Tag archives: Montecito

“He’d just taken us to dinner at Bettina with two other couples,” Michael Cox explains. “Andrew and Helen Waters paid the bill, of course. We’re walking back to our cars – I remember this so explicitly – and we passed a couple who’d just come out of the grocery store. The guy has a six […]

My family (wife Helen, son Tim, daughter Lily) and I moved to Montecito on July 4, 1986, so this short recollection of Montecito and Santa Barbara seems appropriate, particularly during this time of year. Our house on Middle Road was already 40 years old. The good news for us was that we had found the […]

The Montecito Association Board met on June 9th and received updates on a wide range of community issues, projects, and upcoming events. Traffic Safety Concerns on Olive Mill Road: Residents raised concerns about speeding and recent accidents near the intersection of Olive Mill Road, Olive Mill Lane, and San Benito Way. The County is currently […]

At its recent monthly meeting, the Montecito Association welcomed community members and partners for a wide-ranging discussion focused on wildfire preparedness, public safety, advocacy efforts, and upcoming community events.  A major focus of the meeting was wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness. Representatives from the Montecito Fire Protection District and the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe […]

The Montecito Association held its Annual Meeting and January Board Meeting on January 13, 2026, welcoming community members, announcing election results, and hearing updates from key agencies and partners on issues impacting Montecito.  The meeting opened with the 2025 Montecito Association Annual Meeting, during which prior minutes were approved and board actions ratified. The president […]

Do you have a moment in your day that highlights how fast time is passing? For me, it is at night when I turn down the covers of our bed. It seems I just did this and yet, intellectually I am aware that it was closer to 24-hours ago.  Recent studies have shown that one […]

Online Threats / Virginia Lane, Montecito — Sunday, October 18, 2025, 12:47 pm Deputies responded to a reporting party receiving threatening messages via Facebook Marketplace from an unknown subject. The suspect attempted to buy an item from the RP (reporting party) on Facebook Marketplace and claimed to have sent the money to the RP. The […]

The Montecito Union School (MUS) Board of Trustees has announced the approval of a $7.5 million settlement to resolve litigation stemming from alleged sexual abuse by a former staff member between 1972 and 1978. The settlement, which includes no admission of liability, was reached after careful consideration of the financial risks posed by continued litigation. […]

Suspect Text Messages / Toro Canyon Road — Monday, July 14, at 20:56 hours Responded to a report of suspicious text messages received by two different residents from the same number. The messages were ambiguous but suggestive and mentioned death, placing the two recipients and other residents in fear. The messages did not meet the […]

Next week, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will play host to more than a thrilling afternoon of sport – it will serve as a chance to learn about a local nonprofit that’s been quietly making a difference for nearly 50 years. On July 18th, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, the Friendship Center will host […]

When we say Montecito, people in L.A. and from other areas respond differently than they did five years ago or even one year ago, when I first wrote these same words. The secret is out and the perception of Montecito as a “hot spot” is at an all-time high. If you are new to town, […]

Stolen Check / 1470 East Valley Road — Monday, June 2, at 10:14 hours Victim placed a card with a check for $200.00 in the Montecito Post Office mailbox. Victim learned the card wasn’t delivered to her sister, instead someone altered the check, and it was cashed for $2,000.00. Family Disturbance / 1700 block Jelinda […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Montecito, described as a gripping, all-new audio soap opera, premiered this week and will be bringing explosive drama, betrayals, and unforgettable characters to our ears every week. The new show presents a dark paradise where shattered romances, hidden family secrets, and scandalous affairs hide behind manicured hedges and the shadows of towering palm trees. Each […]

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 […]

Possession of Methamphetamine / Padaro Lane Sunday, March 2, at 20:55 hours Subject was sleeping in the driver’s seat of his vehicle which was blocking traffic. When contacted, subject provided consent to search both their person and their vehicle. Inside vehicle, there were two small baggies of suspected methamphetamine inside the small pocket of the […]