Buellton Wine & Chili Festival Returns With Flavor Galore!

KEYT on March 4, 2026

Alissa Orozco

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual Buellton Wine & Chili Festival is coming up soon, and you better be ready with a wine glass in one hand and a spoon in the other for the most flavorful event on the Central Coast!

The event features local music, food, and drinks from up and down the coast, with over 30 chili and salsa cooks competing to prove they’re the best.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company executive chef, Alex Aviles, and Andre Nuño from En Fuego Events previewed the upcoming event on your Morning News – of course never empty handed.

“We’re stoked. I mean, it’s our 3rd year on the Central Coast right now, another anniversary for us, so we’re trying to get out and party every chance we get,” says Aviles. “This is just another one of those situations where we get out of the kitchen and go party with everybody in Buellton and anybody who wants to come visit.” 

Locals can choose from a tiered list of ticket options, offering the chance to sample the more than 30 wineries, craft breweries, seltzers, ciders and spirit companies, AND chili and salsa.

Locals get to taste all the chili they’d like, and then cast their vote for who they think is the best. According to Nuño, the flavors are limitless.

“It’s however you make your chili. We wanted this to feel like, you know, if you’re at home and you just make the best chili for your family,” says Nuño.

The Buellton Wine and Chili Festival will take place on March 15th at 12 p.m. at the Flying Flags RV Resort campground.

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S.T.E.P. helps disabled people become business owners

KYMA on March 4, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – A new program called S.T.E.P., which stands for Skills, Training, and Entrepreneurial Pathways, launched in Imperial County.

The program is the brain child of Access To Thrive’s CEO Ashley Contreras. She said the idea came to her following her car accident, which left her in a wheelchair.

“The inspiration of STEP came from my own experience. I was a business owner before my car accident before becoming disabled. And after that happened, I understood that the disability was not the barrier,” Contreras explained in an interview with KYMA.

She said often times, people with disabilities, whether physical or mental, don’t always fit into a typical nine-to-five employment model.

The 12-week free course offers everything from training to help with licensing fees.

With just 20 spots open for the program, Contreras and her team received dozens of applications, which they are now reviewing.

“We’re still receiving applications. The program is officially going to launch on April 7th,” Contreras said.

To apply, click here.

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Sanctuary Centers Campus Nears Completion in Santa Barbara

KEYT on March 4, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)- A new five-story campus is getting its finishing touches on Anapamu Street.

The Sanctuary Centers project will bring supportive housing, a medical clinic, and expanded behavioral health services to the area.

The campus is designed to support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

Construction is in its final phase as crews prepare for the crane to come down.

The non-profit is still working to close a three-million-dollar funding gap.

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Hundreds of high schoolers explore job opportunities at CTE conference in Nipomo

KEYT on March 4, 2026

Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of local high school students had the chance to learn about future job opportunities at a career technical education (CTE) conference held Wednesday at Nipomo High School.

About 300 students from Nipomo, Central Coast New Tech and Lopez high schools partipated in the event that was held for the third straight year.

“The students have the opportunity to go in to pick three rooms that have different industry specific, including healthcare, construction, aviation and many others,” said Kristin Anderson, Lucia Mar Unified School District Curriculum Instruction Director. “They also have an opportunity to attend the vendor fair with over 40 different local vendors.” 

Several companies, businesses, government agencies, community colleges and other organizations took part in the CTE conference, including Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Edwards Construction, ACI Jet, Caltrans, RRM Design Group, Edwards Construction, San Luis Obispo County Airport, Arroyo Grande Police Department, San Luis Obispo County Fire Department/CAL FIRE, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and many others.

“I think it’s important for students to get to see what’s in our community,” said Anderson. “Sometimes our students don’t know what the opportunities they have if they don’t have a place to see them all at one spot, so it’s kind of like a one stop shop for everybody to get to see different ideas and maybe they’ll branch out and try something new.”

Students had several opportunities to meet face-to-face with career professionals, at a vendor fair held inside the school’s Olympic Hall.

