In case you haven’t seen it yet, Noozhawk has launched a new weekly Obituaries newsletter, delivered to your inbox — free — every Saturday at 8:15 a.m.
It’s a simple compilation of all the tributes we’ve published over the previous seven days, offering another way for families and friends to share memories, honor loved ones and stay connected with the Santa Barbara County community.
Since our start in 2007, Noozhawk has published obituaries at no charge. We’ve always believed every family should have the opportunity to tell a loved one’s story without the often steep fees many newspapers charge.
Years ago, I heard a story about T.M. Storke, the legendary publisher of Santa Barbara’s old daily newspaper. Supposedly, he vowed never to charge for obituaries because they were the only way he could get readers to buy the paper to read his editorials.
I’m not sure whether that’s history or folklore. My friend and mentor, Steve Ainsley, another former publisher, told me it sounded plausible, but he couldn’t recall hearing it.
Either way, the spirit of the idea stuck with me — and it still does. Remembering our neighbors and sharing their stories should never come with a price tag.
Click here to sign up for our Obituaries newsletter.
According to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk had an audience of 149,889 readers this past week.
What follows is my weekly recap of the Top 5 stories you were reading, as compiled by our Google Analytics.
As you should know, this is my opinion column, not a news story.
1. Santa Barbara Couple Face 68 Counts of Fraud, Financial Crimes
A Santa Barbara couple has been accused of orchestrating an elaborate $2 million financial scam that prosecutors say drained a local woman’s divorce settlement through fraudulent investments, remodeling schemes and forged financial documents.
As our Giana Magnoli and Evelyn Spence reported, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office on March 2 filed 68 felony charges against Vonna and Byron Richard “Rick” Tarnutzer, including fraud, grand theft, money laundering, forgery and conspiracy.
Authorities allege the pair persuaded Santa Barbara resident Mystica Fleury to hand over more than $2 million between 2020 and 2021.
Prosecutors say the centerpiece of the scheme was a $1.75 million promissory note tied to what they describe as a fraudulent investment pitch.
The complaint, filed in Superior Court, alleges the note was intentionally designed with legal defects to make it difficult for Fleury to recover the money.
Investigators say 63-year-old Rick Tarnutzer became Fleury’s “primary adviser” during her divorce, reviewing legal documents and helping draft settlement communications while knowing she had access to millions of dollars.
The Tarnutzers also allegedly convinced Fleury to buy the house next to theirs on Owen Road — off Cima Linda Lane above the Montecito Club, with sweeping views of the Santa Barbara Channel — and pay them to remodel it, despite neither having a contractor’s license.
Authorities say Fleury’s money was later routed through 70-year-old Vonna Tarnutzer’s business accounts to create the appearance of legitimate income.
The couple was arrested Feb. 26 in Newport Beach and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail. They remain jailed on $1 million bail each pending a rescheduled March 6 arraignment.
2. Man Found Dead on Beach Below Mesa in Santa Barbara Was Isla Vista Resident
A 53-year-old Isla Vista man was found dead on the beach below Santa Barbara’s Mesa on Feb. 24, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the dead man — identified as Ryan Quinn — was discovered just before 10 a.m. near the rocks at the base of the cliff east of the Mesa Lane Steps, near the 1800 block of El Camino de la Luz.
Santa Barbara police said there were no signs of foul play but Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau spokeswoman Raquel Zick said the circumstances of Quinn’s death remain under investigation.
Funeral services are pending.
3. Coroner Identifies Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Truck Crash in Mountains Above Goleta
The man killed in a single-vehicle wreck in the mountains above Goleta last month has been identified by the Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau as 52-year-old Rene Richard Ramos of Santa Barbara.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, the the California Highway Patrol said emergency crews responded just after 9:30 p.m. Feb. 21 after an Apple crash notification alerted authorities to a possible collision on West Camino Cielo.
Responders located a 2025 Toyota Tacoma about 300 feet down a steep embankment between 6927 and 7014 West Camino Cielo.
Investigators said the truck left the roadway, overturned and rolled down the rugged slope, ejecting the driver.
Ramos was pronounced dead at the scene.
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue volunteers and the sheriff’s Air Support Unit assisted with the recovery operation. The CHP is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Funeral services are pending.
4. Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station Restoration for Café Project Gets Historic Preservation Commission OK
Plans to restore the historic Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station and incorporate it into a new café as part of the Sandpiper Golf Club renovation project won unanimous approval from the Goleta Historic Preservation Commission.
