Author: KEYT

John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of the more creative Halloween events on the South Coast is ready for visitors Thursday and Friday.

Volunteers have unloaded 1,500 pumpkins in Isla Vista at Anisq’Oyo Park to create the 5th annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch, but it will be more than just a field of pumpkins.

Isla Vista Recreation and Parks (IVRP) General Manager Kimberly Kiefer says, “It’s about creating an immersive experience that the community can participate in no matter what the age. It’s a multi-generational event. It’s a good time for all and really it’s about, showing what public space can do when you have an outdoor public space in a park.”

She says it is a blend of activities “and you create it into a space where people want to come out and have fun and meet each other and connect, you know, anything’s possible and I think that’s what this event does.”

A nighttime theatrical-style journey is being created in different areas in a family friendly event for all ages.

It will include many art and entertainment areas including character actors, a black light experience, a silent disco, an interactive experience and a costume contest. The first prize in that event is $750. This event is night two, Oct. 31 and hosted by Emmce Vivian Storm and Thriftopia. (Pre register with the IVRPD and the contest is limited to 50 entries.)

Night One will feature cirque-style “Jack and Sally” performances by Wildfire Arts Entertainment and pop-up flash mob by World Dance for Humanity.

The disco is sponsored by UCSB’s Associated Students Program Board, with dueling DJs in the park’s Cool Corner near Embarcadero Hall.

This year’s pumpkin patch challenges visitors to discover hidden clues about a legendary garden grove whose ancient magic is crucial to ensuring the park’s future. The IVRPD says, live costumed actors like the Werewolf from New York and the Oracle will enlist the help of the pumpkin bumpkins to rally together in an adventurous storyline filled with plot twists.

The Pumpkin Patch event will be open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at no cost. Each night Oct. 30 and 31, will have a special events unique for that evening. Everyone attending can take one of the pumpkins with them on the way out.

Many partners unite

IVRPD is partnering with Environment Makers, Branches Mobile Gallery, and Fishbon to create the theatrical character experience. Security is provided by the Guardian Team. Sponsors include the Isla Vista Community Relations Committee, The Farmacy, and Associated Students Program Board.

The event is part of a coordinated safe Halloween event with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Isla Vista Foot Patrol and the Office of the Second District Supervisor Laura Capps.

Transportation options

IVRPD encourages guests to attend the Halloween Pumpkin Patch by bicycle, skateboard, foot, bus—direct routes to the park include Santa Barbara MTD Lines 11, 15x, 25x, and 27—or by other means of alternative transportation. Guests may request ADA accommodations by emailing ivrpd@ivparks.org or by calling (805) 968-2017.

Dia de Los Muertos coming up

A separate Día de Los Muertos event will be held on Saturday, November 1st from 12pm-3pm at the St. George Youth Center at 889 Camino Del Sur in Isla Vista. Special cultural Folklorico performances, ceramic skull painting and traditional Mariachi music and food from Super Cucas from Isla Vista and Loteria will be a part of this event. Traditional alters will be featured and community members are encouraged to bring photos of their loved ones to add into the community alter that will be up until Tuesday, November 3rd.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Three well-known Santa Maria car dealerships are once again providing support to the annual News Channel 12 Turkey Drive.

Honda of Santa Maria, Toyota of Santa Maria, and Kia of Santa Maria just started a nearly three-week long food drive that will directly benefit clients at Good Samaritan Shelter in Northern Santa Barbara County.

“We’ve been this for the last several years and it’s great,” said Shane Conway, Santa Maria Honda General Manager. “We get great turnout. It’s helping people that need it and when we get an opportunity to do that, we want to jump on that.”

To participate, people can simply take canned goods and non-perishable food to any one of the three dealerships during business hours starting today through Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Each of the dealerships will have a designated vehicle parked inside its showroom where the public can leave their donations in the trunk or bed.

“Anything the public can bring will be super helpful,” said Carl Sainz, Santa Maria Toyota Sales Manager. “You can just stop in and say hi. We see a lot of regulars that come in that regularly donate, so we’d like to see some new faces get involved.”

All of the donations will later be delivered directly to Good Samaritan Shelter during the last day of the Turkey Drive when New Channels hosts its main collection site at its Santa Maria station located at 1211 W. McCoy Lane.

