Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. – Crews are busy transforming a former La Quinta Inn into the new Valentine Road Apartments in Ventura.

But some tenants already moved in.

Meet James Workman.

“You’re living in Ventura for God’s sakes … it’s reasonable … it’s affordable,” said resident James Workman of Valentine Road Apartments.

He likes to bring joy to those around him.

But Workman wasn’t always full of joy.

He knows what it’s like to be homeless.

“When you lose a permanent position at a job, things can get dark after that … when you no longer can do what you’ve been doing … I was a land surveyor,” said Workman.

Thanks to this multi-million dollar affordable housing project, Workman not only has a place to live, he feels safe here.

“You know if you’re on the street and you’re showering at some alley with a garden hose to yourself … we got hot water here,” said Workman.

These apartments were designed to house those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

“Had somebody say to me the other day … this is my forever home because these are forever homes … this is not temporary …. this is permanent supportive housing,” said CEO Jeff Lambert of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.

This week, a total of 38 apartment units will be occupied with those who were formerly homeless.

“They’ll be successful here because we’re wrapping them with services. This building will have six on-site case managers to support these residence,” said Lambert.

All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Until then, Workman is on a mission to live his neighbors.

“Hang in there you’ll be okay. It’s a beautiful day, said Workman to another tenant.

And considering where he’s been, Workman would know.

From Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura:

Ventura, CA — Ventura, CA — The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) invites media representatives and community partners to a special event celebrating the construction progress of the Valentine Rd Apartments, a vital affordable housing development serving Ventura County.

This celebration will recognize the collaborative efforts of local, county, and federal partners who have made this project possible. Attendees will hear remarks from community leaders and get a first look at the site’s transformation.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025Time: 9:30 AM – noonLocation: Valentine Rd Apartments SiteAddress: 5818 Valentine Rd, Ventura, CA

Speakers include:

Supervisor, Matt LaVere

Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios

Councilmember Jim Duran, District 6

Representative from the California Department of Housing and Community Development

Additional local leaders and project partners

About the Project:

Valentine Rd Apartments is the largest Homekey initiative in Ventura County to date. With $32 million in state funding—alongside major support from the City of Ventura, County of Ventura, and additional funding partners—the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is transforming a former 142-room La Quinta Inn into 134 studio apartments for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This development offers more than housing: residents will have access to on-site supportive services designed to help them stabilize and thrive.

The project has reached an exciting milestone—63 apartments are now move-in ready, and construction has begun on the remaining two buildings. All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January.

To learn more about the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, visit www.hacityventura.org.

ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura with more than 1,480 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1097 affordable rental units. The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura is to provide and develop quality affordable housing for eligible low-income residents of Ventura County and to establish strong partnerships necessary for HACSB customers to achieve personal goals related to literacy and education; health and wellness; and job training and employment leading to personal growth and economic self-sufficiency.

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Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – A donation drive is taking place this week for child care supplies in San Luis Obispo county.

This is a partnership between Meathead Movers and a non-profit.

Due to sweeping budget cuts coming from the Trump administration, critical community services such as Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PPS) of SLO county are being impacted.

The non-profit organization has been providing care and resources to pregnant mothers and their families in slo county for more than four decades.

“Pregnancy and Parenting Support of SLO county, we are the baby bank for the county,” says Lydia Gong, operations manager at Pregnancy and Parenting Support SLO county. “At 91% of our client appointments, we provide diapers.”

In the wake of President Trump’s federal cuts, they’re experiencing a tangible shortage of diapers and other critical childcare supplies.

“Unfortunately, we lost $75,000 in federal funding this year, it’s currently frozen,” says Gong.

In partnership with Meathead Movers, they’re running a donation drive this week on the Central Coast, in an effort to combat the shortage and continue their vital services.

“They’re actually our next door neighbors,” says Trevor Nevell, territory sales manager for Meathead Movers. “They saw that we had done their Fill The Trucks for the L.A. fires and thought that we would be a great company to partner with and we’re neighbors.”

This is another item on Meathead Movers’ growing list of charitable donations, and the effort has the potential of growing beyond SLO county.

“All of our branches from Temecula, all the way up to Fresno, they always work on doing community drive events and giving back,” says Nevell. “So they might pick a different charity or organization that does this similar kind of thing.”

Residents of north SLO county may have seen them Monday at the Paso Robles Walmart, and today they were set up at first at the Arroyo Grande Walmart on West Branch Street. 

Just after lunch, Walmart asked them to move, and nearby California Fresh Market welcomed them, saying quote, “We support our community.”

