Category: keyt-local-news

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Carpinteria is now on to it’s 61st year with some of the most challenging issues it has ever seen.

The anniversary of incorporation was September 28th. 

Tonight the State of the City address will be given at the Veterans’ Building at 5:30 p.m.

The city is taking on many big issues all at once, including an update to the General Plan.  

State mandated housing could bring new developments in many areas, including to the east of City Hall where the Tee Time golf facility is located and also in the foothills off Bailard Ave.

The community is still watching the progress of the proposed Surfliner Hotel project at the train station, which has had a vigorous community debate in its early stages. An environmental review is currently underay.

There is also a lawsuit over noise from the Island Brewing Company that is targeting the business and the City.

Also, questions are being raised about the amount of tourism and other vital forms of income are necessary for the city’s budget. Currently the leading source of income is sales tax.

At the same time, the new Linden Square food and retail area has opened on Linden Ave. where a vacant hardware store stood for years.

There is also a remodel planned for the landmark Palms restaurant building that will keep its facade and make other changes for a food and boutique hotel concept.

Anne Potts is a frequent visitor. She said, “we were walking from our motor home and asked a couple of people who live here and they recommended this (Linden Square) and the food was delicious.” Her husband Tom who drives them in at the wheel of a 38-foot motor home says, “No major parking fees and they invite the town in and it’s always a great place”

Linden Square is a concept resident Carl Braid says is working. “The overall feel of the community where multiple businesses are in small spaces,  shared spaces, I kind of like that concept, seems to be working well elsewhere.”

Looking ahead, former resident Kat Gondeck who comes in from Ventura said, “I don’t really know  exactly what is planned but so far what I see is gorgeous I love it. It’s still small.”

One of the newer regulars is Nanette Giordano who would like to tell city leaders, “don’t stop. I’m loving it! I love the downtown area it’s great! I never used to come to Carpinteria for lunch and now I am here every day.”

There are many residents worried about the loss of the iconic coastal mellow vibe. Gondeck said, “absolutely  not build it out too much.   Keep it small and just community feeling. It is a beach town and that’s what I like about it.”

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – For some, the last hours of life can be the loneliest.

“People who don’t have anybody either they’ve aged out of all their family and friends and there’s no one left to sit with them,” said volunteer Nancy McConnell of Hospice of Santa Barbara.

Volunteers in Santa Barbara are changing that.

The No One Dies Alone program trains people to sit with patients who have no family or friends nearby.

“If I can bring some compassionate caring, love and peace to people that are in one of their most times of their lives that feels like I’ve done some service to the world,” said McConnell.

They visit assisted living and memory care homes offering comfort, holding hands, or simply sitting quietly.

“There is so responsive when I suggest that this support is available to the family. I just make a call and they are here on the same day. That’s so reassuring to the families,” said community services director Luciana Mitzkun Weston of Villa Alamar.

NODA volunteers serve exclusively in assisted living and memory care facilities.

“It’s incredibly beneficial to have NODA volunteers, not only for the families for the residence and the patients themselves, but also for the staff of the facilities,” said volunteer services manager Elske Free Bernt of Hospice of Santa Barbara.

The program just renewed a partnership with Hospice of Santa Barbara.Organizers want to expand and reach more patients.

“Nobody knows about this. It’s very rare. They’re like wow this exists so if more people could take advantage of this program,” said McConnell.

Every hand held — every quiet presence — reminds someone they matter.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum hosted the ‘Girls In Ocean Science’ Conference over the weekend.

Orgianizers hope event inspires girls to study ocean science.

High school-aged girls got to go on board the Shearwater to explore the coast on Sunday, where they learned about the careers of biologists and crew members.

During their time off the coast between Santa Barbara and Goleta they participated in science labs.

They also saw dolphins.

Ann Steinmetz of the Steinmetz Foundation helps fund the event. She said the teens searched for sand crabs before their boat ride.

“They went out to the beach, took off their shoes, rolled up their pants, and they collected crabs. Oh, sand crabs. But the point of that was, ‘how can we assess the beach?’ And one of the ways to assess the beach is what animals are there,” said Steinmetz. “It’s really important that young people want to do this, want to get involved with it.”

