May 9, 2024
News Roundup
May 2, 2024
Moving Date Set for the Saturday Farmers’ Market
Other recent news: The proposed changes to the Castillo Street underpass will proceed; county supervisors punt on cannabis odor control; update on the Santa Barbara News-Press's bankruptcy; international soccer clubs to play here this summer; the tree of the month. 5
April 25, 2024
Paid Street Parking Is Likely Coming to Downtown Santa Barbara
Other recent news: The crackdown on unlicensed vacation rentals is working; 1,771 new housing units proposed for east of Old Town Goleta; the stone pines on E. Anapamu Street keep coming down; deal reached for a new marine sanctuary off the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County coastlines. 11
April 11, 2024
Where State Farm Won’t Be Renewing This Year
Other recent news: The 99 Cents Only store on lower State Street will close; cruise ship visits limited to 20 per year; a new debris basin above Park Lane in Montecito; five-story building downtown gets ripped by the Architectural Board of Review; up to a thousand new homes proposed for Glen Annie golf course; Das Williams thinks cannabis wasn't a main factor in his loss; California Coastal Commission weighing its role on rocket launches; Miranda Lambert to play the California Mid-State Fair. 6
April 4, 2024
UCSB Once Again Agrees to Build More Student Housing
Other recent news: The history of the Granada Theatre on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; homeowners near the Hot Springs trailhead told to move parking obstructions; investigation into Manning Park's caretaker cottage; free rattlesnake removal and relocation; the Carpinteria location of Seaside Makers has moved; two stone pines fell on Anapamu Street; the tree of the month. 11
March 21, 2024
Architects Make Suggestions for the State Street Promenade
Other recent news: Improvements to Coast Village Road; Vuori is moving again; Josh Brolin bought in Montecito; the theme of the 100th Old Spanish Days Fiesta; Goleta Beach and Gaviota State Park have reopened; Hillary Hauser is stepping down as head of Heal the Ocean; the end of the standard 6 percent sales commission? 10
March 14, 2024
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
Burning Questions
- 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?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
Recent Comments
I live near a couple of the segments of streets mentioned for improvement and they absolutely need assessment. There are crashes every few months. It’s… — BW
Local attorney Luis Esparza in on the ballot with Judge Adams — Esparza for Judge 2026
El Smurfo. As Ben Kenobi said, "That's a name I have not heard in a long time." Gosh, what was my handle on the orange… — Dan O. Seibert
Taking criticism from losers is price of not being one — Duds
One of the best travel articles I’ve ever read. The narrative and the pics made me feel that I was there. Thanks ever so much — Jeff
Missed that reddit post, but I would say on the whole pretty positive. Obviously Montecito real estate postings are not going to be super popular… — el_smurfo
If you liked Angkor, then you need to visit Borobudur. And there’s even an Aman! AmanJiwo. One of our best trips. — Tom F
Shop keepers closes two stores. Why are all you experts not analyzing this? Could it be that the greed of landlord's has now reached the… — Jose Luis Riviera
Perfect summary of Angkor. You captured it well. My first visit was over 30 years ago before the disney-esque entrance. On the back of a… — KGS
Ummmmm....CVR is definitely thriving!!! Ask the retailers. There are more tourists willing to spend money (there are many affordable shopping options). Locals have been stopping… — Dave