Edhat's 2021 Year in Review

By edhat staff

It’s time to review the past twelve months and pick out some of our most read and most commented stories for our “2021 Year EnD Review.”

It’s no surprise that most of the top stories were coronavirus-related as new information was constantly being issued by local and state authorities.

Even while in a global pandemic, quite a few non-covid events still took place. There were triumphs and success, while also setbacks and heartbreak.

Below are some of the most interesting topics, photos, and discussions from 2021 to highlight a year full of events. Check them out below and leave your comment on the most memorable 2021 story.

Most Read Stories of 2021

SBC Crew work to remove trees on Refugio Rd that have fallen in the fire as well those that pose a threat to falling on the roadway. Also, a SBC engine surveys the scene of the charred landscape along Refugio Rd. (Photo: Mike Eliason)

1. ALISAL FIRE 97% CONTAINED AT 17,281 ACRES: The Alisal Fire is now updated to 16,962 acres at 97% containment with 298 total personnel.

2. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HAS HIGHEST COVID-19 SPREAD IN CALIFORNIA: New state data shows Santa Barbara County has the highest rate of COVID-19 spread out of any other county in California.

Photo: Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD)

3. HOPE RANCH “VOLCANO” ERUPTS SATURDAY: The “Hope Ranch Volcano” erupted Saturday morning sparking a small brush fire to the surrounding vegetation.

4. GOVERNMENT AIRPLANE STOP? Max captured photos of a United States of America airplane landing at the Santa Barbara Airport on Saturday.

5. LOMA FIRE 100% CONTAINED: [Update]: Santa Barbara Firefighters have 100% of the Loma Fire contained and will remain on scene until Tuesday evening.

Host Ken Jennings (left) and contestant Henry Michaels (right) [Photo: courtesy of Jeopardy!]

6. LOCAL MAN APPEARS ON JEOPARDY THIS TUESDAY: A Santa Barbara man competed on the national television trivia show Jeopardy! which will air on Tuesday.

7. SANTA BARBARA MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS CHILDREN IN MEXICO: [Update]: The Department of Justice has charged a Santa Barbara surf school instructor for murdering his two young children in Mexico.

8. ONE INJURED IN SHOOTING NEAR EUCALYPTUS HILL: Santa Barbara Police are investigating a possible shooting on Eucalyptus Hill Road that severely injured one victim.

9. SHERIFF’S OFFICE ASKS FOR HELP IN FATAL GOLETA SHOOTING LEADS: [Update]: The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the community’s help with any information or surveillance footage that could help with the fatal shooting in Goleta on Thursday.

10. PEDESTRIAN IDENTIFIED IN FATAL TRAIN COLLISION: [Update]: The Sheriff’s Office has identified the pedestrian who died after being struck by an Amtrak train on Hollister Ave Friday afternoon.

Most Commented Stories of 2021

1. ALISAL FIRE 97% CONTAINED AT 17,281 ACRES – 317 COMMENTS

[Update]: The Alisal Fire is now updated to 16,962 acres at 97% containment with 298 total personnel.

2. PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDS MASKS INDOORS IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – 217 COMMENTS

The County of Santa Barbara Recommends Masking Indoors for Everyone, as a Precaution Against Increased Circulation of COVID-19.

3. 108 UNVACCINATED SANTA BARBARA DEPUTIES STILL NOT TESTING – 209 COMMENTS

Concerns over Privacy of Medical Information Persist

4. 161 UNVACCINATED SANTA BARBARA SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES REFUSE TESTING – 206 COMMENTS

Compliance Rates ― and Transparency ― Vary Among County’s Public Safety, Education, and Healthcare Systems

5. HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT DRAMATIC INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES – 193 COMMENTS

Santa Barbara County Public Health officials are reporting a “dramatic increase” in COVID-19 cases due to unvaccinated residents.

6. VACCINATED CALIFORNIANS TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS INDOORS UNTIL JUNE 15 – 179 COMMENTS

The California Department of Public Health is advising vaccinated Californians to continue wearing face masks indoors until June 15.

7. DISTRICT ATTORNEY FILES FELONY CHARGES AGAINST HOMEOWNER FOR REMOVING TREES – 164 COMMENTS

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint against a Paterna Road homeowner and landscaper for cutting down three city-owned trees.

8. RECALL NEWSOM RALLY IN MONTECITO – 159 COMMENTS

An edhat reader shares photos of a recall rally on a Montecito overpass.

9. UPPER STATE STREET MOTEL MAY RENT ALL ROOMS TO HOMELESS – 159 COMMENTS

After Loma Fire Scare, City Council Considering Drastic Action to Clear out Encampments

10. DO I STILL NEED TO WEAR A MASK IF I’VE BEEN VACCINATED? – 155 COMMENTS

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated outdoor/indoor mask and face-covering guidance for fully vaccinated individuals.

Frame-Worthy Photos from 2021

Santa Barbara Sunrise by Josh Blair

Photo by John Wiley

Oak and Santa Cruz at Dawn by Cody Westheimer

Habits at The Habit by Kim Haggin Rossi

Arlington Peak View by Cody Westheimer

La Arcada on Christmas night by Fritz Olenberger

Winter Solstice by Ronald Williams

A GLOBAL REVIEW OF 2021

GOOGLE: In a year that continued to test many, the world searched “how to heal” more than ever. Whether they’re taking care of mental health, honoring a loved one, or reuniting with family, people are finding ways to come back stronger than before. Explore more trends from the year at https://yearinsearch.google.

TIME: At the close of 2021, we continue to wrestle with the reality of COVID-19’s impact on everything from the global economy to our holiday traditions, but we have learned that humanity can rise above.