Santa Barbara County News

ABOUT THE WOMEN'S LITERARY FESTIVAL In 2004 the WLF steering committee, made up of volunteers from throughout Santa Barbara County, came up with the idea of a literary festival to celebrate women authors and their diverse life experiences.

The California State Senate Rules Committee recently confirmed the nomination of Reginald "Reggie" Pagaling, a Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians tribal elder, to the state's Native American Heritage Commission.

JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR F. Dino Inumerable is administered the oath as Ventura County Superior Court judge by Judge Bruce A. Young on Friday at the Hall of Justice in Ventura.

Marsha Bailey, center, founder and CEO of Women's Economic Ventures, receives a $50,000 check for the WEV en Espanol Program from Rashi Kallur, vice president of Citi community development, and Ray Torres, branch manager/vice president of the Santa Barbara Citibank branch.

The State Employment Development Department released on Friday the unemployment rate and other jobs data for the month of March.

Beneath a 'blood moon,' NoozWeek's Top 5 runs off a road, finds a long-lost wedding ring and opens a public market, but it's Noozhawk's Tom Bolton who's No.

California authorities say the military ordnance that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of people in the tourist town of Solvang was a used shell but it still was potentially dangerous.

The four top-level VIP tickets to the Lady Gaga concert in San Jose on June 3 are good for stage-side seating in what’s known as the “Artpop zone,” the highest of highest of four levels of premium seating, and backstage access.

Police and bystanders were dumbfounded Wednesday afternoon when it appeared an injured cyclist's bike had been stolen after an accident in downtown Santa Barbara.

A Thursday morning fire significantly damaged a Lompoc home that was vacant because it had recently been sold, according to the Lompoc Fire Department .

A former Santa Barbara County Fire Department employee who was arrested last summer on charges of grand theft and filing false tax returns during his time as an insurance administrator for his union pleaded guilty on Thursday morning in court and will be sentenced to three years in prison.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and Santa Barbara Police Department are joining forces for the first ever "Coffee with a Cop" in Montecito.

Despite concerns about public access and a precedent that could be set for growth on the largely undeveloped Gaviota Coast, the California Coastal Commission has sided with a developer and determined that a plan to build two mansions west of Goleta is consistent with Santa Barbara County's local coastal plan.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Bomb Squad and Vandenberg Air Force Base's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team are investigating a potentially explosive military ordnance that was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m.in the 1600 block of Copenhagen Drive located in Solvang's business district near residences.

Hundreds of homes and businesses in the Central California town of Solvang have been evacuated following discovery of a potentially explosive device.

The first phase for design and site preparation is already funded, with $350,000, and the construction phase is contingent on all the member agencies ratifying the resolution, getting permits and COMB finding funding, according to General Manager Randy Ward.

Because of the increase in local live fuel moisture levels and the predicted weather forecast, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department is opening a limited permit burn window.

The community is invited to celebrate Easter with Reality Santa Barbara , at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. this Sunday, April 20 in the Santa Barbara High School Theatre, 700 E. Anapamu St. There will be a message from Pastor Chris Lazo, musical worship, a free tri-tip barbecue, and fun and games for the whole family.

Selected for their unique interests and experiences and commitment to Santa Barbara County, directors establish policy, set priorities, fundraise and are responsible for guiding the Scholarship Foundation's activities.

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society holds its monthly general meeting on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance at State Street, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm.