Author: KEYT

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Research data shows more people are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States than ever before. While ADHD is often associated with impulsivity and learning issues, ADHD can manifest as other symptoms, such as emotional hypersensitivity and also task paralysis. 

Psychologist Dr. Corina Weir spoke with your News Channel to break the stigma around the rapidly increasing diagnoses. Stating ADHD difficulties and symptoms can look completely different from person to person.

However, a common symptom of ADHD is the inability to sustain focus on task or assignments. This inability to focus can trigger emotional reactions, such as anxiety and mood swings.

ADHD does have overlapping symtoms with other mood disorders, meaning some patients are often misdiagnosed for other neurodivergent behaviors.

“There are many symptoms that overlap between ADHD and other mental health conditions and diagnoses, but it is different with obsessive compulsive disorders that are compulsive behaviors, that are more anxious intrusive thoughts that can be very negative type thoughts,” Dr. Weir says. “ADHD can present and it can manifest as difficulties with sustained attention, distractibility, impulsivity and or hyper productivity dependent upon the individual.”

A study done in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology says 1 in 9 U.S. children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and 30% had reportedly never received any ADHD-specific treatment.

“Symptoms can mimic so many other diagnoses. For example, anxiety, autism spectrum conditions, even physical health conditions can mimic some of the symptoms of ADHD. And what makes it even more complex is that ADHD can often coexist with other conditions as well, so it really highlights the need for individuals to get a thorough assessment, which includes objective objective testing.”

Gender also plays a key difference in the way ADHD is outwardly displayed. ADHD is more common in males than females, and the disorder can be harder to diagnose in women.

“Many people with ADHD may have very intense emotional reactions, they may rapidly change their mood or they may seem to others as very irritable or sensitive to rejection… However, women tend to typically internalize symptoms a lot more as well, which can make things even more complicated.”

If you recognize any of the typical ADHD symptoms in yourself and or in anyone is your life, Dr. Weir recommends seeing your professional healthcare practitioner for a proper diagnosis and potential treatment.

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. – Today was the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival’s second of its four days of activities.

It offers two more days with features of fanciful family fun.

For more than seven decades, the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival has been adorning Ryon Memorial Park. 

Thursday and Friday had free admission for a limited time, Saturday and Sunday it will cost money to get in.

“We’re proud to say that we’re very high in pre-sales this year,” says Inga McCullough, Lompoc Valley Festival Association’s chairperson.

“So we know that the numbers are going to get very large over the weekend. And this morning, we did have a very long line starting at 8:00.”

Food vendor’s are up and running, and everyday there are performances and carnival rides.

“We have a new entertainment chairman, so he’s bringing a large variety of music from different genres,” says McCullough. “And we’ll also have our local performers, so the dancers will be out there. There’ll be a lot of those local people on the stage as well, as well as our beautiful princesses.”

Courtesy of Helm and Sons’ Amusements, some of the carnival rides are larger and more extravagant than years past, a welcome change for some attendees.

“It’s not like when I was a kid, because everything is exciting and you want to play games and stuff,” says Lompoc local Tamara Lyerla. “But I enjoy the just walking around and getting fresh air and trying new different foods. I was on my way to get myself sketched by the sketch artist here. I haven’t had that done since I was a late teenager.”

While there are still some locals who remember this event being free for the community, now the parking and admission charges go directly toward sustaining the event.

“This community needs that,” says Lyerla. “We need more support for things that made Lompoc great, like our flower fields. I wish they could bring those back, you know.”

Organizers say the event takes two weeks to set up and to tear down afterward, and the Lompoc Valley Festival Association is always looking for new volunteers.

Tomorrow’s annual parade starts at 10:00 at the Aldi’s parking lot at Pine & H. Streets, and will wrap around to H & Ocean.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — “This could have led to nuclear war.”

Public opinion over the recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities remains sharply divided, with most Republicans backing the strikes while Democrats voice strong opposition, according to multiple national polls.

Locally, former State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson condemned the strike as “reckless” and a potential trigger for nuclear war, while former Santa Barbara City Councilman Dale Francisco defended it as a long-planned, decisive move that “weakened the Iranian regime.”

