Author: KEYT

Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Stearns Wharf murder case was declared a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury on Tuesday. The jury voted 11 to 1 to convict, but a jury must vote unanimously for criminal verdicts.

Jiram Tenorio-Ramon, 25, of Santa Barbara was accused of fatally shooting Robert Dion Gutierrez of Camarillo in December 2022.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch told Your News Channel Tuesday night his office will move to retry the case.

On the night of Dec. 9, 2022, shots rang out at Stearns Wharf between two groups and an uninvolved Camarillo man, Robert Gutierrez, who was on a walk with his wife to celebrate their anniversary was hit.

Gutierrez died from the gunshot wound on December 20, 2022, while receiving medical care at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Four men and a 16-year-old were arrested the following month in connection with the fatal shooting and eventually three teens were also charged in connection with the shooting and being accessories after the fact.

“One group involved in the altercation has been identified as local Santa Barbara area residents with ties to a local Santa Barbara street gang,” shared the Santa Barbara Police Department in February of 2023. “The opposing group in the altercation has been identified as Ventura County residents with ties to Ventura County street gangs.”

One of the arrested men, Jiram Tenorio-Ramon, was charged alongside three other men in January of 2023 and all four faced special allegations that the crime was connected to criminal street gang activity.

By July of this year, the three other men had pled guilty to lesser charges leaving only Tenorio-Ramon to face charges of murder, personal and intentional discharge of a handgun causing death, and committing a penal code violation while on felony probation.

George Steele, an attorney representing Tenorio-Ramon during the murder trial, argued that the other gang members from Ventura County fired first and his client fired back in self-defense.

“All the other things that were basically designed to inflame your emotions and this one to make you think anything other than what was going on on that wharf was right or wrong,” stated Steele during the trial.

Final arguments were submitted and jury deliberations began on Wednesday of last week.

“You have to look at the gang evidence, you have to look at the text evidence. You have to look at the rap. You have to look at his actions and the statements in the days and weeks following the murder,” said Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister who prosecuted the case. “If he [Tenorio-Ramon] was not down there looking for trouble why did he have a loaded 9 millimeter unserialized ghost gun on him? And why was he showing it to everybody that night?

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City Council responded to a Santa Barbara County Grand Jury’s 15 page report entitled “E-Bikes In Santa Barbara: What Will It Take to Make Them Safe?”

The report was issued in June and required a response within 90 days.

Councilmembers agreed with their staff recommendation to send a letter from Mayor Randy Rowse to the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury and Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly.

The Grand Jury took up the issue following social media posts about collisions and injuries the underscored complaints.

Most of the injuries tallies by the Grand Jury were the riders, but passengers and pedestrians have been hurt.

The numbers may be under-reported depending on whether officers are called to an accident.

The report stated the proliferation of e-bikes gave the issue a sense of urgency.

Santa Barbara city and council has paths for cyclists that now share the road with the faster moving e-bikes.

The reports recommended police focus on high-traffic areas that will achieve high visibility by Dec. 1.

The city council agreed that education, enforcement and community collaboration are essential to e-bike safety.

The city has already adopted an e-bike ordinance giving officers discretion while responding to unsafe behavior.

Officers recenty towed a so-called ‘pocket bike’ that was not street legal.

Following the Santa Barbara City Council meeting Mayor Rowse talking about enforcement.

“There are a zillion ideas but ordinances don’t always solve a problem because you can say these are the rules, but if you don’t enforce them what have you done, so the enforcement piece is really important.” 

Rowse has witnessed the increase in e-bike riders locally.

“The e-bike thing really blew up out of almost nowhere, it went from as few to now everybody’s got them and they are faster than they are supposed to be, ans all that kind of stuff, so we are still wrestling with the problem for now,” said Rowse, “but we had to respond to the grand jury and at least say we are working on things which we are and working on methods of enforcement or citation or perhaps even confiscation.”

The mayor shared an anecdote saying he was almost struck by an e-bike during an interview about the issue with News Channel reporter John Palminteri, not far from city hall.

At the farmers market on Tuesday e-bike riders and cyclists appeared to be on their best behavior.

People could see them walking their e-bikes on the sidewalk and riding them in areas where pedestrians were not in their path.

The city said the police department will be strategically deploying officers and will be giving the council quarterly reports.

