Housing & Development · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara City Council decided on Tuesday that proposed amendments to the city's just cause eviction ordinance are not ready for approval and directed staff to continue working with housing providers. The amendments would require owners moving into a unit to stay 36 months, limit owner move-ins to one unit per property, prohibit school-year evictions affecting children, and set displacement payments of $150 per day for lodging and $30 per day for meals. Several councilmembers said the ordinance felt one-sided and called for more conversations with landlords, while tenant advocates argued the rules protect basic decency. A referendum petition is underway to overturn the city's recently passed rent stabilization ordinance. City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said the amendments will not return to the council until after the new year due to heavy staff workload.
Local Politics · Santa Maria, CA
The fundraising campaigns for the open Santa Barbara County Fifth District supervisor seat have surpassed $534,000 total, making it the most expensive local race on Tuesday's ballot. Maribel Aguilera, a Santa Maria City Council member and independent, has raised $304,541 this year, while Ricardo Valencia, a Santa Maria-Bonita School District board member and Democrat, has raised more than $229,584. The Fifth District represents Santa Maria, Guadalupe and the northernmost region of the county. A political action committee backed by Sable Offshore Corp., PG&E and others has spent over $110,000 opposing Valencia and supporting Aguilera. Both candidates reported approximately $100,000 in cash on hand as of the mid-October campaign finance reporting deadline.
Crime · Santa Maria, CA
A 24-year-old man was arrested Friday afternoon on suspicion of sexually battering a female high school student near the Santa Maria High School campus, according to Santa Maria Police Sgt. Andy Brice. Officers responded shortly before 1 p.m. after learning an adult male had approached and inappropriately touched the girl. The suspect fought with bystanders attempting to detain him and was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. Miguel Bolanos Rodas was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on multiple violations. Police are asking witnesses to call 805-928-3781.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $167 million jail expansion project, framing it as necessary compliance with an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit filed years ago. The article notes that the number of beds needed for the expansion remains under debate among county leaders. The piece, written by community advocate Gina Rodarte Quiroz, argues that investment in psychiatric treatment programs and affordable housing should take priority over additional jail infrastructure.
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Education · Goleta, CA
Richard Mayer, a UC Santa Barbara psychology professor and Trustee Area 1 board member for the Goleta Union School District, has decided not to run for re-election and will leave his seat in December. Elected 11 times over 45 years, Mayer is the longest-serving school board member in Santa Barbara County. He joined the board around 1980 after concerns about conditions at Ellwood Elementary School where his son attended. Goleta native Eric Bowers, a Sonos attorney and district parent, is poised to succeed him. Mayer said he will continue teaching and researching at UCSB.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
Six high school girls tennis teams from the Santa Barbara area have qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, with all openers scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at 2 p.m. The participating squads include Cate, Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, Santa Barbara High, Laguna Blanca, and Carpinteria High. Cate and Dos Pueblos earned home matches after winning their respective league titles, while San Marcos and Santa Barbara High will travel for their first-round games. Laguna Blanca hosts St. Bonaventure in Hope Ranch, and Carpinteria High welcomes Whittier.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
UC Santa Barbara will close its campus to overnight visitor parking effective Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, with checkpoints beginning at 5 p.m. each evening for safety and security. Only vehicles with valid Reserved, A, B, C, H, or Annual Night & Weekend ePermits may park overnight; short-term permits expire at midnight. A strict No Guest Policy applies to residential and community parking lots from 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, until 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Unauthorized vehicles parked overnight are subject to a $300 citation and impoundment at the owner's expense.
Community News · Santa Barbara, CA
The City of Santa Barbara is soliciting proposals for its Fiscal Years 2028 and 2029 Human Services Grant Funding and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs, with approximately $852,000 available to support local nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income city residents. A mandatory application workshop will be held 3–5 p.m. Nov. 5 via webinar for staff directly involved in preparing grant submissions. Online applications open Nov. 6, with a strict deadline of 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10; incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Community News · Lompoc, CA
The City of Lompoc is accepting applications for Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and local Human Service Funds for Fiscal Year 2027-28, with grants awarded at a $15,000 minimum. A mandatory pre-application workshop and community needs assessment will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the City Hall Council Chamber, 100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc. Applications must be submitted through the Neighborly Software Program by 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
Social Events · Goleta, CA
The Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, along Hollister Avenue from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue. Parade entry registration closes Nov. 21 at GoletaHolidayParade.org/2026-Registration, with fees of $45 general, $30 for schools and nonprofits, and free for school bands. Volunteers can sign up by emailing goletaholidayparade@gmail.com, and sponsorships range from $100 to $5,000.
Social Events · Carpinteria, CA
The Carpinteria Photography Club will present "The Eyes Have It!," a cinematic photography experience featuring club members' images paired with music, on Sunday, Nov. 8, at The Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is $15 general or two tickets for $25, with all proceeds benefiting the historic theater. Attendees can meet the photographers and potentially purchase featured images after the presentation.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara, CA
Noozhawk and CalMatters hosted a voter information session in Santa Barbara on Sunday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Approximately 25 attendees discussed Proposition 40, a proposed one-time wealth tax on California billionaires, with CalMatters CEO Neil Chase explaining its mechanics and opposition arguments. The event also covered local ballot measures, including competitive races for Santa Barbara mayor and four City Council seats.
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Guatemalan-born artist Jackie Amézquita's multi-panel memorial "Gemidos de la Tierra" (Wailings of the Land/Soil), honoring immigrants who died in ICE custody since 2003, is on view at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara through Nov. 29. A public activation begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, on the UCSB campus, during which Amézquita will add 57 names—expanding the work to 15 panels and 298 individuals represented from 10…
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Unified School District will hold its annual High School Showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Earl Warren Showgrounds. The event features academies, career technical education pathways, and visual and performing arts programs from Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, Santa Barbara, and Alta Vista/La Cuesta high schools. Eighth-graders in the district will attend during the school day with customized passports to guide their…
Community brief · Santa Ynez, CA
The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center will host its free Second Thursday at the Museum lecture series featuring multidisciplinary Chumash artist Raymond Ventura Sr. on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Ventura, grandson of the late spiritual leader Adelina Alva-Padilla, is a ceramicist who blends rock art, traditional basketry, and Chumash culture into his work. The event includes free admission to permanent and temporary exhibits…
