Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Lady Rodriguez receives her eye exams for free at SEE International’s Santa Barbara clinic.

“If it weren’t for See, I probably would not have glasses I wouldn’t be able to afford my glasses,” said Rodriguez.

Now, SEE International is expanding its Free Vision Care Program to help families in Carpinteria access essential eye treatment.

“It’s a big agricultural community. And so we saw a meet there and we’re really focusing there right now,” said director of local and domestic programs Anisha Verdialez of SEE International.

Nearly half of the patients are children.

So the team is enhancing its Mobile clinics to help residents get care in a safe, welcoming setting.

“To be able to provide the commune with our service, free of cost to be able to access it in a timely manner would be so beneficial for the community,” said Verdialez.

The SEE Vision Care team hopes anyone in need of their services will reach out anytime.

“If they have questions … primarily Spanish-speaking … affluent staff here … and so we’re here to truly just provide the care necessary and educate the community on the importance of eye care,” said vice president of programs Arianna Castellanos of SEE International.

The expansion will allow more Carpinteria residents to get eye exams and treatment when they need it most.

For Lopez, that means she can continue getting the care she depends on — and finally see a brighter future.

The program is supported by a $110,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, which will help meet high demand and expand access to care for low-income households across the south county.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – Business property owners in Pismo Beach are raising their voices against recent aggressive enforcement of licensing ordinances, which they disagree with.

They seek an update to the ordinance.

Last year the city’s leadership hired the services of an auditing agency to begin collecting business license taxes.

Before they entered the picture, the city clerk always collected business taxes.

“The city has begun attempting to enforce an outdated and archaic business license ordinance,” says Mark Burnes, a property management servicer.

Local business property owners say a municipal code from 1987 is being cited for recent enforcement letters sent by third-party auditing company, H.D.L.

“The ordinance itself was from 1946,” says Burnes. “And the 1987 update specifically excluded a number of the paragraphs and sub chapters in the ordinance that they are attempting to enforce now.”

These letters contain aggressive and threatening messages of non-compliance, guilt of misdemeanors, even arrests and jail time for not paying business license taxes, some of which the city has never required before.

“They’ve never in all these years never come after landlords,” says Burnes. “We now know why because they repealed that part of the ordinance. So the staff is either unaware of that or they are willfully trying to circumvent it.”

Some property owners say they pay property taxes, their business tenants pay for their own business licenses and the city has never required the landlords to pay any kind of underlying business tax, but now suddenly they are.

“Our business code is very clear that any business activity that is transacted in the city requires a business license,” says Pismo Beach city manager Jorge Garcia. “So the rent is an underlying business. There is revenue that is exchanged from one entity into another.”

City manager Jorge Garcia acknowledged the issues with language used by H.D.L., but maintains the city’s position that commercial landlords need business licenses.

“The letters that were sent out by HDL were standard letters that H.D.L. sends out to other communities,” says Garcia. “Might have been a little too heavy handed. When we heard that feedback from our businesses, we immediately reached out to H.D.L., had them stop that practice. We continue to engage and we want to have that dialog. We want to have a civil discussion on how we can work together to make sure that we have it right here For Pismo Beach.”

Property owners say they thought they were getting a public hearing at Pismo Beach’s upcoming city council meeting Tuesday night, but the subject is on the agenda as a business item, which will only be discussion, and no action will be taken.

Property owners and business owners plan to attend tomorrow night’s meeting, hoping to change it to a public hearing.

City manager Jorge Garcia says there will be public comment at the meeting.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – The race for San Luis Obispo County District 4 Supervisor now has a third candidate.

On Monday, South County businessman Tyler Brewer officially announced his candidacy to run for the office that represents Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Huasna, Edna Valley, California Valley and other unincorporated portions of South San Luis Obispo County.

Brewer joins two other candidates who have already announced their intent to run for the office, incumbent Jimmy Paulding and Oceano businessman Adam Verdin.

Brewer is the owner of Arroyo Grande-based Family Paralegal Associates, a business that provides individuals, families, and small business owners with a wide range of legal document preparation services.

“Our district deserves leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that puts people before politics,” Brewer said in a release. “As the owner of Family Paralegal Associates, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges families face navigating complicated systems. I’m running to make government work better for the people it’s meant to serve.”

According to Brewer’s campaign website, his priorities include fiscal responsibility, public safety, affordable housing, support for small businesses, and protecting the character of the Central Coast.

It also said Brewer will serve “independent of party insiders” if elected, and will focus on making county government more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves.

“I am not a politician whatsoever,” said Brewer in an interview Monday. “I believe in working for the public, working for the people, and giving the people that don’t have a voice, a voice. I think that’s what the district four needs is someone that’s willing to work for the people and not someone that is just out there to get votes or to work for their party or to try to get funding for themself for their political campaign. It’s very important that people are represented and the people’s interests are represented.”

Voting for the seat will be held during the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Office, which handles elections, the end of the filing period is in December, so additional candidates may later enter the race.

A candidate will need to capture a majority of votes in June to win the election. If not, a runoff will take place during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Whoever wins the race will be sworn in early January 2027.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – The cost of filling up a college apartment will be slightly more affordable for students at UC Santa Barbara who take advantage of a special two-day sale. The public is also welcomed to shop through the hundreds of items put out at the event.

The Isla Vista Community Services District Annual Move-In Sale has deals for those who want to shop for second hand items that were donated and not sold off in June’s move-out sale.

This will include: desks, chairs, couches, household appliances, dish ware and decor.    

This is the third year for the sale.

Isla Vista Community Services District Public Works and Sustainability Manager Jenna Norton said, “this the best opportunity.” Looking around at the tags she said it was “an extremely cheap price. You will never know what you will find.”

