Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Early birds are flocking to the Ventura County Fairgrounds Swap Meet to do their holiday shopping.

It opens at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays and runs until 1 p.m.

Some of the vendors, including Bill Doggett, are regulars at the Rose Bowl Flea Market on Sundays.

He specializes in coffee table books.

Vendors also sell albums, holiday decorations, antiques, artwork, vintage clothing, sports items and more.

Ted Muñoz, from the Rincon Pit Crew, sells surf inspired art and has a classic longboard on display.

Muñoz let customers know about the Rincon Invitational in March that promotes sharing waves and raises money for nonprofits and scholarships.

The Swap Meet is also includes a farmers market.

Shoppers on a budget call it a great way to save on unique gifts.

Swat Meet parking at the fairgrounds is free and admission is $2.

The Swat Meet takes a break the week of Thanksgiving, but it will return the first Wednesday in December.

For more information visit https://snauctions.com the Ventura County Fairgrounds Swap Meet on Facebook and social media.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – If you’ve come back to your car to find a parking ticket this year in Santa Barbara, you may not be alone. The numbers have shot up.

The Santa Barbara Police department says after some staff shortages in recent years, all positions are filled on the parking enforcement team.

This year tickets are already up six percent. This includes overtime, red and yellow (commercial) zone violations, expired registration, no front license plates and parking where it’s off limits during street sweeping days.

Just in the time frame from July through September the number was 13, 352 tickets.

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Tracy Lehr

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) Despite protester chanting “UC UC you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side,” the University of California Board of Regents approved a plan to continue tuition hikes.

The vote and protests took place on Wednesday afternoon on the UCLA campus.

UCSB students preparing for their Fall quarter finals learned the vote was 13-3 with only one student eligible to vote on the board.

Most students said they were not surprised.

They said they have never heard of tuition going down.

But that doesn’t mean they like it.

E.J. Raad who serves as the Associated Students External Vice President of Local Affair said he would like to know if there are others ways to deals with Trump administration cuts, less state funding, and inflation.

“I understand that it is nice that it will be more stable rather than having this kind of boom or bust system when it goes up or down depending on the economy but I just have a big issue with this seeming habit of always going to raising tuition being the first move to combat the funding cuts.”

Raad doesn’t think it will hurt enrollment because the UC campuses are so popular.

Students are upset that the vote allocates a smaller percentage to financial aid.

Manny Mares said students are already worried about the cost of living, too.

“The tuition is being raised and the amount of resources aren’t progressing at all it is stagnant and it just makes it harder we are struggling specifically like middle class students it is going to hit  these students are struggling to eat they have to pay most of their tuition per quarter and it is horrible.”

A chemical engineering student said he felt lucky to be graduating soon and said he is already impacted by cuts.

A first you student Mary Geyer said she has noticed the cut to hours at he library.

Guyer said she is lucky to be on a full scholarship thanks to her father who is in the military.

The board of regents vote takes effect in the 2026 / 2027 academic year and continues a cohort model that started several years ago.

It can increase undergraduate tuition by up to 5 percent and locks the rate in for each enrolling class or cohort for up to six years.

Tuition that began in 1970 is up to $14,934 for in state students and $50,328 for non-residents.

And UCSB students said that does not include the cost of living in Isla Vista or on campus in a dorm.

Your News Channel will have more reaction to the changing tuition tonight on the news.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of the most popular waterfront attractions the Lil’ Toot offered free rides Wednesday.

It had been sidelined by the bad weather since last week and made the refreshing offer known via social media.

Every half hour it went out from the dock by the Maritime Museum and toured the harbor.

Along the way Captain Milo Wolf talked about some of the harbor highlights, fishing boats, history and in many directions, the marine life.

On the first ride of the day, with a full load, your NewsChannel was on board for a live report during the mid-day news broadcast.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Soaked and sidelined, many businesses are coming back after five days of rainy and windy weather.

For workers at the Santa Barbara waterfront, it was a time to pick up debris, clear walkways and open up areas that had barricades.

