• The California Legislative Central Coast Caucus, co-chaired by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and vice chaired by state Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), announced its bill priorities for the 2025 legislative session on May 2. “From protecting our coasts from offshore drilling to protecting our homes from wildfires, this […]
Caleb Wiseblood
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Santa Maria’s Mission Hope Cancer Center unveils new patient resource library
Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2023, Guadalupe resident Eileen Hongo underwent 20 rounds of chemotherapy, 35 rounds of radiation therapy, and other procedures as part of her treatment plan. Between her appointments at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria, she formed strong bonds with fellow patients as well as physicians and other […]
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Santa Maria Police Department welcomes new Chief of Police Christopher Williams
No car left a more lasting impression on Christopher Williams than the police cruiser that would pull up outside of his elementary school. It was an arresting sight that caught many students’ attention, recalled Williams, whose eyes were frequently glued to the vehicle and its badged driver—who happened to be his father. “My dad was […]
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Solvang shelves quail-inspired remodel of Skytt Mesa’s rainwater drainage
Reports of baby birds trapped in a storm drain prompted Solvang’s city staff to consider a neighborhood-wide retrofit in the Skytt Mesa area—one that would reduce the space between Skytt Mesa’s existing rainwater grate bars to help prevent small critters from falling through the gaps. After a preliminary study, staff revealed the project’s estimated price […]
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Asking for more: Farmworkers and allies push for a countywide $26 minimum wage
The sounds of shrieking roller coaster riders clashed with protesters’ drums, tambourines, and chants at this year’s Santa Maria Strawberry Festival. On April 27, community members of various ages gathered outside of Santa Maria Fairpark to rally for a Santa Barbara countywide $26 per hour minimum wage for farmworkers. Alianza Campesina de la Costa Central, […]
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Law enforcement targets drug sales to minors via social media
Local cannabis compliance detectives flag flame, cloud, and maple leaf emojis when browsing social media platforms. Keeping up with coded references to cannabis was a crucial component of a six-week investigation that led the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to arrest Santa Maria resident Alexis Silviano Vazquez Guzman on April 22 on suspicion of selling […]
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Political Watch: May 1, 2025
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced on April 25 that he and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) reintroduced two bipartisan bills focused on addressing the effects of climate change on U.S. coastlines, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems. “The climate crisis is hitting our coasts hard—from eroding beaches and stronger storms to declining fisheries. […]
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Choreographer and ‘dance doctor’ Suzy Miller lends youth theaters a hand
The best dance moves occasionally come to light when someone falls out of sync with the rest. “I’m big on mistakes,” choreographer Suzy Miller told the Sun. “There’s no mistakes [really], only unexpected solos. … A lot of my stuff is: ‘You know what you did right there? Keep that.’” This approach is especially helpful […]
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Avoiding disaster: Santa Maria aims for de facto moratorium on new battery energy storage facilities
Santa Maria aims to keep battery energy storage system (BESS) projects out of the city with a new set of rules still waiting for final approval. The overlap between specific industrial areas where BESS facilities are allowed and spaces near residential or agricultural uses where they will be banned will make the city’s sign-off impossible, […]
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Santa Maria Planning Commission approves Sears remodel for incoming grocery store
Boarded up since early 2020, the shuttered, former home of Sears in Santa Maria is due for a makeover in the eyes of its owner and some city officials. During its April 16 meeting, the Santa Maria Planning Commission approved a permit for a proposed remodel of the empty two-story building attached to the Santa […]
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Two gas station projects pivot to meet Buellton’s art deco standards
Under the same ownership for about 30 years, Buellton’s Shell station on Highway 246 is gearing up for an expansion to allow more pumps. But not without a new look mandated by the city. Owner Peter Hong, founder of the Conico Oil Company, is seeking to demolish the station’s convenience store and other structures on […]
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Political Watch: April 24, 2025
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently announced the reintroduction of the Housing for All Act, described as “a comprehensive approach to address the homelessness and affordable housing crises in California and across the nation,” in an April 21 statement from Padilla’s office. The […]
