Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. – Local farm owners have urged President Trump to pause ICE raids in their fields following a recent operation near Point Mugu, but workers and elected leaders worry the reprieve won’t last long.

This week, ICE agents targeted workers in an industrial area and held a U.S. citizen overnight.

The incident occurred after Juan Ramirez Diaz began recording video of his father’s arrest. His father is not a U.S. citizen.

Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur said he spoke with Ramirez Diaz’s wife on Wednesday and learned the family was safe, but they remain concerned for the children’s grandfather, who is still in custody and has not been in contact.

“You know, what it’s doing is creating a lot of trauma in our community,” McArthur said. “I spoke out against the operations of ICE. I spent over 35 years with the Oxnard Police Department, and what we’re seeing—the tactics and methods ICE is using—I think they’re unjust, unwarranted, very harmful, and creating a lot of chaos.”

Before winning his mayoral race, McArthur served as Oxnard’s police chief.

He has defended local law enforcement from criticism by social justice groups accusing officers of being complicit in the raids. He said the police department he once led is not collaborating with the sweeps and is not legally allowed to under California Senate Bill 54.

However, video shared on social media Wednesday showed an unmarked car parking directly in front of the police station.

McArthur said that when a watch commander recently asked ICE agents to leave, they responded that it was a public lot.

Like McArthur, Ventura’s Mayor Pro Tem Doug Halter has been vocal on social media about the recent enforcement actions. He said he’s not convinced ICE will leave farms alone and warned that the raids are already hurting local businesses.

“Some of our more vital streets, like Ventura Avenue, are usually bustling with activity,” Halter said. “It’s pretty quiet now.”

He also said some students and parents skipped graduations out of fear.

“The reality is this—we know the immigrants in our community are deeply intertwined with all of us. Whether people realize it or not, many of them have been here for 20, 30, even 40 years. They’ve been a huge part of our community,” Halter said.

“The threat hanging over everyone’s head is real and life-changing. I just hope it’s not life-ending, because it’s that severe.”

Ventura County’s $2.4 billion agricultural economy relies heavily on strawberries and other top crops.

McArthur said he has advised farmers to put up fences and continue paying their workers—even if they’re afraid to show up—so their operations can survive.

He emphasized that farms have rights, too.

Ventura County Republican Party Treasurer Deborah Baber also weighed in on the situation, including the detention of the U.S. citizen.

“Their concern is misplaced when we’re talking about upwards of 20 million illegal aliens in this country—and that is the official term,” Baber said. “To point out that one person was picked up incorrectly is not even a drop in the bucket, not even a mist.”

“My response is: yes, there are some really fine and decent people who will get hurt. But the whole point of the Trump administration’s approach to ICE and deportation activity is to protect as many people as possible. That’s why they try to carry this out in public places where individuals who are here illegally can be detained safely.”

Baber reiterated her views during the Oxnard City Council meeting this week, despite vocal opposition.

She said she loves all people, but does not want undocumented immigrants taking jobs that she believes others could and would do.

“Their first crime was coming here illegally,” she said.

Meanwhile, businesses are feeling the impact.

Gas stations and market stands that serve undocumented workers have seen fewer customers in recent days, as fear of raids keeps people at home.

Unmarked ICE vehicles have also been spotted at local hotels.

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Tracy Lehr

CAMARILLO, Calif. – CSU Channel Islands faculty members and students have been busy caring for tidewater gobis.

They rescued 700 of them from the Topanga Lagoon following the devastating Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

For the past 5 months they have been held in two aquariums.

That gave the lagoon time to heal from toxic runoff and phos check used to fight the fire.

A CSUCI Environmental Science student and representatives from several wildlife agencies, who used nets to rescue the endangered 2-inch long fish, returned to the lagoon to return them to the wild.

They said the tidewater gobis are critical to the food web.

CSUCI Environmental Science and Resource Management faculty member Dr. Brenton Spies, and CSUCI Environmental Science student Sophia Hoolihan, who graduated in May, are credited with leading the rescue, care and return.

