As we do around this time of year, Noozhawk has relaunched Senior Life: Living Well and Aging Wisely, our dedicated section focused on the people, programs and ideas shaping life after 60 in and around Santa Barbara County.
From health and financial planning to caregiving, housing, lifelong learning and vibrant community living, Senior Life delivers trusted local stories and practical guidance for older adults and their families — of which I’ve been a member for several years now.
We’re proud to partner with longtime community leaders — including American Riviera Bank, Cottage Health, Family Service Agency, Friendship Center, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Montecito Bank & Trust, SBCC Extended Learning and Vista del Monte — and many other organizations committed to helping seniors live well and age wisely.
Please check out the section and let us know what you think.
And if you don’t see your favorite company or organization there, be sure to contact sales and marketing director Sheridan Taphorn or her team: Claudia Delgado, Jasmin Frausto and Justin Souza. They are happy to help!
An audience of all ages was reading Noozhawk this past week, specifically 154,066 of you, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my weekly recap of the Top 5 stories you were reading during that period, as compiled by our Google Analytics.
This is my opinion column, by the way. It is not a news story.
1. SLO County Sheriff Investigating Deaths of Good Land Organics Owners
San Luis Obispo County investigators are working to determine what led to the sudden and mysterious deaths of a western Goleta couple on Feb. 8 in Cambria.
The news of the unexpected deaths of Good Land Organics owners John “Jay” Ruskey and his wife, Kristen, was a shock to the community, but it has quickly rallied around their three teenage children with a fundraising campaign.
On Feb. 10, San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla confirmed for our Giana Magnoli that the Ruskeys died at a Cambria residence and that the case remains active and ongoing.
So far, he said, authorities do not believe the deaths are suspicious but autopsies and toxicology tests will determine the circumstances.
Officials have released few additional details, and a GoFundMe account established to help the Ruskeys’ children was just as vague.
The Ruskeys were well known as the founders of Good Land Organics, an exotic fruit and coffee farm on Farren Road west of Goleta.
The farm became a local destination for dragon fruit and other specialty crops, and the Ruskeys were often described as passionate, innovative growers deeply invested in sustainable agriculture.
The couple is survived by their children, 19-year-old daughter Kasurina and 16-year-old twin sons Aiden and Sean. Funeral arrangements are pending.
The Ruskeys were “loving and fiercely engaged parents to their cherished children,” according to José Caballero, a family friend who set up the GoFundMe account to assist with funeral expenses and the children’s “immediate financial pressure.”
He also described the couple as “always eager to support schools, causes and friends.”
Now those friends are returning their generosity. As of Feb. 13, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $128,000. Click here to make an online donation.
2. Ventura Woman Struck by Vehicle in Santa Barbara Dies of Her Injuries
The 68-year-old woman who was struck and killed as she was getting into her parked car on a Santa Barbara street on Feb. 6 has been identified as Teresa Garcia of Ventura.
As our Tom Bolton reported, Garcia was hit by a passing car in the 100 block of West Anapamu Street around 5:20 p.m.
Santa Barbara police said emergency responders treated Garcia at the scene before transporting her by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The male driver of the car that hit her remained at the scene and was evaluated for alcohol and drug impairment, but police said it was not a factor in the collision.
The driver’s name was not released, but SBPD said the circumstances of the wreck remain under investigation.
3. Storm System Bringing Chance of Rain, Winds to Santa Barbara County
Just as expected, Santa Barbara County residents got a midweek dose of steady rain and breezy conditions as a mild winter storm moved through the region.
As our Nick Forselles reported, the main band of precipitation arrived the afternoon of Feb. 9 and hung around until early the next day.
According to Santa Barbara County Public Works Department gauges, about a half-inch of rain fell around the area, with higher totals in the mountains — including more than 2 inches at San Marcos Pass and 3.16 inches at El Deseo Ranch above Santa Barbara.
Wind gusts up to 25 mph also were recorded.
The National Weather Service forecast drier, warmer weather for the rest of the week with another round of storms arriving Feb. 15.
Click here for the complete weather service forecast.
4. Surfer Swept Away from Goleta Shore Clings to Lobster Buoy, Rescued off Haskell’s Beach
A surfer caught in heavy surf off Goleta was rescued the evening of Feb. 6 after clinging to a lobster trap buoy while awaiting help.
As our Tom Bolton reported, Santa Barbara County firefighters were dispatched just before 6:30 p.m. to Haskell’s Beach, where a fellow surfer said his friend had been swept away from shore after losing his board in rough conditions.
After locating the man’s surfboard on the beach, fire Capt. Mike Gray said, crews deployed drones equipped with infrared cameras to search the water.
The man was spotted about a quarter-mile offshore.
“The surfer managed to grab onto a lobster trap buoy and held on while waiting rescue,” Gray said.
Rescue swimmers reached him with guidance from drone operators and escorted him to safety.
The surfer, whose identity was not disclosed, was evaluated by American Medical Response paramedics but declined further medical treatment.
5. Bill Macfadyen: Santa Barbara Woman Plays Face Card in Immigration Confrontation
Two weeks and 15 minutes after me, the news has moved on.
• • •
Good Reads
Here are six more stories you should read:
» Dan Walters Covers California History, Politics, Challenges in Santa Barbara Talk — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway wraps up CalMatters political columnist Dan Walters’ appearance before a packed audience at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theatre. The event kicked off Noohawk’s new speaker series with Spotlight Santa Barbara.
» Santa Barbara Council Votes to Ban Single-Use Plastic Items — Determined to show how unserious it is about a gaping $1.6 million budget deficit, the Santa Barbara City Council has voted … to ban styrofoam containers, plastic cutlery and mylar balloons. Rebecca has the details of the council’s latest virtue signaling.
» Man Taken to Hospital After Being Struck by Freight Train Near Summerland — Editor in chief Tom Bolton reports on a man who apparently survived being hit by a freight train.
» Santa Barbara School District to Explore Options for 7-Period Junior High Schedule — Rebecca does her homework on a potential new Santa Barbara Unified School District class schedule.
» County Supervisors Will Audit Overtime by Sheriff’s Office, Require Monthly Reports — Staff writer Daniel Green follows along as the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors attempts forensic accounting.
» Local Surfers Shine at 44th Annual Channel Islands Surboards Rincon Classic — Sports editor Diego Sandoval catches the waves of action at a world-renowned surfing competition.
• • •
Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? What to Expect in This Week’s Rain Storm.
• • •
Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Turns out this idea wasn’t half-baked: How the Easy-Bake Oven, an Appliance That Allowed Kids to Heat Treats With a Light Bulb, Revolutionized the Toy Industry.
• • •
Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed gets a fanboy opportunity as emcee of @noozhawk’s #spotlightsantabarbara event with legendary @calmatters columnist Dan Walters.
• • •
Watch It
Spotted at the watering hole. HT to Best of Bill reader Chloe Michaels.