The maintenance staff pulled out all the holiday decorations and started putting them up now, while the sun was out.

They said, however, in a moment’s notice they would pivot. “At certain points of the day, we’re in the middle of an intense preparedness ‘Okay. Stop what you’re doing. All hands on deck. Get some brooms, shovels and hit the parking lots,'” said Waterfront Maintenance crew leader Nathan Badiggo. “And make sure everything’s flowing and roadways are opened up and stay opened up.”

They are also watching the weather forecasts very closely.

“100% prepping for tomorrow, we know we’re going to get a large downfall tomorrow. So we’re just trying to get as much as we can in the little time that we have available,” said Badiggo.

In the Harbor West Parking lot, “the first row of parking spots are closed off because of some tidal overflowing. It will likely be cleaned up after the next round of rain. That’s when crews will be out with their shovels and heavy equipment.

There is also a sand berm about to be built in front of the historic Yacht Club and its adjacent parking lot. Both have been impacted by bad storms in the past.

For tourist oriented businesses, like the Lil’ Toot harbor touring boat, getting off the docks and back in motion was so important, free rides were offered all day.

Captain Milo Wolf was on the microphone going by the bait barge calling out the birds taking a rest.

“Oh, there’s a big blue heron, a great egret, some cormorants, pelicans and some western  gulls, ” said Wolf.

He went out to a buoy to show off a sea lion or two hanging out there.

Along the way he told stories about historic boats in the harbor and some notes about the City of Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf and the U.S. Coast Guard.

He said the yellow boat with a perky whistle is especially popular with kids. “It’s like a living cartoon boat. So, you know, kids expected to talk honestly. They really do! “

Like other nearby operators ranging from boats to kayaks, “we were anxious to get back to work.”

One passenger, Dani Sternhagen, said the free tour got her to make plans to come back. “We’ll probably come back here with family again, take the Lil’ Toot around this place. Especially our older grandparents and such. We go kayaking in the harbor. There’s a million things to do out there.” 

Wolf said, “Yeah. We’re going to be, ready for all the guests coming from here in town and people from all around the world. “

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Alissa Orozco

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (KEYT) – An Oxnard man was arrested in Port Hueneme Tuesday night after leading officers on vehicle pursuit and colliding with other vehicle, injuring himself and other passengers.

On November 18th at 8:25pm, Port Hueneme officers attempted to stop a gray Infiniti for a traffic violation on Bard Road at 5th Street. The vehicle did not stop and instead fled the scene, leading officers on a pursuit that began to enter into neighboring streets.

Officers decided to terminated to the chase while the driver drove off. The Port Hueneme Police Department details how just moments later the gray Infiniti was involved in a traffic collision at J Street and Redwood in the City of Oxnard.

At the scene, the suspect was recovered along with his female passenger. Both were left with non life- threatening injuries. Two adult passengers in the other vehicle were also injured, but also non life- threatening.

27-year-old Jose Rodriguez of Oxnard was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, evading a peace officer, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Further investigation found that Rodriguez was the subject of a criminal protective order to stay away from the passenger in his car. He faces additional charges for violation of that court order.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Hamrick at mhamrick@cityofporthueneme.org or 805-986-6541.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Leadership for Fiesta 2026 has been solidified for yet another year of celebrating Santa Barbara’s community, heritage, and history.

As announced today by Old Spanish Days, festivities will be spearheaded by El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward – an active member of the board since 2018 who officially received the board chairman’s gavel at Fiesta’s Annual Meeting back in October.

Hayward has over 10 years of involvement in Fiesta’s El Desfile Histórico, as both a parade marshal and a member of the Parade Committee. He also served as Chair for the Safety & Security and Parade Marshals committees in 2021, and been a member of the committees for Fiesta Pequeña and Horseman’s Rendezvous.

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“I feel a deep sense of anticipation and hope as we look to the year ahead. It is a time filled with fresh possibilities for growth, creativity, and meaningful connections. With the dedication of our Board of Directors, the support of our volunteers, the passion of the dance community, and the generosity of our sponsors and neighbors, we will come together to celebrate our heritage while lighting the way toward an inspiring future,” reads a statement from Hayward.

