News Roundup

May 27, 2020

Hair Salons Are Allowed to Reopen

Other recent news: Proposed new water rates in various local districts; new Santa Barbara school superintendent; Chumash Casino reopening soon; Trump administration approved a new oil well and pipeline in Carrizo Plain National Monument.

May 26, 2020

Knapp’s Castle Is Coming Along Nicely

Other local news: California issues social-distancing guidance for places of worship; Goleta food-preservation firm is now valued at $1 billion; two-hour weekend parking limit at Montecito beaches and trailheads; mountain lion spotted again; drive-in theater reopened.

May 23, 2020

Santa Barbara County Requires Face Masks at Businesses

Other local news: County creates contact-tracing crew; big donation to help undocumented workers; Montecito Planning Commission dithers over the San Ysidro Roundabout; invite an animal to your next Zoom meeting.

May 22, 2020

Nine Blocks of State Street Will Be Closed to Cars

Other local news: Interview with Santa Barbara's economic development chief; many Old Spanish Days Fiesta events will be held online; OstrichLand update.

May 21, 2020

Restaurants and Shops Are Allowed to Reopen

Other local news: County to get federal funding after all; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is reopening to members only; eight white sharks tagged off Carp; Montecito's water situation; the garlic shortage.

May 20, 2020

City Allows Restaurants to Expand Into Sidewalks and Parking Lots

And part of State Street will be closed to cars so restaurants can spill into the streets. Other local news: Santa Barbara Zoo's shoe-wearing penguin died; possible traffic safety improvements on Highway 154; former mayor has a new book about urban planning here.

May 19, 2020

The County Is Said to Be Loosening Some Restrictions Tomorrow

Other recent news: The state released new criteria for reopening—which San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties meet but Santa Barbara does not—and agreed not to count the Lompoc prison; haircuts might be possible in a few weeks; Carpinteria now requires face masks; July 4 fireworks show canceled.

May 17, 2020

The County’s Strategic Plan for Reopening

Other local news: Mountain lion spotted twice at East Beach condo complex; parking restrictions at beaches and trailheads; revamp in the works for De la Guerra Plaza; Chase Palm Park summer concerts canceled; the tree of the month.

May 14, 2020

There Will Be Another Military Flyover Today

Other local news: State-run testing sites are twice as slow than expected; city council seeks rent relief; Miramar resort might reopen next week; grand jury finds yet again that the the Sheriff's-Coroner's Bureau is substandard; Montecito garden renewal.

May 12, 2020

Santa Barbara Wants Restaurants to Expand Into Sidewalks, Streets, and Parking Lots

Other local news: There's talk of closing 13 blocks of State Street to cars; the state released guidelines for restaurant dining rooms; county reopening being slowed by Lompoc prison outbreak; pot-delivery business doing well; Botanik has a new greenhouse; Republican house candidate Andy Caldwell.