Plato fire at Vandenberg Space Force Base fully contained; burns nearly 23 acres A vegetation fire that prompted an afternoon response on Vandenberg Space Force Base was fully contained by 3:45 p.m. after burning an estimated 22.8 acres, according to base officials.

A vegetation fire that prompted an afternoon response on Vandenberg Space Force Base was fully contained by 3:45 p.m. after burning an estimated 22.8 acres, according to base officials.

Santa Maria: District 1 appointment, renaming Cesar Chavez Dr. on tap Tuesday The Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday will discuss how to fill the District 1 Council seat vacated by Carlos Escobedo, who resigned in March.

The Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday will discuss how to fill the District 1 Council seat vacated by Carlos Escobedo, who resigned in March.

Pioneer Valley baseball earns bragging rights in win over Santa Maria The Pioneer Valley baseball team beat Santa Maria 10-6 at Santa Maria Thursday. The Panthers completed a three-game sweep of the series with their crosstown rival, and pulled further ahead in the Ocean League in the process.

The Pioneer Valley baseball team beat Santa Maria 10-6 at Santa Maria Thursday. The Panthers completed a three-game sweep of the series with their crosstown rival, and pulled further ahead in the Ocean League in the process.

Special needs Easter egg hunt to be held at Libbon Elementary Saturday An inclusive Easter egg hunt designed for children with special needs will be held at Santa Maria's Libbon Elementary School on Saturday, featuring bounce houses, outdoor activities and a family-friendly BBQ following the hunt.

An inclusive Easter egg hunt designed for children with special needs will be held at Santa Maria's Libbon Elementary School on Saturday, featuring bounce houses, outdoor activities and a family-friendly BBQ following the hunt.

Trump budget seeks $1.5T in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic programs The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. That's the largest of its kind in decades. 

The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. That's the largest of its kind in decades. 

2 US aircraft shot down as war in Iran escalates. At least 1 crew member is missing Iran shot down two U.S. military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago.

Iran shot down two U.S. military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago.

Sparse snowpack in California fuels concern over fast-approaching fire season CalMatters - With reservoirs brimming — but snowpack abysmal — experts warn of a potentially early fire season.

CalMatters - With reservoirs brimming — but snowpack abysmal — experts warn of a potentially early fire season.

Dan Walters Commentary: Newsom should be held responsible for what he did or did not do as governor, but this is just slinging mud to see if some of it sticks.

Santa Maria neighbors: Obituaries for April 3 Read through the obituaries published in Santa Maria Times

Read through the obituaries published in Santa Maria Times

Central Coast Housing Summit talks affordability, workforce challenges, innovation Local leaders and industry experts warned Tuesday of mounting housing pressures on the Central Coast, as demand continues to outpace supply and affordability challenges grow.

Local leaders and industry experts warned Tuesday of mounting #housing pressures on the Central Coast, as demand continues to outpace supply and affordability challenges grow.
#SantaMaria #affordablehousing
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Enjoy a bowl of cabbage soup for Hans Christian Andersen's 201st birthday | Elaine Revelle In a Danish town like Solvang, today is a holiday. It’s Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday. Known for his “sweet tooth,” I decided to check out Andersen’s heartier meal favorites and discovered cabbage soup, a savory dish still popular in Denmark ...

In a Danish town like Solvang, today is a holiday. It’s Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday. Known for his “sweet tooth,” I decided to check out Andersen’s heartier meal favorites and discovered cabbage soup, a savory dish still popular in Denmark ...

Inaugural Spring Fair coming to Cachuma Lake in May Cachuma Lake Recreation Area will host an inaugural Spring Fair in May to celebrate the season and learn about the importance of environmental stewardship.

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area will host an inaugural Spring Fair in May to celebrate the season and learn about the importance of environmental stewardship.

Jaxon Glover’s offensive prowess fuels Santa Ynez baseball There’s plenty of words to describe Santa Ynez catcher Jaxon Glover. Strong. Passionate. Coachable. Pirates coach Craig Gladstone will say all the above. “He is as hardworking as anybody out there,” Gladstone said.

There’s plenty of words to describe Santa Ynez catcher Jaxon Glover. Strong. Passionate. Coachable. Pirates coach Craig Gladstone will say all the above. “He is as hardworking as anybody out there,” Gladstone said.

Hegseth asks the Army's top uniformed officer to step down while US wages war against Iran Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Army’s top uniformed officer to step down as the United States wages a war against Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Army’s top uniformed officer to step down as the United States wages a war against Iran.

Diablo Canyon gets federal licensing to extend operation through 2024 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant ended a decade of uncertainty Thursday with the signing of at 20-year license that could extend its operation through 2045.

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant ended a decade of uncertainty Thursday with the signing of at 20-year license that could extend its operation through 2045.

Artemis II's moonbound toilet is working again to astronauts' relief after overnight fix (AP) - NASA's moonbound astronauts have reason to celebrate, and not just because their launch went so well. Their toilet is now working. The so-called lunar loo malfunctioned as soon as they reached orbit Wednesday evening.