In a televised interview following the strike, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended the operation, stating, “This was an historically successful attack and we should celebrate it as Americans… it gives us a chance to have peace, a chance to have a deal, and an opportunity to prevent a nuclear Iran, which is something President Trump talked about for 20 years and no other presidents had the courage to actually do.”

Hegseth’s comments came amid reports that the strike may have only set Iran’s nuclear capabilities back by months, despite claims from U.S. officials that the program was destroyed. Iran’s Supreme Leader publicly rejected the U.S. assessment, declaring that President Trump “grossly exaggerated” the attack’s impact.

Polls Show Support, But Caution

A June 27 Axios/Tyson Group poll found that 55% of Americans support the strikes after learning they targeted uranium enrichment sites, up from 43% beforehand. Support among Republicans surged to 82%, while only 33% of Democrats and 44% of independents backed the operation.

A separate Quinnipiac University poll showed deeper divisions, with 81% of Republicans supporting the strikes, compared to 75% of Democrats opposing them. A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted earlier in the week found that only 36% of Americans overall supported the strikes, while 49% opposed further action.

Local Leaders Debate Legality, Strategy

Jackson criticized the operation as lacking transparency and accountability.

“It’s very hard also to rely on the words of this president who is known to be exaggerating, hyperbole if not straight out lying,” she said. “This was a reckless and feckless effort… done through enormous incompetence.”

She also raised constitutional concerns, warning, “Hopefully we won’t be dropping too many more bombs on other countries… without certainly getting the approval of Congress so that these unconstitutional acts will stop.”

Francisco pushed back on that characterization, calling the strike the result of careful, long-term planning.

“This was not some fly-by-night operation. This is a very, very well thought out and apparently highly successful operation,” he said. He added that the plan had been in development for 15 years and dismissed leaks questioning the strike’s effectiveness as politically motivated.

Republican Rift or Fringe Debate?

Some far-right figures within the Republican Party, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the decision, calling it a “bait and switch for Trump supporters.” Francisco downplayed those criticisms, citing a CBS News/YouGov poll showing 85% of Republicans supported the action.

“This is the first time I’m aware of Marjorie Taylor Greene and AOC agreeing on American foreign policy,” he said.

While Francisco emphasized that Trump was not seeking a prolonged conflict—“one operation and we’re done”—Jackson warned the strike could provoke more hostility.

“Did we make it worse by bombing the heck out of them? That remains to be seen,” she said. “There are other ways to resolve a problem other than bombing somebody.”

Ongoing Tensions with Iran

The strike marked a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli cities and a U.S. base in Qatar. According to the Associated Press, Israeli air raids destroyed dozens of Iranian missile systems in what defense officials called “Operation Rising Lion.”

Despite Hegseth’s assertion that the airstrike “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, U.S. intelligence sources cited by Reuters and The Washington Post have indicated that Iran’s program may only be delayed by a few months. Analysts warn the full ramifications of the attack are still unfolding, especially as ceasefire negotiations remain fragile.

Jackson concluded with a cautionary note: “If this doesn’t make Iran more effective in its efforts to undermine our country, to put our people at risk, that would be surprising.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The funding has been approved by the California Transportation Commission which clears the way for the final work on the massive project to add a lane in each direction on the often congested freeway route from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara.

The last segment will extend the project widening work from Montecito work site now to Santa Barbara at Sycamore Creek.

There will then be three lanes in each direction, which includes the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane for peak hour traffic relief.

Funding was approved Friday morning after an all-day meeting Thursday in Sacramento. $137-million is arriving with a special ceremony in July.

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse, who currently sits at the head of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), spoke on behalf of the project. He flew up Wednesday and met with legislators and other key decision makers before speaking to the commission Thursday.

“We actually got the largest award in the state of California on this particular grant, mostly because this is the last little piece of the puzzle,” said Rowse.

California highway funding through State Senate Bill 1, approve by voters, has been a key source of money for this project.

