Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Goleta was nominated for Parade x Steller’s 'America’s Favorite Small Towns' contest after garnering national recognition on Jan.

8. Residents can vote once per day until spring with state winners announced on June 1 and the national winner on June 12 (voters enter a chance to win a trip).

On Dec. 11, 15-year-old Axel Wright paddled 22 miles from Santa Cruz Island to Ventura Harbor to raise funds for DignityMoves — a local nonprofit aiding unhoused neighbors.

He raised over $8,100 and plans to continue his challenge paddles in the future.

City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Rose Pruning Day at Mission Historical Park today, inviting volunteers to help prune 1,500 rose bushes in the A.C.

Postel Memorial Rose Garden — expert Dan Bifano will lead demonstrations to teach proper techniques for spring preparation.

Eight years after losing his partner in the Montecito debris flows, survivor Lalo Barajas addressed neighbors and first responders at Montecito Union School Friday during a remembrance ceremony honoring the 23 lives lost — Chief David Neels read the victims' names while candles and searchlights symbolized community resilience.

St. Vincent’s Family Strengthening Program in Santa Barbara helps homeless mothers rebuild their lives by providing housing support, parenting classes, and financial training, all guided by experienced peer support specialists like Katrina Gonzales.

The program is fueled by a $100,000 Women’s Fund grant.

Union Pacific is repairing storm-damaged tracks along the Gaviota Coast after an excavator fell on Tuesday, Jan.

5 injuring its operator, so Amtrak passenger service is suspended and connection buses are in use between Goleta and San Luis O with no timeline for reopening.

Drover’s Doughnuts is opening a new shop at 5745 Calle Real in Goleta on Jan.

17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the business distributed 500 doughnuts at a local basketball game and will begin weekday hours on Jan. 19.

This week at SOhO, local music fans can enjoy Dustbowl Revival on Friday, Ariel Pink on Saturday, and Lee Hartley’s Sunday session (with the Santa Barbara Jazz Society) as the club offers Americana-soul, indie lo-fi, and jazz sounds for a lively start to the year.

Santa Barbara will honor Martin Luther King Jr. week from Jan.

15 to 19 with a screening of the documentary MLK FBI at the Arlington program. The film examines FBI surveillance of Dr. King and includes keynote speaker Leah Weber King (his daughter-in-law) to join the tribute.

County and city officials reported that last weekend's storm filled Lake Cachuma to 101 percent and caused runoff to flood low-lying waterfront areas.

Crews removed debris and assessed cleanup needs while working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to balance reservoir levels and downstream impacts.

Santa Barbara Foresters will host their annual Hall of Fame Hot Stove Dinner, featuring a medical theme and honoring major leaguers including Matt McLain and local doctor Jace Jung.

The event was announced yesterday and continues a legacy of celebrating local sports excellence (final details to come).

Dos Pueblos Wrestling invites alumni, families, and community supporters to celebrate 55 years of the program with Alumni Night on January 14, 2026 at Sovine Gym (the event marks a milestone for local high school sports).

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.