News Roundup

March 31, 2020

88 Confirmed Cases of Covid-19 in Santa Barbara County

Other local news: Two more sheriff's deputies have contracted the virus; Governor Newsom creates California Health Corps of retired healthcare workers; Whole Foods workers planning a sick-out; home improvement spike.

March 30, 2020

The City of Santa Barbara Expects to Lay Off 400 Employees

Other local news: The county now has 68 confirmed cases, including two sheriff's deputies; Instacart and Amazon workers go on strike; California State Parks bans vehicular access.

March 27, 2020

County Tax Revenues Are Expected to Plummet

Other local news: Santa Barbara County has 32 cases, and Ventura County has 61; Sansum Clinic is furloughing half of its non-physician employees; dentists are struggling; county halts new marriage licenses.

March 26, 2020

Supermarkets Are Adding Sneeze Guards to Checkout Lanes

Other local news: Santa Barbara County now has 26 cases and is telling where they are; jail discharging inmates early; high-school student starts group to do shopping for seniors; Downtown Organization director is leaving; progress for the Rincon Bluffs Preserve.

March 25, 2020

Santa Barbara County Now Has 24 Confirmed Cases of Covid-19

Other local news: Hospitals devising plans to cope with surge of patients; county estimated to lose 6,870 jobs as a result of the pandemic; a better way to track cannabis taxes; Oprah Winfrey is social-distancing from her partner; penguin allowed to explore zoo grounds.

March 24, 2020

The Harsh Toll on Santa Barbara’s Many Undocumented Workers

Other local news: East Beach volleyball nets taken down; we're at 83% of normal rainfall for the season; online programming from UCSB Arts & Lectures; mechanical failure at the News-Press.

March 23, 2020

Five New Cases Confirmed in Santa Barbara County

Other news: California has more than 1,800 cases, but that's likely low due to limited testing; people calling 911 to report a lack of social distancing; Cottage Health has a drop-off zone for donations of medical supplies; cannabis shops allowed to remain open.

March 21, 2020

“Widespread Community Infection” in Santa Barbara, Says Public Health Officer

Other local news: Santa Barbara has just 907 hospital beds; Cottage Health curtailed almost all visits to the hospital; the Four Seasons Biltmore and Ojai Valley Inn have closed; Santa Barbara Airbus suspended service.

March 20, 2020

What the Statewide Stay-at-Home Order Means for You

Other local news: Santa Barbara County bans gatherings larger than 10 people and insists anyone over 75 stay at home; there are now eight positive cases here; city playgrounds closed; Canadians bought three local newspapers; Cachuma Lake and Jalama Beach closed; Foodbank needs donations and volunteers.

March 19, 2020

Three Positive Cases in Santa Barbara County, With 145 Tests Pending

Other local news: Rent relief for residents and businesses; five UCSB students under quarantine tested negative; cannabis industry doing well during the pandemic; limited police and bus service; Contour Airlines suspending operations at month's end.