Santa Barbara City Council Debates Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, Calls for Revisions
The Santa Barbara City Council took a step forward in addressing housing shortages during its meeting Tuesday, debating an adaptive reuse ordinance that aims to incentivize housing projects in existing commercial spaces. While the ordinance could pave the way for converting vacant retail and office buildings into...
Ghost Gun Manufacturing Operation Uncovered In Winding Way Home During Assault Response
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A 39-year-old man was arrested and his 24-year-old brother is wanted in connection with the manufacturing of unserialized guns after deputies initially responded to an assault at the duo's home on Winding Way. On Sep. 1, deputies were dispatched to a home in...
Proposed Changes to State Housing Law Target Big Build Behind Santa Barbara Mission
This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund. Generally, state legislators make laws that apply to counties and cities across California. But if passed, a budget...
City of Santa Barbara Announces New Public Works Director, Launches Water Resources Department
Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding the appointment of their new Public Works Director and creation of a Water Resources Department. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian D’Amour as Public Works Director and the creation of a...
Sheriff’s Deputies Uncover Ghost Gun Operation Following Assault Arrest and DUI Hit-and-Run
On September 1, 2025, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 4800-block of Winding Way for reports of an assault in progress. When deputies arrived, they learned that the 73-year-old victim had been attacked by his son, Dean Wescott II. The victim suffered a cut to his face...
Brandon Beaudette Named City of Santa Barbara Librarian
The Santa Barbara City Library will be officially led by Brandon Beaudette, who has been the library’s acting director since April 2024. Beaudette earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara in 1998 and was first employed by the city a year later. He worked his way from parking and Public Works to...
Deputies arrest man brandishing a machete in Santa Maria
Santa Barbara County Sheriff deputies arrested a man brandishing a machete following a five-hour standoff in Santa Maria on Tuesday, the suspect’s second arrest in less than three months. Shortly after 10 a.m., deputies responded to the 400-block of Ray Road for reports of a man brandishing and threatening...
Santa Barbara Considers Modernizing Downtown Parking Payment Systems
The City of Santa Barbara is exploring a significant upgrade to its downtown parking operations with a proposed ordinance amendment allowing the use of new parking payment technologies. If approved, the change would eliminate the traditional kiosk-based ticket system at parking lot exits and introduce a pay-on-foot...
The Magic of J. Woeste
Find more Fall 2025 Home & Garden stories here. Jefferson Woeste, the owner of J. Woeste in Los Olivos, was practically born with a garden shovel in hand. By the time he was 9, he had planted his first pepper tree — an early act of devotion to the soil that would shape his life in ways only a third-generation...
A day at the dog park
A permanent off-leash dog park is proposed for Monte Vista Park, and roughly 150 Carpinterians — with their furry friends at their side, of course — headed to the temporary dog park last Saturday to learn about the city’s plans. There are three proposed dog park designs...
