Category: keyt-local-news

Caleb Nguyen

CAMARILLO, Calif. (KEYT) – Camarillo Police deputies are investigating a stabbing that took place during a youth football game at Camarillo High School just before 6:00 p.m. Friday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The stabbing sent a 27-year-old Oxnard man to the hospital for medical care after Camarillo Police helped the victim for his injuries, according to the VCSO.

Those with additional information on the incident are asked to contact Detective Christopher Vorzimer or Detective Nicole Grover.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at the following number.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – By the looks of it, sales have been slower in parts of Santa Barbara for months, and the real numbers are backing that up.

Three members of the city council siting as the finance committee presented a graphic Tuesday showing city expenses are going up, while revenues are projected to go down.

One of the impacts has been in the area of sales taxes which have been described as ‘softening.’

Strong sales equals a solid flow of funds from taxes into the city’s budget.

The process now is to find either new funds, sometimes through increased fees or make cuts in staffing and services.

One area could be in with cannabis, where the city could potential gain an increased 20 percent tax.

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Meagan Harmon who sits on the committee said, “I fell strongly that  we need to increase that to the maximum rate allowable our cannabis tax rate. To me that is the lowest of the low hanging fruit.”

Other tax increases would have to go on the 2026 ballot but that is a long process with a deadline of roughly next June to have the ballot wording and analysis done.

Santa Barbara City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said, “if the council wants to put something on the ballot we would recommend getting started as soon as possible, because there would be some voter education, some polling.  If that is the choice of the council or finance committee we would want to get started on that right away.”

Another area where revenues fall flat is from the hotel transient occupancy or bed tax, which is also not providing much help.

A concern was raised about increasing those taxes, potentially affecting bookings.

Councilmember Wendy Santamaria said. “I don’t think we need more hotels, we don’t need more but the ones that are here should be able to have that revenue generated right?”

The group Friends of the Santa Barbara Library strongly urged the city not to cut library funds or the hours of operation.

Barbara Hershberg, the group’s President, said, “they can be lifelines for marginalized populations offering both immediate support and long-term opportunities for growth.”

The Santa Barbara waterfront is being eyed to generate some new money. A suggestion was made to open up some of the parking spaces for overnight and RV camping.

“It has been done in other areas of California and it is very popular.”

Councilmember Eric Friedman said, “that turned out to be one that makes a lot sense and is worth exploring for a lot of reasons. So I want to thank our staff for getting ahead of this. The longer we wait the bigger the hole will be at the end and this is a way to right the ship.”         

In the long-term another warning sign was the reserve fund. It’s going down, a trend the city says it will not allow.

The finance committee is sending all of this information and recommendations to the full city council for immediate action.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Atascadero regarding the development announcement of a new Chick-fil-A location

ATASCADERO, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Atascadero is excited to announce that a concept plan has been submitted for review for a proposed new Chick-fil-A restaurant. The planned site is located near the north end of the city within the Home Depot shopping center.

The proposed location sits near the corner of El Camino Real and San Ramon Road, adjacent to the SpringHill Suites Hotel, providing convenient access for both residents and travelers along the Highway 101 corridor. While the project is currently in the early stages of the City’s development review process, the proposal reflects continued interest from nationally recognized businesses in bringing new dining options and economic investment to Atascadero.

“Atascadero continues to attract strong interest from quality businesses, and we’re excited about the potential addition of Chick-fil-A to our community,” said City Manager Jim Lewis. “A project like this not only enhances local dining options but also supports continued economic growth and job creation in our City.”

Updates on the project’s progress and opportunities for community input will be shared as the review process moves forward. For more information on current and upcoming projects in Atascadero, visit www.atascadero.org or contact the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 461-5035.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The new Santa Barbara Police Station and parking project has been set back due to the discovery of contaminated soil.

It was recently removed, but there is a project delay. The city says the planned opening in Spring of 2027 will instead likely be pushed to September 2027.

The site is on the corner of Cota St. and Santa Barbara St. It was known for years as the site of the weekly Farmers Market and also a parking lot used by downtown workers. Before that it was an elementary school.

The work crews found contaminated soil and the footprint was determined with 60 samples.

The dirt has been taken to special sites for this kind of waste in Kettleman City and San Luis Obispo County.

In a presentation to the Santa Barbara City Finance Committee, Construction Manager Derek Troya said 40 percent of the contingency fund for the project went to this cleanup.

The city is preparing to backfill with more money from the voter approved Measure C funds which are being used for the overall project.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – A much-discussed new parking fee at the popular Pismo Preserve hiking trail is now in effort.

