News Roundup

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

Legal Battle Over the News-Press Buildings

Other recent news: Prestige Hand Car Wash has closed; the Chrisman California Islands Center in Carpinteria will open soon; Leadbetter Beach restroom changes rile swimmers; artist Kelly Clause's new studio/gallery; this year's city ballot lineup. 1

December 28, 2023

Zoe Saldana Bought a Classic Montecito Estate

Other recent news: Photos of last week's storm and its aftermath; West Beach closed due to sewage spill; county to consider limits on roosters; effort to restore reef habitats; northbound Gaviota Rest Area open for real; Santa Ynez couple arrested for attack on the U.S. Capitol. 13

December 15, 2023

The City of Santa Barbara Is Looking Into Buying the News-Press Building

Other recent news: Update on the proposed Carpinteria Bluffs hotel; Santa Barbara is considering eliminating free parking; Ojai Valley Inn to briefly close for renovations; groundbreaking for five-story mental health/housing facility downtown; handsome 1952 Cliff May house in Montecito; timeline for reopening Highway 1 in Big Sur; the tree of the month. 9

December 6, 2023

By 2025, SpaceX Plans on Vandenberg Launches Every Three or Four Days

Other recent news: Womenswear brand d'Offay opened in El Paseo; Carpinteria residents sue cannabis farms over the foul smell; monarch butterfly season in Goleta; Lake Los Carneros footbridge repair is stalled; Camino Real Marketplace tree replacement; Goleta energy substation opens. 5

November 27, 2023

Potential Highway 101 Wildlife Crossing Near Gaviota

Other recent news: The northbound Highway 101 rest area closed immediately after reopening; final installments in the Santa Barbara Zoo's origin story; new conservative website; protections added to 24,000 acres of land; the tree of the month. 9

November 21, 2023

The State Street Promenade Now Has a One-Block Bike Lane

Other recent news: The Coral Casino intends to reopen in January; Replay toy store has closed after the owner passed away; an effort to determine whether Rincon Point beach is public or private property; Amazon liquidation store opens in Lompoc. 8

November 11, 2023

The Summer Solstice Celebration Theme Is “Flights of Fancy”

Other recent news: Rain is in the forecast (as is a wet winter in general); verdict in the trial over house bought by Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom; the bitter battle between the Santa Barbara Unified School District's teachers and leadership; State Street tattoo parlor moved to the Mesa; the history of Isla Vista; more on the former Child Estate; the mission of the U.S. Space Force. 2

November 2, 2023

State Street Promenade to Get Bike Lanes Again

Other recent news: Montecito debris nets to be removed; UCSB officially pulls the plug on Munger Hall; new refillable store in Goleta; the Modoc Road Multi-Use Path makes progress; proposed expansion of the Tajiguas Landfill; ExxonMobil subsidiary wants to repair an oil pipeline rather than build a new one; fiddling with the boundary of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary; real estate commissions could be headed for a change; the tree of the month. 7

October 25, 2023

The State Street Advisory Committee Met Again

Other recent news: Blissful Boutiques makers' market lost its lease at Paseo Nuevo; the city council approved new regulations for restaurant parklets; the Land Trust bought 48 acres on the Gaviota Coast; California Highway Patrol decided to stay and renovate its Calle Real office; progress for improvements at the Goleta Butterfly Grove; looking back at when a rich homeowner let hobos live on her property. 3