Daily
Santa Barbara
Monday, January 5th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 5th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Dahlia is a 7-year-old German Shepherd-Malinois mix available for adoption at Lompoc Animal Center, where staff say she is gentle and full of life. The center is open Tuesday through Sunday, and adoption fees cover spaying, microchipping, vaccinations, and a health exam (call 833-422-8413). Edhat
- ➤ Local residents are invited to Raising Our Light at Montecito Union School — 385 San Ysidro Road — on Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. to mark the 1/9 Debris Flow’s 8th anniversary; organizers will honor 23 lives with a brief program, bell rings, candle lighting, and community fellowship. Edhat
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Sea Center at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History invites families to celebrate Underwater Parks Day with a free event (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17) that highlights marine protected areas. Noozhawk
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara County Fire received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to purchase three battery powered extrication sets for fire stations 21, 26 and 31 today. The new rescue tools will enhance emergency response and help save lives in our community. Edhat
- ➤ Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill 766 that takes effect in October, giving buyers a three-day return option for used vehicles under $50,000 (dealers may charge a restocking fee) while lawmakers let automakers opt out of lemon law changes. Lawmakers expect further reviews of car-buying rules later this year. Santa Barbara Independent
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Dan McCaslin hiked Fir Canyon and the Sunset Valley Trail after November's rainfall spurred recovery on burned slopes from the Lake Fire — he noted wet, steep paths near Davy Brown Camp accessed via Highway 154 to Armour Ranch Road and advised waiting until after winter rains for safer hiking. Noozhawk
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UCSB women’s basketball rebounded from an earlier loss and a missing starting guard by holding off Cal State Northridge 88-70 at the Thunderdome on Saturday — starter Maddie Naro, injured in Thursday’s game, will receive an MRI today. Noozhawk
- ➤ Gabe Vincent, the former Gaucho (UCSB star), is expected to return next week after missing his 19th Lakers game due to injury, yet his future role remains uncertain as the team seeks stronger defense ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Noozhawk
- ➤ Hidden Wings held its third annual powerlifting competition at Youth Empowered in Solvang on Jan. 3, where all 10 athletes surpassed their previous max lifts amid cheering spectators. Noozhawk
- ➤ Westmont Women’s Basketball lost their home game 71-60 to Azusa Pacific Sunday. Mariah Brown scored 15 and Lisa Kiefer recorded 11 points and a double-double as Coach Moore said the team will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday against Vanguard to improve its play. Noozhawk
- ➤ After a loss to Cal State Fullerton, the UCSB women’s basketball team rallied to win 88 to 70 on Saturday at the Thunderdome — continuing a streak of 12 wins over Cal State Northridge as Olivia Bradley led with 18 points. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Westmont Men’s Basketball ended Saturday night’s 70-66 game in a thrilling loss against the Azusa Pacific Cougars (APU). Coach Justin Leslie said missed shots cost the win, and the team will face the Vanguard Lions Tuesday night in Costa Mesa. Noozhawk
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Reading Skills 101 Workshop
2-4 p.m. — Santa Barbara Public Library — Free entry — A community workshop designed to empower families with essential reading skills and understanding for children across all grades.
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No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The fool wonders, the wise man asks.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
Welcome to the Daily Santa Barbara, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Santa Barbara, California community. If you like the Daily Santa Barbara, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Santa Barbara.
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