Le Journal

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The holidays can be a difficult time for people living without shelter. As temperatures drop and celebrations fill homes across the city, many unhoused residents struggle to stay warm and safe. For Santa Barbara resident Tracy Hobson, the experience hits close to home — because she has lived it herself. Once a successful professional in Silicon Valley, Hobson’s life took a difficult turn after disability and personal struggles left her without stable housing. She spent months living on the streets before finding a permanent place to live, thanks to the support of local community programs. Now, Hobson dedicates her time to helping others in similar situations. She volunteers with the county’s sleeping bag and clothing campaigns, which provide warmth and essential items to those in need during the cold winter months. “I know what it’s like to be out there,” Hobson said. “That’s why I want to make sure others have what they need to stay safe.” Campaign organizers say Hobson’s efforts have helped thousands of donated items reach people who might not otherwise seek assistance. Her firsthand understanding of homelessness also helps outreach teams build trust within the community. Hobson hopes her story will inspire others to get involved and show how community support can offer people a second chance. She plans to continue volunteering throughout the winter, working to get more individuals off the streets and into safety. The post From Life on the Streets to Helping Others: One Woman’s Journey of Giving Back in Santa Barbara appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – A reported gas leak at Arroyo Grande High School sent multiple students and staff members to the nurse's office this morning. Lucia Mar Unified School District tells your News Channel the gas leak was discovered in an isolated area of campus in Building 900. The call came in at 10:16am, prompting students and staff to evacuate from several classrooms. The incident was short-lived and resulted in minor injuries. Students and staff were evaluated by emergency responders - seven students and staff members were showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. A precaution, four students and two staff members were transported for further evaluation. The Arroyo Grande Fire Department and Five Cities Fire Authority identified the source of the leak as a furnace. The departments and Gas Company worked together to repair the leak by 11:58am. The district says the area will not be used for the remainder of the day, and students will be in alternative classrooms. The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter. The post Students & Staff Transported For Treatment Following Gas Leak at Arroyo Grande High School appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 in the Antelope Valley and interior San Luis Obispo County Valleys, and as low as 30 in the Salinas Valley. * WHERE…Antelope Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys, and Southern Salinas Valley. * WHEN…From 2 AM to 8 AM PST Friday. * IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. The post Freeze Warning issued December 4 at 12:33PM PST until December 5 at 8:00AM PST by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

Dave Alley/KEYT SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - After nearly 47 years working for the City of Santa Maria, longtime Recreation and Parks Director Alex Posada is retiring this week. Posada, who started working for Santa Maria in 1979, is the longest serving employee in the 120-year history of the city. This Friday will mark the end of a remarkable and impactful tenure that started when the city had just over 40,000 people and has grown over the nearly five decades since to a place that now has a population of over 100,000. "I've been gearing up for it," said Posada. "We're trying to get all my ducks in a row here at the office, handing off projects. That tarted that a couple of months back with the leadership team here at the department, and family wise, same thing, trying to get things done so that when tomorrow does come, I'm ready. I think it's been a great career here and I've enjoyed every single day coming to work. I can't think of a day that I didn't enjoy coming to work." Posada actually started working for the city briefly as a Recreation Activity Specialist in 1977. After leaving that position, he returned two years later in May 1979 as full-time as a Recreation Activity Specialist in May 1979 and has been with Santa Maria ever since. "I remember the day that I walked into the Minami Community Center before our grand opening," said Posada. "That was my first charge was to organize the grand opening for the Minami Center. It was just a great facility to kind of kick off the future of Santa Maria, and I kind of look at that as is it was the first major facility that the city built, and now you look around the city and we have a facility in almost every section of town which helps meet the needs of the community." He was moved up to Recreation Supervisor in April 1981 and later promoted to Recreation and Parks Director in 1993, a position he has held for 32 years. "We've been able to ask the community what it is they want to see in recreation and then with the assistance of the council and the community, we have been able to deliver on those things," said Posada. "It's really listening to what the community is telling us that they want. I think that's what I'm most proud of, that we've been able to do that and we've gotten the support to do it. I'm happy and proud of the partnerships that we have with the community." In late 2023, he was appointed as interim city manager, a position he held for one year until current city manager David Rowlands was hired in late 2024. "Filling in for the city manager was something that I didn't expect to do before I retired," said Posada. "I believe in the letter that I wrote to the council, I said that it would be a huge culmination to a career of over 40 years, and when I look at it, getting to work with not just the people in my department, but getting to work with the people across the city and getting to understand what each of their needs were, that was enlightening for me." Through the years, Posada has left an enduring imprint on city, helping build many of the popular recreational facilities that residents and visitors now enjoy on a daily basis. According to the city, since he started in 1979, the number of parks has grown from nine to 33 and the number of recreation facilities has grown from two to ten. Some of the facilities he has helped create are the Atkinson Community Center, and Simas Park Building to 10 including Grogan Community Center, Maramonte Community Center, Veterans’ Memorial Center, Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, Edwards Community Center, Elwin Mussell Senior Center, Hagerman Softball Complex, Minami Community Center, soon the Japanese Community Center and Smith-Enos House. Other notable achievements include helping create People for Leisure and Youth (PLAY) in 1997, a non-profit organization has raised more than $5 million to aid in funding innovative recreation and parks services and programs offered in the Santa Maria Valley. "That was a group that was…