Good morning, Central Coast. The weekend is shaping up to bring beautiful weather, with today expected to be the warmest day. We’re also tracking business closures across the community today as “ICE Out” strikes and protests get underway.
Business owners in Carpinteria say fear tied to last summer’s large-scale ICE enforcement operation continues to hurt foot traffic and sales. Several shop owners report customers are staying home or calling ahead to ask if it is safe to visit, saying the neighborhood no longer feels the same. A Santa Barbara County Chamber of Commerce survey found nearly half of responding businesses were directly affected by immigration enforcement activity.
Local skaters are searching for alternatives after Morro Bay’s skate park was removed and the area fenced off earlier this month. City leaders say the decision followed reports of vandalism and illegal activity at the former teen center site, with usable ramps now placed in storage. Officials say the city is actively looking for a new location, and skaters have offered to help design or build what comes next…