Author: KEYT

Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A Santa Barbara County jury convicted Jiram Tenorio-Ramon of first-degree murder in connection with the December 2022 shooting at Stearns Wharf that resulted in the death of uninvolved bystander Robert Gutierrez.

The three-week trial concluded with the jury deliberating for one day before reaching their final verdict that Tenorio-Ramon was guilty on all charged counts, his second trial in the case after his initial trial ended in a hung jury noted the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The jury also found true that Tenorio-Ramon committed the murder on behalf of the Westside gang and was intended to further the goals of the criminal street organization added the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in a press release Wednesday.

On December 9, 2022, around 8:40 p.m., Tenorio-Ramon was a passenger in a vehicle that drove past a group of people walking on Stearns Wharf that the occupants in the vehicle believed to be members of a rival gang stated the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

As the vehicle drove by the group, an occupant of the vehicle flashed a Westside gang hand sign toward the group and Tenorio-Ramon then directed the driver to stop near the dolphin fountain at the end of Stearns Wharf detailed the local prosecutor’s office.

According to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Tenorio-Ramon exited the vehicle armed with a semi-automatic 9mm pistol and ran towards the group before opening fire.

Robert D. Gutierrez, an uninvolved bystander walking alongside his wife towards a restaurant to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, was struck in the back by one round from a 9mm pistol, noted the prosecutor’s office.

He was pronounced dead on December 20.

Two-and-a-half weeks after the shooting, Tenorio-Ramon posted a self-produced rap vido on Instagram recounting details about the murder and bragged about the killing improving his reputation shared the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

Tenorio-Ramon was the last of eight people charged in connection with the shooting and one of three charged for discharging weapons at the scene and all eight have now been convicted on felony-level offenses noted the prosecutor’s office.

He is currently scheduled for sentencing on October 29, 2026 where he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole stated the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

“This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence. Robert Gutierrez was enjoying an evening with his wife on Stearns Wharf as they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. In an instant, his life was taken, his wife lost her husband, his children lost their father, and the community lost a kind, hardworking man who was deeply loved. Our thoughts remain with Robert’s family and everyone who continues to mourn his loss,” Santa Barbara County District Attorney Savrnoch shared. “I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and for delivering justice in this case. This conviction is the result of years of tireless work, exceptional teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to justice. I want to recognize Senior Deputy District Attorneys Tate McCallister and Carl Barnes for their outstanding prosecution of this case; District Attorney Investigators Eric Davis and Chad Hunt, whose dedication throughout this lengthy investigation and prosecution was invaluable; Victim Witness Program Manager Megan Riker-Rheinschild and her team for the extraordinary compassion and support they provided to the Gutierrez family; and the Santa Barbara Police Department for its outstanding investigative work. I also want to thank the many investigators, Victim Witness advocates, legal office professionals, and support staff whose efforts behind the scenes were essential to achieving today’s outcome.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister called it the only wharf shooting in recent memory.

“I am extremely pleased with the jury’s verdict, today the family of Robert Gutierrez finally got the justice that they deserved, I am very pleased with our office for successfully prosecuting all 8 individuals involved in this crime, including the 3 that discharged their firearms on the wharf that night all 3 of them were convicted of homicide crimes including the defendant today,” said McCallister.

The victim was a longtime assisted living executive director and soccer and football fan.

Gutierrez’ Linkedin profile said he graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in finance in 1992 and completed his Master of Public Health at UCLA in 2020.

According to https://conejomountain.com Gutierrez is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Camarillo Mayor and former Ventura County Chief Deputy David Tennessen said justice was served by the investigation, the prosecution, the courts and the jury.

Your News Channel will continue to follow the case.

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Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Work crews and engineers are busy with the final phase of work on the west end or “downstream” portion of the De La Vina Street Bridge Over Mission Creek Replacement Project.

Final construction on Phase 1 is expected to wrap up by the end of summer or early fall, according to Adam Ziets, Project Engineer. That will include paving De La Vina Street and switching one-way traffic over to the right side of the street. Once complete, that will trigger the start of Phase 2.

People passing by the work zone on De La Vina Street these days will notice the newly constructed sidewalk, concrete railing and creek walls on that half of the project. Also complete and not necessarily noticeable are sewer, water and gas infrastructures that are now in place.

