Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) When Texas moved to add conservative seats to the House of Representatives, California Democrats including 37th District Assemblymember Gregg Hart and State Senator Monique Limón worked to put Prop. 50 on the November Ballot.

Hart, who was preceded by Steve Bennett, represents an area that was redistricted.

Hart and Limón are the among the Democrats who co-authored Proposition 50 that is the only issue on the Special Election ballot in California.

“It is a really important election and I’m glad that we are going to be celebrating soon, the polls are still open, we want people to get out and vote,” said Hart.

During a conversation outside the historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Hart said he wants voters to know that Proposition 50 authorized temporary changes to Congressional Districts Maps.

The use of a an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will be back.

“The redistricting commission and its work will resume after the next census in 2030, so the 2032 lines will be drawn using their skills and expertise and the most current census, only pausing the use of the current lines for the 2026 and 2028 and 30 election,” said Hart.

Hart has written other bills and wanted to work on this, too.

“I think that is such an important issue I wanted to step up and make our voice loud and clear.”

Critics call it s power grab by politicians that hurts fair representation. They also don’t like the estimated $200 million cost of the election.

The moment the polls closed new outlets projected it as a winner.

“I’m thrilled California voters understood this issue very clearly this was an opportunity for us to send a message to the country and the world that we instead to stop Donald Trump from ruining our Democracy,” said Hart.

The 24th District represented by Salud Carbajal is slated to stay the same, while the 26th District represented by Julia Brownley is likely to expand with the exception of Simi Valley.

It will not longer be part of that district.

“I think it is a huge victory across the state in places that people didn’t expect it,” said Hart, “I expect the margin to be over 60 percent it is truly a significant monumental achievement that California stepped up to our role as a leader of the country.”

For more information visit https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov and https://lao.ca.gov

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Caleb Nguyen

NIPOMO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two Los Angeles men for a pharmacy burglary just after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

SLOCSO deputies, alongside CHP officers, arrived at the pharmacy and chased one suspect on foot before apprehending him.

The second suspect tried to drive away before SLOCSO deputies detained the driver at a traffic stop and determined that the car used was connected to the burglary.

Evidence in the car connected the vehicle to the crime after a preliminary investigation and SLOCSO deputies identified both men responsible for a separate pharmacy burglary in Templeton.

SLOCSO deputies believe the Templeton burglary took place before the Nipomo burglary on Tuesday morning.

SLOCSO deputies identified a 32-year-old Los Angeles man and a 41-year-old Los Angeles man and arrested both for burglary and conspiracy.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Police arrested two commercial burglars just after 3:00 a.m. Tuesday.

SMPD officers checked the business and heard both men involved jumping a chain-link fence on one side of the property.

SMPD officers then detained a 31-year-old man and a 33-year-old man after finding a truck registered to the 31-year-old containing many stolen items from the business.

Video surveillance showed both men inside the business committing the burglary and the SMPD later booked both into the SBSO jail for felony burglary charges.

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News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Following Nov. 4th special state election, former senator and Dale Francisco, former councilman came together on TV Hill for a LIVE discussion on the results.

They shared their thoughts on Prop 50 and the ongoing government shutdown, and answered your questions and comments LIVE in studio.

Leave your questions/comments/concerns in the chat below.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A steady stream of cars and voters have been coming through the Santa Barbara County election’s office parking lot in the final hours of the current special election.

The ballot has only one decision for the voters to make. There are no candidates and no initiatives. It is just Proposition 50 dealing with redistricting.

The people showing up on Election Day were basically in two categories: The voters who knew they were going to vote, but had not had a chance to do it yet until this deadline, and others who had not made up their mind on the possible change on district lines which could happen.

 One couple discussed the item but them voted secretly. Claire VanBlaricum said, “we finally decided and  we had to bite the bullet and we did and came down and this was the best way to make sure it was counted.”

Her husband Glenn said, “I don’t know how she voted,  I assume she voted like I did  but we don’t know. She didn’t see my vote.  I didn’t see her vote.”

The ballot drop box in front of the elections office was busy, but it has already been cleared out three or four times today. The final batch will be accepted up to 8:00 p.m. when the election ends and the polls close.

For one voter, Laurie Divatson this site is “only the official one, here at the elections because you never know. ” 

The feeling after voting is one that is unique for those who came through. “It is immediate gratification you get proud it makes you feel more American  but I think the mail in ballot is a wonderful thing to do. As a nurse all of my clients cant make it  to the polling place so they mail it in, ” said Rosanne Marquis.

  “It is a civic duty and it feels like we are participating and that we can make a difference and it feels  good, ” said Cash Upton.

If there is a line and voters are in place they will be accepted in to vote.

Election workers have already been verifying signatures and preparing the ballots for counting.

That process is done in advance in the case there is an issue with a signature that doesn’t match or a damaged ballot. The election workers attempt to find the voter to correct the issue so the vote can count.

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

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Jarrod Zinn

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – On Tuesday afternoon, Congressman Salud Carbajal met with Meals That Connect, San Luis Obispo’s Senior Nutrition Program.

The congressman says nearly 42 million people nationwide, including 100,000 from California’s Central Coast, are being impacted by the continuing government shutdown and the resulting halt in supplemental assistance programs like SNAP.

“Programs like ‘Meals That Connect,’ despite the heroic great work that they’re doing to feed all those food insecure veterans, seniors, families and children, they can’t do it all without continued SNAP benefits,” says Rep. Salud Carbajal, (D) California.

