Category Archives: General

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer bbullock@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 12:00 am | The Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors cleared the way Thursday for the second phase of its runway extension project, voting unanimously to put the project out to bid.  Board secretary Ted Eckert was absent from the …

High winds sweeping along the Santa Maria Public Airport runway couldn’t keep 88-year-old Joel Johnson from crossing the tarmac for an up-close look at a restored B-17 parked outside the Radisson hotel Tuesday.  A 10-year Nipomo resident, Johnson fought back tears as he examined the World War II bomber nicknamed Aluminum Overcast.  “Strange. Strange,” he …

By Mike Hodgson / Associate Editor / mhodgson@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times Parked on the tarmac at the Santa Maria Public Airport, its polished skin glinting in the sun, the Aluminum Overcast presented what is arguably one of the most iconic images of World War II. “Isn’t that a beautiful airplane?” Ralph H. Nutter of Santa …

A shining example of aviation and military history is scheduled to land Monday at Santa Maria Public Airport, where visitors can get a glimpse inside an example of an aircraft that helped turn the tide of World War II. The restored B-17 heavy bomber Aluminum Overcast will be available for on-the-ground tours Tuesday and Wednesday …

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer bbullock@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2011 12:26 am  Even though the runway expansion project at the Santa Maria Public Airport has run into unexpected challenges, it’s still on approach to open later this year. The $3.5 million first phase that includes infrastructure improvements and extension of the …

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer bbullock@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 11:47 pm Even though many small business owners are still hurting from the 3-year-old economic downturn, the overall economy in the Santa Maria Valley is picking up, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Santa Maria Economic Development Commission. The …

Dave Cross/Improving North County Santa Maria Times | Posted: Thursday, February 24, 2011 12:00 am As concerns about the local economy continue, there are hopeful signs we have made it through the worst and we are finally on a slow path toward recovery. Santa Maria is one of the very few cities in California that …

Hugh Rafferty/Improving North County Santa Maria Times | Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:00 am The Santa Maria Public Airport District has initiated a major expansion — runway 12-30 is being extended 1,700 feet to the northwest. When complete, the main runway will be 8,004 feet long. In addition to increasing the safe operation of …

Dusk was approaching as Calstar 7, the Central Coast’s first dedicated air ambulance, returned to its base at the Santa Maria Public Airport, having come from the scene of an accident. But before the helicopter could touchdown, the crew received a new call for assistance: A man had a high-speed collision on his all-terrain vehicle, …