Ziets said crews are now busy installing underground “dry” utilities. He stressed an important reminder for the community: All businesses along this stretch of the De La Vina Street corridor and other businesses near the construction zone remain open.

“We have been impacted by the construction,” said Olivia, a Lead Vet Assistant with Urgent Veterinary Care of Santa Barbara. “We’re getting through it. It’s been a little tough for our clients to find parking.”

The clinic has parking off Vernon Street behind its facility. Other customers frequenting nearby businesses will find street parking throughout the neighborhood.

Phase 2 of the work will center on the east or “upstream” portion of the bridge replacement project near Handlebar Coffee. That work will be completed next year.

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Jarrod Zinn

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) – A Central Coast treasure is going away soon, as Waller Park’s Pony Rides have to close down.

Their owner is moving away to receive treatment for cancer.

After more than 26 years of smiles, family memories and even personal milestones, Waller Park’s beloved Pony Rides is holding its final weekend this Saturday and Sunday because the ponies have to move.

The ponies’ owner Lisa Leonard says she recently received news about her cancer that has caused her to have to immediately relocate and she’s taking the ponies with her.

“They’ve got a humongous Oklahoma Cancer Research Center Institute out there that is going to be where I—I’m going from Mission Hope to there,” says Lisa Leonard, co-owner of Leonard’s Party Ponies.

They’ll be moving to her daughter’s ranch in Oklahoma, where Leonard says they hope to find a new home for their pony rides in the park.

“I’m going to take them to her and hand them over to her, and she’s going to try to make a go of it,” says Leonard.

Leonard and her ponies have provided rides in the Santa Maria Valley for decades, and they’ve been at Waller Park for more than a quarter century.

“I just remember me and my sister going on these horse rides and our parents being there, watching us as we were going around,” says Santa Maria resident Rick Gonzales. “And, you know, just really good times, good memories.”

Leonard says these rides and interactions with the ponies create strong, lasting memories, and she’s seen many of the kids grow up to bring their own children here.

“I just hope that that people come out and support her and give back to her as she has the community for all these decades,” says Gonzales.

Today is the final day of Leonard’s estate sale on Rice Ranch Road.

“It’s just a decision I have no choice to make,” says Leonard. “I am definitely going to focus on getting better. And hopefully come back someday and watch somebody else turning ponies around in that park. Jump in and help ‘em.”

Members of the rancher community are brainstorming how to help her meet her moving expenses, considering the creation of a GoFundMe.

“I don’t know how to do a GoFundMe because that would probably be a good idea, but she’s just trying to raise, not a lot of money, but enough to be able to transport her horses,” says Gonzales.

Leonard says that among her own favorite memories were shy kids who gained confidence after riding the ponies and learning to take care of them.

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Patricia Martellotti

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – A longtime senior community is preparing for a new chapter after finding the site for its future home.

Friendship Manor plans to relocate from its longtime Isla Vista campus to the former Capital Hardware and Building Supply property in Santa Barbara after spending decades searching for a place to build a new community.

“We have occupied our current site in Isla Vista since 1973,” Friendship Manor Board Member Eva Turenchalk said. “It was originally built as a student dorm. It was not built for seniors.”

As the building has aged, leaders began looking for a location better suited to the needs of older adults.

“As that building has aged, we have been trying to find a property where we could build a facility for our residents,” Turenchalk said.

That search led to the former Capital Hardware property.

“I knew they had been looking for property for about 25 years to build something in Santa Barbara, and this is the perfect place for them,” Capital Hardware owner Alan Bleecker said.

Friendship Manor leaders say the new campus will allow the organization to continue serving seniors in a modern facility while keeping the close-knit community residents value.

“This is important because we love our residents, and this is going to provide them with a brand-new facility that’s going to meet all of their needs,” Turenchalk said.

Bleecker said he was happy to see the property become part of the organization’s future.

“It just warmed my heart when I found they were looking for a place to build and ours would be the right place for them,” Bleecker said.

The project will now move through the planning and permitting process. If all goes as planned, Friendship Manor expects to welcome residents to its new Santa Barbara campus in 2029.

