Author Archives: jfields

By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer [email protected] 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, …

Two incumbents were leading in their bids Tuesday night to be re-elected to the Santa Maria Public Airport District Board of Directors.  Incumbents Chuck Damiano and Ted Eckert were ahead in the field of four candidates seeking a pair of four-year terms on the board, according to unofficial results. Damiano led with 28.5 percent, followed …

By Julian J. Ramos / Staff Writer / [email protected]  Santa Maria Times Four candidates are in the running for two seats on the Santa Maria Public Airport District board of directors.  Incumbents Chuck Damiano and Ted Eckert will face challengers Richard Plumlee and Girard (Geoff) Brenneman on the Nov. 2 ballot. Santa Maria's airport, known …

Travelers at the Santa Maria Public Airport are now enjoying one more benefit at Central California’s most convenient airport.  SMX has installed a flight information display system which provides targeted, real-time data that is extremely accurate.   As one of the first airports in the nation to use this technology, the Santa Maria Public Airport …

Work is expected to begin this fall on a long-awaited runway extension project at Santa Maria Public Airport. A unanimous Santa Maria Public Airport District Board of Directors approved a contract last week with Granite Construction for the first phase of a runway and taxiway extension development. Funded by a Federal Aviation Administration grant, the …

About 8,500 people attended this year’s Thunder Over the Valley air show at the Santa Maria Public Airport, according to the event organizer. Although a final tally for the weekend is pending, the total for Saturday and Sunday is at least 3,500 more than in 2009 and roughly 1,000 more than in 2008, said Mike …