I’d like to thank the nearly 40 readers who came out for Noozhawk’s VotingMatters forum that we hosted Oct. 14 with CalMatters.
The discussion of statewide ballot propositions and local bond and tax initiatives was deftly led by CalMatters partnerships manager Dan Hu and Noozhawk executive editor Giana Magnoli.
It was quite a spirited conversation, especially around Measure P, but I was particularly impressed at the willingness of those in attendance to forthrightly express their positions and to passionately advocate for them.
Nearly all the straw votes we took on the various initiatives we discussed were in thirds, with roughly a third in favor, a third against and a third undecided.
The VotingMatters forum was an exclusive benefit for Noozhawk’s Hawks Club members and was sponsored by Third Window Brewing Co., which set us up in its Barrel Room, and by Caffeine Group LLC’s Ben Hyatt, who videotaped it.
We expect to have the videotape of the event posted next week, and my hope is that we’ll be doing more of these small gatherings next year.
Click here to join our Hawks Club so you won’t miss out on our next event and other exclusive opportunities.
An audience of 124,475 readers took advantage of Noozhawk’s local news opportunities this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading over that period.
This is my opinion column, which I write in my civic capacity as Noozhawk’s publisher. It is not a news story.
1. Fire Damages Chase Restaurant in Downtown Santa Barbara
A fire ignited early on Oct.13 at the venerable Chase Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Santa Barbara, but firefighters had the blaze out within 20 minutes.
As our Josh Molina reported, Santa Barbara fire Battalion Chief Cory Cloud said crews were dispatched around 7:30 a.m. to the restaurant at 1012 State St.
Cloud said the fire originated in a back storage room, causing damage to a wall and the second story.
“Our fire crew did a really good job of making a rapid attack on the fire,” he said. “It was limited to a small space.”
Chase owner Georges Bitar expressed gratitude that no one was hurt and told Josh that he and his wife, Nicole, “will rebuild and reopen as soon as possibly feasible.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
2. Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Amtrak Train in Summerland
A 63-year-old Ventura man was struck and killed by an Amtrak passenger train near Summerland’s Lookout Park on Oct. 10.
As our Tom Bolton reported, emergency personnel were dispatched just before 10 a.m. to the collision scene, where the victim was pronounced dead.
Few details were available but Santa Barbara County sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick later identified the man as Charles Thomas Hunter.
Zick said the sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau is investigating the circumstances of Hunter’s death.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
3. Late-Night Fire Heavily Damages Buellton Pizza Restaurant
A late-night fire severely damaged the Fire & Vice pizzeria in Buellton on Oct. 13.
As our Giana Magnoli reported, Santa Barbara County firefighters responded just before midnight to the restaurant at 238 E. Highway 246, next to Jack in the Box, about a block east of McMurray Road.
Capt. Scott Safechuck said a second alarm was called after crews arrived and the larger contingent had the flames knocked down about 90 minutes later.
Damage to the building was extensive, he said.
There were no injuries in the fire, and the cause is under investigation.
4. BizHawk: SloDoCo Donuts a Sweet New Addition to Goleta
The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but SloDoCo Donuts prefers to let its doughnuts do the talking anyway.
As our Josh Molina reported, SloDoCo — short for San Luis Obispo Donut Co. — is serving a wide variety of doughy delights at 290 Storke Road in the Target shopping center.
Even better? It’s open 24/7, because doughnuts are delicious any time and any place.
“We are so excited to be finally open,” business manager Laura Krause told Josh. “We are extremely grateful for the warm welcome that Goleta has given us.”
Although — once again — Josh brought no evidence back with him to Noozhawk World HQ, he assures me that SloDoCo features more than 100 varieties of doughnuts, including specialty flavors like devil’s food, lavender, mint matcha, strawberry and vanilla.
And my favorite: the chocolate glaze. Bink, Bink.
There’s also a full espresso bar and a spacious, comfortable seating area with free WiFi.
SloDoCo owners Jessie and Jacob Pickering, who actually met at a doughnut shop, started their company in 2010. The Goleta store joins two shops in San Luis Obispo and another in Atascadero.
