Santa Maria Times
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Santa Maria Times
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Your online gateway to the Santa Maria Valley.
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The impact of longtime city employees Alex Posada and Mark van de Kamp was recognized Tuesday by the #citycouncil ahead of their retirements, with council members saying they exemplified a “heart of service.”
#SantaMaria #SantaMariaCityCouncil
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Alex Posada, Mark van de Kamp recognized as 'heart of service' by City Council
The impact of longtime city employees Alex Posada and Mark van de Kamp was recognized Tuesday by the city council ahead of their retirements, with council members saying they exemplified
santamariatimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:05 AM
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After more than two decades as one of the most visible communicators for the City of #SantaMaria, Public Information Manager Mark van de Kamp is preparing to hang up his credentials.
#CityGovernment
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Mark van de Kamp to hang up credentials after 22 years as voice of the city
After more than two decades as one of the most visible communicators for the City of Santa Maria, Public Information Manager Mark van de Kamp is preparing to hang up
santamariatimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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Without fanfare Tuesday, #SantaBarbaraCounty #supervisors approved $26.5 million in funding for projects and programs throughout the county.
#Foodbank #CalFire #CuyamaRiver
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$26.5M in funding green-lighted for county projects, programs
Without fanfare Tuesday, Santa Barbara County supervisors approved $26.5 million in funding for projects and programs throughout the county.
santamariatimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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After extensive community outreach, #SantaBarbaraCounty has put the brakes on an early October proposal to transfer 7,500 patients from county care to the private sector in an effort to protect ongoing care of 23,000 additional patients.
#HealthCare
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County board puts brakes on plan to transfer some patients to private sector
After extensive community outreach, Santa Barbara County has put the brakes on an early October proposal to transfer 7,500 patients from county care to the private sector in an effort
santamariatimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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The #SantaMariaHigh #girlssoccer team finished last season making history.
It won the program’s first CIF-Central girls soccer championship defeating Kerman High School 1-0.
Now, as the new season dawns...
Read more on #SantaMariaTimes
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Santa Maria girls soccer looks for more success following CIF Championship
The combination of forwards junior Darlyn Santiago Sanchez and sophomore Lucero Abundiz finished with a combined 60 goals last year. They also added 48 assists.
santamariatimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
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After 47 years of shaping parks, programs and public service in #SantaMaria, #RecreationandParks Director #AlexPosada is retiring, closing out a career that began in 1978 and ultimately helped define the city’s modern recreation landscape.
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Santa Maria Recreation, Parks Director Alex Posada retiring after nearly five decades
After 47 years of shaping parks, programs and public service in Santa Maria, Recreation and Parks Director Alex Posada is retiring, closing out a career that began in 1978 and
santamariatimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 AM
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Two #SantaMaria firefighters have accused the city of employment and civil rights violations in a federal lawsuit, alleging they were unfairly punished for participating in union activity during tense labor negotiations more than a year ago. santamariatimes.com/news/local/g...
Two Santa Maria firefighters file suit accusing city of retaliation over union participation
Two Santa Maria firefighters have accused the city of employment and civil rights violations in a federal lawsuit, alleging they were unfairly punished for participating in union activity during tense
santamariatimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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Residents on #SantaMaria’s south side are demanding answers after what appeared to be a large-scale federal #immigrationenforcement operation unfolded early Thursday morning at East Valley Farms
#HomelandSecurity #ImmigrationCustomsEnforcement #ICE
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Residents call for transparency after federal immigration sweep near Santa Maria
Residents on Santa Maria’s south side are demanding answers after what appeared to be a large-scale federal immigration-enforcement operation unfolded early Thursday morning at East Valley Farms, off ...
santamariatimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
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The sweeping coastal dunes west of #Guadalupe are taking center stage in a new #PBS feature that explores how stories, art, and community voices intersect in the small town.
#GuadalupeDunes #SantaMariaTimes
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PBS highlights Guadalupe dunes in project celebrating community heritage, multilingual storytelling
The sweeping coastal dunes west of Guadalupe are taking center stage in a new PBS feature that explores how stories, art, and community voices intersect in the small town.
santamariatimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast will hold a “Weeks of Hope” carnival and holiday #foodgiveaway to benefit unhoused and food insecure families of #SantaMaria on Thursday, Nov. 20.
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Central Coast Rescue Mission to host holiday carnival, food giveaway Nov. 20
Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast will hold a “Weeks of Hope” carnival and holiday food giveaway to benefit unhoused and food insecure families of Santa Maria on Thursday, Nov. 20.
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November 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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Hundreds of #veterans and their families filled the #SantaMaria Fairpark on Saturday for the annual Veterans Stand Down, a day devoted to free resources, hot meals and camaraderie among those who have served.
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Hundreds gather at Santa Maria Fairpark for 2025 Veterans Stand Down
Hundreds of veterans and their families filled the Santa Maria Fairpark on Saturday for the annual Veterans Stand Down, a day devoted to free resources, hot meals and camaraderie among
santamariatimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:27 AM
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#Guadalupe has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who accused the city’s police department of #excessiveforce, alleging a former officer used a Taser on him without justification during a 2023 traffic stop.
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Guadalupe agrees to settle excessive force lawsuit for $300K
Guadalupe has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who accused the city’s police department of excessive force, alleging a former officer used a Taser
santamariatimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
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Officer Mario Martinez is breaking ground in #SantaMaria as the police department’s first #Mixtec-speaking officer.
