Daily
Santa Barbara
Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 13th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club honored Mission Scholars with a $5,000 nonprofit award and named Garret Gustason Young Professional of the Year at their gala held at MOXI, highlighting new community outreach and mentorship efforts. The club meets monthly to support local projects. KEYT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ American Riviera Bank expanded its Central Coast presence by opening a Lending Center in Ventura on Jan. 2 at 1280 S. Victoria Ave, offering commercial real estate lending + business loans, mortgage, and construction financing to local property owners. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara was recognized as a top destination for 2026 by Travel + Leisure, highlighting its sunny Mediterranean climate and a growing mix of dining and luxury hotel options. The city will soon showcase renovated venues like the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore to further boost its charm. Edhat
- ➤ Comedians Rob Schneider and Janeane Garofalo will perform at Lobero Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 22, and Friday, Jan. 23. Schneider presents his Rescue Husband routine while Garofalo is set to offer a lively comedy set for a weekend event in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ La Cumbre Junior High Band Director Charles Ortega performed in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, representing Santa Barbara Unified School District and joining a select group of honored music educators from across the nation. He also participated in a special Veterans Day tribute with a 101-member National Virtual Band. Edhat
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Reading Coalition will host a free workshop on early reading skills from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Faulkner Gallery at the public library (40 E. Anapamu St.), where literacy expert Kristen Koeller will lead an interactive session and Mayor Randy Rowse will give opening remarks. Noozhawk
- ➤ Santa Barbara County Water Agency announces the 27th Annual WaterWise High School Video Contest, inviting students to create 30-second videos promoting water efficiency. Entries must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. March 6; winning videos will be recognized in May. Santa Barbara Independent
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County in Goleta now turns leftover food into compost that feeds local farms. The facility uses an industrial composter (which processes up to 400 lbs of food waste daily with a $1 million CalRecycle grant) to reduce waste and cut greenhouse gases. KEYT
- ➤ The water level at Lopez Lake is slowly rising from 79% to 84% after over 16 inches of rain this season — park ranger Craig Duprey said the stable reservoir supports recreation and domestic use and is expected to reach 90% capacity with additional rainfall. KEYT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara High and Dos Pueblos wrestlers competed in tournaments in Lompoc and Anaheim this weekend. Santa Barbara High’s Lucas Blessing won first in the 215-pound division while Dos Pueblos placed six wrestlers in medal rounds and will host Rio Mesa on Wednesday for Alumni Night (helping boost team spirit). Noozhawk
- ➤ The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team will play Chile in a friendly match at Harder Stadium on UCSB campus on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. This season opener precedes World Cup qualifiers and warns fans to arrive early due to limited parking (about 1,500 tickets remain). KSBY
- ➤ San Marcos water polo star Charlotte Raisin and Dos Pueblos basketball standout Evan Pinsker were honored Monday at Harry’s Plaza Cafe after leading key wins last week — Raisin recorded 17 goals at the Tournament of Champions and Pinsker hit seven three-pointers to break a longstanding rivalry. 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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Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for Michael B. Jordan
8 PM – 2 AM — Arlington Theatre — $35 General Admission, $100 Priority Seating — Celebrate the incredible achievements of Michael B. Jordan at this prestigious film festival event.
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