Month: February 2026

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria city leaders received an update on the challenges facing the city’s homeless population.

Many individuals are refusing help and choosing to remain homeless.

This underscores the challenges facing Santa Maria when dealing with the homeless.

“We haven’t identified why, but we are seeing a lot of new faces in the community,” said Ruben Ramirez, senior park services officer for Santa Maria Recreation and Parks department.

A new report shows more homeless are coming to the Santa Maria Valley from places as far away as Los Angeles and Bakersfield.

Many live along freeway exits, in the riverbed and city parks. 

“Wherever they could find a location, that’s what is referred to as out of sight out of mind, somewhere away from the general public view,” says Ramirez.

Measurable impacts to the community include vandalism, the overnight closure of park facilities like this one four days out of each week, and an increase in shopping cart thefts.

“Most grocery stores, don’t have a way to clean or sanitize their grocery carts, so they’re not interested in getting them back,” says Dennis Smitherman, director of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks. “It’s a cost to them, but it’s, it’s less expensive than the alternative at this point.”

City rangers try to help the homeless, and family members who want to help a loved one on the streets.

“There’s a lot of families that come out looking for their, family members that are experiencing homelessness,” says Ramirez. “And I think it’s incentive to them to see how much their family cares for them. And hopefully they can seek those assistance.”

Rangers try to connect homeless people with social service resources.

“And, our city rangers and our city staff, they also care for these individuals, and would like to see them back up on their feet,” says Ramirez.

But many refuse, often because of a lack of trust.

Rangers frequently find illegal drugs when clearing homeless camps, and believe high drug addiction rates are a major barrier to getting help.

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Dave Alley

GROVER BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – A group of Grover Beach residents are beginning an effort to try and limit future building heights in the coastal city that is currently experiencing a wave of growth in its downtown area.

This week, the group delivered to the Grover Beach City Council an Notice of Intent to start the process of launching a petition drive that could eventually lead to the creation of an initiative measure on this year’s November ballot.

According to the documents provided by the residents, the goal is adopt an ordinance that limits building heights and establishes a minimum 33% commercial component in a mixed-use development.

“The purpose of this is to preserve Grover Beach’s mystique of being a beach town,” said Kelvin Coveduck, a Grover Beach resident who is part of the petition group. “Not that we want to live in the past, but we want to preserve the future for future generations.”

The group is aiming limit buildings and structures in Commercial Zoning Districts to three stories and 40 feet in height, as well as limit buildings and structures in Industrial Zoning Districts to 33 feet in height.

In addition, intent of the petition is increase the amount of commercial or retail space that would be required in a new mixed-use building.

“We want to make the mixed use a 33% component of the building,” said Coveduck. “In other words, you want to have 33% commercial space in an area zoned industrial. Therefore, you’re not having a residential area like this (around Front Street) that is zoned partially for industrial become another residential area with high rises. We don’t want token gyms or coffee shops. We want the mixed-use to be used properly and not be a fractional amount and using that as a gateway to build way up.”

“We need to get 1,000 signatures if this is approved,” said Coveduck, referring to approval from the City Council. “The Grover Beach City Council has to study it. They have 15 days to do that. They have 10 days to give it to legal counsel and if they let us, as the Grover Beach citizens do our our American right of having initiatives which California is famous for, then the people will decide. The caveat is that they won’t be able to change the height limits that we have in our petition unless the voters decide in the future, so it takes it out of the hands of the city council and into the hands of the people.”

Now that the Grover Beach City Council has officially received the Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition, a thorough process is now underway.

In a statement to News Channel 3-12, the City of Grover Beach said:

The City is committed to ensuring a fair and legally compliant process following the submission of this petition. The City Attorney has 15 days to review the petition and draft a title and wording for the proposed measure. After receiving the ballot title and wording, the citizens group will need to publish the petition in a newspaper prior to circulating for signatures and file a proof of publication with the elections official within 10 days of publishing. The group can then begin gathering signatures.

If the petition gets enough signatures, the City Council could either adopt the ordinance in the measure without making changes, submit the unaltered ordinance to be placed on the ballot, or order an report on the impacts of the measure in accordance with the election code. Once receiving that report, the Council could either adopt the ordinance within 10 days or order it to be placed on the November ballot.

With the petition process now underway, starting which could be a months-long drive through November, Coveduck expressed optimism the effort will ultimately succeed.

“I’m feeling good that it will get approved because it’s a grassroots movement,” said Coveduck “We had several neighborhood meetings and people that have attended this meeting are former mayors, former congresspeople, business owners, residents, retired folks, some younger folks, so it’s a grassroots program. I’m positive that we have a momentum to to get this passed.”

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Michael Henchy has been named as the new Women’s Volleyball Head Coach, UC Santa Barbara Athletics Director Kelly Barsky announced Thursday. Henchy joins the Gauchos from the 2024 National Championship winner Penn State University, where he has served as an assistant coach since the spring of 2024.

“I am thrilled and honored to become the next head coach for UCSB women’s volleyball,” Henchy said. “UC Santa Barbara was integral to my upbringing and has always been a place I felt a part of when I was on campus. To now lead this great program brings me immense pride, and I will strive to build upon the legacy established by Kathy Gregory and the excellence sustained in the years under Nicole Lantagne Welch and Matt Jones. I’d like to thank Kelly Barsky for her time and thoroughness through the interview process. Her values and vision for UCSB athletics set a great tone for what we wish to accomplish as a program. I am excited to meet our players, alumni, and community and begin to pursue championship-level volleyball together. Go Gauchos!”

