April 17, 2025
News Roundup
Changes Likely for Santa Barbara Parking Fees
Other recent news: State Street test of "pedlets" that extend the sidewalk into the street; partial closures at Alice Keck Park; environmental groups are suing the state fire marshal in an effort to block Sable Offshore Corporation; check theft in Montecito; urgent-care facility Med Center to close. 7
April 10, 2025
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
Burning Questions
- What’s the Story Behind the Seal of the City of Santa Barbara?
- Four Questions From the Mailbag
- What’s This Pole With a Flashing Blue Light?
- What Are These Sculptures on the Riviera?
- What’s the Origin Story of This Fence on Hot Springs Road?
- What’s the Housing Development Under Construction Next to the Polo Fields?
- Why Is Part of This West Beach Mosaic Covered in Concrete?
Recent Comments
i see that big red stiletto literally every saturday going and coming from moore park CA visiting my father who is at a rehabilitation center… — Brittany Martin
All I'm suggesting is that the sign say "no outlet for cars" or something like that. — Erik Torkells
Important to leave "no outlet" sign! That dead-end road leads to Butterfly Walkway where motorized ebikers and speeding racing bikes already threaten walkers, joggers and… — Thomas Sanchez
11 W Ortega St — Karl
Leave the sign "no outlet" as it is. Bikers and walkers will certainly figure it out . No need to promote more traffic in this… — Michael Smith
Nope, but thanks for guessing! — Erik Torkells
The revamped concert shell - corner Castillo/Cabrillo — Megan
I read that the developers are putting an apartment building right behind Tri-County Produce. How cool would it be to have a grocery store in… — Keith
The encircling “estate” wrought iron fence matches the current backyard fence that was there when I purchased property? Please tell me Peter, where is the… — Julie R
I previewed the home before it went on the market, and I actually loved the fence. I don’t know what was there before, but I… — Todd