May 2, 2024
News Roundup
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
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
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