Two events. Two timely conversations. And two chances to get beyond the cynicism and shouting.
On Sept. 29, Noozhawk and CalMatters are teaming up again for a nonpartisan VotingMatters forum, this time focused on the race for state insurance commissioner and the Nov. 3 statewide ballot measures.
The gathering at the Grace Fisher Foundation’s beautiful interactive arts clubhouse at La Cumbre Plaza is exclusive to Hawks Club members — and limited to the first 45 who RSVP.
If you’re not a Hawks Club member, now’s a good time to join.
Then, on Oct. 8, Noozhawk and Spotlight Santa Barbara take on another issue that goes to the heart of American civic life: free speech.
I’ll be emceeing “Free Speech Under Fire” at the Lobero Theatre, featuring First Amendment champion Greg Lukianoff, CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind.
He’ll be interviewed by my friend and Spotlight Santa Barbara co-founder, Brian Goebel.
Click here to get your tickets, including VIP access to an exclusive book signing afterward.
At Noozhawk, we believe vigorous disagreement and civil, substantive conversation can coexist. These two events put that belief into practice.
Join us for both.
Noozhawk had an audience of 127,092 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 span, as tracked by our Google Analytics.
As a reminder, this is my weekly opinion column, which I write in my civic capacity as Noozhawk’s publisher. It is not a news story and I am not a reporter.
1. Driver Arrested on Felony Charges After Rollover Crash Near Downtown Santa Barbara
A Santa Barbara woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and child endangerment on Sept. 21 after an SUV carrying a young child struck two parked cars and flipped on its side near downtown.
As our Tom Bolton reported, Santa Barbara police and firefighters responded about 6:15 p.m. to the 1700 block of Chapala Street, between West Islay and West Valerio streets.
There they found the driver and child stuck inside the rolled Range Rover.
Firefighters helped them out, and both were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for evaluation.
Their medical conditions were not available.
Police Lt. Ethan Ragsdale said investigators determined the SUV had struck two parked vehicles before overturning.
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Ashley Marie Benson, allegedly was under the influence of alcohol, Ragsdale said.
Benson subsequently was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI and child endangerment.
She later was released on $100,000 bail.
2. Santa Barbara Man Arrested for Alleged 2025 Rape of Carpinteria Girl
A nearly 18-month investigation, including DNA analysis and follow-up detective work, led authorities to arrest a Santa Barbara man accused of raping a 14-year-old Carpinteria girl at knifepoint last year.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, 27-year-old Saul Estrada Munoz was arrested Sept. 21 when he emerged from an apartment at 313 W. Arrellaga St. after detectives obtained a Ramey warrant.
Authorities say the girl was walking home near Casitas Pass Road and Via Real on March 27, 2025, when an assailant forced her into a landscaped area near a bike path and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Estrada Munoz is accused of verbally threatening the victim, stating, “If you scream, I will kill you,” and telling her he would “kill her if she told anyone.”
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s detectives collected forensic evidence for DNA analysis while they continued pursuing leads.
Authorities said forensic results and subsequent investigative work established probable cause to arrest Estrada Munoz, hence the Ramey warrant.
On Sept. 22, Estrada Munoz pleaded not guilty to kidnapping to commit rape, forcible rape, witness intimidation and two counts of criminal threats with intent to terrorize.
He also was charged with four enhancements of violent felony/kidnapping, violent felony/rape, use of a weapon during a sex offense and personal use of a deadly/dangerous weapon.
As of Sept. 25, Estrada Munoz remains jailed without bail and is due back in court on Sept. 28.
Interestingly, the Sheriff’s Department — like most law enforcement agencies in the county — no longer releases booking photos of suspects. An exception was made in this case, however. Odd, that.
3. Los Alamos Woman Arrested on Suspicion of $10,000 Embezzlement
A longtime Los Alamos community volunteer honored for her service last year is under investigation for allegedly embezzling more than $10,000.
As our Janene Scully reported, 40-year-old Laura Beas-Díaz turned herself in Sept. 15 at a Santa Barbara County sheriff’s substation after investigators obtained a $50,000 arrest warrant.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Raquel Zick said the investigation began after deputies received a report on Aug. 11, 2025.
The alleged embezzlement occurred over roughly a year, although authorities have not identified the victim or disclosed the total amount involved.
Beas-Díaz was released on bond several hours after being booked at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria.
No criminal complaint had been filed as of Sept. 24. The District Attorney’s Office said it was reviewing the Sheriff’s Department report to determine whether charges would be filed.
Beas-Díaz has volunteered extensively with Los Alamos organizations and was honored as a 2025 Santa Ynez Valley Foundation Champion of the Valley, a recognition for which I profiled her last year.
4. ‘Mr. DP’ Finds New Role at Peabody Charter School
Scott Guttentag may have left Dos Pueblos High School after 36 years, but “Mr. DP” wasn’t ready to stop helping students.
Just two weeks after ending his celebrated career as Dos Pueblos High’s activities director and counselor, Guttentag started a new chapter as a paraeducator at Peabody Charter School in Santa Barbara.
“I just love helping the kids,” he told our Daniel Green. “I love the energy that those kids have.”
The move is something of a homecoming. Guttentag’s own children attended Peabody, and some teachers there are former Dos Pueblos students he knew in the 1990s.
Now he assists students with specialized education plans, helps teachers in classrooms and works in Peabody’s after-school Panther Program.