“Thanksgiving is certainly a happy time of year,” said Sainz. “For some families, they need a lot of help in order to make that happen, so just being able to provide that platform for the families in Santa Maria is just great.”

The annual News Channel Turkey Drive benefits SLO Food Bank clients in San Luis Obispo County and those with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Barbara County.

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.

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

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Alissa Orozco

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information from the Department of Justice regarding the arrests of the defendants mentioned below.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KEYT) – Announced in a press release by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday morning, a total of 12 individuals have been federally charged with “engaging in violence and civil disorder against law enforcement officers and property during immigration enforcement actions in Southern California earlier this year,” including Isai Carrillo of Oxnard.

The press release, issued by Acting United States Attorney Bilal A. Essayli representing Central District of California, details the arrests of several defendants federally charged in three criminal complaints across South California.

United States v. Reyes, et al.

Two Oxnard residents, Virginia Reyes and Isai Carrillo, are both being charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer during a July 10th federal raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo. The DOJ claims the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) executed several search warrants at the farm locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria when members of VC Defensa began to “follow, chase, agitate, and impede federal agents enforcing immigration laws.”

Reyes is accused of participating in a creating a roadblock preventing agents from entering and exiting Glass House Farms, while the DOJ says Carrillo and other threw rocks at government vehicles.

“During the incident, at least four government vehicles were damaged and at least one federal contract employee sustained injuries.”

31-year-old Carrillo was arrested Wednesday and made an appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. 32-year-old Reyes turned herself into federal authorities Wednesday and is currently made her initial appearance in court Thursday, October 30th in Los Angeles.

Isai Carrillo was released on a $10,000 bond, is being location monitored by ankle bracelet. He is set to be arraigned on November 25th in downtown Los Angeles.

Their charges, conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, is a felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

Your News Channel reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment and additional information regarding Carrillo’s arrest, and received this response:

“On October 29, Homeland Security Investigations arrested Isai Carrillo who was caught on tape throwing rocks at law enforcement during an operation at Glass House Farms. This violent rioter arrested by HSI was part of an agitator group called VC Defensa – a rapid response network that regularly impedes and obstructs law enforcement. The operation these violent rioters tried to obstruct resulted in law enforcement rescuing 10 migrant children from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking.”

United States v. Coreas, et al.

Nine individuals are being charged with obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder following a event in in downtown Los Angeles’ Civic Center on June 8th.

The DOJ says federal agents began enforcing immigration enforcement operations throughout the Los Angeles area on June 6th when mass protests erupted. Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles on June 8th to protests where, according to the DOJ, “some protesters engaged in violence against officers – resulting in some injuries to the officers.” Federal buildings, property, and government vehicles were vandalized.

Protesters walked onto U.S. Highway 101, blocking traffic. CHP officers managed to get protesters off the freeways.

“As the CHP officers stood on the freeway, crowds gathered on the overpasses. At some point thereafter, individual protesters began throwing rocks, electric scooters, street signs, and various other objects at the CHP officers below. At one point, a protester poured a clear yellow liquid onto a CHP car that was ablaze, after which the flames immediately grew in size.”

Ronald Alexis Coreas, 23, of the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles; (ordered released on $5,000 bond; arraignment: December 1)

Junior Roldan, 27, of Hollywood; (ordered released on $10,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

Elmore Sylvester Cage, 34, of Downtown Los Angeles; (ordered released on $10,000 bond; arraignment: November 14)

Balto Montion, 24, of Watsonville; (remains in state custody and is expected to be transferred to federal custody in the coming weeks)

Jesus Gonzalez Hernandez Jr., 22, of Las Vegas

Hector Daniel Ramos, 66, of Alhambra; (ordered released on $20,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

Stefano Deong Green, 34, of Westmont; (ordered released on $1,000 bond; arraignment: November 14)

Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights; (detention hearing on Friday, October 31; arraignment: November 14)

Ismael Vega, 41, of Westlake (ordered released on $5,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

The defendants listed above are said by the DOJ of being filmed or photographed throwing rocks and other objects at officers and the patrol cars.

