C.J. Ward, Author at NewsChannel 3-12

Tipline Investigation: California EDD freezes 350,000 possibly fraudulent debit cards; extends Call Center hours

October 23, 2020 11:33 am C.J. Ward

The California Employment Development Department is taking more drastic measures to deal with a wave of fraudulent…

CADA receives top honors from GuideStar and Charity Navigator

October 20, 2020 1:38 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Two of the largest and most reputable nonprofit information sources in the country have awarded The Council on Alcoholism and…

Tipline Investigation: Unemployment scams steal hope from desperate Californians

October 1, 2020 11:05 am C.J. Ward

People who lost their jobs during the pandemic shutdown filed for unemployment benefits through the EDD and many have received…

Vintage Travel Trailers set up camp in Buellton

September 28, 2020 12:28 am C.J. Ward

Hundreds of Vintage Travel Trailers from all over the country arrived in Buellton over the weekend for the 11th Annual Buellton Vintage Trailer…

Tipline Investigation: Fraud and backlog at California unemployment department leads to ‘major overhaul’

September 21, 2020 4:00 pm C.J. Ward

On Saturday, the EDD released a blueprint to get past the current crisis and hopefully avoid more problems in the…

Tipline Investigation: Problems at CA EDD fraud, a broken system or both?

September 10, 2020 10:49 am C.J. Ward

Problems at California’s Employment Development Department, also known as the EDD, is raising serious concerns about possible…

Tipline Investigation: Errors in state system leave unemployed Californians scared, mad and frustrated

August 24, 2020 11:00 am C.J. Ward

More than a million Californians are on the verge of becoming homeless. Sadly, the safety net they thought would help them is letting them down when…

Oxnard man sentenced to life in prison for 1980 murder

August 13, 2020 3:10 pm C.J. Ward, Cassie Amundson

Lenard Chester, 59, of Oxnard will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1980 rape and murder of Leah…

Mentor programs merge to help Santa Barbara County kids

August 7, 2020 4:57 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The ‘Big Brothers’ and ‘Big Sisters’ program merged with the mentoring program operated by The Council on Alcoholism and Drug…

Help fight pediatric cancer with a Paella Picnic

July 29, 2020 5:15 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Time is running out to get your paella picnic basket for Saturday’s feast. The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is down to just…

Tipline Investigation: Buying a car from north of the border falls into a gray area

July 21, 2020 11:44 am C.J. Ward

People thinking about buying a used vehicle these days will probably run a Google search first, check Carfax and maybe get a pre-purchase inspection.…

Beware of housing rental scams during COVID-19

July 13, 2020 2:15 pm C.J. Ward

VENTURA , Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is warning everyone to beware of online housing rental scams during the Coronavirus…

Tipline Investigation: Solvang woman struggles to kick squatter off her property

June 24, 2020 11:31 am C.J. Ward

A Solvang woman struggled to kick a squatter off her land, that’s when someone contacted the local NewsChannel on her…

DMV resumes behind-the-wheel driving tests

June 24, 2020 12:07 am C.J. Ward

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Motor Vehicles will resume behind-the-wheel driving tests on Friday, June 26. The DMV suspended…

Antique and Classic car parade brightens day at four Santa Barbara retirement facilities

June 19, 2020 4:36 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Classic cars and Father’s Day. They go together like hot dogs and baseball and George and Gracie. What a great way to kick…

Kenny Loggins live pay-per-view concert to benefit The Lobero Theatre

June 18, 2020 1:26 pm C.J. Ward

The COVID-19 Pandemic is taking a toll on venues that rely on live performances and other entertainment. One way to survive is go live online with…

Four Mexican nationals charged with smuggling drugs to Hollister Ranch Beach

June 12, 2020 6:35 pm C.J. Ward

GAVIOTA, Calif. – Four Mexican nationals accused of trying to smuggle more than 4,700 pounds of marijuana into the United States by boat face life in…