Although I’ve been writing these Best of Bill columns every Friday for the past 18 years, most of you know that you really decide what goes in them.
Thank you for the help.
Each week I look at the Top 5 stories that our Google Analytics says were the most-read articles on Noozhawk, and I do my own recap — often with a bite of commentary.
For the first time ever, the No. 1 story this past week wasn’t written by a Noozhawk journalist, but by CalMatters investigative reporter Byrhonda Lyons.
Her article, “Ventura Woman Directed $2.7 Million From Elderly Clients to Husband’s Company. The Probate Judge Approved Every Penny,” is a terrific piece of reporting, even if the subject — yet another con job targeting senior citizens — is pretty depressing.
But this column is about Noozhawk, not our additive partner, CalMatters, so I’m exercising a little publisher’s prerogative and starting the Top 5 with No. 2.
No hard feelings, Byrhonda — and congratulations on being the first to be No. 1 from the outside.
By the way, according to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk had an audience of 155,260 readers this past week.
Thanks again.
1. Santa Barbara’s 24/7 VCA Animal Hospital to Close Permanently
Santa Barbara’s VCA Care Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital, which had been closed since June for what was expected to be temporary construction, is instead shutting down permanently.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the company announced the closure in emails sent to partners and pet owners the night of March 9. The statement said the decision “was not made lightly” and cited ongoing operational challenges.
The 24/7 emergency facility at 301 E. Haley St. had served as one of the primary after-hours veterinary hospitals on the South Coast.
A VCA official had told us previously that the pet hospital was undergoing construction and would reopen in early 2026. Speculation was that the work was prompted by a water main break.
A city Building & Safety Division official confirmed the renovations were completed earlier this year and the building had received final inspection approval.
With the closure, Advanced Veterinary Specialists, at 414 E. Carrillo St., will be the only remaining 24/7 animal hospital in the Santa Barbara area.
The next closest round-the-clock emergency veterinary services are PETS Hospital, at 4854 S. Bradley Road, Suite 109, in Orcutt, and Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG), at 2199 Sperry Ave. in Ventura.
Some specialty services previously offered at the Haley Street hospital — including internal medicine, dentistry and cardiology — have been temporarily moved to VCA’s Goleta clinic at 160 N. Fairview Ave., Suite 5, for patient rechecks and medication refills through March 27.
2. Santa Barbara Commission Advances Ordinance Limiting Short-Term Rentals
The City of Santa Barbara may be moving closer to adopting new rules that could sharply limit short-term vacation rentals.
As our Rebecca Caraway reported, the Planning Commission voted 4-2 on March 5 to forward a proposed ordinance to the City Council’s Ordinance Committee while asking staff to provide more information on enforcement, parking waivers, transient occupancy tax impacts and the possibility of a cap or lottery system for permits.
The proposal would allow short-term rentals only in certain commercial and mixed-use zones while banning them in inland residential neighborhoods.
Homeshares — where the owner remains on site — would be permitted more broadly, particularly in the coastal zone.
Commissioners Lucille Boss, Donald DeLuccio, Devon Wardlow and Lesley Wiscomb voted for the restrictions, with commissioners John Baucke and Benjamin Peterson in dissent.
Commissioner Brian Barnwell was absent.
“When we’re talking about the coastal zone and coupling it with the homeshare program that would be allowed everywhere, that’s where I’m having more concern and think that we should really consider a cap,” Wardlow said.
Peterson, noting the nearly decade-long quest for a resolution, said he worries the limits could backfire.
“I’m concerned about this being so restrictive that we end up pushing folks underground,” he said.
Public comment was divided.
Rental operator Jennifer Kinsella said she supports “reasonable regulation that protects neighborhoods while allowing responsible short-term rentals,” but warned that strict limits could harm local businesses and workers.
Braemar Drive resident Craig Leeds said nearby rentals had turned his quiet, ocean view area into “a miserable neighborhood to live in.”
Stay tuned.
3. Heat Advisory Issued as Santa Barbara County Braces for Early-Season Heat Wave
An early season heat wave is sending temperatures soaring throughout Santa Barbara County, with the hottest conditions baking the place on March 12 and 13, according to the National Weather Service.