“In 2024, we provided over 1800 packages of diapers to over 560 families here on the Central Coast,” says Gong. “We are constantly adding new families that we serve. So we’re definitely going to see an increase in that amount this year.”

On Wednesday they will be at the Target on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo from 9am till 5pm.

If you can’t make it to any of the locations this week, you can also drop off donations at Meathead Movers’ SLO headquarters until July 10th.

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Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Carpinteria Vice Mayor Mónica Solórzano stood for staff recognition presentations but remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance for the second City Council meeting in a row.

“It is unfortunate that this conversation has boiled down to whether I’m sitting or standing, rather than focusing on the policies that are impacting so many people in Carpinteria, in California, and across the nation,” Solórzano said. “That’s the basis behind what I’m doing. I want to be visible as a resource for people who need someone on their side, looking out for them.”

The Vice Mayor, a longtime UC Santa Barbara policy analyst and homeowner in the city’s First District, received both support and criticism during the meeting and on social media.

Members of the Carpinteria Valley Republican Club publicly opposed her decision to sit during the Pledge.

Allen Braithwaite voiced concerns about undocumented workers and recent protests.

“Ms. Solórzano, you might wish to consider a broader perspective on our broken immigration system,” Braithwaite said. “Review who is actually responsible for recent violence in the streets, seek reconciliation, and engage with a deeper insight. Perhaps then, even those who didn’t vote for you might reconsider.”

Delice Feller argued that public service should not be used as a political stage, and one critic suggested the Vice Mayor run for Congress if advocacy is her focus.

But Solórzano isn’t backing down.

“One thing that really moved me is that I’ve had people in the community—not even in my district—reach out for help,” she said. “Whether it was concerns about their employees or their family members, I feel like if even one person felt supported because of what I did, then it’s worth it.”

Solórzano acknowledged that after several years on the City Council, she expected pushback.

Her decision recalls former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem, which brought attention to police brutality nearly a decade ago.

“I know patriotism and the flag are hot-button issues,” Solórzano said. “But I hope that even those who disagree with me recognize that we want the same thing—rights and representation for everyone in this country.”

She said she chose to sit again on Monday in response to Saturday’s bombing in Iran, which she criticized for lacking Congressional oversight or public input.

“Just like the ICE raids that were happening during the last meeting, this latest event reinforces for me why I need to continue making this stand,” she said.

Members of the Carpinteria Immigration Rights Coalition and parents connected with the Carpinteria Children’s Project voiced support for the Vice Mayor.

Teresa Alvarez, moved to tears, spoke about the emotional toll these issues take on children and their families.

Longtime Carpinteria resident Fred Shaw also spoke in her defense, saying Solórzano was exercising her First Amendment rights. He also applauded the newly formed female majority on the City Council.

City councils up and down the Central Coast have been urged to take action or pass resolutions in response to the recent immigration raids.

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News Channel 3-12

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday evening announced what he called a “Complete and Total” ceasefire between Israel and Iran, signaling a possible end to nearly two weeks of escalating conflict. The announcement was made in a lengthy post on his social media platform, Truth Social, though officials from either country have yet to publicly confirm the agreement.

The president said the ceasefire would begin “in approximately six hours,” once both nations had concluded their “in progress, final missions.” He described a phased de-escalation over 24 hours: Iran would begin the ceasefire first, followed by Israel 12 hours later. The full cessation of hostilities would then be recognized globally as the end of what Trump called “THE 12 DAY WAR.”

“During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL,” Trump wrote. “An Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.”

Trump expressed hope that the ceasefire would become permanent but acknowledged the fragility of the moment. Neither Iran nor Israel has issued any formal statements confirming the arrangement, and questions remain about the deal’s enforcement and verification.

The president’s announcement follows a major escalation earlier in the day when Iran launched a retaliatory missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East, hosting roughly 10,000 American troops. No injuries were reported, and Qatar’s air defenses successfully intercepted the strike.

That attack came in response to a weekend U.S. operation targeting three Iranian nuclear sites. Trump claimed the sites were “obliterated,” though a full assessment of the damage is still pending. Vice President JD Vance later added in a Fox News interview that “Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have, because we destroyed it.”

Vance, speaking just after the ceasefire announcement, credited Trump for securing the agreement. “That’s good news, that the president was able to get that across the finish line,” he said, revealing he had reviewed a draft of the statement shortly before going on air.

“I knew that he was working the phones as I was on the way over here,” Vance said. “The president was deeply involved.”

Reaction on Capitol Hill has been mixed. Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal sharply criticized Trump’s initial decision to launch military strikes on Iran without congressional approval.

