News Report

Last week the California Department of Health released a report stating ten penalties were issued to nine California hospitals, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital was one of them.

The local community reacted to a slur printed in the Santa Barbara News-Press last week. 

Santa Barbara Police are investigating a fatal shooting that killed one man and left another wounded early New Years Day.

A young male mountain lion that was burned in the Thomas Fire is now recovering.

World-renowned author and local resident, Sue Grafton, passed away at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer.

The owner of iV Menus was arrested in Isla Vista on four felony charges including rape on December 18.

Smoke can be seen from a flare up within the Thomas Fire containment off Gibraltar Road on Friday morning.

A local art gallery is asking for the public's help in finding two vandals who allegedly shattered a glass window of their storefront. 

The City of Santa Barbara hosted a "Carnival at the Carousel" celebration earlier this month as a final goodbye to the colorful Chase Palm Park staple.

[Update]: Santa Barbara Police are investigating the discovery of a vehicle in the Bird Refuge on Christmas morning.

The Thomas Fire is now the largest wildfire in California's history as it reaches 273,400 acres and continues to grow. 

The Nature Conservancy announced it has acquired the 24,000-acre Cojo-Jalama Ranch, aka Bixby Ranch, thanks to a $165,000,000 donation from Redlands family Jack and Laura Dangermond.

Vandenberg Air Force Base launched a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket around 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

[Update]: The Air Quality watch has been downgraded to an Air Quality Warning in Santa Barbara County.

[Update]: All voluntary and mandatory evacuation areas have been lifted for Santa Barbara County.

Edhat readers and staff will add photos, video, and notes of where the Thomas Fire is moving based on official and unofficial reports. Share what you hear.

[Update]: A man was arrested for driving under the influence after being involved in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 154 resulting in two deaths on Sunday.

Winds are expected to pick up on Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, making firefighting conditions difficult.

While the air quality has significantly improved in Santa Barbara, officials are still warning about hazardous contaminants. 

[Update]: The most updated list of Santa Barbara County school closures due to the Thomas Fire.

Two firefighters were injured while battling the Thomas Fire on Sunday.

Homes within evacuation zones are often flagged by fire personnel and have different meanings, learn more about them.

A recent autopsy shows the firefighter killed while battling the Thomas Fire suffered from burns and smoke inhalation. A procession will take place Sunday morning from Ventura to San Diego.

So Cal Edison is asking residents in Santa Barbara and Goleta to significantly reduce power consumption starting now and through the night to ease potential strain on the local system.

Watch the community meeting regarding the Thomas Fire that took place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at San Marcos High School.

[Repost]: Have your bags packed and ready to go just in case you have to evacuate for the Thomas Fire. Here are things you should take with you. 

[Update]: A 50-100 acre vegetation fire is now burning off Drum Canyon Road in Los Alamos.

Strong winds are expected to begin between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday, December 16. These winds will increase fire intensity.

The air quality in Santa Barbara has dropped from "Hazardous" to "Unhealthy," but officials warn the air continues to be harmful.

[Update]: Santa Barbara County firefighters are working to contain a 13.6-acre brush fire near Highway 1 that sparked Thursday afternoon.