Local Politics · Santa Barbara, CA
Two referendum petitions in Santa Barbara challenge City Council decisions: one targets the 6-1 approval of the State Street Master Plan (over 6,000 signatures submitted for clerk review, exceeding the 5,400 threshold), and another seeks to repeal the city's rent stabilization ordinance. The State Street petition, backed by SIMA president Jim Knell, aims for a November 2028 ballot vote on whether to reopen the corridor to vehicles; the master plan carries an estimated $96 million cost with no funding plan as of October. The rent control petition, supported by the Santa Barbara Rental Property Association, had collected "a couple thousand" signatures as of Thursday and could trigger a special election or November 2028 ballot placement. The city's rent stabilization board application deadline is Dec. 2 at 5 p.m., with appointments set for Dec. 15; the current temporary rent freeze expires Dec. 31.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara League of Women Voters held a joint candidate forum Wednesday at Valle Verde Retirement Community featuring four mayoral candidates (Kristen Sneddon, Eric Friedman, Matt Kilrain, Wendy Sims-Moten) and three District 5 candidates (Ian Baucke, Cevin Cathell, James Zurlinden). Candidates discussed artificial intelligence's role in city government, with most agreeing it offers some efficiencies but raises concerns about regulation, privacy, and replacing human connection. On disaster preparedness, proposals included resilience hubs in each district, battery storage investments, microgrid development, updated evacuation plans, and improved fire safety staffing. The forum preceded the Nov. 3 election for mayor and City Council seats in Districts 4, 5, and 6.
Community News · Santa Barbara, CA
Indivisible Santa Barbara is hosting a nonpartisan 'No Kings Vote Early' rally on Saturday, October 17, from noon to 2 p.m., beginning at Alameda Park (1400 Santa Barbara Street) and marching via Anacapa Street to De la Guerra Plaza. The event aims to encourage residents to cast ballots before the November 3 election; participants may bring completed, sealed ballots to deposit at a drop box near City Hall along the route. Organizers expect several thousand attendees and note limited chairs and accessible restrooms will be available. No elected officials will speak, and candidate, party, or ballot-measure signs are prohibited.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County residents in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria rely on a single transmission corridor known as the Goleta Load Pocket, roughly 40 miles of which crosses fire-prone terrain near Los Padres National Forest. The corridor's vulnerability was demonstrated during the December 2017 Thomas Fire (85,000+ customers lost power) and a January 2025 Southern California Edison shutoff affecting ~9,000 customers. A property-tax exclusion for qualifying solar energy systems, in place since 1980, will expire January 1, 2027 after AB 2389 failed to extend it during the Assembly's budget process in May. Homeowners considering solar and battery installations face a practical completion deadline earlier than year-end due to permitting and installation timelines.
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Community News · Santa Barbara County
A new consortium called Central Coast Coverage has formed among Santa Barbara County medical providers—including Cottage, Marian, CenCal, Neighborhood Clinics, County Public Health, and American Indian clinics—to help Medi-Cal recipients navigate new federal eligibility requirements. CenCal, which administers Medicaid to 220,000 recipients in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, has committed $2 million to fund the effort. An estimated 29,000 Santa Barbara County residents are at risk of losing coverage under tightened renewal rules requiring twice-yearly applications and documentation of work or volunteer hours; approximately 18,000 county residents have already lost Medi-Cal coverage since 2025 due to renewal challenges. Residents can access assistance through the consortium's Get Help page.
Crime · Santa Barbara, CA
A 43-year-old man, Calletano Bedolla-Bibiano, was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of multiple counts of arson after allegedly setting seven vegetation fires in Santa Barbara over the past week. Police responded to three brush fires along Modoc Road (2300, 2500, and 3500 blocks) shortly after noon, where an officer located the suspect near the third fire. Further investigation linked him to four additional vegetation fires on the 3600 block of State Street the previous weekend. He was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail, with city firefighters and the fire marshal assisting in the investigation.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
Sailors at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara are removing their catamarans earlier than the usual October 31 season end ahead of potential winter storms, flooding, strong winds, and coastal erosion. The city is building sand berms near Mission Creek and the Harbor West parking lot to protect vulnerable areas from flooding. Harbor staff are preparing equipment to secure marina docks, while boat owners are encouraged to ready their vessels for winter weather. Parking lots and waterfront areas could face closures if large swells and unusually high tides create hazardous conditions. The city is also evaluating longer-term protections including flood barriers, drainage improvements, beach replenishment, and a proposed rock revetment near the Harbor Commercial Area.
Community News · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Department of Motor Vehicles office at 535 Castillo St. will close from 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 until 8 a.m. Jan. 15 for renovations including new flooring, paint, furniture, upgraded data cables, and restroom improvements. During the closure, customers can visit DMV offices in Goleta (7127 Hollister Ave., #24), Ventura (4260 Market St.), or Oxnard (4050 Saviers Road). The DMV encourages residents to complete eligible transactions online at dmv.ca.gov and to sign up for paperless renewal notices.
