News Roundup

May 6, 2023

Sansum Clinic to Be Bought by Sutter Health

Other recent news: Santa Barbara schools may stop factoring homework in the overall grade; Calle Real Center is getting a makeover; Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation wants to raise a bunch of fees; warehouse proposed for the site of the former West Wind Drive-In; interactive light sculpture at UCSB; environmental review required for Hot Springs trailhead parking initiative; Nashville songwriter buys Hope Ranch house; bikeshare program extended.

April 29, 2023

Santa Barbara May Finally Enforce Short-Term Rental Laws

Other recent news: Cannabis glut leads to growers backing out; Solvang allows gay pride banners; 26 automated license plate readers to be installed around the county; groundbreaking for the new Regional Fire Communications Center. 4

April 25, 2023

Bed Bath & Beyond Is Closing All of Its Stores

Other recent news: Jane Fonda to be honored at this weekend's Earth Day Festival; "See the homeless" sign is back up on the 101; Kim Cantin wrote a book about her tragic loss; the tree of the month is the bronze loquat; something is rotten in the city of Solvang. 8

April 20, 2023

Trippy Playground Proposed for Dwight Murphy Field

Other recent news: County property tax revenue is up, but cannabis continues to underperform; Platform development inches forward; five more cruise ships this season; the Spirit of Fiesta is a guy for the first time; more info on the Los Carneros roundabout apartment complex; an effort to preserve old airplane hangars. 3

April 14, 2023

MarBorg’s Non-Curbside Rate Hike Is Coming to Santa Barbara

Other recent news: The Santa Barbara City Council can't make up its mind about State Street parklet fees; Carpinteria Salt Marsh trails and beach access closed till June; park turtles to be relocated; Santa Claus Lane upgrade moves forward; recap of the debate over the proposed hotel at 101 Garden Street; Carrizo Plain superbloom photos. 7

April 8, 2023

Oprah Winfrey’s Creek Construction Makes Downstream Neighbors Nervous

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County tightened the eviction code; city Planning Commission waffles on 101 Garden Street hotel; update on the county's ambulance services contract; library plaza should be done by October; Elings Park improvements; opposition to fish farms in the Santa Barbara Channel; 72-room hotel in Carpinteria moves forward. 8

March 31, 2023

A Move to Expand Use of Earl Warren Showgrounds

Other recent news: Santa Barbara County added more sites to list of potential housing; the political fight over ambulance and EMT services; Gibraltar Road closure could extend beyond a year; Maroon 5 to headline One805 benefit; Montecito Collective and Waterhouse Gallery open on Coast Village Road; actor Timothy Bottoms wrote a novel set on Stearns Wharf. 2

March 24, 2023

Santa Barbara Might Crack Down on Vacation Rentals

Other recent news: Hundreds of Isla Vista apartment residents getting kicked out; city council makes "renovictions" harder; Monopoly is working on a Santa Barbara edition; the tree of the month is the pink trumpet tree; Poppy boutique is closing. 3

March 19, 2023

The County’s Cannabis Situation Continues to Stink in New Ways

Other recent news: Santa Barbara Airport is working on a terminal expansion and more parking; Solvang lost $538,000 to phishing; Butterfly Beach water closure due to sewage spill; the recent buyer of Oprah Winfrey's Hedgerow property; the Grace Fisher Foundation Inclusive Arts Clubhouse has opened; new pickleball shop. 7

March 10, 2023

$500,000 Donation Made Toward Expanding the Arroyo Hondo Preserve

Other recent news: The Miramar resort parking lot could be developed for employee housing; the city of Santa Barbara wants more involvement in the proposed La Cumbre apartment complex; swim platform in the works off Montecito; 2023 Fiesta theme and parade route; the return of the Starr King Rummage Sale. 6