April Chavez

6 days ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

In 2017 the sudden death of a Santa Maria woman's husband left her grieving, overwhelmed, and facing a deteriorating home she could no longer maintain. Several weeks ago, nonprofit Serve Santa Maria stepped in, and with the efforts of local volunteers, including hoarding consultant Robert McBurney, hope is returning — one cleared room, one repaired fence at a time.

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

When Natalia Lopez first stumbled across Goodwill’s Youth Career Services Program, she was searching online for a fresh start. Recently unemployed, with no college background and experience only in agricultural labor, she didn’t expect to find a program that would ultimately guide her to a career — and toward opening her own business. “I needed help at the moment since I was unemployed ...

2 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

The popular Orcutt bakery and coffee shop, Cups & Crumbs, welcomed customers back this week after an 18-month closure with new owners Nabil and Tony Fadel at the helm. The coffee shop closed abruptly in October 2023, four days after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against then- co-owner Julie Darrah, formerly an Orcutt-based financial adviser and partner in the Orcutt eatery.

2 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara opened its new Santa Maria office Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to supporting local students. Located at 1862 S. Broadway, Suite 203, the event celebrated the Foundation's move from its former location on E. Jones Street, where it had been based for over a decade.

2 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

Adilyn Batchelor, a bright young cowgirl from Tepusquet, is the 2025 Miss Mini Rodeo, and Waylon Estes is the 2025 Jr. Barrelman, the Elks Rodeo announced Saturday night. Batchelor will head up the inaugural Miss Mini Rodeo official court this year, with princesses Baylor Filipe, Isabella Holtman, and Kinslee Gradoville. Batchelor, 9, and Estes, 8, are both students at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School.