Visitors to the 888-acre coastal trail located along Highway 101 are now required to pay a daily fee for parking.

Parking on site will now cost daily visitors a fee of $5, while an annual pass is also available for $50.

Last Friday, the The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, which owns the property, started the new parking fee program.

According to the non-profit organization, the new policy has gone smoothly over the first few days and reaction from visitors so far has mostly been positive.

For many of the visitors on Tuesday, they said they understand the need for the fee and agree there is a need for the new policy.

“I think parking fee is great,” said Bob Armstrong of Nipomo. “I think it’s, long overdue. I think people need to support the Land Conservancy. “I think paying for these kinds of things to make lives people’s lives better. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a place where you can walk and hike or mountain bike ride, where you can see the ocean on your left, and you can see the mountains behind you on your right, and you’re on top of the hill. It’s a fantastic place.”

The Land Conservancy also acknowledged the new fee has been a hot topic since it was first announced two weeks ago, but said the money raised will allow the organization to help cover operational costs.

The organization pointed out does not receive any tax revenue for either local, state or federal agencies to support the Pismo Preserve, which costs $200,000 to operate annually.

Yearly donations to the Pismo Preserve add up to $50,000, so the Land Conservancy is hoping the new parking fee will cover the remaining $150,000 needed over the overall costs.

So far, the Land Conservancy reports it has sold 300 annual passes for total of $15,000.

“I come here two to three times a week,” said Howard Ingle of Grover Beach. “So $50 for a year doesn’t seem like anything. The $50 pass seems like a bargain.”

Visitors are able to purchase parking passes through a mobile app or with cash or credit card at a pay station located by the restrooms and kiosk.

“It was a really easy to,” said Kirsten Hatfield, visiting from Yucca Valley. “You scan the QR and you’re good to go. Super easy. It took us less than five minutes to get it all done.” 

The Pismo Preserve opened to the public in 2020 and provides hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian riders 11 miles of trails that travel through oak woodland and coastal ridgeways, which offer some of the most picturesque views in the entire state.

“I really like the views of the ocean,” said Ingle. “I like to get to the very top up there because that’s a good vertical challenge for me.  On certain times of year, you’ll see whales from up there. You can check out the surf at the Pismo Pier. There’s just some really cool things to look over at Shell Beach, all the way down to Avila and see all those views.”

Depending on weather conditions, visitors are able to look out to the Pacific Ocean and view panoramic scenery from the Irish Hills to the north to the Point Sal to the south.

For more information, click here to visit the Pismo Preserve webpage on the official website for The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA / LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – We are learning more about the extended family of the 9-year-old girl from Vandenberg Village who was reported missing a week ago today.

Law enforcement first made contact with Melodee’s paternal grandmother last Thursday to inform her the 9-year-old girl was missing, when her grandmother hadn’t seen her in years.

When she was six months old, Melodee’s father died in a motorcycle accident.

His name was Rolando Rubiell “Pinoy” Meza. 

His mother, Melodee’s paternal grandmother Lilly Denes, is a sales executive for KEYT and Telemundo.

“He was a really good dad, very good son,” says Lilly. “We used to argue a little bit like every mother, but he was a very good son. Loved his daughter.”

With a candlelight vigil this Friday, Melodee’s family on her father Rubiell’s side seeks to keep attention on the case until Melodee is found.

“I think everybody’s looking and they’ll find her,” she says. “I just hope in the Lord that they find her soon, because this is a lot of a lot of pain for us.”

She also has requested that from now on her missing granddaughter be referred to as Melodee Buzzard-Meza.

(UPDATED 10/22) She clarifies to us that some time after Rubiell died, Melodee had been placed in Lilly’s custody, but that Ashlee took Melodee from the school she had been attending at the time and left Santa Barbara county. Lilly hasn’t seen her granddaughter since.

“I didn’t even know she lived there,” she says. “She’s been hiding from us, especially from me, because I’m the grandma and they gave it to us. So she’s always been scared that I’m going to go and just grab her and take her and get a lawyer and fight with her. I don’t want to fight.”

She is welcoming the whole community to Friday’s vigil.

“We’re going to do a vigil, candle light for prayers for my baby to come home. Please, if you’re watching this come and join us. I really appreciate it, my family will, we’re all going to be there and we have family coming from out of town for to pray for our baby. So please join us if you can. Thank you.”

Santa Barbara County Sheriffs and the FBI continue to ask the public’s help in locating Melodee, who may have been driven by her mother Ashlee as far away as Nebraska.

