Santa Maria Times

As cities across California cancel events, remove public tributes, and engage in debate following allegations of sexual abuse against labor leader César Chávez, #SantaMaria school districts and nonprofits are reconsidering how they recognize his legacy. santamariatimes.com/news/local/san…

A local nonprofit expressed "grief" and "heartbreak" Wednesday over revelations by labor rights activist #DoloresHuerta that she was among women and girls who say they were #sexuallyabused by farmworker rights leader #CésarChavez. santamariatimes.com/news/local/loc…

The #childhomicide case of #AshleeBuzzard was continued Wednesday during a short hearing, as attorneys work through a newly filed defense motion that could affect what evidence is allowed in the case. #MelodeeBuzzard #Lompoc lompocrecord.com/news/local/cri…

A growing memorial marks the spot where the infant and her mother, 30, who has not been identified, were struck by a vehicle around 2:48 p.m. while crossing Broadway on the west side of the intersection, according to the #SantaMaria Police Department. santamariatimes.com/news/local/can…

American Airlines will discontinue flights from #SantaMaria to Phoenix on May 7 due to a lack of ridership, less than a year after launching the service. #SantaMariaAirport #Travel santamariatimes.com/news/local/ame…

Voting in our Best of Santa Maria Valley Contest is now open! Best Wine Tasting. Best Bar. Best Happy Hour. Who do you think is the Best?santamariatimes.com/bestof2026/

Vote for your favorite lunch stop in #SantaMaria or #Orcutt with more than your stomach! Vote, with an actual vote, in the #BestofSantaMariaValley Contest - santamariatimes.com/bestof2026/ Best Burger. Best Burrito. Best Sandwiches. Who do you think is the best? Vote Now!

Launch activity at #VandenbergSpaceForceBase is expected to surge dramatically in the coming years, potentially tripling by 2031, as the installation positions itself as the nation’s equivalent of an airport for #spaceoperations. lompocrecord.com/news/local/mil…

Voting in the 2026 #SantaMaria Times #BestoftheSantaMariaValley contest is now open at santamariatimes.com/bestof2026 Starting this week, and continuing through March 24, the community can vote for any nominated Santa Maria Valley businesses - once per day - in each subcategory.

Final. St. Joseph 60, Saugus 55 Knights are headed to Sacramento to play in the State Championship. @SMTSportsDesk

A working ranch in the rolling hills of coastal #SantaBarbaraCounty is doubling as a classroom, research site and testing ground for a different approach to #agriculture, one focused on long-term ecological health rather than short-term production. santamariatimes.com/news/local/jal…

Students across #Orcutt Union School District are required to keep their #cellphones turned off and stored in backpacks during the school day as part of a districtwide “off and away” policy implemented this school year. santamariatimes.com/news/local/edu…

Over 100 #veterans attended a mini stand down event Thursday at the #SantaMaria Elks Lodge No. 1538. A free lunch was provided along supplies and resources. The event was presented by the Santa Maria Elks Veterans Committee. #2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">santamariatimes.com/news/local/elk…

The nomination period in the Best of #SantaMariaValley contest, a year-long celebration of area #businesses, ends on Monday, 3/9. Once voting starts on Tuesday, no nominees can be added! Don't see your favorite business? Nominate them now- santamariatimes.com/bestof2026

A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge formally discharged the jury Thursday in the misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter case against 83-year-old David Baskett following a mistrial declared earlier this week. santamariatimes.com/news/local/cri…

National #FFA President Trey Myers visited #PioneerValley on Wednesday, speaking with #ag students and later touring the #MarkRichardsonCenter during a visit highlighting leadership, agricultural education and career opportunities. Read the story - santamariatimes.com/news/local/nat…

“We put in the work. We had it.” - Santa Maria guard Jordan Medina. STORY: Heartbreak in Fresno: Santa Maria boys basketball loses CIF title game in final 0.2 seconds santamariatimes.com/sports/local/h…

A Santa Barbara County judge declared a mistrial Monday in the misdemeanor #vehicularmanslaughter case of #DavidBaskett, finding that prosecutors disclosed a new crash reconstruction after a jury had already been sworn in. #SantaMaria santamariatimes.com/news/local/cri…

The #SantaMaria #boysbasketball team walked off the Selland Arena floor on Saturday afternoon with tears in their eyes. The players couldn’t believe what had happened. santamariatimes.com/sports/local/h…

Opening statements in the vehicular manslaughter trial of #DavidBaskett were postponed Friday, and the defense called for a mistrial, after prosecutors disclosed new evidence stemming from a reenactment of the forklift crash that killed an #Orcutt woman santamariatimes.com/news/local/new…