April 10, 2025
News Roundup
The County Might Build Workforce Housing Downtown
Other recent news: Jewelry store to close after 52 years; another DignityMoves project is in the works; prominent developer says he's getting out of Santa Barbara; city survey of historical buildings in San Roque; Trump administration orders more logging in Los Padres National Forest; Cottage Health looking to open a big new building in Buellton. 4
April 3, 2025
MarBorg’s Massive New Headquarters Takes a Step Forward
Other recent news: The Fiesta rodeo is in flux; sea animals are dying from a toxic algae bloom; aesthetic tweaks for the big apartment building proposed for Milpas Street; new Carpinteria surf shop; senior housing on Laguna Street to get upsized; the county's expensive ambulance mess. 3
March 27, 2025
Goleta Is Working on a Drone Show for Independence Day
Other recent news: A look inside three pretty homes; road restriping in Old Town Goleta appears to have hurt businesses; farmer Rodney Chow has died; is Highway 101's new concrete divider already crumbling?; Channel Islands workers have been reinstated; federal cuts to affect two harbor properties; free local calls at Santa Barbara Airport. 2
March 20, 2025
Longstanding Carpinteria Surf Shop to Close
Other recent news: Santa Barbara considers disincentivizing landlords to renovate; teacher layoffs by the Santa Barbara Unified School District; county to increase oversight of battery storage systems; "Restraining Order Violation" in Montecito; more studies of noise impacts of space launches; cannabis farms required to install carbon scrubbers; lawsuit by residents affected by cannabis stench granted class-action status; cannabis farm goes bankrupt. 3
March 6, 2025
County Task Force to Take on Street Food Vendors
Other recent news: Efforts to curtail Hot Springs trail visitors; Channel Islands National Park layoffs; two old Summerland Beach oil wells have been resealed (but hundreds remain); a historian's Santa Barbara book recommendations; update on the Ava Hotel in Paso Robles. 8
February 27, 2025
Santa Barbara Tightens Its E-Bike Regulations
Other recent news: The latest on the battle over restarting offshore drilling; the argument against the proposed creeks ordinance; tour bus spotted at Hot Springs trailhead; cannabis farms may get extensions on odor abatement; SpaceX debris lands in Poland; Couture Pattern Museum profile. 2
February 20, 2025
The Threat of “South American Theft Groups”
Other recent news: Renderings of the apartment complex proposed for the Sears lot at La Cumbre Plaza; new Goleta housing development to rent by the bed; county supervisors are thinking of giving themselves a raise; CADA sold its E. Haley building; possible funding cuts to local public radio stations; Meghan Markle renamed her forthcoming lifestyle brand; history of the Cold Spring Canyon bridge. 2
February 13, 2025
Santa Barbara Is Trying for a Creek Buffer Ordinance Again
Other recent news: The Wine Business Improvement District has been approved; tenant-vs.-landlord drama at 215 Bath Street; the city's Public Works director is leaving; Craig Case's trial for embezzlement; Faitell Attractions is closing; the fight over development on the Gaviota Coast. 2
February 6, 2025
Pedicabs and a Pop-Up Forest Proposed for State Street
Other recent news: The risks associated with the lithium-ion battery storage facility in Goleta; Billabong and Volcom stores have closed; more on the development proposed for the Sears lot at La Cumbre Plaza; new design standards for developers; changes to Milpas Street's trees; the history of Santa Barbara City College's land; Santa Maria to get a Planes of Fame Air Museum; the reopening of Pacific Coast Highway. 20
January 30, 2025
Burning Questions
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
Recent Comments
I live near a couple of the segments of streets mentioned for improvement and they absolutely need assessment. There are crashes every few months. It’s… — BW
Local attorney Luis Esparza in on the ballot with Judge Adams — Esparza for Judge 2026
El Smurfo. As Ben Kenobi said, "That's a name I have not heard in a long time." Gosh, what was my handle on the orange… — Dan O. Seibert
Taking criticism from losers is price of not being one — Duds
One of the best travel articles I’ve ever read. The narrative and the pics made me feel that I was there. Thanks ever so much — Jeff
Missed that reddit post, but I would say on the whole pretty positive. Obviously Montecito real estate postings are not going to be super popular… — el_smurfo
If you liked Angkor, then you need to visit Borobudur. And there’s even an Aman! AmanJiwo. One of our best trips. — Tom F
Shop keepers closes two stores. Why are all you experts not analyzing this? Could it be that the greed of landlord's has now reached the… — Jose Luis Riviera
Perfect summary of Angkor. You captured it well. My first visit was over 30 years ago before the disney-esque entrance. On the back of a… — KGS
Ummmmm....CVR is definitely thriving!!! Ask the retailers. There are more tourists willing to spend money (there are many affordable shopping options). Locals have been stopping… — Dave