An investigation into a Dec. 22 shooting in Guadalupe is ongoing after the city’s police department handed the case over to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting resulted in one death and one injury. According to the county Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just after 10 p.m. in the 1000 block of Escalante […]
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Vandenberg Top 3 members give back to community with gift donation to Boys & Girls Club, Marian Regional Medical Center
Vandenberg Air Force Base service members brought a little extra holiday cheer to youth at the Boys & Girls Club and children at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria with a COVID-19 safe gift delivery before Christmas. For years, Vandenberg has brought more than 100 kids to the base for Operation Kids Christmas, an […]
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Santa Barbara County Jail combats COVID outbreaks among staff, inmates
The Santa Barbara County Jail is battling an outbreak of COVID-19 among staff and inmates, but county officials say jail officials are doing a good job at managing it considering the challenges that congregate spaces present. Over the course of the pandemic, 75 Sheriff’s Office employees have tested positive for the virus, with 55 having […]
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Doctors, health officials warn that local hospitals could fill in coming weeks
As Santa Barbara County’s staffed ICU beds continue to dwindle, health professionals say it may be only a matter of time before area hospitals reach capacity. “We, in a sense, are starting to catch up with LA,” Cottage Health infectious disease specialist Dr. David Fisk said. “Our COVID numbers have gotten so much worse and […]
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County holds winter preparedness meeting to discuss debris flow prevention
Nearly three years after the Montecito mudslide tragedy that claimed 23 lives, Santa Barbara County continues to keep a close eye on vegetation recovery, debris basins, flood control systems, and winter weather to ensure that a similar incident isn’t repeated. On Dec. 17, community members from across the county were invited to join a winter […]
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Area hospitals receive, administer first round of COVID-19 vaccines
Hospital workers across Northern Santa Barbara County got their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during the week of Dec. 14 after receiving allotments from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Marian Regional Medical Center vaccinated its first workers on Dec. 17, a moment that was met with applause and cheers from the […]
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Wintertime promotions run by local animal shelters make it the perfect time of year to bring home a furry member of the family
Feeling lonely after canceling your holiday plans? Need something to fill the void of social interaction in 2020? Searching for a new companion for the New Year? Look no further than your local animal shelters! ’Tis the season to bring home a furry friend, and Santa Barbara County shelters are putting on some special holidays […]
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Hospitalization, case rate, positivity continue to skyrocket in Santa Barbara County
Over the past month, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized from the virus in Santa Barbara County has increased sixfold, and the number of patients in the ICU is more than 10 times what it was a month ago. As of Dec. 14, 75 people were hospitalized, including 21 in the ICU. One month prior […]
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COVID-19 cases at Lompoc prison creep back up, concern rises
A new COVID-19 outbreak at the Lompoc Penitentiary—though currently much smaller than the one that peaked in May and infected hundreds—has family members and inmate advocates concerned about the current situation. As of Dec. 15, the Bureau of Prisons reported that 25 inmates and one staff member had tested positive for the virus, nearly doubling […]
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New apartment community keeps life grounded in Santa Maria roots
Santa Maria-style barbecue grills. A modern farmhouse design that pays homage to local agricultural roots. A brand new elementary school and shopping center just steps away. These amenities and benefits come with living at Azure, a recently unveiled apartment rental community in Santa Maria that sits at the heart of the Enos Ranchos development and […]
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Community members call for county Sheriff’s Office oversight
On Dec. 1, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held its third hearing on criminal justice system changes since June, when the item was first introduced following the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed. “The impacts of systemic racism can have dramatic consequences,” 2nd District Supervisor Gregg Hart said as he […]
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North County city councils mull campaign contribution limits with decision deadline fast approaching
As the dust continues to settle after Election Day, local city councils are grappling with how much individual donors should be allowed to influence future elections. With the passing of Assembly Bill 571, an update to the state’s election code, cities that don’t already have local campaign contribution limits must decide before the end of […]