Month: April 2025

Mina Wahab

OXNARD, Calif. — Between undocumented farm workers not showing up for work, to the slew of fires a few months ago, it’s been a difficult year for farm owner Uriel Hernandez.

“We kind of leave the politics outside of farming, but unfortunately, you kind of get dragged into it,” said the Oxnard-based Seacliff Farms Owner.

Now, the biggest concern for Hernandez is the tariffs. “As it is, the margins for a small operation like myself are small. You put a 10%, 15% tariffs on top of some of the items we need to produce. I mean, it’s going to squeeze us quite a bit more,” said Hernandez. On Wednesday, President Trump issued a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs with most countries, in order to allow trade negotiations with those countries. But China’s sky-high tariffs remain in effect.

“A lot of people don’t understand that China doesn’t pay the tariffs. They just charge more. Okay. So, the consumers end up getting that cost for the most part,” said Oxnard resident, Bruce Kelly. Many are worried these tariffs will hurt working class Americans the most. “It is a little more difficult for those that are working here, though, who are making minimum wage to like afford and save for that because we can be here like countless hours, but like there’s only so much that we can like make,” said Honeycup Coffee Manager, Alyssa Vega.

Something as simple as buying your favorite fruit like a strawberry could go up depending on what happens with these tariffs. “I am kind of scared to see a rise in the prices of everyday goods, even groceries. Living is just going to be so expensive now,” said Bianca Santos, who lives in Oxnard. Still, some are hopeful that the tariffs will help American businesses. Others like Haas, an Oxnard based machine tool manufacturer, say they feel they’re being penalized for buying parts from China they can’t buy from anywhere else.

They say they will ultimately have to decide between raising their prices, which will make them lose market shares, or maintaining current pricing, which means losing money.

John Palminteri

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara has won the state’s top honor for voter registration after a massive drive to get students to sign up last fall.

The college ballot bowl is a multi-layered competition for schools to take part in as a way to encourage their entire student body to be active in an election.

The campuses had representatives attend the orientation sessions with voter registration forms. They encouraged all students to register or re-register if they had moved to a new address and then on election day polling places were crowded as a result.

The Secretary of State Shirley Weber said “the winner of 2024 California University and College Ballot bowl competition is the University of California Santa Barbara.”

Also honored was Cal Poly with the highest percentage of student body population that registered to vote.

Overall, 234 colleges took part in the competition.

The Secretary of State presented the award on campus today. She said, “the fact that we over the years have changed it to 18 (years old). It makes it a college thing. I was 21, and folks thought they could wait until they became adults. Now we’re doing this and you can vote at 18. You can pre register at 16 and 17.”

After her visit at UC Santa Barbara, Weber went to Los Angeles to talk about voter registration with high school students. This is a focused week for voter registration outreach for high school students to pre register so materials will arrive after they are eligible.

The engagement was impressive both on the campus and in Isla Vista nearby. Weber said, “this is what we are about in terms of participating in the process making sure that this nation survives.”

Kaitlin Andrade  works as a UCSB Restorative Justice Coordinator and in Civid and Community engagement. She says the honor involves the commitment by the students who realize how many issues directly impact them and they need to begin voting as soon as possible. “Being able to have such a large pool of students who aren’t registered to vote because  they just turned 18 or just moving to  a new community, most people don’t live in Santa  Barbara  that are coming on to the campus. That is such a big deal in order for us to have all these people to register to vote,” she said.

UCSB Dean of Student Life Katya Armistead helps the students find an area where they can make a difference and getting involved in voting is one of many steps. She said, “I can help  model and help them engage in  lifelong civic engagement and really understand where they can make a difference and something they really care about.”  

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A sheep and a goat are on duty at one of the most historic buildings in California to do some landscaping work.

With the recent rains, a new crop of grass and weeds popped up at El Cuartel in Santa Barbara’s Presidio District.

The building is the second oldest in California.

The goats are feasting to bring the weed levels down and tidy up the property bite-by-bite.