Spies specializes in studying the tidewater gobis.

“Today is the day to release them back to their home to send them home and start doing their gobi thing. so very exciting a huge team effort an now we let them do their thing,” said Spies.

CSUCI students and faculty will continue to monitor their progress in the lagoon.

For more information visit https://www.csuci.edu

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. – U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague, the first active-duty Guardian to travel to space, shared his experience aboard the International Space Station during a visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday.

Hague launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on Sept. 28, 2024, as commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. The flight marked an historic milestone, making him the first active-duty Space Force Guardian to fly to space and one of the first humans to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

He returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, following a mission that spanned more than 171 days and was extended due to adjustments in the Crew-10 timeline. Hague and his fellow Crew-9 astronauts landed off the coast of Florida aboard the Dragon spacecraft.

“Over the two and a half decades that we’ve been sending crews to the station have built a database of experience doing long duration missions,” says Col. Hague. “And so we’re collecting that data and trying to understand how it affects the body.”

While in orbit, Hague participated in more than 150 scientific investigations designed to advance human spaceflight and improve life on Earth.

“There’s a lot of stuff in space, and you can see it,” says Col. Hague. “That’s why I’m here at Vandenberg. They track it, but then if something’s going to come close to the station, then they’re calling Houston Mission control and they’re letting us know.”

His research on board the station focused on critical issues such as blood clotting in microgravity, vision changes in astronauts, and plant growth in space.

“Being in space challenges your senses on so many different levels,” says Col. Hague. “The way you understand yourself as your body goes through all its adaptations to microgravity, the way your mind processes, the things around you and their behavior, because they start doing things that you’re not familiar with.”

On Jan. 16, 2025, he conducted a six-hour spacewalk alongside an Expedition 72 crewmate to replace a station component and service an external research instrument, helping ensure the continued functionality of key systems used for Earth and space observation.

He also completed the Space Force T-Minus 10-Miler virtually—running 10 miles on the station’s treadmill in about 90 minutes, the same time it takes the ISS to complete one orbit around Earth.

Col. Hague, who has now logged more than 350 days in space across multiple missions, called this a pivotal time for young people to pursue careers in the space industry. He emphasized the rapid growth of new technologies and the vital importance of teamwork—a lesson he said was among the most surprising and rewarding aspects of spaceflight.

“We’re developing new suits, we’re developing new lunar rovers, new lunar landers, the Rockets that are going to get us there,” says Col. Hague. “You’ve got all of these new opportunities, and it takes a huge team.”

For more information about SpaceX, you can visit their website here.

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Christa Kurkjian

ISLA VISTA, Calif. — The bluffs in Isla Vista are a prime example of how erosion is speeding up along California’s coastline. There is a growing threat to coastal homes because of rising sea levels and climate change.

Charles Lester, the Director of UC Santa Barbara’s Coastal Policy Center, posed an important question that experts are studying year after year, “How do we deal with an eroding shoreline that’s going to be eroding even faster?”

Historically, the Isla Vista bluffs erode at an average rate of six inches per year, but Lester warned that six inches might turn into six feet if the current trend continues. Lester explains that even though this isn’t a perfect science, it is a well developed science that points to the sea levels increasing rapidly.

Lester added, “Rising sea levels is going to mean that those waves are going to be hitting further back and with more energy over time as the levels of the ocean get higher.”

Additionally, the changing climate patterns are causing more problems for the homes along Del Playa Drive. In February 2024, several balconies of those homes collapsed into the ocean.

“But I like to think of it as a, as a spectrum. It’s, you know, it’s a front row of homes on the cliff, and Isla Vista are the ones that are in danger now, and in ten or 20 or 30 years, they’re going to be in even more danger. That doesn’t mean the next row of houses in danger, right?” Lester added.

Santa Barbara County runs a monitoring program to stay ahead of the erosion. They step in once buildings get too close to the edge. Some homeowners have proposed building seawalls, but Lester is skeptical and doesn’t think that is a good long term solution. UC Santa Barbara is developing its own long-term plan to adapt to sea level rise and protect the campus coastline.

