By the Environmental Defense Center Today, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California upheld Santa Barbara County’s denial of ExxonMobil’s proposal to transport oil by tanker trucks along hazardous California highways. The plan would have helped the company restart three 1980s drilling platforms off the Santa Barbara coast, shut down since the disastrous Refugio oil spill eight years ago.  ExxonMobil’s proposal would have allowed the company to truck vast quantities of oil on coastal Highway 101 and Route 166. The plan to haul millions of gallons of oil per ..read more

By the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a found decedent on Harris Grade Road. On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at approximately 6:48 p.m., deputies responded to the 4700-block of Harris Grade Road to investigate reports of a possible decedent. When deputies arrived, they found an obviously deceased person off the side of the road. Deputies secured the area overnight and detectives continued the investigation Wednesday morning. This investigation is in the early stages and the identity of the decedent and circumstances of this death are not yet av ..read more

By the edhat staff Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to a reported gas leak in Solvang on Wednesday morning. At 9:45 a.m., crews arrived in the 1600 block of Laurel Ave and discovered a contractor digging around an apartment complex had hit a gas line connected to a meter. Firefighters evacuated the five-unit building as the gas company responded to the scene. There were no roads impacted and no reported injuries. County Fire Captain Scott Safechuck stated this is a reminder to call #811, the utility notification center, before digging around properties. Photo: SBCFD News Report ..read more

By the edhat staff Santa Barbara County Firefighters rescued a woman who was trapped underneath a vehicle in her driveway on Tuesday. At 3:29 p.m., crews responded to a private driveway in the 2900 block of Foothill Road and discovered a red Huyndai SUV with an adult female trapped underneath. Crews used lift-bags to remove the woman, who sustained only minor injuries. She was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital by a ground ambulance.  Photo: SBCFD News Report ..read more

By the edhat staff One person was seriously injured in vehicle rollover on Highway 101 in Santa Maria on Tuesday afternoon. At 3:05 p.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the southbound lanes, just north of Santa Maria Way, and discovered a single vehicle collision. The only occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was trapped inside requiring extrication from firefighters. The driver was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries by a ground ambulance. One lane of traffic was closed during the duration of the incident. The cause is under investigation b ..read more

By the Santa Barbara County Fire Department The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning encompassing the Santa Barbara County mountains (including the Santa Ynez Range) and the South Coast. Red Flag Warning Duration: 5 pm Tuesday, Sept. 26th through 9 am Wednesday, Sept. 27th, 2023. Relative Humidity (RH) may not reach criteria; however, predicted winds are strong enough to warrant Red Flag issuance. Coastal temperatures are forecasted to be between 75-85°F. Red Flag Watch Duration: 9 am Wednesday, Sept. 27th through 5 am Thursday, Sept. 28th. A Red Flag Warning signifies t ..read more

Update by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office September 26, 2023 The Coroner's Bureau is releasing the identity of the decedent from the vehicle verses pedestrian on the 101 northbound, south of Cat Canyon Road on 9/22/23. The decedent is 44-year-old Brady Eugene Props from Oceano. Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Vehicle Near Cat Canyon By the edhat staff September 23, 2023 A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle near Cat Canyon on Friday. At 11:26 p.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to Highway 101 northbound, just south of Cat Canyon. Crews discovered a pedestri ..read more

By Explore Ecology Congratulations, Santa Barbara County! You really cleaned up this year at Coastal Cleanup Day. Last Saturday, 1,224 volunteers participated in Coastal Cleanup Day at 31 sites throughout the County. Initial results are still coming in, but so far early reports indicate an impressive day of action: 5,625 pounds of trash and recyclables were collected, with participants covering an estimated 51 miles, spanning from Rincon to Jalama. With just 50% of cleanup sites reporting, the statewide count shows that over 150,000 pounds of trash was removed by 27,000 volunteers. California ..read more

Event Date:  Saturday, October 7, 2023 - 17:00 On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Alpha Resource Center will host our 70th Anniversary Gala – Platinum Jubilee on our Cathedral Oaks campus.  The gala will honor two of our remarkable supporters, Edgar and Angela Russell, and an incredible Alpha team member of 33 years, Patty Moore. The Platinum Jubilee celebration will highlight Alpha’s transformation and growth over the 70 years since it was founded. There will be success stories showing how our participants and their families have been impacted by the work of Alpha Resource C ..read more

By the edhat staff Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Oprah, and Ellen DeGeneres were among the attendees at a charity fundraiser hosted by actor Kevin Costner on his Summerland estate Friday. The event, called One805LIVE!, took place on Costner's 1.4-acre beachfront estate and aimed to support local first responders. The headline act for the evening was the popular band Maroon 5. The fundraiser provides financial aid and mental health support to first responders. It was created in the aftermath of the Thomas fire and 1/9 Debris Flow. “One805” was created, hosting the largest non-profit event in Sa ..read more