The exact circumstances that led to a 17-year-old male being shot in the chest on May 31 are being investigated after the alleged victim changed his story, according to officials from the Santa Maria Police Department. According to Sgt. Eligio Lara, the victim first told police that he was shot that night after someone attempted […]
SMPD says teen shooting victim changed his story
Posted inNews
Santa Maria settles a wrongful death lawsuit
The city of Santa Maria quietly settled a lawsuit with the parents of Leticia Hernandez-Sanchez, a teenager who was struck and killed by a driver in 2013. Hernandez-Sanchez was crossing the intersection of Newlove and Miller on June 29, 2013, when a car driven by 21-year-old driver, Kelsi Sullivan, hit her. Hernandez-Sanchez died a short […]
Posted inNews
DPR detects pesticide above screening levels in Santa Maria
While a recently released report from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) shows that most of the state has pesticide levels well below those that indicate a health concern, one spot in the Santa Maria Valley gave the agency pause. “The major takeaway of this report is that even though growers in communities like […]
Posted inNews
Neverland Ranch hits the market for $100 million
Got a little cash to throw around? The 2,700-acre property north of Los Olivos that was once Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is officially on the market for a cool $100 million. But the late pop superstar’s former home at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road is listed as Sycamore Valley Ranch on real estate firm Hilton and […]
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Cultivating creativity: Standing Sun Winery owner and winemaker John Wright does more than give a home to art, he engages in it
On a recent sunny, cool Buellton morning, a bit too early to pour wine, Standing Sun Winery owner and winemaker John Wright brewed locally roasted espresso, steamed some milk, and spoke over the beeping of a forklift moving barrels of wine. They were stacked to the ceiling of the industrial warehouse that stores his aging […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
The NTMAs starts accepting entries June 11
Do you hear that? It’s the sound of local singer-songwriters, cover groups, garage bands, and professional rockers prepping their albums, EPs, and demos for the seventh annual New Times Music Awards. Musical artists from across Santa Barbara and SLO counties will begin filling out entry forms when they come out in the Sun and New […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Lompoc Ten presents first exhibit
Lompoc Ten, a group of passionate Lompoc painters, presents its first exhibit titled Variations, showing at the Grossman Gallery through the month of June. The exhibit will include selections from each member of the group, as well as two composite paintings, which were collaborations including each artist. The group meets throughout the year for discussion, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Valley Speaks features history of Knudsen Creamery
Valley Speaks—a local historical speaker series sponsored by the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, and the library—will feature a talk about the legacy of Knudsen Creamery on June 13 at 11 a.m. The free event will tell a tale of Carl and Tom Knudsen, who founded the creamery nearly a century ago […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Rep. Capps announces Congressional Art Competition winner
U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) announced the winner of the annual Congressional Art Competition in a May 28 release, naming Cayucos resident and Mission Valley Preparatory High School junior Jenna Skiff as the recipient of the distinction. Skiff’s piece Half Dome, Half Paper depicts Yosemite National Park’s famous Half Dome dusted in snow, as […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Margie Bowker presents paintings for everyone
At first glance, the dynamic turquoise oil-painting-in-progress in Margie Bowker’s Santa Maria art studio appears to illustrate powerful waves crashing at sea. The impressionistic painting, which the artist is currently calling Turbulence, may actually be more, a window into her soul. Bowker is putting the finishing touches—a seagull here and another seagull there—onto her work […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
PCPA begins work on ‘Man of La Mancha’
Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) cast, crew, and creative team assigned to the upcoming production of Man of La Mancha all assembled for a design presentation on May 26, marking the first look at the set and costume design, as well as the first time the entire team came together under one roof. PCPA’s artistic director […]
Posted inOpinion
Grow up, adults!
Apparently, teacher morale is low in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD). At least that’s according to a survey the district’s faculty association told the Santa Maria Times about. Union president Mark Goodman told the Times the association decided to poll its members because of an “unprecedented” 19 grievances the association has […]
