For our annual review of stories, our writers and editors have put together lists of the stories they were proud of this year, or just had fun writing or reading. Here are news editor Keith Hamm’s picks.
‘Significant Storm’ on the Way for Santa Barbara County, Officials Warn
Normally I wouldn’t drive southbound on a Friday to cover a press conference in Carpinteria. But big rains were on the way, and all levels of bigwigs — from local to federal — were lined up to speak. Turns out, they were in the early stages of unwittingly predicting the unpredictable. Three nights later, it rained boulders.
Summerland’s Becker Well Capped
With nearby Montecito still reeling in post-disaster recovery mode, a favorite Summerland beach finally got a visit from the plumber. For years, a long-abandoned wellhead had been leaking stinky oil where families liked to play. At last, local activists teamed up with state money-movers to bore out the old pipe, fill it with concrete, and weld a lid on it.