They have also been popular with passersby going for food or retail shopping in the area.

El Cuartel is part of El Presido de Santa Barbara in the State Park System dating back to 1780s.

Dave Alley

PISMO BEACH, Calif. – Pismo Beach businesses are banking the city’s recent place atop a national poll of best small coastal cities in the nation will attract more visitors to the popular tourist destination.

This week, Pismo Beach was named the number one Best Coastal Small Town in America in USA TODAY’s 2025 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“We’re excited that USA Today has recognized what all of us have always known, which is Pismo Beach is an amazing place to be,” said Jorge Garcia, Pismo Beach City Manager. “We are now officially the country’s best small coastal town.  It’s a great thing to be on that list and it’s a validation and confirmation of all of the amazing investments that we’ve been doing.”

With the national attention the article brings to Pismo Beach, local businesses are hoping it will boost the number of travelers who will visit the popular tourist destination.

“With this number one ranking of Pismo Beach, we are hoping and we’re praying that this brings lots more tourism to our businesses,” said Denise Holt Wasson, Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair/Vice President. “Our entire little town relies on tourism. Our hotels, our businesses rely on tourism. If we didn’t have the tourists, we wouldn’t be able to thrive like we do and our chamber loves all of our businesses. We promote all of our businesses for that very reason, and now with this ranking, we’re so excited to see what the future brings in for Pismo Beach.”

The honor comes two years after Pismo Beach earned a third place ranking in the same readers poll and a second place showing seven years earlier in 2018.

Pismo Beach wasn’t the only San Luis Obispo County city to earn a place on this year’s top 10 list.

Morro Bay finished in fifth place in the poll, trailing only Pismo Beach, as well as Cedar Key, Florida, Castine, Maine and Bar Harbor, Maine.

“It’s great for the county,” said Jed Bickel, Sea Crest Ocean Front Hotel General Manager. “The county and Visit SLOCAL, they work really hard to collaborate and make sure that all the cities are represented. It’s a great thing about the cities in this county, you can you can hop to each one. You can stay in Pismo, but then you can go visit Morro Bay, so that’s something that the county works on collaboratively, and we’re really excited to see Morro Bay be right there with us. It’s just going to help the area as a whole.” 

According to USA Today, the national recognition celebrates the beauty and spirit of coastal communities. 

The coastal cities in the national rankings were selected by a panel of travel experts and winners were determined by public vote.

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. – A new option for affordable housing in Lompoc cut the ribbon this morning.

The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, or HASBARCO, has been helping those in need for 84 years. 

“In the early years, very few people had heard about us affordable housing was not really on people’s radar. And over the past number of recent years, we’ve become better known and we’ve also had more opportunities to develop affordable housing,” says John Polanskey, HASBARCO director of housing development.

Thursday morning, they cut the ribbon on their newest complex, at Cypress & 7th in Lompoc.

“Right now we own and manage nearly 1700 units countywide,” says Polanskey. 

The mission behind this equal housing opportunity provider is to hand someone a key to their apartment as the priority, in addition to helping them stabilize and succeed further.

“We really appreciate the support that we receive from the county Board of Supervisors, city of Lompoc, for this particular project. But then also, you know, the various cities, the elected officials, that’s how we get approved for what we do,” says Polanskey.

This latest addition to HASBARCO’s family of buildings includes 16 living spaces, a community center and onsite services such as counseling and career support. 

“My God, this is incredible,” says resident Maria Garcia. 

The site is already filled with grateful residents who are taking bold steps in life.

“Being able to be stable. Being able to get my mail somewhere, being able to stay out of danger. And a special thing is about being able to have my kids come over. Because before it was embarrassing. Know having them, I couldn’t tell them the truth. You know, that I was staying out there. I was homeless. We want to have reunions. Especially with my grandkids,” says Garcia. 

HASBARCO is planning another ribbon cutting in a few weeks in Guadalupe.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Community Environmental Council is offering a chance for anyone to lead environmental change.

