News Roundup

February 12, 2026

Santa Barbara Bans Single-Use Plastic Foodware at Restaurants

Other recent news: The accidental deaths of a noteworthy couple; Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum will close; residents to vote on making a Paseo Nuevo deal more palatable to the developer; action on overtime abuse at the county sheriff's office; the Frog Wall's owner on the recent changes there; Carpinteria is shutting down an elementary school; public input on Gaviota state parks. 3

February 5, 2026

The Draft Plan for State Street Is Complicated

Other recent news: Could Anacapa and Chapala be made two-way?; county sales tax increase tabled; a step forward for Sandpiper Golf Club; Rincon Designs will return to Carpinteria; Naples compound approved; Austrian soccer team to train here; 6,500-acre ranch between Ventura and Ojai preserved from development; the tree of the month. 18

January 28, 2026

ICE Agents Pepper-Spray Citizens in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria

Other recent news: Rivian to open a dealership near the airport; California sues over oil pipeline jurisdiction; East Beach has reopened; Carpinteria looks to tighten e-bike regulations; Arroyo Quemado Trail closed for storm repairs; update on cannabis shops in Los Alamos and Noleta; La Conchita remains under year-round evacuation warning. 7

January 22, 2026

Downtown Film Center on Track to Open in Two Weeks

Other recent news: Final approval for five-story apartment building on W. De La Guerra; Santa Barbara County executive officer to retire; more on the overtime shenanigans at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office; step forward for the Goleta Valley Library; new theater company in town; Goleta to host a World Cup contender. 4

January 15, 2026

Santa Barbara Passed a Temporary Rent Freeze

Other recent news: A local man's tale of being deported by ICE; 72-hour "festival ban" for Deltopia weekend; Santa Barbara Airport's efforts to cope with flooding; another attempt to allow drilling on public land; Santa Barbara Dojo opened in Goleta; the Montecito Inn is redecorating again; changes to commuter train service; Highway 1 fully reopen in Big Sur; tours of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing; a fascinating ad. 7

January 8, 2026

Who’s Running for Mayor of Santa Barbara

Other recent news: Super-heavy rocket launches in consideration at Vandenberg; the craziest real estate video ever; emergency rent freeze in the works; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought an estate in Montecito; more flights from Santa Barbara Airport to four cities; new-ish architectural guidebook; no construction yet at the Goleta Valley Library. 17

December 26, 2025

Sable Offshore Circumvents State Authority

Other recent news: No major problems from recent storms, aside from Santa Barbara Airport runway flooding; exploiting overtime at the County Sheriff's office; La Casa de Maria update; East Beach sewage spill; work starts on Goleta multi-use path; the tree of the month. 10

December 18, 2025

Santa Barbara County Is Facing Big Budget Shortfalls

Other recent news: Santa Barbara starts on the path to rent stabilization; reforming the way that the harbor's boat slips are sold; the Hilton's 73-room expansion gets the go-ahead; indoor volleyball facility in the works; Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can operate through 2030; no more identifying buyers of local real estate. 13

December 12, 2025

Highway 101 Construction Will Move North Starting This Spring

Other recent news: New emergency dispatch center; U.S. Women's National Team to play a game here; automotive garage to close; Goleta post office on the path to getting renamed. 4

December 4, 2025

Pressing Pause on the Redevelopment of Paseo Nuevo

Other recent news: Milpas Street Holiday Parade canceled due to deportation fears; king tides return today; cannabis shop not opening on Santa Claus Lane; Sable Offshore Corporation is trying another tack; the tree of the month. 4