Author: KEYT

Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) — Retail theft in Ventura is down 35% compared to this time last year, according to the Ventura Police Department.

Police say they investigated 650 retail theft cases in 2024, down from 420 the year before. Officials credit increased enforcement and improved surveillance technology for the decline.

“You have organized efforts by law enforcement to be out there and be seen,” said Commander Ryan Weeks. “You have better camera systems, so it’s easier to identify people.”

But some local business owners say the drop in theft may also reflect another issue: fewer customers.

Theft impacts more than just inventory. Davina DeCant, owner of Industry Horror — a non-profit retail store that employs adults with autism — says even isolated thefts can have a major impact.

“When it comes to retail theft, you’re not only stealing from us, but you’re stealing from the people who create and make this stuff, and all the sales keep them employed,” DeCant said.

She described an incident from a couple years ago where a woman stole about $900 worth of merchandise while a new employee was being trained.

“The young gentleman kept my employee distracted while she just filled up her bag and then they left,” DeCant said.

DeCant says theft doesn’t happen often, and when it does, technology can help identify suspects.

“Thankfully we had it on camera, and the public was able to identify her thanks to social media,” she said.

While police point to enforcement, some business owners say declining foot traffic could also be contributing to the drop in theft.

With Main Street closed to cars, several say weekday business has slowed.

“During the week, it’s very difficult. There isn’t a lot of traffic,” DeCant said. “I wish they would implement a hybrid system where they could keep it open to traffic during the week.”

Some business owners say fewer shoppers may mean fewer opportunities for theft — but it also means fewer sales.

Daniel Bovis, a worker at Times Remembered, says limited access has impacted customers, especially those with mobility challenges.

“If someone’s buying a big piece, we can’t take it out to their vehicle to load it,” Bovis said. “We’ve basically stopped selling big items because there’s no access.”

Business owners say they want Main Street reopened to vehicle traffic to help bring customers back.

Meanwhile, Ventura police say they will continue enforcement efforts and are encouraging businesses to report thefts to help track trends and build cases.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) California voters may be surprised to see the long list of candidates named printed in the Voter Information Guides and Sample Ballot this election season.

Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters Martin Cobos said now it the time to study the information inside the guide.

“As you can see there are 61 candidates for Governor, which is a lot, and there are 16 for Lieutenant Governor and it takes the entire front side of the ballot. We urge you and hope that you will make your choice early and cast your vote early and not wait until Election Day, because it you haven’t decided among those 61 people it may take awhile,” said Cobos.

Although a some candidates including Eric Swallwell and Betty Yee have dropped out of the Primary Election there names are still on the ballot.

The names do not start alphabetically with A.

“The state of California has a rotation, so, they randomly select the alphabet and within that selection is how they determine which name comes first and which name comes second or third or in this case 61st,” said Cabos.

All the names are capitalized.

The first name on the ballot is Lukasz Adam Filinski and the last is Max Fomin – both have no party preference.

A chaplain on the ballot who goes by the name LivingForGod AndCountry Demott also has no party preference.

Since this is an Open Primary there are people of all parties on the ballot.

Voters are only allowed to cast a vote for one candidate for Governor and one for Lt. Gov.

“It is overwhelming when you look at that page and see 61 candidates and 16 for Lt. Gov take your time you can only vote for one choose the candidate you would like to vote for and vote for one, most importantly vote, second vote early,” said Cobos.

Elections Divisions Manager Christina Valenzuela said some people may get more than one guide in the mail if they have more than one voter living at the same address.

“County Voter Information guide is mailed to every voter, however if you would like to receive yours via email you can opt out of receiving this guide or at least one person in your family can opt out and receive it electronically that will save taxpayers money, save on the usage of more paper so just signing up it is on our website we have an opt out program just sign up and we will send your voter information guide electronically,” said Valenzuela.

Ballots will be sent, out on Monday May 4.

There are 61 polling locations in Santa Barbara County if you include the Elections Office.

There are 18 drop boxes in Santa Barbara County. Ballots may be dropped off at any time of day or night.

People may also mail them at the post office.

As long as they are postmarked by Election Day and received at the Election Office within 7 days they will be counted.

Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The top two vote-getters will be on the ballot Nov. 3.

For more information visit your county’s election website.