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Dave Alley

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – A first-of-its-kind report released Wednesday shows the City of Lompoc is facing a number of challenges at a higher level than other communities in Santa Barbara County.

During a one-hour presentation at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) shared the results of the 2025 Lompoc Valley Community Needs Assessment (CHNA).

LVCHO spearheaded the study and said it is the first comprehensive assessment focused exclusively on the health and well-being of the Lompoc Valley.

“The data collection was funded by Cottage Population Health,” said Ashley Costa, LVCHO Executive Director. “It included a secondary data analysis, so a deep dive into the secondary data, along with focus group conversations in English and in Spanish with Lompoc residents, as well as with service providers in the Lompoc Valley.”

The 72-page report lists a number of key findings in four key focus areas, financial stability and affordability, chronic illnesses, behavioral health and healthy lifestyles.

It was determined the median household income in Lompoc is $72,038, an amount that is 27% lower than the rest of Santa Barbara County and 29% of working people have to travel more than 40 miles to their place of employment.

Other findings show a higher percentage of adults in Lompoc and Lompoc Valley experience both housing and food insecurity higher than other county residents.

Another dramatic statistic found life expectancy in Lompoc is four years less than the rest of Santa Barbara County, and fewer adults visit a doctor for routine health checks compared to other county residents.

Moving forward, LVCHO said organizations serving Lompoc can use the findings in the report to inform strategic priorities, strengthen partnerships and develop initiatives that address the community’s most pressing needs.

“What comes next is the LVCHO is leaning into a new strategic plan,” said Costa. “We’re focusing on being a catalyst for change. We’ve been in Lompoc 27 years and we’ve done some great work. Maybe you’ve heard of the Lompoc Community Track and Field or Safe Routes to School? We’ve conducted healthy eating classes and a lot of other programing. Now we’re focusing on what are the root causes for some of these poor health outcomes, and how can we move the needle, particularly by bringing in more financial resources to the community from funders who want to see positive change in Lompoc.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The summer travelers on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are getting a chance to win prizes for stopping at multiple stations.

The ‘Endless Escapes’ collectible sticker map program encourages passengers to pick up a free physical passport-style sticker map and collect limited-edition destination train stickers.

The maps can be found on each train in the Café Car and at some special community events, including the California Wine Festival – which took place last weekend in Santa Barbara. The booth was very busy with hundreds of interested train riders.

“We are getting a lot of people coming up and interested in the Surfliner which is great,” said Jason Jewell the LOSSAN Managing Director. LOSSAN is the agency that manages a 351-mile coastal route connecting San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. It has 29 stops and it’s the second busiest intercity rail corridor in the U.S.

It was a chance to talk about the train service,  new additions for South Coast workers and also for special events.

The Endless Escapes map was of interest to many riders.

Jewell said, “it is a station map you can go  and collect all the stickers for all the train stations. We release three custom special stickers every month.”

The limited-edition stickers are available at the station sites and match up with the foldout map.

After collecting a qualifying number of stickers you can enter a sweepstakes for prizes, branded swag packs and possibly a $250. gift card.

The train service has also been expanded in recent months from Los Angeles to Goleta with more daily trips.

Passenger Daniel Hug said the promotion was a good idea for riders of all ages, especially kids. “A lot of kids, they like trains, so I think something like that will be very helpful.”

Train lovers in general, even those who were not playing along with the sticker game said they were having a good time and enjoyed the different cars they can ride in.

Spencer Buchannon was traveling south from Santa Barbara. He said, “it seems Amtrak does try  pretty hard wth their customers. They want us to be happy which is nice.  I think in the business class you get a free drink  and snacks and stuff. It seems like they care about you which is nice.”

Whether they get a prize or not train passengers said they feel like winners by avoiding traffic.

Jennifer Bauman came in from Los Angeles and said, “riding the train is easy, it is much easier than driving.  Take a nap, watch TV on your iphone whatever you want.”

Avoiding congestions was a priority. Hug said, “I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to worry about traffic. I can enjoy the views outside. It’s beautiful.”

And maybe win a prize package.

For more information to to: Pacific Surfliner Endless Escapes

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Mike Klan

IRVINE, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Water Polo Club pulled off an impressive double at Session One of the National Junior Olympics winning championships in the girls 16U and 18U elite Platinum Divisions.