“I condemn President Trump’s extremely dangerous decision to launch a military strike on Iran without congressional approval,” Carbajal said in a statement. “His actions threaten to drag our nation into another war in the Middle East and endanger the lives of countless civilians and service members.”

The U.S., Iran, and Israel have not yet provided formal diplomatic confirmation or released ceasefire documents. CNN has reached out to the White House for additional details.

Reporting from CNN contributed to this article.

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Tracy Lehr

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – There’s plenty to see this summer at SeaWorld in San Diego.

There are adorable puffins and penguins, dolphins, a reef parade and more.

News Channel weekend anchor Tracy Lehr played hooky to take her UC San Diego grad to SeaWorld after finding out she hadn’t visited during her four years of college.

“I think it is a really good way for kids to learn how to live and interact with animals,” said Josilynn de Martino, “I thought it was a really fun day.”

They ran into UCSD alumni, too, including Stefani Von Huben who studied the dolphins and other marine life rescued by SeaWorld over the years.

“I majored in cognitive science (Class of 2001) and actually did cognitive science and dolphin cognition with my mentor of cognitive science at UCSD,” said Von Huben. “I keep coming back, because of the connection we have created since then and the human and animal bond and cognition and what makes us click and why and how.”

She hopes the experience keeps grads and others coming back as well.

“The Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is dear to my heart, thriving oceans for a better tomorrow, there is nothing better than that connection and it keeps me coming back and I love it,” said Von Huben.

Visitors should get ready to be splashed if they sit in the first ten rows of some of the shows and on some rides.

And don’t forget to look up at night.

SeaWorld puts on an Enchanted Fireworks Show every night in the summer.

For more information visit https://seaworld.com and https://hswri.org

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The 51st Annual Summer Solstice Celebration, themed Wild World, came to a vibrant close Sunday with “Reggae Sunday” in Alameda Park.

The final day of the three-day festival featured a full afternoon of reggae performances.

On the main stage, festivalgoers enjoyed high-energy sets from local favorites including Area 51, Will Stephens, The Kicks, Spencer the Gardener and Flannel 101. The DJ stage kept the groove going with performances by Bix King, Katnip and Calvin & Hogg.

Sunday’s event was sponsored by The Pharmacy and presented in partnership with 92.9 KJEE.

The celebration kicked off Friday night with performances by The Last Decade, The New Vibe and False Puppet. Throughout the weekend, the festival also featured a colorful parade, a variety of food options and a bustling marketplace of local vendors.

Now in its 51st year, the Summer Solstice Celebration remains one of Santa Barbara’s most cherished traditions—an annual tribute to art, community and the year’s longest day.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center just launched its new High-Risk Breast Clinic in Santa Barbara.

The focus of the new clinic is to monitor women at elevated risk for breast cancer.

Treatment to includes comprehensive assessments, individualized risk profiles, and personalized recommendations for prevention.

Anyone may qualify for an appointment with the clinic if they have a referral from their primary care clinician.

The High-Risk Breast Clinic will create a breast screening schedule for patients designed for their level of risk.

The High-Risk Breast Clinic team hopes to help women better understand their risk level so they can make the most informed decisions about their health.

From Sutter Health:

June 18, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, now part of Sutter Health, is proud to announce the launch of its High-Risk Breast Clinic – dedicated to monitoring women at elevated risk for breast cancer and offering comprehensive assessments, individualized risk profiles, and personalized recommendations for prevention and early detection. 

“We are proud to be a community leader in breast cancer prevention, care and treatment and this High-Risk Breast Clinic is an extension of that,” commented Dr. Kurt Ransohoff, President, Sutter Health, Greater Central Coast.  “Our goal is to empower patients with knowledge, prevention strategies and access to cutting-edge care. We are hopeful that this collaboration and innovation will result in better outcomes for our patients, a reduction in their cancer risk and compassionate, and seamless, patient-centered care for those who need it.”

Members of the High-Risk Breast Clinic include:

• High-Risk Breast Clinic Director and Ridley-Tree Cancer Center breast surgeon Dr. Rosa Choi• Physician assistant Sirena Sechslingloff• Ridley-Tree Cancer Center breast surgeon Dr. Katrina Mitchell• Sansum Clinic breast radiologist Dr. Winifred Leung

The High-Risk Breast Clinic team will collaborate with breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, OB/Gyns, primary care clinicians, genetic counselors, researchers and patient navigators across Sutter Health’s Central Coast footprint to offer patients integrated, coordinated care.

How the Clinic Works

Anyone in the community may qualify for an appointment with the High-Risk Breast Clinic if they have a referral from their primary care clinician, and they meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible patients can schedule an appointment withSirena Sechslingloff to learn more about their individual risk factors and explore strategies to reduce that risk.

