Best of NSBC 2026
Santa Maria Sun
May 22, 2026
Mark your calendars, Santa Maria — the *Santa Maria Sun* just announced that our 26th Annual Best of Northern Santa Barbara County Readers Poll is officially on the horizon. Voting kicks off June 4 and runs through June 22, so we’ve got a few weeks to start thinking about our favorite local gems. Whether it’s the best breakfast burrito on Broadway, the friendliest auto shop, or that hidden hiking trail everyone swears by, this is our chance to give a little love to the businesses and people who make our corner of the 805 feel like home.
What I love most about this poll is how it brings our community together. It’s not just about picking winners — it’s about celebrating the spots we visit week after week, the farmers market vendors who know your name, and the small-town charm that makes Santa Maria unique. So grab your coffee, start making your list, and head back to the *Santa Maria Sun* website when the ballot goes live. Let’s show the rest of the Central Coast what we already know: this valley’s got some of the best of everything.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Santa Maria Sun.
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Santa Maria SunPublished
May 22, 2026
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Santa MariaMounting losses: Horseback ride and petting zoo operator alleges pony’s death caused by nearby construction
It’s hard to hear about a local small business being pushed to the brink—especially when it involves beloved animals. According to the *Santa Maria Sun*, Bob Sweeney, who runs SYV Horseback Rides and a petting zoo in Buellton, is speaking out after a year of health problems among his horses that he says stemmed from nearby construction. Runny noses, swollen eyes, rashes, and even the death of a pony, he argues, were linked to dust and debris kicked up while the city built a new 100-space parking lot on Sycamore Drive. For those of us in the 805, this story hits close to home. Buellton is just up the 101 from Santa Maria, and many of us have enjoyed trail rides or taken kids to petting zoos in the Santa Ynez Valley. It’s a reminder that development isn’t always clean or quiet—and that small family operations often bear the cost. Whether or not the cause is definitively proven, Sweeney’s loss is real, and his story raises a fair question: how do we balance growth with protecting the local businesses and animals that make this region special?
Santa MariaLompoc Planning Commission ushers theater project forward
It’s exciting to see the Lompoc Theatre project take another big step forward. According to the *Santa Maria Sun*, the Lompoc Planning Commission just approved plans for a new outdoor event space, a building addition, and some partial demolition that will bring the historic venue closer to reviving Old Town Lompoc. While we in Santa Maria love our own downtown gems, it’s great to see our neighbors in the Valley pushing forward with a project that promises to bring quinceañeras, weddings, and festivals to the heart of Lompoc. For those of us who remember the theater’s heyday, this feels like more than just a renovation—it’s a sign that the Central Coast’s smaller communities are investing in gathering spaces again. Whether you’re a Santa Maria local who enjoys a weekend drive to Lompoc for wine tasting or someone with family ties to the Lompoc Valley, a revitalized theater means more regional events, more local jobs, and a stronger sense of connection along the 101 corridor. Here’s hoping the next time we hear updates, it’ll be about a grand opening we can all attend.
Santa MariaSt. Joseph High School puts principal on leave
Well, neighbors, it’s been a quiet kind of whirlwind over at St. Joseph High School. Just a few weeks before summer break, the school’s superintendent announced that Principal Erinn Dougherty has been placed on administrative leave. According to the *Santa Maria Sun*, the move comes after a review of “reported verbal comments made in a meeting of students.” No further details have been released yet, but the school has emphasized that student well-being is the top priority. For a tight-knit community like ours, where Friday night lights and Knights pride run deep, this news hits close to home. St. Joe’s isn’t just a school—it’s where so many of our kids grow up, make lifelong friends, and learn from trusted adults. When something like this happens, it’s natural to feel unsettled. Let’s hope the review is thorough and fair, and that whatever comes next, the focus stays on supporting those students and staff who call that campus home.