16U Recap:

McKenna Stuart (San Marcos High School 2028) scored a game-high five goals to lead the SBWPC 16U to an 8-4 championship game win over 680 Water Polo (Northern California). Stuart was named MVP.

Goalie Reagan Mack (Dos Pueblos High School 2028) made 5 blocks as they did not allow a goal in the fourth quarter.

DP rising sophomore Lucy Watson added two goals and San Marcos rising junior Jade Pattison added a goal for SBWPC who went a perfect 7-0 in the four-day tournament.

SBWPC led 2-1 after one quarter and 3-2 at half.

After 680 tied it at 3, SBWPC reeled off three straight goals to lead 6-3 as Stuart tallied two goals in that run and Watson the other one before 680 scored to trail 6-4 after three quarters.

Watson and Stuart scored the only two goals in the fourth quarter.

18U Recap:

(USA Water Polo)

USC-bound Nicole O’Neill (Oaks Christian High School) led SBWPC with 6 goals in a 15-10 championship win over Lamorinda (East Bay Area).

Stanford-commit Mia Fabros (Oaks Christian High School) added four goals while fellow Stanford-commit Allison Cohen (Orange Lutheran High School) tallied 3 goals. Recent San Marcos High School graduate and USC-bound Charlotte Raisin had a goal and two assists.

Princeton-commit goalie Alex Stoddard (Oaks Christian High School) made 8 blocks for SBWPC who dominated the entire tournament going 7-0 with a goal differential of 58.

SBWPC never trailed in the game jumping out to a 4-0 lead and they were up 6-3 at halftime.

They went into the fourth quarter leading 11-7 with O’Neill scoring three goals in the third.

Other notable finishes for SBWPC:

14U Girls Classic: 2nd place in Silver Division (6-1)

10U CoEd Championship: Fourth place in Platinum Division (5-3)

14U Girls Championship: 8th place in Platinum Division (4-3)

18U Girls Championship: (B-Team) 8th place in Platinum Division (6-3)

18U Girls Classic: 6th place in Silver Division (6-3)

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The office of Health Access California has named Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as one of California’s high-cost hospitals.

Health advocates held a virtual town hall Tuesday afternoon that focused on health care affordability, and highlighted the high cost of care in Santa Barbara County.

They say the cost of health care services have been rising faster than inflation, putting additional stress on already struggling families.

Representatives from Cottage Health shared this statement with your News Channel:

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a locally founded, not-for-profit hospital with generations of care centered on community. Cottage invests in our community through financial assistance programs, through our centers for population health, innovation and research, through community partnerships and through education and training programs to help recruit and retain healthcare professionals to care for the people in our region.

We are concerned about care affordability and access, and every employee at Cottage is engaged in ideas to reduce healthcare cost for our community. We’ve identified group purchasing efficiencies and avenues to reduce supply costs, at the same time growing our services to increase access to care for all patients.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Zoo shared sad news concerning its two-week-old panda cubs.

One of the two cubs of Ruby and Raj passed away Tuesday morning, while the second cub is now receiving specialized care in an incubator, according to the SB Zoo.

The cub’s cause of death is not known, though red panda cubs carry an infant mortality of about 40%, according to the SB Zoo.

Ruby gave birth to the two cubs on July 2 as part of her first litter, the most challenging time for many cubs, according to the SB Zoo.

The SB Zoo shared that the second cub needed an intervention after improper nursing and is currently receiving around-the-clock care for its best chance to survive.

Red pandas are considered an endangered species after a 50% population drop in the past few decades, according to the SB Zoo.

More information on the cub’s status will be provided on the SB Zoo website.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Jonathan Isaiah Limon, 25, from Santa Maria, pled guilty to first-degree murder after the death of Edward Jonathan Ramirez in September 2017, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

Limon shot Ramirez with a semi-automatic weapon, and a jury later learned the crime benefited a street gang.

A juvenile court previously found Limon guilty of two additional crimes benefiting his gang, including stabbing a rival gang member nine times in December 2016 and robbing a 12-year-old boy in May 2017.

Limon is scheduled for sentencing on August 4, later this year, when he faces 25 years to life in state prison for Ramirez’s death, according to the SBCDAO.

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