Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Los Padres ForestWatch staff members are speaking out against a controversial federal proposal that could lead to the sale of millions of acres of public land in California and beyond.

The Senate version of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes a provision that would mandate the sale of up to 3 million acres of federally managed public land across 11 Western states, including California. While national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas would be excluded, large portions of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land—including areas near the Carrizo Plain in San Luis Obispo County—could be sold without public input or environmental review.

Supporters, like Utah Senator Mike Lee, argue the measure could help lower housing costs by making more land available for development. However, the bill does not require the land to be used for housing—raising concerns from conservation groups that it could be purchased for other private uses such as oil extraction or luxury development. Critics say the vague language poses significant risks to ecologically sensitive areas and could set a dangerous precedent for future federally mandated land sales.

Los Padres ForestWatch Director of Conservation and Research, Bryant Baker, has been reviewing the local impact.

“That is still about 280,000 acres of federal public land in this region — Kern County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, San Luis Obispo County, and Monterey County. That’s the area we focus on, and most of that is around the Carrizo Plain,” said Baker.

The Carrizo Plain, located in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, is the largest remaining native grassland in California and a biodiversity hotspot.

Baker says the nonprofit anticipated threats to public lands but nothing on this scale. He notes the proposal’s inclusion in a budget reconciliation package is a strategy to bypass the standard 60-vote threshold in the Senate and instead pass it with a simple majority.

“The reason they are trying to put it in the reconciliation bill is because in reconciliation, you just need a majority of the votes,” Baker explained.

He added that although the bill excludes national forests, it still targets all eligible BLM land—much of which has existing oil leases or limited development potential.

“They are saying we want to sell it so it can be developed — housing development is one of the main reasons. But it is all worded so vaguely that we’re not sure it would be limited to housing. And a lot of that land is not suited for housing in the first place — that’s why it wasn’t historically developed,” he said.

Baker is urging the public to take action by contacting elected officials and visiting areas like the Carrizo Plain to better understand what’s at stake.

“I think the big issue here is that this would set a precedent for Congress mandating the sale of public lands to agencies. So if it happens this time — even if it’s just BLM land in 11 different states — who knows what the next mandate will be for the sale of federal lands,” he said.

President Trump aims to sign the bill into law ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

For a link to more information visit, https://forestwatch.org/news-publications/news/forced-land-sale-provision-stripped-from-senate-megabill

For information about the author of the lands portion of the budget bill visit https://lee.senate.gov

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—Marie Christine says it would be heartbreaking to let go of a place that houses so many special memories with her late husband who she says was the love of her life.

“I am reluctant to leave the place because he passed away in the place and I took care of him until his last breath. And this is a special place for him,” said Maria Christine Kannoglou, a senior living in the Edgerly Apartments.

She says it would also be a huge financial strain, as she explains she is “very lucky” that she currently pays $1,500 a month for a two bedroom.

Several low-income seniors are worried about what the future holds now that the Battistone Foundation is selling two of its buildings — the Edgerly and Palm Tree apartments, both located on De La Vina Street.

“ If, like I said, a large corporation buys, we won’t be able to stay,” said Karine Anderson, who lives in the Edgerly Apartments.

For decades, the Battistone Foundation has provided affordable housing to low-income seniors in Santa Barbara.

The foundation now plans to sell the two buildings, stating that it will help them generate revenue to help even more seniors.

In a statement, the foundation’s CEO Cindy Hill said, “The foundation will better fulfill our charitable purpose of providing low-cost housing by utilizing the funds now locked into high valued Santa Barbara real estate as we transition our efforts to a grant-making foundation rather than an operating foundation.”

But tenants are worried that new owners may try to raise rents or end their leases.

“I don’t see how the foundation can help more seniors if this is sold to a place that doesn’t want to continue the mission of this place, which is to help elders, low income elders,” said 89-year-old Shyama Osborne, who is living in a month-to- month lease at the Edgerly property.

The Battistone Foundation says state and local laws will protect the tenants.

Santa Barbara City Council Member Wendy Santa Maria says the city has made a lot of progress in terms of passing ordinances to protect tenants, but ultimately she wants to make sure this senior community won’t be pushed out, and that means putting things in writing.

“We really can’t control what a future buyer is going to do with this property and with the tenants unless there is some sort of agreement and a covenant. And of course, the big question is who is going to buy it?” said Santamaria.

The Battistone Foundation says there is a possibility that they sell to another non-profit.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – This weekend, a set-up of antennas will be laid out in a focused area of Chase Palm Park for 24 hours to test the amateur radio system that could be extremely valuable in Santa Barbara County in an emergency.

