News Roundup

November 11, 2021

33 Tiny Cabins for the Homeless Will Be Installed Downtown

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County bought an Isla Vista building for the homeless; county Sheriff's Office patrol deputies are resisting vaccination and testing; a survey of hitching posts in Santa Barbara; a 32,000-square-foot bowling alley is opening in Oxnard.

November 7, 2021

More Fallout from the UCSB Dorm Debacle

While the university explained the rationale for its proposed Munger Hall and benefactor Charlie Munger compared the bedrooms to basement restrooms, students protested, architecture history professors started a petition, and local architects blasted the design. Other recent news: Goleta will sue UCSB over the lack of student housing; Carpinteria High School's Warrior statue will not be redesigned; the Rincon Multi-Use Trail moves forward; more study approved for floating wind farms.

November 4, 2021

The County Has Extended Its Health Order Requiring Masks Indoors

Other recent news: Randy Rowse and the three city council incumbents were declared election winners; an interview with Rowse; why Santa Barbara needs a runoff or ranked-choice voting; Charlie Munger defends his depressing UCSB dorm design; county Planning Commission formally rejected ExxonMobil's trucking proposal; the former Nordstrom building has new owners wary of big-box retail.

November 2, 2021

Low Voter Turnout Expected in Today’s City Election

Other recent news: Drama at the election's finish line; monarch butterflies are slowly returning to Goleta, but in low numbers; Morro Bay's power plant stacks are to be demolished; an increase in women board members at the region's publicly traded companies.

October 28, 2021

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Bought Twice More in Montecito

Other recent news: Progress for 14-room hotel on State Street; the rain did little to alleviate the drought; the state attorney general classified the Bellosguardo Foundation as delinquent; mayoral candidate Deborah Schwartz vs. the local Democratic establishment; Alisal wants to annex 10 acres for glamping; the restoration of UCSB's North Campus Open Space.

October 21, 2021

What the Heck Is Going on With Bellosguardo?

Other recent news: The season's first real rainfall is expected on Monday; more than 70% of eligible county residents are now fully vaccinated; Thousand Steps construction to happen before next summer; Hope Ranch mulls offshore desalination. 2

October 17, 2021

The Alisal Fire Is Now 53% Contained

Other recent news: Costly damage to the county landfill's new recycling facility; how the Arroyo Hondo Preserve fared in the fire; Cottage Urgent Care to open on Coast Village Road; two friends opened a barber shop; the christening of the USS Santa Barbara; the Australian flame tree is the tree of the month.

October 14, 2021

The Feds Have Taken Over Efforts to Fight the Alisal Fire

Other recent news: Hollister Ranch is given an evacuation warning; a photo gallery about the fire; air quality is worsening; the Independent endorsed the three incumbents in this year's city council race; the Arroyo Burro Open Space Restoration and Trail Improvement Project is nearly done; a roundup of new state laws. 1

October 12, 2021

Gaviota Coast Fire Has Burned Nearly 4,000 Acres

Other recent news: Two media outlets endorse James Joyce III for mayor; a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries; groundbreaking for the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum; controversial Los Padres forest clearing moves forward.

October 7, 2021

Indoor Mask Mandate Extended to November 5

Other recent news: A second Santa Barbara cannabis shop is being sold to a national company; winners and losers of a mayoral debate; homeowner manages to stall the Randall Road Debris Basin; two Bennett's wallabies arrive at the zoo for its forthcoming Australian Walkabout exhibit; Santa Barbara to join regional fire communications facility.