News Roundup

September 18, 2021

Governor Newsom Signs Housing Bills That Could Make Neighborhoods Much Denser

Other recent news: The renovation of Ortega Park finally moves forward; unanticipated drop in cannabis-tax revenues; county considers more stringent cannabis permitting; the rumored settlement for Santa Barbara's transportation chief; the unvaccinated dominate local Covid hospitalizations; Goleta formalizes in-lieu fees for affordable housing; Carpinteria is shifting to electing its city council by district; new water stations at Alameda and Shoreline parks; dangerous citrus pest found in Santa Barbara County; 82-unit apartment complex on Milpas gets approved.

September 14, 2021

Last Chance to Vote in the Recall Election

Other recent news: Mesa homeowner uses cameras to help foil burglary; E. Micheltorena condominium sent back to drawing board; monarch butterflies haven't returned to eucalyptus grove illegally cut down three years ago; Santa Barbara Trapeze's use of a public park; estate sale of items owned by Unity Shoppe founder Barbara Tellefson; grassroots effort to stop a farm outside Carpinteria from being developed; upcoming hearings on ExxonMobil’s proposal to restart oil production.

September 11, 2021

Carpinteria’s Avocado Festival Has Been Canceled

Other recent news: A step forward for 78-unit apartment building just off lower State Street; analyzing the dire water situation; city council candidates Kristen Sneddon and Barrett Reed debate; the transportation chief who claimed religious discrimination has resigned; why the bird refuge smells so bad; waxing salon opens downtown; Cox Communications to install gas-powered generators all over the area.

September 5, 2021

Failed Rocket Launch Sent Debris Raining Down

Other recent news: Ty Warner's ex claims he abused her and hid assets; SBCC's stadium is still closed to the public; a Montecito house was moved; antiques store opens in Paseo Nuevo; members of Historic Landmarks Commission ticked off about city's closing of a paseo; Trek Foundation helping to improve mountain-biking trails; analysis of a city council candidate forum.

September 2, 2021

Patrick Nesbitt’s Bid for a Private Helispot Was Stymied Yet Again

Other recent news: Winners and losers in the first mayoral debate; formerly homeless man now leading efforts to clean up camps; pro-development state senate bills move forward; UCSB Arts and Lectures announces 2021-2022 season; One 805 concert to benefit first responders; mandatory Covid-19 testing for all K-12 students in Santa Barbara Unified School District; county employees to get vaccinated or regularly tested; more on those big yachts moored here; San Luis Obispo County mask mandate.

August 30, 2021

Front-Country Trails Included in Statewide Forest Closure

Other recent news: Cruise ship moratorium extended till March; 33 "pallet houses" downtown to temporarily house the homeless; cannabis farmers agree to odor-control measures; two of the zoo's giraffes are pregnant; another section of Montecito sidewalks was completed; new thrift store.

August 26, 2021

Hillside Burned in Loma Fire Is Declared Safe

Other recent news: Board of Supervisors mull vaccine mandate for county employees; Ventura County finally issues indoor mask order; new State Street shops; the interesting history of Turnpike Road; surprising endorsements in the upcoming election; new interim head of Santa Barbara City College.

August 20, 2021

Airport Noise Complaints Have Doubled This Summer

Other recent news: An update on the county's Covid numbers; four theaters now require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test; ExxonMobil’s plan for up to 70 truckloads of oil a day has hit a snag; cannabis grower fined $40,000 for environmental violations; new technology repair shop.

August 16, 2021

Magnolia Founders Chip and Joanna Gaines Are Reportedly Looking in Montecito

Other recent news: An old oil well dumped around 500 gallons of oil into Toro Canyon; the tree of the month is the marvelous Bunya-Bunya; new tenant for the former Carrows/Denny's space in Goleta; carbon-scrubbing technology proposed for massive pot greenhouse complex in Carpinteria; the town of Port Hueneme is mulling a name change.

August 12, 2021

The Six Candidates Running for Mayor of Santa Barbara

Other recent news: City council rejects Mission Canyon Bridge replacement; Amur leopard born at the zoo; California requiring all school staff to be vaccinated; Santa Barbara man accused of murdering his children in Mexico; MarBorg Industries expansion allowed to proceed. 12