Community
Santa Rosa Island Will Reopen to Public Following Historic Fire
Day trips will resume July 1, but overnight campers will have to wait.
Community
52nd Annual Solstice Parade Makes a Splash on Santa Barbara Street
A wave of fun comes to Santa Barbara.
Public Safety
Two Hospitalized after Car and Motorcycle Crash on Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara Police are investigating the Tuesday-night collision, which temporarily shut down the 200 block of Cabrillo Boulevard.
Housing
Hundreds of Santa Barbara County Residents at Severe Risk of Losing Their Homes
The federal government is prematurely ending the Emergency Housing Voucher program at the end of September.
Courts & Crime
Santa Barbara Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing SUV, Almost Hitting Officer, and Breaking into Eastside Home
Suspect Samuel Ingram, 24, was charged with similar crimes previously and on a diversion plan.
Public Safety
Two Hospitalized After Car Collides with Tree Near Santa Barbara’s Leadbetter Beach on Sunday Afternoon
The cause of the collision is under investigation, and it is unknown if alcohol played a part in the crash.
Public Safety
Lompoc House Fire Displaces Family of Three, Leaves Two Cats Dead
Authorities say detonating ammunition inside the home contributed to the blaze.
Public Safety
Five Teens Dead, One Injured in Single-Car Crash in Santa Maria
Three of the deceased attended Santa Maria high schools.
Wildfire
New Details Emerge About Leadup to Largest Fire in Channel Islands History
The mariner ran aground on Santa Cruz Island the week his beached boat caught fire on Santa Rosa Island, according to the Coast Guard.
Community
TEDx Event in Santa Barbara Uplifts Climate-Minded Community
The Community Environmental Council organizes a salon-style event withTED talk screenings to get climate activists out of the doom and gloom and into action.
Community
Fiesta Presidente Announces Plans to Expand Festivities in Downtown Santa Barbara
New additions this year include the expansion of El Mercado onto two blocks of State Street, a beer garden in De la Guerra Plaza, and poetry and photography contests.
Public Safety
Santa Barbara Police Department Asks for Public’s Help in East Beach Death Investigation
Vesna Prepolec, 46, was found dead on East Beach on May 8, and her cause of death remains under investigation.
Community
Goleta Gets New Splash Pad
A new way to play from Memorial Day to Labor Day at at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park.
Labor
KEYT Workers Picket in Santa Barbara While Contract Negotiations Stall
Still no agreement after contract mediation.
Visual Arts
SBCC Photography Exhibition Empowers the Next Generation
Photographer and Alum Lucia Kiel returns to campus to uplift student leaders.
Education
Santa Barbara County Board of Education Honors County School Employees and 2027 Teacher of the Year
El Camino Elementary educator Alejandra Navarro is named Teacher of the Year and four classified school employees are honored.
Transportation
Modoc Multi-Use Path Connects Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach
The community gathered on Friday to celebrate the opening of the new path.
Public Safety
Woman Found Dead on Santa Barbara’s East Beach
Police are investigating the death of a middle-aged woman who was found unresponsive on the beach on Saturday.
Public Safety
Fire Breaks Out on Platform Habitat off Coast of Summerland
All 26 crew members aboard the platform were safely evacuated.
Environment
Volunteers Remove 775 Pounds of Trash from Shores of Santa Cruz Island
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s biannual cleanup brings a team of volunteers to the largest of the Channel Islands to help conserve natural environment.
Community
Polo Returns to Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club for 115th Season
The 2026 season kicks off with a win from Klentner Ranch.
Community
Santa Barbara Peace Crane Featured on New U.S. Stamp
Sue DiCicco has connected millions of kids across the globe with messages of unity.
Business
The Picklr Opens in Fairview Shopping Center in Goleta
The indoor facility gives pickleballers a new spot to practice and play.
Community
Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness Celebrates New Haley Street Location
Local and state officials attend the ceremonial opening of the South County Child and Family Services Center.
Courts & Crime
Singer D4vd Allegedly Visited Santa Barbara County the Night of 14-Year-Old’s Murder
New court filings allege that David Anthony Burke disposed of evidence near Lake Cachuma after stabbing Celeste Rivas Hernandez to death at his Hollywood Hills home.
Environment
Hundreds of Thousands of By-the-Wind Sailors Float off Coast in Santa Barbara Channel
Bright-blue “Velella velella” have been washing up on beaches across the county and the state.
Transportation
A New Commuter Train Is Entering Santa Barbara’s Station. Now How Do I Get There?
Here are some options for first- and last-mile transportation for commuters.
Books
Politics of the Past, Politics of the Future
M. Gessen encourages the audience to embrace their freedom in a UCSB Arts & Lectures series talk.
Community
Chumash Earth Day Draws Hundreds to Santa Ynez Reservation for 18th Annual Event
The community gathered at Kitiyepumu’ Park to peruse the booths of about 30 organizations, all united by a shared care for the Earth and its resources.
Community
Jugglers Catch Fire at 50th Annual Isla Vista Juggling Festival
The event drew jugglers from L.A. and the Central Coast to raise funds for the nonprofit Standing Together to End Sexual Assault.
Community
Goleta Valley Family Seeks Support After Being Displaced by Deadly House Fire
Tuesday’s house fire on the 5000 block of Amberly Place took the life of an 89-year-old woman and two pets, leaving five family members and their pets displaced.
Community
Senior Veterans Take to Skies over Santa Barbara in WWII-Era Aircraft
Dream Flights takes eight residents from Covenant Living at Samarkand on a joyride over the city.
Public Safety
Co-Response Teams in Santa Barbara County Face Funding Troubles
The successful program pairing law enforcement officers and mental-health practitioners may be reduced in the new fiscal year.
Community
After Six-Year Hiatus, Annual Foot-Washing Event Returns to Santa Barbara
WillBridge hosts event providing services on Good Friday for those facing instability.
Community
The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ Rings In 40 Years of Covers with Faulkner Gallery Exhibition
The exhibition featuring decades of cover stories will be on display in the downtown library through May 31, 2026.
Animals
Sea Center Welcomes Giant Seahorses
The new residents are a result of a San Pedro scientist striking gold twice in one day.
Community
Chumash Matriarchs Host Event in Santa Barbara to Protest Sable Offshore
Community members gathered Friday morning near the dolphin statue on Stearns Wharf to support Indigenous voices.
Energy
Chevron Decommissioning Onshore Oil and Gas Processing Facility in Carpinteria
Chevron will be removing the inactive infrastructure and restoring the land to a residential standard over the next three years.
Transportation
Highway 101 Widening Project Enters Its Final Stage in April
Lane changes and exit closures are coming to the section of highway from Montecito to Santa Barbara.
Courts & Crime
Santa Barbara Police Arrest Armed Suspect Following Car Chase on Sunday
Authorities say suspect Eri Arzate brandished a weapon before leading police on a pursuit through Santa Barbara surface streets and onto Highway 101.