By JOSH FRIEDMAN Members of the public are finding numerous sick or deceased marine mammals on Central Coast beaches, raising concerns about ocean water quality and a harmful algae bloom. [KCOY] Since mid-May, the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire scorched six tractors and trailers in an agricultural area around the eastern city limit of Santa Maria early Tuesday morning. A caller reported the blaze burning at a lot east of Highway 101 by Stowell... (Continue reading)
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties saw an uptick in their housing market in 2022, according to a state demographic report released Monday. Developers in densely populated urban areas built the highest number of new residential... (Continue reading)
By KAREN VELIE California’s population decline continues, though the rate has slowed, according to a state demographic report released Monday. Only three cities in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties experienced population increases. Stable births, fewer deaths, and a... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A motorcyclist died after crashing into a U.S. Postal Service vehicle on Tuesday in the Hope Ranch area outside the city of Santa Barbara. Shortly before 5 p.m., a caller reported the collision in the 4200 block... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN An Amtrak train struck and killed a man in the Gaviota area Friday morning. The train hit the man at approximately 11:12 a.m. beside Highway 101 about a mile southeast of Mariposa Reina. Emergency responders pronounced the... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The mayor of Copenhagen, Denmark penned a letter to the mayor of Solvang criticizing the Danish-styled Santa Barbara County city over its handling of LGBT issues and urging local officials to embrace the Santa Ynez Valley’s queer... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A wrong-driver died after causing a head-on collision in Orcutt Monday evening that also severely injured the other driver. Shortly before 7 p.m., a man was driving the wrong way on southbound Highway 135 about a half-mile... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Another inmate died from a suspected overdose shortly after being booked in Santa Barbara County’s Northern Branch Jail on Wednesday morning. A total of six inmates have overdosed since the jail opened in January. Shortly before 8... (Continue reading)
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Santa Barbara County cannabis farm could become the largest contiguous outdoor cultivation site in California. [Pacific Coast Business Times] Farming First Holdings obtained permitting for a 134-acre outdoor cannabis farm located near Los Alamos. Previously, Glass... (Continue reading)