Housing & Development · Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria's State of the City event at Allan Hancock College drew about 150 residents, with city leaders outlining roughly 5,500 housing units in development, a pending Amazon last-mile facility on Stowell Road expected to create 800 jobs, and a Nov. 3 ballot measure raising local sales tax from 8.75% to 9.25%. Community Development Director Chenin Dow detailed projects including Blosser Ranch (1,500 units), Perlman Apartments (150 affordable units breaking ground within 60 days), and 100 loft apartments at the former Mervyns site by 2027. The updated General Plan through 2045 calls for 16,000 additional housing units, 58,000 more residents, and 24,000 jobs, with 985 acres east of Highway 101 slated for annexation.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County Elections officials report approximately 2,700 ballots received as of Monday, Oct. 12, ahead of the November midterm election, with more expected as mail delivery resumes. The county's voter registration deadline is Oct. 19, and officials encourage eligible residents to register or update their information before that date. Residents can check registration status and find ballot drop-off locations through the California Secretary of State's website or the Santa Barbara County Elections Office website.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program, running April through October 2026 following a March 3 Board of Supervisors ordinance, yielded enforcement results in unincorporated areas including Santa Maria and the Santa Ynez Valley. Environmental Health Services, Public Works, and the Sheriff's Office removed 1,156 pounds of contaminated food, seized 13 cooking equipment sets, and issued 13 violation notices, while CHP issued 66 warnings and citations on Highways 154 and 246 in June and July. Since July, very few unpermitted roadside vendors have been observed. The county also launched a bilingual awareness campaign directing residents to verify vendor permits and providing reporting contacts for suspected illegal vending.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
Ballots have been mailed to registered voters in Santa Barbara County ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The county offers 18 ballot drop boxes, plus in-person return at elections offices in Santa Barbara (4440-A Calle Real) and Santa Maria (511 Lakeside Pkwy., Suite 134). Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10; officials recommend submitting five days early after the county rejected 2,600 late ballots in November 2025. Voters who make errors can mark corrections with an "X" and write "yes" beside the correct choice, or request a replacement ballot by calling 800.722.8683.
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Community News · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County Animal Services is waiving pet adoption fees during National Adoption Week (Oct. 19-25) at PetSmart stores in Goleta and Santa Maria, in partnership with PetSmart Charities. On Oct. 24, SBCAS will host "We Got Your Six," a free pet-care event for veterans and their companion animals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge (1309 N. Bradley Road), in partnership with the Street Dog Coalition and ASAP Cats. A valid military or veteran ID is required at check-in for event services. All adopted pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
Unity Shoppe has launched its "Give Food. Give Hope. Give $1 Million." campaign, aiming to raise $1 million by year's end to purchase food and nutritious proteins for vulnerable seniors and families across Santa Barbara County. The organization will host a benefit concert on November 24 at Granada theater and an annual telethon on December 11. Unity Shoppe cites high living expenses, grocery costs, and recent CalFresh benefit changes as drivers of local food insecurity. Donations can be made online at unityshoppe.org/sponsor or mailed to 1209 State Street in Santa Barbara.
Social Events · Santa Barbara County
One805, a nonprofit founded after the 2018 Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow, held its One805LIVE! benefit concert on September 25-26 at Kevin Costner's coastal estate to raise funds for Santa Barbara County first responders' mental health. The two-night event featured performers including The Temptations, The Four Tops, Pat Benatar, Slightly Stoopid, and Costner with his band Modern West, all donating their time. One805 has launched a $10 million Mental Wellness Endowment Fund to provide confidential counseling for county firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and 911 dispatchers. Fire service leaders, including retired Montecito Fire Protection District Chief Chip Hickman, spoke at the event about the emotional demands of emergency response.
Social Events · Santa Maria, CA
Allan Hancock College's Ann Foxworthy Gallery will host "After the Cut," a free art exhibit by Raphaele Cohen-Bacry and Juan Manuel Perez Salazar, from Oct. 19 through Dec. 2 at 800 S. College Drive. The show explores how cutting transforms familiar materials into new compositions. A free artist talk and reception will be held in the gallery from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Social Events · Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria residents are invited to the first College Square Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. The free, family-friendly event allows children to collect candy and swag from participating businesses within the College Square shopping center. Families can pick up a Trick-or-Treat Passport in the courtyard to participate in Halloween crafts and activities, with completed passports eligible for prize drawings. The event is hosted by College Square and managed by Westar Associates.