“It’s important for the community to come together and learn about what they can do personally and the climate Stewart’s course is designed for that,” said communication and operations manager Jasmin Tupy of Heal the Ocean.

The CEC team is getting ready for its next Climate Stewards Environmental Course happening next week.

Tupy is an alumni of the course.  

She believes it helped her to take action on climate change. 

“And for me, it really improved my communication skills because issues feel like a really big burden and you don’t know where to start and this gave me a point on how I can communicate more effectively to the lay person,” said Tupy.

In light of the government’s new directive on cutting nonprofit funds, the CEC believes it’s even more critical to recruit stewards for the wellness of our local environment.

“It will trickle down to everything because there will be more pollution … there will be less protection for the outdoor spaces that we love a few people working at those places you know it’s an endless of impacts,” said director of outreach and education Kathi King of the Community Environmental Council.

The CEC team says they’re hoping to create a ripple effect of climate action throughout our community. 

“Helps them to able to talk through how they feel about climate change and create a space for them to understand how they can take action and move forward,” said King.} 

“It teaches you how to effectively communicate because I’m a believer that you could have all the ideas in the world and all the climate solutions but if you can’t communicate that then it might not go anywhere,” said Tupy.

The next Climate Stewards Environmental Course webinar is happening next Wednesday, April 16.

 From the Community Environmental Council:

Community Environmental Council (CEC) is now enrolling for the next session of its Climate Stewards certification course, designed to engage and empower any individual on the Central Coast to take action on climate change. CEC is proud to be the first and only nonprofit in the region to deliver the Climate Stewards certification program in partnership with the UC Environmental Stewards program, and one of only a handful across the state.

“If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to lead environmental action in your community, that time is now! Grassroots action is now more critical than ever to combat climate change and protect our communities. Our Climate Stewards program is designed to foster connection, confidence, and inspiration for community-based environmental action.” said Kathi King, Course Instructor and CEC’s Director of  Outreach and Education.

The Spring 2025 course will meet weekly from April 16 through June 4, 2025. Prospective participants are invited to sign up online to join the next cohort of Climate Stewards. The eight-week program empowers individuals to advance equitable climate solutions in their communities. For more details about the Climate Stewards program and what to expect, the public can view this webinar for more information:https://cecsb.org/blog/cec-climate-stewards-local-activists-creating-waves-of-action-atw8f 

Class sessions are held online via Zoom; the course also includes a few in-person field trips, mostly on Saturdays. Each cohort consists of a diverse group of approximately 20 individuals. The 40+ hour course curriculum includes online modules, peer-to-peer discussions, small group activities, hands-on and inquiry-based activities, and experiential learning over an eight-week period. Participants will gain access to climate action resources and opportunities to join the movement — and will graduate with a better understanding of the psychology and science behind climate change, the tools necessary to forge greater community connections, and the knowledge to effectively communicate the climate crisis.

The course curriculum also includes a  stewardship project that provides participants an opportunity to explore a passion project. Previous projects have succeeded in adding climate programs and messaging at foundations, large nonprofits, city governments and retirement communities. Many course graduates have gone on to integrate climate action into their professional and volunteer efforts. 

“Becoming a Climate Steward gives you ‘climate credibility’ if you want to pursue other climate-related efforts in the community. The course also connects you to like-minded people who want to learn about climate impacts and address both adults’ and kids’ anxieties about the climate,” said Maureen Ellenberger, Climate Steward Alumna.

Maureen joined forces with CEC Climate Projects Associate Ana Rico for their course project to develop bilingual curricula for school teachers that introduces young students (and their parents) to climate-related careers and connects local schools to climate professionals. Through their project, Maureen and Ana are delivering curricula and organizing several guest speakers — including some of their fellow Climate Steward alumni — at El Camino Elementary School in Goleta and La Colina Junior High in Santa Barbara.

The course fee is $350 and covers the cost of instructor time for classes and field trips, as well as UC Environmental Stewards program course fees. Scholarships are available for those who express financial need, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. 

