Author: KEYT

Christer Schmidt

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects Friday in connection with a retail theft at Ulta Beauty in the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta. Deputies said they recovered nearly $2,000 worth of stolen designer fragrances.

Deputies reported receiving a call around 2:12 p.m. Friday about suspects fleeing the store with stolen cologne and perfume in a red sedan headed toward Highway 101 southbound. Shortly after, deputies spotted the vehicle on the freeway and conducted a traffic stop near the Castillo Street off-ramp in Santa Barbara.

As deputies approached the car, they said they were met with an overwhelming scent of cologne coming from inside the vehicle. During the search, they recovered approximately $1,900 worth of merchandise, linking the three occupants to the theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

All three suspects were taken into custody without incident and booked on suspicion of felony organized retail theft.

Rigoberto Aguirre Andrade, 33, of Santa Clara, is also being held on two out-of-county warrants for theft-related crimes. His bail was set at $325,000.

Miguel Tinoco Hernandez, 32, of Santa Barbara, faces an additional misdemeanor charge of providing false information to an officer. His bail was set at $200,000.

Jose Encarnacion Reyes, 37, of San Jose, was booked on a misdemeanor charge of providing false information to an officer, as well as three out-of-county theft-related warrants. His bail was set at $310,000.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.

Christer Schmidt

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – A jury on Friday convicted 34-year-old Margarita Jimenez of Oxnard and 39-year-old Jorge Garfias of the first-degree murder of Yanelly Vargas.

According to the Ventura County Star, the jury reached its verdict after six hours of deliberation.

Jurors also found true the special allegation that Jimenez personally and intentionally discharged a firearm. The couple, however, was found not guilty of kidnapping Vargas.

A court trial on additional special allegations and aggravating factors is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.

According to the Oxnard Police Department, just before midnight on March 17, 2024, officers responded to reports of a fight between a man and a woman outside a business near East Wooley Road and Industrial Avenue. During the 911 call, a gunshot was heard.

When officers arrived, they found 30-year-old Vargas unresponsive with a gunshot wound. She was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where she later died.

Investigators said Vargas had been lured outside an Oxnard bar by a text message sent by her ex-boyfriend, Garfias. They allege Garfias and Jimenez then took Vargas to a nearby industrial alley and began beating her.

As Vargas tried to walk away, investigators said the couple followed in Garfias’ truck. Surveillance footage captured Jimenez exiting the truck with a handgun and running after Vargas.

According to investigators, Jimenez shot Vargas once in the chest and attempted to fire a second time before fleeing with Garfias in the truck.

At the scene, detectives recovered a blood trail, a spent 9mm casing, and acrylic nails later matched to Jimenez. A blood-stained yellow rope was also found near the victim.

An autopsy confirmed Vargas died from a gunshot wound to the chest and had also suffered blunt force injuries and signs of strangulation.

Jimenez and Garfias remain in custody.

Click here to follow the original article.

Christer Schmidt

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – After a seven-day preliminary hearing, a Ventura County Superior Court judge has ordered 39-year-old Rotherie Durrell Foster of Camarillo to stand trial on 35 felony counts, including the murders of Jose Velasquez and Bill Levy, a violent armed robbery in Fillmore, and a series of financial fraud crimes.

The court also held Foster to answer on six special circumstances and all special allegations alleged by prosecutors, including murder for financial gain, personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, and murder by poison.

Prosecutors allege Foster murdered Velasquez in 2022, stole his van and financial information, and later disposed of his body in the Santa Monica Mountains. That same year, Foster is accused of murdering Levy through intentional fentanyl poisoning. While committing Levy’s murder, prosecutors say Foster also stole Levy’s phone, bank card, and credit cards in order to drain his bank accounts.

Foster is further charged in connection with an armed robbery at La Unica Mini Mart in Fillmore in July 2022. Prosecutors allege employees were held at gunpoint, bound with duct tape, and robbed of thousands of dollars in cash.

In addition, Foster faces multiple charges of financial fraud targeting vulnerable and elderly victims.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Foster is scheduled to be arraigned on the information on Oct. 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with no bail.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Click here for scores.

