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 BarbaraCity of Solvang Union Members’ Strike Continues Through Weekend
Solvang's city workers are still on the picket line this weekend, and if you've driven through town lately, you may have noticed the signs along Copenhagen Drive. The Santa Barbara Independent reports the strike is stretching through the weekend, even as Danish Days carried on as planned — aebleskivers, wooden shoes, and all. There's something very Solvang about that contrast: a town built on tourism and tradition keeping the celebration going while the people who keep city services running stand outside asking for a fair deal. For those of us in the 805 who love day-tripping up the 101 for pastries and wine, it's worth paying attention. These are our neighbors — the folks who maintain the parks, staff the counters, and keep the lights on in the Little Denmark we all adore. Strikes are never easy in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Here's hoping both sides get back to the table soon. In the meantime, if you're heading to Solvang, be kind, be patient, and maybe bring an extra aebleskiver to share.
Santa BarbaraFight Like a Girl Fair Takes Up Arms Against Breast Cancer
Santa Barbara, we already know how to show up for each other — and this Saturday, Oct. 3, we get to do it with swords in hand. WeaponUp founder Sabina Storberg is teaming up with our own mobile bookstore All Booked Up for the Fight Like a Girl fair at Paseo Nuevo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free, it's for women's wellness, and it's raising awareness for breast cancer, a fight too many of our neighbors know up close. The day includes two Sword Yoga classes — that's vinyasa meets the blade, a surprisingly grounding way to build strength and focus. There's something fitting about a breast cancer event that asks women to pick up something heavy and stand tall. Noozhawk flagged this one, and we're glad they did. Between the yoga, the books, and the downtown sunshine, it's a good excuse to gather, honor survivors, and support the people we love. See you at Paseo Nuevo.
Santa BarbaraJohn Morrison Fox of Santa Barbara, 1946-2026
Santa Barbara lost a singular soul this summer. John Morrison Fox, 79, slipped away on the night of the full moon, July 29, 2026, at Abundant Care in Santa Barbara, with his devoted partner Shelley Greenbaum at his side — singing songs and reciting poetry as he began his next journey. That image alone tells you something about the kind of life he lived: surrounded by love, music, and words. So many of us in the 805 know someone like John — a neighbor, a friend, a fixture in the community who quietly made Santa Barbara warmer just by being here. His passing is a reminder that the people who shape a town aren't always the ones in the headlines. Sometimes they're the ones singing beside us. Our hearts go out to Shelley and to everyone who loved John. As Noozhawk shared, he was a huge soul, and souls like that don't really leave us — they linger in the songs and poems of everyone who knew them.
Santa BarbaraU.S. Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Mail-In Voting Limits as November Election Nears
Big news out of Washington this week that hits close to home here on the Central Coast. The U.S. Supreme Court shot down President Trump's proposal to restrict mail-in voting just as the November midterm election comes into view, and Governor Newsom was quick to celebrate the decision. The Santa Barbara Independent had the story first, and it's worth a read. Why does this matter to us? Voting by mail has become second nature for a lot of folks in Santa Barbara and across the 805 — it's convenient, secure, and honestly a lifesaver for anyone juggling work, kids, or a long drive to a polling place. Any limits on it would have touched nearly every household in our county. So as November approaches, expect your mailbox to keep doing its civic duty. Whatever your politics, it's a good week for making sure your voice gets counted.
Santa BarbaraStout Defense Leads the Charge for Dos Pueblos in 23-6 Victory Against Crescenta Valley
Chargers fans, take note: that defense showed up in a big way Saturday, holding Crescenta Valley to just six points in a 23-6 win. There's nothing quite like a Friday night under the lights at Dos Pueblos, and a stingy defensive effort is the kind of thing that builds real momentum for a young team. Now the Chargers hit the road, traveling to Hueneme on October 2. Road games in the 805 always test a squad's character, so let's see if that defensive toughness travels with them. As the Santa Barbara Independent reported, this win is one to build on. For local families, high school football is one of those fall traditions that brings the whole community out. If you haven't caught a game yet this season, October is a great time to show up and support these kids.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Air Attack Soars as Dons Dominate San Marcos 48-3 in Big Game
Big Game bragging rights stay in Santa Barbara — and this year the Dons didn't just win, they made a statement. A 48-3 rout of San Marcos moves Santa Barbara to 41-24-1 all-time in the series, and the air attack looked sharp from the opening drive. If you've followed this rivalry for years, you know these matchups usually mean a packed house and plenty of alumni chatter around town. For local families, Friday nights under the lights are about more than the scoreboard. The Big Game is one of those traditions that ties generations of Dons and Royals together, from the tailgates to the postgame handshakes. The Santa Barbara Independent has the full recap if you want the details. With league play heating up, this kind of momentum matters. So whether you're a Dons diehard or just love a good crosstown showdown, it's a fun week to be in the 805.