As our Pricila Flores reported, the commission voted 5-0 on Feb. 26 to recommend approval of the café proposal to the Goleta Planning Commission.
The project, led by Sandpiper Golf Club owner Ty Warner, includes demolishing the aging clubhouse and redeveloping the property with new above- and below-ground facilities.
Plans call for restoring the 349-square-foot gas station at 7825 Hollister Ave. and using it for café seating, alongside a new 695-square-foot structure designed to resemble a vintage service bay.
The landmark station, closed since the 1950s after Highway 101 was rerouted, would feature interpretive displays and restored exterior details as part of the redevelopment.
5. Santa Maria Woman’s Death in Vehicle Fire Family’s 2nd Tragedy Since 2023
Still grieving the loss of their patriarch in a fatal crash just over two years ago, a Santa Maria family is now mourning another devastating tragedy.
As our Janene Scully reported, 44-year-old Sherree Dominguez died Feb. 20 after a fire broke out inside a minivan parked in the 300 block of West Orange Street in Santa Maria.
Investigators believe a heating device with an open flame ignited the blaze inside the vehicle while the windows were closed, filling it with smoke.
Dominguez’s father, 65-year-old Gregorio “Greg” Dominguez, was killed on Christmas morning 2023 in a head-on collision caused by a drunken driver on Highway 166 east of Guadalupe.
Sheree, Greg Dominguez’s oldest daughter, was among several family members who provided moving statements prior to the 2024 sentencing of his convicted killer, 28-year-old Bladamir Agustin Chavez.
She told the court that her son is restoring his grandfather’s pickup truck, and when a mechanical question arose, her first instinct was to suggest calling her dad.
“We can’t do that anymore,” she said. “We go and talk to dirt. That’s all we have.”
Sheree is survived by her five children — Elena De La Paz, Analicia De La Paz, Sebastian De La Paz, Aurora Guerrero and Kalian Rojas — and her granddaughter, Ellyana Zavala.
Family members remembered her as a devoted mom and softball enthusiast.
“Despite the many challenges life placed in her path, Mom’s resilience was unwavering,” Analicia De La Paz said.
“She worked tirelessly to build a beautiful, nurturing life for her children.”
Funeral services are pending, but a GoFundMe account has been established to assist the family with expenses.
As of March 6, the campaign had raised nearly $10,000. Click here to make an online donation.
• • •
Good Reads
Here are six more stories I recommend:
» Cottage Health Partnership to Bring New Name, Facility to San Marcos Health Careers Academy — Staff writer Pricila Flores has a very healthy prognosis for an exciting new partnership between Cottage Health and San Marcos High School’s Health Careers Academy.
» Landlords Plan Lawsuit to Challenge Santa Barbara’s Rent Freeze Ordinance — Staff writer Daniel Green is on hand as the Santa Barbara Rental Property Association turns up the heat on the City of Santa Barbara’s spurious rent freeze scheme.
» Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Bret Stephens Talks Antisemitism, Foreign Policy at Westmont Breakfast — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway delivers a timely report on the remarkably prescient Bret Stephens from the 21st annual Westmont President’s Breakfast.
» Montecito Fire Chief David Neels Retiring; Lompoc’s Brian Fallon Tapped as Successor — South County editor Evelyn Spence is hot on the trail of comings and goings in the Montecito and Lompoc fire departments.
» Spencer’s Fresh Market Adding Lompoc Location Later This Year — North County editor Janene Scully price-checks a story on a regionally popular new grocery store opening in Lompoc.
» Santa Maria Councilman Carlos Escobedo Abruptly Resigns — Janene follows the fallout from sudden political intrigue involving more than the Santa Maria City Council.
• • •
Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Santa Maria Bank Founder, Auctioneer, Rodeo Backer Jim Glines Dies.
• • •
Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Where there’s smoke: Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Boss Accused of Leaving Reservoir Empty During Palisades Fire Abruptly Leaves $750,000 Job.
• • •
Best of Bill’s Instagram
Westmont College, a middle-of-the-night SpaceX launch and one lit sunset dominate my Instagram feed this past week.
• • •
Watch It
Our March 3 story mentioned a pelican that got its beak stuck where it didn’t belong during a UC Santa Barbara baseball game. HT to our Janene Scully for winging in with the video.
