The Board of Supervisors’ newest addition will either be Santa Maria City Councilmember Maribel Aguilera or Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board member Ricardo Valencia. Aguilera—a local attorney and registered independent—received endorsements from the Santa Maria Police Officers’ Association, Santa Maria Firefighters Local 2020, California School Employees Association, Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis […]
Guadalupe
Guadalupe residents have a choice for mayor this year
For the first time since 2018, there are two mayoral candidates for Guadalupe residents to choose between. With four consecutive two-year terms in office behind him, Mayor Ariston Julian told the Sun this year’s election is his first facing an opponent. Prior to his time as mayor, Julian served as a City Council member for […]
Will elected officials abide by the oath they take?
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters face a serious political dilemma: Who should we support and will they agree to uphold their oath of office—which is “a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one’s future action or behavior”—and “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Lately many well-organized protests have occurred throughout […]
State approves Point Sal conservation petition
A unanimous vote from the California Fish and Game Commission granted new safeguards to roughly 9 square miles of marine habitat off the coast of Guadalupe. “I understand how hard it is to lose yet another fishing area,” Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin said at the hearing. “However, the Chumash people were displaced. Their lands taken. Forced […]
Guadalupe tackles unpaid water bills tallying up to $250,000
To make up for years of letting some Guadalupe residents’ unpaid water bills slide, the city ramped up its monthly shutoff average from 10 customers to 90 this October. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to start shutting off water. The city has $250,000 in unpaid water bills,” City Administrator David Trujillo told the City Council at […]
A little magic: LARPing creates community, fun, and fantasy in Santa Maria
For everybodyAll are welcome to watch from the sidelines or spring into battle with Watchers Keep on the first and third Sundays of the month at Rotary Centennial Park. Get your live-action role-playing on from noon to 4 p.m. at 2625 S. College Drive in Santa Maria. See @watcherskeepamtgard on Instagram for behind-the-scenes clips and brush […]
Despite parking concerns, Guadalupe City Council unanimously approves new housing
Builders got a green light to put up seven new apartments with eight parking spots on an empty lot in Guadalupe. On Sept. 22, City Council members approved the affordable housing project at 855 Pioneer St., which was proposed by the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County. However, some concerned residents believe there isn’t enough […]
Guadalupe caps stipends for next year’s council at $150
What began as a hearing for Guadalupe’s leaders to consider decreasing the monthly pay for seven elected roles by $300 each ended with more reductions—including a $600 cut for the mayor. “It’s not because you guys don’t do a lot. You guys have a lot on your plate, obviously,” City Administrator David Trujillo told the […]
Guadalupe City Council and administration need to be held accountable now for their ongoing mismanagement of funds
When my husband and I moved to Guadalupe in 1997 and bought our first home, we did so because we saw potential. This little coastal city was frozen in time and offered beach weather without a high price tag. Granted, if the city had a dollar for every time someone said they saw potential, Guadalupe’s […]
Guadalupe stars in three recent films made by a Nipomo filmmaker
Cheers for ChachiFollow Chachi Ramirez’s career on Instagram @chachiramirezfilms. View his films online at vimeo.com/mercybrothers. Learn more about his Central Coast creative agency, Suede and Pomade, at suedeandpomade.com. Chachi Ramirez’s career in film has led him across the globe. “I’ve shot documentaries that have taken me into really, not to say hostile, but maybe uncertain […]
Big Mamas bakes cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and cheesecakes to perfection in Guadalupe and beyond
Playing in the kitchen always kept young Alicia Rubio happy. An only child for 15 years, some of her early memories are of bonding with her grandmother while baking. “I don’t know Spanish, but my grandma’s more of a Spanish speaker, so we had to figure out a way to understand each other more. Baking […]
Guadalupe cancels its Royal Theater reboot
Nearly nine months after kicking off the historic Royal Theater’s long-awaited restoration, Guadalupe leaders lowered the curtain on the project. “If we continue the Royal Theater [construction], by the end of this fiscal year, we will be $2.6 million in debt,” City Administrator David Trujillo told the City Council during its July 28 meeting. “That’s […]

