Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — The Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County is often compared to the Galápagos Islands due to its biodiversity.

That’s why some people aren’t surprised to hear that a kayaker reported seeing a 14-foot white shark on Monday.

Lifeguards and a park ranger removed the warning sign 24 hours later, as part of their Level 1 protocol following a confirmed sighting.

A couple from Ojai, staying in the campground, said they may have seen the shark, too.

“We were just swimming on a normal night and we actually saw a fin pop up. We don’t know if it was a shark or a dolphin, but whatever it was, we were talking about it all last night,” said Charlie Hayworth. “It kind of gave us a little bit of a scare. We got out of the water real quick and backed up a little bit. We’re just happy we’re okay.”

Other signs remind visitors that the Santa Barbara Channel is home to more than two dozen species of whales and dolphins.

Visitors say one of the main attractions in the area is the diversity of marine life.

“It is really pretty to know there are a bunch of things out there,” said Eden Meyers.

Janet Openshaw, of Old Orcutt, didn’t know about Monday’s shark sighting until she saw lifeguards being asked about it.

“I would just tell my girls — and myself as well — just don’t go out too far, be aware of your surroundings, and yeah, have fun,” Openshaw said.

A similar sighting was reported in late May.

Despite the renewed attention from the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws and the annual Shark Week in July on the Discovery Channel, most campers and beachgoers seem to take it in stride.

Landon Bowman and Blake Webster of San Diego said they still plan to enjoy the ocean.

Shark detection buoys used by the Cal State University Long Beach Shark Lab are strategically placed up and down the coast. They cost about $15,000 each and provide data for those on patrol.

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Alissa Orozco

MONTECITO, Calif. – An unexpected spill left Montecito in a sticky situation.

Clean-up efforts are continuing today after a 275-gallon container of pink adhesive liquid spilled out of trailer truck Monday afternoon and left a sticky mess at Montecito Union School!

The adhesive was being used for a repair project at the school’s running track. The container was reportedly punctured by a forklift while being loaded for transport.

Montecito Fire was called out Monday around 3:00pm to find roughly 200 gallons had spilled at school site, and leaked all the way down San Ysidro Road to San Leandro Park, just before the roundabout near Hwy 101.    

Montecito Fire, the Public Works Department, a special contractor, and many others began work to clear the area yesterday, and they continued today. A clean-up crew was seen today taking the substance away in large plastic bags.

The community is asked to choose alternative routes and avoid San Ysidro Road while clean-up continues.

Firefighters were able to block the adhesive from entering local waterways with sandbags – preventing any major wildlife and environmental impacts.

Montecito Fire says the adhesive is similar to latex paint, containing a chemical “often used in cosmetics, paints or coatings to help with texture and ease of application.” It is not hazardous, and non-toxic, but made quite the mess.

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Caleb Nguyen

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – CAL FIRE SLO crews helped with a two-acre grass fire at Huasna and Everglade Road in Arroyo Grande just before 2:30 Tuesday.

Engine crews helped one structure affected by the fire which had a slow rate of spread and potential for five acres, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Forward progress of the fire stopped 30 minutes after it first broke out, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

A CAL FIRE SLO incident commander mentioned downed power lines near the incident and urged those in the area to be cautious.

More information on this fire will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Though they didn’t have cell phones and pocket cameras 100 years ago, historical images following the June 29th, 1925 earthquake are on display at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

While many people were sleeping or just starting their day, the ground shook hard at 6:42 a.m. at the start of a magnitude 6.3 earthquake. Buildings that were not reinforced or strong enough came down. Damage was everywhere.

The museum is recalling this event with numerous shots, panels, videos and the storyline that left much of downtown and several other areas destroyed or heavily damaged.

The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed. Many other buildings were in shambles.

“We really wanted to make it a priority to show the public images they might not have seen before,” said Santa Barbara Historical Museum Education Director Emily Alessio. “Every photograph and every artifact in this exhibition tells a story and we are really lucky to have the actual words and voices of  earthquake survivors.”

The exhibit goes on to show most of the populace spent the summer sleeping outdoors as aftershocks rolled through the city. Exactly one year later on June 29th, 1926, a sharp aftershock claimed one more life when a collapsing chimney killed a small boy. Over the next decade, the city rebuilt and reinvented itself in the process. Out of the rubble would come a new Santa Barbara with the headline, “Spanish Architecture to Rise from Ruins.”

