Santa Maria Times

Your online gateway to the Santa Maria Valley.

[SMTSportsDesk @SMTSportsDesk]

St. Joseph football coach Pepe Villasenor knew he wanted a challenge to begin the season.
And Garces Memorial High School certainly gave it to him.
Read the story on https://t.co/5LqU86J5k5 - https://t.co/lx6NEDOlQO

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

Football is back!

My office tonight is at St. Joseph High School as the Knights take on Garces Memorial (Bakersfield).

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

@BVarsityLive @SMTSportsDesk @trevhorn @SJKnightsFB

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

#FightingBackSantaMariaValley held a grand opening for its new Navigation Center Friday, marking a milestone in their commitment to supporting Transitional Aged Youth experiencing #homelessness #SantaMaria
Read the story & see more photos, here - https://t.co/oFFNiclEkn

[SMTSportsDesk @SMTSportsDesk]

The #SantaMaria #football team eclipsed its 2025 points total on the field by three in its 2026 season opener Thursday night. Still, the Saints fell short against McFarland.
#HighSchoolFootball #SMHS
Read the story - https://t.co/Tii2fsohMY

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

#VandenbergSpaceForceBase marked the start of construction Monday on a new training facility that will support the U.S. Air Force's transition to the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system.
#Lompoc #SpaceForce
https://t.co/gmkpKrqz8P

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Ramon Galo spent nearly 24 years working his way through the ranks of Lancaster’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Now, he's bringing that experience to #SantaMaria as the city’s new Recreation and Parks director.
Read more on https://t.co/6GZAchBgn6 -
https://t.co/3beo7Qilui

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

Manzanita Public Charter School broke ground Friday morning on a nearly $60 million renovation and expansion project, the culmination of a decade-long effort to secure funding for a campus that officials say had long outgrown its facilities.
#Lompoc #LUSD https://t.co/yNwly21Uru

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

The #SantaMaria City Council recognized the eight newest honorees for the #HometownHeroes program Tuesday, bringing the number of veterans and active duty service members honored to over 250.
https://t.co/ncFsmoE3T9

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

A former correctional officer and his wife each pleaded guilty to drug smuggling-related charges Wednesday, admitting to a Los Angeles judge that they were paid to bring contraband into the #Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex.
https://t.co/EM8NC2kLAs

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Ricardo Batalla launched his campaign for #SantaMaria #CityCouncil’s District 1 seat Friday evening at Oakley Park, returning to a neighborhood that holds personal significance for the longtime Santa Maria resident.
#CityGovernment
https://t.co/tg5fDB7SJ6

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

A new downtown Solvang venue is bringing together #vinylrecords, #wine, #craftbeer and #pizza with the opening of Analogue Room at Founder's Square.
#Solvang #Business #SYVNews https://t.co/1xUvYpiMwa

[Santa Ynez Valley News @SYV_News]

Monty Roberts, the internationally acclaimed horseman whose gentle training methods transformed #horsemanship and brought worldwide attention to his Solvang ranch, died Friday at his longtime #SantaYnezValley home.
He was 91. #MontyRoberts
Read the story- https://t.co/4yT6OSxNQ9

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

As students prepare to return to class, the #SantaMaria Joint Union High School and Santa Maria-Bonita school districts are wrapping up extensive summer construction projects to modernize campuses, enhance #safety and create better #learning environments.
https://t.co/2xHtBFaxT6

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

The Pioneer Valley football team expected to have plenty of familiar faces on its roster heading into the 2026 season.
Read the story on https://t.co/E7SDuDLyES - https://t.co/hHTVya1vR9

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

Football is just around the corner.

Pioneer Valley was the first stop on the Central Coast Kickoff Preview Tour presented by the @SantaMariaTimes

Panthers were 2-8 last year but have a new coach in Chris Ethridge.

Check out Tuesday’s edition for the article.

@PVHSpanthersFB @SMTSportsDesk

[Ryan Kuhn @rskuhn]

Football is just around the corner.

Pioneer Valley was the first stop on the Central Coast Kickoff Preview Tour presented by the @SantaMariaTimes

Panthers were 2-8 last year but have a new coach in Chris Ethridge.

Check out Tuesday’s edition for the article.

@PVHSpanthersFB @SMTSportsDesk

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

The Santa Maria Times is thrilled to have been chosen as Large Business of the Year by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce!
The Times has been publishing continuously since 1882.
We are proud and honored to be recognized -
https://t.co/WxzAPPbRCP

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Several #Orcutt residents whose homes were severely damaged in a 2023 debris flow event have reached a $4.5 million settlement in their lawsuit against Santa Barbara County, although one owner said officials have yet to take responsibility for the incident
https://t.co/BBCBTn3o0B

[Lompoc Record @LompocRecord]

The #LompocCityCouncil voted to seek info from SBCAG & #Vandenberg #SpaceForce Base before deciding whether to formally challenge a newly adopted regional growth forecast that members say may underestimate the city's future #housing, #employment needs
https://t.co/M5W1Bvepnh

[SMTSportsDesk @SMTSportsDesk]

LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer made the announcement on social media Friday, saying it will be his “last decision” and that it comes after he strongly considered retirement.
Read more - https://t.co/OVwRfYhZH8

[Santa Maria Times @SantaMariaTimes]

Keith Hesselbarth, #SantaMariaValley YMCA supporter and uncle of longtime Y backer Peggy Blough, has bequeathed a gift of $777K to the #YMCA, an extraordinary contribution that will help sustain financial scholarships for decades to come.
Read the story -
https://t.co/QVZvD10q4v