The Santa Barbara Independent

Santa Barbara County Fire’s Ambulance Ambitions Abandoned

Public Safety By Margaux Lovely

Supervisors vote for County Fire to pass on a subcontract agreement with AMR and to sell 35 ambulances.

Santa Barbara Community Holds Vigil in Solidarity with Migrants

Community By Ryan P. Cruz

Residents shared testimonies of “living in fear” and called on elected officials for more protections.

‘Not an April Fools’ Joke’: Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo Ends Century-Long Run

Community By Jean Yamamura

A replacement rodeo could be coming to Earl Warren Showgrounds this year, officials say.

Santa Barbara City College Student Pleads Not Guilty to Isla Vista Attempted Murder, Robberies

Courts & Crime By Margaux Lovely

Jackson Kyle Jue, 20, is being held without bail at Santa Barbara County Jail.

Chinese Citizen Sentenced for Flying Drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base

Courts & Crime By Elijah Valerjev

Yinpiao Zhou, 34, gets time served and $200 fine after accepting plea deal.

Body of ‘John Doe’ Found Near Hope Ranch Remains Unidentified

Public Safety By Jean Yamamura

Individual was found last week in a tent along the railroad tracks at Calle de los Amigos and Modoc Road.

Theater Review | ‘Crazy Mama’ is a Tour De Force for Linda Purl

Theater By Maggie Yates

A mother’s mental illness through the eyes of a child and the triumphant performance of an actress.

First Thursday at Art & Soul on State Street

Thu, Apr 03 5:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Gun Violence Prevention Forum with Local Leaders

Sun, Apr 06 11:30 AM

Santa Barbara, CA

Free Dry Eye Seminar w/ Dr. Zucker & Dr. Reynard

Thu, Apr 10 10:00 AM

Santa Barbara

Spirits in the Air: Potent Potable Poetry

Wed, Apr 02 4:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Big Bounce America is Bouncing into Santa Barbara

Fri, Apr 04 10:00 AM

Santa Barbara

Black Women’s Health Equity Day 2025

Sat, Apr 05 8:45 AM

Goleta

National Day of Protest

Sat, Apr 05 1:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Conversation with Percussionist V.R. Venkataraman

Sat, Apr 05 2:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara to Unveil Deepwater Diving Monument

Sat, Apr 05 4:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Planned Parenthood’s Birds and Bees Bash

Sat, Apr 05 5:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Concert: Ozomatli

Sat, Apr 05 7:00 PM

Solvang

S.B. Independent’s Annual Backyard Brunch 2025

Sat, Apr 12 12:30 PM

Goleta

Local AuthorBook Signing – Teresa Figueroa Sánchez

Thu, Apr 17 6:00 PM

Santa Barbara

multimedia Stories

Video: Sick Sea Lion Rescued on Haskell’s Beach

Domoic acid poisoning is killing marine mammals across the central coast.

‘No More DOGE’ Protests in Santa Barbara

About 225 people arrived to Saturday’s demonstration organized by Carpinteria Indivisible, waving signs against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the federal government at the invitation of the Trump administration.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Hosts Inaugural Gala

Photo

Saturday’s Girls Inc. Gala raises record $230,000.

A Valentine to Colman Domingo

SBIFF’s Montecito Award presentation is a love fest starring Colman Domingo, Roger Durling, and Oprah Winfrey.

SBIFF’s Variety Artisans Awards Honors Expert Professionals Behind the Scenes

Artisans speak about their work in award season nominated films, including “The Brutalist,” “The Wild Robot,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Conclave,” “Nickel Boys,” “A Complete Unknown,” “The Substance,” “Wicked,” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

Angelina Jolie Dazzles at SBIFF Opening Celebrity Awards Tribute

Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Maltin Modern Master Award honors star for cultural enrichment in the motion picture industry.

Kevin Costner and Team Celebrate U.S. Premiere of ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2’ at Santa Barbara International Film Festival

American West saga also stars Sienna Miller, Abbey Lee, Georgia MacPhail, Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi, Danny Huston, Jean Malone, Owen Crowshoe, and Michael Rooker, among others.

Fiennes is in Fine Form for Santa Barbara Film Festival’s Outstanding Performer of the Year Award

Conclave’ Oscar nominee has worked on films that run the gamut from James Bond and Harry Potter to ‘Schindler’s List’.

Community Comes Out for Rose Pruning Day at Santa Barbara’s Mission Rose Garden

Photo

Although the garden’s more than 1,500 rose bushes are now looking bald and barren, the effort ensured that the garden is ready for mulching and feeding as soon as new growth begins in February.