Month: August 2025

Ivania Montes

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – When Cara Winnewisser first thought about racing, she had a simple realization: “I realized that normal people can do this — so why can’t I?”

That moment sparked a journey that would take her from motherhood to the open waters, roads, and trails of the Santa Barbara Triathlon.

Cara grew up swimming, but after a difficult pregnancy and delivery with twin boys, returning to athletics felt daunting. She joined Tower 26, the presenting sponsor of the triathlon, led by renowned coach Gerry Rodrigues.

At first, she doubted herself. “I thought, I’m not good enough for a coach like that,” she said. But Rodrigues quickly reassured her.

“Yes, I’ve trained elite athletes,” Coach Gerry Rodrigues said. “But most of my athletes are everyday people who just want to get out there and improve. Cara has been remarkable — she’s reshaped her fitness and confidence in just a year.”

Swimming became Cara’s foundation. “It was the best thing I could have done,” she said. “It gave me a baseline to make everything else stronger — then I could start running and cycling again.”

Consistency has been key. Rodrigues added, “Life’s about consistency. Over time, that’s what defines success.”

Cara’s husband and children are central to her training journey. “He’s very encouraging. If I ever try to back out, he asks, ‘Are you going to practice tomorrow?’”

Her sons have even joined in with mini-triathlons around their neighborhood. “They see me training, and it teaches them skills and the value of physical activity,” she said.

The Santa Barbara Triathlon itself is a feat of coordination. Race director Elizabeth Rodrigues calls it “organized chaos.”

“It’s three different events coming together — the ocean swim, the bike course, and the run,” she explained. “Our team, including crew captains and even our kids are involved, ensures everything is ready for athletes by race day. Most people have no idea how much goes on behind the scenes.”

Despite the logistics, Rodrigues emphasizes fun above all. “We want participants to come to the beach, be athletic, and chase their goals while enjoying the day.”

For the run, Cara trains with the Santa Barbara Running and Racing group. She calls it one of the most rewarding parts of the triathlon experience.

“It’s a very individual sport — you can’t compare yourself to others. But the team support helps, and there’s always a way to better yourself,” she said.

This year, Cara hopes to improve her previous race time. But her biggest takeaway isn’t just the stopwatch.

“You can always push yourself a little more,” she said. “It’s incredible to see what you’re capable of. I’ve grown so much in the last couple of years, and I feel amazing.”

For more information on the Santa Barbara Triathlon, you can head on over to their official page.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is taking action to ensure fresh, locally-grown food reaches families in need after the recent cancellation of a federal program.

This season, the county officially launched the ‘Farm to Foodbank’ initiative, connecting local farmers directly with area foodbanks.

The program replaces the USDA-supported Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) program, which had provided fresh produce but was recently canceled – leaving a critical gap in the food supply chain.

Organizers say the initiative guarantees that fruits and vegetables grown in Santa Barbara County reach individuals and families facing food insecurity, while also supporting the county’s farmers and strengthening the local agricultural community.

Officials hope the program will establish a reliable and sustainable food network across the county, ensuring that residents have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food while local farmers continue to thrive.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Weekend protests drew critics of the Trump administration’s actions in Santa Barbara.

Participants called Saturday a National Day of Action to push back against the president. A sidewalk rally on Upper State Street stretched along both sides of the road between Hitchcock and Hope avenues from 10 a.m. to noon.

Organizers and participants said the demonstration was sparked by recent developments in Texas, where Trump ordered the state to redraw its electoral map to deliver him five additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 election. Protesters warned that the effort could soon expand to Missouri, Ohio, and other states, calling it a political emergency.

“Trump’s allies are undermining fair elections, silencing voters of color, and holding entire communities hostage to push their political agenda,” one flyer read. “We need action—not just in Texas, but everywhere. That’s why we’re part of a National Day of Action, joining our friends in Texas to fight back.”

Many in Santa Barbara echoed those concerns.

“I have no option but to be here, because I’m so distressed by what’s happening in my country,” said Linda Stewart-Oaten. “It’s like 1984. It’s happening while we watch, and I cannot watch. I have to be part of the resistance.”

In Solvang, protesters held a rally they called Protect Our Checks, raising concerns about potential impacts to Medicaid and other safety net programs.

The demonstrations coincided with nationwide protests marking the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act.

There were no visible counterprotests nearby.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After more than two years of increased bike crashes, rising injuries and community complaints about the dangers of e-bikes in Santa Barbara, a list of changes has been outlined for the public to see.

It will go before the Santa Barbara City Council Tuesday.

A letter signed by Mayor Randy Rowse is in response to a Grand Jury report that was critical of the city’s response to e-bike concerns, mainly brought up by members of the public who have been impacted as drivers or pedestrians.

The complaints range from e-bike riders speeding, going through red lights, riding through stop signs, reckless riding around pedestrians and cars, riding on the sidewalks where pedestrians exist, and being involved in verbal and physical encounters with the public centered around e-bike behavior. There are many similar complaints in regional cities and in the county.

Monday downtown several of the bike riding activities in question were taking place over a two hour check of the State St. area.

One e-motorcycle went by at an estimated 25 miles an hour where pedestrians were present, and for a moment the bike was on one wheel, between Carrillo and Figueroa St.

The Santa Barbara City Council has tried different ways to deal with the problem for months. The most recent action was an upgraded ordinance with special fines through citations, and in collaboration with the police department, enforcement of that ordinance has taken place. With that has come costly citations for many of the bike riders – ranging from$100 to $500 dollars.

Some can be cleared with special classes, especially those citations issued to teenagers, for example, if they are not riding with a helmet.

The classes are two hours, and after passing a test the person will have the citation cleared, otherwise it remains in effect.

Parents are required to attend the first 30 minutes of the class.

Many young riders in the downtown area said they were aware of the enforcement but said it wasn’t always necessary.

Dame Buttler said, on the e-motorcycles, “if they are not doing wheelies,  if they are just riding like nice and respectful then they should not pull them over .”

A downtown worker who sees the range of bikes daily from regular commuters to acrobatic bike riders, has concerns about safety and agrees more should be done.

“My message is to parents , do you care about the safety of your children? Do you care your child is going 25 to 30 miles an hour down the street with pedestrians on it?    A friend of mine fell off a bike about  two years ago and he is still not at 100 percent,” said Seif Hejazine.

The city has been aggressive in the downtown and waterfront area since May, writing tickets and educating bike riders.

The enforcement has mainly been on State Street, but officers have been moving around to areas where e-bike use is high including the waterfront.

E-motorcycles, are not allowed on the street. They are automatically impounded if the rider is stopped by police.

Bikes are also not allowed to be ridden through the Farmers Market locations on Tuesdays on State St. and on Saturday on Carrillo or State St., which is a market that draws thousands of people.

Recently, police stopped many bike riders and wrote some tickets for the violation. That included an e-bike rider who was heading into a crowded intersection with his hands and feet stretched out from the bike.

Citations can also be written to those who are riding recklessly, or popping wheelies in areas where pedestrians are walking in the shared space of the promenade.

Micco Jacobsen said the enforcement should be based on the risk to others. “I say they’re doing a good job keeping it under control but if a kid is riding his bike trying to get home , super chill  on the sidewalk or bike lane under 15 miles an hour I say  I wouldn’t hassle them, just let them get home.”   When it comes to dangerous riding, “if you see them wheeling and being reckless I would pull them over and take their bikes, maybe for a couple of days. That would show them a lesson, I guess.”

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