Author: KEYT

Ryder Christ

FRESNO, Calif. — After retiring from the Valley Caregiver Resource Center, Michelle DiBuduo never expected her name would be used in an online scam. But when friends began calling to congratulate her on launching a cryptocurrency business, she knew something was wrong.

“There was a post that wasn’t from me, asking people to use one word to identify how they knew me,” DiBuduo said. “I had about 160 responses. Now I have several hundred people on Facebook, but I’ve never gotten 160 responses for posting.”

The fake post claimed she was now a certified “Expert Crypto Trader” and included falsified certificates. DiBuduo was able to comment from another account and alert others that the post was fraudulent, but she worries some may have been duped.

“I don’t know how many people responded to the Facebook ad, responded to those people, those hackers, and gave them money,” she said.

Her case is far from isolated. From January 2022 to February 2025, the California Department of Social Services received more than 190,000 reports of alleged financial abuse. Experts say older adults are among the most frequent targets of scams, often falling victim through digital platforms.

“It’s been prevalent and it’s been an uptick, mostly in California, specifically in Fresno and Madera,” said Hillaree Bennett, program director at the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging.

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation lists a wide range of scams that prey on seniors, including phishing emails, fake sweepstakes, home repair fraud, and romance scams. Grandparent and government impersonator scams—where fraudsters claim to be a relative in distress or pose as officials from Medicare or the IRS—are also common.

“Victims, whether they are older adults or individuals in general, feel embarrassed about becoming a victim of a fraud or scam,” said Kue Lee with the DFPI. “That’s why many cases go unreported.”

Lee said the rise of artificial intelligence and evolving technology has made scams more sophisticated, and seniors—who tend to be more trusting—are particularly vulnerable.

Still, there are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.

Research suspicious claims or offers through official sources.

Talk to someone you trust before making financial decisions.

“Do not answer or respond to messages from individuals you don’t know,” Lee said. “The next layer of protection is to do your own research and check credentials.”

Anyone who suspects fraud should report it immediately to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation at (866) 275-2677 or online at dfpi.ca.gov.

More resources for protecting older adults from scams are available at aging.ca.gov.

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. – Harvest is going well director for Juan Osorio of Osorio Family Farms in Carpinteria.

“It’s looking good … it’s getting there maybe another three to four weeks and we’ll have some red round Mexican Kabasa,” said farmer Juan Osorio of Osorio Family Farms.

But in three to four weeks, President Trump’s new directive will force the Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program – known as LFPA to shut down leaving farmers like Osorio hanging. 

The new program was run by the USDA to support local, underserved farmers. 

Now, those farmers are going to have to change course.

“As right now it is affecting us a good amount …  in the future we don’t know what I will provide for my family … work for my family,” said Osorio.

“It was really dramatic because you know this is 50% of our business as an aggregator … it is providing local organic produce to food banks through this project. It’s really heartbreaking for me to have to tell all of my farmers that their season was done,” said owner Jason Lesh of Farm Cart Organics.

“Down over there, we had our onions and cabbages and this is all just zucchini … beans,” said Osorio.

“It’s a new program it’s been a wonderful program that’s been a lifeline for our local farmers in our community. So it’s really a blow to us and a blow to our community members who need help,” said director of marketing Laurel Alcantar of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara.

The foodbank received over $500,000 a year to make local food purchases from the LFPA.

As a result of president Trump’s new directive, that money will be gone.

From the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County:

Federal and state cuts of food and funding are occurring at an unprecedented level.

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is tracking developments in legislation closely, and we are prepared to respond to better serve our community. 

Commodity Credit Corporation Program (CCC)

Total Annual Loss for the Foodbank: 1,511,691 pounds of food – approximately $2,630,342 

→ The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)was a USDA program that moved nutritious food from farms to food banks to our neighbors in need. The CCC was critical for working families – nearly half of all people experiencing food insecurity do not qualify for SNAP, and many SNAP recipients run out of benefits before their next month’s benefits arrive. These families come to the Foodbank network and receive food from programs like CCC. On March 27, 2025, the USDA confirmed the cancelation of CCC.

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA)

Total Annual Funding the Foodbank Will Lose:$552,900 

→ The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) was a program run by the USDA that provided funding to purchase food produced in-state in order to support local, underserved farmers. Our LFPA cooperative agreement enabled the Foodbank to connect with farmers to source fresh produce that was bulk-packed and delivered to our facilities weekly – approximately 30,000 pounds per month. LFPA25 (the program’s third phase) has been canceled, effectively ending the program.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

Potential Annual Loss for the Foodbank:$24,015 

→ The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was a FEMA-funded program administered through United Way that has been around since 1987. The program supplements and expands the ongoing work of local nonprofit organizations to provide shelter, food, and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, hunger and/or homelessness. We have received notice that EFSP funds are paused indefinitely.

