Santa Maria - Lompoc - North County Archives

Ashlee Buzzard charged with the murder of her nine-year-old daughter

December 24, 2025 1:37 pm Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – On Wednesday, a felony charge of first-degree murder was filed against Ashlee Buzzard in connection with the… Continue Reading

The Day Before Christmas Brings Unusual Rain To The Central Coast

December 24, 2025 12:48 pm Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Christmas Eve was celebrated up and down the Central Coast today, despite the rain. A lot of people stayed indoors… Continue Reading

State Senate Leader Monique Limón Announces Next Sessions’ Committee Assignments

December 24, 2025 12:42 pm Andrew Gillies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KEYT) – On Tuesday, California's Senate President pro Tempore, Monique Limón of Santa Barbara, announced the committee membership… Continue Reading

Grinch screening benefits Santa Barbara Humane

December 23, 2025 10:10 pm Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" screened at the Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria for a worthy cause. The screening… Continue Reading

Missing Nine-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found Dead; Mother Ashlee Arrested For Her Murder

December 23, 2025 10:44 am Andrew Gillies, Jarrod Zinn

VANDENBERG VILLAGE, Calif. (KEYT) – Law enforcement confirmed Tuesday morning that Melodee Buzzard, the local nine-year-old missing since earlier… Continue Reading

CHP set to begin two-day holiday enforcement period

December 23, 2025 12:53 pm Dave Alley

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is getting ready to hold its two-day long holiday enforcement period beginning Wednesday… Continue Reading

Staffing levels for storm response crews will remain normal during Christmas holiday

December 23, 2025 9:13 am Dave Alley

Even with a rare Christmastime rainstorm set to soak the Central Coast this week, local agencies say staffing will remain at normal levels despite… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara County issues evacuation warning for upcoming storms

December 22, 2025 6:23 pm Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management issued an evacuation warning for areas affected by the… Continue Reading

Warming Centers And Homeless Shelters Activate Storm Protocol For Christmas Week

December 22, 2025 12:21 pm Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Good Samaritan is activating holiday storm protocol in Santa Maria for 2025’s Christmas week. Warming centers will be… Continue Reading

Bipartisan bill expands benefits to first responders and families fighting service-related cancers

December 22, 2025 11:58 am Andrew Gillies

WASHINGTON D.C. (KEYT) – Bipartisan legislation expanding benefits to first responders suffering from fire response-related cancers nationwide was… Continue Reading

Santa Maria woman wins News Channel 3-12 Holiday Giveaway to claim $3,400 in prizes

December 19, 2025 5:37 pm Dave Alley

Susan Garcia of Santa Maria is the lucky winner of this year's News Channel 3-12 Holiday… Continue Reading

Human Trafficking Awareness Forum Returns To Santa Maria in January

December 18, 2025 11:57 am Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Santa Maria Rotary Club is spreading the word about the next forum raising awareness of human trafficking happening… Continue Reading

Driver dies after single-vehicle rollover off Figueroa Mountain Road Wednesday

December 18, 2025 1:32 pm Andrew Gillies

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – A man has died after the Jeep Gladiator he was driving was involved in a single-vehicle rollover off Figueroa Mountain Road… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara County Fire Department Swears In Its New Chief

December 17, 2025 5:04 pm John Palminteri

Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Garrett Huff has been sworn into office. He was previously the Deputy… Continue Reading

County Board of Supervisors officially deny permit transfers necessary to restart local oil production

December 17, 2025 12:25 pm Andrew Gillies

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has officially denied the transfer of permits necessary to restart… Continue Reading

Toy Theft & Property Vandalism in Santa Maria Causes a Christmas Pinch

December 17, 2025 12:43 pm Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Someone in Santa Maria is due for a lump of coal in their stocking this Christmas. Toys were stolen and a building… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara County Forecasts Budget Challenges For Next Five Years

December 16, 2025 11:45 am Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors received a budget forecast for the next five fiscal years at this… Continue Reading

Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB scheduled for early Wednesday

December 15, 2025 2:05 pm Andrew Gillies

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (KEYT) – A Falcon 9 launch of 27 Starlink satellites destined for low-Earth orbit has been scheduled from… Continue Reading

Santa Maria police investigate vandalism and theft at Knights of Columbus Hall

December 16, 2025 5:22 pm Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria police are investigating vandalism and theft at the Knights of Columbus Hall, which held toys for the city's… Continue Reading

Three-inch Asian orbweaver spider spotted for the first time in Santa Barbara County

December 16, 2025 11:36 am Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A three-inch long Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) was spotted at a local Santa Barbara County business this… Continue Reading

Santa Maria – Lompoc – North County