Graduation caps aren’t the only things flying through the air this time of year!
While Team Noozhawk prepares to commemorate commencement ceremonies throughout Santa Barbara County, we’re also offering two very different ways to celebrate achievements both big and small.
For the cap-and-gown crowd, our annual graduation announcements await! Simply click here for details on how to add your graduate to our Class of 2025 showcase — whether they’re finishing kindergarten, high school, college or beyond.
Meanwhile, for the pint-sized daredevils among us, we’re offering a different kind of graduation — from the playground to the rodeo arena!
On May 21, we’ll draw the name of one lucky buckaroo to ride for the Noozhawk brand in the enormously popular Mutton Bustin’ competition at the 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo on June 1.
Contestants must be between 5 and 7 years old and weigh no more than 60 pounds. Click here to enter your young thrill-seeker for a shot at wool-riding glory.
The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade runs May 28 to June 1 at the Elks Unocal Events Center, at 4040 Highway 101 in Santa Maria. Click here to purchase tickets online or for more information.
As a proud sponsor of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, I hope to see many of you there!
According to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk had an audience of 137,444 readers this past week.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading over the past seven days, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
As most of you know, this is my opinion column and not a news story.
1. BizHawk: Rozzi Pizza Brings Slice of New York Life to Santa Barbara
After years of leading kitchens around Santa Barbara, Culinary Institute of America graduate David “Rozzi” Rosner is returning to his New York roots with the opening of Rozzi Pizza.
“I am a pizzaholic,” Rosner admitted to our Josh Molina, noting that he grew up in New York City where “every corner has a pizzeria and that’s your spot.”
His new restaurant at 233 W. Montecito St. features authentic 18-inch New York-style pies available whole or by the slice. In keeping with the theme, the pizzas are named after Big Apple locations.
Rosner — the former executive chef of Café Luck, Wine Cask and the University Club of Santa Barbara — is embracing a simpler culinary dream.
“It’s … always been a dream of mine to do something like this,” Rosner said while spinning dough at his shop near The Brewhouse, west of the Santa Barbara train station.
Currently the restaurant’s sole employee, Rosner hopes to create more than just a place to eat.
“It’s a sense of community, and I just hope I can authentically portray that to our community,” he said.
2. Bill Macfadyen: Determined Dad Creates Breakthrough in Liz Hamel’s Tragic Death
There’s no question about the ongoing reader interest in a grief-stricken father’s do-it-yourself quest for answers in his daughter’s mysterious death outside a UC Santa Barbara dormitory. Sadly, there’s nothing new to report as of May 16.
3. Goleta Man Arrested on Suspicion of Multiple Sex Crimes Involving Children
A 42-year-old Goleta pastor and former assistant football coach was arrested May 9 on multiple child sex crime charges after a month-long investigation by Santa Barbara County sheriff’s detectives.
As our Daniel Green reported, sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick said Shaun Donald Hertlein faces felony charges that include sending sexual images to a minor, communicating with a minor with intent to commit a crime, and possession of obscene images of children.
Sheriff’s investigators say Hertlein had extensive access to minors through his work at SOUTHCOAST Church, at 5814 Cathedral Oaks Road, and as a former volunteer assistant coach for the Dos Pueblos High School freshman football team.
As our Giana Magnoli reported, on May 13 the District Attrorney’s Office charged Hertlein with felony possession of child pornography, including significant amounts of illegal — and revolting — material.
Special allegations noted aggravating factors, including victim vulnerability and abuse of trust.
Additionally, Hertlein faces three misdemeanor charges related to inappropriate — and revolting — communications with minors in 2023, according to the criminal complaint.
Hertlein entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment in Santa Barbara County Superior Court and is being held without bail in County Jail.
In a statement posted on its website, SOUTHCOAST Church acknowledged Hertlein’s arrest, expressed grief and assured families that it thoroughly vets and conducts background checks on all staff and volunteers who interact with children.
The statement noted that pastoral staff is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“As far as we are currently aware from the Sheriff’s Department, we have no reason to believe any of the children in the images nor the minors he was in contact with currently attend or attended/visited SOUTHCOAST in the past,” the statement said.
Dos Pueblos Principal Bill Woodard informed families that the Santa Barbara Unified School District is cooperating fully with the sheriff’s investigation and emphasized that all district employees undergo thorough background checks.
