January 22, 2026
News Roundup
Downtown Film Center on Track to Open in Two Weeks
Other recent news: Final approval for five-story apartment building on W. De La Guerra; Santa Barbara County executive officer to retire; more on the overtime shenanigans at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office; step forward for the Goleta Valley Library; new theater company in town; Goleta to host a World Cup contender. 4
January 15, 2026
Santa Barbara Passed a Temporary Rent Freeze
Other recent news: A local man's tale of being deported by ICE; 72-hour "festival ban" for Deltopia weekend; Santa Barbara Airport's efforts to cope with flooding; another attempt to allow drilling on public land; Santa Barbara Dojo opened in Goleta; the Montecito Inn is redecorating again; changes to commuter train service; Highway 1 fully reopen in Big Sur; tours of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing; a fascinating ad. 7
January 8, 2026
Who’s Running for Mayor of Santa Barbara
Other recent news: Super-heavy rocket launches in consideration at Vandenberg; the craziest real estate video ever; emergency rent freeze in the works; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought an estate in Montecito; more flights from Santa Barbara Airport to four cities; new-ish architectural guidebook; no construction yet at the Goleta Valley Library. 17
December 26, 2025
Sable Offshore Circumvents State Authority
Other recent news: No major problems from recent storms, aside from Santa Barbara Airport runway flooding; exploiting overtime at the County Sheriff's office; La Casa de Maria update; East Beach sewage spill; work starts on Goleta multi-use path; the tree of the month. 10
December 18, 2025
Santa Barbara County Is Facing Big Budget Shortfalls
Other recent news: Santa Barbara starts on the path to rent stabilization; reforming the way that the harbor's boat slips are sold; the Hilton's 73-room expansion gets the go-ahead; indoor volleyball facility in the works; Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can operate through 2030; no more identifying buyers of local real estate. 13
December 12, 2025
December 4, 2025
November 28, 2025
The Argument Against the Paseo Nuevo Deal
Other recent news: The land under the former Nordstrom store is now excluded from the proposal; SBIFF's downtown multiplex got named; Zoe Bikini to close; new fees and requirements possible for Santa Barbara massage therapists; adaptive reuse of an old airport hangar and two Quonset huts; an update from Edhat. 6
November 20, 2025
Delta Is Ending Flights Between Santa Barbara and Atlanta
Other recent news: Birnam Wood's plan to remove the 77 eucalyptus trees along East Valley Road; city council member Kristen Sneddon is running for mayor; an option for fewer affordable-housing units at Paseo Nuevo; more citations issued to e-bike riders; the University of California bought a Hope Ranch house for UCSB's chancellor; Summer Solstice Celebration's 2026 theme. 24
November 13, 2025
The Trump Administration Plans to Reopen the Santa Barbara County Coast to Drilling
Other recent news: The contentious proposal to redevelop Paseo Nuevo; 18-story Builder's Remedy project submitted to Carpinteria; objections to the design of Sears lot at La Cumbre Plaza; Gold’s Gym locations bought by Eos Fitness; the renovation of Dwight Murphy Field. 17
















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Christine, I removed your comment because I can't possibly allow you to say that I endorse the actions of ICE, which I categorically don't. And… — Erik Torkells
Save your vitriol for next door and Fox News message boards. This has nothing to do with hardworking immigrants and children that are being terrorized… — AFC
Caveat Emptor on the Spyglass house. The builder's past is littered with lawsuits, judgements and fraud. Those dark stains on the interior walls. Yeah, those… — Sam Tababa
Barcelona is a club team. Teams competing in the World Cup are National teams. — Jan
I love these walks. Thank you. — Linda proud
I always enjoy your walks. — Carrie
NO off street car parking will be available re new 44 units on De la Guerra, just bike racks… that was a wishful reporting error… — Mercedita
I thought that was interesting about all the long days and hours the sheriff are putting in these days as I have only seen a… — Lars Larson
My previous dog was afraid of it! Always cracked me up...he was double its size. — Lynn
I hope it's Barcelona Goleta will be hosting! go Barca! (hope i've got the right sport and team LOL). — Leslita