Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Santa Barbara County, effective Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon. The alert covers the South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, and interior mountains, where rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour are possible. Residents in low-lying areas and recent burn zones are advised to prepare for minor flooding and debris flows. A temporary warming shelter will operate at Casa Cacique in downtown Santa Barbara from Wednesday through Friday.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Santa Barbara County regions, including the Santa Ynez Valley and coastal areas, valid from Wednesday at 8 a.m. until Thursday at 4 p.m. Residents are advised to monitor forecasts and prepare for potential street flooding and river overflow due to excessive rainfall. The NWS warns against driving through floodwaters, noting that just 12 inches of rushing water can sweep away most cars.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County emergency officials are urging residents to prepare for a storm expected Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Thursday, Oct. 22. The Office of Emergency Management warns of potential flooding in creeks, rivers, streets, and low-lying areas, along with possible minor debris flows near recent burn sites. No evacuation orders have been issued at this time, but officials advise residents concerned about home safety to leave before the rain begins.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County supervisors met in closed session to discuss the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians' initiation of federal trust status for a 360-acre parcel adjacent to the Chumash Casino Resort. This designation would exempt the land, currently used for grazing and events, from local land-use restrictions. Supervisor Joan Hartmann indicated no immediate legal action is planned but noted ongoing discussions regarding potential sports fields and glamping amenities on the site. The Board has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for November 10.
Want tomorrow's Santa Barbara edition in your inbox? It's free.
Subscribe free
Housing & Development · Santa Barbara, CA
The Earl Warren Showgrounds Board of Directors will review a proposal by Global Stack USA to build micro data centers and other infrastructure on the Santa Barbara site during its meeting on Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. The proposal, which includes a potential 100-year agreement for revenue generation, was presented to CEO Ben Sprague but not pursued as an MOU prior to board review. Residents have submitted public comment letters expressing concerns about environmental impacts and economic sustainability, while the company claims its infrastructure would support emergency operations and communications.
Education · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Unified School District reinstated the original student government election results at Washington Elementary following a scandal involving Principal Arielle Curry. The district announced on Monday that the actual winners were restored and the student council cabinet was extended to include runners-up. Curry had been placed on administrative leave in September after it was revealed she altered the results to name her child as president. She returned to work in October after admitting to overriding the results and apologizing.
Housing & Development · Santa Barbara, CA
The Music Academy of the West held a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday evening for "The Muse," a 20,000-square-foot, 200-seat music performance and instruction space at the former Forever 21 site at State and Canon Perdido streets in downtown Santa Barbara. The $55 million project was made possible by a $20 million building purchase donation from Cheryl Goldberg following her husband's death. The venue will include practice rooms, recording facilities, and a rooftop lounge, with construction pending minor city permits and a scheduled opening in 2028. The Muse is part of a roughly $100 million cluster of arts projects on the 900 block of State Street, alongside the $22 million Lobero Theatre renovation and the $21 million Santa Barbara International Film Festival makeover of the former Fiesta Five.
Education · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Unified broke ground Monday, Oct. 19, on the Building Community Wellness Project at San Marcos High School, an approximately $11 million initiative focused on health career education and student well-being. The project will replace four aging portable classroom buildings with three permanent structures housing five specialized classrooms for the Cottage Health Careers Academy, including science laboratories, a demonstration classroom with patient-bed learning stations, a permanent restroom facility, and outdoor learning areas. It will also modernize the Elings Wells Family Wellness Center, which serves students and community members seeking care and support. Funding combines the 2016 Measure I bond, district funds, and a Royal Pride Foundation agreement established in 2023. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2027.
