Santa Barbara Protests Hobby Lobby Decision
Demonstrators speak out against the Supreme Court ruling.
Year: 2014
Hybrid Hounds
A kumbaya compromise endorsing the hybrid system (four district election seats, three at-large seats including the mayor) won’t work.
Tranquillon Ridge Drilling Ban Clears Assembly Committee
A bill that would ban offshore drilling in Tranquillon Ridge state waters cleared the Assembly’s Committee on Natural Resources with a 6-2 vote last week.
Activists Cry Foul Over Camp 4 Contract Issue
The Chumash are working with the county to sign its contract under the Williamson Act, which dictates the use of the 1,400 acres — known as Camp 4 — the tribe purchased in 2010.
$200,000 Grant Approved for Climate Change Study for S.B. Coastline
A $200,000 Coastal Conservancy grant okayed by the supervisors on 7/1 will allow the county, over the next two years, to look at how climate change could affect Santa Barbara’s coastal areas and seaside infrastructure.
Carbajal, Lavagnino Push for Hotel Bed Tax Hike
Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Salud Carbajal will author a ballot argument in favor of increasing the county’s hotel bed tax rate from 10 percent to 12.5 percent, a suggested hike going before voters in November.
Median Sales Price for South Coast Property Reaches $1.1 Million
Although the number of homes listed for sale are down by 13 percent from last May, sales prices have jumped by 23 percent with the median price of a South Coast property — from January 1 to the end of May — weighing in at $1.1 million.
Cell Phone Search Ruling to Have Little Effect on S.B. Police
While civil libertarians are hailing last week’s Supreme Court ruling requiring law enforcement officers to obtain search warrants before checking the contents of a cell phone, Santa Barbara Police Department spokesperson Riley Harwood said the ruling would have limited impact on day-to-day operations or departmental investigations
County Management Will Get Pay Raise
County department heads, assistant department heads, and managers will receive a one percent salary increase effective immediately, the board voted 4-1 on Tuesday; Supervisor Peter Adam voted no.
NASA Chief Visits Goleta Company
Charles Bolden tours Deployable Space Systems with Mars on his mind.
