Category: keyt-local-news

Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – A county jury convicted Leonardo Palofax from Ventura, 37, for killing two dogs and injuring a driver after a crash on Feb. 6, 2025, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Palofax drove a blue truck on Thompson Boulevard in Ventura when he ran a red light at the intersection of Thompson and McMillan Ave, according to the VCDAO.

Palofax missed a pedestrian at a crosswalk, but killed their two dogs and injured a driver inside a stopped car at the red light in the opposite lane, according to the VCDAO.

Palofax fled the scene before officers later found his truck abandoned without license plates and dog hair on the damaged front of the car, according to the VCDAO.

Forensic analysis later matched DNA from the steering wheel of the truck, registered to his cousin, to Palofax at the time of the accident, according to the VCDAO.

Palofax remains in custody and is being held without bail, facing a maximum of four years and four months in state prison for the following charges, according to the VCDAO:

VC 20001(a) – Leaving the scene of an accident

(2 counts) PC 597(b) – Cruelty to an animal

PC 135 – Destroying/concealing evidence

(2 counts) VC 20002(a) – Hit-run drivin

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new housing development, designed to serve the community’s workforce and moderate income residents.

Jacaranda Court, set to transform a city-owned commuter parking lot located at 400 W. Carrillo St., will be a new 63-unit affordable rental community comprised of three-to-four-story buildings to include 21 studios, 37 one-bedroom units, and 5 two-bedroom units.

The Housing Authority was joined by city officials, project partners, and community members Monday to celebrate the construction of the $44.8 million development.

“There are commuters that are coming in here on a daily basis, traveling over an hour each way, coming in and out of Santa Barbara because they can’t afford to live where they work,” said HACSB CEO Rob Fredricks.

Jacaranda Court is a collaboration between HACSB and the City of Santa Barbara to tackle the region’s housing crisis. The agency says a total of seven apartments will be reserved for low-income households with Section-8 project-based vouchers. The remaining units will be prioritized for the “missing middle” – residents who earn too much to qualify for traditional low-income housing yet are priced out of market-rate rentals.

The project is expected to take roughly 20 months to complete.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors received a budget forecast for the next five fiscal years at this morning’s meeting in Santa Maria.

As one supervisor said during the meeting this morning, this is a sobering picture of the county’s future, but they expressed appreciation that this was brought to their attention as early as it was.

A projected five-year deficit of more than $66 million affects some of the revenue that supports key safety net services such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh, making coverage reductions necessary while increasing costs.

“We see the $23 million deficit starting next year, more than doubling in 2728 and then growing incrementally, incrementally from there to the total $66.4 million cumulative deficit by the end,” says Paul Clementi, Santa Barbara County Budget Director.

The strain is the result of impacts from federal changes as well as state budget cuts in response.

“We’re really in a situation where we have to make some very difficult choices,” says Joan Hartmann, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

To address the challenges, a new budget balancing framework has been proposed, which looks to reduce some budgetary items, increase efficiency, develop new options for generating revenue, and implement strategic use of reserves.

“There’s going to be cuts somewhere, and I think that’s probably the message that people need to understand here,” says Bob Nelson, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

A figure of $50 million is earmarked for the expansion of the northern branch jail.

“And as well, we have continuing state mandates, jail settlement that is requiring us to add more beds at the Northern branch jail,” says Mona Miyasato, County Executive Officer.

Some locals say data shows the jail’s expansion constitutes overbuilding, and that those funds could be used to offset the projected deficit.

“We can reduce the jail daily population by up to a potential 128 people or more, eliminating the need for the extra half jail housing unit,” says Maureen Earls, representing CLUE Santa Barbara. “That would save 44 million and construction costs and reduce long term debt and operating costs by millions each year.”

Moving forward, critical safety net services are to be prioritized and additional savings measures will be introduced in the coming months.

“There’ll be a lot of things on the chopping block for me before it comes to child welfare,” says Steve Lavagnino, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

The board will be making budget decisions for the fiscal year of 2026 to 27 in April.

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Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Humane Society is partnering with Ventura Housing to help residents keep their pets as they transition out of homelessness, removing a common barrier that often forces people to choose between housing and their animals.

Through the partnership, Humane Society veterinary teams visit Ventura Housing developments quarterly to provide free or low-cost veterinary services.

The program is supported by a Ventura County Community Foundation grant and is designed to make routine pet care accessible for residents who may otherwise struggle to afford it.

The partnership currently serves eight Ventura Housing communities: Chapel Lane, Westview Village, Valentine Road Apartments, El Portal, Gregory Gardens, Vista Del Mar Commons, Willett Ranch, and Buena Vida.

Advocates say programs like this address a significant need.

Studies estimate that 5 to 10 percent of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a dog or cat, and surveys show many avoid shelters because pets are not allowed.