Coreas, Roldan, Cage, Ramos, Green, Flores, and Vega made their appearances Wednesday afternoon in U.S District Court in Los Angeles. Hernandez was also arrested Wednesday and will have his day in Las Vegas. Montion is in state custody and is expected to be handed over to authorities in the coming weeks.

The defendants’ charges: obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, is felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

United States v. Canil

A 22-year-old Boyle Heights man, Yovany Marcario Canil, was arrested Tuesday by federal authorities and charged with assault on a federal officer – carrying a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

Canil reportedly pepper-sprayed inside a federal vehicle with three FBI SWAT members inside during a protest gathered outside of an Ambiance Apparel warehouse in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles on June 6th. According to the DOJ, at least two members of FBI SWAT were left with a burning sensation “as their faces turned orange.”

Canil is appeared in United States District Court in Los Angeles Wednesday.

Yovany Marcario Canil was ordered to remain jailed without bond, and has an arraignment date of November 14th.

Assistant United States Attorney Patrick D. Kibbe of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting the Reyes case. Assistant United States Attorneys Neil P. Thakor and Rahul R.A. Hari of the General Crimes Section and Jenna Long of the National Security Division are prosecuting the Coreas case. The General Crimes Section is prosecuting the Canil case.

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Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – November 2nd is celebrated as All Soul’s Day, but festivities are being held all week long to honor Día de Los Muertos.

This time of year is a beloved tradition in Latino communities, bringing together families and friends to celebrate the spirits of those we’ve lost, and cherished the memories we shared with them.

The memories of our lost ones are honored with altars, or ofrendas, traditionally decorated with beautiful photos, flowers (cempasúchil), candles, toys, and Pan de Muerto.

Pan de Muerto – spanish for “bread of the dead” – a sweet Mexican bread enjoyed in the weeks leading up to Día de los Muertos. The living are of course able to enjoy, but so are the dead. The bread is placed on altars to welcome spirits, lured by its sweet, citrus aroma.

Cristino’s Bakery in Goleta has provided Pan de Muerto to the community since opening in 2017. Owner Lorena Casas and her daughter Allyson joined your News Channel to explain the significance of the bread and the holiday, and what it means to carry on the tradition.

“The Pan de Muerto is the most important item for the ofrenda. It’s a way to remember our loved ones that are gone,” said Casas.

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A post shared by Cristino’s Bakery (@cristinosbakery)

The bread is a circular, bun shape – representing the infinite cycle of life, with strips to symbolize the body of our loved ones who have passed on. It’s orange scent is strong enough to guide spirits home to their families, and is top with either sugar or sesame seeds to represent the tears we shed for those we miss.

“It’s just brings all the memories from my mom, from my dad, from my sister. It’s just like remembering the days when we set out the altar together and it just brings all the most beautiful memories – a way to say ‘you’re still here.'”

The bakery sells the traditional Pan de Muerto, along with different shapes including ‘Mueritos,’ person-shaped Pan de Muerto that can further be used to represent lost loved ones.

Cristino’s Bakery will be selling Pan de Muerto until November 2nd. You can place your order by calling or visiting the bakery at 170 Aero Camino in Goleta.

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Jarrod Zinn

GROVER BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – The City Of Grover Beach is announcing open seats for two Citizen Oversight Committees created by a resolution that was adopted by the City Council last month.

“The council passed a resolution in September and that reformed the single committee we previously had of five members into two separate committees,” says Kristin Eriksson, Grover Beach’s Assistant City Manager.

Applications are open now to fill five seats on the Committee for Transaction & Use Tax Measures, and three seats on the Committee for Revenue Measure K-14.

“That is specifically related to the residential street work that we do in the city,” says Eriksson. “And those funds can only be used for that purpose.”

The Transaction & Use Tax Committee is designed to make sure tax-generated funds are spent transparently and on appropriate projects.

Revenue Measure K-14 was the street improvement bond from 2014 authorizing $48 million to be issued over 25 years for both residential and major street rehabilitation projects.

“We’ve been doing a committee in this form for many years now,” says Eriksson. “It’s just now we have two separate committees. Really, It’s similar information to what was shared with the consolidated committee before just split into two separate reports.”

Applications are available on the City Of Grover Beach’s website.

The deadline to apply is November 21st by 5pm.

