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According to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk drew an audience of 132,579 readers this past week.
What follows is my own take — meaning my opinion — on the Top 5 stories you were reading over that period, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
To no one’s surprise, a crash story leads the way. For the fourth week in a row.
But before we begin, from our Noozhawk family to you and yours: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and the anodyne season’s greetings!
1. 4 People Injured in Collision on Hollister Avenue Near Santa Barbara
A head-on collision involving three vehicles blocked Hollister Avenue near Santa Barbara the night of Dec. 13, forcing traffic detours and sending four people to the hospital.
As our Tom Bolton reported, the wreck occurred just before 8 p.m. on the westbound side of Hollister between the east end of Auhay Drive and the Page Youth Center, at 4540 Hollister Ave.
According to the California Highway Patrol, two SUVs and a sedan were involved in the crash.
Santa Barbara County fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said emergency crews had to extricate the occupants of one of the vehicles.
One victim suffered moderate injuries while three others had minor injuries, he said. All were transported by American Medical Response ambulances to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Authorities did not disclose the identities and medical conditions of those involved.
Hollister’s westbound lanes were closed temporarily, with traffic being diverted onto Auhay Drive.
The CHP is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
2. BizHawk: Come On, Get Happy at Happy Cat Eats in Santa Barbara
Veteran restaurateur Tina Takaya has opened Happy Cat Eats at 23 E. Cabrillo Blvd., bringing a playful menu to Santa Barbara’s waterfront dining scene.
As our Josh Molina reported, the new venture offers an eclectic mix of dishes, including smash burgers, Asian and Tex-Mex street dogs, tempura fish and chips, a California burrito featuring mac and cheese, and a Dole whip dessert.
The restaurant serves Handlebar Coffee, and Takaya says she’s working on a “soon-to-be-famous” cinnamon roll.
Takaya — who also owns OKU, next door at 29 E. Cabrillo Blvd., and Opal Restaurant & Bar downtown — developed the concept as the community emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.
She partnered with executive chef Felipe Barajas, her colleague of 25 years, to create the menu.
“I wanted to create a place where everybody could afford and enjoy the atmosphere of beach casual fun food menu,” Takaya said.
Happy Cat Eats is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. Stuck Railroad Arms Wreak Havoc at Santa Barbara Railroad Crossings
Vandals targeting Union Pacific railroad crossings caused major traffic disruptions in Santa Barbara on Dec. 15, preceding the popular Parade of Lights off Stearns Wharf.
As our Josh Molina reported, the perpetrators removed copper rail bonds — electrical jumpers that relay signal currents — from several crossings at the oddly specific time of “5:14 a.m.,” according to Union Pacific spokeswoman Lupe Valdez.
The damage left crossing arms stuck in the down position for approximately two hours while warning bells continued to sound.
Although the annual boat parade sets sail just before sundown, revelers get the party started along the waterfront well before then.
“That was an extraordinary event,” Mayor Randy Rowse told Josh. “You see people do crazy things to get out of the queue.”
He said he witnessed drivers making U-turns and crossing medians to avoid the blockage. Social media reports described people manually lifting the arms to allow vehicles through.
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo expressed frustration with Union Pacific’s response time, noting that only one railroad technician appeared to be available for most of Southern California that day.
She said Santa Barbara police dispatchers repeatedly contacted Union Pacific throughout the afternoon and evening.
The railroad infrastructure, although located in Santa Barbara and used by Amtrak, is owned and maintained by Union Pacific.
Police are investigating the vandalism.
4. 4 Former Dos Pueblos Student-Athletes Sue School District Over Alleged Sexual Abuse
The Santa Barbara Unified School District has been served with a civil lawsuit brought by four former Dos Pueblos High School student-athletes, who allege the district’s negligence enabled sexual abuse by a former assistant coach and security guard.
As our Rebecca Caraway reported, the lawsuit names Justin Sell, a district employee from 2005-2011 who later served jail time for stalking and sexual offenses involving a minor.
The complaint alleges that SBUSD officials failed to properly address multiple warnings about Sell’s inappropriate behavior with students between 2007 and 2011.
“To find out that administrators and principals were enabling and protecting a child molester, it’s shocking,” said Michael Carney, the attorney for the plaintiffs and managing partner at the Beverly Hills office of Slater Slater Schulman LLP.
