As America celebrates its 250th birthday this Independence Day, it’s worth reflecting on what really makes our country exceptional.
Yes, we should celebrate our remarkable history and the enduring promise of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
But the framers understood that government exists to create the conditions for liberty, not to live our lives for us.
The Constitution’s preamble speaks of forming “a more perfect Union” — not a perfect one.
We have never been perfect, and we never will be. But for 250 years, America has steadily expanded opportunity, opening more doors for more people, generation after generation after generation.
That’s the real American story. Regardless of where you came from, what you look like or how much money you have, this remains a nation where hard work, ingenuity and perseverance can still turn dreams into reality.
In a time when it’s fashionable to dwell on everything that’s wrong with America, the Fourth of July is a good reminder to appreciate everything that’s right.
People around the world still dream of coming here because America remains a place where freedom and opportunity can change lives.
So enjoy the fireworks, or drone shows. Wave the flag and deck yourself in red, white and blue. Spend time with family and friends. Fill up on hamburgers and hot dogs.
And remember that the greatest source of America’s strength has never been Washington.
Or Sacramento. Especially not Sacramento.
It has always been the millions of free people who wake up each morning determined to build a better life for themselves, their families and their communities.
After 250 years, that’s still the greatest celebration of independence there is.
Before we light the candles, Noozhawk pulled in an audience of 158,478 readers this past week, according to our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading during that seven-day period, according to our Google analytics.
This is my opinion column, which I write in my civic capacity as Noozhawk’s publisher. It is not a news story, nor am I a reporter.
1. Fatal Head-On Crash with Chumash Bus Sparks Fire on Highway 101
A wrong-way driver was killed and 14 Chumash Casino Resort employees were injured in a fiery head-on collision that shut down southbound Highway 101 north of Los Alamos for more than 10 hours on June 26.
As our Janene Scully reported, the wreck occurred around 3:15 a.m. south of Palmer Road, about three miles north of Los Alamos.
Santa Barbara County fire Capt. Mike Gray said a car traveling north in the southbound lanes collided head-on with a Chumash Casino Resort employee bus.
The car became fully engulfed in flames upon impact, with the fire spreading to the bus and nearby vegetation in the center divider.
Gray said the bus driver and passengers safely evacuated the vehicle before the flames spread.
He added that 14 employees suffered minor injuries and were transported by American Medical Response ambulances to local hospitals.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the crash but — one week later — authorities still have not disclosed the identity of the alleged wrong-way driver or any other details.
Kenneth Kahn, chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, expressed relief that the resort’s employees avoided serious harm in the harrowing collision.
“We are thankful that all 14 of our team members were able to safely evacuate the bus,” he said. “We remain grateful for the outpouring of concern, compassion and support from our community.”
Kahn also thanked first responders for their swift response.
Highway 101 reopened to traffic shortly after 1 p.m.
2. Motorcyclist Killed in Highway 101 Crash in Goleta Was 22-Year-Old Isla Vista Man
A 22-year-old Isla Vista man has been identified as the motorcyclist killed in a June 29 collision on Highway 101 in Goleta.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau spokeswoman Raquel Zick identified the dead man as Dylan Monson.
The wreck occurred about 4:15 p.m. just north of the northbound Storke Road exit ramp.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Monson was riding a 2015 BMW motorcycle, traveling at a high rate of speed while splitting lanes when the crash occurred.
CHP Officer Jonathan Gutierrez said the motorcycle collided with two cars before striking a guardrail.
Monson was ejected from the motorcycle and hit the guardrail along the freeway shoulder.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by the CHP.
3. 4 Hurt in Fiery Multivehicle Crash on Highway 1 South of Lompoc
Another fiery crash on a Santa Barbara County highway sent four people to hospitals on June 30, just days after a fatal wrong-way collision involving a commuter bus erupted in flames on Highway 101 near Los Alamos.
As our Tom Bolton reported, the latest wreck occurred just after 6 p.m. on Highway 1, about 11 miles north of Highway 101.
