[Noozhawk’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified attorney Jamie Keeton’s law firm.]
For too long, we in Santa Barbara County have responded to our biggest challenges with the same ideas, the same debates and, too often, the same disappointing results.
The evidence is impossible to ignore. Despite our location desirability, intellectual capital and some extreme wealth, Santa Barbara County has the highest poverty rate of all 58 California counties.
Yay! We’re No. 1!
Except it’s nothing to brag about.
It isn’t acceptable. It isn’t responsible. It isn’t sustainable. And in a community that loudly proclaims how “progressive” it is, it certainly is not that.
If what we’re doing isn’t working, why would we keep doing more of it?
That’s why Noozhawk and Spotlight Santa Barbara launched our community conversation series, starting with CalMatters political columnist Dan Walters’ well-received presentation in February.
Instead of recycling familiar talking points, we’re looking beyond our borders for practical, proven ideas from leaders who have confronted these same challenges and achieved real results.
That’s the purpose of California’s Problems, Santa Barbara’s Choices, coming to the Lobero Theatre on July 23.
I’ll be moderating a lively discussion with Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce; UCLA economics professor and Montecito resident Lee Ohanian; Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy; and former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, now president and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation.
Together, we’ll talk about the local economy, public finances, affordability and housing; examine what’s working elsewhere and what could work here; and explore how we can chart a better course.
The status quo has had its chance. It’s time to start looking for a better road map.
A big thank you to our co-sponsors for helping make this happen: American Riviera Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, Nicholson & Schwartz CPAs, Pence Vineyards, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and Village Properties.
I hope you’ll join us. Click here to purchase tickets online.
Noozhawk drew an audience of 134,078 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my recap of the Top 5 stories you were reading during that seven-day period, as tracked by our Google analytics.
This is my opinion column, by the way. It is not a news story. Thank you for reading.
1. UCSB Must Pay $3.3 Million to 3 Current, Former Police Officers, Jury Rules
Three current and former UC Santa Barbara police officers won a combined $3.3 million jury verdict on July 14 after jurors found the University of California retaliated against them for reporting workplace misconduct.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury awarded about $1.8 million to former Officer Jonathan Lee Reyes, $1.3 million to current Officer Tiffany Little and $200,000 to Little’s husband, former Officer Michael Little.
Jurors found that two other plaintiffs, Mark Signa and Matthew Stern, had reported improper government activity but were not subjected to unlawful retaliation.
The five cases were consolidated from lawsuits filed between 2018 and 2021 alleging retaliation under the California Whistleblower Protection Act after officers reported misconduct within what appears to be the manifestly dysfunctional UCSB Police Department.
Attorney Jamie Keeton, a partner at Gavrilov & Brooks LLP of Los Angeles, called the verdict “a significant victory for accountability,” saying her clients endured years of professional, financial and personal hardship while pursuing the case.
“This case has always been about ensuring that employees can report misconduct without fear of retaliation and that public institutions remain accountable to the communities they serve,” she said.
She said the outcome reinforces protections for employees who report misconduct in good faith.
UC officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the verdict.
Many of the complaints from the Littles, Reyes and Signa centered around the alleged workplace behavior of Officers Josh Rothermel, Jeff Savaglio and Ryan Smith.
Rothermel and Savaglio were accused of repeatedly turning off their radios and assaulting a residential assistant in a UCSB dorm, per the lawsuits and statements made in court.
They resigned and declined to be interviewed through their lawyers.
Smith, who had been accused of time card fraud, an affair with a subordinate and misuse of department funds, went to trial last month, claiming he was retaliated against after reporting separate misconduct by other officers, including Michael Little.
A different jury rejected his claims, finding the university did not retaliate against him.
2. Extreme Heat Watch Issued for Santa Barbara County
Extreme heat and red flag warnings presaged dangerous weather conditions in much of Santa Barbara County this past week, with inland temperatures reaching as high as 108 degrees.
As our Jack Dindia and Michael Spanjol reported, the National Weather Service said temperatures climbed 10 to 15 degrees above normal, ranging from the mid-80s to low 90s along the coast and the mid-90s to 108 degrees inland.
Elevated humidity made conditions feel even hotter, especially overnight near the coast.
The red flag warning was in effect from noon July 15 through the morning of July 16, with expectations of strong sundowner winds, low humidity and extreme heat creating critical wildfire conditions.
Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric had warned of the possibility of public safety power shutoffs because of the heightened fire danger.
As of July 17, summer weather conditions had returned to more typical daytime temperatures in the upper 70s along the coast and in Santa Maria and in the upper 80s in inland valleys.