“I think, for a lot of people, it’s very eye opening,” said student Cy Randall. “I feel like a lot of kids don’t know what they want to do after high school and this is a good opportunity for them to explore different careers and just kind of understand if they want to go into a certain field, what that will mean, what the salary will mean, what the work’s going to mean, stuff like that.” 

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A Cleaner Look & Economic Goals Happening in Downtown Santa Barbara

KEYT on March 4, 2026

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – While the City of Santa Barbara and its partners in economic development work on future plans for the heart of downtown, locals will find the sidewalks and streets cleaner now than they have been in years.

The newly formed Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) has made that a priority. A new report backs it up.

The latest numbers from September 2025 to January 2026 shows, with the work of daily crews, 5,135 trash bags have been filled, 103,786 pounds of trash has been picked up, 382 blocks have been pressure washed and there’s been 113 service calls.

The daily job includes picking up trash, cleaning landscaping, painting over graffiti and wiping down benches and trash cans along with numerous other tasks.

About 66 percent of the funds coming in for the special business district tax has gone to making the area clean and safe.

DSBIA Executive Director Robin Elander said, “our organization is focused on really serving and revitalizing downtown in the areas of maintenance and activation  branding and beautification. People are starting to see a difference downtown and they’re seeing people cleaning in an area that they haven’t seen previously and that is what this is all about it is  a new district wide maintenance.”

More lighting has been added and efforts are underway for security cameras.

Mayor Randy Rowse was strolling downtown Wednesday and noticing the improvements saying, “things look pretty good. We can always be better and I think enhancing the lighting will go a long way to helping that.”

The focus area is between the underpass and Sola St., and from Chapala St. to Anacapa St.

Most recently vacant window fronts have been improved with art work at four locations to reduce the look of blight.

The area continues to have First Thursday events at galleries, open spaces and with restaurant specials. This week more than 25 activities will be going on at once.

In addition to economic vitality from the businesses, the DSBIA is adding input into the conversation to create new housing in the area.

40 new businesses opened in 2025. Five have opened so far in 2026.

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Threats at church lead to arrest; guns found in vehicle and home

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Robert Desaulniers

Click here for updates on this story

    ELLENSBURG, Washington (KAPP) — An investigation is underway after a person made threats at a church and guns were found in their vehicle and home on Sunday, Ellensburg police said.

According to the Ellensburg Police Department, at about 2 p.m. on March 1, police heard two people made threatening statements in a church and guns may be involved. Officers said they arrived to find a man and a woman from Moses Lake who had recently begun visiting the church. Officers said they were told the woman appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and had threatened to harm people at the church.

Police said church staff and two patrons confirmed the man was armed with a handgun and had a rifle in his vehicle that had been modified to fire in a fully-automatic fashion. Police said the man cooperated with church staff and surrendered the guns to them. Church staff later turned those weapons over to law enforcement.

Police said the man was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm, and the woman was detained for a mental health evaluation. Detectives searched a home in Moses Lake and found another gun as well as ammunition. Police said the man is being held on $1 million bail, and additional charges may be pending. Police said an investigation is ongoing, but there is no threat to the public.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Barrasso, Lummis applaud NRC approval of TerraPower’s Kemmerer advanced nuclear plant

KIFI on March 4, 2026

News Team

KEMMERER, Wyoming (KIFI) — U.S. Senators for Wyoming are applauding the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for officially issuing a construction permit for TerraPower’s “groundbreaking” advanced nuclear reactor. This approval marks the first time in over 40 years that a non-light water reactor has received such approval in the United States.

The permit authorizes TerraPower to build a Natrium reactor, a sodium-cooled advanced design, on a site adjacent to a retiring coal-fired power plant in Kemmerer. This decision represents the first NRC approval for any commercial reactor construction in nearly a decade.

“This is a historic step forward for advanced nuclear energy in the United States and reflects our commitment to delivering timely, predictable decisions grounded in a rigorous and independent safety review,” NRC Chairman Ho Nieh said.

“The Energy Capital of America”

Wyoming’s Congressional delegation praised the move as a dual victory for energy independence and the state’s local economy.

