Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Little Bo Peep took the Best of Show blue ribbon at the Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in the Ventura Harbor.

Other winners and runners up included Swift and Kelce,” Nonviolent Protesters , Jane Goodall, The Headless Horseman and The Invisible Man.

About 60 dogs from up and down the coast took part and they all got along, especially dogs dress as Taylor and Travis.

Judges appeared to like entrees with homemade costumes worn by dogs and their handlers.

“We enjoy coming out every year  and try something different and we like planning and you know the excitement of being here,” said Best of Show winner Heather and her Sheepadoodle named Hadley.

John and Allie Fragile dressed their winning dog Jet as the Headless Horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hallow.

“It is really great i  put a lot of effort into this costume and it prevailed,” John of Port Hueneme.

The Invisible Man and dog had people doing double takes.

Samantha Gonzalez of Oxnard made their costumes.

” My dog’s name is Bubbles. She is a 2 year old rescue from the Camarillo Animal Shelter. yeah and we just love her so much, we are happy to have her in our lives because we get to do fun things like this,” said Gonzalez.

Catherine Cox who has won three years in a row was a runner up this time.

Cox and her dog Betty Rose paid tribute to Jane Goodall.

The dogs took home ribbons, and treats from the Ventura Pet Barn and had a chance to enjoy special pup cream from Coastal Cone.

There is more fun to be had at the harbor on Sunday including Seaside Trick or Treating from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information visit https://venturaharborvillage.com

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – A popular pumpkin patch in Ventura invited  Plein Air artists to their property.

“Plein Air” is French for the act of painting outdoors.

They set up their easels and worked for several hours on the Saturday before Halloween at McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins.

While selecting their Halloween pumpkins, folks watched artists paint what they saw around them.

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Dr. in Ventura.

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, California. (KEYT) The Channel Islands Harbor hosted its inaugural Pumpkin Paddle.

Witches took part in a paddle parade from Fisherman’s Wharf to the dock by Peninsula Park along the main channel where they posed for photos.

The Harbor Patrol made sure boats gave them the right of way.

The harbor gave out prizes that included Harbor Mart and Sea Fresh gift cards.

They plan to host another one with a holiday theme in December.

For more information visit https://www.channelislandsharbor.org

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – CHP Ventura officers arrested a North Hollywood man following a two-county car chase that began in Los Angeles just before 7:00 p.m. Friday.

The 27-year-old fled from Los Angeles Police Department officers after they contacted him for suspicion of DUI and firearm possession, according to the Ventura CHP.

The North Hollywood man then drove onto the 101 freeway to Ventura County at speeds up to 110 miles per hour, according to the Ventura CHP.

LAPD units gave way to Ventura CHP, who then chased the 27-year-old’s car at up to 80 miles and hour before slowing his car down with a spike strip.

The North Hollywood man’s car eventually had to stop just before the Seacliff Avenue off-ramp due to his shredded tires, and LAPD officers took him into custody, according to the Ventura CHP.

LAPD officers then arrested the man for various felony charges and suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, according to the Ventura CHP.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

(Sam Boeddeker returns a kickoff for a touchdown in the Cardinals win).

Segment 1: Bishop Diego 35, St. Bonaventure 27; Westlake 33, Santa Barbara 14; Templeton 56, Nipomo 31; St. Joseph 42, Lompoc 0; San Luis Obispo 28, Santa Ynez 23; Righetti 49, Pioneer Valley 7

Segment 2: Agoura 35, San Marcos 6; Fillmore 24, Dos Pueblos 17

Segment 3: Nordhoff 49, Carpinteria 0

Segment 4: Pacifica 42, Simi Valley 20

More Scores:

Atascadero 43, Morro Bay 39

Paso Robles 27, Mission Prep 13

Cabrillo 55, Santa Maria 0

Ventura 35, Oak Park 7

Moorpark 42, Royal 6

Buena 28, Oxnard 6

Oaks Christian 42, Camarillo 6

Calabasas 42, Rio Mesa 14

Thousand Oaks 17, Newbury Park 7

Santa Paula 27, Hueneme 16

Del Sol 63, Santa Clara 13

Grace 49, Channel Islands 20

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo Police arrested Elijah King, 36 of San Luis Obispo, on Friday for a hate crime spanning from August 28 this year.

