Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A popular health food store in Santa Maria caught fire a couple weeks ago, and the investigation into the cause is experiencing some delays.

Just before midnight on April 15th, the Santa Maria Fire Department responded to a call at Lassen’s Natural Foods store on Broadway.

“When fire crews first arrived, we had active fire, a significant amount of flame coming out of the roof and attic area of the building,” says Jim Austin, Santa Maria Fire Marshal.

When crews arrived, the building looked like it was in danger of collapsing, so they had to work with an abundance of caution.

“They saw signs of the building losing integrity. And so they backed out and went to what we call a defensive attack,” says Austin.

The investigation is taking awhile because of damaged equipment on the interior and the possible presence of asbestos.

“There is a security camera system inside the building. It’s my understanding that the data is stored offsite. So we’re trying to coordinate and get that information,” says Austin.

The fire marshal says they’re coordinating with the business owners and various insurance entities to bring cranes and similar equipment out to clear the hazards and investigate the potentials of asbestos exposure before continuing the investigation.

“We are going to stabilize it as best we can. And like I said, layer by layer, remove components from the top and then when we are done with the investigation, based on my past experience and the damage to the building, it will most likely be completely torn down in the demolition phase,” says Fire Marshal Austin.

Lassen’s Natural Foods has been a popular store in Santa Maria for many years, and locals hope the company will reopen the store at a nearby location.

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Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. – After going through several years with an uncertain future, the Santa Maria Speedway is now back in business under new local ownership.

This past Saturday night, racing returned to a completely refurbished Speedway that is now owned by well-known local businessman Pat Cusack and his family.

“Our family acquired it the first part of January,” said Cusack. “The reason why is we had heard that it might turn into something else. There was a threat that it might go away, and we knew it was important. Kind of iconic thing with Santa Marians and people on the Central Coast. We had the opportunity and we’re blessed to be able to buy the facility and surround ourselves with the team of people that wanted to do the same. We’re happy to be able to try to move it forward.” 

The race track is located on the southern end of Nipomo and is seen by thousands of people daily who pass by it while driving on nearby Highway 101.

Opened in 1964, the track has a long and colorful history and has been a popular venue for both locals and visitors alike through the many decades.

However, over the past 10-plus years, the track has passed through a handful of different owners, who struggled to keep the venue viable, leaving its future cloudy.

Now, with the Cusack family at the helm, it now has stabile ownership and direction, and will return to a full schedule of racing for the first time in many years.

“The speedway has always been great,” said Cusack. “I think everyone’s always loved it, but over time it sort of fell out of being a top shelf environment. We wanted to bring it back and we’ve been able to do it. We’ve spruced it up and we’ve polished it up. We’ve added and contributed capital to areas that needed needed to be repaired and we’re going to go forward with that and having fun doing it.”

For those who pass by on the road, many of the changes are extremely noticeable, particularly the return of the track’s iconic checkerboard pattern bleachers, which were repainted last week.

There is also new large-scale signage in the front with a modernized Santa Maria Speedway logo, as well as a new wall on the backside of the track opposite of the bleachers that is made of white-colored storage containers.

Cusack also pointed out the track now has new and improved lighting, a refurbished concession area and other new modern amenities.

“There’s been a lot of work done,” said Cuasack. “I think way more than we thought was here when we when we bid it off, but it’s been a great team of people. There’s been like no other business I’ve ever been associated with handraisers of people saying, ‘hey, what can we do to help?’ It’s so many people that have come and rallied behind it. That’s really kind of been almost the most fun thing is to see that come together. When you get that many people in this area that are helping, you end up getting something special like this. It’s been a great team effort, a lot of work, a lot more than we thought, but it’s turning out great, and we’re hoping the community really likes it.”

As for the racers, particularly those who from the Central Coast, they are thrilled to once again see the local venue reopen.

“I’m super excited that the speedway is back and back in operation,” said longtime driver Chad Weber. “I’ve been racing here for a long time. I’ve been racing for a long time and have had to travel out of town to race the last couple of years, so I’m really excited to be racing close to home and and back in front of my home community.”

“It’s huge,” said sprint car race Bryce Eames, a 2023 St. Joseph High School graduate. “My entire life I’ve traveled to the (Central) Valley or Northern California to run races and during the summer, it’s hot and just everyone wants to get out of the heat and come down to the Central Coast. We live in such a beautiful area. No better place to have a racetrack than than right here in Santa Maria, right on the Central Coast and some beautiful weather that always allows us to have really good races and puts on a really good performance for the fans.”

Last Saturday night, despite a significant amount of rain falling in the early morning hours, which threatened to cancel the track’s much-anticipated season opener, conditions dried just enough to allow for the green flag to fly.