Segment 1: Santa Barbara at Dos Pueblos; San Luis Obispo at Arroyo Grande; San Marcos at Santa Ynez; Pioneer Valley at Nipomo

Segment 2: Bishop Diego at Mater Academy East Las Vegas; Lompoc at Righetti

Segment 3: Newbury Park at Pacifica; Ventura at Rio Mesa

Segment 4: Carpinteria at Santa Clara; Fillmore at Buena

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – High school football scores. Click here for highlights.

Santa Barbara 44, Dos Pueblos 7

Santa Ynez 41, San Marcos 14

Bishop Diego 34, Mater Academy 6 (Las Vegas)

Arroyo Grande 42, San Luis Obispo 28

Nipomo 42, Pioneer Valley 13

Lompoc 32, Righetti 21

Pacifica 56, Newbury Park 35

Inglewood 18, St. Bonaventure 16

Ventura 35, Rio Mesa 6

Carpinteria 52, Santa Clara 7

Fillmore 41, Buena 17

Santa Paula 42, Del Sol 0

Hueneme 25, Channel Islands 0

Bellflower 35, Oxnard 7

Nordhoff 76, Eastside 20

Thousand Oaks 20, Agoura 19

Westlake 31, Chatsworth 0

Moorpark 38, Birmingham 13

Oaks Christian 35, Liberty 28

Saugus 30, Camarillo 27

Grace 31, El Camino 29

Brentwood School 48, Oak Park 28

Wasco 55, Morro Bay 16

Roosevelt 26, Atascadero 14

Madera 42, Paso Robles 28

St. Joseph 31, Hanford 6

Kern Valley 21, Mission Prep 7

Del Oro 44, Santa Maria 3

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

MORRO BAY, Calif. (KEYT) – On this week’s segment of ‘The Walkthrough’, News Channel’s Caleb Nguyen spoke with Morro Bay’s Sands Dougherty – the senior quarterback who’s a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season.

After an impressive junior season, Dougherty is returning to the field, hungry for more. With 500 passing touchdowns and over 900 yards under his belt, Dougherty is kicking off the 2025 season strong.

Dougherty says the team’s connection and mutual understanding will be their strongest tool this season.

“Honestly, our team is just so connected. I had that that connection with everyone. It’s just that me and Efrain (Efrain Hernandez, Morro Bay wide receiver), we work a lot, like when we do over the summer, him and the other receiver Tony Caminario, they would all come and we just developed a great connection over the summer,” Dougherty says. “He played a little bit last year, got a little bit of receptions, but this year he’s going off and he’s definitely on the radar of some people now.”

Morro Bay High School head coach, Robert Dougherty, praised the quarterback on his abilities as a player and teammate, as well as his character as a person. Saying Dougherty is a instinctive and intelligent player who leads by example by walking the walk, and talking the talk.

Coach Dougherty also decribes his player as a kind person – an attribute Dougherty attributes to his family.

“Growing up with three sisters definitely helped me become that person I am because they’re just very strict on me. They want me to be a great person.”

The Morro Bay Pirates will take on the Wasco Tigers tonight, and Dougherty warns the Central Coast to be on the look out.

“We’re coming back with a vengeance to hopefully host another CIF championship, and if we do or don’t, we’re gonna come back and win it this year. We’re very hungry for that title.”

To show just how passionate the quarterback is, out of all the superpowers he could have, he would choose teleportation to be quicker on the field.

The Morro Bay Pirates take on Wasco tonight, aiming for a 3-1 record. Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

You can watch the full results from this game and plenty more at 11:10pm on Friday Football Focus with News Channel’s Mike Klan.

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.

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The first ever Carpinteria Film Festival will take place this weekend in the historic Alcazar theatre.

It will feature multiple shorts, and long form movies, many of which are locally produced.

The theatre was built in 1928. In recent years it has had many new and impressive upgrades including the sound system.

There are about 200 seats.

