Author: KEYT

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Grover Beach regarding the start of their annual Grover Beach Summer Concert Series.

GROVER BEACH, Calif. – The wait is over! This Sunday, July 13, the 24th Annual Grover Beach Summer Concert Series kicks off at 16th Street Park from 2-6 p.m. Opening the season is Careless Whisper, launching this beloved free community tradition with an afternoon of live music, delicious food and family-friendly fun.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the community back for another unforgettable season of the Summer Concert Series,” said Grover Beach Mayor Kassi Dee. “This year’s temporary move to 16th Street Park offers a fresh setting to enjoy incredible local music, connect with neighbors and celebrate everything that makes our City such a special place to live and visit.”

Running through Aug. 17, this year’s series features a dynamic lineup of local artists and tribute bands, offering something for every musical taste. In addition to the music, attendees can explore a range of food and craft vendors every week beginning at 2 p.m., plus a dedicated kids’ activity area, ensuring fun for all ages.

With construction underway at Ramona Garden Park for a major renovation project, the City has temporarily relocated the Summer Concert Series to 16th Street Park (at 16th Street and Mentone Avenue). The park’s open space, lush lawn and convenient parking make it the perfect spot to enjoy the summer concert experience.

“With a great venue, a variety of local vendors and an unforgettable lineup, we’re pulling out all the stops to make this year’s concert series the best it can be,” said Grover Beach City Manager Matt Bronson. “16th Street Park is the perfect backdrop for a summer of great music and community fun, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”

This year’s talented Summer Concert Series acts include:

July 13: Careless Whisper

July 20: Dark Desert Highway

July 27: Erin and the Earthquakes

August 3: Steppin’ Out

August 10: Josh Rosenblum Band

August 17: Stevie Nicks Illusion

The City of Grover Beach extends heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors whose support helps bring this beloved community tradition to life:

Title Sponsor: Mechanics Bank

Artist Sponsor: Astound Broadband

Promotional Sponsor – New Times

Family Activities Sponsor: Coastal Community Builders

General Sponsors: 95.3 the Beach, Cannon Engineering, First 5 SLO County, Central Coast Party Factory, and Threadhead Embroidery.

For more information on the 2025 Summer Concert Series, visit the City’s website.

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Alissa Orozco

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – New blue United States Postal Service (USPS) mailboxes have had to be put in place throughout the communities of Ojai and Oakview in Ventura County.

Over the past several months, the Ojai Investigations Bureau has seen a significant increase in mail theft targeting these mailboxes.

To combat this, newer and more secure mailboxes have been put in place at the following locations:

211 East Matilija Street, City of Ojai, CA

1215 Maricopa Hwy, City of Ojai, CA

360 North Ventura Ave, Oakview, CA

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office thanks U.S. Congressional District Representative Robert O’Riley from the Office of U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Ojai Police Chief Captain Steve Jenkins for their assistance putting these mailboxes in place.

The office also recommends residents never mail cash or personal checks – only send money orders by mail, don’t leave sensitive mail documents in mailboxes, try and deposit your mail as close to the mailbox pickup times as possible, use online bill payment options, and certify mail with return receipts is recommended by postal services and financial institutions.

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Alissa Orozco

FILLMORE, Calif. – A Fillmore woman was arrested for her role in a double fatal traffic collision that killed both her young son and an Oxnard woman.

On July 2nd, Fillmore deputies reported to the scene of 1305 Ventura Street where a injury traffic collision had occurred around 8:45pm. Upon arrival, it was determined that two vehicles collided with one another head-on in the westbound lanes of Ventura Street.

Deputies found that Myryam Castillo of Fillmore had driven her car across the two-way center turn lane of Ventura Street, traveling in the opposite direction of traffic. Castillo’s vehicle fatally struck Maria DonDiego’s vehicle, killing the Oxnard woman and Castillo’s five-year-old son.

Two other children were also seriously injured in the collision and treated at local hospitals.

During their investigation, Camarillo Traffic Investigators obtained evidence that Castillo had consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel.

On Tuesday, July 8th, the 28-year-old was arrested for two counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated. She was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, but was later released after posting $100,000 bail.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information about the incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Bradley Bordon at (805)-388-5146 or bradley.bordon@ventura.org.

