With cases of measles on the rise, community members are advised to protect themselves
Cases of measles are higher than usual, with 17 reported in California as of the start of this week. "It can affect the brain," said Dr. Henning Ansorg, Public Health Officer for the County of Santa Barbara, about the seriousness of the disease. "You can get meningitis and syphilis from it, and you can get severe...
National Umbrella Day with Parasols in Paradise
Happy National Umbrella Day! Today we’re spotlighting a Santa Barbara gem that turns something practical into something unforgettable: Parasols in Paradise. Based right here in our sunny seaside community, Parasols in Paradise creates and curates stunning umbrellas and parasols that do more than shade your eyes—they...
The Home Page | Real Estate Meets Red Carpet
This edition of The Home Page was originally emailed to subscribers on February 8, 2026. To receive Sarah Sinclair’s real estate newsletter in your inbox each Sunday, sign up at independent.com/newsletter. Lights! Camera! Action! With the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival underway, we open with...
Black History Month, new grants, and high school field upgrades
We have a wet Wednesday ahead of us, Central Coast. Check out your local forecast here. Back in court: Ashlee Buzzard...
Lucky Penny is Hosting a Weekend Pop Up as It Prepares to Open in...
As Lucky Penny prepares to open a new location in Los Olivos, the Santa Barbara-based wood-fired pizzeria will host a weekend pop-up in February, offering the community an early preview. The restaurant will host a soft opening during Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day weekend. The pop-up will run...
Hundreds turn out for 211 Community Day in Lompoc
Hundreds of residents turned out Saturday at the DeWees Community Center for CommUnify’s fourth annual 211 Community Day, a free event held in honor of National 211 Day that brought more than 60 local organizations and service providers under one roof. The 4-hour event was sponsored by CommUnify’s Energy...
Team USA medal count, power plant extension, and future of local oysters
Good morning, Central Coast! Team USA wakes up with two gold and two silver medals. Watch with us on KSBY to see if more are on the way. 🏅
Daring rescue of California surfer clinging to lobster trap buoy caught on video
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department released the full video of last Friday’s ocean rescue at Haskell’s Beach in Goleta. A 26-year-old surfer was swept out by high evening surf after losing his board on Feb. 6, 2026, but he was able to cling to a lobster trap buoy until help arrived, according to the fire...
The City of Ventura names Kris McDonald as next fire chief
The City of Ventura has selected Interim Chief Kris McDonald to serve as the next Fire Chief of the Ventura Fire Department after the retirement of Fire Chief David Endaya in December 2025. Following a nationwide recruitment process, Chief McDonald assumed the role on January 31, 2026. As Assistant Chief,...
Santa Barbara County urges measles vaccination as cases rise in California
The Santa Barbara County Health Department is urging residents to make sure they are vaccinated against measles as cases increase across California.