Other members of leadership will include: Tony Miller as El Primer Vicepresidente, Casie Kilgore as La Segunda Vicepresidenta, Christopher Gusman will served as El Secretario, David Bolton as El Tesorero, and Division Chiefs: Elva Cosio (Celebrations), Missy Robledo Pulido (Dance and Entertainment), David Bolton (External Relations and History), Sean Malis (Mercados), and Sarah Brewer (Pageantry).

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our El Presidente 2026 Colin Hayward, and to the newly elected Board of Directors. I look forward to supporting them in every way I can as I continue to serve on the board as a Past President Director,” reads a statement from El Presidente 2025 Fritz Olenberger.

Fiesta 2026 is scheduled to take place from August 5th – 9th, 2026.

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Ashlee Buzzard appeared in court in Lompoc this morning on her felony charge of false imprisonment.

Ashlee is the mother of 9-year-old Melodee buzzard, who was reported missing in early October.

The charge stems from a conversation with a man named Tyler Brewer at her Vandenberg Village home.

Ashlee became agitated when Brewer mentioned a location along a three-day drive Ashlee took with Melodee across several states — the last time Melodee was seen.

She’s accused of preventing Brewer from leaving the home.

Ashlee was arrested the following day and has since pleaded not guilty.

This morning, Ashlee and her attorney said they are ready to move forward with court proceedings, which will continue tomorrow morning.

A small number of locals who have been following Melodee’s disappearance were in attendance.

“I think this what she came here for today was nonsense,” says Khristiana Valrie, who lives In Vandenberg Village. “They should be bringing her to court about where her daughter is. I believe Melodee is somewhere in the area. And like I said, I don’t believe she is alive, but I’m willing to do whatever I can, even if it’s a bunch of us searching around for her.”

Law enforcement affirms this remains a missing person case, and they continue to ask for the public’s help finding Melodee.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s criminal investigations division.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office is also assisting in the investigation.

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Jarrod Zinn

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – Bookworms in the Santa Ynez and Goleta valleys have a chance to add more books to the libraries through a unique collaboration.

The California State Library awarded over $15,000 in Zip Book Grants to the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley libraries for the 2025-26 cycle.

The program kicked off today, and the Buellton library is excited to add books to their new location, which opened in February.

The program allows patrons to help expand the library’s inventory by ordering books on Amazon not currently on the shelves.

The books get sent to the reader first, then added to the shelves upon return to the local branch.

“So you come into the library, or you can give us a call,” says Erin Herzog, Solvang Library branch manager. “You just need to be an active member of the Goleta Valley Library System, and then the book needs to be available on Amazon and needs to be something that’s not in our collection. So if we already have it then we want to get something new, and it needs to be under $50 in value.”

The Solvang branch manager says the 15-year program has seen plenty of success over the years.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Announced just before the busy holiday season, employees at Santa Cruz Markets in Goleta and Santa Barbara are standing up against unfair labor practices by threatening to go on strike.

Announced through their union, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770, employees at the West Montecito Street and the Hollister Avenue locations say the decision was made through a unanimous membership vote to protest Santa Cruz Market’s labor violations.

These violations include “coercion, surveillance, unilateral changes, and bad faith that have prevented essential grocery workers from getting the fair contract they deserve.”

Local 770 represents Santa Cruz Markets clerks and meat department workers in Goleta and Santa Barbara; their bargaining committee says workers will continue to fight for a fair contact that will both reward and protect their hard work.

“We’ve had enough of their union-busting tactics that undermine workers and silence our voices. And if they thought Santa Cruz Markets members could be scared away from standing up for our rights, they just found out that they are very wrong.”

“An Unfair Labor Practice strike is always a last resort, and we will continue to push Santa Cruz Markets to do the right thing and come back to the table to bargain in good faith.”

Both sides are heading back to the bargaining table tomorrow.

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