  “One of the main things that we did  for the exhibition was to digitize all of  our images  and do a call out to the community to find more images of the destruction and rebuilding following the quake,” said Executive Director Dacia Harwood.

Some of the projected photos show a before and after view of different intersections. Historian Neal Graffy says, “that’s the fun of it. To come down and look at it and realize ‘I know what that building is’ and see elements of it and others you have no idea .”

It also shows how the city was changed. “This was the opportunity as you look around here, you see all these buildings with fronts,  all the bricks caved out, so they could put new fronts on the building.”  He said after the earthquake “cities across America were looking at what Santa Barbara was doing and a lot of people  did not have an idea of building codes or anything like that so we were a role model.”

Part of the display is an old power switch. It was shut down by a worker to prevent the city from having fires during the catastrophe.

There is also a Chamber of Commerce sign with a crack in it. It was on Carrillo Street the morning of the powerful temblor.

Numerous newspaper headlines and coverage are in the display showing the way the public learned of the disaster. Some of the research shows the names of those who died were in error,

Two of the most famous images of damage were the Hotel Californian and the Old MIssion.

The museum exhibit is free to the public, and is opened through July 6th, 2025.

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Dave Alley

VANDENBERG SFB, Calif. – Vandenberg Space Force Base held a ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon to mark the opening of its newly relocated Space and Missile Technology Center (SAMTEC) at the site of the former Marshallia Ranch Golf Course.

The base describes the facility as a place that preserves and interprets the evolution of missile and space system activity at Vandenberg Space Force Base from the 1958 to present day.

“SAMTEC is a collection of of the pieces that tell Vandenberg story, past, present and future, to inspire the next generation of guardians and airmen and and community members to be a part of our aerospace community here on the Central Coast,” said SAMTEC Director Jay Prichard. “It’s also for STEM education training here on the base and also mission partners so that they can share the story and have a place that their companies, their employees and contributors can see and touch the story that is being launched from here. It’s a collective of everything that we do here at Vandenberg.”

The new center will replace an existing facility that has been established for many years within the gates of Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“This is SAMTEC 2.0 if you will,” said Prichard. “Many of the exhibits from the original location are being transferred over to here, as well as some hardware that we’ve had in storage that did not have an opportunity to be displayed. Over the course of the last 30 years as we’ve declassified different programs, we’ve found opportunities to have new stories to tell. We now have a greater space to be able to do that and evolve to the next generation. The big key is that museums are about inspiring, not just collecting.”

Now in its new location, the new center will allow for easier access and availability for the community to visit since it is no longer situated inside the main gate.

“When I got here about two years ago and was talking with Jay not long after I took command, and he got to talking to me about his vision of trying to make this facility more accessible,” said Col. Mark Shoemaker, Space Launch Delta 30 Commander. “We wanted to take that opportunity, and this former golf course area, this clubhouse was land and facilities that were we already owned, that we already had they were in hand, so why not update them and repurpose them? It will help educate and help to build outreach and help to inspire.”  

The Space and Missile Technology Center will include a museum that is located with the former clubhouse for the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course.

Once a well-known and popular golf course for 58 years, Marshallia Ranch closed in 2017 due to rising operational costs, particularly with water usage.

Now, the course will have a second life as a new public attraction that will include other future attractions besides the museum, including launch viewing facilities, STEM outreach programs, walking trails and more.

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Ryder Christ

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — At just 9 years old, Ava Cano is proving she’s one of the toughest young athletes on the Central Coast — and now, one of the best in the country.

Over the weekend, Ava won the Junior Girls Championship in the 62-pound division at the Thai Boxing Association’s U.S. Nationals in Iowa. Her victory earned her a spot on Team USA, where she’ll represent the country at the upcoming Muay Thai World Championships.

But for Ava, this milestone is part of a journey that started nearly five years ago — and one built on daily discipline, heart, and a passion for the sport.

In a February interview, Ava explained how her love for Muay Thai began. Originally enrolled in jiu-jitsu by her dad, Mark Cano, she quickly found herself drawn to the action happening on the Muay Thai side of the gym. “I watched a couple classes… and I just kind of really liked it. It looked very fun,” Ava said.

That curiosity turned into commitment. She now trains up to four hours a day, balancing school and childhood with a grueling athletic routine. “Every day I’ve been running for 30 minutes, getting my cardio up, sparring and training very hard,” Ava said in preparation for Nationals.

