I am very excited to announce that Pricila Flores will be joining Team Noozhawk as a California Local News Fellow, beginning in early September.
The prestigious fellowship, administered by the UC Berkeley Journalism Department, supports more than 70 early career journalists throughout California.
Under the program, Pricila will be working as a Noozhawk staff writer and photographer for two years.
A 2024 UC Santa Barbara honors graduate, the Novato native brings impressive credentials to our team.
She served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Nexus, where she led the independent, student-run newspaper’s 60-member newsroom, and as news director for UCSB TV.
She co-founded La Vista, the Daily Nexus’ first Spanish-language section, earning recognition for her commitment to diversity and inclusion in journalism.
In between all that, Pricila even managed to intern for Noozhawk during last year’s spring quarter.
Since graduation, she’s been freelancing for La Prensa Sonoma, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and Northern California Public Media.
Pricila’s bilingual skills and multimedia expertise will help us better serve Santa Barbara County’s diverse population. And her familiarity with and knowledge of our community make her an invaluable asset from Day One.
Both Pricila and Noozhawk had to navigate a comprehensive and rigorous application process to participate in the California Local News Fellowship.
The program, part of a $25 million state investment in local journalism, enables Noozhawk to expand our coverage of underrepresented communities and tackle more enterprise and investigative reporting.
While the fellowship provides crucial support, community contributions remain vital to sustaining our mission of delivering trusted, independent, timely and unbiased local news reporting.
You can support our expanded coverage and continued growth by becoming a member of Noozhawk’s Hawks Club.
Your financial contribution — at any amount — is crucial to our success. Can I count on your support?
This past week, Noozhawk continued its strong run of August news and site traffic, with an audience of 156,907 readers, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories that our Google Analytics says you were reading during that period.
This is my opinion column, by the way. It is not a news story.
1. Commission Closes Book on Orange Benches for Santa Barbara Library Plaza
A proposal to install bright orange benches and chairs in the Santa Barbara Library Plaza was soundly rejected by the Historic Landmarks Commission, with members calling the furniture inappropriate for the downtown setting.
“The orange just screams at you,” commissioner Sheila Lodge said. “It is so contemporary and plastic. I can’t support it. It just doesn’t belong there.”
As our Josh Molina reported, acting library director Brandon Beaudette presented three furniture scenarios on July 30, including orange, teal and traditional picnic benches, drawing inspiration from libraries in Arizona, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
Beaudette said the proposal aimed to create “a welcoming space that created both interest and discovery” while discouraging overnight stays.
“We wanted something welcoming for short-term use, but not too loungey,” he explained.
Commissioner Keith Butler called the design “an architectural mistake,” while commissioner Michael Drury said the saturated colors “take on a life of their own.”
The plaza underwent a $13 million renovation and reopened in 2024 after a two-year closure.
Commissioners suggested commissioning custom furniture that better matches Santa Barbara’s aesthetic.
The City of Santa Barbara plans to return with a revised proposal in late August or early fall.
2. Motorcyclist Fatally Injured in Santa Ynez Valley Crash
A Santa Ynez motorcyclist was fatally injured in a crash northeast of Los Olivos on Aug. 10.
As our Tom Bolton reported, authorities said 36-year-old Christopher Stewart was riding a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle north in the 3000 block of Canada Este Road when he veered off the roadway and slammed into a tree.
California Highway Patrol Officer Arshdeep Dhanda said emergency personnel were dispatched shortly after 5:30 p.m. to the crash site, a little more than a mile north of Roblar Avenue, east of Highway 154.
Responders declared Stewart dead at the scene.
The CHP is investigating the circumstances of the wreck.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
3. SCE Power Shutoffs Possible for 12,600 Santa Barbara South Coast Customers
Nearly 13,000 Southern California Edison customers were under threat of California’s notorious public safety power shutoffs this past week as increased wildfire risk conditions loomed over Santa Barbara County’s South Coast.
As our Daniel Green reported, the potential shutoffs — the once-Golden State’s half-assed workaround for its decrepit, Third World electric utility infrastructure — were under consideration through Aug. 14 in areas along Highway 154, East Camino Cielo, the Carpinteria and Goleta valleys, Santa Barbara and the Gaviota coast.
According to the SCE Outage Map, electricity was turned off Aug. 12 for just under 200 customers near San Marcos Pass.
The warnings coincided with a National Weather Service heat advisory for the county’s inland areas along with a forecast of strong evening winds. Temperatures in fire-prone areas reached the 90s and low 100s during that stretch.
