Santa Barbara Independent

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Santa Barbara Independent We deliver fresh online news, arts, and entertainment coverage all day, every day.

Our weekly newspaper is published every Thursday morning, with Santa Barbara County's largest circulation of 40,000 audited copies. Since 1986, The Santa Barbara Independent has been required reading for the South Coast's active and sophisticated population. The Independent reaches more than 135,000 readers in Santa Barbara County each Thursday with in-depth news reporting, the most extensive cale

ndar of local events, and the best arts and entertainment coverage in the region. Although we have had a website since 1998, it wasn't until April, 2007 that we began our community news, arts, and entertainment portal, independent.com. Providing a thorough and up to date site for all things Santa Barbara, independent.com immediately became the area's most visited community website. Santa Barbara has a daily news site, and a place for the community to connect. In 2008 we were recognized as the Best Weekly Newspaper website in the United States, in a national contest sponsored by Editor & Publisher magazine. In the meantime, our online audience has grown to be the largest in Santa Barbara county, twice as large as our nearest news competitor. But don't take our word for it -- here's a link to current online traffic rating services. Our newspaper also was singled out in 2008 as one of "10 That Do It Right," of newspapers leading in innovation and adaptation, in another Editor & Publisher recognition. The Independent was created from the merger of the Santa Barbara News & Review, a weekly paper consisting of politics and commentary founded in 1973, and The Weekly, an arts and entertainment publication with extensive listings. The merger created a unique voice for independent writers, critics, and involved citizens, and Santa Barbara go-to community resource for what-to-do. The Santa Barbara Independent is a true community newspaper with a market pe*******on higher than almost every other "alternative" weekly in the country. Our audited circulation of 40,000 copies exceeds the daily paper and any other publication in Santa Barbara County. Copies are picked up at more than 600 locations stretching from surf points at Rincon to the flower fields of Lompoc. We are very proud of our support of community events, nonprofit charities, and public service advertisers. The Santa Barbara Independent is a major sponsor of the largest community events, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Old Spanish Days, the Summer Solstice, and the Downtown Holiday Parade. Our underwriting covers the breath of Santa Barbara activity -- from support of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project to the Downtown Organization to outreach in the public school system. The paper is a major sponsor of UCSB intercollegiate sports, high school athletics and events, and the major theater companies in the region. From its world-class art museum to its state-of-the-art zoological garden, Santa Barbara is a community committed to a rich and culturally diverse quality of life. Since its inception, The Santa Barbara Independent, has been here to celebrate and support that commitment.

Santa Barbara gets a dazzlingly daring dance performance inspired by Guinean village life.
14/02/2025

Santa Barbara gets a dazzlingly daring dance performance inspired by Guinean village life.

The revolution and the iconic 2008 film are back where it all began with free SBIFF screening on Friday.
14/02/2025

The revolution and the iconic 2008 film are back where it all began with free SBIFF screening on Friday.

The revolution and the iconic 2008 film are back where it all began with a free SBIFF screening on Friday.

PCPA will showcase Shakespearea’s classic in Santa Maria.
14/02/2025

PCPA will showcase Shakespearea’s classic in Santa Maria.

PCPA will showcase Shakespeare’s classic in Santa Maria.

The Board of Supervisors voted on February 11 to grant the $1 billion ambulance contract to American Medical Response We...
13/02/2025

The Board of Supervisors voted on February 11 to grant the $1 billion ambulance contract to American Medical Response West.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, at its mid-point, is a rich and varied 40th birthday celebration.
13/02/2025

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, at its mid-point, is a rich and varied 40th birthday celebration.

Out of town and can’t get to your nearest newsstand in Santa Barbara County? Not to worry! We put our weekly issue onlin...
13/02/2025

Out of town and can’t get to your nearest newsstand in Santa Barbara County? Not to worry! We put our weekly issue online each week, so you can have the print experience from anywhere

February 13, 2025, Vol. 39, No. 996

The school employees’ union and school district are now working through mediation after reaching an impasse six months a...
13/02/2025

The school employees’ union and school district are now working through mediation after reaching an impasse six months ago.

The new “Los Angeles Times” documentary focuses on UC Santa Barbara professor and researcher Dave Valentine’s shocking d...
13/02/2025

The new “Los Angeles Times” documentary focuses on UC Santa Barbara professor and researcher Dave Valentine’s shocking discovery of toxic dumping grounds off the coast of Southern California.

Always authentically, affectingly herself, Jones delivers a bewitching show at Santa Barbara Lobero.
13/02/2025

Always authentically, affectingly herself, Jones delivers a bewitching show at Santa Barbara Lobero.

New Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association and Community Business Improvement District take their place.
13/02/2025

New Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association and Community Business Improvement District take their place.

A-Listers Bring Their A-Games to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Awards Festivities
13/02/2025

A-Listers Bring Their A-Games to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Awards Festivities

The red carpet ready crew included Ariana Grande, Clarence Maclin, Fernanda Torres, John Magaro, Mikey Madison, Monica Barbaro, Sebastian Stan, and Selena Gomez.

The Kiani Preserve, Midland School, and Zaca Lake structures are ordered to evacuate by 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
12/02/2025

The Kiani Preserve, Midland School, and Zaca Lake structures are ordered to evacuate by 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Undisclosed amount of money taken in reported theft on Carpinteria Street.
12/02/2025

Undisclosed amount of money taken in reported theft on Carpinteria Street.

The role of the producer is to make It happen, and indeed they did.
12/02/2025

The role of the producer is to make It happen, and indeed they did.

Residents within and near the Lake Fire burn scar are advised to get ready to leave should an evacuation order be called...
12/02/2025

Residents within and near the Lake Fire burn scar are advised to get ready to leave should an evacuation order be called ahead of a storm expected to drop between three and six inches of rain in the county’s foothills.

Ensemble Theatre Company’s ‘Hamlet’ delightfully reinvents the Shakespeare classic.
12/02/2025

Ensemble Theatre Company’s ‘Hamlet’ delightfully reinvents the Shakespeare classic.

Ensemble Theatre Company’s "Hamlet" delightfully reinvents the Shakespeare classic.

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Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

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District 2 Mike Jordan chats with ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ reporter Ryan P. Cruz at an Election Night watch party at SB Biergarten. Jordan is leading with almost 80% of the vote. Go to independent.com for live regional, state, and national election coverage. | Video credit: Christina McDermott

District 3 City Council Candidate Oscar Gutierrez talks with ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ reporter Ryan P. Cruz at an Election Night watch party at SB Biergarten. Gutierrez is the incumbent and is currently leading with about 63% of the vote. Go to independent.com for live regional, state, and national election coverage. | Video credit: Christina McDermott

Fire crews battled a fire in two vehicles atop the library parking structure on East Figueroa Street today. The flames were out after 10 to 15 minutes, by around 12:45 p.m., while the street below was closed to traffic. One engine arrived to the scene, and within minutes a two-man crew was working to contain the fire, which appeared to have originated with a black Toyota RAV4 parked on the upper level of City Parking Lot 7. Flames spread to a Subaru Outback parked directly next to the burning SUV, though firefighters were able contain the fire before it spread to any other vehicle. One man, whose car was nearly burned in the fire, was able to give his keys to firefighters, who moved his vehicle safely away from the flames. The cause of the fire is unknown. Go to the link in our bio or independent.com for updates.

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