For more information go to: CarpFilmFest.com

Carpinteria Film Festival Schedule

September 5th, 2025 | 4:00PM-9:00PM

Eight (8) Short Films

Elsha Narachi | Dust & Duct Tape – Action, PG-13, Runtime: 0:30

Harry Rabin | Greetings from Summerland: Birthplace of Offshore Oil – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:22

Jorrit Van der kooi | MY WORLD – Family, G, Runtime: 0:02

Jorrit Van der kooi | Ollie’s little adventure – Family, G, Runtime: 0:02

Leslie Westbrook | Voces de Old Town Carpinteria – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:15

Roberto Varela | Objects of Curiosity – The Art of Dan LeVin – Documentary, N/A, Runtime: 0:15

Sam Flegal | Fade – Horror, PG-13, Runtime: 0:03

Motoki Otsuka | All Things Metal – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:18

Musical Performance: Burleigh Skidmore

Feature Film: Eternal Stoke – The Chris Brown Legacy

Directed By: Josh Pomer

Runtime (minutes): 60 min

Genre: Documentary

Film rating: G

Followed by Question & Answer Session

September 6th, 2025 | 4:00PM-9:00PM

Tweleve (12) Short Films

Giselle Vazquez | Kidnappin’ Sitch – Action, PG-13, Runtime: 0:04

Jaime Andrade | Golf n stuff a hole in one history – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:09

Kevin McDevitt | Bike Short – Comedy, N/A, Runtime: 0:11

Larry Nimmer | Dance for Peace 2025 – Comedy, PG, Runtime: 0:05

Lindsay Maxoutopoulis | People Watching – Comedy, PG-13, Runtime: 0:12

Sam Szpor | Twice Lost – Drama, PG, Runtime: 0:24

Michael Bagdasarian | The Bill – Comedy, PG-13, Runtime: 0:05

Olly Johnson | The Bees and the Birds – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:13

Sheena Rock | Scavenger – Science Fiction, PG-13, Runtime: 0:11

Sue Perry | Overheard In Manhattan – Documentary, PG-13, Runtime: 0:09

Zach Edwards | Fish for the Future – Documentary, N/A, Runtime: 0:06

Tatum Davis | The Kelp We Breathe – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:15

Feature Film: This Surfing Life: Big Wave Guardians

Directed By: Luke Stirtz

Runtime (minutes): 91 minGenre: DocumentaryFilm rating: PG

Followed by Question & Answer Session

September 7th, 2025 | 3:00PM-8:30PM

Eight (8) Short Films

Bent Mygen | 100 Years of Unity SB – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:08

Duffy Hecht | Shopping Cart People – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:21

Lea Roman | Book Club and Tarot Cards – Thriller, PG-13, Runtime: 0:15

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Commercial “Delusionist Spirits” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:02

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Episode One “Curse of the Mona Lisa” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:17

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Episode Two “The Last Regret” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:23

Ryan Murphy | Ventura Nights – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:21

Joseph Lopez | First Love – Romance, PG, Runtime: 0:14

Alexander Payne | Precision, PG-13, Runtime: 3:03

Musical Performance:

Feature Film: David Crosby: Remember My Name

Directed By: A.J. Eaton

Runtime (minutes): 95 minutes

Genre: Documentary

Film rating: R

Followed by Question & Answer Session and music by Jackson Gillies.

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.

Christer Schmidt

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Some people have started to form close relationships with artificial intelligence chatbots. That growing trend is raising questions about whether those connections are healthy, especially after a 16-year-old boy died by suicide and his parents alleged that AI encouraged him to harm himself..

The parents of Adam Raine, who died by suicide in April, allege that ChatGPT encouraged self-harm and told their son to keep his plans secret. Court filings say the chatbot even described a “beautiful suicide.” The wrongful-death complaint, filed Aug. 26 in San Francisco Superior Court, comes as regulators press AI companies to strengthen safeguards for minors.

Licensed clinical psychologist Catherine Schafer said she isn’t surprised by such cases. “AI does a really good job of mimicking normal, natural human language, and it also does a phenomenal job of just providing warm feedback and what feels like connection to the user,” Schafer said. “For somebody who’s really lonely or getting over a heartbreak, they’re more vulnerable.”

Risks of loneliness and depression

Schafer noted that people already struggling with loneliness or depression may be at higher risk of over-attachment to AI. “I would have concerns about patients who are experiencing depressive episodes perhaps becoming attached to GPT and other models, where we would have hoped that they would find connection with the humans in their lives,” she said.

In the lawsuit, Adam’s parents claim their son spent hours a day chatting with the bot. Schafer warned that replacing human relationships with AI “can deepen isolation instead of healing it.”