Principal Demian Barnett said the school is grateful to have Guttentag on the team.
“When he showed up with his application for a role here at Peabody, we were just really excited that he wanted to do that,” he said.
Even Guttentag’s longtime “Scotty G” nickname has followed him, with students passing along greetings from older siblings and parents who knew him at Dos Pueblos.
“It’s just been this full circle of … joy and happiness,” he said.
5. Santa Barbara’s Rent ‘Stabilization’ Talks Nearly Fall Apart Over Housing Exemptions
Santa Barbara’s proposed rent control ordinance — oops, I forgot we’re calling it rent “stabilization” now because it sounds more successful — survived a sharp City Council split on Sept. 22 over whether subsidized affordable housing should be exempt.
As our Rebecca Caraway reported, Councilwomen Meagan Harmon and Wendy Santamaria clashed over deed-restricted affordable units and Section 8 tenancies.
Harmon argued that additional regulation could discourage landlord participation in Section 8.
“It is a huge, huge risk to put us in a position to influence folks not to participate in that program,” she observed, unintentionally saying the quiet part out loud.
Santamaria was adamant that vulnerable tenants need city-backed protections when habitability problems arise.
“We have to be realistic,” she said. “Our affordable housing providers are not code enforcement.”
The council ultimately approved adding the exemptions on a 4-3 vote, with Harmon joined by Council members Eric Friedman, Mike Jordan and Kristen Sneddon, and Santamaria, Mayor Randy Rowse and Councilman Oscar Gutierrez in dissent.
The broader draft ordinance also advanced on a 4-3 vote, with Gutierrez, Harmon, Santamaria and Sneddon in support, and Rowse, Friedman and Jordan dissenting.
The ordinance will be brought back at the Sept. 29 council meeting for formal adoption.
The proposal would limit annual rent increases to 60% of the Consumer Price Index increase or 3%, whichever is lower; create a rental registry; and establish a seven-member, tenant-majority rent stabilization board.
The already penurious city also is considering $500,000 in Measure I funding for startup costs, staffing and a fee study.
Section 8 and deed-restricted affordable units would be exempt under the amended proposal, reflecting existing affordability covenants and federal oversight requirements.
“Adding another rent regulation system does not create additional affordable housing,” cautioned Rob Fredericks, executive director and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara.
“It restricts revenue needed for resident services that we provide, maintenance, reserves, long-term preservation of homes already committed to affordability.”
Megan Grindstaff, a tenants rights attorney with the California Center for Movement Legal Services, disagreed, saying tenants must be able to petition for lower rents.
“Voucher tenants need a venue to go to when the homes that they spend their hard-earned money to live in are unsafe and unsanitary,” she said.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories worth your time:
» Cottage Health Leaders Call Rising E-Bike Injuries an ‘Epidemic’ — Staff writer Pricila Flores reports on a troubling trend that should be no surprise to anyone who has seen an electric motorcycle — excuse me, e-bike — in person.
» Los Alamos Ready to Celebrate Old Days and 80 Years of Memories — Staff writer Jack Dindia is along for the ride with his preview of Los Alamos Old Days, one of my favorite community celebrations in my favorite town and eventual home. See you there.
» Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Brings $3 Gas to Goleta for Campaign Stop — Pricila and fellow staff writer Daniel Green team up to cover a visit by Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, who was covering part of the gas tab for 150 lucky drivers.
» Long-Awaited Goleta Raising Cane’s Chicken Confirms October Opening — Pricila serves up the information I’ve been hungry for.
» Santa Barbara County Passes Stricter Penalties for Catalytic Converter Thefts — Daniel has the details on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors plugging a loophole in state law that Sacramento has done nothing to fix.
» San Marcos’ McKenna Stuart Named to USA Women’s Junior National Water Polo Team — Santa Barbara County’s South Coast has a deep, deep pool of talent for girls’ and women’s water polo. Sports editor Diego Sandoval catches up with San Marcos High School’s McKenna Stuart, the latest all star to make a big splash.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Railroad Crossing for Santa Claus Lane to Cost Extra $750,000 for ‘Licensing Fee’.
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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.
Sept. 29 — Noozhawk and CalMatters are partnering again on a VotingMatters forum, this one focused on the race for state insurance commissioner and the ballot measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. Join our Hawks Club for access.
Oct. 8 — I’m emceeing “Free Speech Under Fire” at the Lobero Theatre. This is the third event of a series Noozhawk is hosting with Spotlight Santa Barbara, and it features free speech warrior Greg Lukianoff, who will be interviewed by my friend and Spotlight Santa Barbara co-founder Brian Goebel.
Lukianoff is CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and is co-author, with Rikki Schlott, of The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All — But There Is a Solution.
Click here to purchase tickets online, including VIP access to an exclusive book signing afterward.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being honored with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
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
Can we all agree this is a problem? The College Football Team That Rents a New Starting Quarterback — Every Single Season. My apologies if you run into a paywall.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
The Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome; Dodger Stadium, #myblueheaven; and a bus ride through dystopian Los Angeles, #nobodywantsthat — it’s all in my Instagram feed this past week.
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Watch It
After last week’s video, I had a hunch this would happen — because when copy editors see one font, they have to see them all. HT to Best of Bill reader and retired copy editor and newspaper page designer Margot Kirby for the type set.
