In a remarkable development for local public safety, the Montecito Association has announced that the long-anticipated Sheriff Substation will now be hosted by the Miramar Hotel – at no cost to the community. The generous offer, which includes covering all associated expenses, marks a major milestone in a years-long effort to enhance law enforcement presence […]

The Music Academy of the West has announced the acquisition of 901 State Street, a landmark property in downtown Santa Barbara, marking a transformative expansion into the heart of the city. This ambitious new hub for music education and community engagement is made possible by a $20 million gift from Cheryl Goldberg, in honor of […]

Summerland’s popular antique, garden, and home boutique, The Well, has opened its new location at 1080 Coast Village Road, in the former location of Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop. This is only the second location of The Well, besides their L.A. warehouse, Big Daddy’s Antiques. The Well’s offerings of luxury vintage and modern goods […]

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) officially broke ground on its new Westside Clinic at 621 W. Micheltorena Street on Friday, May 30. The event marked a major milestone in expanding access to healthcare for underserved communities on Santa Barbara’s Westside. Community leaders, including SBNC CEO Dr. Mahdi Ashrafian, City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez, and Co-chairs Janet […]

Cottage Health has elected Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons to its Board of Directors. Fitzgibbons currently serves as the Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and holds multiple medical directorships within Cottage Health, including for Infection Prevention and Control and the Cottage Center for Population Health. She also serves on […]

The SB Education Board has announced the resignation of Pedro Paz, executive director, effective June 7. Paz sent his letter to the foundation after holding the position for three years. He plans to move on in his career and thanked the foundation for the opportunity to serve. In response, the SB Education Board sent a […]

With full hearts and deep gratitude, we say goodbye to our dear friend and mentor, Suzanne Baker Neal Perkins – a woman whose life was nothing short of extraordinary. A true force of nature, Suzanne has lived a life of adventure, elegance, and unwavering excellence. From flying the skies with Pan Am to the rolling […]

Theft / San Ysidro Road0 Monday, May 12, at 10:54 hours A white adult female entered the business & shoplifted sunglasses. In addition, the Reporting Party (RP) wanted the female formally charged for trespassing on the property. Deputies checked the area and will continue to try to locatethe suspect.  Burglary / 800 block Lilac Drive […]

This past weekend, a private Montecito estate hosted the first Summer Solstice Art Soirée, a vibrant fundraiser supporting Santa Barbara’s iconic Solstice Parade and Festival. Set in a picturesque garden, the event featured a live art auction of local works, a silent auction, and direct artist sponsorship opportunities—including mask and prop creators. Highlights included performances […]

The Montecito Association invites residents, community stakeholders, and local organizations to attend Hands Across Montecito: Meet the Team & Learn How You Can Help on Thursday, June 5, from 5-7 pm at The Friendship Center (89 Eucalyptus Lane). Celebrating five years of compassion in action with Hands Across Montecito (HAM), this special event aims to […]

MFD Chief Neels celebrated Captain Jeff Villarreal and Engineer Eric Klemowicz for their sons, Jacob and Ethan respectively, having graduated Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy Battalion 155. Part of the celebration was the photo op in front of Montecito Fire Dept’s retired Engine 192, which MFD donated to Allan Hancock College’s Public Safety Training Center […]

Visit the Montecito Library (1469 E. Valley Rd. | 805-969-5063) for books, events, and more! All library branches will be closed on June 19, in honor of Juneteenth. Upcoming events and programs include:  Stay & Play: Tuesdays, 9-10:30 am – Drop by to learn and play, sing and share stories with other young children. Enjoy […]

A Nevada man was charged with attempted murder following a violent home invasion at a Montecito estate last Wednesday. The subject, allegedly broke into the mansion, attacking a female within the home, rendering her comatose. Authorities say the subject, who had a history of domestic violence and prior incarceration, barricaded himself in an upstairs bathroom […]

Fraud / Toro Canyon Road — Tuesday, May 6, at 10:41 hours An elderly woman called to report that she met someone online and they had an online relationship. During the course of this relationship, she wired over $500,000 to this unknown man who said he lived on the east coast. Assault and Battery / […]

The Mate Gallery owners Matt Albiani and Ron Brand announce they are now carrying the American West-inspired Ralph Lauren RRL line, affectionately known as Double RL. The line was launched last week in an invite-only opening event that caused a scene in the Montecito Country Mart parking lot in front of the store – not […]

Philip Chapin Nolen, 92, of Montecito, CA, passed away peacefully April 24, 2025, at Casa Dorinda. Known as Chapin or Chape, he led a life marked by love of family, service, and a passion for connection. Born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Chapin grew up in Upper Arlington, Ohio, where his father was a professor […]

In a dazzling display of community spirit and coastal elegance, Fête à la Riviera, held on May 2nd at Rosewood Miramar Beach, raised over $340,000 in support of The Riviera Ridge School. More than 200 guests gathered for the spring soirée, which has become one of the school’s most successful fundraising events to date. Gala […]

Firefighter/Paramedic Garet Blake has been honored for his 15 years of service with the Montecito Fire Department. Montecito Fire Department Chief Neels presented Blake with a 15-year pin that attaches to Blake’s badge. Joining in the celebration was Blake’s wife, children, family, and fellow MFD crew. 12th Annual SB & Montecito Unified School Track & […]

Theft / 1500 block Ramona Lane — Tuesday, April 29, at 13:25 hours Victim came to the Sheriff’s Station to report a Rolex watch stolen from his residence when he moved in 2023. He suspected it might be someone from the moving company.  Assault and Battery / 300 block Gibraltar Road — Tuesday, April 29, […]