“Wyoming is the energy capital of America. We are also the number one producer of uranium in the country,” said Senator Barrasso (R-WY). “That’s why Wyoming is the right place to build modern nuclear energy infrastructure that provides safe, affordable, and reliable energy. This groundbreaking project is another way to help diversify Wyoming’s already strong energy economy.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released a statement calling the approval a “landmark day” for Wyoming, linking the project to the Trump Administration’s broader goals of national energy independence.

“Wyoming has long powered this nation, and I’m proud that we are leading the next generation of nuclear energy,” said Lummis. “TerraPower’s advanced reactor will bring economic opportunity to Kemmerer and western Wyoming, while proving that America can build the technologies of the future right here at home.”

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Chubbuck cheers for chicken fingers: Raising Cane’s announces official opening

KIFI on March 4, 2026

Par Kermani

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)— The wait for the “One Love” in East Idaho is nearly over. Raising Cane’s has officially announced that its newest restaurant will open its doors in Chubbuck on Tuesday, March 31.

Located at 4310 Yellowstone Ave., the restaurant is finally coming to the local community.

“We’re thrilled to bring Raising Cane’s to Chubbuck,” said Restaurant Leader Gavin Allen. “This new restaurant gives us the chance to connect with the Idaho community, share our ‘One Love,’ and create a space where neighbors and families can come together.”

Beyond the food, the restaurant plans to partner with area schools, sports teams, and non-profits through various sponsorships and fundraising opportunities.

To prepare for the March 31 launch, Raising Cane’s is currently looking to hire 135 crewmembers, including cashiers, fry cooks, and customer service associates.

Interested candidates can apply online at jobs.raisingcanes.com to schedule an interview. In-person interviews are being held daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant site on Yellowstone Avenue through Saturday, March 14.

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Ashlee Buzzard Fails to Appear in Court for a Second Time

KEYT on March 4, 2026

Alissa Orozco

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Ashlee Buzzard, the Vandenberg Village mother who is accused of murdering her daughter Melodee last year, failed to appear in court this morning – claiming illness for a second time.

Buzzard missed her initial procedural hearing back in February, her court date was rescheduled and Judge Stephen Dunkle approved a motion to admonish spectators inside the court room.

Buzzard’s defense attorney says their team is continuing to comb through case warrants and forensic evidence records, but Buzzard must be present to assure a speedy trial.

The hearing was rescheduled to March 18th. If Buzzard fails to appear on that date, Judge Dunkle will issue an extraction order.

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Crook County resident helps Bend hiker who got lost in the Ochoco National Forest, sparking rescue effort

KTVZ on March 4, 2026

Silas Moreau

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue undertook a challenging rescue effort for a Bend man who got lost on a weekend hike in the Ochoco National Forest. As it turned out, he walked through the night after calling for help and found a home where a resident drove him back to his car, deputies said.

Crook County 911 dispatchers were notified on Sunday about a missing hiker near Lookout Mountain, county Emergency Manager AJ Crawford said Wednesday.

Brian Ichkhanian, 26, of Bend, told dispatchers he had become disoriented and needed help, Crawford said.

The sheriff’s office SAR Team was immediately activated and deployed 17 personnel, as well as four snowmobiles, a Polaris Ranger, a K-9 team and a drone, Crawford said.

A deputy found the man’s vehicle at the bottom of Lookout Mountain Trailhead, so search teams were deployed from several locations, including the vehicle site and other trail access points.

“The search environment was challenging, with heavily wooded terrain, steep uphill slopes, and icy and snowy conditions near the top of the trailhead,” Crawford said a news release. “Continuous precipitation persisted throughout the night, complicating the search efforts.”

Around 7 a.m. on Monday, Ichkhanian returned to his car. He said he had walked through the night and sought help by knocking on the door at a local residence.

Crawford said the resident helped him out by driving him back to his vehicle.

“Mr. Ichkhanian was exhausted and wet from overnight conditions, but otherwise healthy and safe,” the emergency manager said.

“The Crook County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to Crook County 911 Dispatch and the Crook County Search and Rescue Team for their rapid response and assistance in locating Mr. Ichkhanian,” Crawford concluded.

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