Stay Informed
Local News
AI-curated coverage of what matters across the Central Coast
Showing news for Santa BarbaraClear filter
News from Santa Barbara
Santa BarbaraNicole Steiner Gets the Jump on her Old Coach in UCSB’s 92-48 basketball rout over Seattle
How fun is this? UCSB women's basketball absolutely demolished Seattle 92-48 at the Thunderdome on Monday, and the storyline couldn't be better. Sophomore transfer Nicole Steiner faced her old coach and teamed up with senior Zoe Borter — the same player she helped beat twice last year — to put on a show for the home crowd. The two combined for 37 points, and the Gauchos faithful got to witness a little friendly revenge play out on the court. The Thunderdome is one of those special spots here in the 805 where you can catch high-level basketball without fighting traffic down to LA. Nights like this remind us why college sports are such a big part of the Santa Barbara community — you never know when you'll see a personal storyline unfold alongside a blowout win. Big thanks to Noozhawk for the coverage. If you haven't caught a Gauchos game yet this season, this is your sign. Go Gauchos!
Santa BarbaraGauchos Ride Fast Start and Balanced Scoring to 92-48 Rout of Seattle
Gauchos fans, take note: UCSB put on a show with a 92-48 blowout of Seattle, and the balanced scoring is exactly what you want to see before a big weekend. The Thunderdome was rocking, and it's clear this team has depth and chemistry early in the season. Now the real test comes Saturday at noon when Cal visits. There's nothing like a packed house on a weekend afternoon to give our guys a home-court advantage. Whether you're a longtime season ticket holder or just looking for a fun family outing, this is the kind of game that makes Santa Barbara special. As the Santa Barbara Independent reported, the fast start set the tone. Let's show up and support the Gauchos—wear your blue and gold, grab a friend, and enjoy some great college hoops right here in our backyard.
Santa BarbaraLocal Girls Tennis Teams Continue to Dominate, Five Advance to CIF Semifinals
How about those local tennis teams? Five Santa Barbara-area squads — Cate, Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara High, Laguna Blanca and Carpinteria — all won their quarterfinal matches Monday and are headed to the CIF-SS semifinals. That's a clean sweep for our corner of the 805, and it's worth celebrating. What makes this special is the range: from Division 2 powerhouse Cate to small-school Laguna Blanca, our region's depth in girls tennis is genuinely impressive. These athletes have been grinding all season, and to have every surviving team advance on the same day says a lot about the coaching and talent in our backyard. As Noozhawk reported, the Rams opened with an 11-7 win over Agoura. Keep an eye on the semifinal matchups — and maybe swing out to cheer on the hometown teams. Let's show them the 805 is behind them.
Santa BarbaraSheriff’s Office Investigating Suspicious Death in Guadalupe
Guadalupe neighbors, our thoughts are with everyone affected by Monday's tragic news near the Veterans Memorial gazebo, where an adult man was found deceased. The Sheriff's Office is treating the death as suspicious, so expect to see investigators in the area as they work to piece together what happened. Guadalupe is a tight-knit town, and something like this hits close to home. If you have any information that could help, please reach out to the Sheriff's Office — even small details can make a difference. The Santa Barbara Independent first reported the story, and we'll share updates as they become available. In the meantime, let's look out for one another and keep the family in our thoughts.
Santa BarbaraCounty Health Department Issues Update After 26 Runners in Santa Barbara Half-Marathon & 5K Hospitalized Under ‘Suspicious Circumstances’
Neighbors, you may have seen the buzz about the Santa Barbara Half-Marathon & 5K over the weekend. The Santa Barbara Independent reports that 26 runners were hospitalized under what officials initially called 'suspicious circumstances.' The county health department now says the hospitalizations were likely due to running in the heat, though police are still investigating the exact cause. It's a good reminder to take care of ourselves when we're out enjoying our beautiful Central Coast trails and events. Heat can sneak up on even seasoned runners. Let's keep an eye on each other and stay hydrated out there. We'll keep following this story as more details emerge. In the meantime, our thoughts are with those recovering.
Santa BarbaraEnjoy Carnaval Spirit, Traditions of Brazil at Brazilian Day Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's Brazilian community is bringing a little slice of Rio to De La Guerra Plaza this Saturday, and honestly, it's about time we all got a taste of that carnaval energy. The Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara is hosting Brazilian Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 14, and it's completely free — music, dance, food, and traditions spilling out between the plaza and Casa de la Guerra. What I love about this is how it turns our own historic heart into a gathering place for a culture that's become such a vibrant thread in the 805 fabric. Whether you're here for the feijoada, the samba, or just a Saturday stroll downtown, it's a chance to connect with neighbors you might not otherwise meet. Noozhawk has the details, so mark your calendar and bring the family. These community festivals are what make Santa Barbara feel like a small town with a big heart.
