Category: keyt-local-news

Mina Wahab

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) — It’s been a stressful couple weeks for Leo Martinez, an Oxnard-based activist and VC Defensa volunteer who was detained by ICE after they rammed into his pick up truck last Thursday. 

“These ICE agents are brutal in the way that they act when nobody’s watching. So to see them do this, when people are watching, it kind of gives you a hint as to how they operate, when nobody’s paying attention to what they’re doing,” said Martinez. 

Martinez was in the area tracking ICE agents and warning community members about their presence.

In a video that’s since gone viral, a Jeep Grand Cherokee can be seen ramming into the side of Martinez’s pick-up truck. 

“When they actually hit me, that kind of caused a little bit of a panic because like I said, it’s a – it’s a lonely street there. There’s not a lot of traffic. This is seven something in the morning. So my initial thought was like, ‘they’re going to drag me out of the car and beat me up.’  I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to get brutalized off-camera and that somebody would catch something over here,” said Martinez. 

Oxnard police say that when they were called to the scene, ICE agents reported they were pursuing a truck that had hit their vehicle.

But the dash cam footage from Martinez’ truck does not show that. 

Martinez says he was relieved to find the dash cam footage from that day. 

“As you see this, I’m not speeding anywhere. They’re not turning on their lights at any point in time. And when I saw that they were going to continue following me as I kind of ran out of ideas and I said, ‘let’s go in circles for a while until I think about how it is I want to respond.’ And they just started getting really, really close to me,” said Martinez. 

Martinez says he’s accustomed to helping families who say they’ve been pulled over and brutalized by ICE agents, but this is the first time that he’s experienced aggression firsthand. 

He shows us exclusive dash cam footage from last Monday.

“They were in full gear. And as soon as they noticed that I was on them, they pulled over right away. They all got out with their guns out. They all got started moving towards me,” said Martinez. 

That Monday, Martinez says ICE agents smashed the car window of another VC Defensa volunteer. 

Martinez says despite the increased aggression his team has been experiencing at the hands of ICE agents, they will continue to fight for the community. 

“The question is, ‘how do you speak out about this?’ ‘How do you draw attention to this?’ Because the other alternative is not doing anything. When we see these families come in for support, we see ourselves in every one of their kids. We’re never going to let that go,” said Martinez.

Oxnard police say Homeland Security is in charge of the investigation and they’re not taking an active role in the incident.

We’ve reached out to Homeland Security for comment.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Several individuals are facing criminal charges following a three-month investigation conducted by the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.

In May of 2025, the Narcotics Unit severed search warrants relating to an investigation of the sales and distribution of illegal narcotics within San Luis Obispo County.

The investigation ended with detectives seizing approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine, 14 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately $80,000.00 in US currency, and 11 firearms.

The following individuals were arrested in the case:

JORGE CASTANEDA: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another.

CARLOS RIOS: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic (cocaine), HS 11378- possess controlled substance for sale, HS 11370.4 (B)- enhancement over 1 kilogram methamphetamine, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

BIANCA SUDIAS NAVARRO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ALEXIS NUSICO ISIDRO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another, PC 12022.1- commit felony while released on bail.

ANTHONY TRAVERSO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ARGENIS ZEPEDA GRANDE: PC 182(A)(1)-conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic).

JOSE CASTANEDA: PC 182(A)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over one kilogram of narcotic (cocaine), HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ZACHARY HOYT: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic (cocaine).

The Sheriff’s Office says the drug trafficking organization was based out of Northern San Luis Obispo County with ties to Southern California and Mexico.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – Down 4-1 in the first set, Santa Barbara High School senior Nicole Buist ripped off five straight games and went on to capture the Channel League Individual Singles title 6-4, 6-3 over Dos Pueblos senior Mel Mayo.

The two players have grown up together playing with and against each other in Southern California tournaments and throughout high school.

(Nicole Buist and Mel Mayo sharing a meal at the age of 6. Courtesy photo).

The San Marcos High School duo of Kate Selby and Tate Jaeger won the Channel League Doubles crown over the Santa Barbara High School team of Lucy Kronberg and Kate Hashbarger 6-1, 6-0.

