Santa Barbara CA

The Vandenberg Village mother charged with the murder of her 9-year-old daughter last fall appeared before a judge once again on Wednesday.

Her last name may be Rose, but Goleta’s Lauris Hawkins Rose has spent most of her life devoted to a different flowering plant, so much so that she’s dubbed the “Orchid Queen” by her colleagues in the local orchid trade. She is a mainstay and current...

If you haven’t wandered through the Garden Center at Carpinteria Valley Lumber lately, you may be in for a surprise. What began years ago as a simple storage building for doors and windows has gradually transformed into one of Carpinteria’s most charming plant destinations — thanks in large part to the vision and...

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - Santa Barbara’s tech scene is gaining momentum, with startups and engineers driving new ideas that are reshaping the region’s economy. From emerging companies to established innovators, the Central Coast is becoming a hub for technological growth and opportunity. That progress will be...

For decades, the old armory on Canon Perdido Street has gathered dust. The Santa Barbara Unified School District bought it eight years ago, but planning for the site stalled — until now. Last week, district officials discussed plans to turn the 27,000-square-foot landmark — situated between Santa Barbara Junior...

SANTA BARBARA, CA – March 17, 2026 – The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently celebrated 23 graduates who completed the organization’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. These 23 graduates have a combined escrow of $578,608.93 and an average income increase of $43,007. Of this group,...

The Santa Barbara City Council approved an ordinance to increase cannabis business taxes by 2% in a 5-2 vote during its March 17 meeting. The council approved raising the tax on non-medical cannabis retailers from 6% to 8%, with the new rate taking effect July 1, 2026. The increase applies to both storefront and...

The man who attempted to flee from Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s custody after a jury found him guilty of rape pleaded not guilty to the escape charge on Wednesday. Arian Eteghaei, 23, a former UC Santa Barbara student, pleaded not guilty to a felony count of escape by force or violence and denied a special...

The child homicide case of Ashlee Lynn Buzzard was continued Wednesday during a short hearing, as attorneys work through a newly filed defense motion that could affect what evidence is allowed in the case. The six-minute proceeding took place in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Lompoc before Judge Stephen...

Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service. Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Unified was honored by the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA) with a 2026 Excellence in Communication Award. This statewide recognition celebrates the “Culture of Care” initiative, a...