4. BizHawk: Sando Food Truck Part of Wave of Change for Goleta’s Target Shopping Center
The Sando Truck has moved from Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone to Goleta’s Target Shopping Center, bringing authentic Japanese katsu sandwiches to a new community.
As our Josh Molina reported, The Sando Truck specializes in crispy katsu sandwiches made with chicken or pork, plus egg salad and potato salad varieties. Menu items come in three- and six-piece portions.
Owner Nick Gillio grew up eating katsu sandos during family visits to Japan. The deep-fried cutlets are served on soft, fluffy Japanese shokupan bread with in-house panko.
“The Goleta community has already been so warm and welcoming,” Gillio said. “This move has given us the space we always envisioned: a relaxed, family-friendly spot with room to enjoy the outdoors.”
The new location — at 259 Storke Road near Jack in the Box — offers outdoor seating, easier pickup for to-go orders, improved catering options and ample parking.
The truck operates 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The relocation coincides with the shopping center’s ongoing façade renovation, part of a broader transformation into Goleta’s emerging foodie destination.
Pollofino, Sam’s to Go and Subway have remained open during the construction, which is expected to be completed in October.
Cajun Kitchen plans to reopen eventually, and Kyle’s Kitchen is moving in from Hollister Village Plaza down the street.
5. Bill Macfadyen: State Street Murder, Stabbings Linked to Downtown Gang Fight
Santa Barbara police have released no further details in the Aug. 1 murder of 30-year-old Anthony Bisquera Hartley, who was stabbed to death early that morning in the 500 block of State Street.
Two alleged gang members have been charged with the homicide, along with a third alleged gang member who authorities believe was trying to kill one of the other guys.
Bisquera Hartley — a Santa Barbara single father of three young children — may have been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, but SBPD isn’t talking.
He was rushed by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
Bisquera Hartley is survived by his children, Kaleb, Kayden and Arabella, known as “Bella.” He is also survived by his mother, Karen Bisquera, and siblings Alysia Dominguez Bisquera, Monique LaMarca (Mathew), David Bisquera Hartley and Justine Hernandez.
A rosary vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at St. Rafael’s Catholic Church, 5444 Hollister Ave., with a funeral mass at the church at 10 a.m. Aug. 22. Interment will follow at Goleta Cemetery, 44 S. San Antonio Road.
A GoFundMe account established to assist his family with funeral and other expenses had raised more than $51,000 as of Aug. 15. Click here to make an online donation.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories that are worth your time:
» Caltrans Reopens Highway 166 After Days of Gifford Fire Repairs — Executive editor Giana Magnoli delivers some good news from the Gifford Fire front. Staff writer Nick Forselles reports that the wildfire, now nearly 133,000 acres in size, has reached 51% containment.
» Isla Vista Landlords Sue County Over Rental Inspection Program — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway prowls around a lawsuit over Santa Barbara County inspections of Isla Vista rental units.
» Santa Barbara City Council OKs 90-Unit Milpas Street Housing Project — South County editor Josh Molina reviews a Milpas Street housing proposal.
» A.T. Still University to Move Central Coast Campus from Santa Maria — North County editor Janene Scully shares an unfortunate decision by A.T. Still University to relocate its medical school program to San Luis Obispo.
» San Marcos Girls Flag Football Routs Santa Maria in Season Opener, 39-0 — High school football is back, and sports editor Diego Sandoval is on hand for the San Marcos High flag football season opener. He also has complete previews for all the South Coast prep football programs.
» Mark Patton: Santa Barbara Baseball’s Family Guy Finds Second Home in Seattle — Sports columnist Mark Patton catches up with former Dos Pueblos High ace Gabe Speier, now pitching in in a key role with the Seattle Mariners.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Tensions Rise over Proposed Biltmore Renovations.
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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.
- Aug. 21 — The Cosmopolitan Club of Santa Barbara is looking for an update since my last appearance, some 15 years ago. We’ve come a long way. HT to my friend, Chris Tacelli, for getting me the invitation.
- Aug. 26 — It’s been a minute since I’ve talked with the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime and we’ll have some exciting news to discuss.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Think California’s water wars are a thing of the past? Think again: Potter Valley Ranchers Say PG&E Cut Water Without Warning Amid Dam Removal Fight.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed meets me in Montana.
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Watch It
Dolphin tricks in training. HT to Best of Bill reader Sarah Lewis.
