News Roundup

June 2, 2020

Fire Burns 700 Acres on Santa Cruz Island

Other local news: Artists paint mural honoring George Floyd; vote today whether to cancel the Santa Barbara County Fair; Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service suspended for financial reasons; setback for controversial cannabis farm; QAD goats.

May 28, 2020

Semana Nautica and Reef & Run Have Been Canceled

Other recent news: Checking in on the State Street situation; forthcoming guidance on reopening fitness facilities; Board of Supervisors to vote on cannabis reform; Ventura beaches reopening to sunbathers; Bossie the Cow got painted gold; missing ducks found; California Mid-State Fair canceled; plan to drill new wells abandoned.

May 27, 2020

Hair Salons Are Allowed to Reopen

Other recent news: Proposed new water rates in various local districts; new Santa Barbara school superintendent; Chumash Casino reopening soon; Trump administration approved a new oil well and pipeline in Carrizo Plain National Monument.

May 26, 2020

Knapp’s Castle Is Coming Along Nicely

Other local news: California issues social-distancing guidance for places of worship; Goleta food-preservation firm is now valued at $1 billion; two-hour weekend parking limit at Montecito beaches and trailheads; mountain lion spotted again; drive-in theater reopened.

May 23, 2020

Santa Barbara County Requires Face Masks at Businesses

Other local news: County creates contact-tracing crew; big donation to help undocumented workers; Montecito Planning Commission dithers over the San Ysidro Roundabout; invite an animal to your next Zoom meeting.

May 22, 2020

Nine Blocks of State Street Will Be Closed to Cars

Other local news: Interview with Santa Barbara's economic development chief; many Old Spanish Days Fiesta events will be held online; OstrichLand update.

May 21, 2020

Restaurants and Shops Are Allowed to Reopen

Other local news: County to get federal funding after all; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is reopening to members only; eight white sharks tagged off Carp; Montecito's water situation; the garlic shortage.

May 20, 2020

City Allows Restaurants to Expand Into Sidewalks and Parking Lots

And part of State Street will be closed to cars so restaurants can spill into the streets. Other local news: Santa Barbara Zoo's shoe-wearing penguin died; possible traffic safety improvements on Highway 154; former mayor has a new book about urban planning here.

May 19, 2020

The County Is Said to Be Loosening Some Restrictions Tomorrow

Other recent news: The state released new criteria for reopening—which San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties meet but Santa Barbara does not—and agreed not to count the Lompoc prison; haircuts might be possible in a few weeks; Carpinteria now requires face masks; July 4 fireworks show canceled.

May 17, 2020

The County’s Strategic Plan for Reopening

Other local news: Mountain lion spotted twice at East Beach condo complex; parking restrictions at beaches and trailheads; revamp in the works for De la Guerra Plaza; Chase Palm Park summer concerts canceled; the tree of the month.