Born in Arizona and raised in a small town in Oaxaca, Martinez has brought a unique set of linguistic & cultural skills to the department santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
Santa Maria's first Mixtec-speaking police officer in department history
Officer Mario Martinez is breaking new ground in Santa Maria as the police department’s first Mixtec-speaking officer.
santamariatimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 AM
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Allan #HancockCollege is inviting thrill-seekers of all ages to experience the chills and screams of #FrightmareForest, the annual haunted maze fundraiser hosted by the men’s basketball team. santamariatimes.com/news/local/f...
Frightmare Forest at Allan Hancock College offers new twists, bigger scares
Allan Hancock College is inviting thrill-seekers of all ages to experience the chills and screams of Frightmare Forest, the annual haunted maze fundraiser hosted by the men’s basketball team.
santamariatimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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Santa Marians can help shape the next #publicart installation by voting for their favorite design for a planned mural at Taylor Park - a pocket #park that opened at a previously vacant lot during the summer.
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Santa Marians can vote on mural design for new Taylor Park public art installation
Santa Marians can help shape the next public art installation by voting for their favorite design for a planned mural at Taylor Park - a pocket park that opened at
santamariatimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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Hello Santa Maria!
RocketTown #ComicCon, founded in #Lompoc in 2023, is rebranding and relocating to #SantaMaria this spring to support what organizers say is an overwhelming demand and need for more space. santamariatimes.com/news/local/l...
Light sabers, cosplay, collectibles to converge at inaugural Santa Maria Comic-Con in May
RocketTown Comic-Con, founded in Lompoc in 2023, is rebranding and relocating to Santa Maria this spring to support what organizers say is an overwhelming demand and need for more space.
santamariatimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:13 AM
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In a milestone for regional air travel, American Airlines will launch a new commercial service at the #SantaMaria Public Airport (SMX) on Oct. 15, offering twice-daily flights to #Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
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American Airlines ready to launch daily flights from Santa Maria to Phoenix on Oct. 15
In a milestone for regional air travel, American Airlines will launch a new commercial service at the Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) on Oct. 15, offering twice-daily flights to Phoenix
santamariatimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
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After more than three decades as a staple at the #SantaMaria Town Center mall, Sportscard Fantasy's is closing its doors on Oct. 31.
#SportsCards #Jerseys #Memorabilia
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Sportscard Fantasy's ending game after 32 years, closing sale underway
After more than three decades as a staple at the Santa Maria Town Center mall, Sports Card Fantasies is closing its doors on Oct. 31.
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September 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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Preschoolers at the #SantaMaria Valley YMCA can now step through the doors of #GibbysHouse. The large custom-built #playhouse followed a winding path to its home at the Y that involved multiple owners, non-profit collaboration and generosity.
Read more - santamariatimes.com/news/local/n...
New playhouse opens doors to joy, imagination for YMCA preschoolers
Preschoolers at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA can now step through the doors of a large custom-built playhouse and into a world of imagination.
santamariatimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
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Santa Maria will see transformative projects completed Saturday as #ServeSantaMaria hosts its 28th Day of Service, and #volunteers of all ages are invited to join the effort. #SantaMaria
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Volunteers sought for 28th Serve Santa Maria to be held Saturday
Santa Maria will see transformative projects completed Saturday as Serve Santa Maria hosts its 28th Day of Service, and volunteers of all ages are invited to join the effort.
santamariatimes.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
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Solvang is celebrating its Danish heritage during the 88th annual #DanishDays Festival, slated for Sept. 19-21, featuring parades, music, food and family-fun activities in downtown #Solvang. syvnews.com/news/local/s...
Solvang Danish Days Festival returns for 88th weekend celebration Sept. 19-21
The Solvang Danish Days Foundation has announced Addie Madrid as the 2025 Danish Maid ahead of the town's 88th annual Solvang Danish Days celebration, set to take place Sept. 19-21.
syvnews.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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Orange vests colored the streets of #SantaMaria Wednesday during the 12th annual #DayofHope, as volunteers sold special edition #SantaMariaTimes to raise money for those battling #cancer on the Central Coast.
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Volunteers, donors celebrate hope Wednesday during Mission Hope fundraiser
Orange vests colored the streets of Santa Maria Wednesday during the 12th annual Day of Hope, as volunteers sold special edition Santa Maria Times to raise money for those battling
santamariatimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:12 AM
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The proposed "last mile" delivery center at 169,000 square feet is similar in size and layout to other #Amazon centers being built around the country to deliver perishable groceries and other products to your door the same day.
#SantaMaria santamariatimes.com/news/local/s...
Santa Maria package delivery project looks like Amazon; plan projects nearly 600 jobs
The proposed "last mile" delivery center at 169,000 square feet is similar in size and layout to other Amazon centers being built around the country to deliver perishable groceries and
santamariatimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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A presumably #unvaccinated fraction of #homeschoolers dispersed throughout Santa Barbara County does not pose a threat to #publichealth, and the #PublicHealth Department will not ferret out the data despite a Grand Jury recommendation to do so.
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County finds unvaccinated homeschool children pose no public health threat
A presumably unvaccinated fraction of homeschooled children dispersed throughout Santa Barbara County does not pose a threat to public health, and the Public Health Department will not ferret out the
santamariatimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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Excitement and nerves filled school hallways across #SantaMaria on Thursday morning, as thousands of students returned to classrooms for the first day of the academic year.
#BacktoSchool
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Santa Maria students kick off school year with nerves, confidence, color and connection
Excitement and nerves filled school hallways across Santa Maria on Thursday morning, as thousands of students returned to classrooms for the first day of the academic year.
santamariatimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM