Santa Maria Times

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Thousands of pilgrims trek through New Mexico desert to historic adobe church for Good Friday

6 days ago | santamariatimes.com | Morgan Lee

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A unique Holy Week tradition is drawing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to a small adobe church in the hills of northern New Mexico, in a journey on foot through desert badlands to reach a spiritual wellspring. For generations, people of the Upper Rio Grande Valley and beyond have walked to reach El Santuario de Chimayó to commemorate Good Friday. Pilgrims, some walking for days, were on track to arrive Friday amid a forecast of cool temperatures and sprinkles of rain.
'More Than Just a Clean-Up': Santa Maria woman’s home transformed through volunteer effort

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.
Democrats don't want Kamala Harris | Byron York

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Byron York

Here is a simple fact: The Democratic Party does not like to renominate presidential candidates who lost in the last election. Just look at history. The 2016 losing Democrat was Hillary Clinton; the party moved on in 2020. Before that, John Kerry was the losing Democrat in 2004. He made some noise about giving it another try in 2008, and the party told him to forget it. The losing Democrat in 2000 was Al Gore. The party did not give him a second chance.
Sports in brief: Adult basketball league in Lompoc

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

A co-ed adult basketball league is being established in Lompoc as a fundraiser for Lompoc High School basketball programs. Registration will end June 1. League games will begin on June 23. The entry fee is $500. Teams will consist of eight-to-10 players, and each team is guaranteed nine games. There will be playoffs. To register, email Danielle Morgan at [email protected].
Nipomo softball team defeats Santa Maria, keeps rolling in the Ocean League

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

The Nipomo softball team has won two of the last three CIF Central Section Division 6 championships, and the Titans are humming along in the Ocean League this year. Nipomo (9-6 overall) moved to 7-0 in the Ocean League with a 17-1 rout of Santa Maria (4-9, 3-4) at Nipomo Tuesday. The game was called after the top of the fifth inning because of the 10-run rule.
League races: SJ baseball team in control in Mountain League so far

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

With five league games left on its schedule, the St. Joseph baseball team has a three-game lead in the Mountain League standings. The Knights are 17-4, 9-1. Second-place Righetti is 9-7, 5-4. Lompoc (8-5, 4-5) and Arroyo Grande (9-9, 4-5) are just behind the Warriors in the pack behind St. Joseph. The Warriors have a chance to have a say in who wins the league championship - if they can stay within range of the Knights long enough.
Paul Flores' murder conviction appeal called ‘meritless’ by state attorney general

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Dave Minsky

The California Attorney General’s Office on Monday urged a state appellate court to reject a bid to overturn a jury verdict finding Paul Flores guilty of murdering Cal Poly student Kristin Smart, saying all claims he makes in his appeal are “meritless.”In his brief filed in the California Second Appellate District, Deputy Attorney General Michael C. Keller said that Flores received a fair trial and urged the court to uphold his first-degree murder conviction following a jury trial in 2022.
Fields to the front desk: Natalia Lopez finds career path through Goodwill | Nonprofit Spotlight

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 ...
Sports in brief: Football clinic at Righetti scheduled for Friday

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

The Central Coast Clinic, a football clinic that former professional football cornerback Brandyn Thompson will help oversee, is slated to take place at Righetti High School Friday from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Offensive and defensive sessions will take place during the clinic. According to the information flyer, current NCAA Division 1 football coaches will help Thompson run the clinic. Thompson is the former Cal State Sacramento cornerbacks coach.
Santa Ynez beach volleyball team having another big season

1 week ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

The Santa Ynez girls beach volleyball team finished 11-12 last season, but the Pirates made a big post-season run. Santa Ynez made it to the inaugural CIF Central Section championship match as a No. 11 seed under coach Melissa Rogers before losing 2-1 to No. 4 seed Arroyo Grande. An Eagles-Pirates sectional title re-match isn't exactly a lock, but at this point there seems to be a decent chance that there will be one. Santa Ynez is having a strong season under Rodgers.