Op Ed

A local resident writes an open letter to the Santa Barbara City Council on issues of ordinance changes for patio dining on State Street 

[Update]: An edhat reader is frustrated the City of Santa Barbara is allowing a fee reduction for restaurants and bars to take up city sidewalks.

The western US population of monarch butterflies crashed this year and one expert feels more needs to be done.

A Los Alamos resident writes an open letter to local politicians expressing the harm of opening new drilling in Cat Canyon.

A local resident is frustrated with the recent ruling against Plains All American Pipeline for the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill.

An edhat reader wonders when the Central Coast will really start protecting our climate.

A local resident questions if the City of Santa Barbara violated the Brown Act.

An edhat reader is troubled after reading the final Environmental Impact Report on oil development in Cat Canyon

An edhat reader feels the new development proposal for 711 N. Milpas will decrease access and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

A local resident is opposing a four-story, modern apartment complex proposed for 711 N. Milpas Street.

A donnybrook took place Wednesday at the County Planning Commission meeting in Santa Maria over whether to approve a large expansion of ERG oil and gas drilling in Cat Canyon.

An edhat reader shares their opinions Santa Barbara County's inspections, or lack thereof, of local oil company operations.

A local resident shares their opinion on the Camp 4 land in Santa Ynez Valley and its recent lawsuits. 

A local school teacher discusses how the Literary Project will help dyslexic students within the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

An edhat reader questions why Warming Centers have not been activated with the low overnight temperatures.

An Old Town Goleta business owner strongly opposes the Property Business Improvement District (PBID) proposed by the Goleta City Council.

An edhat reader opposes Aera Energy’s proposal to drill 296 new oil wells in Cat Canyon, near Santa Maria.

An edhat reader wonders if local governments will remove dangerous Eucalyptus trees?

An edhat reader opposes three oil companies who want to vastly increase drilling between Santa Maria and Los Alamos.

An edhat reader responds to a recent Op-Ed post about the state of the historic Mission Creek Bridge in Santa Barbara.

A local resident is curious about the ranking of Santa Barbara Unified School District schools, including Adams Elementary.

A Mission Canyon resident explains why the historic landmark Mission Creek Bridge is safe and beautiful.

An edhat reader urges residents to speak out against newly proposed oil wells in Cat Canyon.

An edhat reader urges locals to protect our groundwater from oil companies.

An edhat reader shares their opinion on the City of Santa Barbara's decision to approve a grant application to install 40 mobile homes for the homeless in Santa Barbara.

An edhat reader advocates for a ban on comment "pooling" at Santa Barbara City Council meetings.

An edhat reader voices their opinion on the City of Santa Barbara's grant funding application for a homeless trailer camp in the downtown area. 

A Los Alamos resident is concerned about the safety of local water due to an increase in oil production.

An edhat reader urges voters to look at candidates' experience when voting in the upcoming local elections.

A local resident praises the Santa Barbara Unified School District's unanimous vote to renew its contract with the nonprofit Just Communities.