Category: keyt-local-news

Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Police are investigating a fatal shooting that killed a man on August 4 as a homicide.

The shooting happened just after 1:00 a.m. on August 4th near West Ramona and Riverside Streets, according to Ventura Police.

VPD officers did not find a suspect but later found and helped a man who had life-threatening injuries from the shooting to the Ventura County Medical Center.

The victim sadly passed from his injuries on the night of August 8 and no arrests have been made at this time, according to VPD officers.

VPD detectives believe the shooting is an isolated incident and there does not appear to be a community threat.

The investigation remains ongoing, but those with information on the shooting are asked to contact the following number.

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Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – August 8th is National Pickleball Day, and lovers of the paddle game joined in on the fun, including right here on the Central Coast.

The Picklr just recently opened a location in Goleta, and it is the region’s first indoor pickleball facility. On Saturday, the Picklr hosted a ‘Courtside Bash,” offering free pickleball play all day. It gave newbies the chance to step foot on the court or for regulars to enjoy a free day of open play.

All day the game was in constant rotation, playing in teams of two, players put their paddles to the test against friends or even complete strangers. 

Club members say it was great to see how popular the sport has become. 

“Its very fun day. There’s so many different levels, and I think it’s so cool how everybody can come together, and I think it’s just gonna be a great day today. Lots of pickleball, lots of food and energy. It’ll be really fun,” said 14-year-old Madalena Flores.

Flores is a Santa Barbara native and Junior Pickleball State Champion, plus a partnered athlete with The Picklr.

“At first, when I heard pickleball I was like ‘I don’t wanna do this! I’m a big tennis player’ but once I did, it’s addicting. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover!” said Flores.

While every day can’t be free pickleball day, you can join The Pickler any time to join in on the fun.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A two-motorcycle crash killed one person and injured another person just before 3:30 p.m. at the Highway 135 northbound on-ramp to Highway 1.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews declared one patient dead at the scene while the other person, a 60-year-old Huntington Beach man, needed a ground ambulance for major injuries.

The Santa Barbara Coroner’s Office released the identity of the deceased on Monday as Timothy Greene, a 64-year-old man from Corona.

Both highways remained open, but drivers are advised to use alternate routes due to heavy traffic and the presence of first responders at the scene, according to the SBCFD.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, according to the SBCFD.

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Caleb Nguyen

SHANDON, Calif. (KEYT) – CAL FIRE SLO crews are battling a 2410-acre grass fire near the eastbound Highway 46 and Antelope Road.

The fire first broke out around 4:15 p.m. and reached two to three acres around 30 minutes later, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

The fire grew to 2410 acres Sunday afternoon and reached 70% containment as of Monday night.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Fire crews are battling a 167-acre fire in Piru that first broke out just after 1:00 p.m. Saturday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

The fire first reached 95 acres two hours after its initial burn, then jumped to 167 acres just before 4:30 p.m., according to CAL FIRE.

VCFD crews alongside several other agencies are performing helicopter air drops and ground work in efforts to contain the fire.

Forward progress of the fire stopped just before 5:30 p.m., according to the VCFD.

Evacuation orders were in place for several sections of the Piru area but have since been lifted.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police officers helped a pedestrian to the hospital after a car crash just before 1:00 a.m. early Saturday.

The crash happened at 600 Chapala Street, and SBPD officers, alongside paramedics, helped the person to Cottage Hospital for further medical treatment.

SBPD officers closed down the 600 and 700 blocks of Chapala Street during their investigation after finding the driver and the involved car in the crash.

As of 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the pedestrian remains in stable condition, though the investigation remains ongoing, according to the SBPD.

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Caleb Nguyen

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard went on lockdown after a bomb threat Friday night.

The lockdown initially began around 6:30 p.m. and ended around 9:00 p.m. when Oxnard Police couldn’t find any explosive devices.

No arrests were made and no injuries came from the false threat, according to St. John’s Medical Center.

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Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Lompoc named Kevin Shay its new Fire Chief after serving as Interim Fire Chief since March 26th this year.

In those four months, Shay helped lead the LFD during organizational change while remaining focused on long-term improvements and reliable emergency response, according to the City of Lompoc.

