Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A non-profit from Arroyo Grande is partnering with United States Penitentiary Lompoc to teach inmates to train service dogs for people with disabilities. The program carefully selects both puppies and trainers to help meet needs and offer useful career skills. KEYT
- ➤ Supportive housing for homeless families will break ground in September at the Santa Barbara County Calle Real campus in Eastern Goleta Valley, where nonprofit DignityMoves will build a 30-unit Family Village funded by an $11.7 million state grant + additional nonprofit support. Residents could move in by October 2027. Noozhawk
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Firefighters battled the Foothill Fire, which reached 462 acres with 10% containment, as crews strengthened containment lines and maintained evacuation orders and road closures in the Cuyama Valley — residents are urged to avoid the area. Edhat
- ➤ Fire crews are managing a vegetation fire that began Tuesday after 4:00 p.m. near Foothill and Kirschenmann Roads in Cuyama Valley, and the blaze burned 462 acres, destroyed one structure, is 10% contained, and has prompted evacuations and road closures. KEYT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Michael Orlando from Twenty-Four Blackbirds has seen his greenhouse cacao succeed as his latest pod yielded 62 seeds (the project now shows promise for a locally grown chocolate bar). He plans to expand the greenhouse and seeks volunteers and donations to help scale up the sustainable venture. Santa Barbara Independent
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara will host the 40th iMadonnari Street Painting Festival this Memorial Day Weekend with 150 artists, including featured artist Marlon Yanes near Old Mission, to raise funds for the Children's Creative Project (a nonprofit program that supports arts education in schools). KEYT
- ➤ Westmont highlights local artists in the Tri-County Juried Exhibition, Altered Realities at the Ridley-Tree Museum of Art from today through June 20. An opening reception runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and official awards are given at 5:15 p.m. — curator Andi Campognone selected 55 works from 222 regional entries. Noozhawk
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Allan Hancock College and CSU Channel Islands are partnering to offer a local BSN pathway at the Santa Maria campus. The program helps nursing graduates complete coursework without relocating—supporting the region’s growing healthcare workforce. Noozhawk
- ➤ Dos Pueblos High School students received the first Believe Big award for growing food for campus meals; philanthropist Drew Wakefield presented a $2,500 check (funded by Dario Furlati of Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana and Pilgrim Terrace Urban Farms) and urged other schools to start their own garden programs. KEYT
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A human-caused wildfire on Santa Rosa Island burned over 16,942 acres (about a third of the island) and destroyed three structures while endangering rare plants, including a grove of Torrey pines. Fire crews built containment lines along Telephone Road, and additional teams arrived Monday and Tuesday to fight the blaze. Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Dos Pueblos softball earned a 7-6 extra-inning win over Villa Park in the CIF-SS D3 quarterfinals on Tuesday in Villa Park, with pivotal hits in the ninth inning. The Chargers will return home to play in the semifinals this Saturday at Okinaka Field starting at 3:15 p.m. Noozhawk
- ➤ Jackson Flora, UCSB’s pitcher with a 100 mph fastball, delivered a complete-game shutout against UC Riverside at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium on May 14, finishing 10-0 with a 1.03 ERA—major league scouts rank him as a top prospect for next year’s draft amid Coach Andrew Checketts’s legacy of developing pro talent. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Ekua Youri, a junior transfer at UCSB, earned the 2026 Big West Women’s Tennis Player of the Year award after an outstanding season; she aims to reach the NCAA Sweet 16 and eventually turn pro — a goal she plans to pursue further. Daily Nexus
- ➤ UCSB baseball swept UC Riverside to clinch the Big West title with wins on May 14, 15 and 16 (earning a 37-16 record). The team will play the winner of the seed game later today at Anteater Ballpark in Irvine as they pursue an NCAA tournament bid. Daily Nexus
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Gem Faire
10 AM - 5 PM — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Entry fee required — Discover an array of gems, minerals, and jewelry from over 300 vendors.
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Teen Star Singing Competition
7 PM-1 AM — Lobero Theatre — Tickets start at $155 — Experience the excitement of local talent competing for the spotlight in Santa Barbara.
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Nite Moves Aquathlon and 5K Run Series
6 p.m. — Leadbetter Beach — Registration Fee Required — Participate in an array of swimming, running, and biathlon events every Wednesday night in scenic Santa Barbara.
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SPACEWOMAN
7-8:30 p.m. — SBIFF Film Center — $15-$20 — Explore the achievements of Colonel Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft, followed by a conversation with her.
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Lindsey Marie Live Music Event
7-11 p.m. — M Special Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of live music with Lindsey Marie and Bradberri and the boys in downtown Goleta.
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ABBA Under the Stars
7-8:30 p.m. — Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort — Check ticket site for costs — Celebrate ABBA's greatest hits with stunning ocean views and a festive atmosphere.
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John C. Reilly: Mister Romantic
7-10 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Cost info not provided — An unforgettable night of music and humor, showcasing Reilly's unique blend of storytelling and performance.
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Integrative Restoration (iRest) Meditation
5:30-6:30 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Cost varies — Discover a therapeutic meditation practice that enhances well-being without physical movement.
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Eternal Wave Concert
8 PM — SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — Tickets available — Enjoy live music as Where's West headlines with support from Eternal Wave.
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Andy's VIP Backyard Bash - Toy Story 5
3 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Movie ticket not included — Celebrate the release of Toy Story 5 with trivia, activities, and goodie bags for all ages.
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