Breaking news dominated Noozhawk this past week, as you can tell from four of the Top 5 stories you were reading in my weekly Best of Bill column.
According to our WordPress analytics, there were 154,409 of you doing just that.
What follows is my own take on those stories, along with some other observations. Just remember that this is my opinion column, not a news story.
1. 5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Near Bakersfield Rattles Santa Barbara County
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Kern County the night of Aug. 6, sending tremors rolling through Santa Barbara County.
As our Giana Magnoli reported, the 9:09 p.m. quake was centered in Lamont near Bakersfield, about 73 miles northeast of Santa Barbara.
The U.S. Geological Survey said more than a dozen aftershocks followed, with the shaking continuing into Aug. 7.
Like many of you, I got a USGS ShakeAlert cellphone warning about an imminent earthquake a few moments before the first jolt. I’ve received such text alerts before, but only after the earthquakes.
No damage was reported in Santa Barbara County, but the quake was felt as far away as Fresno and Temecula.
The National Weather Service confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
2. Husband, Wife Killed in Santa Maria Crash Identified
The Santa Maria couple killed in a powerful Aug. 1 collision at East Stowell and South Bradley roads has been identified.
As our Janene Scully reported, 68-year-old Randall Kern and his 55-year-old wife, Marichu, died when their car was struck by a driver who allegedly ran a red light at the busy intersection near Trader Joe’s and In-N-Out Burger.
“Based on witness statements and evidence from the scene, it appears Driver 1 was eastbound on Stowell Road when she ran the red light,” Santa Maria police Sgt. Michael McGhee said of the 9:15 a.m. wreck.
He said the driver — a 2o-year-old Santa Maria woman whose identity has not been released — was cooperative with officers at the scene.
Police are exploring whether alcohol or drugs were involved, and the circumstances of the wreck remain under investigation.
According to the Kerns’ obituary, Randall had retired after a career as a welder with PG&E in the Bay Area and Santa Maria and Marichu was a homemaker.
The couple was deeply involved in the Santa Maria Valley’s Catholic community as parishioners at St. Louis de Montfort Church in Orcutt and, before that, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Santa Maria.
Both volunteered at Catholic Charities of Santa Maria, Marichu was active with Catholic Daughters Court 1079 and, earlier this year, Randall was appointed Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 11137.
The couple is survived by their children, Glenda and her husband, Tige Adams; and Richard Kern and his wife, Gabriela Garcia-Sanchez; and their granddaughter, Amelia Adams.
A rosary and funeral mass for the Kerns was held Aug. 8 at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church. Their burial was private.
3. Downtown Santa Barbara Condo Owner ‘Shocked’ to Be Included in Assessment District
About 25 condominium owners in downtown Santa Barbara have found themselves unexpectedly included in a new Community Benefit Improvement District assessment, despite having no commercial interests in the area.
The CBID, approved by a majority of downtown property owners, aims to generate nearly $2 million annually for improvements that the City of Santa Barbara once spent your tax dollars on — like area safety, cleanliness, beautification and maintenance.
Marilynn Brewer, who lives at the Chapala Lofts at 350 Chapala St., expressed shock at the inclusion, noting that single-family homeowners were exempted while condo owners — including low-income residents — were not.
The annual assessment could be around $300 per unit, with potential 5% increases in future years.
“We were just totally shocked,” Brewer told our Josh Molina.
She pointed out that condominiums across the West Gutierrez Street intersection, but on the west side of Chapala, are exempt.
Brewer, a retired UCSB instructor who bought her condo five years ago, also is dubious at how she’ll benefit from the assessment.
“We have been cleaning the area ourselves every day, every morning, every weekday morning, for years,” she said.
According to City Attorney Sarah Knecht, apartments and residential condominiums were determined to benefit from the CBID and thus included.
“Staff has prepared the district map, which must be filed with the county assessor no later than Aug. 10, 2024, to place the assessment on the property tax rolls,” she said.
“Council may revisit the assessment after the first year.”
City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez, who represents Brewer’s complex, says he’s working to do just that.
“I’m trying hard to work something out with my council colleagues and the City Attorney’s Office, but the change may not be implemented until next year,” he said.