King used the social media platform X for terroristic threats and anti-semitic language, goading police and asking other users to report him, according to the SLOPD.

SLOPD detectives then investigated and filed formal felony charges of a false bomb threat and hate crime enhancement against King on Oct. 22.

SLOPD officers then found King in a parking lot at the 3900 block of S. Higueria on Friday, where they arrested him without incident.

This remains an active investigation, and those with additional information are asked to contact the following number.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A San Marcos High School student reported a substitute teacher who repeatedly said a racial slur during a first-period class Friday, according to SMHS Principal Dare Holdren.

Instructions from the absent teacher explicitly mentioned substituting the slur during a reading of Of Mice and Men in a first-period class, according to SMHS Principal Dare Holdren.

Below is a full statement from Principal Holdren released to parents after the incident:

Hello students and families in Ms. Hannah’s 1st period.

I am writing to let you know that during 1st period this morning, a substitute teacher in Ms. Tia’s 1st period class was reading aloud from Of Mice and Men, and read aloud the n-word multiple times. The lesson plan for the class had advised the sub to replace any slurs with appropriate language. 

I am grateful that a student reported the incident to the office during the period, so we were able to address it right away. In response, we pulled the substitute from the classroom. In addition, I addressed the class about the impact of the incident and discussed some of the historical context of the use of that particular slur, and I am messaging you, so that you are aware, can discuss the incident as a family, and can let us know if any students need support.

I am disappointed and upset that this happened, particularly in light of our school and district-wide efforts to address racist language. While the substitute seems to have not intended to cause harm, the impact of the use of the slur was hurtful and traumatic for many of the students in the class. We will be working on next steps for addressing the incident with the substitute teacher and Ms. Hannah will make sure students get to discuss the incident as a class upon her return. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me to discuss. 

Thanks,Mr. Holdren 

One parent appreciated how quickly the school administration handled the situation:

“We appreciated how promptly Mr. Holdren and his staff addressed this unfortunate situation and letting us know about the resources that are available from SB Unified for minority students.”   

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Alissa Orozco

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – A small development in the case of Melodee Buzzard happened Friday as Sheriff’s detectives shared an updated timeline and images of the missing nine-year-old.

On Oct.14th, a school administrator reported that Melodee had been missing from school for some time and when deputies arrived at Melodee’s mother’s home in the 500 block of Mars Avenue in Vandenberg Village, the nine-year-old was not there and, “no clear explanation was provided for her whereabouts” stated a press release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday.

Concern over the welfare of the young girl has grown both locally and nationally as it was revealed that Melodee’s mother Ashlee rented a white Chevrolet Malibu and drove Melodee outside of Santa Barbara county, possibly as far away as the state of Nebraska.

New surveillance images captures Melodee at a local car rental business on October 7th, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and likely a wig, “that is darker and straighter than her natural hair,” according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance, and Ashlee is known to wear wigs herself.

Previously shared photos of Melodee were at least two-years-old.

Detectives confirmed Ashlee returned to their Lompoc residence on October 10th in the same rental car, but without Melodee – narrowing down the critical timeline to between October 7th and October 10th.

The two’s three-day roadtrip went from Lompoc to the Nebraska area, with the return trip including the state of Kansas. Detectives say they are now focused on determining where Melodee was during those three days and where she may be now.

Sheriff Bill Brown said, “Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “We remain determined to bring her home safely.”

Melodee Buzzard is described as a 9-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

The department asks the public to not conduct their own independent searches or investigations to not interfere with law enforcement efforts.

A community prayer vigil for Melodee’s safety is being hosted tonight by her paternal family in Vandenberg Village.

Detectives are asking anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Sheriff’s Office through one of the following methods:

· Detectives Line: (805) 681-4150

· Anonymous Tip Line: (805) 681-4171 · Online Tips: SBSheriff.org

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The story of Melodee Buzzard is gripping the Lompoc Valley and much of the nation.