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Education Director Lis Perry enjoys watching them learn and grow.

“For us, creating a pathway for these students to have a connection to explore these careers, I think, is what I find most important for the community and these students that get to participate,” said Perry.

Younger students took part in the program on Saturday.

The experience is connected to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.

For. more information visit https://sbmm.org/girls-in-ocean-science-conference/

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Caleb Nguyen

LOS ALAMOS, Calif. (KEYT) – A woman and child needed transport to Marian Regional Medical Center after a rollover crash just after 6:00 p.m. Saturday on Highway 101 in Los Alamos, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The crash occurred just north of Alisos Canyon, where the car left the highway, rolled into a culvert along a barbed wire fence, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Both people in the car, including the 4-year-old without a car seat, had minor injuries from the crash, according to the SBCFD.

The cause of the crash is under investigation and Highway 101 remains open, according to the SBCFD.

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 24-year-old Santa Maria man for firing gunshots just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

SLOCSO deputies located the suspect’s car near the 400 block of Indian Knob Road and found both a gun and shell casings after the detained 24-year-old didn’t cooperate.

SLOCSO deputies then booked and arrested the 24-year-old for resisting or delaying a peace officer, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm in public.

SLOCSO deputies secured the area and reported no injuries from the incident nor any threat to public safety.

The case remains under investigation, according to the SLOCSO.

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Caleb Nguyen

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Oxnard Police arrested a 25-year-old man for multiple firearm offenses at a traffic stop in Oxnard around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

OPD officers found ammunition in the man’s car during the stop and searched the vehicle.

OPD officers later found a loaded gun inside the car and arrested the man for the multiple aforementioned charges.

Those with additional information on the case or other crimes are encouraged to call the OPD or visit its website.

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Caleb Nguyen

ATASCADERO, Calif. (KEYT) – A motorcyclist died in a car crash Saturday just before 7:30 p.m. near the 8300 block of El Camino Real in Atascadero, according to the Atascadero Police Department.

The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries from the crash. Four other people from the car involved in the crash received medical treatment from Twin Cities Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the APD.

The roadway was closed for some time for further investigation into the crash, according to the APD.

Witnesses to the crash or those with information on the incident are encouraged to contact the APD.

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Tracy Lehr

PORT HUENEME, Calif.(KEYT) The Port of Hueneme went bananas during its annual Banana Festival.

The Oxnard High School Marching band and local Folklorico dancers led the way into the 12th Banana Festival.

Admission is always free.

One man entered with a banana peel on his head, others wore banana inspired outfits.

Once inside the port, visitors had a chance to take pictures with the Chiquita Banana Lady.

Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte had booths where they gave out bananas to eat on the spot or take home.

Shannon Denham handed out bananas for Dole.

They are fun they are nutritious kids love them, everyone loves a banana,” said Denham.

Banana lovers also dined on all kinds of banana treats including smoothies, banana bread and chips.

It is the one day of the year when people can visit the Port of Hueneme where Dole, Chiquita and Del Monte bananas are imported along with and Driscroll’s blueberries.

Cars are also big part of the import business at the port.

The festival included a car show outside and inside.

One of the electric cars on display had a box of bananas under the hood, instead of an engine.

People lined up early to take a double-decker bus to the docks where they could see the cargo ships and the equipment used to move containers.

Ken Asarch was one of the first in line to take the tour.

“The tours are really great and they are hard to get, so, you have to be here early to get the tour,” said Asarch.

Longtime Port of Hueneme Director and CEO Kristin Decas hopes people learned more about the port during the festival.

“We move $2.8 billion in economic impact , $18 billion in cargo, we employ 25,000 in trade related jobs, so we hope people walk away knowing that their port creates prosperity,” said Decas.

The port shares the property with Naval Base Ventura County.

It is the only deep water port between Los Angeles and the Bay Area and plays a vital role in the economy of the Central Coast.

For more information visit https://www.PortofH.org and https://bananaportfest.com

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Tracy Lehr

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. (KEYT) – A bride is looking for her stolen wedding dress.

Bryce Gaston, a wedding planner from San Diego, had her dream wedding on the weekend made famous by the Earth, Wind & Fire song “September.”

