Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Goleta is seeking sponsors for its 2026 Fourth of July Drone Light Show, scheduled for the evening of July 4 at Dos Pueblos High School, with community partners to be finalized by Feb. 1. Yardi Systems has already committed a $25,000 donation + a matching $25,000 grant. Noozhawk
- ➤ Leading From Within has named coexecutive directors Elizabeth Scharpf and Katya Armistead to lead its leadership programs on the Central Coast. The new leadership model aims to combine their diverse backgrounds (one a retired educator and the other a social enterprise veteran) to better support local nonprofit leaders. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Chadillac Green is a well-known local artist blending tattoos, murals, and music at venues like 805 Ink and Fuzion Gallery (reflecting his graffiti roots and pop art influences) that shape community spaces around town. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Tina Schlieske staged her engaging holiday concert at the Lobero Theatre on Dec. 11, featuring festive songs and local musicians (including horn players and a three-woman chorus) as she blended soulful R&B and rock covers with seasonal classics in an intimate, heartfelt performance. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration, will host a Noon Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31 (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) open to all ages. Guests can explore interactive exhibits from ice races to glitter crafts, with tickets required as general admission is closed that day. Noozhawk
- ➤ UCSB English professor Jim Casey is leading a national team that received a $750,000 grant from Schmidt Sciences to create AI tools for recovering 19th-century African American newspapers. The project will feature a local Douglass Day event on Feb. 13, 2026 to focus on the Colored Conventions Movement. Santa Barbara Independent
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The County Board of Supervisors approved $1.22 million for Phase Two paving at Goleta Beach Park on Dec. 16. The project builds on earlier upgrades, including lawn work + play areas, to keep the park safe and inviting for its annual 1.5 million visitors. Edhat
- ➤ Santa Barbara County supervisors denied Sable Offshore’s application to transfer its Exxon title and permits after citing a record of regulatory non-compliance — the first such rejection in county history. The Houston-based company, which acquired offshore platforms in February 2024, will now pursue federal permits for its planned operations. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ On Wednesday, Dec. 17, a Falcon 9 rocket launched at 7:27 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base, continuing the military mission at the Santa Barbara County installation (the booster later landed on a Pacific droneship after deploying 27 Starlink satellites). Noozhawk
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital was named Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group on Dec. 16 for outstanding patient safety and quality. The honor highlights its historic residency programs and commitment to training local physicians. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has earned Top Teaching Hospital recognition from The Leapfrog Group for high patient safety and quality — one of only 73 nationwide and 20 in California. Vice president Barbara Conviser said the honor underscores the success of its residency programs. Noozhawk
- ➤ Trainer Chanda Fetter of CORESPORT in Santa Barbara shared holiday health tips to help residents stay active (she is also a board member of State Street Ballet) and plan their workouts during the busy season. KEYT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Bishop Diego athletics earned many All-League honors this fall as the football team posted an 8-2 record and reached playoffs while girls tennis won the CIF-SS Div. 7 title. Standouts like John Michael Flint (Co-Wide Receiver of the Year) and Sam Crawford (Co-Defensive Back of the Year) boosted the Cards. Noozhawk
-
3rd Friday’s Lunch Hang
12-1:30 p.m. — The Cruisery, 501 State St, Santa Barbara, CA — Free entry — Meet locals in your 20s and 30s for lunch and great conversation while making new friends.
-
Christmas Day Buffet
12-7 p.m. — Finch & Fork — Reservations recommended — Celebrate the season with a lavish buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, and delectable desserts.
-
The Gift of Christmas Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Ticket pricing varies — Experience an unforgettable evening with Jim Brickman featuring holiday classics and heartwarming stories.
-
New Year's Eve Celebration in Santa Barbara 2025-2026
3:15-5:15 p.m. — Celebration Cruises — $110 admission — Enjoy a Champagne Cruise with breathtaking views as you toast to the New Year.
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
Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
Welcome to the Daily Santa Barbara, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Santa Barbara, California community. If you like the Daily Santa Barbara, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Santa Barbara.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Santa Barbara and across California. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Santa Barbara
A free Santa Barbara community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailysantabarbaranews.com/sitemap