The election is over, pretty much everywhere but California, and a clearer picture of the political fallout is beginning to emerge.
On Nov. 17, you have a front-row opportunity to find out what comes next.
Join Noozhawk at the Lobero Theatre for an evening with NPR national political correspondent and Fox News contributor Mara Liasson, who has spent decades covering Washington and the people who run it.
What did voters really say on Nov. 3? Who won, who lost and what does it all mean for the next two years?
Mara will tackle those questions and more in a lively conversation with my friend, Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy.
Once again, I’ll be your emcee for our fourth Spotlight Santa Barbara event.
The program starts at 7 p.m., with drinks and conversation beginning at 6 p.m. on the Lobero’s esplanade.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of America’s most experienced political journalists, right here in Santa Barbara.
Nov. 17 is just days away. Don’t wait to get your tickets.
Click here to reserve your seats now.
Meanwhile, according to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk attracted 160,771 readers this past week.
What follows is my take on the Top 5 stories you were reading, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
As always, this is my weekly opinion column, written in my civic capacity as Noozhawk’s publisher. Although it contains some news, it is not a news story.
Thank you for reading.
1. Hospitals Discharge 24 Santa Barbara Half-Marathon Runners After ‘Unusual Symptoms’
Questions and speculation are still swirling about what caused dozens of Santa Barbara Half Marathon runners to experience unusual symptoms during the Nov. 8 race, even as health officials point to heat-related illness and Santa Barbara police continue investigating what detectives call “suspicious circumstances.”
As our Evelyn Spence has been reporting all week, 30 runners received medical treatment, including 27 who were hospitalized, many of them in intensive-care units.
All had been discharged as of Nov. 12, Cottage Health spokeswoman Cristina Cortez confirmed.
A friend of mine told Evelyn that his son, an experienced runner in his 30s, collapsed shortly after grabbing a drink at the final hydration station.
“He couldn’t move any of his limbs,” said the father, who requested anonymity. “He could not say one word.”
His son also couldn’t remember his name or where he lived, he said, adding that he was unconscious for 30-40 minutes.
The father said hospital staff tested his son for ketamine and GHB ingestion, with results still pending.
Santa Barbara County Public Health spokesman Ryyn Schumacher said inspectors found “no violations or areas of concern” at the electrolyte drink preparation site in question before the race.
“There is no indication of a broader public health concern or ongoing risk to the community,” he said.
Police Cmdr. Nathan Beltran told Evelyn on Nov. 10 that there were no additional updates available.
Race event director David Monico told Evelyn that organizers have “no reason to believe that it’s anything more than just the heat and exhaustion from the half marathon.”
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature reached 86 degrees during the competition.
Authorities have not confirmed any drink contamination or drugging. The investigation remains open.
2. Man Whose Body Found Concealed in Santa Barbara Apartment Was ‘Great Dad,’ Family Says
Matthew “Shorty” Brennen Jr. loved the ocean, fishing and, most of all, his children, who are now raising money for his funeral and seeking answers about his death.
Santa Barbara police discovered Brennen’s body Oct. 28 in a West Beach apartment, wrapped in a bedroll inside a metal container sealed with plastic wrap.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the 39-year-old Carpinteria native was described by his daughter, Mia, as a “free spirit” whose laughter filled a room.
“He was not only a great dad and brother but also an amazing friend,” she said in a post for the family’s SupportNow fundraiser.
Brennen’s children — Jacob, Mia, Monica and Carston — held a candlelight vigil for him at Carpinteria’s Fourth Beach on Nov. 6.
A visitation has been scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 27 at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St. in Ventura.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Nov. 28 at Carpinteria District Cemetery, 1501 Craven Lane in Carpinteria.
As of Nov. 13, the fundraising campaign had collected around $4,600. Click here to make an online donation.
Police arrested 45-year-old Jenica Ochoa and 43-year-old Kenneth Tompkins, residents of the apartment building where Brennen’s body was found, in connection with his death.
At an Oct. 30 arraignment in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, they pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy and concealing a death.
Both have been released from County Jail and are due back in court on Nov. 30.
The circumstances surrounding Brennen’s death remain under investigation.
3. Man Arrested After Ocean Standoff at Santa Barbara’s East Beach
A Santa Barbara man accused of battery spent roughly four hours evading police in the ocean off East Beach on Nov. 10 before being taken into custody.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, 31-year-old Leonardo Silvestre Castro allegedly fled from officers investigating a 7:30 a.m. incident near Garden Street and East Cabrillo Boulevard.
Police Lt. Ethan Ragsdale said Castro waded into the ocean and took refuge in a concrete drainage culvert, refusing officers’ commands to surrender.
Santa Barbara firefighters and rescue swimmers, Harbor Patrol and SBPD crisis negotiators responded to the beach near South Calle César Chávez.
