June 18, 2026
News Roundup
June 11, 2026
Three Longtime Incumbents Have Been Ousted
Other recent news: Santa Barbara looks to tighten up its vacation-rental policy; the ongoing overtime problem at the county sheriff's office; update on the godawful development proposed behind the Mission; Carpinteria pot growers buying cheap odor-control technology; UCSB Arts & Lectures's next season; new diaper service; more on the former church turned into “contactless” hotel. 7
June 4, 2026
Paseo Nuevo 2.0 Is Taking Shape
Other recent news: Preliminary results from this week's primary election; ICE arrests continue; some Santa Barbara neighborhoods may have to pay a "wildfire suppression assessment"; Sandpiper Golf Club takes a step forward; the Getty Center to close for a year; the tree of the month. 16
May 28, 2026
The Proposed Rules to Reduce Vegetation Near Houses
Other recent news: Goleta acts on people living in vehicles; the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is working on acquiring 6,000 acres; Anthem Chapel project moves forward; Santa Rosa Island fire nearly contained; Vina Robles Amphitheater sold; new oceanfront resort in Pismo Beach. 10
May 21, 2026
May 14, 2026
Two Former Department Stores Might Get Repurposed
Other recent news: The Biltmore appears to have been pushed back again; possible names for Calle Cesar Chavez; new housing at Santa Barbara Zoo could thwart Highway 101 pedestrian bridge; Modoc Multi-Use Path opened; county moves forward with workforce housing on Carrillo Street; speed-limit reductions on Santa Claus Lane and San Antonio Creek Road; Target launched next-day delivery in Santa Barbara; Ojai tastemaker's art and antiques recommendations. 4
April 30, 2026
The State Street Plan Is Moving Forward
Other recent news: The San Ysidro Ranch finally acknowledged that it has been working on a botanical garden; another candidate for Kristen Sneddon's seat on the city council; the race for county auditor-controller; the return of by-the-wind sailors; Chabad of Santa Barbara's new 7,400-square-foot building approved; SpaceX's lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission was settled; tree of the month. 4
April 23, 2026
April 16, 2026
April 9, 2026
Santa Barbara Is Closer to Limiting Rent Increases
Other recent news: ICE arrests at county jails; Calle Cesar Chavez headed toward renaming; the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum has closed; Montecito water and sewage districts might merge; fundraising drive for Elings Park softball complex; the Pea Soup Andersen’s building conundrum. 3
Burning Questions
- Why Are the Railroad Tracks Being Expanded Along Padaro Lane?
- Will You Explain the Plan to Adapt the Waterfront for Climate Change?
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
Recent Comments
I think that the city's representation of this land as having ‘zero value’ is confusing because it sums together the value of 2 distinct things… — SBradley
No idea whether this is a good deal for Yardi or not. Paseo Nuevo has been available for sale since 2020 with no buyers -… — NuemanJ
I wish this same logic worked for Thrifty ice cream! According to the BLS inflation calculator, something that cost 5 cents in 1970 should cost… — Doug B
I'm unclear how bike lanes are related to maga. For that matter please explain how freeways and rail lines are remotely maga in a state… — Bettye Jones
Worth knowing about the Paseo Nuevo deal: the city is skipping the required competitive bidding process for this public land transfer by using the state-approved… — SBradley
This write up is such a biased take that sides with a handful of people. I imagine the people groaning about this project have a… — Yesenia G.
And if the anti's are worried about pollution, the answer is obvious. Electrify the entire LOSSAN Corridor. Cleaner, quieter, and allows for faster trains. And… — Judy's Older Brother
Is MAGA in the room with us now? — Jefferson A.
Remember this: Frequency is Freedom, and for a line like this, siding projects are essential to improving frequency. (Draw some stringlines yourself, or model it… — UrbanUnPlanner
Like most NIMBYism, environmentalism is just the excuse used to block something the neighbors don’t like — LD