The meeting between the service of free healthy meals to over 2,000 seniors in SLO County and the congressman enabled a brainstorming session about the far-reaching impacts on food scarcity, and how to combat shortages.

“In San Luis Obispo County, we’re pushing on 30% of the population being senior citizens, and the congressman was talking about other vulnerable populations,” says Laura Kelsay, Meals That Connect’s Executive Director.

Congressman Carbajal urges a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government as soon as possible to minimize what impacts are already being felt.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The new SLO Food Bank Pantry is helping feed people in need in San Luis Obispo County through its innovative design and concept.

“The SLO Food Bank pantry and Community Resource Hub is a place where people can get the food that they need and it’s offered in a grocery store style shopping experience,” said Savannah Colevans, SLO Food Bank Communications Senior Manager. “We opened in the spring of this year and have been operating for a few months and we’re serving over 2,500 people each month.”

Open three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the pantry is located in a newly constructed building that’s been added to the SLO Food Bank headquarters in San Luis Obispo.

“We offer a variety of produce, fresh produce, often locally sourced, as well as, pantry goods like canned soups and vegetables and meats, tortillas, as well as frozen meat,” said Colevans. “It’s so important that people have access to choice when it comes to food so that they can get the food that they need for their family, their dietary preferences, their medical needs. This space really allows people to get exactly the amounts and types of foods that work best for their families.”

SLO Food Bank is one of two local non-profit organizations that are once again teaming up with News Channel 12 for its annual Turkey Drive.

The fundraiser is now going on through Thursday, Nov. 20 and is collecting donations for SLO Food Bank and Good Samaritan Shelter.

Donations collected in San Luis Obispo County will directly assist SLO Food Bank Clients, while those collected in Santa Barbara County will directly benefit Good Samaritan clients, as well as other local non-profit organizations.

“Providing food during the holidays is not only important for people’s nourishment, but also so that people have the opportunity to participate in the traditions that they love and to connect with their families,” said Colevans. “By giving to the Turkey Drive, you’re really supporting people being able to do what they love during the holidays.” 

For more information about the News Channel 12 Turkey Drive, or to donate, click here.

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Jarrod Zinn

GUADALUPE, Calif. (KEYT) – Guadalupe’s historic Royal Theater is in for a royal makeover, which will get its start before this year comes to a close.

The Royal Theater has stood in downtown Guadalupe for 85 years, having historically shown films that catered to both the Japanese and Hispanic communities, as well as some mainstream content during the 1980s and 1990s.

After a remodel in the late nineties, it closed and has been unused ever since.

In 2001 it was designated a National Historic Place, awaiting the city’s long-planned revitalization project.

Now in 2025, hands have been shaken and a contract has been signed with PreCon Industries, Inc.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for december.

“We have about 12 different restaurants in town,” says Ariston D. Julian, Mayor Of Guadalupe. “The buildings were built in the early 1900s. So we do not want to destroy the nature of what we have in the downtown area. We’re looking forward to making sure that this community is thriving based on what we have here with the Royal Theater.”

While this is a big green light for the Royal, a capital campaign is underway to fill a $2 million budget shortfall.

City leaders hope to be finished with the revitalization and ready to reopen its doors in the spring of 2027.

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Mike Klan

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KEYT) –  Sophomore forward Jacob Cofie scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead USC to a 94-64 season-opening win over Cal Poly on Monday night.

Cofie went 9 of 12 from the field, hit his only 3-point attempt and was 4 of 4 at the line. Both Ezra Ausar and Rodney Rice scored 21 points, and Auburn-transfer Chad Baker-Mazara had 12 points and seven boards despite a 2 of 10 night from the floor.

After leading 37-31 at halftime, USC broke the game open with a 17-4 run fueled by Cofie’s inside play and Rice’s shooting. The Trojans outscored Cal Poly 57-33 after the break, forced 22 turnovers and finished with 11 blocks and 24 assists.

Peter Bandelj led Cal Poly with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Hamad Mousa and Guzman Vasilic each scored 12. The Mustangs shot 33.3% from the field and 27.3% from the 3-point line (9 of 33) while making 7 of 12 free throws.

USC’s largest lead reached 31 points near the end of the second half.

(Article courtesy of Associated Press).

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Week Awards:

Oyin Opawumi: Cate girls volleyball:

Opawumi had 29 kills and 15 digs in a CIF-SS D7 quarterfinal win; 27 kills and 29 digs in a CIF-SS D7 semifinal win

Owen Abbott: Dos Pueblos cross country:

Abbott won the Santa Barbara County Championships in a time of 15:10.9 to also lead the Chargers to a team victory.

Maddie Kollock was named the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award winner for Cate High School.

Kollock plays volleyball and water polo but really stars in swimming as she is part of the school-record 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Kollock demonstrated great leadership ability by drawing all of her teammates in according to athletic director Wade Ransom. “Maddie is just one of those kids that does things right, she does them the right way. She’s on time, she leads by example, she’s kind, she’s enthusiastic and she’s welcoming to teammates all while being a pretty fierce competitor.”

Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Week:

Emma Fields: Orcutt Academy tennis: She won two playoff matches in both singles and doubles.

Noah Barthel: Lompoc cross country: He finished second in the Santa Barbara County Championships with a time of 15:41.82 seconds

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