••• “While the statewide case rate is approaching a record low, the same cannot be said for Santa Barbara County, they explained. ‘Unfortunately, our case rate is inching upward,’ [Dr. Van] Do-Reynoso said. […] If the trend continues, the county will not be able to move into the less restrictive Orange Tier.” There are so many people in town this weekend that it’s hard to imagine the case rate not worsening. Semi-related: has anyone else noticed what a nuisance those rentable buggies and surreys have become in the Funk Zone? On Friday, I almost ran into two that were being ineptly driven. —Independent
••• The Read ‘N Post shop at the Montecito Country Mart is closing April 24, to be replaced by Montecito Mercantile around Memorial Day. The new shop will have “home decor, men’s and women’s clothing, magazines, books, gifts, kitchen and tabletop items, apothecary, and a handful of pantry items.” And the post office counter will remain. —Montecito Journal
••• “County Democrats Endorse Mayor Cathy Murillo for Santa Barbara’s November Council Election […] Group also endorses incumbent Councilwomen Kristen Sneddon and Meagan Harmon for City Council seats. […] Although the mayor’s race is technically nonpartisan, the endorsement comes with thousands of dollars worth of mailers, door hangers, constituent calls and other outreach. The local Democratic Party has successfully endorsed the mayoral winner for at least the past 20 years in Santa Barbara.” —Noozhawk
••• Newsmakers interviews independent mayoral candidate Randy Rowse.
••• “Preliminary rankings were released Thursday in Santa Barbara County’s search to select six cannabis dispensaries for each of its six unincorporated community areas. There are 20 applicants who have made it to the final round and are vying for the six spots. The county ranked them based on ‘neighborhood compatibility’ and site inspections. Only the top-ranked applicant in each area will be able to apply for a cannabis dispensary business license.” —Independent
••• Figueroa Mountain wildflower update from the U.S. Forest Service, via Edhat: “Much like last year, the wildflowers are off to a late start, and more than likely ‘short lived’ due to a fairly dry winter.”
••• The Silicon Valley invasion of Montecito continues: Vlocity cofounder Craig Ramsey paid $31.25 million for a Channel Drive property. “Records reveal Ramsey paid the entire purchase price in cash and deeded the property over to his new wife Kelly Dove later that same day.” Salesforce bought Vlocity last year for $1.4 billion. Note to the writer: “Unobstructed views of Channel Island [sic] and the Pacific Ocean” are not “rare” in this part of the world. —Dirt
••• Further afield but worth having on the radar: a developer is planning on building a high-end resort at Mount Baldy and “is actively involved in negotiations with Aman Resorts International.” —Dirt
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