Category: keyt-local-news

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.

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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.

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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/.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The News Channel 12 Turkey Drive kicks off on Monday, starting a four-week campaign to help support thousands of Central Coast families and community members in need.

The annual fundraiser is scheduled to run through Tuesday, Nov. 20 and will once again benefit clients with Good Samaritan Shelter and the SLO Food Bank.

“We are so excited to kick off another season,” said Kirsten Cahoon, Good Samaritan Shelter Homeless Services Director. “It’s our favorite time of the year around Good Samaritan to just really see our community and see how much our community supports us and the people that we serve every day.”

The Turkey Drive has been an important outreach campaign for News Channel 12 for more than 20 years and has helped provide a traditional holiday meal for thousands of families and individuals over the past two decades.

“Giving out turkeys is yes about nutrition, but mainly it’s about dignity and the ability for people to celebrate during a time when people have time loved traditions, that they want to participate in with their families,” said Savannah Colevans, SLO Food Bank Communications Senior Manager. “By donating a turkey, by donating money, that allows us to buy turkeys and you’re really helping people be able to participate, instead of having an empty table.”

Online contributions can be made now through Nov. 20 with donors able to select which non-profit organization they would like to support financially.

“We always encourage folks to donate online,” said. Colevans. “The SLO Food Bank has a lot of purchasing power through food rescue, through buying in bulk through, deals that we get through various connections, and so with your funds, we’re able to multiply them to buy multiple meals with each dollar provided.”

The fundraiser culminates with an all-day collection on Thursday, Nov. 20 with several in-person drop-off locations, including at the News Channel 3-12 Santa Maria station, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Lompoc and SLO Food Bank warehouse in San Luis Obispo.

“These donations are so important,” said Cahoon. “Every year the need just grows and the amount of people that are asking us for assistance grows, so we’re really excited to see the community come out like they always do. I am so incredibly grateful every year to see the community and so many familiar faces that have really made this their tradition with their families or their businesses. It’s really beautiful and really shows the season of giving for us. It just really makes me grateful to be part of this amazing community.”

Another way to contribute is through the purchase of a “Turkey Buck” at participating area markets, including California Fresh Market in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, and Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.”

Turkey Bucks purchased in San Luis Obispo County will be directed to the SLO Food Bank, while those in Santa Barbara County will go to Good Samaritan Shelter.

For more information about the NewsChannel 12 Turkey Drive or to donate, click here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A temporary water intake line will be going through repairs for about four weeks in the coastal waters off Santa Barbara where it starts the flow into the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant.

The Offshore Desal Pump Platform Stabilization Project is a vital link to two offshore intake pump structures.

The pump structures are located about half a mile offshore in approximately 35 feet of water just east of Stearns Wharf.

Pacific Maritime has a 270-foot-long barge named Ocean Protector loaded with necessary equipment and materials.  The barge will be to the East of Stearns Wharf for about a month.  That includes the rocks, the crane and the crew which will be on board 24 hours a day.    There are also divers.    It will be a 50-year strengthening plan.

The plant was constructed in 1991 as part of the original plan to add a new water source. After some use, the plant went quiet.

In 2016-2017 the plant was reactivated. City of Santa Barbara Director of Water Resources, Joshua Haggmark said desal is,  “behind the scenes, quietly providing about 30 percent of the city’s water so it’s playing a really important part of that.”

It was then discovered that one of the screen platforms were suspended about 18 inches above the sea floor, leaving space beneath the structure. They are not braced properly for the strongest storms. 

The project will implement a permanent repair in part using the large rocks around the pipeline at the precise location where sea water is brought in.

The Federal Government provided 75 percent of the project  cost of just over $5-million dollars, plus there’s financial help from a partner, the Montecito Water District. 

Now was the time to do the work, not during an emergency or a break.

Haggmark said, “and that could really compromise our ability to operate our plan and take a long time to coordinate and get out there  we have to do a lot to protect the environment when we are out there and it is  much better to do it in a planned situation.”   

From the facility on Yanonali Street the desal water is not blended with existing water. “it goes right into the system and pretty much anyone in the downtown area is primarily getting desal water right now,”   said Haggmark. The desal plant process had sophisticated filters used worldwide. Some minerals are added back into the water.

The actual screens at the intake were carefully designed and are regularly cleaned to make sure they are efficient and sea life is protected.

Haggmark said, “it’s a tight weave but it really keeps anything out from being pulled into the system.”

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Residents in Vandenberg Village are becoming increasingly concerned about the welfare of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard.

Now the FBI is involved, and the search radius has grown significantly.

We’ve learned Melodee’s father passed away when she was a baby, and posts on social media indicate her mother Ashlee is known to struggle with her mental health.

The young girl was reported missing on October 14th by administrators at Lompoc Unified School District, after observing an unusually long extended absence.

Law enforcement officers say Ashlee Buzzard, mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard is being uncooperative with the investigation, and her family says she won’t even speak to them, despite their efforts to check on Melodee.

“Throughout the investigation and up to this point, Ashlee has not been cooperative with the investigation, has not been able to provide us a reasonable explanation or evidence of Melodee’s well-being or location for that matter,” says Raquel Zick, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

In cooperation with the FBI, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has determined through investigation that Melodee was last seen in a rental car with her mother Ashlee on October 7th.

“We’ve been able to confirm a sighting as recent as October 7th, so we’re now looking from October 7th to when she was reported as missing to law enforcement on October 14th,” says Zick.

Detectives have determined that Ashlee may have driven Melodee in a white Chevrolet Malibu outside of Santa Barbara county, possibly as far away as the state of Nebraska.

The rented Chevy Malibu is no longer in Ashlee’s possession.

“That’s the thing,” says Kandice Valrie, who lives In Lompoc. “If she’s out of state, she has to be with, hopefully somebody that’s a family and there’s no known relatives for the mother. Other than her mother. And we don’t know where she’s at. I haven’t heard anything from her.”

Despite the community’s high level of interest, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s office is asking them to stand down from their own search efforts to allow investigators to do their jobs.

“Our job is not to interfere with the investigation,” says Valerie. “We’re just trying to find Melodee. We don’t want to cause any harm or mess up anything.”

The most recent known photograph is reported to be approximately two years old, and neighbors say her hair may be shorter and she may be thinner than in the photo.

If any members of the public have seen Melodee or if they have any information at all, they are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s criminal investigations division. 

Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online by clicking here.

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