“It was great to see and a long time coming,” said Cusack. “I think everybody was happy just to get it up and going so we could see how the clay was going to go, and the lightning was to work, and the PA system, everything else. It was fun just to see people coming back into the stands after having not been here for a while. There was a lot of kids and the food was good. I think everybody had a great time and we were working out a few kinks along the way, but that’s a that’s part of any process. We’re excited about moving on.”  

There are about 20 races on the schedule for the 2025 season through early October, marking the the Speedway’s first full-season of racing since 2019.

“Come out and and check it out,” said Weber. “It’s really exciting. It’s amazing how many people that I talked to that drive by that know that it’s here that haven’t actually taken the time to come out and check it out. It’s a family fun night. It’s exciting and you can get involved. You can recognize some of the local drivers. You’d be surprised how many drivers are right here in the Central Coast.” 

Cusack pointed out

For more information about the Santa Maria Speedway, including its 2025 racing schedule, click here to visit the track’s official website.

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John Palminteri

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara police announced Thursday evening that they have questioned a person of interest as part of their investigation into the mysterious death of freshman student Liz Hamel.

UC police said, “An individual who was identified in relation to the incident at our residence hall has been located and interviewed.” They added that, since the investigation is ongoing, no further details can be shared at this time. Police also said they are working closely with the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office and are keeping the family informed.

These latest developments come a day after Liz Hamel’s family asked the public to help identify a young man who was the last person to see her before she fell from the San Rafael dorm on February 14.

She was found unconscious on a sidewalk under a breezeway at the San Rafael Dorm and died six days later at Cottage Hospital from her injuries.

Your NewsChannel also spoke with Alain Hamel, Liz’s father, on Thursday night from his home in Washington. He confirmed that the young man police interviewed is the same individual seen in the photos released by the family’s attorney. He did not provide further details but thanked the community for responding quickly, adding that their help has been “critical to the investigation.”

The timeline from her family and their attorney, Tyrone Maho, includes photos from the Isla Vista area at a restaurant around 10 p.m. She was found on the ground, barely alive, just 20 minutes later.

A photo has been released of the person being sought for information. The image shows a young man, and where Liz Hamel would have been in front of him, she has been removed through a photo editing technique “out of respect” for her, according to Maho. A community-wide request is being made to help identify the individual.

Alain Hamel stood beside large, poster-sized images on the flyer and said, “If you recognize the individual in the photos or saw anything that night that might be relevant—no matter how small—please come forward. Your information may be key to helping us understand what happened to Liz.”

Maho says, according to witnesses, Hamel was last seen at Lao Wang Noodle Bar with an unidentified white male, approximately six feet tall, with dark blonde hair. Hamel’s friends saw the two leave Lao Wang’s together, and that was the last time anyone saw her alive. The unidentified male was wearing light blue Carhartt jeans, a gray Patagonia sweatshirt, and a carabiner with keys on his right hip. They left after 10:06 p.m. Hamel was found unconscious just 21 minutes later.

He said, “The family is calling on all students, the UCSB and Santa Barbara communities, and anyone who might even have the slightest information to come forward.” Maho also asked for help from Chancellor Henry Yang.

The dorm where the tragedy occurred is not where Hamel lived. Alain Hamel said, “The assumption is that he lived in this area and she lived on the opposite side of campus.”

Information about the death did not emerge in the same timeline as the events themselves. The campus community first became aware of the incident through a social media post on March 1 from Hamel’s sorority. The university released its first public statement on March 21, following a request from NewsChannel 3-12. It stated that due to privacy concerns, specific details of the investigation could not be disclosed.

Charlotte Kester, a close friend, said, “It’s been an awful situation, but we know that the only thing we can do is help find out what happened to her and give her some respect.”

Hamel’s roommate, Kate Berg, said she and others who were present that night are being helpful. “We’re just telling the detectives and the police everything we know. I’ve shared every picture and video from that night to get them everything we can.” Many photos were taken that evening. “We always took a ton of pictures.”

Flyers are also going up at Santa Barbara City College. The student population from SBCC in Isla Vista is significant.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Michael Claytor, of Claytor Investigations, by text or call, to: 805-335-3851, or email: claytor.investigations@gmail.com.  All contacts can remain anonymous.

UC Santa Barbara Media Relations Manager Kiki Reyes issued the following statement on behalf of the university in response to Your News Channel’s inquiries on Wednesday:

“UC Police Department detectives have been working tirelessly to review all aspects of the tragic passing of one of our students outside a residence hall since they were called to investigate.  Detectives and officers have conducted numerous interviews and have been systematically reviewing and accounting for all the available information related to the incident. The UCPD has met regularly with the immediate family members to support them through the investigative process of this tragedy. 

