Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Santa Maria public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
1 topic in general
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Santa Maria from local and regional media.
A word about elections
A word about elections
Gloria Soto, Richard Batalla lead in early results for Santa Maria City Council seats
Gloria Soto, Richard Batalla lead in early results for Santa Maria City Council seats
2026 General Elections Results
2026 General Elections Results
Ricardo Valencia takes slim lead over Maribel Aguilera in 5th District supervisor race
In one of the most hotly contested races on the local ballot, Ricardo Valencia held a slim lead over Maribel Aguilera in early returns Tuesday, as the pair vied for Santa Barbara County's 5th District Superviso...
Nov 4, 2026Santa Ynez Valley races: Brown leads El Amin in early Solvang mayoral returns
Incumbent Solvang Mayor David Brown held a lead over challenger Denise El Amin in preliminary returns Tuesday night, receiving 979 votes, or 68.41%, to El Amin’s 428 votes, or 29.91%,
Nov 4, 2026Guadalupe challenger Hernandez leads incumbent mayor Julian
Guadalupe City Councilmember Christina Hernandez is leading Mayor Ariston D. Julian in the mayoral race, according to unofficial election results released Tuesday by the Santa Barbara County Elections Division.
Nov 4, 2026Lompoc races: Ball leads Mosby in early mayoral returns
Jeremy Ball held a significant lead over incumbent mayor James Ian Mosby in preliminary returns Tuesday night, with Ball receiving 2,969 votes, or 61%, to Mosby’s 1,868 votes, or 38.38%,
Nov 4, 2026In-person voting, drop-off, mail options available for Santa Maria, Orcutt voters Tuesday
Election Day is Tuesday, and voters have several options for casting their ballots including voting in person, returning ballots by mail that are post-marked by the end of the day, or using one of multiple offi...
Nov 3, 2026Lompoc candidates address housing, public safety, SpaceX impacts at forum
Six candidates seeking Lompoc’s mayoral and city council seats discussed housing, public safety, immigration enforcement, economic development and other local issues during a recent candidate forum hosted by the American
Nov 3, 2026Measure C funds what Santa Maria needs. Transparency is why we're backing it | Chamber Commentary
Chamber Commentary: Santa Maria's employers and their staff depend on the services Measure C funds, and they depend even more on a City that manages its finances openly and transparently.
Nov 2, 2026Letters to the Editor: Michael B. Clayton for airport board; Vote for Maribel Aguilera 5th District supervisor
Michael B. Clayton for airport board (0 Ratings) Tags Letters To The Editor Guadalupe Santa Maria, California Ricardo Valencia Valencia United States Immigration And Customs Enforceme...
Oct 31, 2026Letters to the Editor: Councilmember Flores denounces ICE action; Aguilera offers experience, dedication; Guadalupe library also rents facility;
Councilmember Flores denounces ICE action (0 Ratings) Tags Letters To The Editor Guadalupe Santa Maria, California Ricardo Valencia Valencia United States Immigration And Customs Enforcement ...
Oct 30, 2026