Her father, Mark, shared the challenge and pride of helping his daughter balance both worlds. “She works extremely hard… To have her have such a normal childhood life and school, but still train four hours a day is difficult, even for a parent. But we’re extremely proud of her.”

Ava currently trains at Elite Muay Thai in San Luis Obispo and also at Straight Fitness in Los Banos. Her coaches tailor her workouts to upcoming fights, focusing on strategy and improvement after every bout.

With the U.S. title now under her belt, Ava is focused on her next big challenge: competing internationally. She’ll represent the United States at the World Championships — and she’s ready. “I’ve always really wanted to become a champion,” Ava said. “And the closer I get, I just feel very happy and proud.”

From sparring sessions to burger breakfasts, Ava Cano is staying true to herself — and showing the world just how far a 9-year-old with grit and heart can go.

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Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Carpinteria is moving to a two-year budget.

Carpinteria City Council members voted unanimously to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025/26-2026/27 two-year budget following lengthy presentations from staff members.

Carpinteria City Manager Michael Ramirez said it’s hovering over the $30 million range.

Ramirez said it fluctuates due to capital improvement projects such as the Carpinteria Bridge Replacement Project.

“We are excited to be celebrating our 60th anniversary this year in September, so you will notice on all of our budget documents we have our 60th anniversary,” said Ramirez, “so, it is very much reflecting on our past and here today focusing on the present, but also thinking about our future.”

Ramirez said it is more important than ever to look ahead.

For more information visit https://www.carpinteriaca.gov

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Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. – Crews are busy transforming a former La Quinta Inn into the new Valentine Road Apartments in Ventura.

But some tenants already moved in.

Meet James Workman.

“You’re living in Ventura for God’s sakes … it’s reasonable … it’s affordable,” said resident James Workman of Valentine Road Apartments.

He likes to bring joy to those around him.

But Workman wasn’t always full of joy.

He knows what it’s like to be homeless.

“When you lose a permanent position at a job, things can get dark after that … when you no longer can do what you’ve been doing … I was a land surveyor,” said Workman.

Thanks to this multi-million dollar affordable housing project, Workman not only has a place to live, he feels safe here.

“You know if you’re on the street and you’re showering at some alley with a garden hose to yourself … we got hot water here,” said Workman.

These apartments were designed to house those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

“Had somebody say to me the other day … this is my forever home because these are forever homes … this is not temporary …. this is permanent supportive housing,” said CEO Jeff Lambert of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.

This week, a total of 38 apartment units will be occupied with those who were formerly homeless.

“They’ll be successful here because we’re wrapping them with services. This building will have six on-site case managers to support these residence,” said Lambert.

All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Until then, Workman is on a mission to live his neighbors.

“Hang in there you’ll be okay. It’s a beautiful day, said Workman to another tenant.

And considering where he’s been, Workman would know.

From Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura:

Ventura, CA — Ventura, CA — The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) invites media representatives and community partners to a special event celebrating the construction progress of the Valentine Rd Apartments, a vital affordable housing development serving Ventura County.

This celebration will recognize the collaborative efforts of local, county, and federal partners who have made this project possible. Attendees will hear remarks from community leaders and get a first look at the site’s transformation.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025Time: 9:30 AM – noonLocation: Valentine Rd Apartments SiteAddress: 5818 Valentine Rd, Ventura, CA

Speakers include:

Supervisor, Matt LaVere

Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios

Councilmember Jim Duran, District 6

Representative from the California Department of Housing and Community Development

Additional local leaders and project partners

About the Project:

Valentine Rd Apartments is the largest Homekey initiative in Ventura County to date. With $32 million in state funding—alongside major support from the City of Ventura, County of Ventura, and additional funding partners—the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is transforming a former 142-room La Quinta Inn into 134 studio apartments for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This development offers more than housing: residents will have access to on-site supportive services designed to help them stabilize and thrive.

The project has reached an exciting milestone—63 apartments are now move-in ready, and construction has begun on the remaining two buildings. All 134 units are expected to be completed by the end of January.

To learn more about the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, visit www.hacityventura.org.

ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura with more than 1,480 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1097 affordable rental units. The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura is to provide and develop quality affordable housing for eligible low-income residents of Ventura County and to establish strong partnerships necessary for HACSB customers to achieve personal goals related to literacy and education; health and wellness; and job training and employment leading to personal growth and economic self-sufficiency.

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Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – A donation drive is taking place this week for child care supplies in San Luis Obispo county.

This is a partnership between Meathead Movers and a non-profit.