The website in Santa Barbara County is https://sbvote.com, https://electionssupport@countyofsb.org or call 1-800-722-8683.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Your poetic words or story about Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara could win you a cash prize.

Old Spanish Days is now hosting a poetry contest.

The month of May has been designated as the “Fiesta Poetry Month” by 2026 El Presidente Colin Hayward.

El Presidente Hayward has selected a distinguished panel to judge this year’s inaugural FiestaPoetry Contest. The judges include current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin aswell as former Santa Barbara Poets Laureate Perie Longo, David Starkey, and Melinda Palacio.The group will be joined by Father Larry Gosselin.

There will be several age groups for this competition. Cash prizes of $100, $200, and $300 will be awarded after the deadline which is May 31.

For more information go to: Fiesta Poetry Contest.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – San Marcos High School senior swimmer Sophia Hall and Dos Pueblos High School senior runner Phil Contakes were honored as the Athlete of the Week winners at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon at Harry’s.

Hall led San Marcos to a dual meet win over Camarillo as the Royals went undefeated in the regular season.

Hall won individual events in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle plus she was on the winning 4×50 freestyle and 4×100 freestyle relay teams.

Contakes won the 1600 and 3200 meter races at the Santa Barbara County Championships and he was on the winning 4×800 relay team.

Westmont College awarded their Scholar-Athlete of the Year award to distance runner Thomas Reed who carries a 4.0 GPA and plans on attending medical school .

(Reed shows off his award with his coach Russell Smelley).

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John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Goleta is helping those looking for affordable housing and those hoping to rise out of homelessness.

A collaborative meeting with The Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SB ACT) took place Monday at noon via zoom.

There was information on navigating the affordable housing process based on your income or with the help of a subsidy. Local experts shared the options around the Goleta Valley.

The meeting was intended to help those who are interested in cutting through some of the process challenges.

Affordable housing is a serious concern in Goleta and the South County as a whole. It was referenced in the recent Goleta State of the City address.

City of Goleta Homeless Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks said there are positive signs. “Over the last year we have seen a 50% reduction in people experiencing homelessness in Goleta.”

Landon Ranck with SB ACT said, “this is a partnership with the city of Goleta as part of our broader efforts throughout South Santa Barbara County to try address homelessness.”

For Goleta the outreach efforts and services help to reach the homeless and start conversations that lead to housing in many cases. Flacks said, “we have a tremendous amount of resources dedicated to Goleta and people know about it and people are finding ways to get out of homelessness. My hope is it is better for them. “

The city says the drop in the number of homeless people is not only in the camps but also the number of people living in their cars which has been a concern that required more law enforcement efforts and signage.

There’s been more housing built in Goleta and nearby in Santa Barbara and that brings the number of those living on the streets into a safer environment..

Flacks said, “and part of the reason we have seen a decline in March is people started to move into the Patterson Point housing project out of the shelters. The people living in encampments and over the last few months we have seen a decline there as well .”

The Heritage Ridge project off of Los Carneros in Goleta when finished will have 41 low income senior units and 63 family units. It is expected to be open in summer of 2027.

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Goleta say Heritage Ridge, is a 104-unit affordable housing project and is the biggest affordable housing project in the city of Goleta’s history.

Community organizations helping people out of homelessness also joined the meeting and said someone looking for housing help should try all options. It takes only one opportunity to be the right fit.

Alexis Nshamamba with Good Samaritan Family Supportive Services Coordinator said, “when we think housing I think of it as a.big old dart board and when we are looking for of housing we have to throw a lot of darts. “

The first step is to get into the system and people on the other end are there to help.

Alma Harmsen with Partners in Housing Solution said, “a lot of what we do is geared towards accessing private rentals. We do also help folks navigate the affordable housing the traditional public housing options.”

The Goleta web page has a special area just for Homeless Services which is a resource guide.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gas prices keep going up in Santa Maria, and residents say it’s pushing their budget to the limit.

Experts say it’s in response to the tensions with Iran.

Commuters are paying an average of $5.75 per gallon, and some stations in town are above $6.

According to GasBuddy, a downloadable smartphone app that tracks gas prices and connects drivers to locations with lower prices, Santa Barbara County has seen a 10.9 cents-per-gallon increase in the last week.

