With three important races happening in our semi-rural town, the MJ reached out to each candidate running in a Montecito election and politely requested their statement. Here is what they had to say… Montecito Fire Protection District, Board At-large Five candidates are running for two director seats. Candidate | Description Listed in County Election Filings […]
Juvenile Speeding / Coast Village Road — Friday, October 09, 22:00 hours While driving on Coast Village Road deputies noticed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed approaching a stop sign. The vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign and continued at a high rate of speed through the heavily trafficked Coast Village […]
Montecito Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Picacho Lane shortly after 2:30 pm on Monday, October 19. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames concentrated in the home’s chimney and fireplace. Although crews quickly knocked down the initial fire, flames had spread into the walls and second-story attic, […]
Having served on the Montecito Sanitary District Board in the past, I understand what may not be apparent to most residents: The decisions facing the District are far more complicated than “the slate” of candidates Wicks, Francis, and Barrett suggest in recent paid advertising, mailers, and an MJ editorial. Today, the District faces decisions about […]
Editor’s Note: In our October 15-22 issue, the Montecito Journal published ‘Down the Drain in Montecito,’ by Floyd Wicks, Chris Francis and Woody Barrett, without identifying it as an opinion piece. It was “a Voice of the Village” submission and reflects the views of its authors. It was not an endorsement by the Montecito Journal, […]
Asking for Facts on MSDI was saddened and concerned to receive the mailer from Montecito Sanitary District slate candidates Barrett, Francis, and Wicks. After reading it, I keep coming back to a phrase that has been on my campaign materials since the beginning: the facts matter. I mean that literally, not simply as a campaign […]
October 25, 2 pm: Mega Challah Bake at the Louise Lowry Davis Center 411: www.sbchabad.org MCM’s 1st Annual Pie Baking Contest This October 17, bring your pies to contest judges Nick Barainca, co-owner and Chef at Merci; Field & Fort Chef Austin Moore; and Felix Torricer from Miette Patisserie. Pie drop off time is 11 […]
Theft / 600 block El Bosque Road — Sunday, September 27, at 14:27 hours Unknown suspects stole a package containing diamond earrings from the victim’s front porch. Warrant / 800 block East Mountain Drive — Monday, September 28, at 02:01 hours During a traffic stop the suspect was found to have an active county warrant. […]
The dead are rising in Orcutt, and this time they’re running for a paws-itively good cause. The Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation’s Zombie 5K Glow Walk/Run returns October 17 at Blast 825 Stockyards, inviting humans, leashed dogs, and even cats to walk, run, or shuffle their way through a glow-in-the-dark 5K benefiting vulnerable shelter […]
October 11, 10:30 am: Bagels, Lox and Torah October 25, 2 pm: Mega Challah Bake at the Louise Lowry Davis Center 411: www.sbchabad.org Montecito’s First Annual Pie Baking Contest! The Montecito Country Mart is hosting its First Annual Pie Baking Contest at the mart on October 17. Pie drop-off time is 11 am, and winners […]
Unknown Subject / Ennisbrook Drive — Sunday, September 20, at 18:51 hours Deputies contacted the subject after having pushed the button at the gate of the above location. Security answered via the intercom and asked for the resident of the house. The resident does not know the person and security turned him away and called […]
My work in Santa Barbara has long focused on public health and safety, prevention, and bringing community systems together to address difficult problems. That experience shapes what I look for in public leadership: an understanding of how policy works, a willingness to ask hard questions, and the ability to move from ideas to implementation. Devon […]
Minor Child Surfing Injury / Rincon Beach — Monday, September 14, at 17:14 hours While under the father’s care, a 10-year-old victim suffered laceration on the head from a surfing accident. The father failed to take his son (the victim) to the hospital for medical treatment. Ultimately, the victim’s mother took the victim to urgent […]
