Category: Health

Guest contribution — Ventura County Taxpayers Association — VCMS: A Cash Crisis Deepens

by Community Contributor • January 14, 2026 • Comments Off

Oversight Warnings Ignored

The Ventura County Medical System (VCMS) — including Ventura County Medical Center, Santa Paula Hospital, and associated clinics — is a cornerstone of public healthcare in our community, delivering essential services like emergency care, inpatient treatment, and outpatient support. Yet, beneath this vital mission lies a mounting financial crisis that demands urgent attention from taxpayers and leaders alike.

The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) has consistently sounded the alarm on VCMS’s deteriorating finances (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Recent events in 2025 and early 2026 have only amplified these concerns, exposing deeper issues in governance, leadership, and accountability.

Community Environmental Council recruits Winter Class of Climate Stewards

by Community Contributor • January 13, 2026 • Comments Off

“At a time when federal support for climate action is shrinking, communities are increasingly being asked to lead,” said Kathi King, Course Instructor and CEC’s Director of Outreach and Education. “The Climate Stewards program builds the local capacity needed to meet the climate crisis head-on, empowering people to take meaningful action and drive solutions in their own communities.”

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Grateful for you and the community power we’re building

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2026 • Comments Off

As the year comes to a close, we want to pause and say thank you.

(2025) brought real challenges – and even in just the last few days, ICE has once again caused real fear and harm in our communities. Neighbors are showing up for one another with care, courage, and solidarity, reminding us that safety and resilience come from deep community organizing and connection.

This year you and your CAUSE staff, leaders, and coalition partners were able to meet this moment – showing up alongside families, tenants, farmworkers, and youth when it mattered most, while continuing to strengthen our organizing and shared values.

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara January 13 Board of Supervisors Meeting

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2026 • Comments Off

The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026
County Administration Building, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room
in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.

Cottage Health’s Grotenhuis Pediatric Clinics move to New Santa Barbara location

by Community Contributor • January 7, 2026 • Comments Off

“With all specialties under one roof and expanded space, this new clinic strengthens collaboration among our teams,” said Chief Pediatric Medical Officer Dr. Miriam Parsa. “Being right across from the hospital also supports smoother coordination when children require other services.”

Cottage Health welcomes its first baby of 2026

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital welcomed its first baby of the new year.

New parents, Jessica and Laurence welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Isla, at 4:41 am on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH).

Weighing 8 pounds and 16 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches, Baby Isla’s arrival marked an exciting start to the new year.

As the family begins this new chapter, a sentiment they shared felt especially fitting: “A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care.” — Frank Herbert, Dune

Friendship Center — You did this!

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2026 • Comments Off

Thank you from all of us at Friendship Center for an incredibly impactful 2025.

We look forward to celebrating 2026

(our 50th Anniversary Year!)

with you.

Casa De Vida Inc. — Looking ahead with gratitude

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2026 • Comments Off

As we near the end of another year, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement have meant more to us than we can fully express.

This year brought its share of challenges for Casa De Vida. There were moments of uncertainty that tested our faith and endurance. Yet through it all, God remained faithful, and our community continued to stand with us.

As we reach the end of this final quarter, we are grateful to share that things are beginning to improve. Support has increased, stability is returning, and we are entering the new year with renewed hope. Your belief in this mission has helped us make that progress.

Community Alert: Escalating ICE raids across the Central Coast 805. UndocuFund issues urgent call for Community and Financial Support

by Community Contributor • January 3, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — 805UndocuFund is urgently alerting the community to a devastating escalation in immigration enforcement activity across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties over the past several days. These actions are causing profound harm to immigrant families, workers, and entire communities, with lasting consequences for public health, safety, and the regional economy.

Over the weekend alone, 805UndocuFund’s 805 Rapid Response Network alongside autonomous community patrol and defense groups SBResiste, and Carpinteria Sin Fronteras, documented 58 ICE kidnappings across the Central Coast:

• Saturday, December 27, 2025:

35 total — 33 in Santa Maria and 2 in San Luis Obispo

• Sunday, December 28, 2025:

23 total — 13 in Lompoc, 8 in Santa Maria, and 2 in Santa Barbara

• Monday, December 29, 2025, ICE continues operations in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, terrorizing residents, destabilizing workplaces, and leaving families in crisis.