Bargains had a wide range with many items under $20. “I love to see people so excited because some of these things are just a dollar.  You can just tell how appreciative they are to get these things for so cheap.”

There are many items that are getting a second or third “life” or more. “Some of the stuff has been circulating throughout  Isla Vista for years and years and that means some of it is really quality solid wood,” she said.

The event takes place September 15-16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Isla Vista Community Center 976 Embarcadero Del Mar.

The items were last seen at the GIVE Benefit Sale as the last school year ended. They were donated and were left over following that sale. This gives them another chance to be purchased and not go into a dumpster for the landfill.

Luke Ewell saw some deals for his new address. “I would definitely say so there is a table over there for $15 bucks  that’s pretty cheap.”

The IVCSD says the GIVE Sale and Move-In Sale are part of our community’s effort to reduce waste.

Wendy Constantine was buying for her granddaughter. “It is really something our whole family is into. Recycling. Everything, not filling up the landfills and dump. We found a great desk that will be perfect for  what her space is.”

Norton said she wants everything to go and is encouraging residents from throughout the area to check it out. “All of these items would have gotten thrown away if it weren’t for this sale.  It’s crazy to look around and picture these would all be in the landfill.”

By mid afternoon you could see several people loading cars and vans. Some were walking down the street carrying items including full pieces of furniture.

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.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT)-The sixth annual Chowderfest at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum sold out.

More than a dozen local restaurants and yacht clubs competed for bragging rights.

A panel of judges were tasked with choosing the best chowder and the most unique chowder.

Attendees voted on the people’s choice and team spirit awards.

Joanne McDonald was so busy volunteering, she had yet to taste any chowder.

She had the difficult task of telling people at the gate there were no more tickets left.

Sharon Levy was enjoying some chowder when she said she likes it with lots of seafood.

“I judge a chowder that has a good combination of spices, how thick it is and the least potatoes,” said Levy.

The Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club decked out their booth in their club colors and had a photo area.

The club shared information about their youth sailing program during the event.

Chowderfest is a major fundraiser for the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

People also had a chance to tour the museum.

For a list of winners visit https://cimmvc.org

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) The debate over opening or keeping Main Street closed in Ventura is about to come to a vote.

People in favor of keeping the street closed are urging people to attend Tuesday’s Ventura City Council Meeting.

They took part in a Street Fair on Sunday.

The closure called Main Street Moves also includes a portion of California Street.

The city is facing lawsuits over the closure.

Members of a group of business owners called “Open Main Street” want to be compensated for losses.

Many businesses have closed during the closure.

If the Ventura City Council votes to reopen the street it would be slated to open in early November.

Click here to follow the original article.

Christer Schmidt

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Police Department arrested eleven drivers on suspicion of DUI during a DUI checkpoint conducted on Saturday.

The checkpoint was held at 1400 South Broadway from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Eleven drivers were cited for driving without a license.

Three drivers were cited for driving on a suspended license.

362 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 152 of those vehicles were screened.

Click here to follow the original article.

Christer Schmidt

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – A man fell around 40 feet from a patio during a party in Isla Vista.

The man hit beach rocks below the cliff.

The patient was in critical condition and was carried in a litter basket up beach access stairs by Santa Barbara County Firefighters, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office officers, and American Medical Response paramedics.

He is currently at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

“Another terrifying reminder of how dangerous these cliffs can be,” said Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors member Laura Capps. “With the school year beginning next week, it’s critical that all – landlords, tenants, County agencies, UCSB, SBCC, IVCSD, and the entire community – work together now to strengthen cliff safety. I am praying for this man’s full recovery.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – The second annual Lima Bean Fest took place at the Oxnard Historic Farm Park.

People had a chance to buy a handful of lima beans that could be used for a Lima Bean Tasting Contest.

Those taking part saved their last bean to vote.

The jar with the most beans on the voting table wins the Lima Bean trophy.

Twisted Oak Tavern in Camarillo served up a dish to defend its title.

Spanish Hills Country Club served Lima bean humus that is now on the menu.

Adolfo Grill and BGs Cafe also took part.

Oxnard was once called the Lima Bean Capital of the World.

Paul Thomas said his father was a lima bean farmer.

“I think it is bigger than last year, is it yeah, and it looks really good I’ve tastes the lima beans last year at the first one and this is great to see,” said Thomas.

Thomas grew up with author and Oxnard Historic Farm Park Director Jeffrey Maulhardt who joked about not liking them all the time as a kid.

“We ate lima beans all the time. Paul Thomas’ dad was a big lima bean farmer, every time I went to their house we had lima beans for me. I liked them but I got sick of them because I ate them so often,” said Maulhardt,” but I eat them again now, twice a month, that way I get the protein that you need and the magnesium, good for people who don’t have good brain function so I figure the more I have the better for me.”

The fest had lima bean bag cornhole,too.

Visitors also had a chance to check out the farm equipment including a stationery lima beam threshing machine last used in Nipomo.

The Ventura County Landmark is located at 1251 Gottfried Place is on the Gottfried Maulhardt Farm that is in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information visit https://oxnardfarmpark.org  

Click here to follow the original article.

Christer Schmidt

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team conducted a traffic stop that led to a felony arrest for firearm possession.

On Friday around 3:10 PM, officers from the Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team conducted a traffic stop in the 1500 block of South Broadway on a black Honda driven by 26-year-old male resident of Santa Maria.

The man was wanted for an active felony arrest warrant.

He was taken into custody without incident on the outstanding warrant.

During the investigation, he informed officers that a firearm was inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an un-serialized polymer handgun, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”, along with a loaded high-capacity magazine.

The man was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail in Santa Maria for the outstanding arrest warrant and multiple weapons violations.

Click here to follow the original article.