“At this time, there is no indication that any students from our school were victims of his actions,” he said in a statement.
Woodward encouraged anyone affected to come forward, including anonymously, and promised support for any victims connected to the Dos Pueblos community.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Francesca Arnoldi at 805.681.4150 or click here to submit an anonymous tip.
4. Mother, Daughter Arrested on Suspicion of Embezzling $550,000 from Carpinteria Business
A 63-year-old woman and her 43-year-old daughter were arrested May 14 on suspicion of orchestrating a massive embezzlement scheme involving a Carpinteria financial services firm.
As our Giana Magnoli reported, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department says the duo drained more than $550,000 from the business over a span of nearly 20 years.
According to sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick, detectives began investigating a reported theft from the business in the 6100 block of Carpinteria Avenue in February.
Zick said the investigation revealed that Delia Guerrero had been systematically embezzling from her employer since 2006, with her daughter, Delilah Strother, also implicated in the plot.
Authorities served an arrest warrant at the women’s Oxnard home, where both were taken into custody.
They face multiple serious charges, including embezzlement, grand theft, conspiracy, false impersonation and aggravated white-collar crime with losses exceeding $100,000.
As of May 16, both Guerrero and Strother remain in custody in County Jail with bail set at $750,000 each.
5. Woman Dies, Man Arrested After Stabbing in Santa Maria
A 63-year-old Santa Maria man is facing a murder charge and four additional felony counts following the May 9 fatal stabbing of a 44-year-old woman.
As our Janene Scully reported, Eduardo DeGuzman Torres was arrested at the scene after Santa Maria police responded to a reported stabbing around 11 a.m. that day in the 1700 block of Rio Vista Lane, off East Newlove Drive and east of South Miller Street.
The victim, identified as Mary Grace Torres, suffered multiple wounds and was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Marian Regional Medical Center. She died not long afterward.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Torres allegedly had been stalking the victim. The relationship between the two, if any, was not disclosed.
In addition to murder, Torres faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, stalking and two counts of resisting arrest.
The charges include sentencing enhancements for using a knife and causing great bodily injury.
Torres made his first court appearance May 13 but did not enter a plea. Judge John McGregor ordered him held without bail pending a May 20 hearing.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories you should read:
» Santa Barbara Unified Board Votes to Save Teacher Positions After Massive Public Backlash — South County editor Josh Molina learns that Santa Barbara Unified School District trustees have finally solved their self-inflicted math problem.
» Santa Barbara Considers Crackdown on Businesses’ Temporary Sidewalk Signs — Josh reports that the Santa Barbara City Council’s latest bright idea to “fix” State Street may be to ban sidewalk signs, many of which seem to be appearing at cross-street corners in an attempt to lure customers into the block. Of course, they could just reopen State Street to vehicles, but that would be too obvious.
» UCSB to Seek Rental for New Chancellor as House Undergoes Renovations — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway homes in on plans to renovate the UC Santa Barbara chancellor’s house, evidently after decades of deferred maintenance. Where’s former Chancellor Bob Huttenback when you need him?
» Arson Suspect with Sword Arrested After Gaviota Coast Fire — A May 14 Gaviota coast brush fire is even more bizarre than we knew. Rebecca has the details.
» Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Reopens Following Construction — Sports editor Diego Sandoval tees up some good news for golfers.
» Westmont Baseball Battles to 3-2 Win Over San Francisco State on Day 1 of West Regional — Diego is keeping score at Russ Carr Field, where Westmont is looking for a second NCAA national championship in baseball, this time in Division II. Go Warriors!
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Santa Barbara Hospital Reports Increase in Rattlesnake-Bite Patients.
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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.
- May 28 — My favorite topic, Noozhawk, is on the agenda for my appearance at the Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley.
- May 30 — I’ll be back at Mountain View School in Goleta for its annual sixth-grade exit interviews. Over the past 20 years, I think I’ve only missed one or two of these chats with exceptional young students before they head off to junior high school.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Catch this: CHP’s Latest Weapon Against Speeding? Stealth Mode SUVs You Won’t See Coming.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed is fond of palm fronds this past week, and tariffs talk.
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Watch It
Just keeping things current. HT to Best of Bill reader Tim Elliott.
