County

November 16, 2020

Santa Barbara County Moves Back to Most Restrictive COVID-19 Reopening Tier

By Katherine Swartz

This is the first time Santa Barbara County has entered the purple tier since Sept. 30. 

November 3, 2020

LIVE: National and Local Election Results 2020

By Staff Report

Polls close at 8 p.m. and mail-in voting results will be available starting at 8:05 p.m. All other preliminary results will be posted after 9 p.m.

October 24, 2020

Seeking District-Wide Improvements and New Learning Tools, Goleta Union School District Puts $80 Million Bond “Measure M” on Ballot

By Atmika Iyer

Currently, there is no organized opposition to the bond on the ballot.

October 21, 2020

On Second Attempt, SB County Board of Supervisors Pass Ordinance To Fine Large Gatherings in I.V.

By Max Abrams

The new ordinance is a reincarnation of a previous “urgency” ordinance that fell one vote short during the board’s Aug. 25 meeting.

October 14, 2020

iVMenus Owner Sentencing Postponed For Sixth Time, Rescheduled to Oct. 28

By Max Abrams

In addition to an expected 18-year prison sentence, Galoustian will likely have to register as a sex offender for life.

October 11, 2020

Congressman Carbajal Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Jai Uparkar

In light of his condition, Carbajal stated that he will be carrying out his duties virtually to protect the health and safety of his staff and others.  

October 7, 2020

Isla Vista “Mirror Bus” Driver Charged With 17 Additional Felonies

By Max Abrams

Coughlin pled not guilty to all 17 charges and is currently in custody on $1 million bail.

October 5, 2020

Authorities Remove Plane Wreckage, Remains of Missing Pilot Who Crashed Off I.V. Coast

By Holly Rusch

The body of the pilot has been taken to the Channel Islands Harbor, and the Santa Barbara County Coroner's Bureau will be investigating the death.

September 28, 2020

SBSO Continues Search for Missing Pilot Who Crashed Off the Coast of I.V.

By Holly Rusch

The search for Deborah Nicholson — the plane’s pilot and sole passenger — was originally handled as a search and rescue but is now being handled as a missing person investigation.

September 17, 2020

Goleta Union School District, Isla Vista Elementary School Move Forward With Fall Plans

By Asumi Shuda

Goleta Union School District schools will stay fully remote until Santa Barbara County moves down to Tier 3 in Governor Newsom’s reopening plan.

September 15, 2020

Amidst Rising COVID-19 Concerns in I.V., SB County Supervisors Delay Public Health Urgency Ordinance

By Leila Khan, Melody Chen

While supervisors can bring a non-urgency ordinance back at any time, the six-week delay may be a missed opportunity.

September 15, 2020

Platform Holly Decommission Stalled Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

By Asumi Shuda

Despite setbacks, the California State Lands Commission continues to plug Platform Holly’s well bores with coil tubing and cement during the pandemic.

September 14, 2020

Wildfire Smoke Triggers Santa Barbara County Air Quality Alert

By Max Abrams

Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns — known as PM2.5 on the rating scale — is most affected by the smoke.

August 27, 2020

Here’s What You Need To Know About I.V. CSD Elections This November

By Sofía Mejías-Pascoe, Arturo Martinez Rivera

The openings for the 2020 ballot include two seats with a four-year term and one seat with a two-year term.

August 20, 2020

SB County Reports First COVID-19 Death in Isla Vista

By Holly Rusch

The I.V. resident was one of two deaths announced by the county on Thursday, bringing the county’s total death count to 84. 

August 8, 2020

Isla Vista Experiences Largest Single-Day Jump in COVID-19 Cases

By Katherine Swartz

Santa Barbara County confirmed an additional five new cases on Friday, bringing the total count to 74 cases in Isla Vista, 20 of which are currently active.