The emergency communications work will involve veterans, new operators and youth. It’s called a ‘Field Day.’

Amateur Radio Club Board Member Warren Myers said, “it gives all amateur radio operators a chance to practice the art, to set up their stations, make sure they work.”

Operators say the equipment and technology goes back more than 100 years and modernization makes it a valuable communication device in modern times.

Cell phone towers are not as reliable as the public may think and they can go out in some situations involving fires, debris flows and earthquakes

It would affect the internet and phone calls.

Each year, the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club (SBARC) makes sure its equipment is working and can communicate outside the area, but also within the disaster zone. Emergency officials have been assisted many times by the clubs staff.

The Amateur Radio Field Day, with involve radio users in North America and locally it will be a two-day event June 28–29 at Chase Palm Park. This is the 92nd year for the event. It is open to the public.

“If the county, fire, police, emergency responders need it, which thankfully doesn’t happen very often. So we have that capability,” said Myers. There are backup batteries and sites that will be functional in a disaster.

This year there will also be a special radio station on State Street downtown as part of the 1925 earthquake reenactment.

At the Chase Palm Park Field Day site, SBARC will operate three High Frequency (HF) stations, powered entirely by emergency generators. The public is encouraged to drop by, ask questions, and learn how these stations connect with others across the globe — entirely off-grid. Licensed amateur radio operators are invited to operate under the club’s call sign, within the privileges of their license.

Local scouts will be on hand to assist and fulfill requirements for their Radio Merit Badge. With hands-on demonstrations and real-world communication scenarios, Field Day is an introduction to the world of radio for all ages.

The club also has a new site on TV hill at 400. feet to help with communications. “We now have coverage of not only the whole Central Coast , Camarillo to Goleta, but also over the mountain pass.  And to Santa Ynez, Buellton and, even as far as Santa Maria,” said Myers.

The lease on the former site nearby with the city was not renewed because of a large water storage project taking place.

More information can be found at: : www.sbarc.org

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Andrew Gillies

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Charges of voter registration fraud, filing a false declaration of candidacy, fraudulent voting, failure to file campaign finance reports, and perjury have been filed against Gaea Edde Powell for her actions during the 2022 and 2024 election cycle.

According to the criminal complaint filed on June 24, 2025, Powell allegedly registered to vote at an address in Arroyo Grande where she did not live on July 12, 2022.

Powell was actually living in a rural area outside of the city limits noted the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office in a press release Thursday.

After that alleged voter registration fraud, a violation of Elections Code section 18100(a), Powell is alleged to have also committed the following crimes during the same 2022 election cycle: falsely declaring under penalty of perjury the location of her home address, submitting false nomination paperwork, failing to file campaign finance reports, and voting in an election she was not legally entitled to vote detailed the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

The criminal complaint further alleged that during the 2024 election cycle, Powell voted in an election where she was not legally entitled to vote in March, falsely declared under penalty of perjury the location of her home address, submitted false nomination paperwork, and voted in an election where she was not legally entitled to vote again but this time in November of the same year.

Eight of Powell’s nine charged counts are felony offenses added the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

Powell will be scheduled for an arraignment on her filed charges after she surrenders to the court, files a bond, or is booked on the criminal complaint by law enforcement shared the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Unit of the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

“The integrity of our electoral system depends on all participants following the law, and my office will not tolerate attempts to undermine that integrity through fraudulent conduct,” said San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow. “Ms. Powell’s alleged actions over multiple election cycles represent a serious breach of the public trust, and these charges demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable anyone who attempts to manipulate our elections processes. We will always dutifully follow the evidence wherever it leads to ensure that the community can trust that there will be accountability without any political bias or motivation.”

San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano issued the following statement Thursday regarding the charges against Powell, “Election security and integrity are of the utmost importance. My office will always support law enforcement efforts to ensure that any allegation of fraudulent activity is investigated and handled promptly and appropriately.”

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Andrew Gillies

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – The 23-year-old driver of a semi-tractor involved in a collision with a southbound Metrolink train died Wednesday.

The identity of the driver has been confirmed as Jose Avila of Fillmore stated a press release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on Friday.

On June 25, around 2:14 p.m. emergency personnel were dispatched to a traffic collision on the Union Pacific Rail Line near Montair Drive shared the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators learned that a semi-tractor was towing two trailers of lemons southbound from a privately owned ranch when the collision occurred with the eastbound Metrolink train shared the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of the semi-tractor, 23-year-old Jose Avila of Fillmore, was ejected by the collision and despite life-saving attempts by nearby workers and responding deputies, he was declared dead at the scene explained the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Ventura County Fire Department, only minor injuries were reported for those onboard Metrolink train 118 which had 17 passengers and two crew members at the time of the collision.