The lawsuit follows a 2023 case in which SBUSD was found 80% at fault for similar abuse and ordered to pay $25 million to another abuse survivor.
SBUSD spokesman Ed Zuchelli said the district is reviewing the complaint and emphasized its commitment to student safety.
“The district has strict standards of professional and employee supervision, and has several methods of reporting inappropriate behavior,” he said.
“Any allegation of misconduct will be thoroughly and swiftly investigated.”
The four plaintiffs were students and football players at Dos Pueblos around the years of 2007-2011 and were all alleged victims of sexual assault and abuse by Sell, their coach who also served as a security guard.
5. Rob Raede: Dang, That’s a Good Burger
Two former musicians who discovered their culinary calling during the COVID-19 lockdowns have transformed a series of pop-up events into Carpinteria’s hottest burger joint.
As our Rob Raede reported, Gil Craddock and Emery Hickenbotham opened Dang Burger a year ago at 5080 Carpinteria Ave., partnering with Sunburst Winery to create a food and beverage destination.
The restaurant specializes in California-style smash burgers featuring locally sourced ingredients.
“I grew up a chubby burger kid here in Carpinteria,” said Craddock, who met Hickenbotham, a Santa Barbara native, while both were playing in Bay Area bands during college.
After losing their Los Angeles jobs during the pandemic, they returned to the South Coast and began hosting pop-ups at local breweries.
The duo uses highly regarded Martin’s potato rolls, and they source their beef from Santa Carota Beef outside Bakersfield.
“It’s like meat candy,” Craddock laughed.
The rest of the food comes from Central Coast farms like Darby’s, Tutti Frutti in the Santa Rita Hills and Beylik Farms in Fillmore
The menu includes a black bean vegetarian option, scrumptious salads and weekly Thursday specials.
As a regular, my favorite is the Hot Dang, which is loaded with the most vivid-green jalapeños I’ve ever seen. I had one when Rob and I went a few weeks ago and, again, just yesterday when I met a buddy for lunch. It’s a #bestofbillrecommendation.
Just as noteworthy, however, is the Dang good service.
On my very first visit, I was astounded at how friendly and engaging every employee was, and that welcoming atmosphere has been consistent no matter how busy the place is.
I think most of you know how unusual that can be, even at some of our regular haunts.
Hot Dang is open from noon to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. It’s closed Tuesdays.
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Good Reads
Don’t miss these six stories before you go:
» Santa Barbara County Firefighters Make Purr-fect Rescue in Lompoc Valley — North County editor — and cat lover — Janene Scully finally gets to report on a car story that doesn’t involve wrecking it. In fact, a cat-astrophe was averted.
» Woman Rescued After Vehicle Plunges 100 Feet Off Side of Highway 1 — Speaking of rescues and wrecks, South County editor Josh Molina has the story of a harrowing crash down a ravine near Vandenberg Village. Somehow the driver escaped serious injury.
» Construction Along Santa Claus Lane to Provide Beach Access, Safer Streets — Staff writer Daniel Green explores the transformation planned for the chaotic, heavily congested Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria.
» Barbra Valentine: Amazing Grace Under Fire — My friend, Barbra Valentine, was a guest at Serra Retreat in Malibu the night the Franklin Fire exploded nearby.
» Laurie Jervis: Santa Ynez Chamber Hosts Spirited 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt — Wine columnist Laurie Jervis may not be able to go on a scavenger hunt with you, but she has some tips for a successful adventure.
» Mark Patton: NCAA’s Shifting Landscape Induces 1st Fractures Within Big West Conference — Sports columnist Mark Patton attempts to explain what’s going on with all the NCAA conference hopping. Bottom line: The organization is taking the fun out of college sports.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? BizHawk: New Owners Have Big Plans for Santa Barbara’s Iconic Harbor Restaurant.
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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.
- Jan. 7 — I’ll be sharing Noozhawk’s story and discussing the future of local news — and local news in Santa Barbara County — with my friends at the Minerva Club of Santa Maria. The Minerva is one of the oldest, continuously operating women’s clubs in California and a community treasure since 1894.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
After centuries of speculation, this seems so anti-climactic: Stonehenge Mystery Solved After 5,000 Years as Scientists Finally Crack Why Mysterious Monument Was Built.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
Another light week in my Instagram feed but @sadiethealaskanmalamute sightings are always a hit.
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Watch It
Do you see the gift?
