Food
Meals by Khalil Delivers Middle Eastern Eats
A Santa Barbara chef with Lebanese roots started his own business during the pandemic.
Science & Tech
Santa Barbara to Hear Sonic Boom
SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Sentinel-6 satellite on Saturday morning, but it will not be open to the public.
UC Santa Barbara Econ Group Surveys Ongoing Effect of COVID on Local Economy
Economics webinar details some improvements, but cautions that challenges remain ahead.
Community
104 Dogs Rescued from Lompoc Home by Animal Services
Animals will receive veterinary care and be held in humane society facilities until they find new homes.
Santa Maria Juvenile Hall Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19
Staff and inmates are being tested as part of contact tracing requirements.
Santa Maria Suspects in 2018 Murder Arrested
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announces discovery of remains in Nipomo tied to alleged 2018 murder.
More COVID-19 Cases at Santa Barbara County Jail
Several incarcerated individuals and a staff member test positive.
Santa Barbara County Joins Housing for the Harvest
The program provides quarantine housing to farmworkers who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Outbreak of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County Jail Rapidly Expanding
In the course of a week, 39 more incarcerated individuals in the facility test positive.
Santa Barbara County Jail Sees Uptick in COVID Cases
Sheriff’s Office announces 14 additional positive cases among its incarcerated population, marking a dramatic increase.
Incarcerated Man Dies in Santa Barbara County Jail
One inmate dies and 11 others test positive for COVID-19 as Sheriff’s Office struggles to contain virus.
Environment
Santa Barbara County Set to Vote on ExxonMobil’s Proposal to Truck Oil on Highway 101 and Route 166
Exxon’s plan would resume operations at three offshore oil platforms and transport 70 truckfuls of crude daily.
Santa Barbara City College to Start Fall Classes Fully Online
Update confirms that there will be no face-to-face courses when instruction resumes August 24.
COVID-19 Cases Increase for Inmates and Staff at County Jail
Several workers and incarcerated individuals test positive, as concerns over lackluster speed of testing results emerge.
UC Vows to Sue Feds over ICE Policy Targeting International Students
Non-resident grad and undergrad students not enrolled in in-person classes face deportation under a new federal order.
Labor
Farmworkers in Santa Maria Win Better Wages, Working Conditions
Strawberry pickers at Rancho Laguna Farms celebrate a victory after a month-long labor dispute with Driscoll’s regional distributor.
Several Inmates and Guards at Santa Barbara County Jail Test Positive for COVID-19
New test results highlight the threat of disease’s spread within the jail’s walls.
Cottage to Open First Urgent Care Facility in Goleta
Opening on June 30, facility will seek to provide speedy, accessible care for patients.
Outdoors
Paddle into Summer
Stand-up paddleboarding is an active, relaxing way to see Santa Barbara from the water.
Nine Santa Barbara Sheriff Staff Test Positive for COVID-19
Concerns grow over inmate safety since jail staff tested positive for virus.
Business
Santa Barbara Zoo to Reopen on June 23
The zoo will open its doors to the public with new COVID-19 safety procedures and social-distancing measures in place.
Santa Barbara Ranked Third in Nation for Best Cycling
People For Bikes lists Santa Barbara as one of the best cities for cycling.
Delta Suspends Santa Barbara Flights
Amid precipitous drop in demand, Delta Airlines ends flights in and out of 11 airports, including SBA.
Education
Santa Barbara City College Releases Plans for Fall Semester
Most classes will be offered online in response to ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Fatal Collision on Santa Barbara’s 154 Highway
Santa Barbara driver charged with driving under the influence.
Santa Barbara’s Undocumented Community in Desperate Need of Help
Especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Barbara, undocumented immigrants who work in sectors disproportionately affected, such as
Community
Santa Barbara Zoo’s Lucky the Penguin Dies
The beloved 10-year-old penguin was euthanized on Wednesday morning.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Set to Reopen June 1
Limited number of children of essential workers will be socially distanced in accordance with California guidelines.
Santa Barbara City College to Provide Legal Services for Immigrants
SBCC has been chosen to participate in the Community College Immigration Legal Services Project.
Can Santa Barbara Achieve the Necessary Safety Measures Steps to Begin Reopening?
Politicians and public health officials teleconference on how to safely reopen.
Sheriff Arrests Two on Charges of Attempted Murder
Suspects in county jail in connection with gang-related violence in March.
Santa Barbara Police Department Arrests Robbery Suspect
Paul Catono Murray is the second suspect to be arrested in relation to the alleged robbery of Ross on upper State Street in December 2019.
COVID-19 Testing Facility Opens in Lompoc
Santa Barbara County’s third community testing facility, Anderson Recreation Center, is now taking appointments.
Testing Begins at Earl Warren Showgrounds
County Public Health releases details about hours of operation, procedure for requesting appointment.
Environment
$22 Million Restoration Plan for Refugio Oil Spill Released
When more than 140,000 gallons of crude oil poured from a broken pipe along Santa Barbara’s scenic coast in May
Items Stolen Out of Post Office Collection Bin on Canon Perdido
Police ask anyone who deposited mail there to take steps against identity theft.
Santa Barbara County Begins Community Testing for COVID-19
County Public Health Department working with state authorities to scale up testing
Newsom Limits Beach Closures to Orange County
After reports circulated that all state beaches would close, Newsom issues narrower order.
Courts & Crime
Crime Rates Continue Downward Trend in Santa Barbara County
New yearly report from Sheriff’s Office shows violent crime hitting an all-time low.
Report: Governor Newsom to Order Statewide Beach Closure
A leaked memo suggests the closure will be announced today and start on Friday.