News Roundup

March 15, 2020

First Confirmed Case of Covid-19 in San Luis Obispo County

Other local news: A running tally of tests given here and cases by state and country; Santa Barbara schools close indefinitely; UCSB suggests students leave campus; farmers' market stays open, for now; social-distancing guidelines for restaurants; Mammoth and Big Bear shut down.

March 12, 2020

California Is Discouraging Gatherings of 250 or More People

Other local news: UC Santa Barbara has moved to online classes through April at least; Santa Barbara City College has switched some classes to online; second COVID-19 case in Ventura County; Earth Day event postponed; SLO farmer's market canceled; gang members convicted of post–debris flow crimes, including a Montecito home invasion; bad behavior on the rise in area schools.

March 10, 2020

Santa Barbara Is Asking Cruise Lines to Stay Away

Other recent news: Laura Capps conceded to Das Williams; fire near Highway 154; new video-streaming service at Goleta Valley Library.

March 7, 2020

All the Latest Local Coronavirus Updates

A Grand Princess passenger in Ventura County tested positive; the ship is scheduled to visit Santa Barbara on March 24; why the city resists banning cruise ships; no cases reported in Santa Barbara County; smaller stores more likely to have supplies; giraffe and leopard being transferred to other zoos.

March 5, 2020

Architects on How to Fix Downtown Santa Barbara

Other recent news: Election results; Cottage Health opening two urgent-care centers here; local virologist on pandemic survival tactics; Funk Zone restaurant complex approved; Craftsman house on W. Valerio; new shop selling seashell art; parking spat turns ugly.

March 3, 2020

California Realtors Association Tries to Sway Local Assembly Race

Other recent news: Elings Park is bringing in sheep for landscaping maintenance; successful pilot program to reduce homelessness downtown; one of the state labs for coronavirus testing is in Ventura County; city attorney attempts to thwart vacation-rental lawsuits; visitors to Cottage Health hospitals must now have their photo taken.

February 28, 2020

Universities Expanding Into Downtown Santa Barbara

Other local news: Santa Barbara Airport noise complaints are up; notable shipwrecks around the Channel Islands; a maddening Montecito intersection; Carp residents file class-action lawsuit against cannabis farms; Republican Assembly candidate Charles Cole.

February 27, 2020

One Asymptomatic Man Is Being Held Under Quarantine at Point Mugu

Other recent news: Parents argue for and against the new sex-education curriculum; test-driving trapeze school; progress on debris flow basin improvements; naked guy showering with a garden hose.

February 25, 2020

Point Mugu Chosen as Possible Coronavirus Quarantine Location

Other recent news: State assembly candidates' debate turns ugly; more donations for Das Williams's reelection; developer sentenced to nine years for fraud; Carbajal hopes to ban new oil and gas drilling; Carbajal's Republican challenger.

February 21, 2020

Das Williams Supported by Cannabis, Casino, and Oil Industries

Other local news: Meg Ryan bought in Montecito; Das Williams agrees to stop attacks on Laura Capps; the Independent's political endorsements; new shops and fitness studios in Paseo Nuevo; Pier 1 Imports in Goleta will close; first steps toward capping Summerland oil wells; more on the Montecito pharmacy raid.