Report of Gunshots Closes Bath Street in Downtown Santa Barbara
A report of gunshots heard in downtown Santa Barbara closed a section of Bath Street on Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2026. At 3:02 p.m., Santa Barbara Police officers responded to the 300 block of W. Figueroa Street at the intersection of Bath Street for an investigation into “shots fired.”
Captain Scott Safechuck retires after 26 years serving Santa Barbara County Fire Department
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Fire Captain Scott Safechuck is retiring after 26 years serving the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, according to the Department's Instagram page. Safechuck spent 26 of his 35 years in the fire and emergency services in Santa Barbara, serving as the SBCFD's public information...
When Ventura Almost Soared: The Tale of a Flying Machine Con
In the early 20th century, the City of Fillmore fell for a smooth-talking con man. He promised a monorail to Piru Lake—cars with propellers to glide swiftly over the land. Models and elaborate plans were presented, a station was designed, and the town eagerly invested. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, the builder...
Ojai Transient Arrested for Alleged Burglary at Villanova Preparatory School
A suspect has been arrested following a burglary at Villanova Preparatory School, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. The arrest occurred after deputies from the Ojai Patrol Station were dispatched to a report of a trespasser on January 24, 2026. The deputies were called to the scene at around 6:33 a.m....
Winter Whale Watching off Ventura. Yes, It’s Absolutely Worth It!
Some of the greatest and most fulfilling adventures, such as a winter whale watching tour off the coast of Ventura, start in your own backyard. We travel far to see the places of wonder. Places that light up with the aurora borealis at night and hold the remains of ancient civilizations. Pockets of secure land and...
Santa Barbara ICE Observers Stopped by CHP
The dangers of crossing paths with ICE are plain, which is why SBResiste gives its volunteer and rapid response members clear guidance on how to follow a federal agent in a vehicle: Maintain a safe distance; follow all traffic laws. This became an open question after the Independent received two...
Carpinteria business owners say fear lingers with ICE enforcement in the county
Business owners in Carpinteria say a large-scale ICE enforcement operation last summer continues to hurt foot traffic and sales.
Flu cases are elevated in the North State. A ‘super flu’ strain is to...
A new flu strain is behind an “elevated” level of flu cases across California, including in the North State, according to the California Department of Public Health. The variant, dubbed the “super flu,” is called subclade K. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Budget cuts, ICE spotted, and Space X launch today
Happy Thursday! Check out the top stories from Daybreak: Huckleberry’s in Atascadero has permanently closed...
“Surgery and Second Chances”: Botched Surgery Leads to Lifelong Disability, But Paves A New...
VENTURA, Calif.—Cindy Flores says she’s come a long way from a botched surgery 13 years ago, but she still lives with chronic pain. “Every day that I wake up in the morning, I'm like Frankenstein. The pain is like it's a debilitating pain. I never know if I'm going to have a great day or not. I just have to get up...
