Tagged News

• Santa Maria Fire trains new firefighters

  October 10, 2012 9:34 PM

  The Santa Maria Fire Department is in the middle of training 10 new firefighters. This week marks their third week of training. A couple of months ago, the fire department received a SAFER grant, which is a federal grant, worth $1.6 million. The money from the grant will... more »

• Some locals turn to public transportation amid gas price hike

  October 8, 2012 9:34 PM

  The high cost of gas prompted people to change their driving habits. From carpooling, to riding the bus, some people are doing whatever they can do to avoid spending money at the pump. Santa Maria Transit said, so far, they haven't seen any big increase in their numbers... more »

• Father of alleged victim in St. Joseph High School sexual assault case breaks silence

  September 27, 2012 8:40 PM

  The father of one of the alleged victims in the St. Joseph High School sexual assault case sat down with KSBY's Nikki Ibarra Thursday. Chris, whose last name KSBY is not reporting because his daughter is an alleged rape victim, said the principal and former dean of students at... more »

• Kelli Groves returns to the Central Coast, thanks rescuers

  August 20, 2012 1:41 PM

  It's been seven months since Kelli Groves and her two daughters were trapped inside their car, hanging over a bridge, in Buellton. On Sunday, Groves returned to Santa Barbara to give thanks to the first responders who helped save their lives. This was the first time Groves and... more »

• Local teachers prepare for the first day of school Play Video

  August 13, 2012 8:50 PM

  It's back to school time for some Central Coast students. But what actually goes in to preparing for the big day? "They come in just with their eyes open, all excited about school, asking questions," said Rosalie Jones. For Jones, this is her favorite day of the year.... more »

• Former Santa Maria police officer sues city, former chief

  August 10, 2012 8:39 PM

  For the second time this week, the city of Santa Maria has been hit with a lawsuit. This time by a former police officer, who said he was fired after, what he called, "a manufactured internal investigation" led by former chief Danny Macagni. "This had nothing to do with... more »

• Former Santa Maria police explorer files lawsuit against city, Covarrubias estate

  August 10, 2012 12:58 AM

  In an exclusive interview with KSBY, we heard, for the first time, from the attorney of the former Santa Maria police explorer, who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr. KSBY has learned a federal lawsuit has been filed by the former explorer. Officer Covarrubias... more »

• Central Coast 4-H, FFA students weigh livestock for qualification at Santa Barbara County Fair

  July 9, 2012 10:28 PM

  The Annual Santa Barbara County Fair kicks off its 5-day run Wednesday at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Live music, food, petting zoo and rides will be there for your entertainment. Doors open from 11 AM to 10 PM, but the carnival is open a little later, and closes... more »

• Locals react to officer-involved shooting in Santa Maria, say crime is becoming too common

  June 28, 2012 10:36 PM

  UPDATE: We now know the identity of the man who was shot and killed in Santa Maria Thursday morning. Police say he is 22 year old Jose Luis Ortega, from Santa Maria. Ortega was killed after an officer-involved shooting this morning in Santa Maria. Police said the... more »

• Family of Santa Maria Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr. responds to Santa Barbara County District Attorney's report

  June 26, 2012 9:23 PM

  The Covarrubias family breaks their silence Tuesday in their first TV interview since the Santa Barbara County District Attorney found the shooting death of Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr. by another officer as legally justified. KSBY spent more than an hour with Officer Covarrubias' father, as well as his widow.... more »

• About 125 Central Coast businesses take part in Santa Maria trade show

  June 21, 2012 10:52 PM

  It's billed as the largest trade show between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it happened here on the Central Coast. About 125 local businesses, including KSBY, were at the Santa Maria Fairpark for the 27th Annual Business Trade Show. For many of the businesses, this was a... more »

• Santa Maria police looking for person responsible in the stabbing death of man Play Video

  June 20, 2012 8:44 PM

  Santa Maria police are looking for the person responsible for fatally stabbing a man early Wednesday. KSBY has learned the victim, who was in his late 40's, was stabbed in the chest. It happened on North Broadway and Bunny Street. Police got a call around 2:45 AM... more »

• Marian Regional Medical Center officially opens its doors; first baby born

  May 22, 2012 11:25 PM

  The new Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria is finally open for business. The hospital's emergency room started to see patients at 7 am Tuesday morning. And by 2 pm, all 110 patients from the old hospital were transferred to the new one. The 'Patient Move Team' has... more »

• San Luis Obispo shelter encourages public to not give money to panhandlers Play Video

  May 3, 2012 9:45 PM

  You see a panhandler on the corner begging for money, or just holding up a sign. So, do you give them money? Well, a San Luis Obispo homeless shelter is encouraging you not to do so. According to the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, there are about... more »