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John Palminteri

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Campsites covered with oak trees and the Santa Ynez River still holding pockets of water for swimming spots will be a lure for campers this summer. Safety has been emphasized as a top priority for the Los Padres National Forest.

Over the years, there have been emergency responses during the crowded summer season for hiking injuries, swimming spot high-diving issues, and out or control campfires leading to wildland fires.

You don’t have to be a veteran camper or forest official to know, they all can usually be avoided.

Preplanning your trip, letting someone know your destination, and going with others is a safe start.

On Wednesday, Paradise Road off Highway 154 was relatively quiet but campsites were welcoming.

The popular Red Rock swimming spot had a small crowd, but the setting was perfect for those looking for a getaway about 40 minutes from Santa Barbara and deep in the hills to escape the normal beach crowds and parking traffic.

“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. I mean, it’s so awesome. It’s just like, in our backyard.” said Dylan Kracke a day use visitor and local student.

The U.S. Forest Service is patrolling regularly along with a private contractor, Parks Management Company, to manage the area and make sure those who are coming out have paid their day use or overnight camping fees as required and following all the rules.

The Los Padres Forest Law Enforcement is in the area, but the response zone is very large.

That means the mutual aid with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol is a key element to an overall safety and enforcement plan.

Fire agencies are staffed for a full response at the first sign of smoke. That includes brushfire trucks, bulldozers and helicopters. Choppers are ready to go at the nearby Santa Ynez airport. Air tankers are based at the Santa Maria Airport.

Los Padres Fire Chief Mark Gerwe said at a recent fire season meeting, when it comes to fire pits, “just check it, be sure it’s put out. Camp hosts can support or help you if you need it. If there’s not somebody from the Forest Service around, we’re always willing to.”   

He said a runaway fire can turn on you. “You’re not just out there where something could happen, that you ignite a fire, but you’re in the path of a fire.”

High school student Javin Arcuri from Santa Barbara was swimming with friends and plans to come back often. He has camped with his family and his latest outing was with friends. “We don’t usually go to bed if even embers (are burning.)  My mom is always very careful about that. “

A camper in the area from San Diego County Steve Clark said, “we, got a real good bead on what we need to do. And and how to do it.”

He was in the Red Rock and Sandstone day use areas and camping nearby. When it comes to fires, keep an eye on the flames and weather. “That’s just common sense. And, you know, especially if it’s a windy, you know, you don’t want to have a big fire because the embers can take off. “

Adam Stern who enjoys the rock diving said, “it’s very important to check the angles, make sure you can make the jump, and then definitely check how deep the water is.”

Conditions are changing regularly. “Just check for branches or sticks that have blown into their dive area.” He says gradually, ” work your way up to the a higher and higher (spot). “

If you are off on a hike be aware of what can affect you that you don’t normally deal with. Gerwe says, “the heat, illness or heat exhaustion really gets more people every year. They over anticipate their ability, maybe not carry enough water, but when you head out in the forest, just think it’s going to be hot, there’s going to be bugs.”

With Independence Day coming up, there are no fireworks allowed in any area of the forest to celebrate the 4th of July.

For more information go to: Los Padres National Forest

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Dave Alley

GROVER BEACH, Calif.- The City of Grover Beach officially celebrated the long-awaited completion of its West Grand Avenue streetscape project during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Wednesday morning.

The project has dramatically enhanced the look and field of the roadway between 8th and 4th streets and is intended to help revitalize the important economic corridor.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see this streetscape project completed. These improvements have transformed our downtown to be safer, more accessible and more beautiful,” said Grover Beach Mayor Kassi Dee. “I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience throughout the construction process. We cannot wait to see the positive impact this project will have on our community for years to come.”

According to the city, the key improvements of the new streetscape includes:

• A landscaped center median for enhanced visual appeal• Decorative crosswalks designed to increase pedestrian safety• Upgraded sidewalks and curbs for improved accessibility• Newly painted Class II bike lanes supporting safer cycling• Rehabilitated pavement providing a smoother, safer driving experience

The project was first approved nearly 15 years ago the Grover Beach City Council and was designed to revitalize one the city’s most traveled roadways.