“It allows us to better serve, obviously the Santa Barbara area plus and Vandenberg (Space Force Base) plus UCSB. There are so many parts of this thing going north and south that are so important to us,” said Rowse. “It’s a major artery for all of Southern California up into the Central Coast. So that’s really important for defense, for commerce, for tourism. “

The project is more than just a lane in each direction. It will also include modifications to the Union Pacific crossing which sits at a low level at the Los Patos offramp and has been struck by larger vehicles many times.

The project will also include a new southbound ramp to Highway 101 from Cabrillo Boulevard.

This phase of freeway work could be started in early 2026.

Rowse says the crews working on the project have been on track or ahead of schedule with the timeline. “I’ve been so impressed with the staging, the completion and the calendar execution of, of all parties involved.” 

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Dave Alley

SOLVANG, Calif. – The Solvang Festival Theater has once again welcomed PCPA back to its long-time summer home for another season of live theatrical entertainment in the iconic outdoor venue.

“Summer and Solvang, it feels like it’s coming home and like we’re coming home,” said Emily Trask, PCPA Associate Artistic Director. “The magic of being outdoors under the stars, it’s really an unforgettable experience.”

PCPA has been taking its show on the road to Solvang each year since 1974, minus the COVID-interrupted 2020 season.

With its one-of-a-kind 700-seat outdoor theater, Solvang provides an unforgettable backdrop that thrills both patrons, as well as the actors and crew members alike.

“There’s a big gear shift that happens when we shift into the summer season,” said Trask. “It feels like there’s this build up for the opening. It’s like there’s a buzz all through the company in terms of not only just getting ready for opening, but getting to move down there. It really feels like something really special and unique that PCPA gets to do every year.”

This year, PCPA will provide audiences with its traditional summer diverse lineup of four shows, beginning in mid-June and running through early-Setember.

“It’s another fabulous summer season in the Festival Theater,” said Trask. “We’re serving up everything from Broadway hits to whodunits to tours de forces with legendary divas. It’s going to be a really exciting summer.”

Already on the stage is the hit Broadway musical Waitress, which stars Arroyo Grande High School graduate, Molly Dobbs.

“We’re so lucky to be able to do Waitress this summer,” saids Dobbs. “Every single person on the show – the designers, the cast, the crew, everyone is at their pinnacle, working so incredibly hard. It’s so funny and smart and poignant and the show looks so beautiful in the space, and it’s so wonderful to be able to really connect with the audience. I feel like at Solvang, it’s more of a conversation between you and the audience than it is in a traditional theater. You really feel like the audience is your partner. I sing 16 songs in two hours, so I’m real close with the audience. I never really go backstage, so to get to have, such an intimate connection with them while doing the show.”

Other shows include the mystery Holmes and Watson, comedy Something Rotten! and musical tribute Songs for Nobodies.

“You’re going to regret it if you don’t come,” said Dobbs. “You really will. I’m not just saying that. I think this season is really, really well positioned for Solvang and make it a family tradition.”

PCPA summer season in Solvang is now underway and will run through Sept. 7.

“A night in Solvang is unlike any other night that you’ll have and live theater is alive and well on the Central Coast,” said Trask. “We really hope you join us.” 

Waitress is currently playing in Solvang and will run through July 6. Holmes and Watson will run 11 times in Solvang from July 11-26, Something Rotten! can be seen 17 times in Solvang from August 1-23, while Songs for Nobodies will run 8 times in Solvang from August 28 to September 7.

For more information about PCPA, or to purchase tickets, click here to visit the official PCPA website.

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Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif. — Ventura City Hall was packed this evening with community members who assembled to speak out against what they call, Federal overreach.

“This isn’t just another vote. It’s a test of what kind of city we are, whether we submit to hate or we lead with compassion,” said local activist, Amber Thompson.

Thompson helped develop the ‘C.A.R.E. Policy’ to help what she says are some of Ventura’s most vulnerable communities — immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and those seeking reproductive care.

“These are unprecedented times right now. And so, yes, I definitely think the threat, the attack on these communities is more than it’s ever been,” said Thompson.

She says it hits close to home, explaining, “I’m a proud transgender woman. I’m also the mother of a transgender child, and I’m also the mother of a first generation U.S. citizen as well.”