CalFood Funding

Potential Annual Loss for the Foodbank:$1,200,000 

→ CalFood provides state dollars to food banks to purchase California-grown and produced foods. This fiscal year, the Foodbank received $1.3MM from CalFood, which was used to purchase food from in-state farmers. With next year’s proposed budget, the Foodbank will receive approximately $100,000 in CalFood Funding – a $1.2MM loss.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) / CalFresh (in California)

In addition to direct food and funding cuts, the Foodbank is preparing for major SNAP cuts. As part of budget reconciliation, the Senate passed a $340 billion Budget Resolution that is expected to include cuts to food and nutrition programs. The House followed with its own reconciliation proposal, which includes $2 trillion in spending cuts alongside $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.

The future of SNAP funding is influenced by both the Farm Bill and the budget reconciliation process. The Farm Bill, which governs SNAP and other agricultural programs, is up for reauthorization in September.

More than 55,000 people in Santa Barbara County utilized SNAP in 2024 to feed themselves and their families. Federal cuts to SNAP would leave these families without essential food assistance, increasing community reliance on the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

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Andrew Gillies

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Residents of the Five Cities region -Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach, and Avila Beach- and customers across Zone 3 of the San Miguelito Water Company are instructed to boil their water before drinking it and the notice is expected to last through the weekend.

According to the County of San Luis Obispo, higher than normal amounts of bacteria were detected in the drinking water distribution system during routine testing and staff are working to assess the involved equipment and identify the exact cause.

Water samples collected on April 28 and April 29 indicated elevated levels of bacteria and a resolution of the boil advisory is expected by Sunday, May 4 or sooner shared the County of San Luis Obispo.

The positive samples qualified as a Tier 1 violation under California State Water Resources Control Board regulations and required notification of the public under state law noted the County of San Luis Obispo.

An advisory is available for the public in both English and Spanish.

In the image below, courtesy of the County of San Luis Obispo’s Department of Public Works, Zone 3 of the county water system is shown below as the light green highlighted region.

If you live in any of the above cities or are a customer in Zone 3, you are advised to do the following before drinking any water:

Bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute

Let the boiled water cool before drinking

Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice

The County of San Luis Obispo explained that boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms that can make people sick.

If you can not boil your water, you are advised to use unscented household liquid bleach in the following amounts:

For clear water, use 8 drops (1/8 of a teaspoon) of bleach for one gallon of water

For cloudy water, filter through a clean cloth and use 16 drops (1/4 of a teaspoon) of bleach for one gallon of water

Mix well and allow to stand for 30 minutes before using

Water may smell or taste like chlorine

For more information, visit here.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Here are more interviews from the San Marcos High School signing celebration for spring student-athletes.

Ben Callanan, Cross Country, Cal St. San Marcos

Wendy Guarneros Barraza , Soccer, Willamette University

Lucy Haaland-Ford, Water Polo ,Stanford

Kenzie Hessell, Soccer, University of St. Andrew’s (Scotland)

Maddie Kelly, Lacrosse, Lewis and Clark

Molly McCarter Molly, Lacrosse, Whitworth University

Nicolly Oh, Soccer, Lander University (South Carolina)

Seamus Russell, Lacrosse, Columbia College (Missouri)

Himmat Singh, Golf, University of Redlands

Hattie Valdez Lindgren, Soccer Lewis and Clark

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Ten San Marcos High School student-athletes were celebrated for committing to play their chosen sport at the next level.

Ben Callanan, Cross Country, Cal St. San Marcos

Wendy Guarneros Barraza , Soccer, Willamette University

Lucy Haaland-Ford, Water Polo ,Stanford

Kenzie Hessell, Soccer, University of St. Andrew’s (Scotland)

Maddie Kelly, Lacrosse, Lewis and Clark

Molly McCarter Molly, Lacrosse, Whitworth University

Nicolly Oh, Soccer, Lander University (South Carolina)

Seamus Russell, Lacrosse, Columbia College (Missouri)

Himmat Singh, Golf, University of Redlands

Hattie Valdez Lindgren, Soccer Lewis and Clark

For more interviews https://youtu.be/LFdGWefoyZ4

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — It’s a slam dunk for the future of Santa Barbara. That’s according to a handful of student athletes we spoke with.

“There’s not a lot of indoor basketball courts here in Santa Barbara. I try to find them all the time and I just can’t. A lot of them you need like a membership. So hopefully this will be open for everybody,” said SBCC Student Joe Ursich.

This new facility will house more than just sports.

“We can have large scale events. We can open it up to the community for whatever they need and go from there,” said SBCC Spokesman Jordan Killebrew.

