Local Heroes

Featured Stories

Local Heroes 2025

Cover Story By Indy Staff

The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’s 40th annual celebration of community heroes.

Santa Barbara’s 2022 Local Heroes in Black & White

Photo By Ingrid Bostrom

By the expert lens of Ingrid Bostrom.

Local Heroes 2022

Cover Story By Ryan P. Cruz, Leslie Dinaberg, Callie Fausey, Tyler Hayden, Matt Kettmann, Nick Welsh, Jean Yamamura

The Independent’s annual nod to our incredible neighbors.

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Local Heroes 2021

Local Heroes By Nick Welsh, Matt Kettmann, Tyler Hayden, Jean Yamamura, Charles Donelan, Ryan P. Cruz, Jun Starkey, and Caleb Rodriguez

Local Heroes 2020

Cover Story By Indy Staff

Local Heroes 2019

Local Heroes By Indy Staff

Local Heroes 2018

Local Heroes By Indy Staff