Good morning, Santa Barbara.

Craig Saling, a business owner serving over 1,100 local merchants, is urging officials to reopen State Street to restore full access to downtown.

He contends that the current closure benefits only select businesses on the 500 block — leaving many others with reduced customer flow.

On July 31, CHP officers helped a 96-year-old Army veteran who drove over 70 miles from his Arroyo Grande home and became stranded on Highway 101 near Dos Pueblos Canyon Road by providing food, water and arranging a caregiver pickup at the CHP Santa Barbara Area office.

California Highway Patrol officers assisted a 96-year-old Army veteran who drove over 70 miles from his Arroyo Grande home and became stranded on Highway 101 last week.

They coordinated with San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office — ensuring his caregiver picked him up at the CHP Santa Barbara Area office.

Young missionaries and local volunteers work at the Father Virgil Cordano Center to pack weekend food bags for people experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara.

Organized by Sister Maria Hoa with one-year funding, the effort unites community members from different faith groups.

Santa Barbara’s Greek Festival returns to the waterfront when St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church hosts it at Chase Palm Park Field from Friday, Aug.

14 to Sunday, Aug. 16. The three-day event will feature Greek food like gyros + spanakopita, live music, dancing and family activities with tickets at $5 and free admission for children 12 and under.

PCPA presents 'Beehive, the '60s Musical' at the Solvang Festival Theatre until Aug.

23. Created by Larry Gallagher and directed by Keenon Hooks, the nostalgic variety show features songs from popular female artists and offers an enjoyable outdoor performance under the stars.

At a Halloween event at the Fellowship Club, Wayne Mellinger and local flamenco star Anna Galindo shared a dance that recalled her celebrated past—she had taught generations before passing away in June at age 83.

The performance honored her legacy in Santa Barbara's vibrant arts scene.

Apples to Zucchini Cooking School received a $50,000 grant from an anonymous donor on Monday, Aug.

10 to boost staff wages, bonuses, benefits, and training. The funding will help the nonprofit continue offering affordable cooking classes to Santa Barbara residents (strengthening its commitment to community growth).

A new study by UCSB and UCSC finds retiring gasoline cars early in favor of electric vehicles cuts carbon emissions by up to 58% over a 16-year period, supporting local policies to boost EV adoption.

The findings urge drivers to switch when financially viable to help improve local air quality.

New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Strayed will serve as keynote speaker at Hospice of Santa Barbara’s 14th Annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon, a fundraising event honoring local care providers.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

On Aug. 10, UCSB signed a master lease for Alena on Haley, a new 36-unit apartment building at 219 East Haley Street to house its faculty and staff; the mix of studios and one-or two-bedroom apartments (plus a penthouse) provides a market-rate option amid waitlists at UCSB properties (like Soltara).