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Noozhawk drew an audience of 129,285 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading over that period, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
Before you read further, I must remind you that this is my opinion column and not a news story. And I’m Noozhawk’s publisher, not a reporter.
1. BizHawk: State Street Shows Signs of Rebound with New Leases
State Street’s retail landscape is experiencing some unaccustomed vitality with five significant lease agreements in the third quarter.
As our Josh Molina reported, new arrivals include Courtney Burke, a clothing and gifts store at 931 State St., and Canvas Boutique at 1307 State St., according to Hayes Commercial Group.
Other developments include Tamsen Gallery’s relocation to 1309 State St., Namaste Indian Bistro’s sublease at 1218 State St., and Casa Agria Specialty Ales’ planned opening at 418 State St.
Hayes reports a trend toward smaller retail spaces, with no leases exceeding 5,000 square feet in 2024 and an average space size of 1,825 square feet — a record low.
Meanwhile, Cost Plus World Market’s future at 610 State St. remains flexible despite a three-year lease extension through 2027. Property owner Peter Lewis maintains the option to secure new tenants with appropriate notice.
Josh also reported that South Coast retail leasing activity is up 16% compared to the five-year average, suggesting continued recovery from the COVID-19 debacle.
2. Victim’s Family Expresses Outrage at Sentencing for Lompoc Hit-and-Run
A 23-year-old Lompoc woman was sentenced Nov. 14 to six months in Santa Barbara County jail for a hit-and-run “incident” that killed her children’s father.
As our Janene Scully reported, Gezel Viveros previously pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run while driving, resulting in injury or death.
The Feb. 10 collision at Beattie Park resulted in the death of 23-year-old Daniel Arias “Danny” Cortez, who succumbed to his injuries at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, Cortez’s family members contested the characterization of the collision as accidental.
“This was not an accident,” declared his sister, Elizabeth. “She did it out of anger, jealousy.”
The “accident” certainly was unusually coincidental. The odds had to be astronomical.
Cortez’s dad, Armando, recalled talking to his son before he was struck, and hearing his cellphone clatter to the ground.
“I could hear when she was burning tires,” he said, contending that his son was run over twice before the driver sped away.
Nevertheless, Superior Court Judge Stephen Foley called the case “an incredible tragedy” but noted no evidence suggested intentional or reckless conduct.
He did muster an admonishment for Viveros, who could have — and should have — stopped to assist the pedestrian she ran over or called for help.
“That is a basic fundamental principle us as human beings in this society go by, and Ms. Viveros didn’t do that,” Foley said.
Viveros also didn’t turn herself in. She was arrested in March after Lompoc police identified her as the driver.
Along with jail time, Viveros received two years of supervised probation and must pay more than $12,000 in restitution for Cortez’s funeral costs.
The maximum sentence for the charge was three years in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Harmon noted that no plea deal had been offered to Viveros, who entered an open plea directly to Foley.
The Viveros sentencing was the second time in less than a month that relatively light punishments for drivers in deadly hit-and-run cases were met with anger and disbelief.
On Oct. 24, Superior Court Judge Pauline Maxwell sentenced 34-year-old Salvador Jimenez to just two years of probation for his Feb. 24 hit-and-run that killed 31-year-old Dane Angus in downtown Santa Barbara.
3. Santa Barbara Council Approves Garden Street Hotel in Funk Zone
The Santa Barbara City Council voted 5-2 on Nov. 19 to approve a 250-room Funk Zone hotel project, despite neighborhood opposition.
As our Josh Molina reported, the proposed hotel at 101 Garden St., near the intersection of East Yanonali Street, has been drawing fierce criticism from neighbors who want to see housing instead.
The Wright family, which proposed the project years ago, cited a 1983 Specific Plan agreement with the City of Santa Barbara that permitted either housing or hotel development on the site.
Their previous 2008 proposal for 91 residential condominiums was withdrawn because it didn’t pencil out financially.
Mayor Randy Rowse and Council members Eric Friedman, Alejandra Gutierrez, Meagan Harmon and Mike Jordan voted for the hotel, with Council members Oscar Gutierrez and Kristen Sneddon in dissent.
