1+ day, 3+ hour ago   (546+ words) The Bellosguardo Foundation has sued Santa Barbara County, asking a judge to find that the Santa Barbara Clark Estate is exempt from property taxes and return $1.1 million, plus interest, in already-paid property taxes for two recent years. Properties owned by…...

3+ day, 4+ hour ago   (639+ words) After seven years with Santa Barbara County, Kelly Hubbard suddenly resigned last week from her position as director of the Office of Emergency Management. “I think it was the best thing for myself at this time,” Hubbard told Noozhawk. “I’m…...

3+ day, 15+ hour ago   (702+ words) [Noozhawk’s note: We republish news articles and commentaries from CalMatters on state and local policy issues that affect Santa Barbara County readers.] The Legislature has a bad habit of enacting high-profile measures in the moment, responding to trendy issues or…...

5+ day, 15+ hour ago   (693+ words) [Noozhawk’s note: We republish news articles and commentaries from CalMatters on state and local policy issues that affect Santa Barbara County readers.] In two months California voters will elect a governor, fill several other statewide offices and choose a new…...

6+ day, 3+ hour ago   (701+ words) Local Democratic leaders and candidates used the long Labor Day weekend to rally supporters ahead of the November election. The event featured candidates and leaders from the state and federal levels, including Rep. Salud Carbajal, state Sen. Monique Limón and…...

6+ day, 5+ hour ago   (533+ words) City of Guadalupe voters will decide two new tax measures in November — one dealing with commercial cannabis and the other with the city’s transient-occupancy tax. Measures G2026 and J2026 would each require at least 50%-plus-one vote of approval to pass. Measure G2026 would…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (1064+ words) Noozhawk republishes news articles from CalMatters on state and local policy issues that affect Santa Barbara County readers. Its board last week adopted penalties for hospitals, physician groups and insurers that exceed state spending caps — among the strictest in the…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (1045+ words) The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a 45-day moratorium on new gun retailers as it investigates modifying county ordinances to restrict gun sales near schools and other public spaces. The proposed ordinance would establish a 1,000-foot…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (858+ words) The Goleta City Council directed city staff Tuesday to draft a moratorium to temporarily halt approval of new firearm retail dealers. City staff will bring the moratorium draft to the City Council in the coming weeks, City Manager Robert Nisbet…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (678+ words) [Noozhawk’s note: We republish news articles and commentaries from CalMatters on state and local policy issues that affect Santa Barbara County readers.] There was a time, not too many years ago, when drafting and enacting California’s budgets was a fairly…...