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Articles Tagged With ‘Santa Maria’




Judge rules San Luis Obispo County murder suspect can stand trial

Written on 8 Jul, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County judge ruled on Wednesday that enough evidence exists for a defendant to stand trial for the murder of a Santa Maria man on Highway 166 last November. Abel Angel Santiago, 23, is... (Continue reading)

Central Coast teen dies in river accident at Sequoia National Park

Written on 25 Jun, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A 17-year-old Santa Maria girl drowned after falling into a river at Sequoia National Park last week. Andrea Diaz Mondragon was visiting Sequoia with her brother and a group of friends. It was her first time at... (Continue reading)

Detectives arrest Santa Maria man for sexual exploitation of minors

Written on 19 Jun, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives last week arrested a 20-year-old Santa Maria man who allegedly contacted underage girls on social media and friend-making applications and then engaged in lewd acts with at least two of them. Detectives... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria police searching for missing teen

Written on 11 Jun, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Maria police are asking the public for help with locating a missing 13-year-old girl. Zoey Jade Navarro has been missing since 11:30 a.m. Sunday. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black sandals and a black... (Continue reading)

Five people die, one person in critical condition after Santa Maria crash

Written on 8 Jun, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A total of five people died and another person is in critical condition following a crash in Santa Maria early Sunday morning.  Shortly before 2 a.m., a driver crashed a vehicle at the intersection of South Broadway... (Continue reading)

Juvenile critically injured in Santa Maria shooting

Written on 5 Jun, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A shooting in Santa Maria on Thursday left a juvenile victim in critical condition. Shortly after 2:20 p.m., a caller reported a shooting in the 500 block of South Broadway. Officers arrived at the scene and found... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria teen shoots firearm in front of residences, arrested

Written on 30 May, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 8 comments

By KAREN VELIE A Santa Maria teenager was booked into juvenile hall after the teen fired shots in front of several residences this week, according to police. On May 29, a 911 caller reported a male firing a handgun in... (Continue reading)

Nipomo man identified as victim of deadly Santa Maria stabbing

Written on 29 May, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Maria Police Department identified the Nipomo man who died from wounds suffered in a May 16 stabbing as 21-year-old Steven Vargas. Shortly before 7 p.m. on May 16, a caller reported a stabbing victim in... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara police ask for information about deceased Santa Maria woman

Written on 28 May, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Barbara Police Department is asking the public for information about Vesna Prepolec, 46, of Santa Maria whom authorities found dead on a beach earlier this month. Just after 5 p.m. on May 8, witnesses reported... (Continue reading)

Man dies from stab wounds in Santa Maria

Written on 23 May, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE A 21-year-old man died Friday from wounds suffered in a May 16 stabbing in Santa Maria, according to police. Shortly before 7 p.m. on May 16, a caller reported a stabbing victim in a vehicle parked in... (Continue reading)