The city has already implemented or parcially implemented some of the Grand Jury suggestions.

In conclusion, the city thanked the Grand Jury and said it “remains committed to supporting the safe integration of e-bikes into our transportation system.”

The city plans to share reports with the Santa Barbara Fire and Police Commission and share submitted reports on its website at https://docs.santabarbaraca.gov

The Santa Barbara City Council’s response will be posted on the grand jury’s website at https://sbcgj.org

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department regarding construction contract approval for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – On August 19, 2025, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the construction contract for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path. This $6.5 million project will complete an 8-mile-long Class I (multi-use) path network from Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach and the City of Santa Barbara. It will also provide a more comfortable experience for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The new path will extend the existing Obern Trail from the western Encore Drive intersection to the intersection of Via Senda, where it will connect to the recently completed Phase I multi-use path section. The Board of Supervisors approved Phase I in 2022, and construction was completed in August 2023.

Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said, “This beautiful path will allow more people to bike, roll and stroll from one part of our community to another — safely. It takes a village to make these projects come to life. I’m grateful to all the partners for sticking with this project and believing in the end goal.”

Modoc Road is a high-speed minor arterial in unincorporated Santa Barbara County with speed limits of 45 mph, no continuous ADA-compliant pathway, and Class II bike lanes primarily used by experienced bicyclists. This project provides a safety benefit by creating a pathway where bicyclists and pedestrians are separated from motor vehicles. This project also provides several new pedestrian crossings for residential neighborhoods to cross Modoc Rd. in order to reach the Modoc Path, Modoc Preserve and Obern Trail. This project is identified in the Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan, County Active Transportation Plan, and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Regional Active Transportation Plan.

The project is funded by the County General Fund ($1.1 million), a State Active Transportation Program. Grant ($2.6 million), the County Service Area 3 Special District ($1 million), Measure A ($1.3 million), and the State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account ($500 thousand). Construction is expected to begin this fall. For more information on this project, visit www.countyofsb.org/modocmup

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Tony, GRAMMY, and Emmy Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo will be receiving some local recognization from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival later this year.

The Wicked star will be honored with the Kirk Douglass Award For Excellence in Film during a formal black-tie event taking place on December 4th, 2025. The formal event acts as both an award tribute ceremony and a fundraiser for SBIFF’s educational programs.

Named after the American actor and filmmaker, the Kirk Douglass Award For Excellence in Film recognizes longtime cinema contributors – now entering its 18th year. The award praises actors who have had a major impact in the world of film, in front of the camera, behind, or both. 

Erivo has protrayed numerous notable characters during her career. She received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her portrayal of American singer Aretha Franklin, a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her role as Harriet Tubman, along with multiple nominations for her most recent role of Elphaba in Wicked.

“Cynthia Erivo is a singular talent whose depth, range, and fearless commitment to her craft embody the spirit of excellence my father championed throughout his life. It’s entirely fitting that she receives the Kirk Douglas Award, which celebrates bold artistry and enduring impact in film,” states Michael Douglas.

Erivo’s Wicked co-star Ariana Grande was honored with a Virtuosos Award during the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival earlier this year.

Past honorees of the Kirk Douglass Award are Will Ferrell, Ryan Gosling, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Dame Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, and John Travolta.

For more information on the event, visit the SBIFF.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Health Department says it is using all of its protocols and outreach to make sure required immunizations are given and to identify any gaps in the system.

This comes after a report from the County Grand Jury.

On May 29, the report came out entitled “Do Vaccination Rates in Santa Barbara County Create a Public Health Risk?”

It brought up issues related to the lack of County vaccination rate data for homeschooled children, adult populations and high-risk settings, including the Sheriff’s Department jail.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps  who sits as the chair said, “the Grand Jury did a great job of highlighting  potential vulnerabilities and we always need to be vigilante. I think that’s what they were trying to point out.”

A Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Health Director Dr. Mouhanad Hammami said for home schooled children, obtaining data is challenging. There is currently no reliable study. In place of that, the department created a worse-case scenario based on the number of home school children ages 5-17.  If there were an issue it would not be out of the range of the acceptable “herd immunity target” and could be addressed.

New requirements will help with the most accurate numbers. Hammami said, “any pediatrician,  anybody who gives a vaccine, is going to report it and this is how they are going to establish the rate.”