The project includes an underground garage that would force the removal of contaminated groundwater sentiment, which could spill into nearby Laguna Creek.
The developers also agreed to contribute $1 million to the city’s Housing Trust Fund.
The Planning Commission had previously approved the project on a 4-2 vote.
4. Santa Barbara Allocates $1.4 Million to Remove Riviera Home Damaged in Landslide
The Santa Barbara City Council has approved $1.4 million in disaster reserve funds to remove a house that slid down a Riviera hillside earlier this year.
As our Daniel Green reported, the council also authorized an agreement with property owner Jan Luc to remove her condemned house and detached garage at 1037 Las Alturas Road.
Public Works Department director Clifford Maurer said the city plans to stabilize the hill through soil nailing, a process expected to take two months under favorable weather conditions.
The project includes relocating a damaged sewer pipe, with construction beginning Dec. 2.
The house was condemned in May following the March landslide. No one was physically hurt in the slide.
Neighbors established a GoFundMe account to assist Luc with alternative housing expenses. As of Nov. 22, the campaign had raised nearly $27,000. Click here to make an online donation.
Maurer assured residents that the rest of the hill is safe and that there are no signs of additional damage or slides.
“There’s no reason to be concerned or alarmed, but its current configuration, it’s not sustainable over time,” he said.
“It’s too vulnerable, and that’s why we’re doing the repair.”
5. Man Arrested in Montecito After Allegedly Kidnapping Woman and Child
A 34-year-old Newport Beach man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly kidnapping a woman and her baby in Santa Barbara County.
As our Daniel Green reported, District Attorney John Savrnoch said Matthew Parsadayan was charged with kidnapping, second-degree robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.
Other than that, he was a model tourist.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered the alleged abduction during a late-night Nov. 12 traffic stop on Highway 101 in Montecito when they spotted an RV traveling with its pop-out panels extended.
According to sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick, Parsadayan was forcing the woman — reportedly his girlfriend — to drive him to Orange County while threatening her with knives.
Deputies found a Glock pistol and a spent 9mm casing in the RV. Parsadayan allegedly had fired the gun from the vehicle during the incident.
The woman and child were unhurt, and their identities were not disclosed.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories that are worth your time:
» High Cost of Housing, Poor State of Education Hurting Democratic Power, Says Dan Walters — My favorite political writer, Dan Walters of CalMatters, explains how California — for all of its unique advantages — is corrupting its future, and ours. South County editor Josh Molina reports on what should be a wakeup call.
» Season’s First Significant Rainfall Expected to Hit This Weekend — Editor in chief Tom Bolton has a weather report for the “bomb cyclone” that’s supposed to spin into California this weekend.
» SBIFF’s New Film Center Debuts at Former Fiesta Five Theater Downtown — Staff writer Daniel Green rolls the credits on a lightning-fast transformation of a former downtown movie theater.
» UCSB Students Start Free Tutoring Program for Local Children — Local schoolchildren have a powerful new tutoring resource just a click away. Staff writer Rebecca Caraway follows the ABCs of Education+, a growing program founded and run by UC Santa Barbara students.
» Coast Guard Launches New Air Station in Ventura County — North County editor Janene Scully explains how a new Coast Guard base of operations in Ventura County will benefit us in Santa Barbara County.
» Dos Pueblos Football Falls in Final Seconds to Mary Star of the Sea in CIF-SS Div. 12 Quarterfinals, 27-23 — I really feel for the Dos Pueblos High football team, whose players will be haunted for the rest of their lives by one heartbreaking kickoff return. Sports editor Diego Sandoval has the details.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Female Driver Killed in Crash on Highway 101 South of Buellton.
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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.
- Dec. 6 — Well, this is awkward. The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is honoring me as Man of the Year at the annual Goleta’s Finest celebration at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. See you there.
- 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
These insurance claims didn’t bear up under scrutiny: 4 Humans Allegedly Used Giant Furry Bear Costume to Claim Luxury Car Damage in Lake Arrowhead.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
Dark skies, sunsets, rocket launches and my Thanksgiving pregame are all in my Instagram feed this past week.
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Watch It
’Tis the season.
