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88 rental apartments proposed on vacant lot near single-family homes in Solvang

88 rental apartments proposed on vacant lot near single-family homes in Solvang

Owners of the nearby Alisal Ranch say they intend to submit an application for 88 units, including four for very low income workers

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 5, 2026September 5, 2026

Recent Posts

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidates debate finances, housing and State Street at News-Press forum

Santa Barbara mayoral candidates debate finances, housing and State Street at News-Press forum

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Eric Friedman speaks about the state of the city’s budget at the Santa Barbara mayoral debate hosted by the Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts.

City Councilmember Eric Friedman is running for mayor against fellow Councilmember Kristen Sneddon and SBUSD Board member Wendy Sims-Morten.

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate speaks about the state of the city’s budget at the Santa Barbara mayoral debate hosted by the Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with JR.

City Councilmember Kristen Sneddon is running against Councilmember Eric Friedman and Wendy Sims-Moten

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Wendy Sims-Moten speaks about downtown and the State Street Master Plan. She expressed concern that the plan wasn’t friendly for children who would grow up downtown.

Wendy Sims-Moten has spent eight years on the Santa Barbara Unified School Board for Education and is running against City Councilmembers Eric Friedman and Kristen Sneddon.

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Sep 4

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Thank you to everyone that came out to our Santa Barbara mayoral debate at the New Vic Theatre!

This was the first event of this kind that the News-Press has hosted. The debate was co-hosted by News-Press editor Joshua Molina and Jerry Roberts from Newsmakers with JR. It was also the first Santa Barbara mayoral debate of the 2026 election season. We had over 220 attendees!

If you missed the event, stay tuned for a recap article from reporter Amanda Velasco later tonight. Also, we will be posting videos of the candidates responses to specific questions here on our social media.

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Sep 3

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Impacts from the storm, such as rain and surf, are forecast for Sunday and Monday.

“We’re expecting, depending on the track, a good southeast swell of 6-8 feet,” National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson said. That 6-8 foot swell is for Ventura and Santa Barbara coastlines.

Thompson said the chances of Marie making landfall are low.

“Legitimate chances are easily less than 5%, probably closer to 1-2% of any circulation maintaining itself and impacting anywhere in Southern California,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that they are using 2022 Hurricane Kay as a comparison due to the similarities between the two storms.

“Hurricane Kay was the most similar, it definitely will have potential for very high surf and possibilities of coastal flooding,” Thompson said.

Hurricane Kay produced a south swell, where waves approach the Santa Barbara coastline from the south. That swell angle slid waves between the Channel Islands, bringing sizable surf to Sandspit, East Beach, and underneath Stearns Wharf.

That swell angle isn’t the best for point breaks along the south county coast but novelty breaks can fire up. Beach breaks along the Pacific Coast Highway between Carpinteria and Ventura can also light up, looking more like left point-breaks than closeouts in some spots.

While the specifics of the swell will be highly dependent on the track Marie takes over the next few days, the storm should bring some waves during a time of year that usually sees smaller surf.

Read more at the link in bio.
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VOICES

Mark Whitehurst: Cars to be outlawed on Santa Barbara’s State Street

Mark Whitehurst: Cars to be outlawed on Santa Barbara’s State Street

by Mark M. Whitehurst / Voice August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Sullivan Israel: The State Street Master Plan will create a better Santa Barbara

Sullivan Israel: The State Street Master Plan will create a better Santa Barbara

by Sullivan Israel • Strong Towns SB August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara’s State Street needs flexibility now

Santa Barbara’s State Street needs flexibility now

by David de L’Arbre August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Robert Sulnick: Time to vote the reality TV star president off the island

Robert Sulnick: Time to vote the reality TV star president off the island

by Robert Sulnick August 23, 2026

Letter: In support of Devon Wardlow for City Council

Letter: In support of Devon Wardlow for City Council

by Mike Jordan August 21, 2026August 22, 2026

Opinion: Why do Latinos work for ICE?

Opinion: Why do Latinos work for ICE?

by Eladio Bobadilla • Zócalo August 19, 2026August 25, 2026

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SB Museum of Natural History to host first-ever mezcal & agave spirits tasting event

SB Museum of Natural History to host first-ever mezcal & agave spirits tasting event

by Isabella Agrusa, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Being Human in the Age of AI: All Saints-by-the-Sea Hosts Two Evenings Exploring Faith, Technology, and Human Flourishing

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by Kathleen Bright, All Saints by-the-Sea September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

CA State Parks Foundation encourages Californians to report monarch butterfly sightings

CA State Parks Foundation encourages Californians to report monarch butterfly sightings

by Stefanie Lao, California State Parks Foundation September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association’s “Sips & Ships” returns to Marina 1, Saturday 10/3

Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association’s “Sips & Ships” returns to Marina 1, Saturday 10/3

by Denise Higgins, Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara Beautiful announces 61st Annual Awards Celebration

Santa Barbara Beautiful announces 61st Annual Awards Celebration

by Melinda Mettler, Santa Barbara Beautiful August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara County animal lovers invited to share their ‘Tales of Hope’

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by Lee Heller, Tails of Hope August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

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