The rebuild will create state-of-the-art classrooms and a gym that is up to code with title 9 requirements.

It will also function as an emergency evacuation center for the community at large.

SBCC spokesman Jordan Killebrew says they are using funding from Measure P and state matching dollars. The Measure P bond extension passed with 66 percent of the vote in the November election. That unlocked $71 million dollars that will go toward the project’s estimated $105 million dollar cost.

Physical Education Department Chair Kathleen O’connor says the facility, which was built in 1963, has several issues related to its dated infrastructure. “We just have a lot of issues. I mean, if you just look at the patio, we’re patching everything. We have leaks everywhere. This building is a big challenge for our facilities people. We have the plumbing people here probably at least once a week to clear out the drains to fix things,” said O’Connor. Marsha Croninger was the only member of the board of trustees to vote against the project.  She expressed concerns about costs ballooning in the future.

But others hope the pavilion will help reverse the trend of declining enrollment.

“New buildings and particularly P.E. and athletic buildings really draw people to your campus. We have over 400 full time student athletes on our campus. I mean, we want to keep those people. We want to draw those people to us. And you’re not going to do that when the facility is really awful,” said O’Connor.

“Santa Barbara kind of sells itself a little bit. But, you know, having one more thing that looks kind of, you know, pleasing to the eye, I think is going to help a lot,” said SBCC Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Trey Putnam. The building is set to be completed in the Spring of 2028.  

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — On her way to a wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley Saturday afternoon, Tina Ballue saw a man in need of help near a bus stop on Calle Real.

Ballue pulled over and offered assistance.

“When I got out of the car and asked, ‘What do you need?’ the gentleman beside the man who was unconscious said, ‘I don’t know—CPR. I need help with CPR,’” Ballue said.

Ballue had recently completed a CPR course with her coworkers at Safety Matters in Santa Barbara.

“I’m not sure I would have felt comfortable even stopping the car to help if I didn’t have that training,” she said.

She checked the man’s vital signs and airways between chest compressions, keeping rhythm by singing the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” as she had been taught in class.

“We could see as I was doing compressions, he didn’t react the first two times,” Ballue said.

Duane Henry recorded video of the scene, which has since been viewed thousands of times online.

“The idea is to keep the heart moving, blood pumping and the brain getting oxygen,” Ballue said. “CPR doesn’t always require mouth-to-mouth. I closed the nostrils to open the airway and checked the mouth to make sure it was clear.”

The man regained consciousness after the third round of compressions.

At least one viewer of the video questioned whether the man may have needed Narcan. Ballue said she didn’t know.

“I’m not educated enough to say, but I can tell you he needed the support of the people around him once he was conscious,” she said.

Ballue is trained in Narcan use but didn’t have the nasal spray with her at the time.

“I took the course at Unity Shoppe with my Rotary,” she said. “We’re on a mission to make sure everyone is trained in Narcan use, CPR and first aid.”

Ballue said she noticed pill bottles among the man’s belongings and asked if there were any drugs first responders should know about. The man said no.

Her CPR instructor, Justin Haagen of Safety Matters, said it doesn’t matter why someone is unresponsive—what matters is helping them.

“Whenever I hear about something like this, I create a Good Samaritan award,” Haagen said. “I have one for Tina, and I’ll give it to her when the time is right at her workplace.”

Santa Barbara City firefighter Jason Faanes emphasized the importance of calling 911 immediately or asking someone else to do so.

“Early chest compressions and CPR can increase the survival rate by two to three times,” Faanes said.

Both firefighters and an AMR ambulance responded to the emergency.

Faanes said the American Heart Association has an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival guide, which includes six steps—among them, early CPR with a focus on chest compressions.

He said chest compressions should continue until first responders arrive.

Ballue, who works at Domestic Violence Solutions in Santa Barbara, said she wanted to treat the man with compassion and dignity.

“We really poured words of encouragement and love into him,” she said. “I told him, ‘We’re so glad you’re still with us today. You are loved, you are cherished.’ He started to cry and looked at me and said, ‘Can I have a hug?’”

They hugged but didn’t exchange names or contact information.

If the video encourages just one person to learn CPR, Ballue said, it was worth sharing.

“I want people to be inspired to get trained so they feel empowered in an emergency,” she said. “One day you might be at the store or get out of your car and know what to do.”

Safety Matters offers CPR courses that can be completed in a single day. A hands-only class is free, and a full certification course costs about $80 and takes four hours. The certification is valid for two years.

“You can learn CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED,” Haagen said.

The training, he added, builds the confidence needed to save the life of a loved one—or even a complete stranger.

