News Roundup

May 12, 2020

Santa Barbara Wants Restaurants to Expand Into Sidewalks, Streets, and Parking Lots

Other local news: There's talk of closing 13 blocks of State Street to cars; the state released guidelines for restaurant dining rooms; county reopening being slowed by Lompoc prison outbreak; pot-delivery business doing well; Botanik has a new greenhouse; Republican house candidate Andy Caldwell.

May 7, 2020

New Hotel Coming to Lower State Street

Other local news: Hollister Ranch fire has burned 200 acres; how the I Madonnari festival will work this year; UCSB pushes all summer classes online; Goleta now requires face masks in any essential business; Randall Road Debris Basin update.

May 5, 2020

First Look at the New Design for Ortega Park

Other local news: Plum Goods on State Street has closed; Goleta is considering a one-percent sales-tax increase; antibody tests available, but they're unreliable; developer Ed St. George on how to fix Santa Barbara; embattled cultural center finally shuttered.

May 4, 2020

California to Let Many Stores Reopen as Early as Friday

Other local news: The News-Press lost another editor-in-chief; swimmer off Padaro Lane bitten by something, likely a shark; a clearinghouse for masks.

May 2, 2020

New Testing Sites Are an Important Step Toward Reopening

Other local news: Law firm offers $25 reimbursements to anyone placing local restaurant order; interviews with city administrator Paul Casey and Direct Relief's Thomas Tighe; Field + Fort's new showroom space; Viva Oliva moved; Los Padres facilities now closed through at least May 15; $39 million high school stadium nearly done.

April 30, 2020

Governor Newsom Backed Down on Threat to Close Our Beaches

Other local news: Apartment complex proposed for lower State Street; hospitals to resume elective procedures and surgeries; interview with police chief Lori Luhnow; the war between winemakers and cannabis farmers; more on Carp's great white sharks; county seeks grand jury volunteers; Santa Barbara Foundation's new CEO; Music Academy of West's pandemic plan B.

April 28, 2020

County Hospitals Say They’re Equipped for a Covid-19 Surge

Other local news: Quest Diagnostics is now offering an antibody test to qualified customers; woman killed by train in Montecito; sharks spotted off Santa Claus Lane beach; Montecito Water District says it'll be "drought-proof" by summer; Tesla charging stations in Goleta; the man for whom Hollister Avenue was named; "mighty" trees down in Chase Palm Park; city close to extending Paseo Nuevo lease.

April 25, 2020

Golf Courses Are Allowed to Reopen, With Restrictions

Other recent news: County threatens to close beach, park, and trail access if overcrowding occurs; harbor boat launch ramp reopened; county approves 50-acre pot farm in wine country, spurring a lawsuit; "Jeopardy!" seeks local contestants; Santa Barbara and Goleta chambers of commerce to merge; study of mudslide debris; San Ysidro roundabout inches forward.

April 21, 2020

City Revenues Expected to Drop by $30 Million Over the Next Two Years

Other local news: 429 confirmed Covid-19 cases; small rise in crime blamed on lockdown; student exodus may effect census results; Hazard's Cyclesport bike shop is doing well; marine life at old oil platforms; harbor building burned to a crisp; 101 bridge repair in Goleta; Campus Point beach fence; and more.

April 20, 2020

County Covid-19 Hospitalizations Are Remaining Stable

Other local news: There are now 394 confirmed cases; an increase in lost and injured hikers; suspicious fire behind Sambo's; email your questions to local politicians; mountain lions get temporary protection.