(AP) - NASA's moonbound astronauts have reason to celebrate, and not just because their launch went so well. Their toilet is now working. The so-called lunar loo malfunctioned as soon as they reached orbit Wednesday evening. 

Santa Maria neighbors: Obituaries for April 2 Read through the obituaries published in Santa Maria Times

Read through the obituaries published in Santa Maria Times

Artemis II astronauts bound for moon after rocketing away on NASA's first lunar voyage in decades Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century. 

Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century. 

Sports in brief: Orcutt Academy’s Rowen Elkin wins NSBCART Athlete of the Week Orcutt Academy freshman Rowan Elkin won the NSBCART Athlete of the Week for a big performance last week on the track at the Quad Dual Meet at Lompoc High School.

Orcutt Academy freshman Rowan Elkin won the NSBCART Athlete of the Week for a big performance last week on the track at the Quad Dual Meet at Lompoc High School.

St. Joseph softball powers past Kingsburg to win eighth game in a row St. Joseph’s softball team has been on a roll.

St. Joseph’s softball team has been on a roll.

Trial nearing end for Joe Garcia, of Lompoc, accused of killing dad The trial for a Lompoc man accused of murdering his father and setting a dog on fire is nearing its end, with closing arguments scheduled for mid-April, according to a Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office official.

The trial for a Lompoc man accused of murdering his father and setting a dog on fire is nearing its end, with closing arguments scheduled for mid-April, according to a Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office official.

Flying high: Field trip offers high school students a view of careers from the cockpit Students from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District explored careers in aviation during a hands-on field trip March 27, that organizers called the first of its kind for the Mark Richardson Career Technical Education Center.

Students from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District explored careers in aviation during a hands-on field trip March 27, that organizers called the first of its kind for the Mark Richardson Career Technical Education Center.

NASA is looking into a battery issue, but Artemis II moon launch countdown still on (AP) - The astronauts are in the capsule and in place for the Artemis II mission. NASA is looking into a battery issue, but the launch countdown is still on. NASA’s planned lunar fly-around by four astronauts would be the first moon trip in 53 years.

(AP) - The astronauts are in the capsule and in place for the Artemis II mission. NASA is looking into a battery issue, but the launch countdown is still on. NASA’s planned lunar fly-around by four astronauts would be the first moon trip in 53 years.

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donates $93K to SB County schools for technology The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has awarded more than $93,000 in technology grants to 13 schools across Santa Barbara County, supporting classroom upgrades, infrastructure improvements and expanded student access to digital resources.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has awarded more than $93,000 in technology grants to 13 schools across Santa Barbara County, supporting classroom upgrades, infrastructure improvements and expanded student access to digital resources.

Judge weighs next steps on evidence challenge in Buzzard murder case A brief court hearing Wednesday morning in the case against Ashlee Lynn Buzzard focused on next steps for a defense request that could affect what evidence is allowed in the

A brief court hearing Wednesday morning in the case against #AshleeBuzzard focused on next steps for a defense request that could affect what evidence is allowed in the case.
#MelodeeBuzzard #Lompoc
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Central Coast PACE breaks ground, will offer new path for seniors to stay at home A new senior care program touted as the first of its kind in the region, broke ground Thursday in Santa Maria, aiming to provide comprehensive, coordinated care that helps older

A new #seniorcare program touted as the first of its kind in the region, broke ground Thursday in #SantaMaria, aiming to provide comprehensive, coordinated care that helps older adults remain living independently at home
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Longtime bakery Gina's Piece of Cake pushing north to Arroyo Grande Half a century later, the second-generation baker and founder of Gina’s Piece of Cake is sharing the joy of craft and customer service as she and her baking team expand

Longtime bakery #GinasPieceofCake opening in #ArroyoGrande
"I think it’s going to be a chaotic year, but if we keep serving the fresh, delicious, quality baked goods we’ve served the community for 22 years, we’ll be OK,” Gina Martin said.
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Federal oil leasing plan draws widespread opposition along Central Coast Federal plans to expand oil and gas leasing across the Central Coast have sparked significant opposition in Santa Barbara County and surrounding areas, as residents, environmental groups and state off...

Federal plans to expand #oil and #gas leasing across the Central Coast sparked significant opposition in #SantaBarbaraCounty and surrounding areas, as residents, #environmentalgroups and state officials weigh in during a now closed public comment period
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David Baskett pleads guilty in fatal forklift crash, ending two-year saga; will serve probation, community service Defendant David Baskett, who has maintained his innocence in a fatal 2024 forklift crash that killed Orcutt resident Tiffany Ann Peterson, pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughte...

David Baskett, who has maintained his innocence in a fatal 2024 forklift crash that killed Tiffany Ann Peterson, pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter, as family members described how the loss has reshaped their lives.
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Santa Maria City Council to revisit Cesar Chavez Drive name on April 7 The future of Cesar E. Chavez Drive in Santa Maria, named in 2002, will be reconsidered by the City Council at its April 7 meeting.

The future of #CesarEChavez Drive in #SantaMaria, named in 2002, will be reconsidered by the #CityCouncil at its April 7 meeting.
The discussion follows public allegations of sexual abuse against the labor leader which surfaced last week
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