Good morning, Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara County community came together to grant holiday wishes to 677 foster children through CASA’s Project Wishes gift drive on Dec.

23. Nineteen community groups and 49 individual granters helped ensure every child received personalized gifts.

SpaceX announced it will launch the Falcon 9 carrying the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 6:08 p.m. Sunday after a delay due to a ground system glitch, and sonic booms might be heard in Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo counties.

Santa Barbara poet Jay Casbon debuts The Grave Digger’s Hope, a poem that uses the voice of Jaber—a grave digger who doubles as a barber and bartender in Funk Zone—to illustrate how hope endures as 2026 unfolds.

A striking photo of the moon over Hendry’s Beach shows our coastal beauty — captured by Michael Diamant.

The image invites locals to appreciate the peaceful night sky along our shore.

Ryan P. Cruz reviews a busy year filled with local ghost-lore explorations, federal immigration raids, and energy debates, highlighting top in-depth stories and creative design work from the Santa Barbara Independent team.

Tiana Molony spent the year taking on many roles at Indy, moving from contributing writer to part-time Special Sections Editor, and she will begin a full-time assistant editor role next year that covers local stories like active aging, home & garden, and a holiday gift guide + education updates.

A Bren School PhD fellow leads high school field trips to the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve where students use hands-on observation to study coastal oak responses and learn land-management strategies — an approach that sparks critical thinking beyond classroom learning.

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County marked its 40th year with projects — Rancho Dos Alamos, More Mesa and protection of Arroyo Hondo Creek and Rincon Gateway — conserving nearly 60,000 acres.

It will break ground early next year on a 1.1-mile trail at Gaviota Overlook to boost access.

Santa Barbara County Public Works closed roadways in Summerland after a mudslide on Friday, Dec.

26. Greenwell Ave (from Ortega Ridge Road to Asegra Road) and Wallace Ave (from Evans Ave to the Southbound Onramp) remain closed, while Via Real allows eastbound traffic only.

Patients in Santa Barbara County are choosing plans with higher deductibles as federal premium tax credits end, causing monthly premiums to double from $150 to $300 while customers must enroll by Dec.

31 (a 30% drop in sign-ups from last year).

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians gave $10,083 to the Breast Imaging Center at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital as part of the Chumash Casino Resort's Project Pink campaign in October.

The matched funds help boost breast cancer awareness and support key screening services for our community.

Santa Barbara High boys basketball started the Holiday Classic with an 85-61 win over Whitney of Rocklin at J.R.

Richards Gym on Friday, led by Owen Horn who scored a career-high 29 points (including four three-pointers in the fourth). They will host Dougherty Valley Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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.

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.