The UCPD is committed to continuing its comprehensive investigation to seek answers related to this tragic event and has been working closely with the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office since the early stages of the investigation. 

Anyone with information should contact the UCPD at (805) 893-7274. Because the work is ongoing, we cannot discuss any specifics related to the investigation at this time. Again, our hearts and thoughts are with the family and friends who have suffered a terrible loss.”

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Mike Klan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eamon Gordon of Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, and Aquilin Hsiao of Edgewood High School, West Covina were selected as the 2025 CIF Scholar-Athletes of the Year, presented by Sutter Health. Since 1982, the scholarship award has identified student-athletes who excel in the classroom, athletics, and are strong contributors to their schools and communities. They will be recognized at the State Capitol in Sacramento on May 29, and each will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

“Aquilin and Eamon represent the very best of education-based athletics, balancing academic excellence with standout athletic performance,” said CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti. “Their dedication, discipline, and leadership make them truly deserving of this prestigious recognition.”

Eamon Gordon, Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta (Southern Section)Gordon runs for the Cross Country and Track teams at Dos Pueblos High School. He is the founder and developer of Financedu.org, an award-winning web app and comprehensive financial education course for middle and high school students, which garnered him many accolades including the Congressional App Challenge Winner for California’s 24th Congressional District. Additionally, he is an Eagle Scout, National Honor Society member, and National Meret Commended Scholar.

“In running, physics, and scouting, mentoring, and caring for others sparked growth in myself,” states Gordon. “Through my experiences and the support I received from others, I learned the value of understanding and appreciating the perspectives of others to both achieve success and empower others to achieve their own success.”

College: UCLAPrimary Sports: Cross Country and Track & Field

(Article courtesy of CIF).

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Mike Klan

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – What a journey for Matt Sauer and that was just on Tuesday.

The 2017 Righetti High School graduate was recalled from the minor leagues by the Los Angeles Dodgers and later that night he picked up his first Major League Baseball victory.

(Matt Sauer shows off some keepsakes after first big league win. @Dodgers).

The right-handed pitcher entered the Dodgers home game against the Miami Marlins in the third inning.

He used only 7 pitches to retire the Marlins and Sauer proceeded to work five solid innings of relief to give the Dodgers taxed bullpen a much needed break.

Sauer allowed just one run on five hits, striking out four batters and he did not walk anyone.

The Dodgers offense took the pressure off of Sauer by scoring 7 runs in the first three innings and winning a laugher 15-2.

Sauer was a rookie last year with Kansas City and he also spent time in the New York Yankees organization.

New York originally drafted Sauer in the second round back in 2017.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. – Josh Woodworth hit a towering 3-run home run to left in the fifth inning and that was more than enough support for Ventura act Wylan Nelson.

The University of San Diego-commit Nelson pitched a complete game as Ventura won at Dos Pueblos 4-2.

Ventura and Santa Barbara are tied for first place in the Channel League with one game remaining.

The Cougars host DP while Santa Barbara is home to Pacifica. The Dons own the tie breaker over Ventura.

Leading 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning the Cougars made two walks hurt as Woodworth crushed a fastball well over the fence to make it a 4-0 game.

Nelson had 8 strikeouts and blanked DP through the first five innings before the Chargers scored a couple of late runs on an RBI triple by Taylor Young and a sacrifice fly by Zach Gesswein.

The Chargers loss snapped a 7-game win streak.

Dos Pueblos has already clinched a CIF-SS playoff berth and they are 18-9 on the year.

Ventura is playoff bound and they were either go into the playoffs as league champions or they will be the #2 seed from the Channel League.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – San Marcos made quick work of Claremont in a CIF-Southern Section Division 3 first round playoff game.

Calvin Frisell had 11 kills as the Royals completed a sweep 25-16, 25-17, 25-10.

San Marcos will host Orange Lutheran on Friday in a second round game.

Keanu Nguyen had 7 ace serves and fellow sophomore Matteo Burdick added 6 as they improve to 23-6 on the year.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – Andrew Luster, a rapist from the Ventura County area who has been imprisoned since 2003, was denied parole Tuesday, according to the VC Star.

Luster’s earliest release for his crimes of drugging and raping women at a Ventura County beach home in 2003 will be Oct. 31, 2026, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitions.

Luster, an heir to the Max Factor Fortune, hoped for an earlier release, but KCLU Radio reported that the board denied his request.

Luster’s original sentence in prison was scheduled for 50 years, detailed the VC Star.

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