Research has also found that forced separation from pets can cause deep emotional distress, particularly for people already facing trauma and instability.

Ventura Housing says keeping people and pets together strengthens stability, emotional well-being, and community connections—helping residents rebuild their lives without leaving behind the companions who supported them through their hardest moments.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Boys Basketball:

San Marcos 71, Oxnard 54: Aidan Conlan: 27 points for Royals

Bishop Diego 74, Canoga Park 22: Damien Krautman 14 points for Cardinals

Thousand Oaks 72, Simi Valley 40

Malibu 69, Nordhoff 34

Westlake 51, Oak Park 37

High School Girls Basketball:

Foothill Technology 35, Santa Barbara 23: Baum 16 pts, 15 reb. for Dragons

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new promotion in the Santa Maria Valley is encouraging shoppers this holiday season to support local businesses.

The “Shop Small Santa Maria Valley” campaign was recently launched by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber in an effort to drive more customers specifically to locally owned and operated businesses.

“Shop Small is a program that we’ve partnered with American Express,” said Michael Boyer, Santa Maria Valley Chamber President and CEO. “We want everybody to focus on shopping at small businesses and to really to support small businesses.”

The Chamber points out that small businesses are an essential economic driver, not only creating employment opportunities for many people, but also how they provide financial contributions and other donations to many important components within the Santa Maria Valley.

“Small businesses are the foundation of the Santa Maria Valley,” said Jennifer Harrison, Santa Maria Valley Chamber Vice President of Marketing and Communications said in a statement. “We are proud to support the entrepreneurs who fuel our local economy, create jobs, and bring character and heart to our community. This campaign is one way we can amplify their impact during the holiday season.”

To help encourage the public to take part in the month-long promotion, the Shop Small campaign includes a financial incentive.

“Go to our Santa Maria Valley Chamber Instagram page,” said Boyer. “Just share to tag a friend, tag a small business. Share it on your story. We’ll enter you into a drawing. We have three $100 (Visa) gift cards that we’ll be giving out.”

For those who own or work at a locally owned and operated business, they emphasize how their shopping experience differs when compared one that is owned by a national company.

“When our clients come in, you’re not going to find something that other corporate places sell,” said Emily Limon, whose family owns the Apricot Lane Boutique in Santa Maria. “We’ll get our customers feedback and we’ll handpick everything ourselves. We really try to make this an experience for our customers and a place where they can come in after a hard day at work, or maybe they want to celebrate something fun, and can come in and get something great that makes them feel good, and look good, and you just won’t get that somewhere else.”

The Shop Small Santa Maria Valley holiday campaign runs through the end of the year and concludes Dec. 31, 2025.

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Charles Hojaboom, a former Cal Poly student, received a 6-year, 2-month state prison sentence for firearm crimes on Cal Poly’s campus in 2023, according to the SLO County District Attorney’s Office.

Hojaboom, 21, pleaded no contest on Aug. 27 to criminal charges of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, vandalism and five counts of loaded firearm possession on a college campus, according to the SLOCDAO.

Hojaboom admitted to personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon included in his plea to the crime of discharging a firearm with gross negligence, according to the SLOCDAO.

Hojaboom also pleaded no contest to shooting at an inhabited dwelling and now stands convicted of two separate “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law, according to the SLOCDAO.

All charges against Hojaboom in the case come from four separate shooting incidents that happened between June and November 2023, three of which happened outdoors on campus, according to the SLOCDAO.

Hojaboom fired a bolt-action rifle inside his dorm room on Oct. 27, 2023 and investigators found a bullet that travelled from his dorm through the ceiling into a separate dorm room above, according to the SLOCDAO.

No reported injuries arose during any of these shootings and no agreement between Hojaboom and the District Attorney emerged on a specific time sentence, according to the SLOCDAO.

The maximum sentence on Hojaboom could have been 11 years and 6 months but a presiding judge said she would not go further than 7 years, 6 months for his sentence, according to the SLOCDAO.

Hojaboom will now be taken to state prison for the rest of his sentence after already serving 1,472 days in county jail, according to the SLOCDAO.

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Many shoppers are sad to see the Isla Vista Food Coop’s Santa Barbara location close down. 

“I mean, it’s just sad to see something so good go. It’s obviously so good for the community to have this little thing on the side of the street,” said local shopper Atalia Zahrndt.

 “I got to know like everyone who works here, so it’s like a fun little, like I get to see my community when I come in and buy my stuff,” said local shopper Sonika Biyani.

The co-op attributes the closure to ongoing financial struggles.

An online statement reads in part: “Expenses remain high, sales remain too low, and we can’t sustainably operate a second location without risking the stability of the cooperative.” 

The store will now revert to the Cantwell’s Market and Deli. 

