Local Politics · Solvang, CA
Incumbent Mayor David Brown and challenger Denise El Amin are the candidates for Solvang mayor in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Brown emphasizes economic drivers, tourism, and housing compliance while defending his stance on city employee pay negotiations. El Amin advocates for ethics reform, transparency, and immediate small projects, criticizing current management styles. Council members Louise Smith and Elizabeth Orona are running unopposed for their respective districts.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
A 3-year-old girl was critically injured Oct. 18 when struck by a car while crossing State Street at Calle Palo Colorado in Santa Barbara, according to police. The child was airlifted from Cottage Hospital to a Los Angeles-area hospital for specialized care; the driver remained at the scene and was neither cited nor arrested, with alcohol or drugs not suspected. Separately, the Montecito Planning Commission voted Oct. 19 to retain architectural review requirements as Santa Barbara County proposes streamlining its permitting process. In Santa Maria, animal services seized 21 dogs and more than 300 birds following a suspected animal-hoarding investigation on Oct. 14.
Public Safety
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a coastal flood advisory on Friday at 12:25 p.m., valid from Sunday at 5 a.m. through Thursday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m. The advisory covers beaches in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, including the Malibu Coast. High tides are expected to reach 7.5-8.0 feet, peaking Monday through Wednesday, with minor to moderate coastal flooding likely in low-lying areas including beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways. Moderate to significant beach erosion is expected, and isolated structural damage from seawater inundation is possible. The NWS warns residents not to drive around barricades or through flood waters.
