Local Politics · Guadalupe, CA
Incumbent Guadalupe Mayor Ariston Julian faces a mayoral challenge from City Council member Christina Hernandez in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. The race centers on the city's $3 million budget deficit, with Julian defending cost-cutting measures like pausing the Royal Theater restoration and terminating a police contract, while Hernandez advocates for long-range planning and grant acquisition. Both candidates agree on protecting essential public safety services but differ on economic development strategies to address empty storefronts and sales tax leakage. Additionally, Randy Altergott and Robert Diaz are running unopposed for two City Council seats.
Crime · Santa Barbara County
The murder case against Ashlee Buzzard, accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter Melodee in Utah, is scheduled to return to Santa Barbara County Superior Court on November 30. The proceedings were paused after defense attorneys raised doubts about Buzzard's mental competency, requiring evaluations by court-appointed professionals. If found competent, the case will proceed to a preliminary hearing; if incompetent, criminal charges remain suspended pending treatment. Separately, Melodee’s half-sisters have filed civil lawsuits against Santa Barbara County agencies and other entities alleging negligence.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
A 3-year-old girl remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while crossing State Street in Santa Barbara on Sunday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in a marked crosswalk, prompting emergency transport to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and subsequent transfer to a specialized facility. Police are investigating the collision but stated that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors, noting the driver remained at the scene. The family has established a GoFundMe campaign which raised over $138,000 as of Monday night.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
Incumbent Rep. Salud Carbajal, a Democrat from Santa Barbara seeking his sixth term since 2017, faces challenger Bob Smith, a Carpinteria resident and retired Navy commander listed as no party preference, in the California's 24th Congressional District race on Nov. 3. Carbajal highlights infrastructure funding, healthcare affordability, and opposition to restarting the Sable Offshore Corp. oil pipeline in Santa Barbara County. Smith proposes small modular reactors for energy costs, federal funds for Carpinteria High School projects, and housing development in Lompoc. Both candidates address immigration, with Smith supporting a DACA citizenship pathway and Carbajal calling for ICE reform. Voters in the district will decide between the two on Nov. 3.
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Local Politics · Carpinteria, CA
All 24 operational cannabis farms in Carpinteria have installed multi-technology carbon filtration systems or approved equivalents to address long-standing odor complaints, according to a Santa Barbara County spokesperson. The county's Board of Supervisors denied extension requests from eight farms in March after setting a compliance deadline, leading to business license revocations and multiple appeals. Three operators whose licenses were revoked appealed to the state Office of Administrative Hearings; one revocation was dismissed and two were withdrawn by the county in September without a stated reason. Two businesses owned by Glass House Brands operators continue litigation against the county over the extension denial, with a case-management conference set for January. As of September, no new applications for cannabis operations exist in the Carpinteria Valley, which has 119.99 acres under cultivation against a 134-acre limit.
Local Politics · Buellton, CA
Billy Silvola, a special-education teacher and Rancho de Maria resident since 2000, and Mark Williams, a Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office sergeant and Buellton resident of more than 20 years, are competing for Buellton's District 1 City Council seat in the Nov. 3 election, filling the vacancy left by incumbent Hudson Hornick. The candidates discussed issues including the city's policing contract with the county Sheriff's Office, El Niño flood preparedness, Highway 246 traffic safety, Avenue of Flags economic development, and growth management. Incumbent Mayor David Silva faces former Mayor Dave King in the mayoral race, while Carla Mead runs unopposed for District 4.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission is scheduled to make decisions on the county's Recreation Master Plan at meetings on November 4 and December 2, 2026. The plan includes a Recreation Benefit Program offering streamlined permitting, increased development allowances, and reduced fees on AG-1 and AG-II parcels for projects including country inns (up to 120 rooms), RV parks (up to 160 sites), retail stores, outdoor theaters (max 2,000 seats), and trailside cafes. The WE Watch group of the Santa Ynez Valley is urging residents to review the plan document (pages 139-151) and attend meetings in person or via Zoom, or submit comments to dvillalo@countyofsb.org.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Elections Office reminds voters to return Vote-by-Mail ballots before the Election Day deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Registered voters can use official drop boxes available 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day, or mail their ballots with a postmark by that date. In-person voting is also available at polling places and County Elections Offices from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
On Oct. 26, Santa Barbara County prosecutors reached a settlement with Ocean Angel VI, owner of the squid fishing vessel Speranza Marie, which ran aground at Chinese Harbor off Santa Cruz Island in 2022 and spilled roughly 1,300 gallons of diesel fuel and oil into the Pacific. The $100,000 payment resolves violations with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and funds environmental rehabilitation in the impacted area. Investigators attributed the grounding to the captain falling asleep after two back-to-back fishing trips with only three hours of sleep over a two-day period. Several hundred birds were reported covered in oil, and crews were unable to recover the vessel for weeks due to stormy conditions. Santa Barbara District Attorney John Savrnoch called the case a reminder about operating motorized vehicles without proper sleep.
Public Safety · Lompoc, CA
A pedestrian reportedly died after being struck by a vehicle in the Lompoc Valley on Monday night. Emergency crews responded to the 1800 block of North H Street at approximately 9:15 p.m., where they found the victim had been hit by at least one white Chevrolet sedan. Law enforcement closed southbound lanes of H Street near the Wye intersection for about an hour to facilitate the investigation.
Public Safety · Los Angeles County
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office issued a coastal flood advisory on Sunday at 6:12 p.m., in effect until Thursday at 1 p.m. for Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands. High tides are expected to reach 7.5–8.0 feet MLLW, approximately 1.0 to 1.5 feet above astronomical projections, with the highest tides Monday through Wednesday. Minor to moderate flooding is likely in low-lying coastal areas including beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways, with moderate to significant beach erosion expected. The NWS advises residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas to move to higher ground and warns against driving around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
Transportation · Carpinteria, CA
The northbound US 101 on-ramp at Linden Avenue in Carpinteria will be fully closed on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for Caltrans crews to access a sewer manhole and install a new lining inside the sewer pipe. Northbound travelers will be detoured to enter US 101 at Casitas Pass Road, with message and directional signs posted in advance. Delays of up to five minutes are expected. The closure is anticipated to be completed by Thursday, Oct. 29.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications to fill vacancies on Special District Boards spanning Supervisorial Districts 1 through 5, including fire protection, community services, recreation, and water conservation districts. Only individuals registered to vote within a specific Special District are eligible to serve. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with appointments made no later than Monday, Nov. 30. Forms are available online, at the Office of the Clerk of the Board at 105 E. Anapamu St., Rm 407 in Santa Barbara, or by calling 805-568-2240.
Community brief · Isla Vista, CA
The Isla Vista Recreation & Park District is hosting its 6th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Anisq'Oyo' Park on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 28-29, from 7 to 11 p.m. The event features an immersive pumpkin patch storyline with costumed actors, a silent disco near Embarcadero Hall, carnival games, a photo booth, and a 3D blacklight experience. The second night includes a Costume Contest with a $750 grand prize, limited to 60 entries, beginning…
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
UCSB Arts & Lectures presents "An Evening with Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band" on Sunday, November 1, at 7 p.m. The concert takes place at Campbell Hall on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus. Four-time Grammy winner Lyle Lovett will perform a mix of Americana classics and newer material.
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara-based nonprofit Unite to Light will mark its 15th anniversary and the distribution of 300,000 solar lights at a free community event called The Power of Possibility on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at San Marcos Courtyard, 1129 State St., Santa Barbara. Held during First Thursday Art Walk, the event features illuminated art installations by local artists, live music, and hands-on creative activities for all ages. Founded at UC…
