July 25, 2024
News Roundup
Aggressive Invasive Ants Discovered in Montecito
Other recent news: Santa Barbara is thinking about spending money on an economic development plan; downtown building could become apartments; Mesa residents are concerned about Elings Park fire risk; Carpinteria's Soap store is closing; the tree of the month; push to turn Carpinteria's former Rite Aid into a community center; miserable Casa Dorinda resident Renée Templeraud. 10
July 18, 2024
The State Street Advisory Committee Can’t Reach a Consensus
Other recent news: Progress on containing the Lake Fire; popular campgrounds suffered little fire damage; Santa Barbara and Goleta working together on airport noise; back-in angled parking in Old Town Goleta; this year's Fiesta celebration won't include a carnival; the folks hoping to build on Hot Springs Trail share their point of view. 25
July 11, 2024
The Vons Store in Turnpike Center Might Close
Other recent news: An update on the Lake Fire; the Ukrainian corner in San Roque; how SpaceX gets its way with government agencies; Parma Park's new trails; the county Planning Commission finally insisted on carbon scrubbers; the wildlife crossing under construction in Agoura Hills. 3
June 27, 2024
Inching Toward a Decision on the State Street Promenade
Other recent news: A business improvement district for downtown Santa Barbara; apartment complexes proposed for the Lower Riviera and near Cottage Hospital; Refugio State Beach should reopen early this summer; the Waterman hotel in the Funk Zone has been rebranded; update on the Las Alturas house falling down the hillside; hidden camera found in landscaping; the tree of the month. 11
June 19, 2024
Refugio State Beach Is Closed Indefinitely
Other recent news: Professional soccer team to play at UCSB stadium; Santa Barbara Unified School District teachers' strike tentatively averted; county supervisors wrestle with the cannabis tax mess; Highway 101 construction above Ventura is done; seed money to try and buy Carpinteria Bluffs land slated for development; Santa Cruz Market sold; new hat shop in Carpinteria. 2
June 12, 2024
Santa Barbara Residents to Vote on a Sales Tax Increase
Other recent news: The longstanding friction at Hot Springs Trail; Chaucer's Books is under new ownership; hotel tax hike on the ballot in November; cannabis taxes continue to disappoint; Lower Tunnel Trail and Inspiration Point trailhead will be closed for six months; Waterfront Department plans to raise slip fees and harbor parking fees; inside the reborn Zaca Lake resort. 3
June 4, 2024
Santa Barbara Is Considering a Sales Tax Increase
Other recent news: Many of the school district's solar arrays have yet to function; criminal charges filed against landlord; mysterious fish die-off; Old Town Antiques is closing; the tree of the month; county district attorneys vs. Carbmaster bread. 2
May 23, 2024
Caruso Officially Files Plans for Miramar Expansion
Other recent news: The city intends to tweak another block of State Street; Southwest Airlines is expected to pause weekday flights between Santa Barbara and Denver; underground tanks discovered downtown; creepy people harass restaurant patrons; more on Hill House Montecito; Island View Outfitters opened on upper State Street; the county courthouse’s viewing deck is closed till late July; new kung fu and tai chi studio; state law to make street parking even harder; Pink to headline One805Live! benefit. 18
May 16, 2024
City Council Rejects Proposal for Paid Street Parking
Other recent news: More on the two new pools the Biltmore is building in its front yard; SpaceX continues to flout Coastal Commission policies; rise in rattlesnake bites; county supervisors are rethinking cannabis taxation; a surge in sick brown pelicans; Billy Baldwin and Chynna Phillips put their house on the market; Carpinteria photo archive is now online. 7
May 9, 2024
Burning Questions
- What Does the “S” on Certain Chimneys Stand For?
- What’s the Status of the Decommissioning of Rincon Island?
- What Happened to the Gas Flame on Highway 101?
- What Do We Know About the Proposed Apartment Complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
- Why Is the Castillo Street Undercrossing Always Wet?
- What’s the History of This Tower on Ortega Ridge?
- What’s Up With These Sculptures on a Hillside in Summerland?
Recent Comments
The residents surrounding Elings should be more concerned about the salaries of the staff and how little is actually spent running the park and enriching… — Spank
I so agree with you—it was so tacky. He did the same thing to the once-charming Plow and Angel—early 20th century bordello style for both… — Anne
The two kitchen island trend is so weird. It never looks good and always looks like a glitch in the simulation. — BW
Perhaps I should have been more clear. It doesn’t bother me in the least that you (and others) don’t like going to State Street. To… — Doug B
Speaking from Austin, TX. We had an invasion of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) about 50 years ago. They built mounds in lawns and… — Wastrel
Sam, you nailed it, I hope more residents of SB read or hear about this before the city council. I just watched "Newsmakers with JR"… — Dan O.
Stupid question, but will the consultants be paid from the withhold wages of the city stuff who were hired to do that job in first… — ZM
I wish I could upvote or like this! Funny, sad, and too much truth in it. — BW
Erik, thank you for being the only member of the media to point out that the precise location where the scary imported fire ants have… — Master Gardener
While tourism remains Santa Barbara's largest industry, what many people don't know is that writing studies and reports for the city is now #2, and… — SkyG