• San Luis Obispo shelter encourages public to not give money to panhandlers

  May 3, 2012 9:45 PM

  You see a panhandler on the corner begging for money, or just holding up a sign. So, do you give them money? Well, a San Luis Obispo homeless shelter is encouraging you not to do so. According to the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo, there are about... more »

• Survey: Local business owners optimistic about future

  April 10, 2012 10:29 PM

  Some local business owners in Santa Maria are feeling rather optimistic about how business is going. This, according to a new survey, conducted by the Economic Development Commission. Although the results showed things are looking up, there are some areas that aren't doing so well. The survey showed... more »

• Allegiant passengers now have to pay $35 for overheard carry-ons Play Video

  April 4, 2012 10:27 PM

  You might have to pay an extra $35 when you fly Allegiant Air. Starting Wednesday, passengers who chose to bring carry-on bags that need to go in overheard bins, will have to pay up to $35. Passengers will still be allowed to bring one personal item with them, like... more »

• Local Mexican restaurants say Chipotle is no competition Play Video

  March 28, 2012 10:24 PM

  When Chipotle recently went looking to hire staff for 30 positions for their new restaurant in Santa Maria, about 1,000 people applied to work there. A couple of the people who managed to get jobs lived at local homeless shelters. The national chain officially opened their first Santa... more »

• Spring cleaning could save your home

  March 26, 2012 10:40 PM

  Spring is here, and with this season comes lots of cleaning. De-cluttering and maintaining your home could save it from a fire. Central Coast fire departments are speaking out about the importance of making sure your home is clean, and fire proof. "It's just a matter of doing... more »

• Cancer center opens in Santa Maria Play Video

  March 26, 2012 9:58 PM

  The Central Coast is home to a new cancer treatment center, aimed at making patients feel more comfortable. The Mission Hope Cancer Center opened Monday in Santa Maria. It is located on the Marian Regional Medical Center campus. The center includes accommodations for patients families who want to... more »

• Locals react to new study about marriage

  March 22, 2012 10:07 PM

  A new government study that came out Thursday said only half of first marriages last 20 years. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there is a 52% chance that a first marriage for a woman will survive 20 years. For men, the number is a little higher... more »

• Local family shares personal story about suicide Play Video

  March 20, 2012 8:25 PM

  The mother of a 12 year-old Santa Maria girl who died by suicide last week is speaking out. She hopes her story will shed light on this social problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide each... more »

• Study: High school dropout rates high in California Play Video

  March 19, 2012 8:41 PM

  A new study shows California as one of the top 10 states where high school graduation rates are declining, but there are positive signs on the Central Coast. The study by "America's Promise Alliance" shows 71% of high school students in California received their high school diplomas in 2009.... more »

• California rent among highest in nation Play Video

  March 14, 2012 10:14 PM

  A new study shows California has the third highest rents nationwide. But, in terms of cities, San Francisco tops that list. According to the National Low Income Coalition, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city is about $1,900 a month. The hourly rate needed to make... more »

• California rent among highest in nation Play Video

  March 14, 2012 10:14 PM

  A new study shows California has the third highest rents nationwide. But, in terms of cities, San Francisco tops that list. According to the National Low Income Coalition, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city is about $1,900 a month. The hourly rate needed to make... more »

• Low income Santa Maria students receive free dinners through government-funded program Play Video

  March 13, 2012 10:08 PM

  About 300 students in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District are now receiving free dinners, through a government-funded program. The "Supper Program" gives needy students free and healthy dinners. According to school administrators, about 80% of the students in Santa Maria come from low-income families. Right now, only three... more »

• High gas prices forces locals to take the bus Play Video

  March 8, 2012 11:03 PM

  As gas prices remain high, some people on the Central Coast are now finding ways to avoid those trips to the gas pump. According to AAA, the national average cost of a gallon of unleaded gas is $3.75. Here in California, things are a lot higher. On average,... more »

• Strawberry growers ahead of the game this season Play Video

  March 1, 2012 9:56 PM

  Strawberry season doesn't officially start on the Central Coast until spring. But some growers are getting ahead of the game. According to the California Strawberry Commission, California produces almost 90% of the nation's strawberries. About 25% of the strawberries in California are grown in Santa Maria. Strawberry picking... more »

• Santa Maria woman dead after being struck by car Play Video

  February 29, 2012 9:50 PM

  A Santa Maria woman is dead and her boyfriend is in jail after his vehicle somehow struck her Tuesday night. The victim, 20 year-old Antoinette Raygoza, was a part-time employee at the city's Department of Recreation and Parks. The driver is 30 year-old Jack Misiaszek. It happened on... more »

• Much needed rain causes inconvenience for locals Play Video

  January 23, 2012 10:08 PM

  The much needed rain storm has come and gone. It was a short stay for the first rainfall of the new year, but it was just enough for Central Coast residents. According to Santa Maria city officials, there were no problems on the roads. The California Highway Patrol said... more »