Eligibility criteria include individuals who:

• Had a breast biopsy with pathology that shows atypical cells or lobular carcinoma in situ.• Note: Patients diagnosed with new high-risk lesions following a breast biopsy through Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health, are already triaged directly to a surgeon from radiology.• Have a history of radiation to the chest wall between the ages of 10-30 years • Have a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) under the age of 50 with a breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer diagnosis• Have a male family member with breast cancer    • Have multiple family members with breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer  • Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with a family history of breast cancer• Have a known genetic mutation predisposing them to breast cancer development

These factors do not automatically place women into a high-risk category, but they may indicate when a formal breast cancer assessment is needed. Those with a history of breast cancer in their immediate family are at higher risk for developing the disease themselves. Patients who meet the criteria and wish to schedule an appointment should ask their primary care clinician for a referral.

Physician Assistant Sechslingloff, who is breast oncology certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, will perform a risk assessment for each patient, and will offer tailored recommendations for breast screening, genetic testing, lifestyle changes and medicines which can lower breast cancer risk. Should immediate medical attention be required, she can also connect patients to breast cancer specialists at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center.

“Women of average risk have a 13% chance of getting diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Women are considered at high risk if they have a 20% or higher lifetime risk of developing the disease,” said Sechslingloff. “I look forward to welcoming women to our Clinic, and helping them better understand their risk level so they can make the most informed decisions about their health,”“We can effectively cure 98% of breast cancer found in its beginning stages, so the sooner we can find it, the better,” confirmed Dr. Choi.

Breast Imaging at Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health

The High-Risk Breast Clinic will create a breast screening schedule for patients designed for their level of risk.

 “Women who are identified as high risk may need to go from receiving an annual mammogram, which we recommend for women starting at age 40, to needing a breast ultrasound, or an alternating schedule of mammograms and breast MRIs,” noted Leung. “This Clinic will set the stage for these important conversations with patients about screening, so we can get ahead of breast cancer.”Patients will have access to Sansum Clinic’s Breast Imaging Center of Excellence which offers 3D mammography (Tomosynthesis), diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whole breast ultrasound and breast ultrasound. 

Elevating Cancer Care for Patients

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center delivers exceptional, patient-centered cancer care—now strengthened through our partnership with Sutter Health. With more clinicians and a broader network of expertise, we’re building a strong foundation to deliver even more connected care across specialties and locations throughout the Central Coast.

Patients benefit from:

• Access to 25 oncology specialists across medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.• A broader network of 170 Sutter Health oncology specialists for complex or highly specialized care needs.• 150+ clinical trials offering access to the latest therapies and treatment innovations, 29 which are local.• Comprehensive support services including navigation, genetic counseling, nutrition, and social work and wellness, which is generously funded by the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara

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Andrew Gillies

GOLETA, Calif. — A stretch of Hollister Avenue was shut down Monday morning after reports of a suspicious package near the Goleta City Hall, a private office building and across the street from the far end of the open space at the Santa Barbara Airport. It prompted a bomb squad response.

“It was a drab green color backpack kind of tactically looking and just kind of abandoned in the parking lot here,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Raquel Zick.

At 12:13 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office said the package — pictured below — was determined to be a bag filled with personal items. All previously closed roadways have since reopened.

Courtesy of SB Sheriff

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office closed Hollister Avenue from Los Carneros Road to Aero Camino around 9:30 a.m. Deputies cordoned off the area and brought in a robot from the department’s bomb squad to investigate the package.

Officials did not say exactly where the package was found but confirmed it was located somewhere between Los Carneros and Aero Camino. Later in the day it was learned the backpack was in front of an office building. A skateboard was nearby.

The robot was used to safely examine the item, sending back video and images to investigators. The robot later opened it to reveal the contents that were not a risk to the public. Zick said, ” it looked like a bag that was either accidentally or intentionally ditched.”

Workers at a state office at the site could not comment except to say they were released and left for the day.

The city’s new temporary library site is also at this location and has not opened yet.

A nearby worker Matthew Devlin, who went off site to use his laptop said, “there was a green backpack at the front of the building and they quickly had a bunch of police cars there and we went in the opposite direction. I wasn’t too concerned but I wasn’t going to stick around to find out.”

Operations at the Santa Barbara Airport, located just south of Hollister Avenue, had not been impacted, according to the airport’s security office. An Alaska Airlines flight was observed taking off without delay during Your News Channel’s live coverage.

Businesses in the immediate area, including an auto shop and the Clean Air Express bus lot, continued to operate.