Buist along with Selby/Jaeger will play next month in the CIF-SS Individual Sectionals.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -(KEYT) –

CIF-SS Girls Volleyball First Round Playoffs

D2: San Marcos 3, Murrieta Valley 0 (Royals host Rancho Christian on Thursday 6pm)

D2: Thousand Oaks 3, Sage Hill 1 (T.O. hosts JSerra on Thursday 6pm)

D4: Ventura 3, Rancho Cucamonga 0 (Ventura at Yucaipa on Thursday 6pm)

(Sophie Otte had 13 kills and 4 blocks for Bishop Diego. Entenza Design).

D6: Bishop Diego 3, Indio 0 (BD will host Wiseburn DaVinci on Thursday 6pm)

D6: Wiseburn DaVinci 3, Oxnard 0

D8: Foothill Tech 3, University 1 (FT is at Rancho Alamitos on Thursday 6pm)

D8: Wildwood 3, Valley Christian Academy 0

D10: Thacher 3, Lucerne Valley 0 (Thacher is at Edgewood on Thursday 6pm)

D10: San Luis Obispo Classical 3, Desert Chapel 0 (SLO hosts Desert Hot Springs Thursday 6pm)

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)  The University of California, Santa Barbara is now home to KEYT archives that everyone can see for free.

UCSB hosted a panel discussion entitled, “From Airwaves to Archives: Celebrating the Legacy of Santa Barbara’s Local Television Station.”

Organizers honored longtime videographer Herb Tuyay, who was instrumental in sharing 30,000 hours of footage dating back decades.

Tuyay made a call to UCSB Professor Emeritus Dan Driskel who got the transfer underway prior to the pandemic and his retirement.

“We ended up with everything ’60s, ’70s early ’80s when it went to videotape, this was video tape I think tonight, but there is so much more that goes on in the 16 mm years and we started putting it together in 2016,” said Driskel, referring to a 3 minutes sizzle reel shown to the audience.

News Channel 3-12 General Manager Jim Lemon moderated a panel discussion with former KEYT and CNN anchor/ reporter Paul Vercammen, Senior Reporter John Palminteri and weekend anchor and nightside reporter Tracy Lehr.

Former colleagues in the audience also took part including Paula Lopez, and Michael Bolton.

Numerous local journalists including Jerry Roberts and Lisa Osborne were on hand as well.

University Librarian Todd Grappone helped welcome the guests.

Film and TV Curator Laura Treat Liebhabor talked about the painstaking task of transferring every minute of broadcasting from old tapes.

“So all of the material that we digitize from KEYT archives is available for free to anyone who wants to view them on streaming media,” said Liebhabor.

Jessica Law, the Associate Director of Development at UCSB Library said they are hoping to raise money to keep going as they have a lot of years to cover.

“We’ve already sunk a lot of our own resources into making sure we get at least 20 percent of the archive digitized, so that’s where we are moving from out here and how we can continue to help all the different formats that you have available at KEYT to digitize those,” said Law.

People who have been interviewed or played sports that KEYT covered can look for themselves in many of the clips.

For a link to the video dating back decades search KEYT Television News Tape Library by visiting https://library.ucsb.edu

 

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) When La Casa de la Raza noticed an increase in health care hurdles for members of the community it teamed up Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.

The Medical and Behavioral Health Mobile unit parked right by the entrance.

Then volunteers spread the word on social media and people started showing up for all kinds of caRE.

Mobile clinic workers said they can help people with Social Security numbers sign up for Medi-Cal and Covered California.

The Chief Medical Officer Ali Javanbakht, M.D. will see anyone regardless of their documentation.

“So with a clinic like this we can do just about anything we normally do in a primary care setting so if there is acute need an acute injury an acute illness we can access that, if someone has a chronic condition and needs someone to access and give guidance we can certainly so that if someone hasn’t seen a provider in years they need a place to begin we can start that conversation so yeah it is pretty broad that conversation we offer,” said Dr. Javanbakht.

Clinic Manager Eva Bretado said sometimes offices are too far to get to without a car.

“We understand that it is hard at this time, a lot of people might not have transportation, that is pretty much the goal of the mobile clinic to be reachable and nearby for the community,” said Botella Banuelos.

Some patients haven’t seen a doctor in  awhile.

Martha Rodriguez said she hadn’t seen a doctor in six months.