All five train cars remained upright during the response and the exact cause remains under investigation added the Ventura County Fire Department.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Deputy Manley with the Moorpark Police Traffic Bureau at 805-532-2700.

Passengers on the train were taken by bus to the Moorpark Metrolink Station and rail service between Moorpark and Camarillo has been shut down during the response explained a spokesperson on behalf of Metrolink.

Train service to Los Angeles Thursday morning will originate in Moorpark noted Metrolink.

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Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District announced an upgraded version of its Permitted Facilities Map, an interactive online tool of the county’s permitted stationary sources of air pollution.

Upgrades include real-time Air Quality Index updates, enhanced search options, improved graphics, and comprehensive facility data as well as mobile and tablet friendly versions shared the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District in a press release Wednesday.

The county-wide organization first launched its Permitted Facilities Map in 2017 and was designed to be a tool for the public to use to access and visualize stationary sources of pollution the regulator assesses explained the District.

“We are proud to be one of the only air districts in California to provide such a transparent way for thepublic to access facility records,” said Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. “Whether someone is casually searching for information or looking to do an in-depth search, our map provides a complete picture for all of the sources within our regulatory jurisdiction.”

The image above is taken from the upgraded Permitted Facilities Map. Those diamonds with numbers inside are the Air Pollution Control District’s Air Monitoring Stations that are updated with the latest Air Quality Index information.

Each of the other items on the map are clickable inputs that list important information about each stationary source including permits, annual reports, emissions, and Notices of Violation.

Not pictured in the image above is a universal search box at the top right of the map that can be used to search for the following inputs:

Facility Name

Five-Digit Facility ID Number

Facility Type (A handy drop down menu below the search bar allows users to sort by category)

Company Name (Both Current and Historical)

Four Digit SIC Number

Five Digit Stationary Source ID Number

Facility Street Address

Facility APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number)

Permit Number

Permit Description

Equipment Description

The map below, courtesy of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, shows the exact locations of those ambient air monitoring stations.

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District jurisdiction includes the cities of Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria; unincorporated areas of the County of Santa Barbara; the Channel Islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara; and offshore oil platforms.

Still have questions?

Visit the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s ‘About the Permitted Facilities Map’ webpage.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Holy Sheep!

Yesterday morning, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers wrangled over 300 sheep that broke loose from their pen and decided to take a trip down Mountain Drive in Santa Barbara.

The fluffy wanderers caused an unique traffic jam, likely just on the hunt for some grass to munch on.

CHP detailed in a playful post how officers were able to help the owner get the sheep back home, and luckily, “everyone is baaahck to their normal routine.”

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Allison Winslow

LOS ALAMOS, Calif. – This week, Brenda McCarthy is competing at the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Show Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. The Los Alamos resident has been riding horses her whole life and owns Green Wings Ranch.

From now until July 1st, McCarthy will compete in 5 different events: English Hunter Under Saddle, English Showmanship, Western Trail, Western horsemanship, and Western Pleasure.

McCarthy has already won some hardware. On June 24th, her and her horse Chris (show name “Ay Bay Bay”) competed in the amateur and intermediate Hunt Seat Equitation, earning world champion buckles in both classes.

McCarthy bought Chris from Erin Bradshaw, the daughter of NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw, three years ago.

It’s been a long road for the pair. Just last year, while in Scottsdale, Arizona, Chris nearly died from Salmonella poisoning. Thanks to a team of doctors and intensive training, Chris was able to make a full recovery. McCarthy never gave up and now her and Chris are competing on a global stage.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Maria regarding Fireworks Sales and Reporting for the upcoming Independence Day holiday

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – With the Fourth of July approaching, the City of Santa Maria encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly, and is again offering tools for residents to report illegal fireworks.

Sales of “Safe and Sane” fireworks begin at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 28th, from 24 licensed booths to benefit nonprofit groups.

The 12-hour period on the Fourth of July from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. is the only time “Safe and Sane” fireworks may be used within the City Limits.

Santa Maria residents may report illegal fireworks using the City’s fireworks hotline of 925-0951 extension 3473 (FIRE).

Santa Maria residents may request the issuance of an administrative citation for the possession, manufacture, storing, selling, handling, or usage of illegal fireworks through the third-party administrative citation process. All witnesses are requested to submit documentary evidence in the form of photos and/or video of the alleged violation. See www.cityofsantamaria.org/fireworks.