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Christer Schmidt

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Southern California Edison (SCE) is considering shutting off power for those living in Santa Barbara County beginning Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 pm.

The maps below show what areas are being considered for shutoffs for roughly 3,000 customers in the county. The areas highlighted in orange are where power shutoffs are being considered.

Shutoffs in these neighborhoods could last between now through 12:00 am on Friday.

PG&E is not considering power shutoffs at this time. 

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA PAULA, Calif. – Santa Paula Police arrested 27-year-old Adrian Lopez for multiple felony charges after he seen walking around the city of Santa Paula with a shotgun.

On the evening of June 28th around 10:00pm, officers reported to the 400 block of Guiberson Street after a witness called to report a man walking around with a shotgun. At the scene, officers located Lopez a street over, in the 1400 block of Prieto Street with the shotgun in hand.

Lopez reportedly denied to comply with the officer’s commands and requests, and went inside his place of residence on Prieto Street.

With assistance from family members and utilization of ‘crisis intervention skills,’ Lopez surrendered and was taken into custody without incident a few minutes later.

A search warrant was obtained during the investigation, and a search of the home and immediate area was conducted. Officers found the shotgun and two additional handguns.

Santa Paula Police Department

Santa Paula Police Department

Santa Paula Police Department

Lopez was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office charged him with three felony counts:

Penal Code Sections 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm

25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public

30305(a)(1) – Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person

Several special allegations and two additional misdemeanor charges were added.

Bail for Lopez was set at $100,000 and he remains in custody.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Santa Paula Police Investigations Commander Eric Starna at (805) 826-2227 or estarna@spcity.org.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Fair begins its five-day run in Santa Maria beginning Wednesday afternoon.

The annual event will take place at the Santa Maria Fairpark from Wednesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 13.

Gates opened at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and marked the opening of a yearly tradition that dates back more than 130 years.

Fairgoers who attend this year will notice a handful of changes once they walk through the gates, including the return of the adult carnival section at the front of the facility.

In addition, the immediate walkway down the center of the Fairpark has been reorganized so that vendors are only on each side of the path, unlike in previous years when vendors were also located in the middle area.

Fairpark Board Director Kevin Merrill said the change was to create a cleaner look to the facility’s main thoroughfare, with the goal of enhancing the overall visual appeal of the Fairpark.

“I think that we have tried to really showcase the beauty of what’s here at the fair,” said Merrill. “We have a beautiful tree lined alleyway here with our vendors on either side. We’ve opened that up a little bit to make it a little more user friendly and so that people can come in and get the stuff they need.”

The “La Placita,” section that was created last year has also shifted locations.

The Hispanic-themed entertainment area was located last year next in the back of the Fairpark, where the old grandstand used to be.

This year, the area has been moved to the middle of the Fairpark, right next to the Center Stage area.

“We’re excited about La Placita and the entertainment that goes along with that,” said Merrill. “We have great food here and we are of showcasing our Hispanic heritage here in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County. We got some great acts on the Center Stage that are going to come and be part of that throughout the day and those are free. I think people are really going to be enjoying that.” 

Several other new additions and changes are also in store for fairgoers as they experience what is a popular annual tradition for thousands of people on the Central Coast.

Among the handful of new attractions is the K9 Kings Flying Dogs Show, which is located in the back of the Fairpark next to the livestock section and younger carnival area.

“You’re going to see a really fun interactive show that incorporates eight different rescue dogs,” said J.D. Platt, K9 Kings Flying Dog Show owner/performer. “We do a lot of different acrobatic tricks. We get crowd participation, fun music, and we’ve got the largest meet and greet pet area afterwards. It’s a great time.”

Inside the Convention Center, fairgoers will get to experience Brad’s World Reptiles, which is making its first trip to Santa Maria.

“In our event you actually get to come out and see many different species of reptiles from all over the world, and you get to interact with some of our species we have here with us at the fair,” said Jerry Miller, Brad’s World Reptiles general manager. “We have an American alligator. We have macaws and snakes and tortoises you get to hold and interact with them as well. It’s very important, especially for the kids. It’s a great learning experience and educational. You get a chance to get up close and personal with some of their reptiles and animals.”