County fire Capt. Mike Gray said firefighters arrived to find one of the three vehicles engulfed in flames.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire before it spread to nearby brush.
Two people suffered critical injuries, with one airlifted by the county Air Support Unit helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
The second critically injured patient and two others with moderate injuries were transported by American Medical Response ambulances to local hospitals.
Authorities have not released any identities from the wreck, nor have any medical conditions been disclosed.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the collision, which closed Highway 1 in both directions for several hours.
4. Large Black Bear Wanders into Western Goleta Neighborhood
Western Goleta residents got an unexpected wildlife visitor on June 29 when a large black bear wandered into the Winchester Canyon neighborhood and climbed a eucalyptus tree.
As our Tom Bolton reported, the bear was first spotted about 12:45 p.m. near Cathedral Oaks and Winchester Canyon roads before it bounded its way to a hillside above Wagon Wheel Drive, where startled neighbors watched from a distance.
Several Goleta police units responded and located the brownish-colored bear standing on a branch high in a eucalyptus tree, where it remained for some time.
Officials notified the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to monitor the situation and determine the best course of action.
No injuries or property damage were reported, and authorities urged bear witnesses to give the animal plenty of space while wildlife officials assessed the unusual visit.
5. Ex-Goleta Pastor and Coach Paroled from Prison After Pleading Guilty to Possession of Child Porn
A former Goleta pastor and high school assistant football coach has been released from state prison after serving time for possessing hundreds of images of child pornography.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, 43-year-old Shaun Donald Hertlein pleaded guilty last October to felony possession of more than 600 images of child pornography, including images depicting children younger than 12.
He was sentenced in November to two years in state prison with credit for time served. He also was ordered to register as a sex offender.
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies arrested Hertlein in May 2025 after launching an investigation the previous month.
He also faced misdemeanor charges related to sending sexual images to children.
Hertlein had served as a pastor at SOUTHCOAST Church in Goleta and was a lower-level assistant football coach at Dos Pueblos High School.
Following his arrest, church leaders said they “never saw this coming,” while Dos Pueblos High officials confirmed Hertlein would no longer be affiliated with the school.
According to state prison custody logs, he has since been released.
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Good Reads
Here are six more stories you should check out:
» Santa Barbara County Prepares for July 4 Fireworks, Parades, Music and Food — Staff writer Daniel Green rounds up Independence Day festivities. I’ll see you at the Montecito Association’s annual Village Fourth celebration.
» 3 Face Drug Charges After Woman Dies of Apparent Overdose in Goleta — Executive editor Giana Magnoli reports on three local men arrested as suspects in a case involving the death of a 20-year-old woman in a Goleta motel room.
» Santa Barbara City Council Votes to Continue State Street Closure — Staff writer Rebecca Caraway has the least surprising story of the year.
» Council Looks to Rebuild Reserves After Approving Santa Barbara Budget — Rebecca does the math on the City of Santa Barbara’s new budget. The operating principle? Spend it all.
» Crews Preparing for Work on New Highway 101 Bridges in Santa Barbara — Daniel is keeping track of the Highway 101 widening project spanning Montecito.
» Neighbors Raise Alarm About 8-Story Project Near Mission Santa Barbara — Rebecca checks in on the controversial proposed skyscraper that would photo-bomb pictures of the landmark Santa Barbara Mission.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Bodies of 2 Missing Men Found at Crash Site Off Highway 166.
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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.
July 23 — In the second event of a series Noozhawk is hosting with Spotlight Santa Barbara, I’ll be moderating a discussion we’re calling “California’s Problems, Santa Barbara’s Choices.”
Our panelists are Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce; UCLA economics professor Lee Ohanian; Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy; and former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
We’ll be at the Lobero Theatre again so save the date.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being recognized with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
It’s probably too late to make these semiquincentennial celebrations but you can get a head start on your 251st Independence Day travel plans: From a Sea Turtle Release to an Outhouse Race, These 10 Fourth of July Traditions Celebrate America Like No Other.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed is feeling #idahome in the Gem State.
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Watch It
Happy 250th birthday, America!
