Jury Hears Closing Arguments in Santa Maria Murder Trial
Jurors began deliberating the fate of a Georgia man charged with killing a Santa Maria woman in 1988 after DNA connected him to the victim and her home, although his attorney argued that it didn’t prove that Aloysius Winthrop James committed the crime. James, 58, of Georgia has been...
Two arrested after pursuit near Ventura High School
On February 23, 2026, around 2:09 p.m., officers found a stolen vehicle in a parking lot in the 3300 block of East Main St. When police tried to stop the car, the driver rammed a patrol vehicle with two officers inside and fled. The chase went through a residential area near Midtown Ventura and ended when the suspect...
ICE agents pepper sprayed a Santa Barbara attorney during alleged vandalism arrest
The Santa Barbara Independent released an eight-minute-long video of an arrest by federal immigration agents that took place in Santa Barbara last Friday. The video, shared by an anonymous source, shows agents arresting a man identified by the Independent as 27-year-old Jack Randmaa, after he appeared to approach the...
Santa Barbara City College Stabbing Suspects Revealed as Two Teens Arrested in Ventura Pursuit,...
The two Santa Barbara County teens arrested Monday after allegedly ramming a Ventura police patrol car are also the suspects in last week’s stabbing at Santa Barbara City College, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department. Bryan Isaac Ramirez, 18, of Santa Barbara, and a 17-year-old male from Santa...
Carpinteria Woman Dies Suddenly, Leaving Behind Newborn Daughter
A GoFundMe campaign went up over the weekend for Adriana Gallardo, a Carpinteria woman who reportedly died suddenly on Saturday due to complications from a lung issue, her family said. Gallardo leaves behind a newborn daughter, Isabella, who was born last Wednesday. Gallardo’s sister, Monica, said on the GoFundMe...
P!NK to headline Concert for Cures at Petco Park
(FOX 5/KUSI) — Global performer P!NK was announced as this year’s headliner for San Diego’s Concert for Cures. The annual concert is organized by Curebound, a San Diego-based organization dedicated to cancer research, and ticket sales for the concert help fund that research. In 2025, legendary musician...
Enrollment drops as Buena’s music department faces uncertainty
For years, generations of talented musicians have graced Buena with their presence, winning competitions and awards, performing at concerts and supporting sports’ teams with their sound. For many Bulldogs, this is something they have grown accustomed to, and even taken for granted. Unfortunately, due to severe...
Thirty-Two Community Members Graduate from the 2026 LEAD Goleta Academy
Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service. GOLETA, CA, February 20, 2026 – The City of Goleta is proud to announce the completion of its 7th LEAD Goleta Community Academy. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate, and Discuss. For the past six weeks, 32 participants have met every week...
Motorcyclist transported with major injuries after crash with car on Hollister Avenue Monday
GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – A motorcyclist suffered major injuries after a collision with a car at the intersection of Hollister Avenue and Coromar Drive Monday. The motorcyclist was transported to Cottage Hospital by ground ambulance for further medical treatment and the other involved driver was uninjured detailed the...
First-ever Baile at Foothill Tech unites students across VUSD
Students gathered in Foothill Technology High School’s (Foothill Tech) Spirito Hall on Feb. 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for the first Baile in the school’s history. This event blended music, culture and community into a celebration. Organized by the Be Heard club, the dance included a photo booth, a keychain-making...