He said the department has a team that mobilizes whenever there is a concern over, for example, a measles outbreak.  They identify where it came from and who was exposed.  The plan has been effective when used in the past.

In the jail Dr. Hammami said at intake, a health care related process is conducted. The department’s response to the Grand Jury reads:  

The Sheriff’s Office has established protocols for isolating inmates who exhibit signs and symptoms of infectious disease. Isolating incarcerated persons solely because they are unvaccinated would potentially violate these individuals’ rights.

Where there are unvaccinated inmates the department is offering catch-up vaccinations in accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and based on identified risk factors. 

Hammami said, “every now and then we see maybe a Covid outbreak or we see something that is not related to childhood immunizations.” He says there is a rapid response plan in place. “We have what is called an IDER,   Infectious Disease Emergency Response plan, which is countywide in case, God forbid, we have another outbreak or pandemic and these are all in place.”

Capps has a serious concern based on recent trends. “We’re living through a time in history where our federal government is dismantling our vaccination system so we have a lot to be concerned about.”

She believes in the effectiveness and reliability. “We live in the state of California where we have a strong vaccination system and we need those systems in place.”

(more details, photos and video will be added later today)

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Jarrod Zinn

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Governor Newsom’s Universal TK—or, Transitional Kindergarten—program may not be having the universal reach he intended.

Not all schools who teach Transitional Kindergarten are receiving this mandated state funding.

During the 2022-2023 school year, Governor Newsom’s statewide Universal TK program began its roll-out, providing additional state funding to schools with TK classes who met specific thresholds.

The goal for California’s Universal TK program was for full implementation by this year, but programs such as C.L. Smith Elementary School’s TK classes, which got their start before governor Newsom began the state program, unfortunately do not meet the specific requirements.

“With the new Universal TK plan, it included all four year olds, regardless of what date their birthday year was,” says Lisa Yamashita, assistant superintendent of educational services for San Luis Coastal Unified School District. “So we started with only six preschools across our system that turned into TKs. Now we have 16 different classrooms because that many more children are age eligible for the program.”

Assemblywoman Dawn Addis of San Luis Obispo county introduced legislation earlier this year to combat the issue and ensure universal TK funding for all schools in the state, a bill that at last report has stalled.

“TK is actually a money saver as well as good for kids and good for California,” says Assemblywoman Dawn Addis. “However, what we discovered is that we don’t actually universally fund a universal program.”

According to San Luis Coastal Unified School District, this is not localized to SLO county, and schools in Santa Barbara county and several more counties throughout the state are facing deficits as well as additional cuts necessary to compensate and continue to teach TK.

“Last school year, we reduced our staffing and saved on some other budgetary items about $4 million in our spending,” says Yamashita. “As we come into this next school year, we’re looking to cut about another $5 million in staffing and expenses to accommodate the additional program.”

Small, rural schools that are part of Basic Aid districts, paid for primarily by property taxes, do not get state funding. 

San Luis Coastal is one such district.

While Assemblywoman Addis’s bill was not able to pass the Appropriations Committee, she says she has not given up the fight, and will introduce legislation again next year.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Now in its 12th year, the upcoming Day of Hope will have a little bit of a different spin when the popular cancer fundraiser is held next week.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, four days before the event is held, an inaugural car show will take place at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria.

“For the past four years, since 2020, we have hosted a Day of Hope car parade,” said Jessa Brooks, Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy. “This year instead, we are going to be doing a Day of Hope car show.”

While the car parade was an instant success when it was created, Brooks explained the change to a car show was made due a few different reasons.

“Not only did we receive inquiries from members of the public, recommending for us to do a car show, but also members of the community who wanted to participate, who work Monday through Friday found it challenging,” said Brooks. “Last but not least, our is our Day of Hope team is they sell newspapers between 7 a.m. and 12 noon. When we did the car parade, our teams were leaving their intersections around 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to make it over to the fair park for the 11 a.m. car parade, so it wasn’t advantageous for the Day of Hope newspaper sales for the event and for the community volunteers. Having them do two events in one day was not ideal.”

Dignity Health describes the car show as family-friendly event featuring dozens of registered cars on display in the parking lot wrapping around Mission Hope.

In addition to the classic cars, there will also be sponsors, various activities, cancer resources and much more for the community to enjoy.