Mothers’ Helpers, a local nonprofit serving low-income families with infants, will host a Mother’s Day Drive at Montecito Fire Department. Community members are invited to drop off new or gently used baby items from 11 am to 1 pm on May 10. Items most needed include infant and convertible car seats, strollers, pack ‘n’ plays, […]

Stolen Check / El Montecito Church 1455 East Valley Road — Tuesday, April 15, at 13:39 hours El Montecito Presbyterian Church reported that someone other than the intended payee intercepted and cashed a check for $1,555. Mental Health-Challenged Male / 2200 Ortega Hill block — Wednesday, April 16, at 13:23 hours Dispatch received several calls regarding […]

City and county officials, along with community members gathered this last week to celebrate the completion of the Padaro and Summerland segments of the HWY 101 expansion project.  The two project segments include seven miles of new carpool lanes both northbound and southbound, a rebuilt freeway with updated drainage improvements, six new bridges, 16 rebuilt […]

Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director for the Santa Barbara County Animal Services, has introduced a new community resource that helps reunite lost pets with their families quickly and easily; an Interactive Lost & Found Pet Map that is now live on their website. Aguilar, “Hosted by Petco Love Lost and integrated with the Nextdoor app, […]

Montecito Fire Department Chief David Neels announced on April 16 that Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Gamm was bestowed the Military Order of the World Wars Award for his exceptional service to the Montecito community and dedication to providing emergency medical training to both members of our department and various community groups. Presenting the award was Brigadier General […]

Visit the Montecito Library (1469 E. Valley Rd. | 805-969-5063) for books, events, and more! Upcoming events and programs include:  Stay & Play: Tuesdays, 9-10:30am – Drop by to learn and play, sing and share stories with other young children. Enjoy the company of other caregivers. Best for children under 5. Knit ’n’ Needle: Thursdays, […]

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Garden has received a BEST in the Nation nomination for USA TODAY’s 10BESTReaders’ Choice Awards. Join the effort to make this happen by voting online at the link in the 411. Voting can be done daily from April 14 to May 12. The nomination by USA TODAY 10BEST […]

Fraud / Plaza Pacifica — Monday, April 7, at 15:01 hours Victim called to report being defrauded of approximately $10,000 by a company that went out of business but was still charging his credit card every month.  Missing Person / off Santa Cruz Island — Saturday, April 12, at 22:05 hours 39 area units were […]

Amber Kelleher-Andrews, a matchmaker whose luxury firm discreetly united some of the world’s wealthiest and most recognizable individuals in love and marriage, and who was known professionally as Amber Kelleher, died Sunday at her home in Montecito, California. She was 56. The cause was cancer, said John Berg, her friend, business partner and chief executive […]

The Montecito YMCA opened its new pickleball courts with learning clinics on April 12. There are both Introductory and Intermediate clinics. Sign-up for the clinics is required through the website. On May 10, the Y will celebrate having the courts in a grand opening event. Community is invited. 411: www.ciymca.org/montecito Channel Island YMCA 25th Reaching […]

The California Coastal Commission will be meeting at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel from Wednesday, April 9, to Friday, April 11. Among the packed agenda, several key local issues will be heard on Thursday, April 10, including a Cease & Desist Order, Restorative Order, and an Administrative Penalty to Sable Offshore Corp. regarding the […]

Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, ShelterBox has sent a response team first to Bangkok to begin its assessment of what to deploy after the powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction. ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray says it’s anticipated the humanitarian needs will be high, especially for durable, moveable tents. “ShelterBox is […]

The Summit for Danny is the most anticipated annual fundraiser for the Daniel Bryant Youth and Family Center, a key program at the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA). Each year the summit holds a local and an international event to raise funds for the center. The summits are designed and led by Bob […]

On March 14th, the Senate passed a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2025, providing funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through September 2025. On the evening of March 14th, President Trump then ordered that the IMLS – the singular federal agency dedicated to funding library services – “be eliminated to the […]

Local nonprofit Summer Solstice Celebration, now in its 51st year, has announced the addition of three new Board of Director members, Kari Lane, Ron Glover, and Forrest Leichtberg, to their Solstice leadership team. Ron Glover, a native of Santa Barbara specializing in event management and serving in nonprofit leadership roles, brings a wealth of experience […]

As the spring hits its peak, the Rancheros Visitadores will continue their annual tradition of parading through the streets of Solvang to old Mission Santa Inés on Saturday, May 3, at 2:30 pm. Community members will gather to witness a blessing of the riders and presentation of a check to the Cancer Foundation of Santa […]

On April 20th, William Dalziel is opening his studio (700 E. Mason St.) from 10 am to 4 pm for a public viewing of the Art Heals Project. One hundred and fifty sculptures were made by Oklahoma City and Santa Barbara teens in 1995 as a way to help the healing process of 169 lives […]

The Docent Class of 2025 graduated on April 5th after completing a comprehensive 10-week training program led by Robert L. Ooley, FAIA, County Architect (retired) and Rodney Baker, Docent Council Projects Chair, at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. For over half a century, volunteer docents have served the community and guided visitors from all over […]

Missing Person / 300 block Hot Springs Road – Sunday, March 23, at 01:35 hours Deputies were called to Casa Dorinda for a missing person. The subject was reported missing because they had not returned, and phone calls to the missing subject went unanswered. Due to the missing subject’s medical condition, an emergency ping was […]