The city said the project is a reflection of its commitment to safety, accessibility and community pride, while also supporting the area’s evolution as a growing hub for housing and commercial development.

In addition, the city described the new streetscape as a way to establish needed infrastructure to promote walkability, cycling and community connectivity.

“This project represents years of planning, collaboration and investment in the future of Grover Beach,” said Grover Beach City Manager Matt Bronson. “It not only improves a key transportation corridor, but also lays the foundation for continued growth, revitalization and a stronger sense of place in our community.”

The overall cost of the project was $7 million and was paid through a variety of sources, including a $3.4 million Community Betterment Grant from the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), a $2 million allocation from the City’s General Fund, plus contributions from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) gas tax revenues and other local sources.

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. – A U.S. citizen was detained in Oxnard after recording video of federal immigration agents arresting his father during a recent ICE operation.

Juan Ramirez Diaz, who lives in Oxnard with his wife and two children, was taken into custody around noon Monday in an industrial area near Pacific Avenue. According to his family, Ramirez Diaz was filming as ICE agents detained his father, who is not a U.S. citizen, when he was tased and taken as well. His wife later shared the video on social media and filed a missing persons report with Oxnard police after he failed to return home.

“My husband is a U.S. citizen, he never should have been taken,” said Monique Ramirez. The family’s attorney said Diaz was “attacked by these ICE agents, maced, punched, beaten,” and then transported to a local hospital before being moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. He was released before 3 p.m. Tuesday and is now back with his family.

Police said they conducted a follow-up investigation Tuesday morning after they received the missing persons report. “We obliged and took that report for them this morning, we did a follow up to see if we could locate the individual and it turned out he had been taken down to the Metropolitan Detention Center,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benitez.

Witnesses described the arrest scene as chaotic and intimidating. “It was really sad,” said one worker in the area. “When they came, people looked really scared, like we were criminals.” Another nearby worker, Victor Garcia, added, “In my opinion it is just like racial profiling—they just pull Latino Americans, Hispanics—it is not right.”

The case has raised questions about local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement. Oxnard Police Chief Benitez reiterated that the department is not cooperating with ICE, citing Senate Bill 54 — California’s sanctuary state law — which prohibits local agencies from using resources to aid federal immigration enforcement. However, some residents remain skeptical.

Community members — including activists, attorneys, and people from both sides of the political aisle — filled city council chambers Tuesday night to demand answers and accountability. One speaker said, “Fear hangs like a cloud over Oxnard right now.” A hotline number to report undocumented individuals was also read aloud during public comment.

Deborah Baber, treasurer of the Ventura County Republican Party, addressed the incident during public comment, saying, “One got picked up incorrectly is not even a drop in the bucket—it is not even a bit of mist.” But the overwhelming majority of speakers urged council members to stand up for migrant workers and denounce the recent actions by immigration authorities.

“Now the community is going to make its voice heard about some of the stuff that has happened in the last week—really traumatic incidences that have occurred and community members that have been impacted by these immigration raids,” said Steven Auclair, Chair of the Democratic Party.

ICE has not responded to requests for information about what happened to Ramirez Diaz or his father. Video of the incident has circulated widely online, drawing attention from civil rights advocates and immigration groups. Further coverage and community reaction will be featured tonight on the news.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – With peak fire season now here, the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base is ramping its operations in order to be fully prepared and ready to respond when the need arrives.

“May 15th was our actual opening date,” said Miguel Quiz, Santa Maria Air Tanker Base Manager. “We’ve been open, ready to fight fire since then. We’ve had a few fires here and there locally, mostly supporting fires on the Sequoia and we have a few aircraft here at the base now.”

There is currently a small fleet of aircraft stationed at the tanker base that is located at the Santa Maria Jet Center, on the south end of the Santa Maria Public Airport.

“We have four aircraft on base,” said Quiz. “We have the lead plane. We have an air attack. We have tanker four zero used for dropping retardant and we have a hell of tanker type one helicopter.”

