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Close to 1,700 homes affected by Gap Fire - Free masks handed out to residents due to poor air quality

A new mandatory evacuation order was issued for all residents between Elwood Canyon Road, including Elwood Ranch Road, to Farren Road north of Cathedral Oaks and Calle Real on Friday night as the Gap Fire continued to burn in the area above Goleta. Free masks were being handed out, meanwhile, to help residents cope with worsening air quality because of the fire. Santa Barbara County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service officials said the area burned since the blaze broke out at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday was approaching 6,000 acres. More»

CELEBRATING FREEDOM

Residents set aside their concerns about the Gap Fire for a while on Friday and enjoyed some of the Fourth of July activities on tap, including the parade down State Street, which featured an appearance by the Motor Club, at left, a group of World War II enthusiasts who rumbled along the route in uniforms and vehicles of the era. For a full story and more photos, see page A3. More»

Red Cross officials say they're ready for evacuees - 100 people take shelter in San Marcos High School so far

More than 100 evacuees had entered the American Red Cross Evacuation Center at San Marcos High School by Friday, but that number could climb if more evacuations are ordered because of the Gap Fire. Red Cross officials say they are ready. Currently there are two shelters at the center, at Turnpike Road and Hollister Avenue, with a capacity of 350. On Friday afternoon, most of the victims were residing in the center's primary shelter, the school's gymnasium, More»

A day celebrating freedom - Santa Barbara parades its patriotism on the Fourth of July.

Thousands of Santa Barbara County residents put aside their concerns over the Gap Fire on Friday to enjoy Fourth of July activities that ranged from a parade down State Street to a concert in the Courthouse Sunken Garden to the much anticipated West Beach fireworks display. With fireworks displays cancelled in Goleta's Girsh Park and at the Mission Santa Ines in Solvang because of the Gap Fire, More»

Assault in Lompoc leads to three arrests

Police in Lompoc have arrested two men and a woman on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and conspiracy after a man was beaten. Christina Healey, 46, of Lompoc, and Donald Sullivan, a 44-year-old transient, were arrested at a Santa Maria motel on Wednesday, the same day of the attack. On Thursday, the third suspect, Clint Allen, 34, a transient, was arrested. More»

Man killed diving into river

A man died Friday morning after apparently diving off some rocks into the Santa Ynez River along Paradise Road. Witnesses said the victim, who was not immediately identified, dove from a rock into the river near the first Paradise Road crossing and did not surface. He was pulled from the water and found to have a bloody face and no pulse. A helicopter airlifted him to La Cumbre Junior High School, More»

IN BRIEF : S'mores-n-Snores Family Campout set

SANTA MARIA The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department will hosts its 2008 S'mores-n-Snores Family Campout on Friday, Aug. 1, at Pioneer Park. Registration costs are $30 for the general public and $20 if at least one of the campers has been a participant in the Department's "Got Camp!" summer day camp. The campout runs from 6 p.m. Friday night to 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Up to six people may share a campsite for this family event. More»

IN BRIEF : NOAA seeks Marine Fisheries panelists

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking applicants for the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. "We encourage interested members of the public to consider serving on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee," said Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service, in a press release. The committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource issues overseen by the Department of Commerce. Nominations should be received by July 21. More»

IN BRIEF : Three stabbed near Stearns Wharf

SANTA BARBARA While most celebrated peacefully, Friday's annual fireworks show at the Waterfront was marred by violence. Detectives were investigating the stabbing of three males. One was reportedly in critical condition. The crime took place just east of Stearns Wharf. Detectives are still investigating the incident, said Santa Barbara Police spokesman Lt. David Whitham. More»

Events Today

SOUTH COAST Book Signing: 1 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 829 State St. Cheryl Cardott, author of "The Adventures of Pogo the Elephant." Free. 962-8509. Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show: 10 a.m.-dusk. Cabrillo Boulevard, sidewalk east of State Street. Featuring non-juried arts festival of original drawings, paintings, graphics, sculpture, crafts and photography. Sponsored by Parks and Recreation Department. Free admission. 897-1982. More»

DEATH NOTICE

PENNER, Natalie: 81; of Santa Barbara; died June 2; funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church; interment at Santa Barbara Cemetery; arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels. More»