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Updated: Details emerge as month-long Solvang strike ends with agreement between city and employees

Government

Updated: Details emerge as month-long Solvang strike ends with agreement between city and employees

The two sides reached a deal on Wednesday, according to a joint announcement made after 9 p.m. On Thursday, the employees returned to work.

by Tom Schultz Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Latest Stories

From the classroom to City Hall, Kristen Sneddon seeks Santa Barbara’s top job

From the classroom to City Hall, Kristen Sneddon seeks Santa Barbara’s top job

by Kaitlin Sweeney Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Genevieve Taft-Vazquez, the candidate next door, seeks to represent home district on Santa Barbara City Council

Genevieve Taft-Vazquez, the candidate next door, seeks to represent home district on Santa Barbara City Council

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Thousands potentially to go without power in Santa Barbara, Ventura counties during Santa Ana winds

Thousands potentially to go without power in Santa Barbara, Ventura counties during Santa Ana winds

by Angel Corzo Oct. 14October 14, 2026

New investigative team to bring more reporting to Santa Barbara News-Press

New investigative team to bring more reporting to Santa Barbara News-Press

by Santa Barbara News-Press Staff Reports Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Two people injured after car crash on Highway 154, prompting road closure

Two people injured after car crash on Highway 154, prompting road closure

by Angel Corzo Oct. 14October 14, 2026

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Government

Solvang City Council moves to tighten rules on AI-enabled downtown surveillance cameras

Solvang City Council moves to tighten rules on AI-enabled downtown surveillance cameras

by Tom Schultz Oct. 13October 13, 2026

Solvang City Council to revisit rules on AI-enabled surveillance cameras at park, across downtown

Solvang City Council to revisit rules on AI-enabled surveillance cameras at park, across downtown

by Tom Schultz Oct. 11October 13, 2026

After Sneddon’s failed attempt to change ordinance again, City Council formally approves rent stabilization in Santa Barbara

After Sneddon’s failed attempt to change ordinance again, City Council formally approves rent stabilization in Santa Barbara

by Joshua Molina Oct. 7October 7, 2026

Education

Immigrant rights activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen makes second bid for Santa Barbara Unified school board

Immigrant rights activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen makes second bid for Santa Barbara Unified school board

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 12October 12, 2026

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Valerie Amparan looks to unseat Rose Muñoz on school board

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Valerie Amparan looks to unseat Rose Muñoz on school board

by Joshua Molina Oct. 12October 13, 2026

The UC got rid of the SAT in admissions. It may be on its way back

The UC got rid of the SAT in admissions. It may be on its way back

by Mikhail Zinshteyn • CalMatters Oct. 11

Housing

Friendship Manor senior community approved to move from Isla Vista to downtown Santa Barbara

Friendship Manor senior community approved to move from Isla Vista to downtown Santa Barbara

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 13October 13, 2026

Housing Notebook: Rent stabilization, vacation rental ordinances to go into effect Jan 2027, and more housing news

Housing Notebook: Rent stabilization, vacation rental ordinances to go into effect Jan 2027, and more housing news

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 8October 8, 2026

Affordable housing law expected to prevent foreclosures

Affordable housing law expected to prevent foreclosures

by Madeline Shannon • The Center Square Oct. 11

Environment

Coastal flooding risks possible this weekend, ending long heat wave

Coastal flooding risks possible this weekend, ending long heat wave

by Aston Smith Oct. 8October 8, 2026

Deja Vu: Another takeover bid at Montecito Sanitary

Deja Vu: Another takeover bid at Montecito Sanitary

by Melinda Burns Oct. 7October 7, 2026

2.7 magnitude earthquake detected near Goleta

2.7 magnitude earthquake detected near Goleta

by Aston Smith Oct. 5October 5, 2026

See the story

Santa Barbara County, in focus.

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Oct 13

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🎹 Pianos are back on State Street for the 17th annual Pianos on State project, presented by the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative. Each uniquely painted piano is free for anyone to play.

News-Press reporter Julianna Lozada has more.
#StateStreet #SantaBarbara

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Oct 13

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Graphic content warning: This video contains a graphic depiction of murder

Raising Cane’s, a rapidly growing fast-food chain founded in 1996, opened its first location in the South Coast along 7000 Hollister Ave. in Goleta on Monday.

Dos Pueblos High School junior Rex Blevins arrived at 9 p.m. on Sunday in anticipation of the opening of the new Raising Cane’s in Goleta. He was first in line for the fast food and the restaurant’s grand opening.

Read more at the link in bio.

