Two-term state assemblyman, state senator, and former California lieutenant governor Abel Maldonado has made it official: He’s running for U.S. Congress in 2012. On Feb. 13, Maldonado, a Republican and Santa Maria native, pulled his necessary paperwork at the Santa Barbara County Elections Office, kicking off his campaign for the 24th U.S. Congressional District. “We […]
JEREMY THOMAS
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Chief under fire
Calls for a change in Santa Maria police leadership grow as city leaders urge patience
As the city struggles to make sense of the death of Albert Covarrubias Jr.—the third on-duty Santa Maria police officer shot by colleagues in less than two months—some community members are saying enough is enough. Culminating a week of rapidly evolving developments, the public had its first chance to address city leaders on Feb. 7. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Romance and recreation
Tired of the same old date? Try something a little sportier
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, love is in the air, and there’s never been a better time to schedule a few active dates with your significant other. From Santa Maria to Santa Ynez, there’s a smorgasbord of free or low-cost sports and learning activities available, allowing sweethearts the opportunity to bond in ways beyond the […]
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The X-Factor
California-based rocket company SpaceX has big plans for Vandenberg, but how well will they fly?
Demolition is nearly finished, building materials are being trucked in, and workers have begun pouring the concrete for a foundation—literally and figuratively—for the future of space flight at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. A handful of employees from Space Exploration Technologies, better known as SpaceX, are overseeing the work being done at the south […]
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Strange sentenced in vehicular manslaughter case
Lacey Strange, the 18-year-old daughter of a Lompoc police sergeant, was sentenced on Jan. 24 to 120 days confinement in connection with the death of a Lompoc woman last May. Appearing before Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa in Santa Barbara, a tearful Strange apologized to the family of the victim, 56-year-old Rebecca Vegas, who was […]
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Questions linger in the killing of an on-duty SMPD officer by his colleague
As the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department continued its investigation into the shooting death of a Santa Maria police officer by a fellow officer, more details trickled out about the incident that made national headlines. Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr., a four-year veteran of the department under investigation for an alleged “inappropriate and explicit” sexual relationship […]
Posted inNews
The X-Factor
California-based rocket company SpaceX has big plans for Vandenberg, but how well will they fly?
Demolition is nearly finished, building materials are being trucked in, and workers have begun pouring the concrete for a foundation—literally and figuratively—for the future of space flight at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc. A handful of employees from Space Exploration Technologies, better known as SpaceX, are overseeing the work being done at the south […]
Posted inNews
The saga continues
Jeff Lind and Tom Murphy appoint lawyers, but vow to continue fighting their felony case
The curious case involving a pair of San Luis Obispo County men accused of filing false documents against a Santa Barbara County judge continues to drag on, trying the patience of prosecutors and judges. For more than six months, San Luis Obispo marketing executive Jeff Lind and co-defendant Tom Murphy of Los Osos, have been […]
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Santa Maria City Council puts proposed sales tax in voters’ hands
Much to no one’s surprise, the Santa Maria City Council on Jan. 17 voted to adopt a series of resolutions setting up an emergency election to decide on a proposed quarter-cent citywide sales tax. With a unanimous vote, council members agreed the “crisis state” of the city’s finances necessitated the special election, to be held […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Common goals
Playing together since they were children, Santa Ynez soccer is driven to success in high school
The old saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt,” but it certainly doesn’t apply to the Santa Ynez Valley Union boys’ soccer squad. In fact, it’s quite the opposite for the Pirates; the team is in the driver’s seat to win the Los Padres League with a roster of 12 seniors, many of whom have played together […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Explore Las Flores Ranch Park
Beginning in February, Santa Maria residents will be able to experience the beauty of Los Flores Ranch Park for free with guided nature walks held the second Saturday of each month. The walks start promptly at 9 a.m. and are approximately two hours in length. Participants will learn about oak trees, plant life, birds, and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
City holds Madden 2012 tournament
Think you’re a Madden All-Pro? Prove it at the city of Santa Maria’s Madden NFL tournament for seventh to 12th graders on Feb. 4. Entrants will go head-to-head, tournament style, on the Playstation 3 version of the football video game, with a minimum of two games per player. Prizes will be given to the top […]