The Montecito Country Mart is hosting its First Annual Pie Baking Contest at the mart on October 17. Pie drop off time is 11 am, and winners announced at 12:30 pm. All homemade pies to be submitted with categories for adults and kids. First prize takes home $100, with gift cards for second and third […]
Forget sitting at the head of the table. A true Top Dog belongs smack dab in the middle of the family. And Milo clearly knows his place. Surrounded by his people and sporting a grin almost as big as theirs, he captures what being a Top Dog is really all about. It isn’t about pedigree […]
Coast Village Road is going to the dogs, and one lucky pup could walk away as Top Dog. Grab your four-legged friend, strike a paws and get ready for their close-up. Snap a photo of your pup, scan the QR code and enter for a chance to be featured in the Montecito Journal and win […]
Arrest / 1700 block S. Jameson Lane — Friday, September 04, at 22:03 hours Subject was contacted and arrested for his outstanding local warrants. Theft / 280 block East Valley Road, Montecito — Friday, September 04, at 08:02 hours The reporting party left his vehicle unlocked overnight, and a bag containing his clothes and shoes […]
The meeting will take place on October 1, from 5:30–7 pm and provide an overview of the upcoming weather outlook, county preparations for the storm season, and important information about flooding, debris flows, road conditions, and other storm-related emergencies. It’s a helpful opportunity for residents to learn how the county is preparing and what steps […]
Mail Theft / 1900 block East Valley Road — Monday, August 31, at 18:51 hours The Reporting Party’s (RP) son was riding his bike around the above location when he noticed multiple mail items scattered on the side of the road. Officer responded to the RP’s residence and collected mail addressed to residents of Carpinteria […]
With summer winding down and winter storms ahead, local trail organizations are turning their attention to maintenance, restoration and volunteer recruitment throughout the Montecito area. The Old Romero Road Trail, closed since 2023 following storm damage, received a month of work in August from the Los Padres National Forest Association Trail Crew, Montecito Trails Foundation […]
Randolph “Randy” Barnard died peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at his home in Summerland at the age of 83. He was born to his parents, Jack and Conchita Barnard, on February 6, 1943, in Santa Monica. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Margaret “Muffy” Barnard; his daughter, Mary Whitney; his son, […]
Geonine Scott-Moriarty died on August 17, 2026, at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica due to complications from surgery. She was born in Hollywood to her parents, George and Nellie Mooney. She had two siblings, both of whom died before her. She attended Hollywood High School. She leaves behind her daughter, Nadine Bartlett, […]
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Rally4Kids Put Local Children and Families at the Center of Two Fall Traditions At the unlikely intersection of cuddly toys and deafening internal combustion, two of Santa Barbara’s most established philanthropic high points come back into focus this September and October. One invokes the silent, grounding comfort of a teddy bear, […]
Editor’s note: The following letter remembers Pedro Rivera, the longtime Santa Barbara and Montecito bartender who was struck and killed by a car on Coast Village Road on August 2. My family (Cheri, Garret and Sierra) enjoyed talking with Pedro at the restaurant, Teddy’s by the Sea, every other week for the past two years! […]
Theft / Hollister Street and Lillie Avenue, Summerland —Monday, August 24, 2026, 3:26 am Two subjects were reported looking into vehicles and “casing” the area. The subjects were located and, after an investigation and a consent search of their vehicle, deputies located gloves and a crowbar. They were arrested and booked at Santa Barbara Jail. […]
These are our daily traffic concerns going into the roundabout, with road closures, people not letting you in, people not sharing. The road is all long lines. It seems to be heavy traffic, daily now, and with the overpass being built, what is it that local traffic can do to bypass some of this inconvenience? […]
Intoxication / Ortega Hill Road, Summerland — Sunday, August 16, 2026, 10:19 am A man was contacted outside of Sandpiper Liquor store. He displayed signs of extreme intoxication from alcohol. Multiple witnesses reported seeing him urinate in front of the store and fall into nearby bushes. He was arrested and transported to jail for being […]
