Santa Barbara County News

A criminal grand jury handed down indictments Wednesday against nine people who prosecutors say are responsible for the brutal torture and slaying of a Santa Maria gang member earlier this year.

Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado recently made a stop in his hometown of Santa Maria to ask Californians to help him "end this crazy thing called A.B. 109." 109, or the prison realignment act, aims to solve overcrowding problems at the state's prisons by releasing low-level offenders to county jails.

If you're a registered voter in the city of San Luis Obispo, then by the time you read this, there may be a ballot for the June 18 special election sitting in your mailbox.

The artistry of 27 Santa Barbara County ballet students, ages 12-19, and two alumnae Guest Artists was celebrated at the twelfth Ballet Competition of Santa Barbara held March 23rd, 2013 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara.

Seven people were arrested on drug charges Wednesday during a multi-agency narcotics-enforcement sweep in the Santa Maria Valley, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

Trading a home on the East Coast for one on the West, Chef Joe Hafner admits he's still exploring Santa Barbara's hidden culinary gems since moving to the city eight months ago.

Running short on cash and facing an imminent shutdown, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinic officials issued an urgent plea Wednesday for the community's help in raising the money needed to cover operating costs while they work to revamp their business model by the end of the year.

Like a lead singer with a side solo project, AVA Santa Barbara is winemaker Seth Kunin's side gig.

TV show host Ellen DeGeneres has purchased a $26.5M home in Montecito, according to the latest reports.

Dozens of students from eight South Santa Barbara County high schools will be honored for excellent work in career exploration and preparation at an awards breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. May 29 at the Bacara Resort & Spa.

The Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Bennett, city councilman for the City of Goleta, to the CAC Board of Directors.

The men and women of the Santa Barbara Police Department are proud to announce that Officer Keld Hove and Officer Douglas Klug have been selected to receive the Santa Barbara Citizens Council on Crime Award for Superior Performance.

Tuesday's Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting was nothing short of historic as the supervisors listened for almost three hours to detailed findings and public comment about the county's defunct Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services Department , a hearing that may have signaled a renewed interest from leadership in revamping the ... (more)

The Goleta City Council made it clear Tuesday that it strongly opposes a Santa Barbara County Fire Department cost-cutting plan to reduce staffing at Station 11 in the coming fiscal year.

More than $100,000 was raised by the Carpinteria Boys & Girls Club this past weekend as it held its 29th annual fundraising dinner.

St. Mark's Cellar Classic: An Auction of Rare & Fine Wines co-chairs Steve Pepe and Brooks Firestone have announced that Alison Wrigley Rusack and Geoff Rusack , have been named the Honorary Chairs of the 4th annual event to be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Church's garden courtyard at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in downtown ... (more)

Taxpayers are footing the bill for sexually violent predator Tibor Karsai's living expenses after he was released as a transient in northern Santa Barbara County.

Local law enforcement officials say they plan to closely follow the findings of an independent federal agency that recently recommended lowering the amount of alcohol drivers can legally have in their systems in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related car crashes.

Girls Incorporated of Greater Santa Barbara announces Take Our Daughters to Work Day, a day offering girls in seventh through 12th grade the opportunity to job-shadow various companies in the Santa Barbara area.

The Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County endorses Gregg Hart and David Landecker for the Santa Barbara City Council, and Janet Wolf for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.