Author: KEYT

Dave Alley

SHELL BEACH, Calif. – San Luis Obispo County Fire Department/CAL FIRE crews worked fast Monday afternoon to put out a vegetation fire that started just before 4 p.m.

The six-acre fire burned in the hillside just above several homes located along the 2700 block of Barcelona Road, which runs just off Mattie Road and Highway 101.

Soon after the fire began, evacuation orders were placed for homes located closest to the flames, while an evacuation warning went into effect for other homes located further away.

Firefighters with the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department were quickly joined by crews from neighboring agencies, along with aerial assistance.

“We had multiple aircraft, engines, crews, dozers responding to the fire,” said Ryan Grebe, San Luis Obispo County Fire Department/CAL FIRE public information officier. “We had a very aggressive attack from the air, and due to the great conditions in the air, we were able to fly multiple tankers and helicopters, get drops in the right spots, and put this fire up.”

Interestingly, the fire took place on the exact same hillside the burned during the Avila Fire that happened nearly five years ago to the day on June 15, 2020.

“This is in the burn scar of the Avila Fire,” said Grebe. “That does help in that there’s not as much dead vegetation in that area, but there’s still a lot of growth here, so we have to be aggressive and just treat it as if it’s a new fire.”

The Avila Fire burned 445 acres and at one point jumped Highway 101, but the Barcelona Fire never reached the freeway that was full of commuter traffic when it began.

No structures were destroyed or damaged and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – During a recent presentation of the annual Santa Maria Police Department, statistics indicated violent crimes in the city were nearly identical the past two years.

Santa Maria City Council received the report during its last meeting and heard from Commander Dan Cohen list many of the department’s most significant accomplishments and milestones during the year 2024.

One of the most important elements of the report is the annual tally of the most violent crimes committed, which are called “Part 1 Crimes.”

Part 1 crimes include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

In 2024, the amount of Part 1 crimes committed in Santa Maria totaled 2,773, which was only ten more than the amount of 2,763 committed in 2023.

While most of the crime types rose slightly, Cohen noted the amount of vehicle motor thefts dropped significantly, from 751 in 2023 to 474 in 2024.

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Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – A vital construction project has shut down the Traffic Way bridge in Arroyo Grande.

The city and chamber of commerce are helping local businesses through the project.

The Traffic Way bridge normally serves as a major traffic artery for the city of Arroyo Grande for both commuters and out-of-town visitors.

“We’ve noticed structural issues like falling of the concrete, breaking away of the concrete, things like that. So in addition to the scour, it just becomes even more needed to maintain the bridge itself,” says Matthew Downing, Arroyo Grande city manager.

For the next five months, it will be closed while crews make vital repairs to the 100-year-old bridge.

“We’re having to detour traffic,” says Downing. “We’re making certain roads one way instead of two way and just overall impacting traffic circulation, which can cause congestion and back up, which as we know can cause people to not want to visit that that area.”

Its closure is causing some impacts on local businesses, such as Luca’s Deli and Wine, which opened in January.

“Being in business for 35 years with eight restaurants. I’ve never seen a city actually reach out and do something to give back to the community, to help keep us sustained,” says Genuino Dalo, Luca’s Deli and Wine owner.

Many of these local businesses are located in and around the popular “Old Village” near the bridge now under construction.

“I feel like the timing is bad. I wish they would have done it in the wintertime. I keep hearing that it’s really busy in the village in the summertime,” says Dale.

In anticipation, city leaders have launched their first ever Buy Local incentive program designed to help ease these impacts on local businesses during the construction process.

Anyone who spends $100 at any one of arroyo grande’s locally owned businesses will receive a $20 gift card, while supplies last.

“The biggest things that we weren’t anticipating is just watching how people are getting around in the village,” says Downing. “We have particular ideas and like anything people find a way.”

Some businesses have already felt a pinch and they hope the ‘Buy Local‘ program will allow visitors to stretch their dollars further and continue to enjoy the local atmosphere.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Since 2018, those experiencing homelessness have turned to the Father Virgil Cordano Center seeking meals, shelter and other services in Santa Barbara.

“I hang out or just come to get something to eat basically that means a lot you know,” said visitor David Hanson of the Father VIrgil Cordano Center.

But lately, the center, located on Calle Real is getting crowded.

“Well, the numbers are going up. We started with 10 people when we opened six years, seven years ago … now we’re up to 90 to 100 every day,” said senior development coordinator John Hardin of the new Father Virgil Center project.

In order to meet the growing demand for its services, a fundraising campaign has begun, to raise $10 million for a new site at 4085 State Street.

“This center will continue serving up to 100 individuals per day, providing meals case management help people to be connected to agencies in the city … to help them overcome the challenges of homelessness,” said development manager Sergey Salushchev of St. Vincent’s.

Managers at St. Vincent’s are hoping the community will show their support as this capital campaign gets under way.