Allan Gary Brostrom passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara, California, on August 3, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Stillwater, Minnesota, to Robert and Lucille Brostrom, Allan spent his early childhood there before his family moved west. He grew up alongside his brother, Steve, in Menlo Park, […]
Dr. Harlan Theodore “Ted” Thoreson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, died peacefully of natural causes August 8, 2026, at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, CA, with his daughter SJ by his side. Ted was born January 25, 1931, to Evelyn and Harlan V. Thoreson in Doland, South Dakota, where he lived with his grandmother […]
Jeffrey Harding’s column on socialism lacks nuance and greatly oversimplifies what socialism can mean. Below is AI’s answer to the question, “Have there been successful experiments in socialism?” Jeffrey doubts that there are any progressives with “a well-rounded knowledge of history, economics, and philosophy,” a statement that might have surprised Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. […]
Good Samaritan Shelter joins with philanthropic partners and public officials to launch the Santa Barbara Salon Series, four public-policy panels to highlight critical issues facing our county, including homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, and human and labor trafficking. The Salon Series will include the participation of Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch and County […]
Restraining Order / 1200 block Channel Drive — Friday, August 07, at 10:56 hours The Reporting Party (RP) is the protected party in a civil harassment order served on subject as the restrained party. On this date, around 10:30, the RP was walking on Channel Drive and spotted the subject, who began to walk in her […]
Public safety, wildfire readiness, flood prevention and several new community initiatives took center stage at the Montecito Association’s August board meeting. Chief Brian Fallon of the Montecito Fire District reported that approximately 10% of district personnel are currently supporting mutual-aid assignments outside the community, while adequate staffing remains in place to protect Montecito. A new […]
Narcotics / Santa Claus Beach — Sunday, August 02, at 17:26 hours Report of fight/disturbance associated with three subjects in a vehicle. Upon arrival of law enforcement, one subject was contacted in the vehicle and found to be in possession of suspected meth. The two other subjects were contacted on the beach. One subject was […]
• Belrose Estate Jewelers | Even the best things deserve an upgrade! Bring in your original engagement ring andenjoy special trade-in credit toward a larger diamond or stunning new gemstone. You deserve a little extra shine! • JOHNNY WAS | Thursday, August 20, from 12-4 pm | Enjoy sips, sweets and complimentary embroidery by Kinfolk […]
Recently, I attended the best SBUSD meeting I have witnessed in my 28 years of following local school board issues. The facilitator, Dr. Suzette Lovely, presented a creative and thought-provoking workshop on “Governance.” Two slides set the tone for the day: 1. Definition of the Greek root of the word governance (“to steer”); and 2. […]
Montecito Fire Department Chief Brian Fallon announced that MFD firefighters are assisting with wildfire operations across the Western United States, supporting communities and fire crews on the front lines in Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico. MFD Teams are currently assigned to: • Old Trails Fire — Spokane, WA • Timber Fire — […]
Hi Amy! I’m Olof (w/ an “O” per Swedish). I attend most every local rally. The unconditional love of dogs ripples out to everyone. Dogs can unify us all. My protégé Mikaela Schlesinger just moved here from Colorado to take a job at Direct Relief. Have something to HOWL about? Please send your dog questions […]
Open Mailboxes / 800 block East Mountain Drive — Sunday, July 26, at 09:36 hours Deputies responded to a Reporting Party (RP) having seen open mailboxes on E. Mountain Dr., possibly associated with mail theft. The RP found some of her mail on the ground but could not confirm if anything was taken. Attempts were […]
Carpinteria’s canine community has something to bark about. The Carpinteria Dog Owners’ Group (C-DOG) has unleashed Dogs of Monte Vista Park, a new book celebrating the four-legged regulars of the city’s temporary off-leash dog park – and helping make a permanent park a reality. Featuring 108 full-color photographs of Monte Vista’s most fetching faces, the […]