Free “noise sensitive resident lives here” fireworks yard signs are available in English and in Spanish, at City Hall, 110 East Cook Street, for Santa Maria residents.

Anyone caught using any fireworks on other days will be subject to a $1,000 fine. In 2024, the City issued 63 citations at $1,000 apiece.

Department: City Manager’s OfficeContact Person: Mark van de Kamp, Public Information ManagerTelephone Number: (805) 925-0951 ext. 2372 or (805) 720-4038E-mail Address: mvandekamp@cityofsantamaria.org

Traducción en español:

A medida que se acerca el 4 de julio, la Ciudad de Santa María alienta a todos a celebrar de manera responsable y, nuevamente, ofrece herramientas para que los residentes denuncien los fuegos artificiales ilegales.

Las ventas de fuegos artificiales “seguros y sanos” comienzan a las 12:00 del mediodía del viernes 28 de junio, en 24 puestos con licencia para beneficiar a grupos sin fines de lucro.

El período de 12 horas del 4 de julio de 11:00 a.m. a 11:00 p.m. dentro de los límites de la Ciudad, es el único momento en que se pueden usar fuegos artificiales “seguros y sanos”

Los residentes de Santa María pueden denunciar los fuegos artificiales ilegales utilizando la línea directa de fuegos artificiales de la Ciudad al número (805) 925- 0951 extensión 3473 (FIRE), que se traduce a fuego.

Los residentes de Santa María pueden solicitar la emisión de una citación administrativa por la posesión, fabricación, almacenamiento, venta, manejo o uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales a través del proceso de citación administrativa de terceros. Se solicita a todos los testigos que presenten pruebas documentales en forma de fotos y/o videos de la presunta violación. Visite www.cityofsantamaria.org/fireworks.

Los letreros gratuitos de fuegos artificiales para el patio que dicen “un residente sensible al ruido vive aquí” están disponibles en inglés y en español, en el Ayuntamiento, 110 East Cook Street, para los residentes de Santa María.

Cualquier persona que se encuentre usando fuegos artificiales en otros días estará sujeto a una multa de $1,000. En 2024, la Ciudad emitió de 63 multas a $1,000 cada una.

Departamento: Oficina del Administrador de la CiudadPersona de Contacto: Mark van de Kamp, Gerente de Información PúblicaNúmero de teléfono: (805) 925-0951 ext. 2372 o (805) 720-4038Dirección de correo electrónico: mvandekamp@cityofsantamaria.org

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. — Emergency vehicles filled the parking lot at Direct Relief headquarters in Goleta on Wednesday, but it wasn’t due to a crisis.

Various emergency agencies gathered for a large-scale disaster response training event aimed at improving readiness and coordination in the face of future disasters. The training comes in the shadow of a historic milestone—the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, which devastated the region and reshaped emergency preparedness in California.

Participants in the training included the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the Search Dog Foundation, and other emergency response organizations.

“We do practices where we sit and role-play through what that disaster could be,” said Kelly Hubbard, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.

The 1925 earthquake struck just before 7 a.m. on June 29, registering an estimated magnitude of 6.8. Its epicenter was located offshore in the Santa Barbara Channel, only a few miles from the city. Despite its moderate magnitude, the proximity to downtown caused widespread destruction.

More than 85% of the commercial buildings in downtown Santa Barbara were damaged or destroyed, including the courthouse, library, hotels, and churches. Historic structures like the Mission Santa Barbara sustained major damage, with its iconic twin towers collapsing. Fires broke out after the quake, but were quickly controlled thanks to the rapid shutoff of gas lines.

One of the most catastrophic failures was the collapse of the Sheffield Dam, located near present-day Alameda Park. The dam failure released an estimated 30 million gallons of water, sending a flood through a portion of the city and destroying homes, vehicles, and infrastructure in its path. Remarkably, no deaths were reported as a direct result of the dam’s collapse.

Reflecting on lessons from the past while planning for future emergencies, Chief Deputy Brad Welch of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office shared his perspective on preparedness.

“And how we as a Sheriff’s office can help protect and get our community ready in the case that it does happen and we need to get everybody out fast—but also very safely.”

In the wake of the 1925 quake, Santa Barbara underwent a significant rebuilding effort. The disaster prompted new building codes across California and led to the city’s transformation into the Spanish Colonial Revival style still seen today.

Organizers of Wednesday’s training emphasized the importance of collaboration among first responders, emergency managers, and public officials. They say continued joint exercises help ensure that communities are prepared not just to respond—but to recover—when the next major disaster strikes.

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