The end may be in sight for the prolonged summer heat wave that has baked Santa Barbara County for more than a week.
As I’ve said before, I don’t mind the heat — it’s the humidity that makes me want to climb into a chest freezer.
That’s impractical, though, and I would have to move the dead body I’m already storing there.
But our Pricila Flores had the bright idea to ask Noozhawk readers for advice on how to beat this excessive heat, and you responded with a blizzard of recommendations.
Unfortunately, few of them were cool enough for me so I’m back looking at the freezer and wondering how quickly a corpse will defrost in nearly 100-degree temperatures.
While I coldly calculate my next move, Noozhawk was drawing an audience of 134,359 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading during that period, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
It may frost you to know this is my opinion column but you can always write a letter to the editor if you find yourself boiling over. Or if you just don’t like your metaphors mixed.
1. Driver Killed in Collision with Big Rig on Highway 1 South of Lompoc
A collision between an SUV and a jackknifed big rig on Highway 1 near Lompoc left one driver dead and the other injured on Aug. 25.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the California Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at 2:20 p.m. near Jalama Road, about 4½ miles south of Lompoc.
The wreckage blocked both lanes of the roadway, which was shut down between Highways 101 and 246 for about four hours afterward.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials said the driver of a Honda Pilot — identified as 32-year-old Victor Uriarte Madrid of Lompoc — was pronounced dead at the scene.
The big rig driver suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment.
No other vehicles were involved in the collision.
The CHP is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
2. Solvang Residents, Committee Push Back on Proposed Glamping Resort
Plans for a high-end Solvang glamping resort at an old lumberyard are headed back to the drawing board after residents and city design reviewers raised concerns about the project.
As our Jack Dindia reported, the proposed Airstream resort would place 31 of the iconic travel trailers at 1783 and 1793 Mission Drive, the site of the old Solvang Lumberyard just east of the Santa Barbara County sheriff’s office.
The plans also call for hotel suites, a bar and lounge, a guest amenities center, a pool, showers and a lookout tower because, well, you never know who’s gonna try to sneak up on you.
During a pre-application review last week, critics said the contemporary design did not reflect the Spanish Mission-style architecture of the neighborhood — exemplified by the historic Mission Santa Inés right across the street.
Residents also objected to the lookout tower, while Design Review Committee members questioned the pool’s proximity to nearby homes.
Committee member Jennifer Johnson opposed the Airstream concept altogether.
“Even if I was going to go camping, which I did all my life growing up, I would never go in an Airstream,” she sniffed.
Phil Stevens, representing applicant Lonnie Roy, said the development team would revise the proposal to “strike a better balance” for the complex.
The committee encouraged the applicants to return for another preliminary review before formally seeking a development permit for the property, which is owned by Santa Barbara developer Ed St. George.
3. 2 Men Sought in Robbery of Paseo Nuevo Store in Santa Barbara
A Paseo Nuevo store employee was punched in the face on Aug. 20 while trying to stop two alleged shoplifters.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, Santa Barbara police were dispatched just before 6 p.m. to 805 University, a vintage sports apparel store in the downtown open-air mall.
Police Cmdr. Nathan Beltran said two suspects, described as Hispanic men in their early 20s, entered the store and attempted to steal merchandise.
When an employee intervened, Beltran said, one suspect pushed and punched him in the face.
American Medical Response paramedics checked on the employee, who was largely unhurt.
Officers searched the neighborhood but were unable to find the suspects. Beltran said the investigation is continuing.
4. Santa Maria Settles Lawsuit with Mother of DUI Driver for $90,000
A years-long legal dispute over whether a Santa Maria police transport van struck and killed a 20-year-old Lompoc man following a drunken-driving crash on Highway 101 has ended with a $90,000 payment.
As our Janene Scully reported, the City of Santa Maria settled with Julia Becerra, whose son, Vincent Becerra, died in a single-vehicle crash near Palmer Road north of Los Alamos in 2022.
The civil case was dismissed in late July, weeks before trial.
