News Roundup

April 12, 2020

Glut of Local Applications for the Federal Payroll Protection Plan

Other local news: Four new Covid-19 cases; seventh County Sheriff employee tests positive; Santa Barbara man's account of his illness; county budget workshop; checking in with the zoo.

April 10, 2020

World’s Dimmest Thieves Try to Rob the Police Department

Other local news: North County Covid-19 cases outpacing South County; Bucket Brigade mask contest; city threatens to close beaches this weekend; two set designers' neat midcentury home; online Santa Barbara music festival; Planning Commission questions large new cannabis operation.

April 8, 2020

Models Show Covid-19 Pushing Hospitals Over Capacity

Other local news: 218 confirmed cases in Santa Barbara County; turnaround time for testing has improved; dire drop in city revenue; schools staying closed through the academic year; Zoomers to Boomers growing nationally; what life is like now for supermarket workers.

April 6, 2020

South County Resident Is the Second to Die of Covid-19

Other local news: 174 confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon; county appears to have more cases than comparable counties, but the lack of testing clouds the issue; could coastal winds carry the virus far?; the history of the 1930s Lutah Maria Riggs house at 818 Hot Springs Road.

April 5, 2020

Naked Man Rescued from Inside a Storm Drain

Other local news: Public Health director expects a mid-May Covid-19 surge; childcare for frontline workers; the history of Quarantina Street; state to house homeless in hotels; CARES Act snags; gun sales soar; bookstores are open; fashion entrepreneur expands Montecito estate.

April 3, 2020

California Sent Cottage Health 200,000 Unusable N95 Masks

Other local news: There are now 139 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including three more police officers; rapid testing finally available here, to a limited degree; city basketball courts and park picnic sites closed; marvelous Tecolote Bookshop is open.

April 2, 2020

First Covid-19 Death in Santa Barbara County

And the total number of cases is now 111. Other local news: When the pandemic might peak here; Isla Vista closing beaches to discourage the annual Deltopia party; some property tax late penalties to be canceled; Ventura might close its public boat ramp; helping local dogs.

March 31, 2020

88 Confirmed Cases of Covid-19 in Santa Barbara County

Other local news: Two more sheriff's deputies have contracted the virus; Governor Newsom creates California Health Corps of retired healthcare workers; Whole Foods workers planning a sick-out; home improvement spike.

March 30, 2020

The City of Santa Barbara Expects to Lay Off 400 Employees

Other local news: The county now has 68 confirmed cases, including two sheriff's deputies; Instacart and Amazon workers go on strike; California State Parks bans vehicular access.

March 27, 2020

County Tax Revenues Are Expected to Plummet

Other local news: Santa Barbara County has 32 cases, and Ventura County has 61; Sansum Clinic is furloughing half of its non-physician employees; dentists are struggling; county halts new marriage licenses.