Learn more about CEC’s Climate Stewards program and sign up here: cecsb.org/climate-stewards

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC) 

CEC advances rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis —including ambitious zero carbon goals, drawdown of excess carbon, and protection against the impacts of climate change. CEC was recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, and is led by CEO Sigrid Wright who was recently named 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. CEC has worked since 1970 to incubate and innovate real life environmental solutions that directly affect the California Central Coast. Our programs lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Learn more about the work of CEC and why it receives high ratings from both Charity Navigator and Guidestar atCECSB.org/impact. Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB, and Linkedin.com/company/cecsb/.

Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, claims it could save more than $4 million by terminating federal leases along the Central and South Coasts. But a News Channel investigation into the proposed savings raises new questions.

Nationwide, DOGE has identified more than 670 leases that, if terminated, would reportedly save taxpayers more than $400 million. Elon Musk, who has led the agency since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, is expected to step down at the end of May.

According to Musk, the department’s projected $150 billion in savings stems from contract and lease cancellations, grant terminations, regulatory streamlining, workforce reductions and other efficiency measures.

Locally, DOGE flagged five federal leases in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria and Lompoc as potential cost-cutting opportunities. Together, the leases cost more than $1 million annually. However, DOGE claims terminating them could save taxpayers a total of $4,320,389.

The DOGE website identifies the federal agency, city, and annual lease cost for each property, as well as the projected savings. However, it does not list specific addresses or provide timelines for when the leases will be canceled.

To verify the locations and cost-saving estimates, News Channel cross-referenced DOGE’s listings with the U.S. General Services Administration’s lease inventory, which includes lease start and end dates.

When asked for details about the targeted leases, the GSA — which manages most federal office leases — said it is “reviewing all options to optimize the federal government footprint.”

“Actively managing leases gives GSA the opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies on their evolving and long-term needs,” the agency said in a statement. “This often allows us to enhance space utilization and secure better terms for the government — including better pricing. In cases where the current space remains the most suitable option, we are adjusting our approach, which may include rescinding termination notices or choosing not to issue them at all.”

The agency also noted that many federal lease contracts include “soft terms,” or flexible cancellation clauses, which can be invoked as needed.

Ventura

In Ventura, the National Park Service leases an 11,000-square-foot facility on Spinnaker Drive from the Ventura Port District for $380,716 annually. The space houses park research equipment and archives related to cultural and natural history.

According to the GSA, the lease began in March 2006 and was set to expire in May 2026. DOGE estimates that early termination of the lease would save $252,420.

A Channel Islands National Park spokesperson confirmed the lease will now end in August 2025 and said a second lease in the same area will also be terminated.

Ventura Port District officials said the second lease, located at 1691 Spinnaker Drive, was added later at the request of the Park Service. Combined, the two leases cost approximately $386,000 annually. Todd Mitchell, the district’s deputy general manager, said the termination notice came as a surprise, especially since the district had been negotiating a lease extension through 2028 as recently as February.

“After receiving the cancellation notice from GSA, we attempted to confirm the validity of the termination,” Mitchell said. “We still have not received further confirmation and have not yet taken any steps to advertise the space or make public statements, other than providing the facts as we know them.”

Once more information is available, the district plans to consult nearby users, including ferry and commercial boat operators. The space could be subdivided and listed for lease later this year, pending City of Ventura approval.

The main visitor center, located at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, is owned by the National Park Service and is not listed on the DOGE website.

Oxnard

In Oxnard, the Natural Resources Conservation Service leases a 1,200-square-foot office on South Harbor Boulevard for $53,075 annually. The lease began in December 2009 and is scheduled to expire in December 2026.

DOGE projects that ending the lease early would save $75,323.

In March, a federal employee at the office told News Channel by phone he was unaware of any plans to terminate the lease. As of April 7, the office’s phone line had been disconnected, though the address still appears on the agency’s website.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Secretary Brooke Rollins supports “President Trump’s directive to eliminate wasteful spending and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.”