Calls for real-world connection

Her main advice is simply to interact with people daily, even in small ways. “Every single day, as much as you can, interact with the humans that are out there,” Schafer said. “Whose life are you contributing to? Who are you adding to? Do that even in the smallest of ways. When you’re passing someone in the coffee shop, hold the door, say hello.”

Role for AI as a tool

Schafer believes chatbots have a place when used responsibly, especially for those facing barriers to mental health care. “There are millions of Americans who want and need therapy but enormous costs, long wait times, and few providers stop people from engaging in the therapy they need,” she said. In those cases, she added, using AI to practice coping strategies like mindfulness, distraction, or sensory grounding may help in the short term.

“Using ChatGPT is not horrific,” Schafer said. “We should use this tool, but it’s an important tool that we use appropriately.”

Regulatory scrutiny grows

In response to mounting criticism, OpenAI announced new parental controls and teen-specific settings this week. Attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission are also weighing new oversight into how AI affects young people’s mental health.

The case echoes a 2024 lawsuit against Character.AI, where a Florida mother alleged a role-playing bot worsened her 14-year-old son’s suicidal ideation before his death.

Clinicians warn that while AI may bridge gaps in care, it cannot replace the value of human connection. “We should never forget the importance of reaching out and contributing to each other’s lives,” Schafer said.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Fairpark is hosting a spookily fun way to ring in the Halloween season this weekend, albeit for slightly more mature audiences.

While halloween is still a month and half away, anyone dying to get right into the spirit has a chance to attend a show with growing audiences and new acts.

“There are still good seats available, but tickets are going fast,” says Steve Copeland, Paranormal Cirque’s publicity director and a comedic performer in the show.

Paranormal Cirque II is performing at the Santa Maria Fairpark for this weekend only, September 5th through the 8th.

“We’re so excited to be back in Santa Maria, close to Halloween,” says the show’s sound engineer Peter Combs.

This is one of the latest times in the year they’ve performed in the area, and Monday is their last show.

With more of an “R” rating, it’s worth getting a babysitter for the little ones and bringing a date to ring in the halloween season.

“I had a lot of work to make all the pieces fit, make all the voices scary enough, write some music to put under it,” says Combs. “Ricardo’s cracking noises is celery that I snapped in front of a microphone and then worked on in the computer.”

Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30.

Audiences can expect a professional circus with acrobats, contortionists, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, but with a horror theme.

“We’re so grateful to Santa Maria Fair Park for having us back,” says Copeland. “The fairgrounds are beautiful and it’s nice to perform on grass for a change. Usually we’re in mall parking lots so it’s always very relaxing When we come here.”

To get your tickets, visit Paranormal Cirque’s website by clicking here.

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.

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to recognize a disease that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and rigid.

The LucStrong Foundation, a nonprofit based in Ventura County, helps children living with sickle cell disease. JD Slajchert, Director of Relationship Development for the foundation, joined the Morning News to share what this month means to him and to highlight upcoming events.

“Sickle Cell Awareness Month is September, so a big part of what I’m doing this entire month is talking about this illness and my connection to it,” Slajchert said. “My good friend Luke tragically passed away from sickle cell disease and I ended up writing my first book about him, called Moonflower. That propelled and gave me the platform to speak about this illness a lot and give a voice to Luke and all the things he stood for in my life.”

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that predominantly affects the African American community. “I myself too, when I met Luke, I’d never heard of it, which is fairly common,” Slajchert said. “It’s a genetic illness people are born with and the only known cure is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.”

The foundation provides financial support for children undergoing those transplants. “That’s why every single dollar we raise is really necessary, huge and important,” Slajchert said.

On Sept. 13, the foundation will host its annual poker tournament and gala fundraiser. “Anyone is welcome,” Slajchert said. “You can sign up on LukeStrong.org. I’ll be there speaking, along with a UCLA physician who will also share updates.”

Looking ahead, Slajchert said he will deliver a TEDx talk in November in Greenville, South Carolina, and early conversations are underway about producing a documentary.

“It’s year nine now of us at the foundation, and we’re excited to bring a really strong event together,” he said. “I’ve been such a strong ally and advocate because it doesn’t affect people that look like me necessarily, so trying to educate and bring people who don’t know anything about it along for this education is very important.”

Click here to follow the original article.