Quiz added staffing at the base has also doubled since mid-May, including personnel who operated and maintain the stationed aircraft.

“We are ready to go,” said tanker pilot David Dicky. “Bags are packed. Plane is uncorked for the most part. It’ll take us two minutes to get those engine covers off and then clearance to take off.”

While Tuesday was a quiet day at the air tanker base, staffing was still hard at work all day long planning and preparing for when the next fire needs the support the base provides.

“When the call comes in, when the call comes in for initial attack, we’re ready to move,” said Quiz. “We’ve trained so much the when the moment comes, everybody has a duty to do. Everybody has a role to play. The folks really take a pride initiative in what they’re doing around here to make things happen. We understand that what we’re doing here at the base and the readiness that we have at the base impacts the firefighters out there on the ground because they’re the ones out there waiting for retardant, so the faster we are, the more ready we are, the more training we do, we’re able to respond in a safe way.”

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Caleb Nguyen

GAVIOTA, Calif. – Fire crews helped with a one-acre vegetation fire near the Gaviota Coast on Freeway 101 at Vista Point and Tajiguas Landfill Road just before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Strong winds pushed the fire toward the ocean and the SBCFD advised those in the area to drive carefully on Highway 101, which remained open during the fire response.

The railroad in the area was closed due to the incident and firefighters worked up steep terrain with hoses and crews to put the fire out, according to the SBCFD.

Both the SBCFD and CAL FIRE SLO crews helped with the fire and the cause of the incident is under investigation.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding their annual Fourth of July Celebration event at the waterfront.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara has announced the return of the annual Fourth of July Celebration. Hosted by the City’s Waterfront and Parks and Recreation Departments, the yearly tradition will transform Santa Barbara’s waterfront for a full day of family-friendly activities.

Enjoy live music and dance performances at the West Beach Bandstand sponsored by the PARC Foundation starting at noon. Closures of State Street, from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard, and Cabrillo Boulevard from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez, will allow crowds to take the celebration to the streets starting at 6:00 p.m.

Fourth of July Celebration

Friday, July 4, 2025

Noon to 9:30 p.m. 

West Beach (99 W. Cabrillo Blvd.) 

Road Closures 7/4/25:

Cabrillo Boulevard – Closed to vehicle traffic at 6:00 p.m. from Castillo Street to Calle Cesar Chavez

State Street – Closed to vehicle traffic at 6:00 p.m. from Gutierrez Street to Cabrillo Boulevard

Stearns Wharf – Closed to vehicle traffic at 3:30 p.m.

West Beach

The day will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks display at approximately 9:00 p.m., presented by Garden State Fireworks and sponsored by the City’s Waterfront Department. Longtime community event media partners KjEE (92.9 FM) will simulcast the soundtrack, and the show will be livestreamed on KEYT.com.

Fourth of July Celebration Schedule: (subject to change)

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Goodlanders

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Peer Pressure

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – The Three Combroneros

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Walking Coco

5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – The Other Woman

6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Ladyfinger

7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – East Valley Rd

8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. – False Puppet

9:00 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. – Fireworks! 

Cabrillo Boulevard Sidewalk at West Beach

Enjoy a special street fair with festive food vendors from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., sponsored by the PARC Foundation. This year’s vendors include Tink’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs, Lidos Philly Cheese Steaks, Timbers Roadhouse, G Brothers Kettle Corn, Elubia’s Kitchen, and The Deli Doctor.

For more event information, including parking and road closures, visit Fourth of July Celebration 

For more information about the Parks and Recreation Community Foundation, visit PARC Foundation.

July 5th Beach Cleanup Volunteer Opportunity

On July 5, the City will partner with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper to host beach cleanups at nearby beaches to ensure any litter left over from the holiday does not make its way to the ocean. Cleanups will take place at Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and East Beach. Gloves and buckets will be provided for all volunteers.

July 5th Beach Cleanup 

Saturday, July 5, 2025 

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Register to help with the cleanup

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