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Articles Tagged With ‘Lompoc’




Central Coast resident wins $7 million lottery prize

Written on 9 Apr, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Central Coast resident won $7 million after buying a $30 scratcher ticket at a liquor store in Lompoc, the California Lottery announced on Wednesday. The lucky scratch marked the second time in the last eight months... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man arrested over allegedly seeking sex with minors

Written on 4 Apr, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Lompoc police detectives on Thursday arrested a 41-year-old man who was allegedly seeking sex with girls aged 13 and 14. In February, detectives received information that Matthew Markonis of Lompoc was communicating with an individual believed to... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man describes lighting his father on fire, and why

Written on 31 Mar, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | One comment

By KAREN VELIE The Lompoc man on trial for murder after he set his father’s hair on fire, argues he did not plan to kill his 68-year-old father Joseph Garcia Sr., but that it was a desperate attempt to get... (Continue reading)

Judge approves permanent gag order in Melodee Buzzard murder case

Written on 21 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By KAREN VELIE A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge on Wednesday put a gag order on law enforcement and prosecutors during the murder trial of Ashlee Buzzard, a woman charged with murdering her 9-year-old daughter Melodee Buzzard. Santa Barbara... (Continue reading)

Ashlee Buzzard pleads not guilty to murder

Written on 27 Dec, 2025 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE Ashlee Buzzard pleaded not guilty on Friday to the murder of her 9-year-old daughter Melodee Buzzard. She is charged with first degree murder with special enhancements of lying in wait and discharge of a firearm causing death. For... (Continue reading)

Ashlee Buzzard shot her child multiple times, left her body in Utah

Written on 23 Dec, 2025 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 10 comments

By KAREN VELIE Investigators believe the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard shot her daughter in the head multiple times before leaving the child’s body in a remote area in Utah. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard for first degree murder... (Continue reading)

Melodee Buzzard’s mother arrested, body found in Utah

Written on 23 Dec, 2025 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County deputies arrested the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard on Tuesday morning after the child’ remains were found in Utah. It is suspected the child died in October while on a road trip with... (Continue reading)

False imprisonment charge dropped against Melodee Buzzard’s mom

Written on 21 Nov, 2025 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By KAREN VELIE A judge on Thursday dismissed the false imprisonment charge against40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, after it was determined there were discrepancies in the allegations. Tyler Stuart Brewer, an acquaintance of Ashlee Buzzard,... (Continue reading)

Police seek public’s help identifying victims of alleged child molester

Written on 19 Nov, 2025 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE The Lompoc Police Department is seeking the public’s help identifying additional victims of a Santa Barbara man accused of molesting a child. Last month, the Lompoc Police Department received information regarding an adult man who was allegedly... (Continue reading)

Melodee Buzzard’s mother released from jail

Written on 12 Nov, 2025 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

By KAREN VELIE A judge on Wednesday ordered Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, to be released from jail. On Nov. 7, Ashlee Buzzard was arrested for allegedly preventing a victim from leaving an undisclosed location against... (Continue reading)