Lompoc City Manager Dean Albro mentioned his excitement at the new appointment:

After careful consideration of all applicants, Kevin Shay was selected for the position. His extensive firefighting experience and years of service to the Lompoc community demonstrate both his commitment to public service and professionalism. Chief Shay’s dedicated leadership will benefit both our community and the Lompoc Fire Department. I look forward to working with Chief Kevin Shay in his new role as Lompoc Fire Department’s fire chief.

Dean Albro, Lompoc City Manager

Shay brings 20 years of experience in fire service, 18 of which he has spent in Lompoc through operational, training, EMS and administrative leadership roles, according to the City of Lompoc.

Alongside his work with the LFD, Shay also helps train future firefighters as a faculty member at Allan Hancock College, according to the City of Lompoc.

Shay mentioned his own gratitude, humility and responsibility in taking on the role of Fire Chief for the City:

“It is an incredible honor to serve as fire chief. This department has given me opportunities throughout my career that I will always be grateful for. I am humbled by the confidence the city has placed in me, and I look forward to continuing to serve alongside the men and women of this department. Our responsibility is to provide dependable service every day, regardless of the challenges we face,” Shay said. “That starts with taking care of our people, making informed decisions and keeping community needs at the center of what the department does. We have a great department, and I am excited about what we will accomplish for both our department and the city of Lompoc.”

Kevin Shay, Lompoc Fire Chief

Shay’s first official day in his new role is Saturday, August 8.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – In Santa Maria, the elected city leaders have given themselves a raise.

It was a close vote: 3 – 2 in favor.

One of the no votes, Richard Batalla, is officially launching his campaign for the city council seat he was appointed to fill.

But he was on the losing end of the vote that will give Santa Maria’s elected leaders a 20 percent raise.

Mayor Alice Patino joined council members Gloria Flores and Maribel Aguilera to vote in favor of a $341 per month raise.

Starting next year the mayor will make about 2300 a month, council members 2050 a month.

“City Council actually does not get paid a salary,” says Maribel Aguilera, District 4 Santa Maria City Council. “We get a stipend to serve our community and it is truly public service.”

Patino and Flores think the city can afford it despite its budget deficit. 

“I’m the one that proposed this,” said Councilmember Gloria Flores from the dais on Tuesday. “And—but it comes along with city council. So I believe that we need to pass this as council and take care of our city council and our mayors that come on board.”

Aguilera says it won’t benefit her but subsequent council members, as her term ends in November and she is running for county supervisor.

“It’s important for the next person who is coming behind me to be able to get a little bit of a benefit,” says Aguilera. “Like I said, this is not a raise. It’s just an incremental increase, and it is for posterity purposes.”

Council member Gloria Soto expressed opposition to the timing of the increase in light of the city’s budget woes.

“At the moment, as we’re having these conversations with employee groups where we’re asking them to understand the state of our city budget, I just in good faith, cannot support this,” said Soto from the dais.

Richard Batalla was appointed to fill the District 1 seat after Carlos Escobedo vacated, and he voted no at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I think we should have waited, maybe in December, bring it up to the drawing board,” says Batalla.

Batalla must campaign to remain in the seat until the current term ends in 2028, and he strongly emphasizes he isn’t serving for money.

“All my intentions for this position is to be transparent with the community,” Batalla says. “I’d rather have that money go through something that’s actually going to benefit somebody in the long run, like our youth.”

Batalla’s campaign which kicked off at Oakley Park pits him against two other opponents.

Whoever wins that race will get more money come January.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of incoming freshman across the Santa Maria Valley are getting ready to enter high school next week when the new academic year begins.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, the 2026-27 school year begins in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) at its four campuses, Santa Maria High School, Righetti High School, Pioneer Valley High School and Delta High School.

In preparation for the new year, some of the schools are holding orientation events for incoming freshman to better prepare them for the transition to their new school.

On Friday, Pioneer Valley is welcoming more than 800 9th graders to campus for the school’s annual “Link Crew Freshmen Orientation.”

During the event, upperclassmen will help guide freshmen class through a series of team building activities.

A key element of the event is each group of students is given a tour of the sprawling Pioneer Valley campus, which is home to nearly 3,400 students, making it the largest school on the Central Coast.

Link Crew is a year-long class that is designed to help provide a smooth and positive transition onto campus for freshmen and new students, as well as build and foster school spirit and culture.

The orientation allows freshmen to help create new friendships and connections, not only with other incoming new students, but also their Link Crew leaders as well.

In addition to taking part in the activities, students also will pick up their class schedule for the upcoming school year.

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