Investigators determined that Becerra had a 0.19% blood-alcohol level and marijuana in his system at the time of his death.
The city said Becerra was driving more than 100 mph, texting and not wearing a seatbelt when he crashed and was ejected onto the roadway.
His family alleged a police van subsequently ran over him. The city disputed that claim, citing evidence that Becerra suffered fatal injuries in the initial wreck.
City Attorney Thomas Watson said the settlement avoided further litigation costs and the risk of an adverse verdict.
Santa Maria also spent about $95,000 on outside legal counsel, Steven Dippell of Davis, Bengtson & Young in San José.
According to court documents, Julia Becerra previously reached a $1 million settlement with her son’s former employer, Adiamo Solvang Inc., dba Cecco Ristorante, and owner David Cecchini.
5. Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Had Ties to Santa Barbara County
Dolly Parton may have been one of the world’s most recognized and beloved entertainers, but the country music superstar’s legacy stretched all the way to Santa Barbara County, where she left her mark through a Solvang retreat, children’s literacy programs and memorable performances.
As our Pricila Flores reported, Parton died Aug. 25 in Nashville after a brief and quiet battle with cancer. She was 80.
Parton’s former home at 561 Alisal Road in Solvang, described as a weekend retreat, went on the market in April for nearly $2 million.
Owner Cris Lapp told Pricila that a small memorial has been erected there in her honor.
Parton — who grew up desperately poor but surrounded by love, one of 12 children in a one-bedroom house in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains — never forgot her humble beginnings or the Christian values of charity and compassion her parents instilled in their family. Her commitment to helping others grew alongside the extraordinary success of her musical career.
Childhood literacy was her biggest philanthropic cause and her Dolly Imagination Library has distributed free books locally through United Way of Santa Barbara County.
According to United Way officials, over the past decade, the program has served 1,750 children through age 5.
Parton also performed at the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2016 during her two-year Pure & Simple Tour.
HT to my friend and Noozhawk contributor, Gary Lambert, for the nearby pic of Parton at a concert that same year in Paso Robles.
Parton was preceded in death last year by her devoted husband of 59 years, Carl Dean.
The couple had no children as a result of her acute endometriosis but, through her talent and her treasure, her light will shine for generations to come.
Lapp remembered her as a rare unifying cultural figure.
“She was one of the greatest assets that America had,” he said.
Rest in peace, Darlin’.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories that are worth your read:
» Panicked Sea Lions Damage San Luis Obispo County Gondola — 100-Year-Old Heirloom Lost — San Luis Obispo Tribune staff writer Stephanie Zappelli shares a Morro Bay survival story that trashed a well-known gondola in the process.
» New CEO Jana Petersen Hopes to Continue Vision of ‘One County, One Future’ — Staff writer Daniel Green catches up with Santa Barbara County Chief Executive Jana Petersen as she settles in to her new job.
» Santa Barbara Considers Stricter Rules for Using Dwindling Reserve Funds — The jokes practically write themselves but staff writer Rebecca Caraway reports on the spendthrift Santa Barbara City Council attempting to save themselves from themselves.
» Citing a Wildfire ‘Crisis,’ State Board OKs 5-Foot Fire Zone Rules — South County editor Evelyn Spence has the details on California’s latest wildfire protection solution.
» High School Football, Girls Volleyball Teams Headline First SBART Luncheon of School Year — High school sports is back, and so are the weekly Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheons. Sports editor Diego Sandoval has the full menu.
» Dr. Hilary Quinn: Ticks – Creepy-Crawly Vectors of Disease — Veterinarian Hilary Quinn has some timely advice for pet owners in the dog days of summer.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Search for Missing I.V. Woman Ends Sadly with Discovery of Her Body.
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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.
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
He sure can uncork some doozies: Gavin Newsom Claims He ‘Didn’t Even Know’ About 5,000-Bottle Wine Cellar at His $7.5 Million Home.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed was heavy on @sadiethealaskanmalamute content this past week. And, boy, did that set off one of my stalkers.
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Watch It
Wait for it. HT to Best of Bill reader Paul Ward.
