Daily
Santa Barbara
Monday, December 29th, 2025
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 29th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tyler Hayden’s 2025 year in review highlights the revamped State Street Undercrossing in downtown Santa Barbara — now safer and brighter for residents. Santa Barbara Independent
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Age of Disclosure documentary examines UFO sightings at Vandenberg (reported by multiple military witnesses between 2003 and 2005) and highlights local calls for transparency as Santa Barbara Congressmember Salud Carbajal supports protecting servicemembers' rights. Santa Barbara Independent
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ California homebuyers, including Santa Barbara residents, face high prices and steep mortgage costs that make renting a more attractive choice. Lawmakers plan to introduce policies (to expand affordable homeownership options) as market conditions challenge traditional financial advantages. Edhat
- ➤ A local study compared grocery prices at 15 Santa Barbara stores in December. Grocery Outlet Bargain Market offered the lowest prices, while Lazy Acres was the most expensive + the survey highlights price differences for everyday essentials. Noozhawk
- ➤ The CDFW will open the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Central Management Area on Jan. 5 at 12:01 a.m. with pre-soak starting Jan. 2 at 8:01 a.m., while recreational restrictions end as trap reductions (15% or 40% by zone) protect humpback whales. Edhat
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Local teachers are using DonorsChoose and Nextdoor to request donations for supplies and creative classroom upgrades. Washington Elementary teacher Aimee Kielborn raised almost $300 for new materials and plans to finish her fundraiser by Jan. 22. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Scientists at UCSB working with the MicroBooNE Experiment ruled out the existence of a sterile neutrino using data from Fermilab collected between 2015 and 2021; their results, published in Nature, narrow the field of possibilities in neutrino research (guiding future experiments). Edhat
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A new report from UCSB’s 2035 Initiative outlined how factories can switch from burning fossil fuels to clean electricity for making paper, plastics, beer and frozen pizza. The report, released virtually on Dec. 16, shows the change could cut emissions by up to 26 percent and save billions in health costs. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Cachuma Lake reached full capacity on Sunday after heavy holiday storm rains and is now spilling, so vessel launching was closed for debris removal while the lakeside restaurant remains open. Forecasts for winds and rain later this week may extend the closure. Edhat
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue responded to an activated Emergency Locator Transmitter signal at Santa Barbara Airport on Friday, Dec. 26 at 3:40 p.m. They located an unoccupied aircraft with a beacon that had been activated by mistake and turned it off while alerting airport officials of its details. Edhat
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Cachuma Lake Campground offers Santa Barbara residents a quiet winter escape with hundreds of tent, group, cabin and RV sites along scenic trails and lake views. Located 20 miles from downtown, it features showers, laundromats, a store and dining options while RV upgrades (set for summer 2026) promise improved amenities. Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ College basketball coach Shantay Legans, who grew up in local youth clubs mentored by Sal Rodriguez and Ray Lopes, was honored at a UCSB game last Monday when Boys and Girls Club kids were admitted free. He remains proud of his Santa Barbara roots as he leads his team forward. Noozhawk
- ➤ At the SB Holiday Classic on Saturday at J.R. Richards Gym, Santa Barbara High pulled ahead 75-64 with Brent Sharpton scoring 23, while San Marcos won 54-50 over Davis Sr. and Dos Pueblos fell 56-50 to Holy Martyrs. The teams will host Monday games at 7:30 p.m. Noozhawk
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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.
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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.
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