News Roundup

June 9, 2021

Another Chunk of Highway 101 Will Be Under Construction for Years

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County has entered the yellow tier; the city is looking for a hotel to house the homeless; inside a fashion-company founder's Montecito estate; a new company that does composting for you; Chapala Street lane reduction; El Capitán State Beach closure pushed back; sexual harassment lawsuit against former Santa Barbara finance director; Music Academy of the West's 2021 season announced; the upcoming Santa Barbara Studio Artists open studio tour; the Biden administration's effort to retool Section 1031 exchanges.

June 7, 2021

A Battle Is Brewing Over Mission Creek Bridge

Other recent news: Ticks are on the rise in coastal California; more on the human remains found in Montecito; the push for a Coast Village Road business improvement district; how prescribed burns work; the lure of Montecito's Golden Quadrangle; Seaside Makers Collective opening on State Street; coast and sheep put to work on Eucalyptus Hill; cannabis farm broke air-pollution laws for nearly a year.

June 3, 2021

The County Has Pledged to Close Any Foothills Funding Gap

Other recent news: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought yet another Montecito property; an update on how the city's bike-rental program is doing; construction of a bike path linking Santa Claus Lane and Carpinteria will start next year.

May 28, 2021

Only $1.6 Million More Needed to Save the San Marcos Foothills

Other recent news: Construction on the 101's Montecito segment to start in fall of 2022; Bellosguardo Foundation starts talking about tours; Hotel Santa Barbara is on the market; earthquake six miles off the coast; county likely to reach yellow tier right before the tier system is abolished; the Crafter's Library opens Saturday; buyers of two big-ticket properties revealed; anti-cannabis lawsuit tossed out of court; skeletal remains discovered in Montecito; local fashion designer Kate McHale Jensen opened a shop here; peeved at sloppy parking.

May 24, 2021

United Airlines Is Launching Daily Service to Chicago

Other recent news: Remembering former mayor Hal Conklin; SBPD's embattled public information officer won't be returning next year; a new low-cost airline is using Burbank as a hub; MarBorg's expansion moves forward.

May 21, 2021

Forward Progress of TV Hill Fire Has Been Stopped

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County to ignore CDC and follow state guidance on masks; yellow tier still out of reach; expanded in-person summer classes at UC Santa Barbara; effort to discourage homeless on Milpas Street; Foodbank food-and-cookware drive this Saturday.

May 18, 2021

Santa Barbara’s July 4 Fireworks Show Appears to Be Back

Other recent news: Acme Hospitality has opened two hotels in Gold Country; Carpinteria extends ordinance that allows businesses to operate in the street; the quest to buy a Summerland farm; inadequate funding for cannabis enforcement.

May 14, 2021

The Trapeze School Is Moving Downtown

Other recent news: People who won't return a lost dog to its owners; Santa Barbara Police Department investigation finds no wrongdoing; the Richard Neutra house that caught on fire was destroyed; more Cold Spring School absurdity; Highway 101 wildlife passage delay; could Oxnard and Camarillo airports start allowing commercial flights?; Community Choice Energy approved by the Santa Barbara City Council; California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles will return this summer; Reseda's semi-secret Cactus Ranch. 1

May 10, 2021

Santa Barbara County Is Unlikely to Enter the Yellow Tier This Week

Other recent news: Richard Neutra house on the Riviera damaged by fire; CVS and Walmart pharmacies are offering walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations; San Ysidro Ranch now has a dedicated spa building; Santa Barbara's train station doesn't meet ADA standards.

May 6, 2021

More Than 40 Percent of County Adults Are Fully Vaccinated

Other recent news: Santa Barbara loses fight over regulating short-term vacation rentals; more on the state bills that would allow rampant construction of housing; dogs sickened by county mulch; cannabis farm in wine country agrees to odor controls; Meagan Harmon appointed to California Coastal Commission; city grocery workers to receive "hazard pay." 3