A Brain-Infecting Parasite Has Come to California. Should Santa Barbara Worry?
Rat lungworm has been detected in San Diego animals, but local officials say the risk of its spread to Santa Barbara is low.
Ella Heydenfeldt
Recent Stories
Flights Take Off: Santa Barbara Airport Launches New Nonstop Routes to Chicago and San Diego
Previously announced service begins this month, cutting travel times and expanding access from the Central Coast.
Smoke from ‘Hope Ranch Volcano’ Prompts Response — but It’s No Volcano
Santa Barbara County fire crews responded Thursday to smoking cliffs in Hope Ranch, where a long-known geological quirk can spark heat, smoke, and occasional small fires.
Changing of the Guard Across Santa Barbara County’s Fire Departments
Four fire chiefs step down or shift posts in four months, reflecting a mix of retirements, internal promotions, and lateral moves across departments.
Righetti High Student Arrested with Loaded Handgun on Campus in Santa Maria
An 18-year-old student was arrested at Righetti High School after a school resource deputy found a loaded handgun during a midday contact tied to a warrant, authorities said.
‘Here Comes the Sun’ Author Bill McKibben Shares Climate Message, with Gallows Humor and Hope, at UC Santa Barbara
After a stark assessment of warming impacts, the activist and environmental writer points to the rapid rise of solar and wind as a path forward during his talk at Campbell Hall.
Manhunt Underway in Eastern Goleta for Wanted Felon
Authorities identify suspect as Anthony Torres Lopez Jr., who allegedly rammed into a deputy’s vehicle and fled on foot Tuesday evening.
Three Sought in Solvang Arson Investigation
Investigators say the suspects left the building minutes before the fire — then returned to watch it burn.
Unpacking the Origins of 4/20
A Santa Barbara encounter with one of the original “Waldos” traces the unlikely path from a high school code to a global cannabis holiday.
Sable Offshore’s Federal Defense Falls Flat in Santa Barbara Court
Judge Donna Geck upholds injunction and rejects the Houston oil company’s claim that a federal order overrides California law. The next hearing set for May 22 could decide whether the company pays for violating the court order.