3. Highway 154 Reopens After Vehicle Collision Above Goleta Valley
A sideswipe collision between a big rig and a Toyota SUV temporarily shut down Highway 154 above San Antonio Creek Road around midday July 10.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, emergency crews were dispatched at about 12:30 p.m. to the crash scene, on a sweeping curve about 400 yards north of San Antonio Creek Road.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials said the wreck involved an SUV and a semi truck, but only minor injuries were reported.
The collision blocked both lanes of the roadway for about 90 minutes while crews worked the scene and cleared the wreckage.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
4. Buellton Council Talks Pea Soup Andersen’s Demolition, Highway 246 Improvements
The Buellton City Council has cleared the way for demolition of much of the former Pea Soup Andersen’s property, removing its historic landmark designation while preserving the site’s original Bueltmore Hotel building.
As our Jack Dindia reported, the council voted unanimously on July 10 to proceed with the razing, citing growing safety concerns and repeated vandalism at the long-vacant road-trip landmark at 51 E. Highway 246.
The restaurant and hotel closed in 2024.
City Manager Scott Wolfe said trespassers have repeatedly entered the deteriorating building to film videos, creating the potential for serious injury or death … and municipal liability.
The original two-story Bueltmore Hotel section at 376 Avenue of Flags will remain, while the property owner — Santa Barbara developer Ed St. George — will salvage historic features, including painted signs and stained-glass windows, whenever possible.
Before demolition can begin, St. George must finalize an agreement with the city and secure the remaining historic structure.
As it stands now, St. George is planning a mixed-use redevelopment of the property.
In a separate action, the council endorsed a long-range plan to improve the adjacent Highway 246 corridor by consolidating five driveways into three shared access points to reduce traffic conflicts and improve safety.
5. Hiker Airlifted to Hospital After Falling 50 Feet off Montecito Trail
In a dramatic rescue on the San Ysidro Trail in the Montecito foothills, a hiker was airlifted to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on July 12 after a 50-foot fall.
As our Pricila Flores reported, Montecito Fire Department crews responded around 4 p.m. and hiked to the injured individual, who suffered head lacerations in the incident.
Firefighters treated the man at the scene before a Santa Barbara County sheriff’s helicopter winched him up and flew him to the hospital.
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue and American Medical Response personnel also assisted in the rescue.
The hiker’s identity and medical condition were not disclosed.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories you should read:
» Judy Foreman: When Your Grandchild Outgrows Your Lap, But Never Your Heart — 93108 columnist Judy Foreman reaches a milestone in her eldest granddaughter’s life.
» 1 Arrested After Fight on Santa Barbara’s State Street between Adult, Juveniles — South County editor Evelyn Spence knocks out a story on what could be a new draw for downtown Santa Barbara’s beleaguered State Street: Fight Night!
» Despite Progress on Homelessness, Santa Barbara County Faces Growing Challenges — Staff writer Daniel Green identifies some alarming trends among the homeless.
» Goleta Board Slams Calle Real Housing Project Design as ‘Cookie-Cutter,’ ‘Boring’ — Staff writer Pricila Flores explores the apparent “limits” of modern farmhouse-style design. At least in Goleta.
» County Negotiating with Developer for Downtown Santa Barbara Apartment Project — Executive editor Giana Magnoli has the latest on Santa Barbara County’s plan to build housing for its employees in the very heart of downtown.
» 5 UCSB Gauchos Taken on Day 2 of 2026 MLB Draft — UC Santa Barbara stud pitcher Jackson Flora is the giant winner in the Major League Baseball draft, but sports editor Diego Sandoval has been keeping score on a banner year for other Gauchos, too.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Federal Agents Raid Carpinteria Cannabis Farm, Deploy Smoke Grenades Near Crowd.
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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.
July 23 — In the second event of a series Noozhawk is hosting with Spotlight Santa Barbara, I’ll be moderating a discussion we’re calling “California’s Problems, Santa Barbara’s Choices.”
Our panelists are Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce; UCLA economics professor Lee Ohanian; Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy; and former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
We’ll be at the Lobero Theatre again so save the date.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being recognized with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
As if Mount Rainier, one of America’s most majestic mountains, needed to tee up additional publicity: The Unlikeliest Attraction in Mount Rainier National Park Only Lasted Months.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
Let’s face it: @sadiethealaskanmalamute is always the star when she’s in my Instagram feed.
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Watch It
Horse power? HT to Best of Bill reader Jessy Williamson.