The C.A.R.E. acronym stands for “community, autonomy, rights, and equality,” but supporters say it’s not only symbolic… it’s strategic.

The non-cooperation policy sets boundaries about what Ventura will — and will not — participate in.

One of the things it does is instruct city officials to withhold city resources such as data sharing from any identity-based enforcement action.

“Seeing people being snatched off the streets of Ventura and Oxnard and all of Ventura County and throughout the nation? That’s just that’s government overreach. Those are not our federal funds working for us. That’s kidnaping,” said Beth Mansfield, who lives in Ventura.

The majority of the attendees were in favor of the Care Policy, but there were a few who were staunchly opposed.

One city council member said California law already protects the community.

He said that restating these laws as city policy is simply symbolic but adds nothing legally enforceable.

Still, after much discussion, the policy passed 6 to 1.

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Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. – Leaders across Ventura County came together with a sense of urgency.

Their message was straight forward: How to protect the immigration community.

“When fear prevents hard-working community residence from getting critical health care services they are being denied a fundamental human right,” said CEO Felix Munez of Gold Coast Health Plan.

An owner of a family-run farm shared her concerns over immigration enforcement affecting her business.

“Just a few hours of disrupted operations … a few days … is enough to really push the operations over the edge,” said farmer Helen McGrath of Ventura County.

Leaders highlighted the importance of supporting immigrant communities from all industries.

“Undocumented people are part of our families our schools our communities … and an essential part of all of our operations … not just agriculture … but the trades construction healthcare,” said McGrath.

“If people forgo preventative services in the clinic setting they’re going to end up in the emergency with much more serious illnesses … and we don’t want anyone to have to go through that,” said Munez.

Leaders highlighted the importance of inclusion, justice and support for Ventura’s immigrant community.

From Brooke Primero:

Stand in Solidarity Press Conference:

In Support of Our Immigrant Families,

Impacted Businesses and the Ventura County Community

A Leadership Response to Protect Families and Defend Rights in Ventura County

What: In response to rising fears around unjust immigration enforcement, local elected officials from across Ventura County will join to acknowledge the urgency, reaffirm the community’s values of inclusion and justice, and speak directly to Ventura’s immigrant community and the broader public.  The event will highlight local leadership’s commitment to humane policy, community protection, and civil rights defense for all.

Who: Officials and city leaders from Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Fillmore, Port Hueneme, and Santa Paula, alongside community leaders from law enforcement, education, faith and more.

Expected Speakers:

Vianey Lopez, County Supervisor, District 5

David Newman, Mayor, City of Thousand Oaks

Gabe Teran, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Oxnard

Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo, PsyD, Councilmember, City of Camarillo and Executive Director, Friends of Fieldworkers

Dr. Felix Nuñez, CEO, Gold Coast Health Plan

Helen McGrath, Director, Farm Bureau of Ventura County and fifth-generation member of the McGrath farming family

Bruce Stenslie, President/CEO, Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)

Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller, Temple Beth Torah

Father Tom Elewaut, Mission Basilica San Buenaventura

Additional Expected Attendees:

Christina Villasenor, Mayor, City of Fillmore

Luis McArthur, Mayor, City of Oxnard

Pedro Chavez, Mayor, City of Santa Paula

Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Ed.D., Mayor, City of Ventura

Gabriela Basua, Councilmember, City of Oxnard

Michaela Perez, Councilmember, City of Oxnard

Tie Gutierrez, Councilmember, City of Thousand Oaks

Bev Dransfeldt, Chair, Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District

When: Friday, June 27, 2025, 9:30 am – Press Check In, 10:00 am – Press Conference

Where: County of Ventura Government Center

Outdoors, adjacent to the Carmen Ramirez Memorial Garden – 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

 More: This movement is coordinated by local elected officials and community partners to oppose recent unjust and disruptive immigration enforcement in Ventura County. This effort aims to ensure that all members of our community, especially immigrants, feel safe, supported, and defended during this unprecedented period.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Old Mission Santa Barbara is a world class destination.

