News Roundup

May 8, 2022

Pay-By-Phone Now Available at Downtown Parking Lots

Other recent news: Groundbreaking for the Michael Towbes Library Plaza; county Covid-19 cases are rising but hospitalizations are stable; Chick-fil-A's traffic-mitigation plan got sent back to the drawing board; updates on the Hot Springs trailhead parking brouhaha.

May 3, 2022

Santa Barbara Looks for Ways to Pay for Affordable Housing

Other recent news: The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is open once again; why you should vote to reelect county school superintendent Susan Salcido; Santa Ynez General to open a shop at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern (which appears delayed); a new boutique in Santa Ynez.

April 29, 2022

Parts of Southern California May Only Water Outdoors Once a Week

Other recent news: Mocked-up interiors of UCSB's monstrous Munger Hall; remembering Pierre Lafond; new route for Fiesta's horse parade; free state park passes at libraries; progress on removing the oil pier infrastructure at Haskell’s Beach; update on the De La Guerra Plaza overhaul. 2

April 24, 2022

Montecito Homeowners Fight Effort to Reclaim Hot Springs Trailhead Parking

Other recent news: Who will donate the last $50,000 for the Plaza Del Mar bandshell?; Santa Barbara Airport, Amtrak, and city buses drop mask requirement; the Montecito Journal's new spinoff magazine; Carpinteria Skate Park moves forward; FAA revokes license of asinine YouTube pilot; drama at the Montecito Sanitary District; Goleta motel to become permanent housing for the homeless. 2

April 15, 2022

Many More Dirt Sidewalks Are in the Works for Montecito

Other recent news: Pet paraphernalia shop opens on Coast Village Road; more stores coming to Paseo Nuevo; alleged turtle thief apprehended; UCSB's collection of recorded music on wax cylinders; inside the Montecito Sanitary District; Coral Casino's reopening forecast. 1

April 7, 2022

Attempted Remedy for the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge’s Smell

Other recent news: Santa Barbara Bowl allowed to run seven extra shows this season; grocery strike averted; security screening coming to Santa Barbara County administration buildings; a report on the Carpinteria farm resort hearing; Vandenberg Space Force Base is a STARCOM finalist; Sarah McLachlan to play the Arlington. 5

April 1, 2022

Buyer of $52 Million Montecito Mansion Revealed

Other recent news: Temporary bypass lane to be installed on four-stretch of Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Ventura; the Summer Solstice parade won't be on State Street this year; neighbors object to "keyless" hotel coming to Garden Street; Santa Barbara redistricting map finalist; Rincon Trail Project gets stalled by appeals; local dentist with a support dog for patients. 1

March 28, 2022

Grocery Workers Vote to Call a Strike

But no date has been set yet. Other recent news: Branding Santa Barbara as Silicon Riviera; trapeze school to extend its stay in Vera Cruz Park; 332-apartment complex proposed for Goleta; neat houses featured in Santa Barbara magazine; Hearst Castle will finally reopen; Letter Perfect stationery shop has left Coast Village Road; Instagram retools its algorithm to favor video (so sign up for the email newsletter!). 10

March 23, 2022

Jeff Shelton’s Revamp of the State Street Undercrossing Will Start This Summer

Other recent news: Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network's new hospital has opened; consultant working on State Street Promenade could cost twice much as estimated; county sheriff Bill Brown is running for a fifth term; Carpinteria redistricting update; Santa Barbara Kite Festival is back on.

March 18, 2022

Hollister Ranch Public Access Delayed by 18 Months

Other recent news: Hollister Fire nearly totally contained; groundbreaking set for library plaza downtown; timeline for the new Santa Barbara Police Department headquarters; funding approved for Carpinteria Skate Park; four cities push back at Santa Barbara County Sheriff cost proposals; state assembly candidate suspends campaign; Westmont's observatory reopens to the public.