Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 12th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tim Dougherty (communications chief since 2017) was named interim president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation today as Melinda Cabrera moves to lead United Boys & Girls Clubs. He will guide the foundation's daily operations while the board searches for a long-term successor. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Good Samaritan launched its new Good Samwich food truck at the Santa Barbara Mission on Tuesday, March 10 as part of a ribbon-cutting that included local blessings. The truck will serve meals prepared by shelter clients next week at county government buildings (using produce grown at a Lompoc farm). Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Montecito residents and business owners have launched a petition urging USPS to reconsider closing the Country Mart Post Office in four months. The post office (serving local seniors and small businesses) has been vital for daily services. Edhat
- ➤ At 89, Suzanne has chosen to live outdoors for 57 years near Goleta, using a sedan as her home and a park outlet to power her baby blender. She follows a careful routine and gathers community support while maintaining her self-sufficiency (she calls herself a privileged homeless person). Santa Barbara Independent
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Attorneys for Wendy McCaw have withdrawn from the News-Press bankruptcy case after repeated communication failures – her firm made multiple attempts to schedule a deposition with no response, and the judge has set a March 25 court appearance for the LLC defendants. Santa Barbara Independent
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Chef Peter McNee of Convivo will team with Sanguis wines for the third annual Nose-to-Tail dinner on March 18 (at Convivo) that will feature a spring lamb feast with inventive dishes like lamb loin tartare and crispy lamb belly. Tickets cost $125 (and may sell out quickly). Santa Barbara Independent
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Drivers in Santa Barbara face rising gas prices linked to global oil trends amid the Iran war and can save money by paying cash & checking nearby stations where prices may differ by up to $1 per gallon. Advice today is to compare prices closely to manage fuel costs. KEYT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Jonata Middle School was named a 2026 California Distinguished School on March 10, one of just four in Santa Barbara County honored for academic excellence and progress among underserved students. Principal McKeen praised the achievement as a community effort (recognizing students, staff, and families). Noozhawk
- ➤ Santa Barbara Unified announced that Dos Pueblos High School and La Colina Junior High were named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, making them two of four county schools and only ones on the South Coast (recognized for academic excellence and narrowing the achievement gap) and they will be honored in April. Noozhawk
- ➤ UCSB graduate student Joseph Farah developed a model that explains the unexpected 'chirps' in a superluminous supernova, and he will present his groundbreaking findings at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (March 30, 7 p.m.). KEYT
- ➤ Dos Pueblos High School's Octobots Robotics finished tenth and became an alliance captain at the FIRST Robotics District Competition held from March 6 to 8 in Port Hueneme; they will next compete from March 27 to 29 in Glendale in hopes of reaching the State Championships. Santa Barbara Independent
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Wyatt Family Health Center is under construction on the Westside near Micheltorena and San Andres after the Wyatt family donated $5 million to Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics. The new facility—combining dental, mental health and medical services—will complete in December and open early next year. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ The County of Santa Barbara Health Department and partners will host the California Clinical Implementation Forum at the Mar Monte Hotel on March 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., where health experts will share new research and treatment strategies for Long COVID and related conditions. Advance registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. Edhat
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ San Marcos girls beach volleyball swept Santa Barbara 5-0 in Channel League play Tuesday at Ridgway Courts, keeping a 14-1 overall record. The Royals will travel to Rio Mesa on Thursday while Santa Barbara heads to Ventura. Santa Barbara Independent
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St. Patrick's Day in Ireland
7:30-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket information not provided — Celebrate Irish culture with music, dance, and high-energy performances from champion dancers.
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California Agave Symposium
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort — $125-$350 — Network with industry leaders and explore the future of California's agave industry.
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Live Concert by Booker T. Jones
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of soulful music by the legendary Booker T. Jones.
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Los Inquietos Del Norte Concert
11 PM - 3 AM — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Ticket prices vary — Experience an unforgettable night with Los Inquietos Del Norte and Los Caimanes de Sinaloa.
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Richard Thompson Concert with Zara Phillips
7-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of captivating music with the legendary Richard Thompson and the talented Zara Phillips.
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Disclosure Live in Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electronic duo Disclosure as they bring their acclaimed sound to the stage.
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Invasion Latina Live at SOhO
8:30 PM - 1:30 AM — SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — Pre-sale tickets $20 — Enjoy an exciting night with Invasion Latina and dance to Latin beats!
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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
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