Santa BarbaraFriday Football Focus Week 4 Highlights
Friday night lights hit different here on the Central Coast, and Week 4 gave us plenty to cheer about. Santa Barbara High rolled past San Marcos 48-3, with sophomore Keegan Roessler hauling in four touchdown catches and earning Gary Blade's Big Game MVP honors — mark that name down, folks, he's only getting started. It was a tough week for some of our other local squads: Bishop Diego fell in a heartbreaker to Bishop Alemany, 48-44, while Morro Bay ran into a buzzsaw against St. Joseph. On the brighter side, Lompoc cruised past Dublin 41-7, and Arroyo Grande handled Santa Ynez 41-7. Thanks to KEYT News Channel 3-12 for keeping us plugged into all the action from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo County. Whether you're a Dons diehard or just love a Friday under the lights, these kids are worth showing up for. See you next week!
Santa BarbaraPotent Passing Attack Lifts Santa Barbara to 48-3 Win Over San Marcos in 66th Big Game
Dons fans, that was a fun Friday night at Warkenin Stadium. Santa Barbara High kept its grip on the Big Game with a 48-3 win over San Marcos in the 66th edition of this crosstown rivalry, and the passing attack did most of the damage. The Dons move to 3-2 on the season and now lead the all-time series 41-24-1, with a remarkable 9-0-1 mark in the last ten meetings. For those of us who grew up in the 805, the Big Game is more than a football score — it's a tradition that brings both sides of town together, from alumni swapping old stories in the stands to students painting banners all week. Noozhawk has the full recap if you want the details. So congrats to the Dons and their faithful. Royals fans, keep the faith — this rivalry always finds a way to surprise us. See you at next year's kickoff.
Santa BarbaraSable Offshore digs into 12 pipeline locations after inspections flag potential corrosion
Neighbors, you may have noticed some digging happening along the pipeline route. Sable Offshore says these 12 "validation digs" are just to check whether corrosion spotted during inspections actually needs fixing — six months after oil started flowing again through our coastline's pipeline system. For those of us who remember the 2015 Refugio spill, any word like "corrosion" gets our attention fast. Environmental advocates are already raising questions about how the work was permitted, which means this story is likely far from over. KEYT News Channel 3-12 is tracking it, and we'll keep watching too. Whatever side you're on, staying informed about what's moving through our backyards — and under our beaches — matters. Keep an eye out, Santa Barbara.
Santa BarbaraCity of Santa Barbara to Loan School District $1M for Employee Housing at Former Parma School Site
Big news for Santa Barbara teachers and school staff: the City Council is set to finalize a $1 million loan to Santa Barbara Unified on Tuesday, helping build 30 units of employee housing at the old Parma School site on the Eastside. The Santa Barbara Independent reports the funds would give the project a real push forward. We all know the struggle — educators commuting in from Ventura or Lompoc because they can't afford to live where they teach. This is a small but meaningful step toward keeping good teachers in our neighborhood schools. If you care about local schools and housing, keep an eye on Tuesday's meeting. It's the kind of quiet civic decision that shapes our community for years.
Santa BarbaraAn Adventure in Barbra-land Lands in Santa Barbara
Get ready to step into Barbra's world, Santa Barbara — and yes, it's as wonderfully weird as it sounds. Ensemble Theatre Company is bringing 'Buyer & Cellar' to town, a one-man comedy about an out-of-work actor who takes a job tending the fake shops in Streisand's legendary basement mall. If that premise doesn't make you smile, nothing will. It's a treat that our little corner of the 805 gets this kind of sharp, offbeat theater without a drive to LA. ETC has long been a gem of our cultural scene, and shows like this are exactly why. As the Santa Barbara Independent noted, it's an outrageous comedy — the perfect excuse for a night out downtown. Grab a friend, make an evening of it, and support local arts. Barbra-land is closer than you think.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Police Department to Hold DUI Checkpoint, Sept. 20
Heads up, Santa Barbara — if your Saturday night plans on Sept. 20 take you through town, plan for a sober ride home. The Santa Barbara Police Department will run a DUI checkpoint from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed spot, part of an ongoing effort to keep impaired drivers off our streets. These checkpoints aren't random. Locations are chosen based on crash and impaired-driving data, so officers are targeting the corridors where it matters most. The goal isn't to ruin anyone's evening — it's to make sure everyone gets home safely, whether you're heading back from a wine tasting in the Funk Zone or a late dinner on State Street. Noozhawk first reported the checkpoint, and it's a good reminder that in the 805, a rideshare or a designated driver is always the smarter call. Stay safe out there, neighbors.
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