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Oct 12

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Raising Cane's opened in Goleta Monday morning. The popular restaurant is at the former site of Kyle's Kitchen in the Hollister Village Plaza. Check out story later at newspress.com and linkin.bio

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Oct 12

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Valerie Amparan, candidate for Santa Barbara Unified School Board District 4 talks about Hilda Maldonado, the district budget, tech policy and much more! Check out her conversation at Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina on YouTube and Monday at newspress.com

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Oct 10

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Candidates agree Santa Barbara runs on art, but split on the price tag.

On Wednesday night, candidates for Santa Barbara mayor and City Council discussed the State Street Master Plan, local artists and how much money should be allocated to fund the arts.

But on one point, the candidates never wavered: Santa Barbara needs its artists.

“I always say that we are our best selves when we come together, and especially when it’s around the arts,” said District 4 candidate Genevieve Taft-Vasquez.

Taft Vasquez joined candidates from Districts 4, 5 and 6 and the mayoral race at a forum at the
Community Arts Workshop to discuss how they would support the arts if elected. About 30 people audience members were in attendance.

The candidates agreed on the value of art but differed on how to pay for it and how best to
support local artists.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Anika Brodnansky
Video by Aston Smith

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Oct 2

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Santa Barbara City Council voted to rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street, honoring the Chumash Native American territory the coastal street sits on with a word that means “in the sea.”

The name changes comes after sexual assault allegations against historic farmworker organizer Cesar Chavez surfaced in March, followed by state-wide calls to erase his name from public works. On May 11, the city held a public meeting and came out with three name suggestions: Calle Si Se Puede, Calle Dolores Huerta and Limuw street. Some also wanted the name Calle Salsipuedes, a call back to the street’s original name from 1851.

City Council member Kristen Sneddon eventually led the motion to move forward with the name Limuw. It was a 6-1 vote, with Mayor Randy Rowse dissenting, offering his support for the name Calle Salsipuedes.

Limuw is also the Chumash name for Santa Cruz Island, the birthplace of the Chumash people in traditional storytelling.

“To look out to the ocean and remind people that as you look straight from across the street, this is Limuw,” said Mia Lopez, founding director at Su’nan Protection, Art & Cultural Education. “This is our island of origin. This is the birthplace of the Chumash people who are still here today.”

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Sofia Wallace

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Sep 30

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Councilmember Kristen Sneddon calls for rent stabilization to be passed today. She says she's been "played" by the goal posts moving.

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Sep 28

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A white Toyota Corolla hybrid rolled on Highway 101 Monday, after the vehicle veered onto the median five miles south of the Gaviota Tunnel.

A reporter witnessed the northbound car signal briefly for a left turn before entering a left hand turn lane along the coastal stretch. Instead of turning, the vehicle continued straight, careening into the center divider and landing upside down minutes before 1 p.m.

Passersby quickly responded, and a man who appeared to be a first responder wearing an Alan Hancock Fire Academy T-shirt led an effort to pull the single occupant, a woman, from the driver’s side front window after reportedly kicking it in.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Tom Schultz

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Sep 26

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The annual Goleta Lemon Festival pie eating contest took place at Girsh Park on Saturday.

Dozens watched as ten contestants sank their teeth into the lemon meringue pies.

Stay tuned for more Goleta Lemon Festival coverage at newspress.com

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Sep 26

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Scenes from the One805Live! benefit concert for first responders in Santa Barbara County. The concert featured The Temptations, The Four Tops, George Thorogood, The Plastic Harpoons and Alan Parsons. Stay tuned for more coverage of this event here and on newspress.com

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Sep 25

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Coming off one of the most intense heat waves of the year, area schools are considering installing air conditioning in its classrooms.

Goleta Union and Santa Barbara Unified board meetings are grappling with the issue amid the sweltering heat.

While teachers complained about how hot their classrooms got, district administrators were left wondering how to prepare for the potential of hotter school days, especially at the beginning of the school year.

At the Goleta Union School District’s board of trustees meeting on Sept. 9, Victoria Aguirre, a first-grade teacher at Hollister Elementary School, said her classrooms reached up to 87 degrees Fahrenheit last week. It was a new high for Aguirre, who’s taught at the district for 10 years.

“Heat waves are more frequent and lasting longer than ever before,” Aguirre said during public comment.

She added that while teaching 20-plus children is hard, “teaching 20-plus children in that heat is even harder.”

Even before the heat wave last week, when regions of Santa Barbara County reached up to 108 degrees, some classrooms in Goleta Union schools were already feeling the heat.

Read more at newspress.com
Story by Julianna Lozada
Video by Aston Smith

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Sep 24

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Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, showed up in Solvang on Wednesday to support Solvang employees who are on strike. He called Mayor Dave Brown first to alert him. "I am here in solidarity with the employees," Carbajal said. See story later tonight at Newspress.com and linkin.bio. Reporting and video by Tom Schultz.