“And help people be connected to agents in the city and the community and help them overcome the challenges of homelessness,” said Saluschev.

“A number of people coming because they’re sleeping outside and they can come to the center and sleep on a lounge chair and they know that they’re safe,” said Hardin.

This project is a collaborative effort of the Franciscan Friars at Old Mission Santa Barbara, and the Daughters of Charity at St. Vincent’s.

They hope the new site will ultimately offer hope, dignity and a better future for those in need.

The Center provides essential services, including safe daytime shelter, nutritious meals, case management, hygiene facilities, and community programs.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif – Current and future home owners attended this weekend’s home and garden expo.

The expo took place this weekend at the Earl Warren Show grounds. That’s where visitors had a chance to get inspired by displays and talk to experts about the latest home trends.

Local and national exhibitors gave consultations and demonstrators to those wanting to decorate or change their homes or backyard.

“We welcome them with a tote bag, we give them flower seeds so they can go home and start their garden and they’re so excited to be here,” said show organizer Margo Browning. “And these local businesses they’re all getting together, they network with one another, I just feel like it’s one big family and it’s really exciting.”

For more than 30 years, the expo has drawn hundreds of people. The annual event is typically held during the month of June.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – People in Santa Barbara are starting to see plenty of purple.

Jacaranda trees are in bloom.

They line streets on the Eastside and Westside of Santa Barbara.

People walking and driving along Montecito, Mission, Chapala and many other streets are likely to see them.

Fallen flowers make a purple carpet on the ground that some people love.

Other may consider a sticky mess.

“It is beautiful, they are blooming so nice. If anyone would like to purchase any of those plants we can sure order them for you,” said Wendy Martin, the Garden Center Assistant Manager at the Santa Barbara Improvement Center.

The Ace Hardware store and garden center are close to neighborhoods with the youngest Jacaranda trees lining the street.

Jacaranda also known as mimosifolia means ‘fragrant and sweet smelling.’

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – Wedding dresses and love letters are just part of an annual display the Olivas Adobe Historical Park in Ventura.

The free event called Brides and Bell Towers took place at the park on June 8th.

Many couples have been married on the grounds that date back to 1837.

Locals lent wedding gowns and other items for the occasion.

Volunteers at one of the displays had antique weapons and joked about shotgun weddings back in the day.

But Olivas Adobe Historic Interpreter, Debra Milbourne, said the variety of wedding dresses tell other stories.

“These are gowns that were people’s hopes and dreams,” said Milbourne, “and as I was ironing some of them I was thinking about who could have worn these dresses and what their hopes and dreams were.”

Historian Glenda Jackson gave a talk about the items she has collected over the years including shoes dating back to the 1700s.

“For me it is a passion, I have been collecting, I got my first piece of vintage antique clothing when I was 13, many, many decades ago so it is fun for me to bring everything out form the dark and into the light and share the information,” said Jackson.

Volunteer docents dressed in period outfits showed people around the park that includes a Bell Tower, a rose garden and a gift shop.

For information about weddings at the Olivas Adobe visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov

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Christer Schmidt

CALIFORNIA VALLEY, Calif. – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife San Luis Obispo Unit will be conducting a prescribed burn of approximately 319 acres in the California Valley area on June 9th.

The burn is part of ongoing habitat restoration efforts and wildfire risk reduction initiatives.

Smoke may be visible in the area during the burn. People are advised not to report smoke in that area.

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – Big races always keep the Derby Club in Ventura busy.

Local racing fans had a chance to bet on the final race in the Triple Crown on Saturday.

While waiting for the famous race, fans killed time by betting on other races.

The Derby Club features satellite wagering year-round.

Fans also have a chance to wine and dine, while watching the simulcast horse races.

For more information visit https://thederbyroom.com

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Tracy Lehr

CAMARILLO, Calif – Weekly protests outside the Tesla dealership in Camarillo show no signs of slowing, even as tensions between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk escalate publicly.

For the fourth straight month, demonstrators returned to the Tesla showroom on Daily Drive this Saturday, part of a coordinated national movement criticizing Musk’s leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Similar protests have been held regularly since mid-February.

Protesters say Musk’s DOGE-led budget cuts have harmed critical public services from Veterans Affairs to the National Park Service prompting frustration from both longtime civil servants and members of the public.

While some organizers expected the protests might taper off following Musk’s recent fallout with the president, the feud appears to have energized rather than silenced demonstrators.

The feud between Trump and Musk erupted in late May after Musk criticized a sweeping tax-and-spending bill endorsed by Trump as a “disgusting abomination.” In response, the president threatened to cancel federal contracts with Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, and called Musk “unhinged.”

The fallout has rippled through financial markets. Tesla stock plummeted by more than 14% in a single day following the spat, wiping out roughly $150 billion in company value.

Despite the stock hit and growing political backlash, Tesla’s retail presence remains a focal point for weekly dissent.

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