retirements as well. Rick Hayden was named city manager and Dan Orr took over as fire chief.
Security Pacific Bldg Fresno - News
Also charged in the teen's murder are Rhonda Maye Wisto, Frank Jacob York and Jason Greenwell, all of Nipomo, and Cody Miller of Fresno. Myers' charred body was discovered Sept. 26, 2010, near Santa Margarita in northern San Luis Obispo County.
Bureau of Indian Affairs gives the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians the greenlight for building an off-reservation casino off Highway 99. Gov. Brown must still give his permission before a casino can be built. Three stabbings occur at the Oakhurst
Towns such as Delano, Tipton, Lindsey, Tulare, Fresno (and the Four M's -- Madera, Manteca, Modesto and Merced) all emanate from the depots along the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe lines. The "Maintenance and Way" crews in all of these cities were 100
Eventually, dispatch services will be based out of the new Twin Cities Police Department building currently under construction near Piper Park. The Marin County civil grand jury published a report painting an unflattering picture of Corte Madera's
