KCLU Radio

07/10/2025

UC Santa Barbara’s Arts and Lectures is showing seven dog-themed movies at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens over the next few weeks.

The series kicks off this Friday night with the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians. Showtime is 8:30 for the free screening. And, dogs are welcome if you keep them on their leash.

Other films in the Dog Days of Summer series include Best in Show, My Dog Skip, and Marley & Me. All films screen on Friday nights.

The Dog Days of Summer series at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse begins Friday night with 101 Dalmatians.

07/10/2025

The crash happened on July 2 in Fillmore. Ventura County Sheriff’s investigators say a car driven by Myryram Castillo was headed east on Highway 126 when she crossed into the westbound side of the roadway.

The Fillmore woman crashed into a car driven by Maria DonDiego of Oxnard. She and her five-year-old son were fatally injured. Two other children in the car were seriously injured.

Investigators say Castillo is facing two counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the deadly crash in Fillmore.

07/09/2025

Could we see new oil drilling in areas like Carpinteria, Ojai, Lompoc, and the Cuyama Valley?

The Trump Administration has reintroduced a proposal to allow oil and mineral exploration on some federally owned or managed land in the Tri-Counties and Central Valley. The affected areas encompass 27,763 acres in Ventura County, 121,413 acres in Santa Barbara County, and 122,546 acres in San Luis Obispo County.

Jeff Kuyper, with the nonprofit environmental group Los Padres ForestWatch, says the administration's plan targets federally owned land and mineral rights underneath schools, conservation lands, trails, county parks, and beaches.

The BLM is currently accepting comments on the proposal through July 23.

The land that could be potentially impacted is federally owned or has federal mineral rights attached.

07/09/2025

A new temporary library has opened in Goleta.

The "express" facility will serve as Goleta’s library for the next two years while the city’s main library undergoes a major renovation.

The Goleta Valley Library Express will serve as Goleta's library for two years, while the city's main location undergoes renovations.

07/09/2025

Sundowner winds in southern Santa Barbara County have prompted a warning about possible public safety power shutoffs for more than 3,000 customers.

Winds are predicted to be in the 20 to 30 mile an hour range, with gusts to around 50 miles an hour.

Some Southern California Edison customers in Montecito, San Marcos Pass, and the Gaviota Coast could be impacted.

07/09/2025

As of Wednesday morning, the fire was 62% contained, and its growth had been slowed. So far, it has burned 80,610 acres.

The fire began last Wednesday about 20 miles northwest of New Cuyama. It forced the closure of Highway 166 between Santa Maria and New Cuyama. However, the highway reopened Tuesday night.

The fire has led to multiple evacuation orders. One structure has been destroyed, and one firefighter has been injured.

The wildfire in San Luis Obispo County has burned 80,610 acres as of Wednesday morning.

07/09/2025

Just before midnight on Monday in Simi Valley, an officer tried to stop a car near Tapo Canyon Road. But the driver didn’t stop, leading to a chase that went from Simi Valley through the San Fernando Valley and ended on the streets of downtown LA.

When the driver finally stopped, he tried to flee on foot.

However, officers quickly arrested 18-year-old Abisai Rodriguez. They say his car contained tools used to steal catalytic converters from vehicles.

Rodriguez was arrested on multiple charges, including felony evading of a police officer.

The driver finally stopped and abandoned the car. He was arrested as he tried to flee on foot.

07/09/2025

Paul Echtekleff is busy cutting hair at the Thousand Oaks barber shop he and his family have owned for decades. He’s busy, but not as busy as usual. Echtekleff thinks the financial uncertainty triggered by U.S. tariffs has hit home.

"It has, and you would think that wouldn't be the case, because everybody needs a haircut," said the barber. "The truth is I feel like people are not working as much, they're not as busy, so maybe they're going between haircuts a little bit further, maybe not coming as often, or worst case scenario, they are doing it at home."

Echtekleff thinks the uncertainty has translated into people being a little more reluctant to spend money. "The pandemic, you had a feeling it was going to end. This one, you have no idea of how long it's going to go," said Echtekleff.

Barber says it's a sign of the times, with business down because some people are cutting back on spending.

07/08/2025

https://www.kclu.org/2025-07-07/firefighters-make-progress-in-battle-to-contain-massive-wildfire-on-central-coast

07/08/2025

Containment is up to 30% on the Madre Fire, which is burning about 20 miles northwest of New Cuyama.

The fire started last Wednesday afternoon and spread rapidly due to the winds in the area. It closed Highway 166 between Santa Maria and New Cuyama. It's in a remote area, with scattered homes and ranches, but some evacuations were ordered.

Carrizo Plain National Monument is also closed to visitors.

More than 1,400 personnel, aided by air tankers and helicopters, are battling the fire. One structure has been reported destroyed, and one firefighter has been injured. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.

The Madre Fire, burning between Santa Maria and New Cuyama, is now 30% contained. The 80,000+-acre fire has grown only minimally during the last few days.

07/08/2025

The Templeton Feed and Grain building caught on fire at around 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The original building was built in 1912, and the complex included an 80-foot-high grain elevator.

The fire gutted the building. The cause is under investigation.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is trying to identify four to six young adults seen in the area before the start of the fire.

Fourth of July blaze destroyed a historic Central Coast building.

07/08/2025

As part of the project, northbound lanes were diverted and split into two separate lanes in the construction zone. The reconstructed northbound lanes opened last week.

Starting on Saturday, the southbound lanes will be shifted to allow work to take place. For about a mile of the southbound 101, the highway’s two lanes will temporarily be turned into two divided lanes

Some southbound on- and off-ramps in Montecito will also be closed for the next few months while work is underway.

Northbound lanes in Montecito reopened to regular traffic. Southbound lanes will be split temporarily to allow construction.