Santa Maria Times

Your online gateway to the Santa Maria Valley.

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

Ghost tales and reports of unexplained encounters take center stage during #Solvang's haunted walking tours that give visitors a chance to experience the lesser-known side of town.
https://t.co/W3zpd8rv5o

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

The developer behind #SpaceBaseCalifornia says investor interest is rising, yet it still needs an additional year to line up financing and finish the project paperwork required by its lease with #Lompoc.
https://t.co/jOGpFZt41e

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

#Solvang municipal workers represented by Teamsters Local 986 have arrived at a tentative #laboragreement with the city, a move that could bring an end to the strike that started Sept. 15 amid wage and contract talks.
https://t.co/izu3DdVc8z

[SpaceX @SpaceX]

Watch Falcon 9 launch the USSF-481 mission from pad 4E in California https://t.co/dftCDQukAg

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

#SantaMaria officials outlined plans to accommodate thousands of new homes and residents while addressing rising infrastructure costs, declining crime rates and a city budget shortfall during the annual #StateoftheCity address Tuesday.
https://t.co/ePzazcUZAn

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

Fall festivities are in full swing at #SolvangFarmerPumpkinPatch, where visitors can pick out pumpkins, wander a sprawling #cornmaze and enjoy seasonal treats through Oct. 31.
https://t.co/Ih0QLqWj3J

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

Residents called on city leaders to shut down the Flock Safety license plate reader system, citing privacy, data protection and government surveillance concerns, while the #LompocPoliceChief argued the technology helps recover stolen cars and solve crimes.
https://t.co/poOdQopBwH

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

That stash of car parts Grandpa has collected over the years better not contain a single #catalyticconverter unless he can prove he owns it.
https://t.co/jfvNnnl3me

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

My office tonight is at St. Joseph HS for the “Battle of the Unbeatens” as the Knights football team takes on Lompoc.

Both teams are 6-0.

Lompoc holds a 9-4 series lead since 2004 but St. Joseph has won the last four meetings.

@SMTSportsDesk @SantaMariaTimes

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

“I would say I was harder to coach and had a chip on my shoulder. I had a bad attitude when I was younger.” - St. Joseph WR/DB Vonshay Azziz

STORY: St. Joseph senior WR/DB Vonshay Azziz reflects on learning maturity, patience

Knights take on Lompoc tonight at 7 p.m.

@VonshayAzziz
https://t.co/Qjj39th0qj

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

#Solvang municipal workers remained on strike Friday after members of Teamsters Local 986 refused the City’s most recent contract proposal, leaving the two parties at an impasse while city leaders say they are willing to keep negotiations open.
https://t.co/jUdlHSopsA

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Monday night went the way much of the 2026 season has gone for the #SMHS #flagfootball team.
Senior quarterback-defensive back Sophie Juarez got a lot done, and the Saints won.
Read the story - https://t.co/fX8ZL1tgon

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

Marking nearly one year since the murder of 9-year-old #MelodeeBuzzard, the accused mother, #AshleeBuzzard, appeared in a #SantaMaria courtroom Monday expecting a hearing that could determine whether she is mentally competent to proceed in the murder case.
https://t.co/yMXngsQw5h

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

“He’s the number one guy we pinpointed. He’s a playmaker.” - Cal Poly coach Tim Skipper

STORY: Running back Jaden Green feels back at home with Cal Poly football

@calpolyfootball @TheJadenGreen3 @coachtskip @agrigsbyjr219
https://t.co/IPlbYvZPgG

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

On Tuesday morning, a release from City Councilmember Gloria Soto announced that the City of #SantaMaria has been awarded $1.2 million in state funding for accessibility improvements at #SimasPark.
Read more - https://t.co/04mOnR28eN

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

The #LompocPoliceDepartment handled 35,680 calls for service last year as part of a larger communications-center workload that included a total of more than 76,000 emergency and administrative calls, according to the Department’s 2025 Annual Report.
https://t.co/OhhRbJXxI8

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

The Patch, at Los Flores Ranch Park, returned for its ninth season with hundreds of pumpkins and a variety of seasonal activities for the family to enjoy.
See more photos -
https://t.co/PbYRB85FQs

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

The annual #OldTownOrcutt #ChalkFestival took place Saturday as hundreds of families enjoyed creating art on Broadway and Union Avenue in #OldOrcutt. The festival featured local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and activities.
Read the story - https://t.co/qs2QhnaAZ4

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Before Wednesday’s #flagfootball game against Nipomo, #SantaMaria senior Sophie Juarez went over to her coaches just to ask a few questions to make sure she was comfortable with the playbook.
“The girl is a perfectionist,” said her coach Gil Gonzalez https://t.co/chucykVcKA

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Hancock College brought professional wrestling to campus during a free “#LuchaLibro” performance.
Part live wrestling match, part #literacy event, Lucha Libro brings the colorful characters and high-energy action into an unexpected setting: the library.
https://t.co/S8ON7Xka4r