Free speech is under fire, around the country and right here in Santa Barbara County.
On Oct. 8, Noozhawk and Spotlight Santa Barbara are bringing one of its most prominent defenders — First Amendment champion Greg Lukianoff — to the Lobero Theatre.
I’ll be emceeing the appropriately named “Free Speech Under Fire” event featuring the CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind.
Lukianoff will be interviewed by my friend, Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy.
It’s our third Spotlight Santa Barbara gathering, and one you won’t want to miss.
Click here to get your tickets, including VIP access to an exclusive book signing afterward.
According to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk had an audience of 118,795 readers this past week.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading during that period, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
As a reminder, this is my weekly opinion column, not a news story.
1. Alleged Trespasser Stabbed in Confrontation with Resident in Santa Barbara
A late-night confrontation at a Westside Santa Barbara home sent an alleged trespasser to the hospital with stab wounds on Sept. 12.
As our Janene Scully reported, Santa Barbara police were dispatched about 10:30 p.m. to the 600 block of West Islay Street after a 9-1-1 call about a stabbing
Lt. Antonio Montojo said officers found 27-year-old Edward Bumb wounded at the scene.
Montojo said Bumb was intoxicated when he allegedly trespassed onto private property and became “physically assaultive” during a confrontation with the resident.
The resident then used a knife in self-defense, he added.
Bumb was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment. His condition was not available.
Police called it an isolated incident and said there is no known threat to the public. As long as an alleged drunk doesn’t break into your house.
2. Injuries Reported After 2 Police Patrol Vehicles Collide in Downtown Santa Barbara
They’ll never hear the end of this at roll call.
Two Santa Barbara police officers were taken to the hospital the night of Sept. 15 after their patrol vehicles collided while responding to an urgent call for backup downtown.
As our Tom Bolton and Evelyn Spence reported, the crash occurred about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Cota and Anacapa streets as both officers, with lights and sirens activated, headed toward a bar fight in the 500 block of State Street.
Cmdr. Nathan Beltran later told Evelyn that the two officers suffered minor injuries in the wreck. Both were transported by American Medical Response ambulances to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where they were treated and released.
Eyewitness Anthony Castrejon told Evelyn that one patrol car was heading west on Cota Street while the other was turning right off Anacapa Street when they collided.
He said he helped pull one of the injured officers out of the car.
No other vehicles were involved.
SBPD has not disclosed the identities of the injured officers, which are a matter of public record.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the wreck.
3. BizHawk: Cajé Coffee Roasters Brews Up New Goleta Location
Cajé Coffee Roasters is brewing up something new in Goleta with the opening of its sixth location, this one a full-service café at 5340 Hollister Ave.
Owner Ryan Patronyk told our Daniel Green that Cajé’s complete menu is available, including specialty drinks unavailable at some of its other locations.
The spacious new shop — in the commercial center on the northwest corner of Hollister and North Patterson avenues, across from Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital — also will expand the company’s coffee-bean processing capacity and serve as a central training hub for baristas before they move to other Cajé locations.
The Goleta café is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
4. ICE Agent Pepper-Sprays Volunteer at Close Range in Santa Barbara Jail Lobby
A federal law enforcement officer pepper-sprayed a local immigrant activist during a Sept. 15 confrontation inside the Santa Barbara County Jail lobby, according to advocates.
As our Pricila Flores and Giana Magnoli reported, 805UndocuFund volunteer Anthony Rodriguez said one of the group’s members was sprayed at close range.
Activists also reported that federal immigration officers detained an individual who was being released from jail.
Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Raquel Zick said no deputies or jail staff were present in the public Inmate Reception Center lobby when the incident occurred.
Deputies later spoke with activists who asked them to arrest the federal officers.
Zick said the deputies explained to them “that’s not something they can do” as local authorities have no jurisdiction over federal enforcement of U.S. immigration law.
The Sheriff’s Department took a courtesy incident report after being contacted by a hospital but is not investigating — for the same reasons.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to Noozhawk’s request for comment.
5. Bellosguardo Foundation Sues County Alleging It Should Be Exempt From Property Taxes
Santa Barbara’s famously secluded Bellosguardo estate — and the inscrutable foundation that controls it — is again drawing scrutiny, this time over more than $1.1 million in property taxes.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the Bellosguardo Foundation has sued Santa Barbara County, arguing the 24-acre waterfront estate at 1407 E. Cabrillo Blvd. — once owned by the reclusive late silver heiress Huguette Clark — operates exclusively as a public museum and qualifies for a nonprofit property-tax exemption.
The foundation wants refunds of $586,728 paid in 2023 and $597,540 in 2024, plus interest. The county denied those claims in March.
After Clark died in 2011 at age 104, the foundation was established in keeping with her wishes to use the estate to foster the arts.
Bellosguardo has since offered very limited public access while hosting top-dollar private events, including weddings.
County spokeswoman Kelsey Gerckens Buttitta said the county does not comment on ongoing litigation.
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Good Reads
Don’t miss these six stories:
» Start Prep for Winter Storms Now, Officials Hammer Home in Montecito — South County editor Evelyn Spence squeezes in at the Montecito Union School auditorium for a packed community meeting about winter storm preparedness, especially along area creeks.
» Goleta Protects Former Ellwood Onshore Facility From Proposed Commercial Use — Staff writer Pricila Flores camps out at the Goleta City Council meeting for a vote on converting an old Ellwood oil and gas site into a glamping operation.
» 2 Overnight Emergency Vet Hospitals for 1 County. Is That Enough? — Evelyn assesses Santa Barbara County’s emergency veterinary care and finds it’s not as healthy an environment as it used to be. Click here for another article in her exclusive investigative series, this one on veterinary staff burnout.
» Santa Barbara Loans $1 Million to Turn Former School Into District Employee Housing — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway has been keeping an eye on a dilapidated Lower Eastside school slated to be turned into Santa Barbara Unified School District employee housing.
» Five Years In, Community Hot Rod Project Connects People One ‘Wrench at a Time’ — Contributing writer Michael Spanjol shifts gears to connect with some classic cars and their owners.
» Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Inducts Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — Not only did sports editor Diego Sandoval emcee the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Hall of Fame ceremonies, he covered it as a two-way player, too. Congratulations to the Class of 2026.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Housing Data Reveal Stark Reality for Renters in Santa Barbara County.
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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.
Sept. 29 — Noozhawk and CalMatters are partnering again on a VotingMatters forum, this one focused on the race for state insurance commissioner and the ballot measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. Join our Hawks Club for access.
Oct. 8 — I’m emceeing “Free Speech Under Fire” at the Lobero Theatre. This is the third event of a series Noozhawk is hosting with Spotlight Santa Barbara, and it features free speech warrior Greg Lukianoff, who will be interviewed by my friend, Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy.
Lukianoff is CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and is co-author, with Rikki Schlott, of The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All — But There Is a Solution.
Click here to purchase tickets online, including VIP access to an exclusive book signing afterward.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being honored with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
Dec. 10 — Having not learned their lesson from last year, the Channel City Club has invited me back to emcee its Christmas brunch at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. I’m privileged to do this in honor of my close friend, the late Erin Graffy, the club’s longtime host.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Things are looking up for those of us who appreciate clouds: The MET Gathers 200 Years of Capturing Clouds, From Tinted Mirrors to Painted Negatives.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed is on hand for my mom’s 90th birthday party.
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Watch It
This may not be your type, but fellow copy editors and backshop rulers like Bob Klinger will appreciate it. HT to my friend and former newspaper colleague, Dave Bemis, for the trip down memory lane — complete with a pica pole. #iykyk
