Santa Barbara Woman with Chronic Illness Looks to New Food-Based Health Program for Support

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A Santa Barbara woman living with multiple chronic illnesses says she’s finally found hope — not through medication, but through food.

For years, Sarah Boyajian of Santa Barbara felt like she was fighting an invisible battle.

“I don’t have the things that most people have like sweat … my sweat glands did not work so I don’t have to perspire,” said Boyajian.

Multiple chronic illnesses left her exhausted, isolated, and often overlooked by traditional healthcare.

“And I have many many allergies many no no’s that I can’t eat or drink … and I eat as well as I can trying to avoid the pains that I get from wrong food,” said Boyajian.

Now, she’s learning how to eat the right food at the the Organice Soup Kitchen in Santa Barbara.

The nonprofit is launching a new food-based health program.

“We want to make an impact to the community about Food how it’s connected to our own health and how to really engage people in … everything they put in their mouth,” said chief operating officer Andrea Slaby of the Organic Soup Kitchen.

Right now, the soup kitchen team is getting ready to open enrollment for those interested in the series.

“We have hired a registered dietitian to help inform our clients on their particular healing journey, and how we can help them with nutrition and whole real foods,” said communications director Natasha Nazerian of the Organic Soup Kitchen.

The new program is aimed at helping those with cancer, chronic conditions, or aging-related challenges find healing through nutrition.

“I’m also a teacher and I have understanding that learning is a thing that we do every single day as we’re alive.”

For those often left out of the system, it’s a different kind of care.

And for some, the first they’ve had in a while.

If you would like to participate in the Organic Soup Kitchen’s new health education opportunity, visit: https://organicsoupkitchen.org/.

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Exhibition Entrees Arrive at Ventura County Fairgrounds

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – Volunteers have been busy at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Exhibitors, who have already registered online, are dropping off crafts, textiles, preserved foods and more that will be shown off at the Ventura County Fair later this summer.

Adults and children are dropping off items that will on display after they are judged.

The fair website is counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the fair opens on July 30.

The fair by the beach in Ventura runs through August 10.

For more information visit https://venturacountyfair.org

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Congressman Carbajal hosts Congresswoman Angie Craig for a Wildfire Roundtable

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – On Saturday, Congressman Salud Carbajal hosted Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig for a wildfire roundtable discussion.

The event was hosted at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The garden has continuously been working to bring wildlife discussions to the table.

During the roundtable, community leaders were able to share directly to Craig, the top Democrat on the house agriculture committee, about what challenges they face and share how they all work together. 

“I was just blown away by the lessons the entire country can learn from the work you’re doing here right in Santa Barbara and across California,” said the 2nd District Congresswoman.

Ideas on wildfire preparedness and prevention were shared during the discussion from community leaders.

“We’re specifically talking about wild land interface as our communities become more clogged and houses are allowed to be built in that interface,” said Santa Barbara Fire City Chief, Chris Mailes. “It really requires fire protection in that interface.”

“To see how we work together here as partners state, local government and the federal government, Los Padres National Forest and to also talk about how the federal government can continue to better partner with California and here on the Central Coast, our firefighters and everyone who work day in and day out to keep us safe,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal.

“Being able to learn from your experience here, I’m going to take that back to congress and work on these issues with representative Carbajal,” said Craig.

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Santa Maria Police Department find missing elderly man Sunday

Christer Schmidt

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Maria Police Department reached out to the public for help and eventually located a missing elderly man who was considered at-risk.

According to the Santa Maria Police Department, the missing 90-year-old was found in the city Sunday and was safely reunited with his family.

“The Santa Maria Police Department would like to thank the community for its continued vigilance and support in cases like this,” stated a press release Monday about the successful search. “We rely on our strong partnership with the public to serve as an extension of our eyes and ears in the community.”

{Original Article}

The missing 90-year-old Santa Maria man is named Gerald “Gerry” Libsack. He is a white male, stands at 5’11”, weighs 172 pounds, has gray hair, and has blue eyes.

He was last seen on foot about 3:30 am on Sunday, July 20th, near Walmart/Home Depot in southeast Santa Maria.

He was wearing a black puffy jacket with the “fields to table” logo, gray sweatpants, and brown Ugg-style slippers.

Anyone who sees Mr. Libsack is urged to call the SMPD or 911 immediately.

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Teamsters Reject Latest MTD Contract Offer

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) drivers objected to the latest contract offer.

Teamster local 186 voted against it on Friday.

They want to work with a state-appointed mediator again to get a better offer.

Their union’s business agent said wages, the lack of overtime pay on holidays and need for a doctors note when they call in sick are just some of the issues.

A strike was averted earlier in July by a last-minute offer.

“Teamsters 186 overwhelming rejected the mediated proposal that is 3 contracts; supervisors, maintenance and drivers,” said Jed Johnson of Teamster Local 186. “The extension expires July 31st at midnight. tick- tock, tick-tock, MTD, your employees have spoken.”

MTD Planning & Marketing Manafer Hilary Blackerby said by they are committed to getting a deal by the end of the month.

Johnson said if they don’t teamsters have authorized a strike when their extended contract expires at midnight July 31.

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Ventura County Fire evacuate residents after house fire at Lynn Ranch

Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County Fire Department evacuated residents after a house fire at the 1300 block of Camino Cristobal at Lynn Ranch just before 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

Initial first responders at the scene observed heavy smoke and fire from the garage, and a car remains inside, according to the VCFD.

Firefighters continue to aggressively attack the fire and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the VCFD.

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Elderly woman suffers major injuries after solo car crash in Santa Ynez

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. – An elderly woman suffered major injuries after her pickup truck went 100 feet off the side of Avenia Caballo Road in Santa Ynez Saturday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

SBCFD and other paramedics airlifted the woman to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after getting her out of the vehicle just before 3:30 p.m., according to the SBCFD.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the potential cause of the crash, according to the SBCFD.

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Mountain biker rescued from fall on Madonna Mountain

Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – CAL FIRE SLO and SLO City Fire first responders rescued a mountain biker after a fall on Madonna Mountain just before 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

SLO City Fire members used a UTV and e-bikes to contact the patient and transport them via ambulance after the fall, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

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Man arrested in possesion of firearm after foot chase

Christer Schmidt

OXNARD, Calif. – Officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrested a 28-year-old man carrying a semi-automatic rifle while responding to a family dispute on Saturday.

Officers arrived at the residence at 1:30 pm on the 3300 block of Clinton Street. When officers arrived, the suspect fled on foot carrying the loaded firearm.

During the pursuit, the suspect discarded the rifle and he was apprehended in the area of Paula Street and Channel Islands Boulevard.

Officers arrested him for assaults, firearms charges and violating a restraining order.

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Narcotics arrest in Paso Robles

Christer Schmidt

NIPOMO, Calif. – Paso Robles Police Department officers arrested two suspects during a traffic stop on narcotics charges.

The traffic stop happened on Friday around 10:00 pm on the 2400 block of Golden Hill Road. The pair was traveling in a 2024 GMC truck and was pulled over for a moving violation.

During the stop, officers say they observed indicators of possible criminal activity. A narcotics K9 unit walked around the vehicle and indicated the presence of drugs inside the truck.

Officers say that a search of the truck uncovered approximately 90 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 4 pounds of suspected cocaine.

The drugs were valued at around $240,000.

The 42-year-old male driver from Salinas was taken into custody and is facing multiple felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The 45-year-old male passenger from Salinas was also taken into custody and also faces drug distribution charges. He also was found to have an arrest warrant from Monterey County.

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