Due to sweeping budget cuts coming from the Trump administration, critical community services such as Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PPS) of SLO county are being impacted.

The non-profit organization has been providing care and resources to pregnant mothers and their families in slo county for more than four decades.

“Pregnancy and Parenting Support of SLO county, we are the baby bank for the county,” says Lydia Gong, operations manager at Pregnancy and Parenting Support SLO county. “At 91% of our client appointments, we provide diapers.”

In the wake of President Trump’s federal cuts, they’re experiencing a tangible shortage of diapers and other critical childcare supplies.

“Unfortunately, we lost $75,000 in federal funding this year, it’s currently frozen,” says Gong.

In partnership with Meathead Movers, they’re running a donation drive this week on the Central Coast, in an effort to combat the shortage and continue their vital services.

“They’re actually our next door neighbors,” says Trevor Nevell, territory sales manager for Meathead Movers. “They saw that we had done their Fill The Trucks for the L.A. fires and thought that we would be a great company to partner with and we’re neighbors.”

This is another item on Meathead Movers’ growing list of charitable donations, and the effort has the potential of growing beyond SLO county.

“All of our branches from Temecula, all the way up to Fresno, they always work on doing community drive events and giving back,” says Nevell. “So they might pick a different charity or organization that does this similar kind of thing.”

Residents of north SLO county may have seen them Monday at the Paso Robles Walmart, and today they were set up at first at the Arroyo Grande Walmart on West Branch Street. 

Just after lunch, Walmart asked them to move, and nearby California Fresh Market welcomed them, saying quote, “We support our community.”

“In 2024, we provided over 1800 packages of diapers to over 560 families here on the Central Coast,” says Gong. “We are constantly adding new families that we serve. So we’re definitely going to see an increase in that amount this year.”

On Wednesday they will be at the Target on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo from 9am till 5pm.

If you can’t make it to any of the locations this week, you can also drop off donations at Meathead Movers’ SLO headquarters until July 10th.

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Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Carpinteria Vice Mayor Mónica Solórzano stood for staff recognition presentations but remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance for the second City Council meeting in a row.

“It is unfortunate that this conversation has boiled down to whether I’m sitting or standing, rather than focusing on the policies that are impacting so many people in Carpinteria, in California, and across the nation,” Solórzano said. “That’s the basis behind what I’m doing. I want to be visible as a resource for people who need someone on their side, looking out for them.”

The Vice Mayor, a longtime UC Santa Barbara policy analyst and homeowner in the city’s First District, received both support and criticism during the meeting and on social media.

Members of the Carpinteria Valley Republican Club publicly opposed her decision to sit during the Pledge.

Allen Braithwaite voiced concerns about undocumented workers and recent protests.

“Ms. Solórzano, you might wish to consider a broader perspective on our broken immigration system,” Braithwaite said. “Review who is actually responsible for recent violence in the streets, seek reconciliation, and engage with a deeper insight. Perhaps then, even those who didn’t vote for you might reconsider.”

Delice Feller argued that public service should not be used as a political stage, and one critic suggested the Vice Mayor run for Congress if advocacy is her focus.

But Solórzano isn’t backing down.

“One thing that really moved me is that I’ve had people in the community—not even in my district—reach out for help,” she said. “Whether it was concerns about their employees or their family members, I feel like if even one person felt supported because of what I did, then it’s worth it.”

Solórzano acknowledged that after several years on the City Council, she expected pushback.

Her decision recalls former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem, which brought attention to police brutality nearly a decade ago.

“I know patriotism and the flag are hot-button issues,” Solórzano said. “But I hope that even those who disagree with me recognize that we want the same thing—rights and representation for everyone in this country.”

She said she chose to sit again on Monday in response to Saturday’s bombing in Iran, which she criticized for lacking Congressional oversight or public input.

“Just like the ICE raids that were happening during the last meeting, this latest event reinforces for me why I need to continue making this stand,” she said.

Members of the Carpinteria Immigration Rights Coalition and parents connected with the Carpinteria Children’s Project voiced support for the Vice Mayor.

Teresa Alvarez, moved to tears, spoke about the emotional toll these issues take on children and their families.

Longtime Carpinteria resident Fred Shaw also spoke in her defense, saying Solórzano was exercising her First Amendment rights. He also applauded the newly formed female majority on the City Council.

City councils up and down the Central Coast have been urged to take action or pass resolutions in response to the recent immigration raids.

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