Month: June 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Though they didn’t have cell phones and pocket cameras 100 years ago, historical images following the June 29th, 1925 earthquake are on display at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

While many people were sleeping or just starting their day, the ground shook hard at 6:42 a.m. at the start of a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. Buildings that were not reinforced or strong enough came down. Damage was everywhere.

The museum is recalling this event with numerous shots, panels, videos and the storyline that left much of downtown and several other areas destroyed or heavily damaged.

The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed. Many other buildings were in shambles.

“We really wanted to make it a priority to show the public images they might not have seen before,” said Santa Barbara Historical Museum Education Director Emily Alessio. “Every photograph and every artifact in this exhibition tells a story and we are really lucky to have the actual words and voices of  earthquake survivors.”

The exhibit goes on to show most of the populace spent the summer sleeping outdoors as aftershocks rolled through the city. Exactly one year later on June 29th, 1926, a sharp aftershock claimed one more life when a collapsing chimney killed a small boy. Over the next decade, the city rebuilt and reinvented itself in the process. Out of the rubble would come a new Santa Barbara with the headline, “Spanish Architecture to Rise from Ruins.”

  “One of the main things that we did  for the exhibition was to digitize all of  our images  and do a call out to the community to find more images of the destruction and rebuilding following the quake,” said Executive Director Dacia Harwood.

Some of the projected photos show a before and after view of different intersections. Historian Neal Graffy says, “that’s the fun of it. To come down and look at it and realize ‘I know what that building is’ and see elements of it and others you have no idea .”

It also shows how the city was changed. “This was the opportunity as you look around here, you see all these buildings with fronts,  all the bricks caved out, so they could put new fronts on the building.”  He said after the earthquake “cities across America were looking at what Santa Barbara was doing and a lot of people  did not have an idea of building codes or anything like that so we were a role model.”

Part of the display is an old power switch. It was shut down by a worker to prevent the city from having fires during the catastrophe.

There is also a Chamber of Commerce sign with a crack in it. It was on Carrillo Street the morning of the powerful temblor.

Numerous newspaper headlines and coverage are in the display showing the way the public learned of the disaster. Some of the research shows the names of those who died were in error,

Two of the most famous images of damage were the Hotel Californian and the Old MIssion.

The museum exhibit is free to the public, and is opened through July 6th, 2025.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

VANDENBERG SFB, Calif. – Vandenberg Space Force Base held a ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon to mark the opening of its newly relocated Space and Missile Technology Center (SAMTEC) at the site of the former Marshallia Ranch Golf Course.

The base describes the facility as a place that preserves and interprets the evolution of missile and space system activity at Vandenberg Space Force Base from the 1958 to present day.

“SAMTEC is a collection of of the pieces that tell Vandenberg story, past, present and future, to inspire the next generation of guardians and airmen and and community members to be a part of our aerospace community here on the Central Coast,” said SAMTEC Director Jay Prichard. “It’s also for STEM education training here on the base and also mission partners so that they can share the story and have a place that their companies, their employees and contributors can see and touch the story that is being launched from here. It’s a collective of everything that we do here at Vandenberg.”

The new center will replace an existing facility that has been established for many years within the gates of Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“This is SAMTEC 2.0 if you will,” said Prichard. “Many of the exhibits from the original location are being transferred over to here, as well as some hardware that we’ve had in storage that did not have an opportunity to be displayed. Over the course of the last 30 years as we’ve declassified different programs, we’ve found opportunities to have new stories to tell. We now have a greater space to be able to do that and evolve to the next generation. The big key is that museums are about inspiring, not just collecting.”

Now in its new location, the new center will allow for easier access and availability for the community to visit since it is no longer situated inside the main gate.

“When I got here about two years ago and was talking with Jay not long after I took command, and he got to talking to me about his vision of trying to make this facility more accessible,” said Col. Mark Shoemaker, Space Launch Delta 30 Commander. “We wanted to take that opportunity, and this former golf course area, this clubhouse was land and facilities that were we already owned, that we already had they were in hand, so why not update them and repurpose them? It will help educate and help to build outreach and help to inspire.”  

The Space and Missile Technology Center will include a museum that is located with the former clubhouse for the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course.

Once a well-known and popular golf course for 58 years, Marshallia Ranch closed in 2017 due to rising operational costs, particularly with water usage.

Now, the course will have a second life as a new public attraction that will include other future attractions besides the museum, including launch viewing facilities, STEM outreach programs, walking trails and more.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ryder Christ

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — At just 9 years old, Ava Cano is proving she’s one of the toughest young athletes on the Central Coast — and now, one of the best in the country.

Over the weekend, Ava won the Junior Girls Championship in the 62-pound division at the Thai Boxing Association’s U.S. Nationals in Iowa. Her victory earned her a spot on Team USA, where she’ll represent the country at the upcoming Muay Thai World Championships.

But for Ava, this milestone is part of a journey that started nearly five years ago — and one built on daily discipline, heart, and a passion for the sport.