“Throughout the world we are known as the Queen of the missions because of the setting … the rather grand architecture … and the beautiful views … with the mountains in the distance,” said Father Joseph Schwab of the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

But on the morning of June 29th 1925, a massive earthquake struck Santa Barbara.  

“The Santa Barbara mission was having a mass when the earthquake struck … there was 20 parishioners inside … the front of the mission collapsed … towers fell,” said historian Neal Graffy.

Downtown Santa Barbara was hit hard.

“The building strictly across the street at State and Anapamu … the 1914 San Marcos building … and then on June 29, 1925 the two halves of the building at this corner … ground against each other and collapsed … killing two people inside,” said Graffy.

So was the old courthouse.

“It was damaged and no longer occupied so it had to be torn down and a new courthouse commissioned,” said architect Brian Cearnal.

Most of Downtown Santa Barbara was left in rubble.

But in the wake of the disaster, community leaders decided to re-imagine the city.  

“This was sort of the basis of what became the Santa Barbara style of architecture. Sure, the Spanish colonial that’s been borrowed from the Mediterranean, but the mission was what started that whole process for California,” said Graffy.

If the earthquake hadn’t happened, would Santa Barbara look the way it does today?

“It would not be the way it is at all … instead we have a real gem of the city … of the hispanic period both Spanish and Mexican eras,” said Schwab.

“We’re at the entrance to the 1129 State Street at the corner of the San Marcos building … and this is just another beautiful example of the post earthquake revival that they did for Santa Barbara … instead of just a flat doorway … they just added all this stunning detail … and if you go up there, there’s faces hidden here and there … and all this fun stuff to just take some time and look at it,” said Graffy.

One gem of the new-look Santa Barbara was the county courthouse.

“This is the mansion for the people … it has everything a Montecito mansion would have … with all the best architecture and the best features … It’s not your typical courthouse … being built in this amazing style … unlike other Court houses, which were just simply big squares with offices in it … and we just have this beautiful flowing well thought out well designed courthouse,” said Graffy.

As the city gets ready to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the quake, historians believe this week is also a celebration of the human spirit.

“But also to do with just the recognition of how we got together … and came together as a town,” said docent Bob Dickey of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

:And this earthquake caused the city to pull together … and say together even though we are damaged by this we can do this we can build a town that was better than it was before,” said Schwab.

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Ryder Christ

PASADENA, Calif. — Survivors of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires are urging others, especially older adults and people with disabilities, to have an emergency plan in place.

Dana Carney remembers racing through burning streets in Altadena to find her friend Michael Brown during the recent Eaton Fire that ultimately claimed 17 lives.

“All you hear is popping,” Carney said in a moment captured on cellphone video. Brown was sheltering in his home, knowing that opening the door could be deadly. “If you open the door to the house to look out, you’re letting 100 mile an hour wind in with oxygen,” he said.

With embers igniting nearby, Brown made a split-second decision to flee. Carney spotted him just in time. “He got in and we just had to get out of there. It was the scariest thing ever,” she recalled from the Pasadena Senior Center.

Brown packed his essential documents before leaving: his phone, tablet, bank checks, credit cards, social security card and birth certificate.

Fellow evacuee Sarah Sneider showed off her go-bag filled with everyday essentials: “My purse has my phone, credit cards, my license, very important things… charger, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, mask, comb, and a list to make sure I have everything.”

Emergency officials emphasize the importance of being ready to evacuate—or shelter in place—at a moment’s notice.

“Have your most essential documents and your medications with you, or alternatively if you’re asked to stay put and shelter in place, have a stay kit with you,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging. “That means perishable items, water, and things you might need for 24 or 48 hours.”

The department’s emergency preparedness guide, available at aging.ca.gov, is tailored for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. It includes checklists and tips on how to prepare for wildfires, earthquakes, and other disasters. The guide is offered in seven languages.

Patricia Roach of Pasadena learned she needed to rethink her own plan when she realized her supplies were stored behind an electric garage door—one she might not be able to access if the power went out. “I don’t even know where the key is. So I would have to call a company,” she admitted.

Officials recommend signing up for emergency alerts at CalAlerts.org, preparing a go-bag, and talking with friends and family about evacuation plans now—before disaster strikes.

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