C.J. Ward, Author at News Channel 3-12

SLO County Sheriff’s Office: Felon takes weapon left in jail lobby bathroom by employee

January 24, 2022 3:23 pm C.J. Ward

A man released from the San Luis Obispo County Jail faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. But, exactly how Matthew Alexander Goldsmith, 51, found the weapon is what investigators are looking into. … Continue Reading

San Miguel man sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children

December 20, 2021 11:47 pm C.J. Ward

Vance must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. … Continue Reading

Former world champion surfer gets stoked for 100 Wave Challenge

December 12, 2021 12:18 pm C.J. Ward

Former world champion surfer Shaun Tomson led a group of surfers into the chilly Pacific Ocean at Miramar Beach Sunday morning for the annual 100 Wave Challenge.… Continue Reading

Toy Drive Car Show fills Santa’s Pickup with 428 new toys for the Unity Shoppe

December 6, 2021 10:55 am C.J. Ward

The event was held at Southcoast Church in Goleta.… Continue Reading

Toy Drive Car Show cruises into Goleta this Saturday

December 2, 2021 11:43 pm C.J. Ward

GOLETA, Calif. - Southcoast Church and The Community Hot Rod Project will host their 2nd annual Toy Drive Car Show this Saturday, December 4th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is welcome, it's free to attend and new unwrapped toys will be collected to support the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara. The event… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara music pioneer Ernie Orosco remembered

November 22, 2021 11:45 am C.J. Ward

The Santa Barbara community and the music industry lost a pioneer on November 23, 2021. Ernest Joseph Orosco, "Ernie" to everyone who knew him, was a very talented guitarist who grew up in Santa Barbara.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Before you travel, read the fine print very carefully

November 11, 2021 9:48 am C.J. Ward

COVID-19 has decimated the travel industry since the start of the pandemic and cruise lines may have gotten the worst of it. Their loyal customers have suffered as well. … Continue Reading

Two men arrested for shooting at Camarillo gas station

November 10, 2021 11:43 pm C.J. Ward

Ventura County Sheriff's Major Crimes Investigators arrested two men both from the City of Highland in San Bernardino County for a shooting at a Camarillo gas station.… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara business fights Amazon to get its $100,000 back

October 28, 2021 11:06 am C.J. Ward

Tonight’s Tipline Investigation involves the largest online retailer in the world, Amazon. The retail giant became what it is today partly due to a network of small retailers who sell their products using Amazon’s Merchant platform.… Continue Reading

The Montecito Motor Classic is back

October 8, 2021 6:42 pm C.J. Ward

ito Motor Classic returns to the Santa Barbara Polo Club this Sunday. The annual car show was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. … Continue Reading

“This is crazy” Tax preparer tells clients he’s not dead

September 8, 2021 9:57 am C.J. Ward

A veteran tax preparer in San Luis Obispo knows all about dealing with complicated issues. He’s been preparing his clients taxes for more than 50 years.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Santa Maria man forced to prove his identity as crooks steal billions

June 16, 2021 10:02 am C.J. Ward

We have an update on our Tipline investigation into the multi-billion dollar fraud in California’s unemployment system.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Stroke survivor wins long fight to get her unemployment benefits

May 13, 2021 10:08 am C.J. Ward

We first profiled Leslie Jackson and her battle against the California Employment Development Department on April 25th. She had applied for benefits more than a year ago in March, 2020 but received nothing from the state. Jackson said the EDD made her go before a judge to prove her identity.… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara woman fights for her independence and her unemployment benefits

April 25, 2021 9:20 pm C.J. Ward

Santa Barbara resident Leslie Jackson filed for unemployment benefits more than a year ago and she's still waiting. She filed her claim with the EDD in March, 2020 and like so many others, she had to go before a judge to prove her identity.… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara musician wins long battle to receive unemployment benefits

April 22, 2021 10:14 am C.J. Ward

We have a heartwarming follow up now to a recent Tipline Investigation. A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Ernie Orosco. The professional guitarist started selling off his instruments to survive a year after applying for unemployment benefits.… Continue Reading

Attack in Santa Barbara caught on camera as citizens step in to help victim

April 13, 2021 11:54 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara Police responded to calls for someone screaming for help about 11:40pm Monday night near the 400 block of South Salinas St. Police said multiple concerned citizens had called police dispatch about the attack. Officers arrived in minutes and discovered a female victim severely beaten and laying on the sidewalk.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Couple claims a text message set off a two-year immigration fight

March 25, 2021 1:49 pm C.J. Ward

The last two years have been a nightmare for Dave and Daniela Henrey. They're married, but he lives in the Santa Ynez Valley and she lives outside Bogota, Columbia.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Local musician waiting for unemployment benefits forced to sell instruments

March 11, 2021 11:41 am C.J. Ward

We have another followup to the chaos within California’s unemployment system. Our series of reports have clearly shown how some people are desperately trying to survive as they deal with the broken system.… Continue Reading

Faulty electrical wiring ignites fire at a Ventura commercial building

March 2, 2021 11:58 pm C.J. Ward

A commercial building on the 1500 block of Morse Avenue in Ventura went up in flames just before noon on Tuesday.… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: SB Restaurateur hit with $22,000 Edison bill

February 18, 2021 10:18 am C.J. Ward

The restaurant industry is hanging on by a thread during the pandemic from complete shutdowns, partial re-openings, take out only and outside not inside dining. They've been through a lot. However, one Santa Barbara restaurateur came close to getting a knock out blow. … Continue Reading