May 21, 2026
News Roundup
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
March 26, 2026
Overnight RV Camping Lot Proposed at East Beach
Other recent news: Costco is looking into the possibility of a Goleta gas station; a quartet of interesting homes; inside Montecito's Pig House; could Isla Vista become a city?; self-storage with social aspect coming downtown; the tree of the month. 14
March 19, 2026
March 12, 2026
First Look at the Development Proposed for the Carpinteria Bluffs
Other recent news: No deadline extensions for cannabis odor scrubbers; what's next for the armory building on Canon Perdido Street; Santa Barbara might raise the property transfer tax; just one monarch butterfly spotted at Ellwood Mesa; short-term vacation rental ordinance moves forward; federal government continues to push for Sable Offshore; One805Live! performers announced. 13
February 26, 2026
The Threat of New Offshore Drilling
Other recent news: Unedited video of last week's ICE altercation; more on Santa Barbara Airport's flooding problems; insinuations about a former Montecito resident who knew Jeffrey Epstein; portion of Maria Ygnacio Bike Path closed for repairs; the tree of the month. 1
Recent Comments
The stone building at 1 Garden street has always been a favorite. Before it was here it was next to Rare Society on State street.… — Dan O. Seibert
Milios looks very promising cant wait to give it a try! — Don
The bell and the signage is gone. That doesn't give much confidence that this classic-shape Taco Bell will look much the same after a remodel.… — apzer
I thought Blackbird was a pretty good restaurant overall. This new incarnation is not something I would be interested in trying. There are too many… — Giovanni Sammartino
There is merit to the golf course proposal, but I would think that SB should take a swing at redeveloping some of Earl Warren as… — Maximus
If we are tracking fast food closures - I submit "why has the Rusty's on Upper State been closed for maintenance for more than a… — SkyG
The menu at Knock kitchen looks odd. ‘Everything but the head chicken’ is really not appetizing — Nicolas