Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
Early results from Tuesday's Nov. 3 election show multiple ballot measures passing across Santa Barbara County. Measure D, an $80 million bond for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School facilities, led with 55.8% against a 55% threshold, while Allan Hancock College's $290 million Measure H led at 56.5%. Santa Maria's half-cent sales tax increase (Measure C) and Carpinteria's quarter-cent increase (Measure I) both exceeded their simple-majority thresholds with strong margins. Isla Vista voters backed a utility tax (Measure E, 70.6%) and a Community Services District spending limit (Measure F, 66.1%), while Guadalupe approved a cannabis tax replacement (Measure G, 68.0%) and a hotel tax increase to 12% (Measure J, 55.8%). Semi-official results were expected late Tuesday night, with final certified results due by Dec. 3.
Local Politics · Santa Maria, CA
In early results from Tuesday's election, incumbents Gloria Soto (District 3, 61.5%) and Vincent Martinez (District 4, 68.8%) led their respective Santa Maria City Council races, while appointed incumbent Richard Batalla topped District 1 with 48.2%. Measure C, a proposed half-percent sales tax increase from 8.75% to 9.25%, was passing with 65.1% in favor, expected to raise approximately $13 million to address a city budget shortfall. The newly elected members will be sworn into office in December, and final certified results are expected by Dec. 3.
Local Politics · Carpinteria, CA
First-batch results from the Nov. 3 election showed District 1 incumbent Mónica Solórzano leading Aja Forner 72.9% to 26.4%, and District 5 candidate Alexandra "Xy" VanAntwerp leading Randy Carrasco 71.4% to 27.7%. Incumbent Julia Mayer won her uncontested District 3 race with 94.5% of the vote. Measure I, a quarter-percent sales tax increase funding street repairs, disaster response and sheriff's services, appeared to pass at 62.6%, raising the city's rate from 9% to 9.25%. The incoming council faces decisions on a structural deficit, state-mandated housing for 901 units, pavement repairs, and appeals of the Surfliner Inn project approval scheduled for Nov. 30. Final certified results are expected by Dec. 3.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara County Mosquito and Vector Management District confirmed Aedes aegypti specimens at four locations within the city of Santa Barbara on Oct. 30, including sites near North Voluntario/East Cota, Laguna/East Carrillo, and East Victoria/Olive streets. The detections follow prior findings in Carpinteria in July and an unincorporated area between Santa Barbara and Goleta on Oct. 16, as well as Aedes notoscriptus detections in the Westside and Mesa neighborhoods earlier in 2026. MVMD General Manager Brian Cabrera called the multiple South County detections a "critical turning point" and urged residents to eliminate standing water and report daytime mosquito activity. The district advised all Santa Barbara County residents to dump containers, repair screens, use insect repellent, and ensure pets are on heartworm prevention.
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Transportation · Goleta, CA
The city of Goleta and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Goleta Train Station at 10 a.m. Dec. 16 at 27 S. La Patera Lane. The $32 million full-service multi-modal passenger rail facility, built next to the existing Amtrak platform on the LOSSAN corridor, includes a community room, bicycle room, children's play structures, two new bus stops, 13 EV charging stations, and rooftop solar panels. Funding included $17.9 million from California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program secured by SBCAG, plus $14.5 million contributed by the city of Goleta for design, construction, and property acquisition. The station is ADA-compliant, and Spanish interpretation will be available at the ceremony.
Housing & Development · Santa Barbara, CA
A coalition of property owners funded by the Santa Barbara Rental Property Association is gathering signatures to repeal the city's rent stabilization ordinance adopted in October after 4-3 City Council votes. The Help Save Santa Barbara Housing Committee raised over $113,000 for the referendum effort. Tenant advocates, including the Santa Barbara Tenants Union, report that paid signature gatherers provided misleading information to prospective signers and are urging residents who signed in error to contact the city clerk before the November 9 deadline. If the petition qualifies, the City Council must repeal the ordinance or place it on a future ballot, potentially lifting the temporary rent freeze and exposing tenants to increases up to 8.6 percent. The City Council is expected to discuss the referendum's ramifications Tuesday, November 10.