As our Nick Forselles reported, forecasters say an unusually strong ridge of high pressure combined with offshore winds will push daytime highs into the 80s and 90s across much of the county — well above normal for mid-March.
A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. March 13.
“We are very confident that it’s going to be a pretty significant heat wave,” weather service meteorologist Robbie Munroe told Nick, noting the hot weather could last through the weekend and possibly into next week.
Authorities are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on vulnerable neighbors, including older adults, young children and pets.
Click here for the complete weather service forecast.
4. Developer Releases Early Plans for 191-Unit Carpinteria Bluffs Housing Project
Developers of The Farm, a proposed housing project on a 27-acre site near the Carpinteria Bluffs, have released preliminary plans and scheduled a public open house so locals can learn more and ask questions.
The project would include 191 for-sale residences — 97 detached single-family houses and 94 townhomes — on parcels at 5669 and 5885 Carpinteria Ave.
Plans show two-story residences, each with a two-car garage and additional guest parking.
Single-family homes would range from about 3,100 to 3,500 square feet, while townhomes would be roughly 1,700 to 1,800 square feet.
About 20% of the units would be reserved for low-income households, developed in partnership with the nonprofit People’s Self-Help Housing.
All homes would be built on the mountain side of the railroad tracks, while the roughly four-acre oceanside portion of the property would remain open space with trails, preserved native habitat and, of course, the popular Harbor Seal Rookery overlook.
The open house is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. April 9 at Carpinteria Community Church, 1111 Vallecito Road.
5. Community Rallies Around Local Firefighter Who Suffered a Stroke
Santa Barbara County fire Capt. James “Melly” Mellor is recovering from a recent stroke that has forced the veteran firefighter to step away from work while he undergoes treatment and rehabilitation.
As our Nick Forselles reported, colleague Matt Brody described Mellor as a selfless leader who has mentored countless firefighters during his career, which spans more than 20 years with SBCFD, and stints at Crew 7 out of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Los Padres Hotshots before that.
A GoFundMe account created to help Mellor and his wife, Julie, cover medical expenses, lost income and recovery costs had raised nearly $76,000 as of March 13. Click here to make an online donation.
“He would do absolutely anything for anyone, at any time,” Brody posted on the site.
Local firefighter organizations and community members have rallied behind Mellor, while the family has asked for privacy during his recovery.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories I recommend:
» San Luis Obispo County Coroner Finds Goleta-Area Couple Died of Carbon-Monoxide Poisoning — Executive editor Giana Magnoli reports the tragic results of the inquiry into the tragic deaths of Kristen and Jay Ruskey, who died Feb. 8 under mysterious circumstances at a Cambria residence.
» Carpinteria Cannabis Farms Have Had Enough Time to Deal with the Odor, County Supervisors Say — Staff writer Daniel Green gets a whiff of a big stink from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors over the distinctive dead-skunk aromas emanating from cannabis farms.
» Man Convicted in Santa Barbara Rape Case Charged for Escape Attempt — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway is still not done covering runaway convicted rapist Arian Eteghaei.
» Santa Barbara Chumash Community Searches for Missing Tomol — Staff writer Pricila Flores puts out an all-points bulletin for a missing tomol that the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council believes was stolen from its usual West Beach berth.
» 7 More Charges Filed in Lompoc Councilman’s Criminal Case Alleging Misspent Public Funds — North County editor Janene Scully is keeping a running tally of the criminal charges that Lompoc City Councilman Steve Bridge is facing now.
» Guide Dogs In Training Find Their Sea Legs off Santa Barbara’s Coast — Daniel stows away on Lil’ Toot for a cruise with puppies in training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind. Be sure to check out his video of adorableness, too.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? SpaceX Rocket of NASA Satellites Lingering at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Did I miss the “Women Supporting Women” march and rally? 6 Brave Women Soccer Players Who Defied Iran’s Regime Fear Families Back Home Will Pay Price for Their Freedom.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
There was a pretty big hole in my Instagram feed this past week, and not just because I didn’t have much time to post.
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Watch It
Top this.
