Daring rescue of California surfer clinging to lobster trap buoy caught on video
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department released the full video of last Friday’s ocean rescue at Haskell’s Beach in Goleta. A 26-year-old surfer was swept out by high evening surf after losing his board on Feb. 6, 2026, but he was able to cling to a lobster trap buoy until help arrived, according to the fire...
The City of Ventura names Kris McDonald as next fire chief
The City of Ventura has selected Interim Chief Kris McDonald to serve as the next Fire Chief of the Ventura Fire Department after the retirement of Fire Chief David Endaya in December 2025. Following a nationwide recruitment process, Chief McDonald assumed the role on January 31, 2026. As Assistant Chief,...
Santa Barbara County urges measles vaccination as cases rise in California
The Santa Barbara County Health Department is urging residents to make sure they are vaccinated against measles as cases increase across California.
SLO County Sheriff Investigating Deaths of Good Land Organics Owners
A Goleta-area couple died Sunday in San Luis Obispo County, and the community has rallied behind their family with a fundraising campaign. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla confirmed that John and Kristen Ruskey died Sunday in Cambria. The case is actively being investigated and at this time,...
Los Angeles, CA Weather Alert: Heavy Rain Near I-5 Tonight Wednesday
Country Herald is Local News, Independent Pulse. Covering breaking local news, sports, lifestyle and events. Los Angeles, California – Rainfall is expected to intensify across Southern California tonight as a fast-moving storm system pushes east, bringing travel impacts along major corridors including Interstate...
DiCaprio, Penn, del Toro! Star power comes to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
It was bedlam on the streets of downtown Santa Barbara. One by one, SUVs carrying Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Leonardo DiCaprio pulled up outside the Arlington Theater to be honored by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Several hundred people waiting behind barriers for a glimpse of the...
San Marcos Students Walk Out Against ICE
GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Around 10:40am Tuesday morning, students from San Marcos High School organized a planned walkout, protesting federal immigration policies and actions. The peaceful protest took place on various streets in Goleta. Students held signs and waved both American and Latin American flags in...
Ventura Woman, 68, Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in Downtown Santa Barbara
On Friday evening, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while entering a parked car on West Anapamu Street. The 68-year-old Ventura resident, identified as Teresa Garcia, was transported to the hospital for significant bodily harm, where she died from her injuries, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department....
1 nabbed in Ventura embezzling case, 1 in T.O. for alleged drug sales
Man accused of embezzling $579K from Ventura plumbing company A 48-year-old Oxnard man accused of embezzling $579,000 from a Ventura plumbing company was arrested Feb. 4. The Ventura Police Department, serving a search warrant, arrested the man and searched his home after a months-long investigation, according to...
Goleta Farming Visionaries Jay and Kristen Ruskey Die in ‘Tragic Accident’
Jay and Kristen Ruskey — who pioneered California’s coffee-growing movement from their farm in the hills of western Goleta — both died suddenly on Sunday due to what’s being described as a “tragic accident.”. On Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that...
