Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County officials are requiring the operator of the county’s first large-scale wind farm to take new steps to protect birds and bats. Since November of last year, nearly 50 dead birds have been found at the site, including protected species like golden eagles and red-tailed hawks.

Major funding has been secured to improve rail infrastructure across the Central Coast. The state awarded Central Coast agencies over $63 million dollars in funding for rail improvements.

As society grows more reliant on digital communication, some people might find it hard to keep up. The Santa Maria Public Library is holding one-on-one sessions to help community members learn basic tech skills, like setting up devices or communicating online.

Repairs of mostly forestland start this week in areas impacted by the over 38,000-acre Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County.

The potential shut-offs in mostly remote areas are to prevent wildfires in response to increased fire risk. They could start Friday morning and last until Saturday afternoon.

City officials report that costs are outpacing revenues. They plan to use reserve funds and make cuts across several departments, but they're also looking at other options.

A red flag warning for extreme heat and dry conditions is in effect in parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The National Weather Service issued the warning at noon Thursday and its expected to be lifted by 10 p.m. Saturday.

Santa Barbara County will develop an AI-powered map that helps cyclists identify safe routes in the region. Caltrans awarded the county a nearly $500,000 grant to develop the map with UC Santa Barbara.

A day after Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on homeless encampments, Central Coast agencies are in the process of removing one near the Santa Maria Riverbed. According to Santa Barbara County officials, crews that began clearing the encampment Thursday were scheduled long before the governor’s order.

An Indigenous women's group, Medicine Wheel Ride, is coming to the Central Coast on Thursday to raise awareness about missing and murdered Native American women nationwide.