Voices

Opinion: The ‘Santa Barbara Way’ is to consider all voices prior to making community-altering decisions

Opinion: The ‘Santa Barbara Way’ is to consider all voices prior to making community-altering decisions

by Cass Ensberg Oct. 8October 9, 2026

Opinion: Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon is on a mission – to make housing affordable

Opinion: Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon is on a mission – to make housing affordable

by Richard Appelbaum Oct. 7October 7, 2026

Marty Blum: Vote Andi Varon for SBCC Board of Trustees

Marty Blum: Vote Andi Varon for SBCC Board of Trustees

by Marty Blum Oct. 7October 7, 2026

Opinion: Social media comments miss the mark in understanding testing gap between Latino and white students

Opinion: Social media comments miss the mark in understanding testing gap between Latino and white students

by Joshua Molina Oct. 5October 5, 2026

Randy Rowse: This election, put Santa Barbara’s financial health first

Randy Rowse: This election, put Santa Barbara’s financial health first

by Randy Rowse, Santa Barbara Mayor Oct. 4October 4, 2026

Dr. Hilda Maldonado: San Marcos blackface incident demands accountability and a community response

Dr. Hilda Maldonado: San Marcos blackface incident demands accountability and a community response

by Dr. Hilda Maldonado Sept. 30September 30, 2026

Announcements

Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association to Induct Five Dons into the 2026 Wall of Fame

Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association to Induct Five Dons into the 2026 Wall of Fame

by Gloria Cavallero Oct. 15October 15, 2026

Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade returns to State Street Friday, Dec. 4

Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade returns to State Street Friday, Dec. 4

by Christy Jacobs, Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association Oct. 7October 9, 2026

The Theatre Group at SBCC presents CLUE, to run Oct. 7-24 at the Garvin Theatre

The Theatre Group at SBCC presents CLUE, to run Oct. 7-24 at the Garvin Theatre

by Pamela Lasker Sept. 28October 9, 2026

California Nature Art Museum presents ‘Terra Firma,’ works from the permanent collection

California Nature Art Museum presents ‘Terra Firma,’ works from the permanent collection

by Jessica Tade Sept. 28October 9, 2026

Lompoc Chalks returns Oct. 2-4 with 40 artists, live entertainment, and new ‘Meet the Artists’ kick-off

Lompoc Chalks returns Oct. 2-4 with 40 artists, live entertainment, and new ‘Meet the Artists’ kick-off

by Megan DeCicco, Lompoc Theatre Project Sept. 26October 9, 2026

Downtown Santa Barbara Assn. to host ribbon cutting for grand opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods

Downtown Santa Barbara Assn. to host ribbon cutting for grand opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods

by Maria Molina Sept. 25September 27, 2026

Obituaries

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

by Jennifer Osborne Oct. 15

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

by Scott Pearson Oct. 15October 15, 2026

Obituary: Rubin “Rube” Boxer

Obituary: Rubin “Rube” Boxer

by Ken Boxer Sept. 27September 27, 2026

Obituary: Carlie Ruthana Cosentino

Obituary: Carlie Ruthana Cosentino

by Jennifer Parks, McDermott-Crockett Mortuary Sept. 22September 23, 2026

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

by Erin Johnson Sept. 14September 14, 2026

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

by Anna Rudeen Sept. 10September 10, 2026

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

by Kris Kristen Sept. 1September 1, 2026

Obituary: Carol Anderson

Obituary: Carol Anderson

by Leslie Cornejo Aug. 31September 1, 2026

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

by Ashley V. Wood Aug. 24August 24, 2026

More News

How election deniers are using public records to sow doubt in California

Politics

How election deniers are using public records to sow doubt in California

by Ryan Sabalow • CalMatters Oct. 13

Lights, camera, city council: Cevin Cathell vies for District Five Santa Barbara seat

Politics

Lights, camera, city council: Cevin Cathell vies for District Five Santa Barbara seat

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 12October 14, 2026

Why are out-of-state billionaires funding a California voter ID measure?

Politics

Why are out-of-state billionaires funding a California voter ID measure?

by Nadia Lathan • CalMatters Oct. 12

Woman killed in crosswalk in hit-and-run crash near Mission Street and Highway 101 (UPDATED)

Woman killed in crosswalk in hit-and-run crash near Mission Street and Highway 101 (UPDATED)

by Joshua Molina Oct. 10October 12, 2026

Washington Principal Arielle Curry was suspended for leading election that allowed her child to win without receiving the most votes

Education

Washington Principal Arielle Curry was suspended for leading election that allowed her child to win without receiving the most votes

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 9October 9, 2026

From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum

Arts and Culture

From Frosty the Snowman to The Grand on State Street, Santa Barbara candidates talk the arts at forum

by Anika Brodnansky Oct. 8October 12, 2026

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