Another worker Ernesto Siles came back from relocating and said, “I am glad that the police officers have those resources and security because you never know you can’t take it for granted  but what happened if it is not? “

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – With the 4th of July approaching, the City of Santa Maria is once again rolling out a three-pronged approach regarding fireworks this year, which includes education, enforcement and entertainment.

To help inform the public about important information dealing with fireworks both legal and illegal, a bilingual educational campaign is now underway.

As in previous years, information is being disseminated to the public through television and radio public service announcements (PSAs), social media posts, flyers, posters and other forms of communication.

“We want to get the message out to the community that illegal fireworks are dangerous,” said Mark van de Kamp, Santa Maria PublicInformation Manager. “Not only are they dangerous with the loud noises that they make, there’s a lot of people in our community who just don’t deal very well with that. They may be veterans. We have a lot of veterans in Santa Maria, people with autism and with PTSD. It’s the worst day of the year for animals. We are very well aware of the magnitude of the problem. Over the years, people have come to the City Council. I’ve had phone calls with people who are almost in tears because very upset about the use of illegal fireworks, so the City Council has requested and directed the staff to do something about it.”

The Santa Maria Police Department recently started its Fireworks Enforcement Operation, with officers monitoring social media for fireworks sales and actively patrolling neighborhoods for fireworks usage.

“The Santa Maria Police Department is currently teamed up with fire prevention and code enforcement, and we’ve started our enforcement period for fire fireworks enforcement,” said Santa Maria Police Department Lt. Danny Rios. “We are going to start with areas that are known to have a history of illegal firework activity. We’re going to look at those areas first and then branch out from there. This week we have started issuing our admin citations that carry a maximum penalty of $1,000. We are going to continue working with fire and code enforcement to proactively seek out those that are engaging in the use of illegal fireworks. In addition to some targeted proactive enforcement, we’re also going to be monitoring social media accounts for those that are selling illegal fireworks and look to target those, through investigative resources. We also ask that the public report illegal firework activity.”

In addition, the city will hold a new community event on Independence Day called “Red, White and PLAY: A Hometown Celebration.”

The free event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Elks Field, which is located the Abel Maldonado Youth Center at 600 South McClelland Street.

The city describes the event as an “afternoon of entertainment, engaging activities and patriotic fun for all ages.”

“It’s very family friendly,” said van de Kamp. “We’re going to have a band that’s a tribute band to Santana called Savor and they’ll be playing for a couple of hours. Bring some lawn chairs. Enjoy it. We’ll have food for sale. The pool will be open. The youth center will be open. There’ll be lots of games, painting contests and a watermelon eating contest, so really good stuff. It should be a real draw for for people of all ages.” 

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Ryder Christ

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. – Cowboys, live music and stick horse races drew thousands to the Santa Ynez Valley this weekend as the 6th Annual Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo wrapped up Sunday.

The two-day event, held at the arena near the Chumash Casino Resort, was a PRCA-qualifying rodeo that attracted top-ranked competitors and rising stars from across the country. Events included bull riding, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and women’s breakaway roping. Junior competitions featured crowd favorites such as mutton bustin’, junior barrel racing, and stick horse races.

“Rodeo is an old, old sport,” said Ralph Lausten, stock contractor for Empire Rodeo. “It’s a traditional sport for this area here, and it’s kind of been missing for a few years. We tried to bring it back.”

Presented by the Santa Ynez Valley Western Heritage Foundation, the event has seen explosive growth since its inception.

“First year we had it, we had maybe 800 people, and yesterday we were sold out,” said Lausten. “We had 4,000 people. The community has really gotten behind it and been really supportive.”

Production Manager Chris Weber credits a recent surge in public interest to pop culture.

“Thanks to TV shows, it’s cool to be a cowboy again,” said Weber. “There’s definitely added interest in rodeo these days. And just being able to showcase the sport and what is so integral in the Santa Ynez Valley is really exciting.”

In addition to honoring Western heritage, the event also raises money for several local and charitable causes. Proceeds benefit the Golden Circle of Champions—a youth cancer foundation founded in Santa Maria—as well as Santa Ynez Valley High School’s FFA and District 7 High School Rodeo programs.

“We are very proud to be a part of this,” said Kevin Murphy, president of the Santa Ynez Valley Western Heritage Foundation. “This rodeo gives back to our youth and to meaningful causes in our region.”

The rodeo was held on land owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, across from the airport off Highway 246. It coincided with the broader Old Santa Ynez Days celebration, including a Saturday morning parade through the historic township.

Organizers say they hope to continue expanding the event in the years to come, keeping the Western spirit alive in Santa Barbara County.

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