“There will also be a “touch a truck” section of our public events where members of the community can have the opportunity to take pictures of and to roam through Santa Maria Police Department vehicles, Santa Maria Fire Department vehicles, Cal Coast machinery, tractors, Rugged Radios trucks,” said Brooks. “There will be Santa Mark Park Rangers and American Medical Response, AMR. We will also have food trucks and kids activities. It should be a lot of fun for the day, and of course, the awards for the car show.”

The Day of Hope Car Show will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be free to attend.

The Day of Hope was created in 2014 and specifically raises funds for patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, starting at 7 a.m., hundreds of volunteers will be located throughout the Santa Maria Valley and in South San Luis Obispo County at dozens street corners, intersections, parking lots, schools, churches and other highly visible locations.

Participating teams members will once again be selling special edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers.

“We have more than 80 teams participating for Day of Hope this year,” said Brooks. “Also, something that we’re really grateful for is we’ve had a number of businesses and restaurants step forward to support Day of Hope in unique ways, whether it’s donating a portion of sales on a particular day, or it is hosting their own team within their establishment. We’re really grateful to the community for supporting Day of Hope, in a really big way to support local cancer patients.

Proceeds specifically helps the cancer center provide patients with a myriad of complimentary programs and services.

For more information about the car show or the upcoming Day of Hope, click here to visit the official webpage.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The historic Old Mission in Santa Barbara could someday have a towering new neighbor.

Mission LLC is proposing an eight-story apartment building with more than 250 units directly behind the mission.

The proposal has generated pushback, even among people who are in favor of expanding the housing supply.

“Well I think it’s wrong and I think the majority of the community feels that it’s wrong. I’m the biggest housing advocate around. But this is just the wrong place,” said architect Brian Cearnal of Santa Barbara.

City leaders are reviewing the plans carefully to address concerns about scale and safety.

“Between that and Foothill Avenue… could get pretty crowded pretty quickly in an emergency… we think that’s a problem,” said mayor Randy Rowse of Santa Barbara.

Leaders of the mission are worried about the size of the project.

“This could mean quite a bit of traffic added to an area that’s already difficult to navigate,” said Father Joe Schwab of Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Right now the church is waiting for more information before deciding whether to hold a community meeting.

Meanwhile, for many, the key question remains: will this new building fit into the historic heart of Santa Barbara?

“It really doesn’t have any architectural fit with the neighborhood… and it could even tower over the mission,” said Schwab.

“Very active archaeological area for resources… so all of those things are big question marks,” said Rowse.

“It’s a modern apartment building that you would expect to see somewhere in Los Angeles,” said Cearnal.

The project will now go through city review, which could include public hearings, giving the community a chance to weigh in.

The developers are moving forward under California’s Builder’s Remedy law, which can override certain local zoning rules for housing projects.

The developers could not be reached for comment.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Train passengers on the Central Coast will not have to get off and use a bus for part of their trip anymore.

That’s been the requirement for the past two weeks while the La Canada Honda bridge was replaced on the Vandenberg Space Force base property in Northern Santa Barbara County.

The bridge was more than 120 years old and unreliable.

The work began August 1 and was finished over the weekend.

While the repairs took place, the train passengers were rerouted with bus service going north from Santa Barbara and south from San Luis Obispo.

A passenger on the Coast Starlight Monday, Karen Tosoe, loaded up her baggage in Santa Barbara on a mid-day train stop and said she was aware of the bridge outage. “Yes, we didn’t want to be the first ones over it. We wanted to be the second!”

She enjoys riding the train and taking the coastal route.  “We’re visiting our daughter and her husband in Washington so it is the way to go.”

The repaired track will now see service again from the daily Pacific Surfliner, the Coast Starlight and all the freight trains going through the area.

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Colin Smith is happy and healthy as nears the end of the Gauchos eight-week summer practice session.

“It feels great, you know it’s been a minute getting back to 100 percent,” smiled Smith.

He looks fit and is excited to play with this year’s group that features plenty of new faces.

“Getting used to this new team and teammates, you know the energy has been great,” stated Smith.

The 6’8 forward transferred to UCSB in the spring of 2024 from Vanderbilt.

The 4-star recruit played just seven games for Vandy in the prior season due to an achilles injury.

Last year for UCSB he played in just 20 games, missing more than a dozen due to various ailments.

Smith averaged 8.7 points per game and shot 43.5 percent from three-point distance.

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