“USDA is optimizing building capacity and consolidating underutilized offices to reduce inefficiencies while continuing to prioritize frontline services for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.”

Camarillo

In Camarillo, the Bureau of Mineral Management Services leases a 27,000-square-foot facility on Paseo Camarillo for $868,837 annually. The lease began in November 2010 and is set to expire in November 2025.

DOGE claims canceling the lease early could save $3,532,477 — the largest savings among the five local leases.

The agency, now known as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in a statement it is “prioritizing strategic reforms to maximize resources, cut waste and enhance operational effectiveness across our facilities.”

Santa Maria

In Santa Maria, the U.S. Geological Survey leases a 6,400-square-foot facility on Skyway Drive for $118,513 annually. The lease began in August 2012 and is set to expire in August 2027.

DOGE claims an early cancellation could save $237,027.

Unlike the other leases, this one is held directly with a private landlord, Pacifica Commercial Realty, which has not responded to requests for comment.

USGS Western Communications Chief Miel Corbett declined to provide lease specifics but said the agency is working with GSA to ensure facilities are used effectively and to explore alternative options.

Lompoc

In Lompoc, the GSA leases a 5,400-square-foot maintenance control center on North H Street for $127,062 annually. The lease began in June 2012 and expires in June 2027.

DOGE says early termination could save $223,142. Flower Valley Plaza, the property manager, declined to comment.

Validating the Numbers

Since the DOGE website does not list when the leases will be terminated — and no agency other than the National Park Service in Ventura could provide specific details — News Channel made some assumptions to better understand how DOGE calculated its reported savings.

If each lease were to end in August 2025, like the one in Ventura, the total savings would amount to roughly $4.2 million — about $94,000 less than DOGE’s reported figure of $4.3 million.

Santa Barbara

A sixth local lease, not listed on DOGE’s website but mentioned in a congressional letter, may also be at risk.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leases a 452-square-foot office at 113 Harbor Way above the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for $18,060 annually. The office houses two researchers studying steelhead trout restoration and whale strikes in the Santa Barbara Channel.

The lease was renewed in February 2024 and is set to run through May 2031. As of April 9, the city’s Waterfront Department said it has not been contacted by any federal agency about terminating the lease.

Congressional Pushback

Concerns over the lease cancellations have prompted pushback from lawmakers.

In a March 25 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) criticized the lack of transparency.

“This lack of responsiveness to Congress is unacceptable,” the letter stated. “GSA is funded and overseen by Congress and is accountable to the American people. A lack of transparency combined with uncoordinated and chaotic policy execution is the opposite of government efficiency.”

On April 7, Reps. Salud Carbajal, Jimmy Panetta and Julia Brownley issued a joint letter demanding the GSA halt closures of local facilities operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, NOAA, USDA and U.S. Forest Service.

“Trying to shutter the physical locations for these vital agencies reflects the illegal actions undertaken by DOGE to undermine government effectiveness, rather than improving services for constituents and the American people,” they wrote.

Oversight and Accountability

News Channel contacted the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan agency that investigates federal spending, to confirm whether DOGE’s savings claims had been independently reviewed.

“We do not currently have published work around the savings claims on the DOGE website, so we are unable to comment on your specific inquiry,” said Jessica Baxter, senior media relations specialist at the GAO.

President Trump has repeatedly praised Musk and DOGE for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.

A GSA official told News Channel that, to date, no criminal charges have been recommended to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding any of the spending cuts or lease cancellations carried out under DOGE.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Senior Noah Grant blasted 24 kills, Evan Dougherty tallied 15 kills and Kawin Ramko added 11 kills as Dos Pueblos won at Santa Barbara in four sets (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22).

(Ramko was a force at the net for DP with double-digit kills. Ententza Design).

Nathan Vincent ended the match with a stuff block.

Both teams are tied for second place in the Channel League at 7-2 but DP has the tiebreaker having won both matches against the Dons.

San Marcos beat Oxnard 3-1 and leads the league at 8-1.