Santa Maria Times

4 days ago | santamariatimes.com | Michelle Chapman

Dollar General set a quarterly sales record of $10.44 billion and upgraded its annual profit and sales outlook as Americans tighten their budgets and spend more at bargain stores and off-price retailers amid economic uncertainty. The U.S. economy shrank at a 0.2% annual pace from January through March, the first drop in three years, as President Donald Trump’s trade wars dented spending by businesses. Consumer spending slowed sharply.

4 days ago | santamariatimes.com | James Robson

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United's soccer operations are undergoing yet more change with one of its key figures Dave Brailsford scaling back his role with the troubled club, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the information has not been made public.

4 days ago | santamariatimes.com | April Chavez

Santa Maria kicked off Pride Week Tuesday, a vibrant run of celebrations and events running through Sunday with the theme “Strength in Diversity.”The theme sets the tone for festivities centered around inclusivity, community and visibility for the city’s LGBTQIA+ population, according to Suzette Lopez, executive director of HOPE and lead organizer of the Santa Maria Pride Committee. “It is our second year doing a full week’s worth of activities,” said Lopez.

5 days ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

The Pioneer Valley softball team lost 12-6 to Madera Liberty in the CIF Central Section Division 3 championship game at Fresno State's Margie Wright Diamond Friday night, but the Panthers got some consolation during the weekend. Pioneer Valley coach Kristina Sewell's team drew the No. 1 Division 4 seed in the CIF Southern Cal Softball Championships.

5 days ago | santamariatimes.com | Kenny Cress

The Pioneer Valley boys 4x1 Unified relay team ran to a third-place finish at the CIF State Track and Field Meet that took place at Clovis Buchanan High School last Friday and Saturday. The Pioneer Valley quartet of Yair Martinez, Alaki Ronquillo, Mauricio Bribiesca and Antonio Linarez clocked a season best 47.76 seconds to garner the third-place finish. Aptos won in 46.70 and Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills finished second in 47.58. Pioneer Valley placed third in a field of six teams.