News Roundup

April 17, 2021

Former Hostel to Become Housing for the Homeless

Other recent news: RV rammed into a downtown parklet; Isla vista beach bluff collapse; dredging underway of the Santa Barbara Harbor; 3,000 acres of Santa Ynez Valley trails now open to hikers; new home store in Santa Ynez. 2

April 15, 2021

What to Expect in the Orange Tier

Other recent news: The Cold Spring School saga turns uglier; El Capitán State Beach will close for a year starting in the fall; Santa Barbara–based Evidation Health is a unicorn; Carp-based cannabis company sold for $567 million; cannabis farming mulled for the parched Cuyama Valley; Ventura might close parts of its Main Street for good; library plaza to be named after late philanthropist.

April 13, 2021

Proposed State Legislation Could Dramatically Increase Housing Density

Other recent news: Santa Barbara City Council considers cracking down on homeless and investing in housing; the Montecito Club reopened with new amenities; what's up with the former Enterprise Fish Co. building; dismal tourism tax revenues.

April 8, 2021

Update on the Quest to Buy Part of the San Marcos Foothills

Other recent news: More on the ongoing closure of the Biltmore; Santa Barbara Unified School District to fully reopen; Goleta’s Storke Plaza to get redone; interview with former mayor Sheila Lodge; residents use stimulus money to plant community garden.

April 6, 2021

County Vaccination Clinics Are Now Accepting Anyone Age 16 and Up

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County isn't moving to the orange tier yet; California set a reopening date (but the mask mandate will continue); Dennis Miller bought across the street from the house he sold to Ellen DeGeneres for $49 million; the story of Canon Perdido.

April 4, 2021

Santa Barbara County Is on the Verge of a Covid-19 Backslide

Other recent news: County Democrats endorse incumbents; Montecito's Read 'N Post to be replaced by new shop; interview with mayoral candidate Randy Rowse; billionaire buys $31 million Butterfly Beach house; Figueroa Mountain wildflower update; Aman Resorts in talks regarding possible Mount Baldy resort.

April 1, 2021

Derelict Bandshell Might Get a Reboot

Other recent news: Cold Spring School seeks restraining order against parent; where to look for vaccination appointments; Los Angeles Magazine writer issues clarifications; Santa Barbara appoints new fire chief; Isla Vista beaches to be closed for two weekends; buyers of two Montecito estates revealed.

March 29, 2021

This Year’s I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival Will Be Online

Other recent news: U.K. variant of Covid-19 is outpacing the West Coast variant here; massage therapist charged with sexual assault; local companies that create rapid Covid-19 saliva tests and capture high-resolution radar images from space; the city of Santa Barbara might review its process for awarding retail cannabis licenses; another Italian stone pine on E. Anapamu fell over; new house downtown for formerly homeless women.

March 25, 2021

Vaccinations Will Soon Open to People Age 50 and Up

Other recent news: Instrumental Music is closing after 25 years; Santa Barbara city council approves Sola Street bike path; one city councilmember says he'll help try to oust another; Ventura County Fair canceled again; Gwyneth Paltrow's Montecito renovation. 1

March 23, 2021

The County Says the Orange Tier Is Within Reach

Other recent news: Los Angeles Magazine retracted a core allegation of Santa Barbara corruption; another Silicon Valley honcho bought in Montecito; Santa Barbara's Historic Landmarks Commission keeps fighting against the look of Sola Street bike lanes; a new magazine about the Central Coast art scene.