Author: KEYT

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A jury found Angel Varela and Oscar Trujillo-Guttierez guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of premeditated and deliberate attempted murder, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

The jury also found special circumstances that both men committed multiple acts of murder and the special allegation that Varela discharged a firearm causing death, according to the SBCDAO.

The jury found true that both men were part of the Carpas gang, committed the murders for the benefit of the gang and other gang-related special allegations, according to the SBCDAO.

The two men drove with a juvenile from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara before attacking a group with a firearm on the 1200 block of Liberty Street, killing two men and hurting two other men on Jan. 3, 2021, according to the SBCDAO.

Santa Barbara Police later investigated the case before the juvenile was prosecuted. After a 2024 trial, the court found true that the juvenile committed two counts of first-degree murder amd two counts of premeditated and deliberate attempted murder for the gang’s benefit, according to the SBCDAO.

The jury found both Varela and Trujillo-Gutierrez guilty of assault likely to cause great bodily injury for an assault on September 19, 2022 while both men awaited trial in custody, according to the SBCDAO.

Sentencing is set for both men on March 24 at 1:30 p.m. where both men remain in custody without bail sentencing. Each man faces life in prison without possibility of parole, according to the SBCDAO.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a joint deal, two neighboring addresses have been sold in downtown Santa Barbara.

The adjacent properties at 530 Chapala Street and 25 West Cota Street sold to an investor with the Hayes Commercial Group, representing the seller.

The two buildings went for $11.5 million dollars. Those involved in the deal have not been disclosed.Formerly occupied by Honey Sciences the two buildings anchor the prominent corner location from Fig Street down Cota and wrap around to Chapala St.

One building has had upgrades but retained a facade that  dates back to the early 1900’s.     Another building has a Spanish style upgrade but was formerly a tire and automotive shop.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ida Veronica Hernandez, 45, pled guilty to seven felony counts of grand theft and another felony count of filing a false or forged document after embezzling her former employer, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Hernandez also admitted a special allegation that the losses exceeded $100,000 during her time employed as a bookkeeper for a Thousand Oaks medical practice, according to the VCDAO.

Hernandez had access to company bank accounts and financial records in her role as office manager between 2020 and 2021, according to the VCDAO.

Investigators found out that Hernandez used multiple fake names and employees to hide thefts into her own personal accounts, stealing at least $556,000 from the business, according to the VCDAO.

Hernandez also abruptly quit once the financial activity looked suspicious but not before attempting to deflect the activity to another coworker for her financial crimes, according to the VCDAO.

Hernandez fled during the case’s investigation and committed similar thefts in Orange County that led to her arrest warrant being issued, according to the VCDAO.

Hernandez also committed financial crimes in Plano, Texas before she fled the state, and investigators eventually followed her across the country, according to the VCDAO.

Hernandez remains in custody on $600,000 bail and her pending sentencing is at 8:30 a.m. on February 20 this year.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Chocolate lovers lined up along State St. this afternoon for the grand opening of Santa Barbara’s new Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop.

The Ghirardelli shop hosted a soft opening late last year, but a grand celebration was held Thursday to celebrate the brand’s 19th storefront in California. The event was nothing short of sweet, as locals gathered at the State St. location to be one of the first 100 customers to receive a free ice cream sundae and complimentary tote bag.

While dozens lined up outside, the magic was happening inside. The store is stocked with its famous chocolate squares, brownie mixes, syrups, and merch. Customers can help themselves to over 26 signature chocolate flavors, all wrapped in the iconic, shiny Ghirardelli wrapper.

“We’ve had a great response from guests. It’s been great to see people come in, some who know our brand but haven’t tried us in this way,” said Lacey Zane, Ghirardelli Restaurants and Retail VP. “It was an exciting next step to expand our presence into Santa Barbara. Which we think is another perfect, classic California beach town bringing together warm weather, tourists, locals alike all of which enjoy ice cream sundaes, so we think it’s a perfect mix.”

The shop carries its world famous Hot Fudge Sundae starting at $17.50 ( a mini costing $14.50 ) along with some new and limited ice cream creations such as the Strawberry Passion Sundae and the Dubai-Style Hot Fudge Sundae.

The Ghirardelli team says locals & students will receive a local discount of 15% off their entire purchase when they show a valid ID. This discount is available now for the foreseeable future.

Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop is open 10:00am – 10:00pm everyday at 509 State St.

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Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The Lompoc Police Department is looking for two thieves of an Ulta Beauty store after they stole $1,100 worth of merchandise on Jan. 14.

One thief wore a blue Nike hooded sweatshirt, jeans ripped at the knees and sandals, holding onto a white purse, according to the LPD.

The second wore a gray shirt with the words “NEW YORK” across the chest and also had a white handbag with a brown handle, according to the LPD.

Both women now have shoplifting charges against them, and those with information can submit anonymous tips to the LPD.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – If you are seeing more electric cars on the road, the state says it’s a trend that is happening at a pace faster than expected.

This week the California Energy Commission (CEC) said California surpassed 2.5 million cumulative new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales took place in 2025. Sales overall have gone up 300% since 2019.