For more information about CPR classes visit CPRtrainingsb.com.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A California driver’s license with a bear and star in the upper right-hand corner is a REAL ID.

If the star and bear are missing, now is the time to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to get one. The deadline is May 7, 2025.

Congress enacted the REAL ID Act in 2005 following the 9/11 attacks. The law sets federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. A REAL ID will be required to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, including military bases.

DMV offices across California have seen an uptick in visitors as the deadline approaches.

To obtain a REAL ID, residents must bring more than just their current license. Applicants must provide proof of identity—such as a Social Security card—and two documents that show proof of residency, such as utility bills or bank statements.

At the DMV office in Santa Barbara, located at the corner of Castillo and Cota streets, employees have been fielding questions from a steady stream of customers.

Jacob Copley, 16, said he was surprised to learn his first driver’s license would also be a REAL ID.

“I just took my driver’s test and passed. Just the joy that is going through me — amazing! It’s like once in a lifetime, right?” Copley said.

Patricia Jewett, who recently moved to Santa Barbara, passed her written test on the second try. She said her REAL ID will be essential for an upcoming trip.

“The REAL ID is going to be critical. I’m actually leaving for Kentucky to get married in a month. I didn’t realize I needed a REAL ID until now,” she said.

Deborah Gunther said she didn’t want to wait any longer to apply, as she has travel plans soon.

“Got through it, very happy to have it. I’m planning to go on a trip in a couple of weeks, and now I can get on the plane,” she said.

While travelers may still use a valid U.S. passport or military ID to fly within the country, the REAL ID is a federally approved form of identification accepted at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

The DMV recommends starting the application online. Residents can also make appointments and upload documents in advance to save time. There is a $35 fee for the REAL ID unless waived.

For more information visit https://REALID.dmv.ca.gov.

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KESQ

Update 4/30/25

Jeff Sperbeck has died, according to the coroner’s office.

Sperbeck was pronounced dead Tuesday just after 1 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Elway was reportedly driving the golf cart at the time of the accident, witnesses told News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur.

Elway released a statement after Sperbeck’s death Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that they launched an investigation into the accident on Monday.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Sperbeck and will take appropriate action based on the outcome,” reads an RSO press release.

Original Report 4/29/25

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Jeff Sperbeck, longtime agent for NFL legend John Elway, is reportedly on life support after a golf cart accident involving the Hall of Fame quarterback at the Madison Club in La Quinta.

News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur spoke exclusively with a witness to the aftermath of the incident.

EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness details events of golf cart accident over the weekend in La Quinta involving NFL legend John Elway and longtime agent/business partner Jeff Sperbeck who is in critical care at this time. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/iU17lX18Md

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 30, 2025

CAL FIRE confirmed its crews responded to a golf cart collision on Saturday at the 53200 block of Humboldt Boulevard.

“It was a reported fall from a golf cart and the patient was transported to a local area trauma center in unknown condition,” a CAL FIRE spokesperson told News Channel 3.

TMZ reports that Sperbeck was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he is being kept on life support.

“Although Jeff’s not clinically dead, we’re told doctors have informed his family there’s no hope he will recover … and he’s being kept on life support while docs prepare to harvest his organs for donation,” reads the TMZ report.

TMZ also reports, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, that Elway was on the golf cart during the accident. Elway immediately called 911. They are also reporting that Elway may have been the driver, but were unable to fully confirm it.

John Elway

We reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for information on this incident, however, a spokesperson said the agency did not receive any calls for service in that area on Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that they were made aware of the accident on Monday and have launched an investigation.

Sperbeck has represented over 100 NFL players throughout his 30-year career as a football agent and business advisor. He became John Elway’s manager in 1990.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Throughout the month of May, the county will participate in the nation-wide effort for mental health awareness by lighting up some of their most recognizable buildings.

As part of county-wide campaign called “Lighting Up Green,” dozens of the county’s most well known buildings will shine bright in green, the official color for mental health awareness. Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness says is it serves as a visual reminder for residents that they are not alone in their mental health struggles.

Every night from May 1st-31st, residents are encouraged to visit and take photos with the green-lit buildings – some locations include the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Isla Vista Community Center, Santa Barbara City Hall, Carpinteria City Hall, and Lompoc Public Library.

Local businesses will also be participating in the efforts with their own lights. You can find a full list of participating locations here.

The Department of Behavioral Health says, “this simple act, paired with everyday steps like pausing for self-care and reaching out to others, helps build a stronger, more connected Santa Barbara County.”

Tag #LightUpGreenSBC on social media and/or email photos to Suzanne Grimmesey at suzkirk@sbcbwell.org to be featured on our social media and community highlights.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available 24/7. Call the Behavioral Wellness Crisis Response and Services Access Line at (888) 868-1649.

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