The case of the missing 9-year-old girl continues with no resolution as her mother Ashlee is not cooperating with law enforcement. 

The community gathered for a prayer vigil on Friday night.

Investigators have released newer photos of the little girl.

The community prayer vigil outside the home of Melodee Buzzard Friday was organized by the young girl’s grandmother Lilly Denes, who works with your News Channel.

And these more recent images are adding a note of hope to a case that has many in the neighborhood and the nation holding their breath and continuing to pray.

New details have surfaced on Ashlee driving Melodee out of Santa Barbara county in a rental car, as far away as Nebraska. 

Deputies now say this road trip took three days and included a stop in Kansas before Ashlee returned to Lompoc without her daughter.

Surveillance images from October 7th when Ashlee rented a white Chevy Malibu have yielded the most recent photos of Melodee, and deputies say the little girl appears to be wearing a wig.

They also note that Ashlee is known to wear wigs herself.

At tonight’s prayer vigil, relatives have a message for the missing girl.

“Melodee,” says the girl’s aunt, sister to Melodee’s late father Rubiell Meza. “Melodee, we love you. We miss you, and we’re praying for you, that you’re well, that you’re okay. You know, just hang in there. No matter what’s going on, you’re going to be home soon and we’ll be able to see you. So we love you. And we missed you very much.”

Investigators with both Santa Barbara county and the FBI continue to ask for the public’s help in locating Melodee.

If you have seen Melodee or have any information, you can call the 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/.

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John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – The large scale Halloween events of the past have quieted down in recent years in the area filled with UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College students, but this year, Halloween activities could start a week earlier.

The community has worked hard on safe activities, alternatives to large events and a message to disruptive out-of-towners to stay out.

Lt. Joe Schmidt heads up the Isla Vista Foot Patrol for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept.

“The last few years we have seen a very  a minimal impact of an out of town crowd for Halloween. I think  the word is out that  this is not the place  to go,” he said.

Halloween is next Friday. Many parties are scheduled this weekend – which could bring out an infusion of festive local residents, their friends and curious outsiders.

“We have significantly upstaffed Sheriff’s deputies and UCPD officers for Isla vista  to manage what we anticipate will be larger crowd coming,” said Schmidt.

Many residents say they will be gone for Halloween but here this weekend. Larsen Porter said, “and I went out last weekend  and everybody was in costume   and the spirit    very much alive .”  

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and other organizations have been doing outreach to “Keep it Safe, Keep it Local.”

The ordinances restricting live music and loud music to help control the atmosphere kick in over the Halloween weekend but they are not in place this weekend.

Alternative activities over the next week include a “Haunted Pumpkin Patch” in Anisq’Oyo’ Park, as organized by the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District (IVRPD). 

In recent years, these events have also included carnival games, silent discos, and family-friendly activities in an area, which has year-round residents and many families.

The arrest totals have dropped significantly in recent years.

The Sheriff’s Department operating the Isla Vista Foot Patrol is collaborating with UCSB Police, the City of Goleta, the Isla Vista Community Services District, the Recreation and Parks Department,AMR, the County Fire Department and student leaders to have safe streets and a quick response to needs.

Some students say they want to have fun but they also want to be very aware of what is going on around them so they can avoid something bad happening and ruining their Halloween.

Emilio Lopez said, “we have a risk management team for my  group that we  have  we always make sure that nothing bad is going on.  it’s always safe even without the cops.”

It’s also a time when parents are checking in. Ayden Curameng said, “I am always talking to my parents and they are always saying be careful what you do and watch who you are around but I think I am good with  being safe.”

While there will be beefed up law enforcement, fire, AMR and other services, Schmidt says “we have to protect their right  to have fun and celebrate  this great area but we have to make sure people are safe. ”

There will be safe stations set up for those who need to get away from big crowds or the wrong people, and there will be water to hydrate.

Malea Smith is a student who makes a plan to go out and get home safely. She has not had any negative experiences. “I felt safe every time I am out and I am always making sure I am with friends and I feel safe and I have walked home alone and it is totally safe.”

(More details about the Halloween week activities will be covered in the week ahead.)

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