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Articles Tagged With ‘Santa Maria’




Elderly woman sues Santa Maria, SoCal Gas over home explosion

Written on 10 Oct, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A 90-year-old woman who suffered severe injuries as a result of an explosion inside a Santa Maria home last year has sued the northern Santa Barbara County city and Southern California Gas Company. [KCOY] On the afternoon... (Continue reading)

Gas leak leads to evacuation of Santa Maria City Hall Annex

Written on 9 Oct, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By KAREN VELIE Firefighters evacuated the Santa Maria City Hall Annex on Wednesday afternoon after a gas leak was discovered. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., a caller reported a gas leak at the 206 East Cook Street building. Firefighter evacuated the... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria facing $21 million budget deficit

Written on 4 Oct, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

By KAREN VELIE With costs outpacing revenues, Santa Maria is struggling with a $21 million budget deficit. The city is considering raising taxes and cutting expenditures. The primary cost driver is increased salary and benefits for city staff, according to... (Continue reading)

Alleged Santa Maria arsonist filmed firefighters battling blaze

Written on 2 Oct, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

By KAREN VELIE After allegedly setting a commercial building on fire in Santa Maria on Tuesday, a 33-year-old man came back and filmed firefighters extinguishing the blaze. Shortly after midnight, a caller reported a fire burning at a vacant commercial... (Continue reading)

Bartender charged with murder in Santa Maria DUI crash

Written on 28 Sep, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

By KAREN VELIE Prosecutors recently charged a bartender who caused a fatal crash on Highway 101 in Santa Maria earlier this month with murder. After initially filing charges of manslaughter and DUI, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office added... (Continue reading)

Student stabbed near Santa Maria High School

Written on 21 Sep, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By KAREN VELIE A student was stabbed near Santa Maria High School on Friday afternoon. The student is in a hospital in stable condition. Shortly after the end of the school day, the student was in an off-campus altercation. Suffering... (Continue reading)

Wrong way driver causes fatal crash in Santa Maria, Highway 101 closed

Written on 8 Sep, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By KAREN VELIE A wrong way driver caused a fatal crash on Highway 101 in Santa Maria on Sunday morning, closing all lanes of southbound Highway 101 at Betteravia Road, according to the CHP. Shortly after 5 a.m., multiple callers... (Continue reading)

Man dies in three-car crash by Santa Maria

Written on 8 Sep, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A man died in a three-car crash on the outskirts of Santa Maria on Saturday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., three vehicles collided on W. Main Street west of Hansen Way. An adult male driver died at... (Continue reading)

Woman attempts to kidnap children from elementary school in Santa Maria

Written on 23 Aug, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE An unidentified woman allegedly attempted to kidnap two children from Tunnell Elementary School in Santa Maria as school was getting out on Thursday afternoon. The children did not leave with the woman, according to principal Theresa Diaz.... (Continue reading)

Elected official in Santa Maria charged with manslaughter

Written on 10 Aug, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE Prosecutors recently charged a Santa Maria man who serves on both airport and school boards for manslaughter over a May 2 crash that killed a 39-year-old woman. David Baskett was driving a rented Caterpillar telescoping forklift on... (Continue reading)