News Report

The Delta IV rocket had a successful launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Friday.

The Thomas Fire is 100% contained as of Friday, January 12, 2018.

Several schools in Santa Barbara County have closed Tuesday due to the storm.

Solvang concluded its Julefest Celebration with their annual Fire Safety Demonstration and Christmas tree burn event on Friday evening.

A vehicle collision on SR-154 near Painted Cave shut down lanes in both directions around 11:15 p.m. Thursday.

Three people were injured during a two-vehicle collision on SR-154 near Stagecoach Road on Thursday morning.

Under the direction of United Way, a new initiative called Home for Good is underway in Santa Barbara County with a goal to speed up the placement of chronically homeless in permanent housing.

[Update]: Santa Barbara Police have cleared the area of W. Victoria and De La Vina after responding to suspicious circumstances, but state it is still an active murder investigation.

The rumors are true, Target will be opening a new location in Santa Barbara by October of this year.

[Update]: Santa Barbara Police are looking for a woman who is wanted for questioning in relation to the stabbing at Leadbetter Beach on Sunday evening.

[Update]: A woman was arrested after leading a high-speed pursuit from Ventura through Santa Barbara early Tuesday morning. 

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.