If you have seen Melodee or have any information, you can call he Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division (805) 681-4150. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – Dos Pueblos High School took home both the boys and girls Athlete of the Week Awards at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon inside Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

Junior water polo player Grant Nelson was honored on the boy’s side after he led the Chargers to a thrilling 14-13 triple-overtime win against Buena that gave DP the Channel League regular season title.

Nelson scored two goals in the extra sessions. He totaled 4 goals overall.

The girls winner is Dos Pueblos golfer Celeste Alcaraz who led the Chargers past Santa Barbara to win the Channel League championship and finish off an undefeated regular season.

Alcaraz shot a 40 to earn medalist honors.

(Alcaraz was medalist for DP in all of their league wins. Courtesy photo).

She did not attend the luncheon as she was competing in Oxnard.

At the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table in Orcutt, Tavin Wilding was named the Athlete of the Week on the boy’s side.

The Valley Christian Academy running back rushed for 123 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 56-27 win against Coast Union.

No girls athlete was selected.

Click here to follow the original article.

Caleb Nguyen

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 64-year-old Arroyo Grande man at a traffic stop after finding firearms, narcotics and an explosive device Friday.

SLOCSO deputies stopped the man’s car around 3:00 a.m. Friday at the 600 block of Mesa View Drive and found drug paraphernalia, narcotics and a firearm in the car.

SLOCSO deputies then obtained a search warrant at the 600 block of Ralcoa Way in Arroyo Grande where they found more firearms, more narcotics and an explosive device.

SLOCSO Bomb Task Force deputies then safely removed and disposed of the explosive device on-site.

SLOCSO deputies seized 6.3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, the explosive device and three guns before taking the 64-year-old Arroyo Grande man into custody.

The 64-year-old now faces the following charges:

PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm

PC 30305(a)(1) – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition

PC 18710 – Possession of a Destructive Device

HS 11378 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale

PC 12022(c) – Armed with a Firearm During Commission of a Felony

HS 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Click here to follow the original article.

Caleb Nguyen

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional investigation detail released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office on October 30th.

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – New details released Thursday by The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBCSO) regarding an October incident, which started as an assault with a deadly weapon that turned into an officer involved shooting.

Officers were called to reports of a suspect actively assaulting a victim at incident at 2:39 p.m. at the Ralph’s grocery store at the 5100 block of Hollister Ave. in Goleta, according to the SBCSO. Detectives have now learned the altercation came about when the suspect was seen abusing the victim’s dog.

The adult victim was stabbed twice by 34-year-old Abdou Rahman Nyan of Connecticut.

Nyan fled to the nearby Ralph’s grocery store and barricaded himself inside a bathroom at the back of the store.

SBCSO deputies say Nyan died after being shot following an attempt to apprehend him.

The Sheriff’s office says while armed with a knife, Nyan suddenly opened the door, pushed through a create barricade and charged through deputies. Sergeant Eric Delgadillo and Deputy Anthony Muneton fired six rounds, stopping the attack.

“What is immediately clear is that deputies contacted the adult male suspect and attempted to apprehend him although there was an altercation and the suspect was shot and deputies were not physically harmed the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene, the identity of the suspect is pending and we’ll provide further updates as they become available,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Raquel Zick.

Witnesses told Your News Channel as employees and shoppers left their carts and headed for the door, they heard the gunfire.

Some workers waited patiently to be allowed back into the store to retrieve car keys, phones and other belongings before heading home.

A California Department of Justice vehicle arrived to take on the investigation.

Other businesses in the Magnolia Shopping center remained open.

The stabbing victim was treated at a local hospital and has since been released. The victim’s dog was unharmed.

The involved officers have been put on administrative leave.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A major construction project along De La Vina Street is shaking up Santa Barbara’s local business scene, forcing shops and restaurants to adapt as daily operations take a hit.

The two-year bridge widening project, designed to improve safety and traffic flow, has instead slowed traffic and limited customer access, leaving some business owners worried about staying afloat.

“We’ve definitely seen fewer customers coming in,” said Maria Ortiz, manager at Cris Market. “Tighter parking makes it harder for people to stop by, and it’s been a challenge to adjust.”

From restaurants to coffee shops, business owners along De La Vina Street are finding creative ways to adapt, but uncertainty remains as the construction continues.

As the noise of jackhammers and heavy machinery fills the street, Santa Barbara’s local businesses are learning to navigate a new, disrupted rhythm of daily life.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.