News Roundup

July 15, 2021

UCSB Wants to Build an 11-Story Dormitory

Other recent news: Biltmore owner Ty Warner is now using the Four Seasons New York as leverage; Deltopia movie causing consternation in Isla Vista; Montecito lingerie store to be replaced by new lingerie store; California's updated Covid-19-related guidelines for schools; interview with architect Jeff Shelton; the latest head of Santa Barbara City College has resigned; the case against fake grass.

July 11, 2021

Travel In and Out of Santa Barbara Is Way Up

Other recent news: The Planning Commission insists on changes from the Montecito Club; a new location for this fall's California Avocado Festival; Marymount School has changed its name; Floyd Mayweather boxing studio opening here; two brothers have picked up tons of garbage this summer; News-Press rebuked by the National Labor Relations Board; the restoration of All Saints-by-the-Sea church is complete.

July 7, 2021

Should These Old Hangars Be Preserved?

Other recent news: Inflatable elephant spotted around town; Montecito Club's fight for as-built approval; water supplies and the drought situation; rapid Covid testing for travel and events; Circus Vargas opens this week; improvements to a Hope Ranch pedestrian bridge; new boat hotels in the Ventura harbor; Ojai home store; Solvang has been called an “adult Disneyland." 5

July 4, 2021

California Moved Closer to Decriminalizing Psychedelic Drugs

Other recent news: Parking issues at Santa Barbara Airport; tax increase on gasoline; Santa Barbara City College faculty is upset that the college won't insist on vaccinations; Montecito Fire Department's vent retrofit program; new luxury horse facility in Santa Ynez.

June 30, 2021

Countrywide’s Former CEO Is at War With the Montecito Club

Other recent news: Biltmore employees and Four Seasons head back to mediation; Santa Barbara man accused of running a Ponzi scheme; Riviera homeowner who illegally cut down trees now faces felony charges; UCSB has failed to build promised housing; homeless to be moved to motel for fire season; new home for at-risk young adults; L.A. County wants people to wear masks indoors because of the Delta variant of Covid-19. 2

June 29, 2021

Santa Barbara May Put the Homeless Up in a Motel for Four Months

Other recent news: QAD is being bought for $2 billion; the county is releasing cannabis applications and scoresheets; inside architect Robin Donaldson's 12,000-square-foot live-work compound; leather goods company Parker Clay is growing; So De Mel swimsuit showroom is closing; progress toward decommissioning two oil wells off Goleta. 3

June 24, 2021

All International Arrivals Are Now Required to Have a Negative Covid-19 Test

Other recent news: A path to reopening for La Casa de Maria; fundraising push for Carpinteria skatepark; Fiesta will have its marketplace once again; new midcentury home decor store in the Funk Zone; Reef & Run and Nite Moves are back; county supervisors approve 87-acre cannabis grow in wine country.

June 21, 2021

Why Are People So Slow to Ditch Their Masks?

Other recent news: People of color fare worse in Santa Barbara's criminal justice system; bike-rental program to expand to Funk Zone, the waterfront, and Coast Village Road; Santa Barbara Fair & Expo is this week; local designer who makes aprons and biodegradable garbage bags; development likely for lot behind Home Depot; got any Jonathan Winters anecdotes? 1

June 17, 2021

Baby Steps Toward Opening Hollister Ranch Beaches to the Public

Other recent news: Westmont's "Pickle Tree" is being cut down; MacKenzie Scott gave $20 million to Santa Barbara City College; Montecito man helps a family of ducks; the harbor mini-mart reopened with a new name; citizens’ groups disagree over cannabis deals; another Edhat classic.

June 15, 2021

Fully Vaccinated People Can Ditch Masks in Most Settings

Other recent news: the four women who started Save the San Marcos Foothills; SBPD spokesman Anthony Wagner is seeking $4.6 million from L.A. magazine; the Mission Canyon Bridge discussion; county finally starts cracking down on cannabis scofflaws; Barrett Reed is running for city council; musician buys in Montecito; Santa Barbara's new community development director; fire near Lake Casitas; Ojai Music Festival will be in September.