Applicants need to be available December 8th at 6 pm for public interviews conducted at city council.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) students looked to the future at a Transfer Fair on campus with representatives of four-year schools Wednesday.

The school had them in various pop-ups around the west campus.  

Most were schools in California including UC’s and Cal State campuses with some as far away as Colorado, New York and Ohio.

This gives the students a chance to learn about the schools without traveling hundreds of miles. Many are going to school on a limited budget and can not afford to travel for campus tours in advance of making a decision.

SBCC has an automatic transfer plan with many schools to assist students in their higher education planning, including UC Santa Barbara nearby.

JennyErika Barco the Santa Barbara City College  SBCC Transfer Center Director said, “this event is really much it gives them the opportunity to do an early exploration of the university. And we do want them to start as early as possible. Making the connection with the university, not just the one that they’re interested in.”

Thomas Field is a student who found the event to be very helpful for his future. “You can kind of ask specific questions. You don’t have time to ask, like out of the states especially. I don’t have time to visit. I’m very busy with school right now, so it’s really convenient for me. “

Barco said, “technically this is a one shot location for students to come and just look around and see what they want to consider for more research.”

One student said she could be close to home or go far away for awhile.

“Yes. Irvine. Because I was born there and then (I could do) study abroad. Semester at sea is really cool. I’m thinking of doing communication there and getting to travel,” said Grace McElroy.

Another student looked to San Diego for school and her personal future.

Jasmyne Vincent said, “I want to settle down there. So hopefully finding a college, my masters and doing all that stuff down there will help.”

Barco said, “you can literally see in the student’s face that they are getting the information that they need and the questions answered. And they’re also being surprised of the answers that they’re getting.”

Everyone attending was given a free Bombazo burrito and a Mr. Softee ice cream.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – A scene began early Wednesday morning on North A street, where protesters have gathered in response to word of ICE agents in the area. 

Your News Channel was on scene where at one point shouting began between protestors and ICE agents. VC Defensa had been live on their Instagram and have been sharing live updates and details. Yellow tape is blocking part of the street and ICE cars are parked outside OASIS real estate and Rescue Mission Alliance.

This is a developing story, we will bring you the latest as it comes in. 

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Two people suffered injuries after a head-on two-car crash near Painted Cave Road on Highway 154 just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The driver of a Tesla suffered moderate injuries in the crash and had two dogs in the car with them, according to the SBCFD.

The driver of a Subaru suffered major injuries in the crash, and both dogs involved did not need medical attention, according to the SBCFD.

Officials closed Highway 154 to just one-way traffic as of 5:37 p.m. Tuesday, according to CHP dispatchers.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gabriel Torres, 21, from Port Hueneme, received a 32-year sentence in state prison for attempted murder, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Torres received his conviction on July 31 this year and the jury also found the special allegation that he personally and intentionally used a firearm during the crime, according to the VCDAO.

Torres drove to the victim’s home in Oxnard on Dec. 23, 2022 before walking into an alley and shooting six rounds, three of which hit him from close range, according to the VCDAO.

Torres then fled the scene, and surveillance footage showed a man matching Torres’ description and a partial license plate, according to the VCDAO.

Oxnard Police conducted an additional investigation, found a car that matched the surveillance video and started a pursuit on New Year’s Eve 2022, according to the VCDAO.

Torres threw a pistol outside his window during the chase, and further forensic analysis confirmed it was the same gun used for the shooting, according to the VCDAO.

The shooting victim spent two weeks in the hospital for his injuries and more investigation of Torres’ cell phone location matched details of his whereabouts on the day of the shooting, according to the VCDAO.

Torres received a conviction for attempted murder and the jury found the following special allegations true:

PC 12022.53(d) – Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury

PC 12022.7(a) – Great bodily injury in commission of felony

CRC 4.421(a)(1) – The crime involved great violence

CRC 4.421(a)(2) – The defendant was armed with and used a weapon

CRC 4.421(b)(1) – The defendant has engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society

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Caleb Nguyen

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Crews evacuated 16 residents at the 7100 block of Davenport in Goleta after a gas leak spread to the area around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

SoCal Gas shut down the gas line just after 3:00 p.m. and evacuations were lifted at that time, according to the SBCFD.

The SBCFD reported no injuries and those seeking more information should contact SoCal Gas on the latest.

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