Tracy Lehr, Author at News Channel 3-12

Pediatricians share their concerns about formula shortage

May 17, 2022 5:50 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Parents of newborns have been visiting the Eastside Neighborhood Clinic in Santa Barbara to pick up formula samples. "In your pediatrician's office, for example, we have some samples, so a lot of offices have samples, so there are many reasons to reach out to your pediatrician's office," Dr. Anupamu Sharma said.… Continue Reading

Experts say Depp / Heard trial can be triggering for victims

May 16, 2022 6:19 pm Tracy Lehr

The founder of the Santa Barbara-based "What Is Love" – an organization that helps teens and young adults – said social media is blowing up with opinions that often shame victims.… Continue Reading

Oxnard Mayor warns community about fentanyl

May 15, 2022 9:46 pm Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif.-A death in the family inspired Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza to write a letter to the editor about fentanyl. The mayor's letter was recently published in the Ventura County Star. "In fact, I just lost a nephew who lives up in the Madera, Merced area and fentanyl is an opiate that is really devastating… Continue Reading

Miranda Sings appears on stage during Little Shop of Horrors at San Marcos High in Santa Barbara

May 11, 2022 10:42 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Little Shop of Horrors cast at San Marco High School in Santa Barbara welcomed a famous alumna on stage on Saturday night. Comedian Colleen Mae Ballinger, who has made a name for herself online as Miranda Sings, joined the cast for a laugh. She sang her own tune and then… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara Unified hears final pandemic update

May 10, 2022 4:43 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Unified School District Board heard its 40th COVID-19 update, and Chief Operating Officer Steve Venz said its the last pandemic update. Venz said it is now in the endemic stage and that updates will be as needed. He said the district will still work with the state and… Continue Reading

Carry the Load relay honors fallen military and first responders along the coast

May 9, 2022 8:54 pm Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif.- People from Santa Barbara and Oxnard joined the Carry the Load relay from Goleta to Santa Barbara City College on Monday. The relay stopped at Ventura County Fire Station 25 before resting for the night, and then the relays will head to Los Angeles and San Diego. The goal is to remind people… Continue Reading

Carpinteria third Highway 101 lane to open in June

May 9, 2022 7:49 pm Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Members of the Carpinteria City Council heard a promising update about the 2-mile portion of the Highway 101 project that goes through their city. Kirsten Ayars of Ayars and Associates said, "We are almost finished, that is exciting for the city of Carpinteria." Drivers wanting three lanes can now see all three… Continue Reading

Art City Studios supporters are trying to save it from development

May 7, 2022 11:38 pm Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif.-When Art City Studios in Ventura hosted a reception for artist Ramon Bryne entitled "Composed in Stone" art lovers learned that the future of the art space is uncertain. Art City Studios founder Paul Lindhard is trying to stay optimistic, but after 37 years he said the property owner is trying to sell it… Continue Reading

Shootings leave 2 teens injured in Santa Maria

May 7, 2022 5:18 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA MARIA, Calif.-Santa Maria police said an 18 and 19-year-old showed up at Marian Regional Medical Center following shootings on Friday night. The first shooting left the 19-year-old injured. It happened before 10 p.m. near the Alvin and Bradley intersection. The next shooting happened before 11 p.m. near a house party at Thornburg and Ronald Streets.… Continue Reading

U.S. 101 project replacing damaged pavement south of Carpinteria

May 4, 2022 4:25 pm Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – A new phase of an ongoing Highway 101 rehabilitation project is adding to driver frustration. More than 75,000 motorists drive between Carpinteria and Ventura every day. They are dealing with detours and lane changes along a 4.3-mile stretch. Caltrans said crews have installed new guardrails and concrete barriers. Caltrans District 7 Public Information… Continue Reading

Supreme Court leak sparks reproductive rights demonstrations along coast

May 3, 2022 7:39 pm Tracy Lehr

CALIFORNIA, Calif.-In the wake of a leaked Roe v. Wade Supreme Court document people for and against legalized abortion took to the streets. Pro-choice supporters rallied in De La Guerra Plaza in Santa Barbara, outside Santa Maria City Hall and in downtown San Luis Obispo. In Ventura rival rallies took place on opposing corners of… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara photojournalist Jodie Willard joins storm chasing crew in tornado country

May 1, 2022 9:34 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- Photojournalist Jodie Williard is known for photographing wild horses and other wildlife, but this month she is chasing storms. Willard shared images of tornadoes she shot over the weekend. She is part of crew led to Bill Reid. "I am covering extreme weather for the next couple of weeks here in Texas,… Continue Reading

Ukraine refugee shares her story at Ventura fundraiser

May 1, 2022 9:20 pm Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif.-A refugee from Ukraine was a special guest a "We Stand with Ukraine" fundraiser in Ventura on Sunday. Nataliia Poliakova, 25, said, "My grandmother, who raised me, my aunt who is Russian, the sister of my father and all my father and my mom they just don't believe there is war." Poliakova fled Ukraine… Continue Reading

Countries accepting the most Ukrainian refugees

Commercial fishermen prepare for World Central Kitchen benefit

May 1, 2022 12:21 am Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- Fishermen for Ukraine are preparing to share their catch to help refugees. They are inviting people to help them support World Central Kitchen as it continues to prepare meals for Ukrainian refugees. Their event will be held at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum on Sunday, June 19, 2022. The special evening will… Continue Reading

Domestic travel based on honor system when it comes to COVID

April 27, 2022 6:01 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Like many airports, the Santa Barbara Airport is returning to pre-pandemic levels of business and leisure travel, and these days it is up to travelers to decide whether to wear a mask or to test for COVID before a trip. The Santa Barbara Airport said there are no requirements or regulations to prevent… Continue Reading

United Way to highlight childcare needs during Santa Barbara City Council meeting

April 26, 2022 6:05 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- The Santa Barbara City Council heard a United Way presentation on regional child care issues on Tuesday. Councilmember Oscar Guttierrez, who doesn't have children, called it eye-opening. Guttierrez said the high cost of child care is a challenge for parents of young children. He hopes the council can find ways to help.… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo invites people to meet at the fair

April 26, 2022 5:15 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The people setting up the rides and exhibits at the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo hope visitors will enjoy the nostalgic "Meet Me At The Fair" theme this year. The fair was held last year when things just started to open up during the pandemic, but this year, the fair is… Continue Reading

Cold and flu season makes a comeback as masks come off

April 20, 2022 6:02 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – As masks come off, many people are catching things other than the coronavirus. "The fact that we don't have very many people in the hospital, nobody on ventilators, nobody in the ICU, in our county, in the last several days tell us that this variety of the virus is much less… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara City Council votes to create ad hoc committee to address housing crisis

April 19, 2022 7:52 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-More than 100 Santa Barbara City workers and SEUI union members took time off to rally and attend Tuesday's Santa Barbara City Council meeting. Union members said they can't afford to live where they work. Many took time off from work to attend the meeting and to voice their support for higher wages… Continue Reading

UCSB grad student with Russian roots stands in solidarity with Ukraine

April 18, 2022 5:01 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Sergey Saluschev is just a couple of months away from earning his doctorate at the University of California, Santa Barbara. During the pandemic he completed his Ph.D. dissertation thesis involving military rivalries between Russia, the Ottoman Empire and Iran in the Caucasus (1801-1917) and while he waits for graduation day he is sharing… Continue Reading