In a February interview, Ava explained how her love for Muay Thai began. Originally enrolled in jiu-jitsu by her dad, Mark Cano, she quickly found herself drawn to the action happening on the Muay Thai side of the gym. “I watched a couple classes… and I just kind of really liked it. It looked very fun,” Ava said.

That curiosity turned into commitment. She now trains up to four hours a day, balancing school and childhood with a grueling athletic routine. “Every day I’ve been running for 30 minutes, getting my cardio up, sparring and training very hard,” Ava said in preparation for Nationals.

Her father, Mark, shared the challenge and pride of helping his daughter balance both worlds. “She works extremely hard… To have her have such a normal childhood life and school, but still train four hours a day is difficult, even for a parent. But we’re extremely proud of her.”

Ava currently trains at Elite Muay Thai in San Luis Obispo and also at Straight Fitness in Los Banos. Her coaches tailor her workouts to upcoming fights, focusing on strategy and improvement after every bout.

With the U.S. title now under her belt, Ava is focused on her next big challenge: competing internationally. She’ll represent the United States at the World Championships — and she’s ready. “I’ve always really wanted to become a champion,” Ava said. “And the closer I get, I just feel very happy and proud.”

From sparring sessions to burger breakfasts, Ava Cano is staying true to herself — and showing the world just how far a 9-year-old with grit and heart can go.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Carpinteria is moving to a two-year budget.

Carpinteria City Council members voted unanimously to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025/26-2026/27 two-year budget following lengthy presentations from staff members.

Carpinteria City Manager Michael Ramirez said it’s hovering over the $30 million range.

Ramirez said it fluctuates due to capital improvement projects such as the Carpinteria Bridge Replacement Project.

“We are excited to be celebrating our 60th anniversary this year in September, so you will notice on all of our budget documents we have our 60th anniversary,” said Ramirez, “so, it is very much reflecting on our past and here today focusing on the present, but also thinking about our future.”

Ramirez said it is more important than ever to look ahead.

For more information visit https://www.carpinteriaca.gov

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. – Crews are busy transforming a former La Quinta Inn into the new Valentine Road Apartments in Ventura.

But some tenants already moved in.

Meet James Workman.

“You’re living in Ventura for God’s sakes … it’s reasonable … it’s affordable,” said resident James Workman of Valentine Road Apartments.

He likes to bring joy to those around him.

But Workman wasn’t always full of joy.

He knows what it’s like to be homeless.

“When you lose a permanent position at a job, things can get dark after that … when you no longer can do what you’ve been doing … I was a land surveyor,” said Workman.

Thanks to this multi-million dollar affordable housing project, Workman not only has a place to live, he feels safe here.

“You know if you’re on the street and you’re showering at some alley with a garden hose to yourself … we got hot water here,” said Workman.

These apartments were designed to house those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

“Had somebody say to me the other day … this is my forever home because these are forever homes … this is not temporary …. this is permanent supportive housing,” said CEO Jeff Lambert of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.

This week, a total of 38 apartment units will be occupied with those who were formerly homeless.

“They’ll be successful here because we’re wrapping them with services. This building will have six on-site case managers to support these residence,” said Lambert.

All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Until then, Workman is on a mission to live his neighbors.

“Hang in there you’ll be okay. It’s a beautiful day, said Workman to another tenant.

And considering where he’s been, Workman would know.

From Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura:

Ventura, CA — Ventura, CA — The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) invites media representatives and community partners to a special event celebrating the construction progress of the Valentine Rd Apartments, a vital affordable housing development serving Ventura County.

This celebration will recognize the collaborative efforts of local, county, and federal partners who have made this project possible. Attendees will hear remarks from community leaders and get a first look at the site’s transformation.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025Time: 9:30 AM – noonLocation: Valentine Rd Apartments SiteAddress: 5818 Valentine Rd, Ventura, CA

Speakers include:

Supervisor, Matt LaVere

Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios

Councilmember Jim Duran, District 6

Representative from the California Department of Housing and Community Development

Additional local leaders and project partners

About the Project:

Valentine Rd Apartments is the largest Homekey initiative in Ventura County to date. With $32 million in state funding—alongside major support from the City of Ventura, County of Ventura, and additional funding partners—the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is transforming a former 142-room La Quinta Inn into 134 studio apartments for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This development offers more than housing: residents will have access to on-site supportive services designed to help them stabilize and thrive.

The project has reached an exciting milestone—63 apartments are now move-in ready, and construction has begun on the remaining two buildings. All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January.

To learn more about the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, visit www.hacityventura.org.

ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura with more than 1,480 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1097 affordable rental units. The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura is to provide and develop quality affordable housing for eligible low-income residents of Ventura County and to establish strong partnerships necessary for HACSB customers to achieve personal goals related to literacy and education; health and wellness; and job training and employment leading to personal growth and economic self-sufficiency.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.