Edward ‘Eddie’ Zarate Charged With Illegal Communication and Contact With Minors; More Survivors Expected to Come Forward
KEYT News Channel 3-12
June 18, 2026
A Santa Barbara County man is facing serious charges after allegedly communicating with minors online and meeting with at least two children for lewd acts. Edward ‘Eddie’ Alessandro Zarate was arrested following an investigation into inappropriate messages sent to multiple minors. Detectives believe there may be additional survivors who have not yet come forward.
If you or someone you know has information, Sheriff’s Detectives urge you to call 805-681-4150. This story, first reported by KEYT News Channel 3-12, is a sobering reminder for Central Coast families to stay vigilant about online safety. Our community stands with survivors and supports efforts to bring justice.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from KEYT News Channel 3-12.
City
Santa BarbaraSource
KEYT News Channel 3-12Published
June 18, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore Santa BarbaraAll Santa Barbara NewsMore News from Santa Barbara
Santa BarbaraViva La Chumash
Fiesta is all about celebrating Santa Barbara's rich history, but there's a chapter that often gets overlooked—the story of the Chumash people who called this land home long before the Spanish arrived. A recent piece in the Santa Barbara Independent suggests a beautiful way to honor that legacy: alternate the annual Fiesta marshal, choosing a Chumash representative every other year. It's a small change with a big meaning, a way to weave a more complete and honest narrative into our city's most beloved tradition. This idea feels right for our community. We love our history, but we also love to grow and learn. Making room for Chumash voices at the heart of Fiesta isn't about taking away from the celebration—it's about enriching it, deepening our sense of place, and showing respect for the people who were here first. It's a chance to start a new tradition that honors the old, and that's something we can all get behind.
Santa BarbaraPedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Amtrak Train in Santa Barbara
Sunday evening brought a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be along our rail corridor. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a southbound Amtrak train near Santa Barbara, with police responding just after 7:30 p.m. Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends, and with the train crew and first responders who witnessed the tragedy. This stretch of tracks sees constant foot traffic, often near busy crossings and beach paths. It's a sobering moment to remind everyone—whether walking, biking, or driving—to stay alert and never cross tracks except at designated crossings. For more details, check the full report from Noozhawk. Please take care of yourselves and each other out there.
Santa BarbaraJoan Tuomey of Santa Barbara, 1928-2026
Joan Tuomey, known to everyone as Jo Ann, passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara on July 5, just days before her 98th birthday. For nearly a century, she was part of the fabric of our community — a familiar face, a warm presence, and a reminder of the quieter, steadier values that define life on the Central Coast. Her passing marks the end of an era for those who knew her, and a gentle nudge for the rest of us to cherish our own local connections. Her obituary, shared by Noozhawk, is a lovely tribute to a life well lived. In a place like Santa Barbara, where generations intertwine and stories are passed down like heirlooms, Joan's journey from 1928 to 2026 is a thread in our shared tapestry. As we offer our condolences to her family and friends, we also celebrate a life that saw so much change — and yet remained rooted in the warmth of this place we call home.