5. Committee Rolls Ahead with Changes to Santa Barbara Bike Ordinance
The Santa Barbara City Council’s Ordinance Committee has unanimously approved changes to the city’s bicycle ordinance in response to the sharp increase in e-bike collisions.
Of course, there’s also the four-year, rampant terrorization of the State Street “pedestrian promenade” that Santa Barbara officials are so proud of, but time flies when you’re having fun.
As our Josh Molina reported on Oct. 15, the ordinance amendments are intended to establish clearer rules of the road for pedal-powered electric and motorized bicycles, as well as electric skateboards.
Police Chief Kelly Gordon said e-bike collisions have risen dramatically, with 80 incidents so far in 2024, up from 73 in 2023 and just 10 in 2022.
The new rules would require riders to use bike lanes, prohibit sidewalk riding, and mandate helmet use for those under age 18, among other long-overdue restrictions.
Violations could result in fines ranging from $100 to $500, with the possibility of impounding juveniles’ bicycles for unsafe operation.
The committee — Council members Oscar Gutierrez, Mike Jordan and Kristen Sneddon — voted 3-0 for the changes, which still require approval by the full council.
Gutierrez, an e-bike rider himself, noted that safety concerns have been growing.
“I have personally witnessed enough bad actors for me to have to do something more than what we have already been doing,” he said.
Sneddon shared an apparently never publicly disclosed personal story illustrating the need for action.
“I myself have been clipped in the heels by an e-biker on the sidewalk on Figueroa,” she said.
“When I asked him to please stop, he used profanity at me and told me to get out of the way.”
While the ordinance updates are a good first step, I’d like to see municipalities start pressuring the Legislature to revise the California Vehicle Code to classify e-bikes as the electric motorcycles they essentially are.
Require a driving test, a valid license, annual registration and, most important, license plates, and I believe more responsible usage will follow.
At the very least, license plates will make it easier for witnesses and law enforcement to identify violators.
“We live in a society where we need to co-exist in how we get around,” resident Lee Heller told the committee.
“I am a pedestrian. I am a dog walker. I want to see our community be safe.”
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Good Reads
Don’t miss these six stories:
» Biltmore Project Receives Preliminary OK From Montecito Commission — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway checks in to Montecito’s Four Seasons Biltmore Resort, or at least checks in on the progress of its proposed improvements.
» Laurie Jervis: Andrew Murray Buys Qupé from Bankrupt Vintage Wine Estates — Wine columnist Laurie Jervis uncorks a major acquisition in Santa Barbara County’s winemaking world.
» Santa Ynez Foundation Celebrates ‘Selfless’ Champions of the Valley — North County editor Janene Scully reports on the 11 community volunteers and leaders honored by the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation.
» Orcutt Man Faces 3 Felony Charges for Fatal DUI Crash, Victim Identified — Janene follows up on the tragic death of a Santa Maria man whose car was slammed from behind in a suspected DUI multivehicle wreck on Highway 101 in southern San Luis Obispo County.
» Employers, Educators Talk Strategy for Filling Manufacturing Jobs — Janene has some news about manufacturing job opportunities via a forum hosted by the EconAlliance of Northern Santa Barbara County.
» San Marcos Prevails Over Bishop Diego in Showdown of Volleyball League Champions — Contributing sportswriter Barry Punzal is in the house for a major matchup between local girls volleyball powerhouses.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? SpaceX Rocket Loudly Departs Vandenberg Space Force Base.
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What I’m Up To
Although I’m not looking for a free meal, I occasionally do have free time if you’re looking for a speaker for your club, group or organization and want to hear more about Noozhawk. Email me at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Talk about making a connection: Georgia 5-Year-Old Becomes Honorary Lineman Thanks to Hurricane Recovery Crew from Texas.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed was all over Santa Barbara County last week, from @dang.burger in Carpinteria to the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s Champions of the Valley celebration in Los Olivos.
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Watch It
Did you catch this SpaceX rocket exploit? What will they think of next?
