News Roundup

February 29, 2024

Santa Barbara Water Rates to Go Way Up

Other recent news: Proposed Garden Street hotel will only have 60 employees; Santa Barbara–based Jackpocket acquired for $750 million; a Wells Fargo branch has closed; the reinvented River Lodge motel outside Paso Robles has opened; the tree of the month; sewage spills affect Goleta Beach and Miramar Beach. 3

February 22, 2024

The Biltmore Has Finally Set a Reopening Date

Other recent news: Cruise ship visits could be limited to 20 per year; fallen palm trees at Refugio State Beach; "beer spa" could be opening here; the effort to restart ExxonMobil's oil operations; Goleta wants to reroute pedestrian bridge funds to roundabouts; rehabbing Carpinteria's Alcazar Theatre. 15

February 15, 2024

The Effort to Build a New Pedestrian Bridge Over Highway 101

Other recent news: The spectacular Pepper Hill house finally got published; Santa Barbara's new city administrator; some of the issues people have with county supervisor Das Williams; two school fields opened for after-hours use; understanding Santa Barbara’s Measure A; Carpinteria Avenue mixed-use development moves forward. 8

February 8, 2024

Sequence of Storms Leads to Bluff Erosion

Other recent news: Incumbents rake in far more campaign donations than challengers; the longtime head of the Santa Barbara Zoo is retiring; DJ Javier's Year of the Dragon mural; mining magnate bought on Padaro Lane. 4

February 1, 2024

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art Canceled an Exhibit Because It Wasn’t Diverse Enough

Other recent news: Voting underway for a downtown Community Benefit Improvement District; recapping the meeting about the Carpinteria Bluffs hotel project; the Coral Casino reopened; water damage has temporarily shuttered the Granada Theatre; the X Games are returning to Ventura; Modoc Road multi-use trail update; the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic’s new Westside clinic was allowed to be a bit taller. 29

January 25, 2024

No Reprieve for the Press Room

Other recent news: City council approves the conversion of the Quality Inn to homeless housing; using technology to analyze local commutes; oil and gas well drilled proposed for the Cuyama Valley; the tree of the month. 8

January 18, 2024

A Bunch of Big Apartment Developments Got Pushed Through a State Loophole

Other recent news: The proposed La Cumbre Plaza project includes a food hall; Santa Barbara city council made it easier for the police to get parking lot data; former professional tennis player Maria Sharapova bought in Montecito; Corot exhibit at Westmont; Leadbetter Beach Park has reopened; new 24-hour dental urgent care. 17

January 8, 2024

Legal Battle Over the News-Press Buildings

Other recent news: Prestige Hand Car Wash has closed; the Chrisman California Islands Center in Carpinteria will open soon; Leadbetter Beach restroom changes rile swimmers; artist Kelly Clause's new studio/gallery; this year's city ballot lineup. 1

December 28, 2023

Zoe Saldana Bought a Classic Montecito Estate

Other recent news: Photos of last week's storm and its aftermath; West Beach closed due to sewage spill; county to consider limits on roosters; effort to restore reef habitats; northbound Gaviota Rest Area open for real; Santa Ynez couple arrested for attack on the U.S. Capitol. 13

December 15, 2023

The City of Santa Barbara Is Looking Into Buying the News-Press Building

Other recent news: Update on the proposed Carpinteria Bluffs hotel; Santa Barbara is considering eliminating free parking; Ojai Valley Inn to briefly close for renovations; groundbreaking for five-story mental health/housing facility downtown; handsome 1952 Cliff May house in Montecito; timeline for reopening Highway 1 in Big Sur; the tree of the month. 9