Wellness Navigator Ana Botella Banuelos helped interpret the rest of what Rodriguez said in Spanish.

“She comes for the community they don’t have documentation they are happy we accept them they have our services for free she is  very thankful she can see a primary care provider,” said Botello Banuelos.

The mobile unit plans to visit on a regular basis 

Mario Guerrero serves as the Health Promotion Services Manager.

Guerrero said it feels good to help people in need get and stay healthy.

He said the entire team knows they are appreciated by the people they serve.

For more information visit https://sbclinics.org

Click here to follow the original article.

Caleb Nguyen

CAMARILLO, Calif. (KEYT) – Camarillo Police deputies are investigating a stabbing that took place during a youth football game at Camarillo High School just before 6:00 p.m. Friday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The stabbing sent a 27-year-old Oxnard man to the hospital for medical care after Camarillo Police helped the victim for his injuries, according to the VCSO.

Those with additional information on the incident are asked to contact Detective Christopher Vorzimer or Detective Nicole Grover.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at the following number.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – By the looks of it, sales have been slower in parts of Santa Barbara for months, and the real numbers are backing that up.

Three members of the city council siting as the finance committee presented a graphic Tuesday showing city expenses are going up, while revenues are projected to go down.

One of the impacts has been in the area of sales taxes which have been described as ‘softening.’

Strong sales equals a solid flow of funds from taxes into the city’s budget.

The process now is to find either new funds, sometimes through increased fees or make cuts in staffing and services.

One area could be in with cannabis, where the city could potential gain an increased 20 percent tax.

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Meagan Harmon who sits on the committee said, “I fell strongly that  we need to increase that to the maximum rate allowable our cannabis tax rate. To me that is the lowest of the low hanging fruit.”

Other tax increases would have to go on the 2026 ballot but that is a long process with a deadline of roughly next June to have the ballot wording and analysis done.

Santa Barbara City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said, “if the council wants to put something on the ballot we would recommend getting started as soon as possible, because there would be some voter education, some polling.  If that is the choice of the council or finance committee we would want to get started on that right away.”

Another area where revenues fall flat is from the hotel transient occupancy or bed tax, which is also not providing much help.

A concern was raised about increasing those taxes, potentially affecting bookings.

Councilmember Wendy Santamaria said. “I don’t think we need more hotels, we don’t need more but the ones that are here should be able to have that revenue generated right?”

The group Friends of the Santa Barbara Library strongly urged the city not to cut library funds or the hours of operation.

Barbara Hershberg, the group’s President, said, “they can be lifelines for marginalized populations offering both immediate support and long-term opportunities for growth.”

The Santa Barbara waterfront is being eyed to generate some new money. A suggestion was made to open up some of the parking spaces for overnight and RV camping.

“It has been done in other areas of California and it is very popular.”

Councilmember Eric Friedman said, “that turned out to be one that makes a lot sense and is worth exploring for a lot of reasons. So I want to thank our staff for getting ahead of this. The longer we wait the bigger the hole will be at the end and this is a way to right the ship.”         

In the long-term another warning sign was the reserve fund. It’s going down, a trend the city says it will not allow.

The finance committee is sending all of this information and recommendations to the full city council for immediate action.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Atascadero regarding the development announcement of a new Chick-fil-A location

ATASCADERO, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Atascadero is excited to announce that a concept plan has been submitted for review for a proposed new Chick-fil-A restaurant. The planned site is located near the north end of the city within the Home Depot shopping center.

The proposed location sits near the corner of El Camino Real and San Ramon Road, adjacent to the SpringHill Suites Hotel, providing convenient access for both residents and travelers along the Highway 101 corridor. While the project is currently in the early stages of the City’s development review process, the proposal reflects continued interest from nationally recognized businesses in bringing new dining options and economic investment to Atascadero.

“Atascadero continues to attract strong interest from quality businesses, and we’re excited about the potential addition of Chick-fil-A to our community,” said City Manager Jim Lewis. “A project like this not only enhances local dining options but also supports continued economic growth and job creation in our City.”

Updates on the project’s progress and opportunities for community input will be shared as the review process moves forward. For more information on current and upcoming projects in Atascadero, visit www.atascadero.org or contact the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 461-5035.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

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.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.