March 14, 2024
News Roundup
The Plan to Expand Santa Barbara Airport
Other recent news: Roy Lee has an insurmountable lead over Das Williams; Santa Barbara professional soccer team delayed; arrests in the murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts; peeks inside two historic homes; tattoo parlor chain opening on State Street; new stoplight in Carpinteria; Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park remain closed; buyer found for the News-Press's online assets. 4
March 7, 2024
The Deal to Transform Paseo Nuevo Is Taking Shape
Other recent news: The owner of nearly all local movie theaters declared bankruptcy; Roy Lee appears to have dislodged Das Williams; Garden Street hotel moves forward; the buyer who paid $32 million for the DeGeneres/de Rossi flip; updated FEMA flood maps expected soon; the Macy's store at La Cumbre is spared for now; Ellwood Marine Terminal to be restored to its natural state; Ellwood Mesa has reopened to the public; wind farm near Lompoc begins operations. 9
February 29, 2024
Santa Barbara Water Rates to Go Way Up
Other recent news: Proposed Garden Street hotel will only have 60 employees; Santa Barbara–based Jackpocket acquired for $750 million; a Wells Fargo branch has closed; the reinvented River Lodge motel outside Paso Robles has opened; the tree of the month; sewage spills affect Goleta Beach and Miramar Beach. 3
February 22, 2024
The Biltmore Has Finally Set a Reopening Date
Other recent news: Cruise ship visits could be limited to 20 per year; fallen palm trees at Refugio State Beach; "beer spa" could be opening here; the effort to restart ExxonMobil's oil operations; Goleta wants to reroute pedestrian bridge funds to roundabouts; rehabbing Carpinteria's Alcazar Theatre. 15
February 15, 2024
The Effort to Build a New Pedestrian Bridge Over Highway 101
Other recent news: The spectacular Pepper Hill house finally got published; Santa Barbara's new city administrator; some of the issues people have with county supervisor Das Williams; two school fields opened for after-hours use; understanding Santa Barbara’s Measure A; Carpinteria Avenue mixed-use development moves forward. 8
February 8, 2024
February 1, 2024
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art Canceled an Exhibit Because It Wasn’t Diverse Enough
Other recent news: Voting underway for a downtown Community Benefit Improvement District; recapping the meeting about the Carpinteria Bluffs hotel project; the Coral Casino reopened; water damage has temporarily shuttered the Granada Theatre; the X Games are returning to Ventura; Modoc Road multi-use trail update; the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic’s new Westside clinic was allowed to be a bit taller. 29
January 25, 2024
January 18, 2024
A Bunch of Big Apartment Developments Got Pushed Through a State Loophole
Other recent news: The proposed La Cumbre Plaza project includes a food hall; Santa Barbara city council made it easier for the police to get parking lot data; former professional tennis player Maria Sharapova bought in Montecito; Corot exhibit at Westmont; Leadbetter Beach Park has reopened; new 24-hour dental urgent care. 17
January 8, 2024
Recent Comments
I live on Ricardo (ours is the house under construction, come see it when it’s done!) The house on La Coronilla, with the giant garage,… — Heidi
You called it! That San Roque ranch with the pool went for 3.8......and FAST. — SkyG
Corazon could double their space and still have a line. Assuming all the other restaurants are doing well. Love Empty Bowl also. — AFC
Interesting about Shalhoobs. — Jillian
If you read the details in the agenda it's a $514 preliminary application fee and a $2,500 license application fee. My guess is that the… — Paul
Amazing, always impressive to see how people get permits that fast for the remodels… ???????????? — Jose
Thank you for this! Will check out the trail ASAP.... — Erik Torkells
I wonder why we need another smoke and vape shop when there is already one close by on De la Vina. Especially when smoking and… — Janice
The upper part of La Vista Del Oceano is indeed public, despite the (old) signage. Welcome! It's my bench shown in the opening photo. From… — Anthony
Are pop-ups the cruise ships of hospitality? — Christine!