“They actually had a little more business as the deli when it was Cantwell’s and the variety of salads that they had at the deli was greater too. I used to ask, ‘You don’t have any yam salad today?’ And the next day they would have it,” said Mike Daggett, who lives in Santa Barbara. 

The deli owners say they are excited to bring their culinary expertise to the forefront. 

Pradeep Shastri shares his favorite pasta recipe he’s planning on incorporating in a special menu. 

“Tomato, onion, garlic, feta cheese, and you mix it together with fresh basil and make a vegetarian version with some really julienne of vegetables in there. And then on the same pasta you can create a nice grilled chicken on the top of that or a piece of salmon on that,” said Shastri.

Shastri says he hopes to hire some of the same employees that helped run the co-op. 

He says he’s excited to make it a place with small town charm and culinary flair, adding that there will be indian and italian fusion. 

“We want to make sure we make every client who walks in here happy with the food, with the hospitality. And I know we cannot compare, compete with the big players like, you know, Costco and everybody else, but we are a convenience and a common cafe deli store,” said Shastri.

The State Street store will officially close on December 26th.  

The co-op location in Isla Vista will remain open.

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Scott Hennessee

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Rain or shine, early morning or late at night, pickleball players will soon have a place to dink and smash away. According to a news release, The Picklr Santa Barbara is under construction at the former site of Bed Bath and Beyond in the Fairview Shopping Center in Goleta.

The facility will have seven pickleball courts, light fitness equipment, showers, lockers, a community lounge/meeting room, and a pro shop. Local residents Ted and Trish Guggenheim are the owner/operators. The target date to open is Spring of 2026. They plan to operate seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight.

The Picklr is a franchise of pickleball facilities that is growing rapidly in line with demand for more courts nationwide. Pickleball is said to be the fastest growing sport in America, with more than 13 million people participating.

Monthly and annual memberships are available. Day passes will be available for non-members.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Many people are just learning about the tragic deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner.

Young people may not know his name, but they may know his often quoted films including “When Harry Met Sally,” “Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” “Stand by Me,” “Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap II,” and his recent book entitled “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.”

People may remember his father Carl and Rob’s star-making role as Meathead on “All in the Family.”

Reiner’s acting and directing career led to recognition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2001 and one of his leading ladies, Meg Ryan, lives part time in Montecito.

But he is also remembered for his legacy when it comes to young children and child development.

Reiner helped pass Prop 10, a cigarette tax, to fund early childhood development programs.

The most famous is known as First 5 California.

Former Congresswoman Lois Capps said she was a nurse when it began and she has applauded it ever since.

“First 5 was his baby and it just made such a difference in how babies were appreciated and valued and given priority,” said Capps.

Wendy Sims-Moten knew Reiner due to her work as an advocate through First 5 with a focus on school readiness for children up to age 5.

“When prop 10 was being challenged, actually, he came and did an interview here, actually it was at Goleta Valley Community Center. We had little kids that were around and coming around they were at the Rainbow School and they were just being kids, I remember he was trying to do a press conference and they were yelling and screaming and he just made a wonderful look ‘oh they are just being kids and that is why were are here,’ so, kids are allowed to just be who they are and when they are growing up without pressure,” said Sims-Moten.

Sims-Moten remembers being In the room with him and the energy he brought.

“He understood and knew in a profound way that if we strengthen our systems at the earliest opportunities our children will be prepared for school, they will be stronger and they will be more resistant, I can’t believe that he is gone but his work will love,” said Sims-Moten.

She said is is a honor to be part of his legacy that includes First 5 Santa Barbara, First 5 San Luis Obispo and First 5 Ventura and more than 55 other locations in the state.

She also said having a famous man show his interest in the children from birth to 5 years of age made a difference and still makes a difference.

“Thank goodness for this visionary leader thank goodness for his vision and his legacy,” said Sims-Moten, “Thank you Rob, thank you for answering that call, thank you for sharing your vision about children and families with children in California.”

A statement from First 5 Santa Barbara County reads:

” In solidarity with First 5 California and their statement honoring the lives and legacies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, First 5 Santa Barbara County joins in mourning the profound loss of two individuals whose shared compassion and commitment left an enduring mark on early childhood systems across California. We extend our deepest condolences as we honor Rob’s visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for young children and families, alongside Michele’s creativity, commitment, and meaningful contributions to California’s early childhood landscape. Our hearts are with their family, friends, and all who are grieving this loss, as we hold gratitude for the legacy they leave behind during this difficult time.”

Many people are thinking about ways to pay tribute to Reiner and his wife and their children.

Local fan Guy Rivera said he knew Reiner was a good guy when he cast his mother in “When Harry Met Sally” and she ended up delivering the line “I’ll have what she is havin,” one of the most quoted lines in movie history.

Their second-born son Nick, who has battled addiction for half his life, is now facing charges in his parents death.

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