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88 rental apartments proposed on vacant lot near single-family homes in Solvang

88 rental apartments proposed on vacant lot near single-family homes in Solvang

Owners of the nearby Alisal Ranch say they intend to submit an application for 88 units, including four for very low income workers

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 5, 2026September 5, 2026

Recent Posts

Former chef James Zurlinden makes bid for Santa Barbara City Council District 5 seat

Politics

Former chef James Zurlinden makes bid for Santa Barbara City Council District 5 seat

White-handed gibbon gives birth to baby ape in front of guests at Santa Barbara Zoo

Community

White-handed gibbon gives birth to baby ape in front of guests at Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara mayoral candidates debate finances, housing and State Street at News-Press forum

Santa Barbara mayoral candidates debate finances, housing and State Street at News-Press forum

Santa Barbara Unified sues Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat for harming children

Education

Santa Barbara Unified sues Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat for harming children

NEWS

Santa Barbara Unified sees an increase in literacy proficiency following new universal screener

Santa Barbara Unified sees an increase in literacy proficiency following new universal screener

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Santa Barbara City College app aims to unite students through campus events

Santa Barbara City College app aims to unite students through campus events

by Angel Corzo • Santa Barbara News-Press August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

When will West Marine actually close? Even the Harbor Commission isn’t sure

When will West Marine actually close? Even the Harbor Commission isn’t sure

by Aston Smith • Santa Barbara News-Press August 30, 2026August 30, 2026

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Are the stars lining up for Gabe Escobedo and his City Council dreams?

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Are the stars lining up for Gabe Escobedo and his City Council dreams?

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

NEWS

County Notebook: Utility-scale solar approved, El Niño prep advances amid a trio of honorees

County Notebook: Utility-scale solar approved, El Niño prep advances amid a trio of honorees

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 1, 2026September 2, 2026

Santa Barbara County Supervisors temporarily halt gun shop approvals and seek to ban sales near schools

Santa Barbara County Supervisors temporarily halt gun shop approvals and seek to ban sales near schools

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 1, 2026September 2, 2026

Santa Barbara City Council approves the State Street Master Plan

Santa Barbara City Council approves the State Street Master Plan

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

Goleta City Council inches closer to placing regulations on firearm, ammunition sales

Goleta City Council inches closer to placing regulations on firearm, ammunition sales

by Amanda Velasco • Santa Barbara News-Press September 2, 2026September 3, 2026

Watch the latest

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Sep 7

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A large wave slams into backwash at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday, Sept. 6.

The large swell was generated by Hurricane Marie. The impacts of storm are expected to continue through tomorrow. The rainfall around Santa Barbara and Ventura today is also a part of weather impacts from the hurricane.

Video sent to the News-Press from Belen Rodriguez

#santabarbara #hurricanemarie

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Eric Friedman speaks about the state of the city’s budget at the Santa Barbara mayoral debate hosted by the Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts.

City Councilmember Eric Friedman is running for mayor against fellow Councilmember Kristen Sneddon and SBUSD Board member Wendy Sims-Morten.

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate speaks about the state of the city’s budget at the Santa Barbara mayoral debate hosted by the Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with JR.

City Councilmember Kristen Sneddon is running against Councilmember Eric Friedman and Wendy Sims-Moten

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Sep 4

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Santa Barbara mayoral candidate Wendy Sims-Moten speaks about downtown and the State Street Master Plan. She expressed concern that the plan wasn’t friendly for children who would grow up downtown.

Wendy Sims-Moten has spent eight years on the Santa Barbara Unified School Board for Education and is running against City Councilmembers Eric Friedman and Kristen Sneddon.

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Sep 4

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Thank you to everyone that came out to our Santa Barbara mayoral debate at the New Vic Theatre!

This was the first event of this kind that the News-Press has hosted. The debate was co-hosted by News-Press editor Joshua Molina and Jerry Roberts from Newsmakers with JR. It was also the first Santa Barbara mayoral debate of the 2026 election season. We had over 220 attendees!

If you missed the event, stay tuned for a recap article from reporter Amanda Velasco later tonight. Also, we will be posting videos of the candidates responses to specific questions here on our social media.

VOICES

Mark Whitehurst: Cars to be outlawed on Santa Barbara’s State Street

Mark Whitehurst: Cars to be outlawed on Santa Barbara’s State Street

by Mark M. Whitehurst / Voice August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Sullivan Israel: The State Street Master Plan will create a better Santa Barbara

Sullivan Israel: The State Street Master Plan will create a better Santa Barbara

by Sullivan Israel • Strong Towns SB August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara’s State Street needs flexibility now

Santa Barbara’s State Street needs flexibility now

by David de L’Arbre August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Robert Sulnick: Time to vote the reality TV star president off the island

Robert Sulnick: Time to vote the reality TV star president off the island

by Robert Sulnick August 23, 2026

Letter: In support of Devon Wardlow for City Council

Letter: In support of Devon Wardlow for City Council

by Mike Jordan August 21, 2026August 22, 2026

Opinion: Why do Latinos work for ICE?

Opinion: Why do Latinos work for ICE?

by Eladio Bobadilla • Zócalo August 19, 2026August 25, 2026

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SB Museum of Natural History to host first-ever mezcal & agave spirits tasting event

SB Museum of Natural History to host first-ever mezcal & agave spirits tasting event

by Isabella Agrusa, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Being Human in the Age of AI: All Saints-by-the-Sea Hosts Two Evenings Exploring Faith, Technology, and Human Flourishing

Being Human in the Age of AI: All Saints-by-the-Sea Hosts Two Evenings Exploring Faith, Technology, and Human Flourishing

by Kathleen Bright, All Saints by-the-Sea September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

CA State Parks Foundation encourages Californians to report monarch butterfly sightings

CA State Parks Foundation encourages Californians to report monarch butterfly sightings

by Stefanie Lao, California State Parks Foundation September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association’s “Sips & Ships” returns to Marina 1, Saturday 10/3

Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association’s “Sips & Ships” returns to Marina 1, Saturday 10/3

by Denise Higgins, Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara Beautiful announces 61st Annual Awards Celebration

Santa Barbara Beautiful announces 61st Annual Awards Celebration

by Melinda Mettler, Santa Barbara Beautiful August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Santa Barbara County animal lovers invited to share their ‘Tales of Hope’

Santa Barbara County animal lovers invited to share their ‘Tales of Hope’

by Lee Heller, Tails of Hope August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

MORE stories

SNAP cuts could lead to kids losing free school breakfast and lunch

Education

SNAP cuts could lead to kids losing free school breakfast and lunch

by Kevin Hardy • Stateline September 6, 2026

Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be released under bill going to Gov. Newsom

Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be released under bill going to Gov. Newsom

by Wendy Fry • CalMatters September 6, 2026

Xavier Becerra gets to play it safe in the race for governor, and he isn’t making promises

Politics

Xavier Becerra gets to play it safe in the race for governor, and he isn’t making promises

by Jeanne Kuang • CalMatters September 5, 2026

Youthclusive to debut latest show ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

Arts and Culture

Youthclusive to debut latest show ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

by Sofia Wallace • Santa Barbara News-Press September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

UCSB falls from 1st to 26th in Niche ranking of best party schools in America

UC Santa Barbara

UCSB falls from 1st to 26th in Niche ranking of best party schools in America

by Angel Corzo • Santa Barbara News-Press September 2, 2026September 2, 2026