Santa BarbaraGarrett Reynolds Claims First Place at Record-Setting Santa Barbara Half Marathon
What a weekend for our running community! The Sixth Annual Santa Barbara Half Marathon presented by HOKA brought out over 7,500 participants from a record 47 states and 19 countries — and 3,500 of those were our own neighbors from Santa Barbara County. That's a whole lot of early-morning energy downtown, and it's quickly becoming one of those fall traditions we look forward to. A big local shout-out to Garrett Reynolds for taking first place. Racing on your home turf with the whole 805 cheering you on is something special, and it's a reminder of what a great place we live in for getting outside and staying active. Thanks to Noozhawk for the coverage and to all the volunteers and spectators who made it happen. Whether you ran, cheered, or just enjoyed the post-race coffee, this one felt like a win for the whole community.
Santa BarbaraGoleta Preschool Closes After Gun Shop Moves Next Door
It's hard to read the news that Hear We Grow preschool is closing its doors on Hollister Avenue, and harder still to learn why: the owner says half her families left after a gun shop opened next door. This isn't a story about politics or policy — it's about parents making the choices they feel are right for their kids, and a small business paying the price for a neighbor's arrival. Goleta is a tight-knit community, and losing a preschool means losing a little piece of what makes this area feel like home for young families. The Santa Barbara Independent reported the closure this week, and it's the kind of local story that ripples outward. Every family that pulls a child from a school changes the math for that school, and every empty storefront on Hollister changes the feel of the block. Whether you agree with the outcome or not, it's a reminder that the businesses we support — and the ones we don't — shape the fabric of our neighborhoods. Our hearts go out to the Hear We Grow teachers and families navigating this transition. If you know a parent scrambling for childcare, now's the time to check in. Goleta's small-business and family networks are strong, but they only work when we lean on each other.
Santa BarbaraIVCSD Founding General Manager Jonathan Abboud Announces Departure Effective Summer 2027
Big news out of Isla Vista this week: Jonathan Abboud, the founding General Manager of the Isla Vista Community Services District, has announced he'll step down in summer 2027. If you've followed I.V. politics at all, you know Abboud has been a steady presence since the district's earliest days, helping shape what community self-governance looks like for a town that's equal parts college students and longtime residents. The timing is notable — 2027 gives the IVCSD board plenty of runway to plan a thoughtful transition rather than a scramble. For those of us who care about the 805's youngest and most densely packed community, that's worth watching closely. The Santa Barbara Independent broke the story, and we'll be keeping an eye on how the district approaches its next chapter. Isla Vista has always punched above its weight in local civic life, and a leadership change at the district is a moment to pay attention. Stay tuned.
Santa Barbara‘Dracula’ World Premiere is Out of this World
Santa Barbara theater lovers, take note: the Granada Theatre just hosted a world premiere of 'Dracula,' and word from the Santa Barbara Independent is that the audience gave it a standing ovation. It's not every day our corner of the 805 gets to launch a brand-new production — this is the kind of night that reminds us why the Granada's stage lights matter so much to this community. There's something special about being in the room for a premiere, when the cast and crew finally get to share what they've built with a hometown crowd. A standing ovation at the Granada says a lot, and it's a lovely feather in the cap for Santa Barbara's arts scene. Keep an eye out for future performances and support local theater when you can — nights like this don't happen without a community that shows up.
Santa BarbaraSan Marcos High brings Shakespeare to Life
San Marcos High's drama department is at it again, and this time they're tackling the Bard himself. "Much Ado About Nothing" opened over the weekend, with nearly 40 students bringing the classic comedy to life on stage. If you've ever caught a San Marcos production, you know this school doesn't do things halfway — their drama program has a reputation for turning out impressive work year after year. There's something special about watching high schoolers dive into Shakespeare. It's not just memorizing lines; it's about timing, chemistry, and making 400-year-old banter feel fresh. These students have been putting in the hours, and the final weekend is your last chance to catch the show. As KEYT News Channel 3-12 reported, this is a true community effort — students building something together. Santa Barbara loves its local arts, and supporting these young performers is an easy way to keep that spirit alive. Grab a ticket, bring a friend, and cheer on the next generation of stage talent.
Santa BarbaraMark Patton: Taking a Good, Hard Look Back at 60 Years of UCSB’s Harder Stadium
Sixty years ago this week, UCSB swung open the gates of Harder Stadium, and what a sunny Nov. 12, 1966 it was. A campus that had only recently traded the Riviera for the ocean bluffs near Goleta suddenly had a proper home for big games and big moments — and six decades later, Gaucho fans still pack those stands for soccer nights that feel like the whole town showed up. Harder isn't just concrete and bleachers to those of us in the 805. It's where generations of Santa Barbara families learned to love the beautiful game, where students and locals share the same roar, and where a young university grew into a community anchor. Noozhawk's Mark Patton takes a good, hard look back at that history, and it's worth a read whether you're a longtime season-ticket holder or just curious about the place you've driven past a thousand times. Happy 60th, Harder Stadium. Here's to the next generation of Saturday afternoons on the bluffs.
Have a News Tip?
Know about something happening in your community? We are always looking for local stories that matter to the 805.
Share a Story