Just before noon, officers were able to remove the soggy suspect from the water.
He was transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital before being booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of felony battery and multiple misdemeanors.
As of Nov. 13, he remained jailed on $100,000 bail.
4. Robbery Reported at Santa Barbara Bank of America Parking Lot
Santa Barbara police were investigating a reported armed robbery the evening of Nov. 7 in the parking lot of a Bank of America branch on upper State Street.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, officers were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. to the closed bank at 3790 State St., at the intersection of North Hope Avenue, catty-cornered from La Cumbre Plaza.
According to emergency radio traffic, two male suspects — possibly armed with a gun — reportedly fled the scene, while the victim allegedly pursued them in a vehicle.
Those details could not immediately be confirmed.
Police Cmdr. Charles Katsapis would only tell Evelyn that a robbery had occurred in the secluded parking lot, but he would not provide additional details about the suspects or victim.
5. Kristen Sneddon Appears Headed to Victory in Santa Barbara Mayoral Race with Latest Count
Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon has widened her lead over fellow Councilman Eric Friedman in the race for mayor, while Ricardo Valencia appeared headed for victory in the contest to become Santa Barbara County’s Fifth District supervisor.
As our Rebecca Caraway and Daniel Green reported after county elections officials released their latest count on Nov. 12, Sneddon now has a 579-vote cushion on Friedman, 16,202 to 15,623, wiping out his election-night advantage.
“I feel cautiously optimistic,” Sneddon told Rebecca, adding that she would await the final count before declaring victory.
In case you — and she — were wondering, that likely won’t be until at least Nov. 17 when the next results dribble out, a full two weeks after Election “Day.”
Friedman wasn’t waiting. He quickly threw in the towel on Nov. 12 and congratulated Sneddon and new council members Ian Baucke, Gabe Escobedo and Devon Wardlow, all of whom were elected in landslides.
“I know they’re going to hit the ground running come January,” he said of the ambitious, zealous new council majority, which includes incumbents Oscar Gutierrez and Wendy Santamaria.
At the other end of the county, Valencia, a Santa Maria-Bonita School District trustee and teacher, now has a commanding 53.7% of the vote against Santa Maria City Councilwoman Maribel Aguilera.
That margin all but assures his win in the race to succeed retiring Supervisor Steve Lavagnino.
Two council contests remain too close to call.
In Buellton, City Council candidate Mark Williams leads Billy Silvola by 27 votes.
In Lompoc, City Council challenger Sharlameigne Segovia holds a 38-vote advantage over incumbent Victor Vega.
Measure D, an $80 million Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District bond, stands at 56.3% approval, above the required 55%.
Officials say about 3,500 ballots still remain unprocessed countywide.
Click here for more election results.
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Good Reads
Here are another six stories you should read:
» Santa Barbara Veterans Day Ceremony Salutes Sacrifices of Reservists — Staff writer Pricila Flores attends the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation’s annual Veterans Day commemoration at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. This year’s ceremony also paid tribute to military reservists who served as well. Staff writer Jack Dindia was in Santa Maria for a North County remembrance.
» After 7-Hour Hearing, Housing Project at La Cumbre Plaza Clears Design Review — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway guts out a grueling hearing on the future of La Cumbre Plaza.
» 4 Juveniles, 1 Adult Arrested in June Santa Barbara Westside Shooting — South County editor Evelyn Spence has an update on a June 17 shooting at notorious Bohnett Park on Santa Barbara’s Westside. Imagine my astonishment to learn it may be “gang-related.”
» Guadalupe Public Safety Director Michael Cash Resigns Ahead of Job Review — There’s quite a bit of public safety intrigue going around in the City of Guadalupe. North County editor Janene Scully has the details.
» Leaders Predict Santa Barbara County Will Become Even Bigger Technology Hub — Staff writer Daniel Green is plugged in at the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the County presentation.
» Mark Patton: Taking a Good, Hard Look Back at 60 Years of UCSB’s Harder Stadium — Sports columnist Mark Patton is back with one of his Patton-ed trips down memory lane, this one about UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium, including the Gaucho glory days of what I consider to be the real football program.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Construction Begins to Turn Former Hotel into Permanent Housing for Homeless.
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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.
Nov. 17 — I’m emceeing our next Spotlight Santa Barbara event, this one featuring NPR national political correspondent and Fox News contributor Mara Liasson and moderated by my friend, Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. They’ll have lots to talk about from the Nov. 3 election. Click here to purchase tickets online.
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
This one’s for you, Pete Sitterle: Why Neon Signs Were So Common on Route 66.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed helped out at the Montecito Association’s 41st annual Beautification Day.
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Watch It
Prepare to be “Thunderstruck” by high school xylophone player Layla Clark’s concentration. HT to Best of Bill reader and self-described “marching band nerd” Charles Simms.