Gaston and her husband chose to tie the knot in the Santa Ynez Valley location, and after they enjoyed what she calls a “Mini Moon” at Matteis Tavern in Los Olivos.

They enjoyed the 21st night of September at the Tavern, and were packed up and ready to go when they noticed their car window had been broken.

Someone had stolen items left in the car overnight including her size 8 wedding dress made by Essense of Austrailia and veil, her husband’s tuxedo, her reception dress, and size 7 Latte Nappa leather platform Jimmy Choo sandals.

The shoes alone are valued at $995.

“I can’t explain how heartbreaking this has been, I am so grateful to have had an amazing wedding but it is just really tragic that it ended in such a horrible and painful way as a wedding planner. I dedicate my whole life to creating unforgettable memories for my couples and I fully understand how sentimental and special those items are that will help you remember the weekend for the rest of your life, so to have this happen to me is just really terrible,” said Gaston.

Gaston said she usually doesn’t leave valuables in her car.

“It was the first time and a really harsh lesson that even though you think you are in a really safe place not everyone can be trusted and you really have to do everything you can to keep yourself safe,” said Gaston.

She has a message for the person who has them.

“I would just beg you to please allow me to have these item back. They are so much more to me than just the monetary value they are so sentimental and I will never be able to replace them and I really am sorry if there is something going on in your life that is so terrible that would make you do this to somebody else, but these items mean so much to me and it would mean the world to be to get them back,” said Gaston.

Wedding photos shared on @brycegaston.events and serve as a reminder of what went right.

Gaston hopes someone who saw something will say something in hopes of getting their belongings back.

She can be reached via direct message on Instagram @brycegaston.events

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Tracy Lehr

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) Montecito Union School announced it reached a multi-million dollar settlement in cases of alleged sex abuse by a former staff member in the 1970s.

The Board of Trustees  issued a statement on Saturday that said the $7.5 million settlement does not include an admission of guilt.

The statement said it approved the settlement to protect its instructional program and to keep the focus on students.

To cover the cost, the board will implement a hiring freeze and use funds that has been designated for capitol repairs.

MUS issued the following statement: MUS Reaches $7.5 Million Settlement to Protect Instructional Program and Keep Focus on Students

The Board of Trustees has approved a settlement of $7.5 million to resolve litigation arising from alleged sexual abuse by a former staff member between 1972 and 1978.  The agreement includes no admission of liability.

We are deeply mindful of the enduring pain caused by sexual abuse and feel for any person who has experienced such abuse.  Together, as a community, we share the responsibility to protect and care for our children.  We hold deep respect for any individual impacted and hope for their healing and peace.

The Board’s decision to settle was made to protect our students and our instructional program.  While we were prepared to mount a vigorous defense, the possibility of significantly larger verdicts is well documented in sexual abuse cases throughout California.  Such a verdict could have substantially diminished our ability to serve students now and well into the future.  Because the District does not have insurance coverage for these historic claims, continued litigation created exceptional financial vulnerability.  Settling now allows us to stabilize operations and remain focused on today’s students.  

Student safety, well-being, and academic success continue to be our top priorities.  We continuously refine our policies, conduct rigorous background checks, and train staff on mandatory reporting obligations.  All staff members receive comprehensive and regular training to prevent sexual abuse and to report any concern immediately to the appropriate authorities.  No current employees were employed by the District during the 1970s. 

Operationally, we plan to manage the financial impact by implementing a hiring freeze, seeking to reduce staffing when natural attrition occurs, using funds previously designated for capital repair projects for operational costs, and working collaboratively to make other changes.  While we face some financial challenges ahead, agreeing to this settlement now means that we do not have to consider layoffs.

Our mission is to launch inspired thinkers who positively impact the world.  Resolving this lawsuit enables us to move forward and stay focused on that mission — delivering excellent teaching, robust student support, and a safe, welcoming school for every child.

The strength of our community lies in how we move through challenges together.  In doing so, we reflect the values we aspire to each day at MUS — kindness, respect, and integrity.

Sincerely,

Susannah Osley, MUSD Board President

Anthony Ranii, Superintendent

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