“Regardless, the CBID is going to greatly improve their area.”
4. Hit-and-Run Crash Sends Pedestrian to Hospital, Sparks Gas Leak, Closes Intersection in Santa Barbara
A suspected drunken driver caused major havoc on Santa Barbara’s Lower Eastside in the wee hours of Aug. 3, striking a pedestrian, running over a gas meter and crashing into a building near the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.
As our Josh Molina reported, Santa Barbara police say the 4 a.m. hit-and-run collision resulted in a significant gas leak in the industrial neighborhood at Calle Cesar Chavez and East Yanonali streets.
The intersection was closed for more than six hours as crews repaired the damage.
Assistant Chief Marylinda Arroyo said the pedestrian, whose identity was not disclosed, was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
Arroyo said police later apprehended the alleged driver, who faces felony DUI and hit-and-run charges.
The circumstances of the wreck remain under investigation.
5. Firefighters Respond to Structure Fire on Santa Barbara’s Westside
A devastating fire wiped out a Santa Barbara family’s Lower Westside home the afternoon of Aug. 4.
As our Janene Scully reported, Santa Barbara firefighters made quick work of the blaze, which ignited at 805 Orange Ave., just off West De la Guerra and San Pascual streets, around 5:30 p.m.
Within 15 minutes, it was out.
“When we arrived, firefighters did what we call a primary search to make sure there was nobody in there,” fire Marshal Ryan DiGuilo said.
“The good news is, obviously, nobody was inside.”
The residents — Paulina Avila Terrazas and her family — were out of town at the time, but the damage to their Victorian-style bungalow was extensive. The flames even burned part of a neighboring house.
The cause remains under investigation, although DiGuilo said it appears to have started outside before spreading indoors.
There were no injuries, but firefighters did find and rescue the family’s pet turtle.
“We are a family of six with two dogs,” Avila Terrazas posted on a GoFundMe page established to help the family “rebuild our lives and restore a sense of normalcy.”
“Recently, we endured the heartbreaking loss of our home and all of our cherished belongings,” she wrote. “Although we are profoundly grateful that our family is safe, the void left by our lost home is immense and deeply felt.”
As of Aug. 9, more than $11,000 had been raised for the family. Click here to make an online donation.
DiGuilo told our Daniel Green that the flames were first spotted and reported by neighbors at a birthday party across the street.
Several tried to slow the fire with garden hoses and were trying to clear the area when firefighters arrived a few minutes later.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories that are worth your while:
» After Months of Repairs, Refugio State Beach Finally Reopens — Staff writer Daniel Green has the scoop on the long-awaited reopening of Refugio State Beach.
» With Conditions, Coastal Commission Approves Increasing SpaceX Launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base — North County editor Janene Scully watches another successful SpaceX launch, this time in the form of a proposal before the California Coastal Commission.
» Suspect Arrested, Injuries Reported in Santa Barbara Jewelry Heist Attempt — Editor in chief Tom Bolton reports on a bizarre robbery attempt, and follows up with more details.
» Family Files Claim Against Santa Barbara Teacher Accused of Secretly Recording Students — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway has been digging into the case of a former Santa Barbara Charter School teacher accused of secretly recording students.
» Historic Landmarks Commission Considers Proposed Addition to Landmark Lobero Theatre — South County editor Josh Molina lifts the curtain on a proposed addition at the historic Lobero Theatre.
» Local Olympics Roundup: Women’s Volleyball Reaches Gold Medal Match, Water Polo Falls in Semifinals — Sports editor Diego Sandoval has the latest local news from the Olympics’ five-interlocking-ring extravaganza in Paris.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Proposed 250-Room Waterfront Hotel Hits Snag with Santa Barbara Planning Commission.
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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
Leave it to Boeing … to just leave you: NASA Astronauts Sent to International Space Station for 8 Days Could be Stranded Till 2025.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed goes behind the scenes at @oldmissionsb for a historical view of Alta California’s 21 missions, including The Queen, our own Mission Santa Bárbara.
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Watch It
Social media, explained. It’s funny because it’s true.