The Santa Barbara County Fair runs from July 9-13.

Gates open at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at noon on Friday through Sunday.

Closing time each night is at 10 p.m.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here for the official website.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Maria Police arrested a juvenile found to be concealing a loaded handgun in his waistband. An officer contacted the juvenile on Tuesday evening around 8:00pm while patroling a residential neighborhood at the intersection of Golden and Sunset in Santa Maria.

According to Santa Maria police, the juvenile was known to be on probation and was booked into Juvenile Hall on weapon-related charges.

A press release prepared by the police department says the arrest was part of an on-going effort to remove illegal firearms from individuals.

Community members with information related to weapon crimes are encouraged to contact the Santa Maria Police Department at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277 or provide tips anonymously by calling (805) 928-3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).

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Alissa Orozco

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. – Paul Flores, the man convicted of killing Cal Poly freshmen Kristin Smart back in 1996, has once again filed a appeal to reverse his conviction.

The now 48-year-old was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Kristen Smart in October 2022. A Monterey County jury sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison, saying he “with malice aforethought murder[ed] Kristin Smart” while “engaged in the commission of, or attempting to commit, the crime of rape.”

Flores is appealing his conviction for a second time, arguing his sentence should be reversed or reduced to second-degree murder. Court documents shown Monday claim Flores did not receive a fair and proper trial.

In the appeal, Flores argues Juror 273 should not have been allowed to testify, two additional alleged rape victims of Flores should not have been allowed to testify, and former San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle committed misconduct during his closing arguments.

Flores’ defense team used the same arguments in his initial appeal two years after his conviction, back in 2024. His team attempted have Juror 273 removed four separate times during the trial for a “dramatic emotional outburst.” The appeal claims Juror 273 admitted to speaking about the case to the bailiff and acquaintances, and revealed her “her jury service in this high-profile case.”

Juror 273 told the SLO Tribune she remained neutral throughout the trial, even after her emotional outburst.

The document criticizes the choice to allow two alledged victims to testify. It claims by allowing the two female witnesses to take the stand, their testimonies contributed to “enabling the prosecutor to argue that appellant had done the same to Smart, though no independent evidence supported this theory.” Flores and his team continue to argue there is no evidence he sexually assaulted Kristin Smart, and Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe abused her authority by letting the two women testify.

“Even under the relatively low probable cause standard used at a preliminary hearing, the non-character evidence failed to establish that appellant killed Smart in the commission of an actual or attempted rape of any type.”

The testimony of Trevor Boelter was also criticized after saying in court Smart appeared ‘roofied’ the night of her disappearance. Flores’ team claims this lacked adequate foundation and was merely hearsay he read about in a newspaper article.

“There was no evidence he saw his drink being spiked, heard about it after the fact, or saw otherpeople spiking drinks with roofies that same night. Quite conversely, Boelter denied that he “saw drugs around” on the night in question.”

Flores is currently serving his sentence at Corcoran State Prison where he was moved to after being attacked twice at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga.

An appeal date for oral arguments has not been set as of Wednesday morning.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Preparations are underway for the UCSB Arts & Lectures Free Summer Cinema series.

This movie event is returning to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden with a dog-themed lineup.

The series called ‘Dogs Day of Summer’ kicks off Friday night under the stars from July 11 through August 29.

The movies will be family-friendly and will include titles like “101 Dalmatians,” “The Sandlot,” “Best in Show,” “My Dog Skip,” “Isle of Dogs,” “Marley & Me,” and “Dog”

For more information, visit: https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events-tickets/free-summer-cinema/

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Christer Schmidt

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Thirteen trees, including eight ficus trees, are being removed from Milpas Street in Santa Barbara for a project intended to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.

Many people in the community appreciate the look and shade provided by the trees, but the trees’ roots have damaged the sidewalks in several places.

The city says it has room to plant about three dozen trees to make up for the loss.

The approved species include water gum, Sydney red gum, New Zealand Christmas and African fern pine. The first two are related to eucalyptus trees.

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