Crystal Bermudez

Bayonne

Anchor and Reporter at WENY-TV (Horseheads, NY)

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Articles

Santa Maria father detained by ICE in case of alleged mistaken identity

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

On a quiet Thursday morning in Santa Maria, what began as a quick trip to the store ended in handcuffs, tears, and unanswered questions. A local father, who had stayed home from work to help care for his sick daughter, was taken into custody by immigration agents just blocks from his house in what his family and supporters are calling a clear case of mistaken identity.
SMRT takes the wheel as nation's top transit agency

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

Santa Maria Regional Transit is earning national attention for its innovation and modernization, and soon, its award-winning service will reach even more riders across northern Santa Barbara County. In May, the Community Transportation Association of America named Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) the 2025 Large Transit Agency of the Year, recognizing its outstanding advancements in accessibility, sustainability, and rider experience.
Budget Battle: Lompoc City Council votes to restore full funding for the Chamber

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

After weeks of uncertainty and mounting public pressure, the Lompoc City Council voted unanimously 5–0 this week to restore full funding to the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, a move that could help stabilize the 116-year-old institution. The vote followed last night’s city council meeting in which residents, business owners, and city officials weighed in on the Chamber’s role in the community, transparency concerns, and the future of downtown events.
Trump reinstates ICE raids on farms, Central Coast workers fear what's next

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

The strawberries are still ripening under the sun in Santa Maria, but the atmosphere in the fields is anything but calm. Following a sudden policy reversal by President Donald Trump, farmworkers across California’s Central Coast are preparing for renewed immigration raids targeting agricultural job sites. Many say they are experiencing fear, silence, and confusion, while still showing up to work out of economic necessity.
'No kid goes hungry': Free meals available for kids this summer in Santa Maria

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

While classrooms may be empty this summer, the need for nutritious meals doesn’t take a break. The Santa Maria-Bonita School District is making sure local children stay fed and fueled with a free meal program open to all kids in the community. The district officially launched its Seamless Summer Feeding Program this week in partnership with the YMCA, offering free breakfast and lunch to all children up to the age of 18 with no registration or income requirements needed.
"No Kings Day" demonstrators in SLO voice concerns

1 week ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

With chants of “No Kings!” echoing through the streets, community members in San Luis Obispo joined thousands across the nation for what organizers are calling “No Kings Day,” a large-scale protest aimed at confronting what they see as rising authoritarianism, increased military activity, and aggressive immigration enforcement. More than 1,800 coordinated demonstrations were held nationwide this week.
Filipino American exhibit wraps up in Santa Barbara

2 weeks ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

At first glance, the exhibit inside Casa de la Guerra feels like a family album left open with portraits, personal artifacts, and decades-old documents to tell stories that have long gone overlooked in textbooks and museums. But for many Filipino Americans in California, these aren’t just artifacts. The exhibit, “Manongs on the Central Coast: Forming Communities Across Generations,” marks the first major historical display in Santa Barbara County centered on Filipino American immigration.
Santa Maria farmworkers recount fear after reported ICE raid

2 weeks ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

What began as a typical early morning shift at a Santa Maria strawberry field quickly turned into a scene of confusion, fear, and unanswered questions. Several field workers say they witnessed what appeared to be an immigration enforcement operation with: black SUVs, officers in pursuit, and at least three individuals detained -- right before their eyes.
Environmental draft released as Vandenberg launches increase

2 weeks ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

Vandenberg Space Force Base has seen a surge in rocket launches this year, with more than 25 liftoffs already conducted and even more expected by the end of the year. According to U.S. Space Force officials, this marks the busiest launch period at Vandenberg in the last 50 years. Local residents have taken notice of the uptick in activity and they have mixed reactions.
'It's in our DNA': Racing returns to Santa Maria under new family ownership

3 weeks ago | ksby.com | Crystal Bermudez

The engines are running again at Santa Maria Speedway, thanks to a local family determined to bring new life to a track that’s been part of the Central Coast’s identity since 1964. After more than a year of silence, the historic dirt track reopened this spring under new ownership. Pat Cusack and his family purchased the speedway in January, hoping to preserve not just a racing venue, but a piece of local history that generations have grown up with.