Santa Maria hotel ‘bed tax’ revenue down in 2024 from previous year
Data released by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber shows Santa Maria Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), also known as bed tax, was down in 2024 from the…
Continue ReadingSanta Maria – Lompoc – North County
State and County health agencies warn about consuming recreationally harvested shellfish
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health issued an advisory about not consuming sport or…
Continue Reading
UCSB students learn about hiring freeze
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Many University of California, Santa Barbara students are just learning about the hiring frees impacting all 10 campuses in…
Continue Reading
Kids are finally playing on new turf and playgrounds in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Elementary students finally get to play on new turf at a few schools in Santa Maria. The kids are enjoying the refurbishments.…
Continue Reading
Falcon 9 launch planned for Thursday night with an on-base landing for assigned booster
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – SpaceX announced a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-57 mission on Thursday, March 20 at 11:49 p.m. from Vandenberg…
Continue Reading
Santa Maria-Bonita School District unanimously reaffirms student protections
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Maria Bonita School District voted unanimously to reaffirm protections for their students. This has an emphasis on…
Continue Reading
Restored vessel with deep coastal exploration history stops in Santa Barbara for tours
The historic Western Flyer is docked in Santa Barbara for tours. It was used in the 1040’s for a John Steinbeck ecological journey to the Sea of…
Continue Reading
CAL Fire SLO on scene for house fire in Nipomo
NIPOMO, Calif. – CAL Fire SLO crews are on scene for a house fire in Nipomo, reporting heavy smoke and fire from the home at 835 Chukar Street.…
Continue Reading
One man has died and another is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle on Main Street in Santa Maria early Tuesday morning
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – One man has died and another is in critical condition after they were both struck by an eastbound vehicle in the 700 block of…
Continue Reading
Santa Maria man arrested for illicit marijuana sales Thursday
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 25-year-old Santa Maria man for illicit marijuana sales in the city…
Continue Reading
New gas station at busy Orcutt intersection draws mixed opinions
ORCUTT, Calif. – A busy intersection with a history of accidents in Orcutt will soon have a new gas station, and construction is fully underway.…
Continue Reading
Cal Poly, Hancock College announce partnership to offer bachelor’s degrees in Santa Maria
Cal Poly and Allan Hancock College announced an historic partnership Monday morning that will provide students with the opportunity to earn a…
Continue Reading
State of Vandenberg 2025: Vandenberg Space Force Base Highlights Record Launches and Future Goals
LOMPOC, Calif. — Community members braved the rain to attend the 2025 annual “State of Vandenberg” luncheon. Col. Mark Shoemaker, Col. Dustin…
Continue Reading US Forest Service to hold prescribed burn next week near Los Padres National Forest
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The US Forest Service, among other agencies, will conduct a prescribed burn across the county next week. The…
Continue Reading
Mail Theft on the Rise Across Central Coast
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Mail theft continues to rise at an alarming rate, with Central Coast residents experiencing a surge in thefts and subsequent…
Continue Reading
Former Pioneer Valley High Principal Shanda Herrera reassigned by School District
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Following a closed session Tuesday evening, the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District decided to reassign Shanda…
Continue Reading
Falcon 9 launch of Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg SFB scheduled for Friday night
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – A Falcon 9 launch of the Transporter-13 mission carrying 74 smallsats destined for low-Earth orbit is…
Continue Reading
Three men set to be arraigned on charges related to fatal December 2023 botched robbery
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Three men are heading to trial on charges connected to what police described as a botched robbery during a house party on…
Continue Reading
Santa Maria work crews reporting few impacts from heavy overnight rainfall
Despite receiving a heavy dousing of rain during the overnight hours, the Santa Maria Public Works Department is reporting minimal impacts caused by…
Continue Reading Grand Jury makes recommendations after evaluating County epidemic preparedness
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday, the 2024-2025 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury issued a report of its findings and recommendations…
Continue Reading