Consumer

The Vote for Measure C in Santa Maria: Where it Applies and What’s Exempt

October 6, 2026 11:58 am Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria residents evaluated details of Measure C following the final city-organized town hall meeting held last night at the Santa Maria Public Library. The city introduced the proposal to address a budget gap after previously cutting dozens of municipal staff positions to reduce expenditures. The ballot proposal asks voters

Drivers React to Record High Diesel Prices

September 14, 2026 6:22 pm Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) The latest AAA Fuel Prices report shows diesel fuel hitting a record high of $6.23 a gallon nationwide. It is much more in California where stations have neon signs showing diesel above $8. That is a record, too. In addition to global conflicts, California fuel costs are impacted by higher state environmental

Program Donations to Help Kids With a Fashionable Future in Santa Barbara

July 9, 2026 11:52 am John Palminteri

A donation will help young people in Santa Barbara learn how to sew. For some it may lead them into a fashion career.

Two men arrested after tracking and stealing from bank customer in Camarillo

June 3, 2026 10:57 am Andrew Gillies

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Two men were arrested outside of a Simi Valley bank in connection with a “bank jugging” incident Monday. “Bank jugging” is when a person is targeted after leaving a financial institution by criminals, making it more likely they have something of value, usually cash. On June 1, around 11 a.m.,

State-Based Privacy Platform Requires Data Brokers To Delete Californian’s Information

June 2, 2026 12:48 pm Andrew Gillies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KEYT) – A first-of-its-kind privacy platform allowing Californians to sign up and have some of their digital footprint deleted by data brokers has registered over 300,000 people before becoming active August 1 of this year. The Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP), launched five months ago, gives Californians the opportunity to have more

MV Realty Settles California Lawsuits Over Predatory Real Estate Practices

May 27, 2026 4:33 pm Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A Florida-based real estate agency agreed to a settlement over its predatory real estate scheme offering immediate cash payments for decades-long listing rights. MV Realty, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and its Chief Operating Officer (COO) operated a predatory real estate scheme that offered immediate cash payments to homeowners

Local company looking to open new CRV recycling center in Santa Maria

May 19, 2026 12:00 pm Dave Alley

A local business is looking to bring back a California Redemption Value (CVR) recycling center to Santa Maria, which has been without one for several years.

New package delivery warehouse with potential Amazon link to bring 800 jobs to Santa Maria

May 12, 2026 12:04 pm Dave Alley

A planned package delivery warehouse has received approval by Santa Maria and will soon bring hundreds of new jobs to the growing city.

Ventura Police Report Drop in Retail Theft, But Business Owners Say Fewer Shoppers May Be Factor

April 27, 2026 6:24 pm Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) — Retail theft in Ventura is down 35% compared to this time last year, according to the Ventura Police Department. Police say they investigated 650 retail theft cases in 2024, down from 420 the year before. Officials credit increased enforcement and improved surveillance technology for the decline. “You have organized efforts by

Spring Break Staycations May be the Best Deal with Rising Fuel Prices and TSA Issues

March 30, 2026 12:20 pm John Palminteri

Travel costs relating to fuel have some Spring break plans changing fast. That’s leading some people to revert to the staycation alternative.

Gasoline and Diesel prices continue to rise

March 29, 2026 11:47 pm Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) Fuel prices including diesel appear to be soaring. Diesel is more than $8 dollars at some stations Customers at the Chevron in Ventura paid $8.29 a gallon off Seaward in Ventura on Sunday. The rise began when the war with Iran started in late February. Drivers filling up shared their reaction. Opinions varied.

Donation Drop-Off Begins at Habitat for Humanity’s New ReStore Location

March 16, 2026 12:23 pm John Palminteri

Habitat for Humanity has started stocking its ReStore in Santa Barbara. It will officially open in summer.

Congressional members demand investigation into purchase of American’s cellular location data

March 4, 2026 1:14 pm Andrew Gillies

WASHINGTON D.C. (KEYT) – On Tuesday, California’s Senators joined 68 other members of Congress calling for an investigation into the warrantless purchase of cell phone location data by the Department of Homeland Security. “Location data is extremely sensitive, and can reveal someone’s religion, their political views, medicalconditions, addictions, and with whom they spend time. It

Experts Talk About Plans to Energize Retail in Santa Barbara

January 29, 2026 10:05 am John Palminteri

Retail sales ideas and promotions are going to be shared in a special seminar with Santa Barbara City leaders. It is expected to give some ideas that could be in the future master plan.

‘Dine Out Santa Maria Style’ Promotion Looking to Serve Up Sales to Local Restaurants

January 29, 2026 10:57 am Dave Alley

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber recently kicked off its annual Dine Out Santa Maria Style promotion in an effort to help boost sales at local restaurants.

Deals, Dining, & Lodging: SYV Restaurant Weeks Return with Even More to Offer

January 23, 2026 5:02 pm Alissa Orozco

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. (KEYT) – Locals and tourists are in luck – Santa Ynez Valley’s Restaurant Weeks has returned and so has their great deals on food and wine. Shelby Sim from Visit Santa Ynez Valley visited the Morning News to preview everything the Valley has to offer. The President and CEO says the