Housing & Development · Santa Barbara County
Katy Perry, a Goleta native, is proposing a 110-acre overnight summer camp for underserved tweens on agricultural land along Winchester Canyon Road in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. The project, called Gratitude Canyon, would include an amphitheater, recording studio, pool, tennis and pickleball courts, gym, zipline, cabins, and dining hall. Approximately 380 surrounding neighbors have signed a petition opposing the plan, citing traffic on narrow canyon roads, wildfire evacuation concerns, noise, and wildlife disturbance. The proposal was deemed complete for planning review in late September and requires a zoning change, general plan amendment, and environmental impact report approved by the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Transportation · Santa Barbara County
Caltrans will begin a vegetation control project on Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County starting Friday, Nov. 6, removing brush along a 40-mile stretch between the Highway 101 junction and an area just west of Highway 192. One-way reversing traffic control will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with delays of up to 15 minutes. Crews are expected to remove 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of dense brush daily as part of California's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. The $1 million project is expected to be completed by Jan. 8, 2027.
Community News · Lompoc, CA
Heal the Ocean and Earthcomb removed 18.4 tons of trash and hazardous materials, including 40 propane tanks, 330 aerosols, 27 tires, and 15 car batteries, from the Santa Ynez Riverbed near Lompoc over three weeks in October. The cleanup, funded by a Rose Foundation grant, targeted debris left behind by abandoned riverbed encampments that could be carried into the ocean during winter storms. Since 2022, the two organizations have removed more than 83 tons from the riverbed. Santa Barbara County and the city of Lompoc recently entered a cooperation agreement to coordinate enforcement patrols and outreach services in the area.
Community News · Santa Maria, CA
The City of Santa Maria Utilities Department canceled its annual Pumpkin Smashing Event, scheduled for Saturday, November 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center. The cancellation was a precaution following a San Luis Obispo County health investigation into five confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli potentially linked to Brookshire Farms, a pumpkin patch in San Luis Obispo; investigators have not determined the source. The event had been intended to let residents compost leftover pumpkins instead of sending them to the landfill. Organizers encourage residents to place pumpkins and other food waste in their green organics carts for collection.
Crime · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Police identified Lawrence Brennen, 39, as the man found deceased on Oct. 28 inside an apartment at the 100 block of Los Aguajes Avenue in the West Beach neighborhood. Two residents of the same building, Jenica Ochoa, 45, and Kenneth Tompkins, 43, were arrested and charged with felony conspiracy, concealing a death, and second strike enhancements for allegedly wrapping Brennen's body in a bedroll, placing it in a metal container, and sealing it with plastic wrap. Both pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on Friday and are set to return to court Nov. 30. Police said additional circumstances surrounding Brennen's death were not available.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
Firefighters from Santa Barbara County and City responded shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday to a vegetation fire on the southern edge of Hope Ranch, near the 4100 block of Creciente Drive. The blaze, sparked by geologic activity in an area with a history of such events, burned along a cliffside and moved between some houses before blackening approximately half an acre. A county water-dropping helicopter arrived at the scene at 2 p.m. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
The sixth annual Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival opens on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Arlington Theatre with film premieres and a tribute to surfing legend Tom Curren. The event features screenings including "Harvest to Heal" and "Haole Boy: The Surf Therapy Dog," followed by an evening program honoring Curren with the 2026 Legendary Award. A single ticket grants access to both the 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. sessions, with festival information…
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Gallery Josephine, founded by artist Josephine Tournier-Ingram, will preview original artwork during Downtown Santa Barbara's First Thursday Art Walk on Thursday, November 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at 133 E. Anapamu St. The gallery is contributing its fourth consecutive year to CALM at Heart, a charity benefiting childhood trauma prevention in Santa Barbara County. The Gallery Josephine Art Collector Experience will be featured in the live…
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission is accepting turkeys, canned goods, and monetary donations for its annual Thanksgiving Feast. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 535 E. Yanonali St. The mission will host the holiday dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. in its dining hall.
