News Roundup

December 18, 2020

Covid Cases Keep Rising as Vaccinations Start

Other recent news: ICU availability is declining; bike docks have begun being installed on State Street; the mysterious death of a man at Campus Point; winery raises more than $100,000 for the Foodbank.

December 17, 2020

Governor Newsom Is Ignoring the County’s Request

Other recent news: Solvang now says it will enforce the stay-at-home order; Deborah Schwartz is running for mayor of Santa Barbara; cannabis farmers who are trying to mitigate the stench; a pair of white-faced saki monkeys join the Santa Barbara Zoo; naked man on sidewalk.

December 15, 2020

Covid-19 Cases Spike in Santa Barbara County

Other recent news: San Luis Obispo County allows outdoor dining with restrictions; police are investigating the death of an anti-vaccination activist; Unity Shoppe seeks fresh fruit; profile of Ojai's Porch Gallery.

December 14, 2020

Santa Barbara’s Police Chief Is Stepping Down

Other recent news: Amazon's State Street office building sold for a hefty sum; a paean to Montecito; Indio Muerto Street was renamed; new fancified motel in Solvang; the tree of the month is the Brazilian pepper.

December 10, 2020

Solvang Is Refusing to Enforce the Stay-at-Home Order

Other recent news: Landlords now owe tenants evicted without cause three months' rent; most timed parking restrictions are still in effect; playgrounds are allowed to reopen; the sad story of Randy and Evi Quaid; the Hope Ranch solfatara came back to life; new tiny homes for the homeless in Isla Vista; tree-removal brouhaha; poaching is way down in Channel Islands waters. 1

December 8, 2020

Central Coast Counties Push for Fairer Assessment of ICU Capacity

Other recent news: Goleta man charged with having 92 firearms; Southern California Edison will pay $3.5 million for dumping into Mission Creek; overnight camping prohibited in Los Padres National Forest; Chumash Casino Resort refuses to pause operations.

December 7, 2020

Where Ellen DeGeneres and Rob Lowe Have Bought Now

Other recent news: Large waves expected through tomorrow morning; the homeless situation at Pershing Park; monoliths atop a Santa Barbara building and in San Luis Obispo County.

December 5, 2020

Three-Week Stay-at-Home Order Starts Sunday at Midnight

What must close and what may stay open, with restrictions. Other recent news: Sandpiper Golf Club wants to build a new underground clubhouse; Santa Barbara geologist Mike Hoover's new book about our water situation.

December 3, 2020

Imminent New Lockdown for Santa Barbara County

Other recent news: County sheriff dismisses idea of a civilian review board; Ortega Park renovation held up over murals; more on the Surfliner Inn meeting; Hot Springs Road walking path; leaky Summerland wells capped; Atascadero monolith destroyed by vandals; the artist behind the Candy Land house.

December 1, 2020

Where to Get a Covid Test (If They Haven’t Run Out)

Other recent news: Carpinteria residents oppose the plan for a new hotel on Linden Avenue; Santa Barbara County wants visitors and residents who have been out of town to quarantine for two weeks; serious upgrades at two high schools. 1