“It’s like two years ago, I would fill up my tank, only 30 bucks,” says Logan Sebern, a resident of Arroyo Grande. “You know what I mean? Now I’m filling it up 55. It’s almost doubled.”

The app’s researchers say gas was 13 cents-per-gallon cheaper last month, and more than a dollar less per gallon a year ago.

“I am seeing the gas increase drastically,” says Angel Rodriguez, a fuel industry employee.

While the price of diesel dipped for most of the nation last week, experts say it won’t last long, and that geopolitical tensions will lead to further increase.

“Back in the day, there was a percentage rise on taxes for tea, and people weren’t even having that,” says Sebern. “And I don’t know how they can almost double the prices and we just sit there and don’t care.”

Locals say these are the highest prices they’ve ever seen, and that affects everything from the number of stops they make on their way to and from work, to bigger decisions such as what to do with vacation time.

“Not that long ago I saw gas prices at like $3.80,” says Rodriguez. “So it’s since the war started. These are just going to be temporary. And I’m pretty sure that prices will go back down.”

President Trump has said these price hikes will only be in place for a little while, hinting at possible reductions in the near future.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After a roughly three-year process, the document that could reshape downtown Santa Barbara on the State Street corridor has been prepared.

At 153 pages along with many drawings, simulated pictures, and input from the community – the Create State – State Street Draft Master Plan is now in the hands of the Santa Barbara City Council.

It covers the entire downtown area from Gutierrez Street to Sola Street.

The project in part calls for a community-focused balance between pedestrian and vehicle access, including narrow travel lanes and a suggested speed for any type of vehicle of 20 miles per hour or less. The main road users will be transit, service vehicles, cyclists and emergency responders.

It does not clearly call for cars to return to State Street for normal commuter patterns or to see the storefronts while driving by. The main corridors remain the cross streets along with Chapala St. and Anacapa St.

The sidewalks would be extended out creating more room for dining tables, outside retail and pedestrians along with some vending carts.

Analysts say to make these changes would cost the city millions of dollars per block.

The city currently has a financial deficit of about $4-million.

A city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00 pm. After the staff presentation, the council will ask questions and take public comments in person and the phone.

The council will then decide if it wants to advance the plan or have changes made before any future steps take place.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a special 24-hour maximum enforcement period this week in an effort to help reduce speeding.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning through 5:59 a.m. on April 29, CHP said its officers will monitor roadways and take enforcement action against drivers who exceed posted speed limits or travel at unsafe speeds for the conditions.

“Speeding continues to be one of the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “When drivers choose to exceed safe speeds, they reduce their ability to react and increase the risk for everyone on the road. Slowing down is one of the simplest steps that drivers can take to protect themselves and others.”

According to a CHP release, officers issued over 491,000 citations for speed-related violations last year.

In addition, the department reported over 110,000 crashes resulted from unsafe speeds, which led to more than 400 deaths and injured over 68,000 people.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new funding opportunity is expanding access to flexible support for small non-profit organizations across Santa Barbara County.

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is launching a Small Grants pilot program aimed at organizations with annual budgets under $500,000. Beginning June 1, 2026, eligible non-profits can apply for unrestricted grants of $10,000 or $25,000.

The application window runs through June 30, 2026, with grant recipients expected to be announced in November.

The funding is designed to be flexible, allowing organizations to use the money for programming, operations, capacity-building, or capital needs. Program leaders emphasize the goal is to reduce administrative barriers and allow smaller nonprofits to focus more directly on service delivery.

The initiative was shaped by feedback from Women’s Fund members and is part of a broader effort to align grant making with community needs. While the organization continues its larger grant program for established nonprofits with higher budgets, this new pilot specifically targets smaller agencies that often face challenges accessing competitive funding streams.

Additional details and the application portal will be available beginning June 1 at http://www.womensfundsb.org.

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Tracy Lehr

LA CONCHITA, Calif. (KEYT) Spring cleaning is underway and that means residents in La Conchita are preparing for their yard sale.

The community between Ventura and Carpinteria put up a giant yard sale sign along the 101 freeway.

The annual yard sale is the first weekend in May.

Shoppers can pull into the town, park and check it out next weekend.

Items often include surfboards, wetsuits and fishing gear.

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