To make driving an electric vehicle easier, more charging stations have had to be added to communities, including many on the Central Coast.

Sean McArthur is with the Santa Barbra Community Environmental Council Mitigation Team. He says, “range anxiety is something   I think is decreasing  especially   with battery technology getting better  we are starting to see energy density in the batteries. They will  hold more charge . “

A total of 17 were added to City of Goleta city hall parking lot last January.

This project was a collaboration with the city, Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Program, and the Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) Clean Air Grants for Infrastructure Program.

The state goals have been focused on zero emission vehicle technology for years. Having the infrastructure in place is essential to make the change over from a gas or diesel engine to a zero emission vehicle.

While getting a charge at a Tesla station on upper State Street Alec Taylor said, “in California specifically there is a tremendous amount of charging stations.  Very easy plug in, you are good to go  in  Santa Monica for example there’s food and some other cool little spots so it is an enjoyable experience.”

Stopping by from Paso Robles Louise Scott said, if a spot is off line you will be a message. “When you come here you get a little  notification on your screen saying ya know C-2 is broken it will tell you.” She found an open slot, “because there was enough options.”

A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student needed just ten minutes of energy in his vehicle and he would be fully charged for a ride home. Ryan Klinthond said, “you save a lot of money on gas especially with like  heavy gas powered cars you are going to save a tons of money.” He often drives to and from Sylmar to his college campus.

More financial incentives are expected in the years ahead from the state of California. A federal incentive ran out at the end of September.

(More details, videos and photos will be added here later today.)

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The issue of human trafficking on the Central Coast was discussed Thursday during an annual forum held in Santa Maria.

The event was hosted at the Santa Maria Country Club by the Rotary Club of South Santa Maria and was intended to shed light on a growing crime that is taking place not only nationally, but locally on the Central Coast.

“The purpose is to really make people aware of the fact that we do have this issue here on the Central Coast, that our children and youth and even adults are sometimes at risk,” said Event Co-Chair Victoria Conner. “It’s especially important for first responders, for law enforcement, the medical profession, teachers, counselors, anyone working with youth to understand that this is an issue that affects us here, as well as in metropolitan areas.”

Conner pointed out the geography of the Central Coast actually makes it an ideal location for trafficking to take place.

“Most people don’t know the Central Coast and Santa Maria area are hubs for human trafficking because they’re halfway between Los Angeles and the Southern California area and San Francisco and the Northern California area, and it’s also a hub for people coming from the (Central) valley. Most of us don’t recognize that.”

During the course of four hours, audience members heard from a lineup of speakers that includes survivors of human trafficking, as well as advocates, members of law enforcement, and other government agencies that are helping fight the issue on a daily basis.

“Right here in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara and everywhere humans congregate, we have more powerful people taking advantage of less powerful people,” said keynote speaker Russell Wilson, who himself was a victim of trafficking, but is now a nationally-regarded speaker and subjet matter expert. “The way we’re going to put an end to this is by having these conversations and bringing this topic to light. Nothing goes away in the dark. We have to bring it into the light.”

“Every single person has a role in combating trafficking,” said speaker Alia Azariah, a trafficking victim who is now the director of Aftercare at Safe House Project. “Whether it’s just being a safe person for the neighborhood kids, being a safe person for their own children’s friends, teaching digital safety to their own kids, or whether it is stepping into this work as a law enforcement officer or prosecutor or a case manager, every single person in our community has a role to play in combating trafficking and in helping people heal.”

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Michael Yu

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Oxnard Police Department responded to a fatal vehicle-bicycle collision.

The incident happened around 6:30pm Wednesday on Wooley Road in Oxnard.

Officers found a bicyclist suffering from major wounds at the scene when they arrived.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the bicyclist had been traveling when the vehicle, also traveling eastbound, collided with him.

An investigation is ongoing.

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Michael Yu

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A man believed to be involved in multiple car crashes was arrested Wednesday night.

Santa Barbara police arrested the man around 9:25 Wednesday night after a crash at Del Monte and San Pascual Street.

The suspect had initially fled from the scene but was arrested after.

It comes after another collision on Wentworth Street around the same time-frame.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Aidan Conlan did his damage in the second quarter while teammate Koji Hefner took charge in the second half as San Marcos beat Rio Mesa 65-41 in Channel League boys basketball.

Conlan erupted for 14 second quarter points on the strength of four 3-pointers. He finished with 17 points and led San Marcos to a 32-19 halftime lead.

The senior Hefner scored 15 of his game-high 19 points in the second half as the Royals pulled away to improve to 7-2 in league, one game back of first place Santa Barbara.

(Brody Green helps the Royals improve to 16-6 on the season. Entenza Design).

Santa Barbara 83, Pacifica 65: Dons lead the Channel League at 8-1.

Oxnard 81, Buena 35: Mikey Duran-Morales scored 27 points with 7 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals for the Yellowjackets. Oxnard is tied with San Marcos in league at 7-2.

Ventura 65, Dos Pueblos 59: Cougars jumped out to a 36-22 halftime lead and held off DP. The Chargers got 17 points apiece from both Coulter Jay and Evan Pinsker.

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