During his time at Penn State, Henchy helped carry the Nittany Lions to the 2024 National title and a 35-2 season. He worked alongside the 2024 Big Ten Coach of the Year, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, and coached four All-Big Ten first team members, including Freshman of the Year Izzy Starck and unanimous selection Jess Mruzik. Three more Nittany Lions were also recognized with conference awards.

The Nittany Lions maintained a 54-15 record during Henchy’s tenure and also reached the NCAA tournament in 2025. Penn State’s 2025 award roster featured an All-American, an All-American Honorable Mention, Big Ten Libero of the Year Gillian Grimes, and three additional conference awards. Three players also earned All-East Coast Region honors.

Prior to his time in Pennsylvania, Henchy served as the Associate Head Coach at James Madison University. In 2022, the Dukes became the Sun Belt Conference champions and advanced to the national tournament in both 2022 and 2023. In his three seasons, Henchy helped players earn All-American, All-District, and All-Academic honors.

Henchy first coached women’s volleyball at American University, where he acted as an assistant coach. Directly after his arrival, the Eagles became the 2019 Patriot League conference champions and reached the NCAA tournament.

As a graduate assistant coach for men’s volleyball at Springfield College, Henchy was named the 2019 AVCA Men’s Div. III National Assistant Coach of the Year. During his two seasons there, the Pride was incredibly successful, winning the national championship in 2018 and returning to the tournament in 2019. He graduated from Springfield with a Master’s in Physical Education: Advanced Coaching.

Henchy played professionally in Lamia, Greece, for a campaign, after which he returned to his alma mater, Ohio State University, to act as a volunteer coach for the men’s team. During his season on staff, the Buckeyes won the 2017 National Championship.

Henchy got his start in collegiate volleyball playing as an outside hitter at Ohio State, where he was a two-year captain and four-year letterwinner. He reached 1,001 career kills to rank 18th overall in the record book. He also resides in the record book for aces (11th), points (17th), and solo blocks (18th).

He was an AVCA All-American honorable mention in his senior season, earned two All-MIVA honors, and received multiple academic accolades, including All-Big Ten recognition. Henchy graduated with a BA in Strategic Communication and a minor in Consumer Science.

With his move to Santa Barbara, Henchy will actually be returning to the California Central Coast. Hailing from Ventura, California, he graduated from Ventura High School in 2011 and began playing volleyball as a freshman. He was a two-time Ventura High Men’s Volleyball MVP, All-League MVP, All-American, and the 2011 California Interscholastic Federation Division I Player of the Year.

“With his strong Santa Barbara community connection, people focused vision and values, and exceptional playing and coaching experiences, I’m beyond excited to welcome Mike as the next leader of our women’s volleyball program,” Barsky said. “We welcome him and his family to our Gaucho community! We can’t wait for everyone to meet him, and to have him back competing in The Thunderdome, this time as a coach!”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGPenn State University Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley”Congratulations to UCSB – Mike is an exceptional hire. He made a meaningful impact here at Penn State in a short period of time, and our program is stronger because of his leadership, work ethic, and belief in what we are building. He invests fully in the people around him, and that makes a difference. I have no doubt he will continue to do great things and positively impact everyone he works with. I am truly thrilled for Mike, Allie, and Calvin as they make their way to the West Coast and begin this exciting new chapter. It’s a wonderful opportunity for their family, and we will be cheering them on every step of the way.”

James Madison Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Lauren Steinbrecher”This is an exciting day for the Gaucho program,” said Steinbrecher. “Mike is an exceptional person and coach whose greatest strength isn’t just his volleyball expertise, but more importantly, his heart for the student-athlete experience. He will win championships on and off the court for UCSB!”

Ohio State Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Kevin Burch”I was fortunate to work with Michael at the start of his career, and I’m not shocked by his quick rise in the coaching ranks,” said Burch. “Michael’s list of strengths is endless, but above all, he knows how to connect with many types of people and will work tirelessly to help them achieve their best. UCSB got a great one, and I can’t wait to see the Gauchos under Michael’s leadership.”

Springfield College Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Charlie Sullivan”It has been remarkable to watch Mike’s journey- from veteran international player, to graduate assistant, to outstanding assistant coach, and now to this opportunity to lead UC Santa Barbara’s women’s volleyball program,” Sullivan said. “His experience is impressive, but what truly sets Coach Henchy apart is the character and integrity that form the foundation of his success. I look forward to watching him continue to grow, as the student has become the master. The UC Santa Barbara community is fortunate to have him!”

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Love is in the air around the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, not just for Valentine’s Day, but throughout the year.

The Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office says the request for marriage licenses continues to grow.  In 2025, the office issued 6,000 licenses and prior to the COVID crisis, it was about 4000.

Wedding ceremonies are also up. In 2025 4000 took place. That also exceeds and previous year.

Chief Deputy Clerk Recorder Melinda Greene says, “love is in the air. We are always busy right before Valentine’s Day whether it is getting your marriage license so you can have your marriage ceremony or the whole kit with the marriage license and ceremony. We have many ceremonies booked up. We are double booked.”

Some of them are a simple ceremony with vows restated in a designated area. Some are larger in a reserved area with chairs and a special use of the Sunken Gardens.

It is a sought after location.

“I think we are getting more and more popular with social media we have had coverage in different magazines and the courthouse just photographs so beautifully,” said Greene. About 17 ceremonies are set for Friday. She said, “It’s just a happy day.”

The office will not be open Saturday.

She points out the building recently had a new roof and outside improvements giving it one of the freshest looks in years.

Wedding ceremonies performed by Clerk-Recorder staff take place either directly outside the Hall of Records, overlooking the Sunken Gardens; or at an indoor balcony overlooking the Hall of Records lobby Express wedding services are performed at the public counter.

“There could be some waits. There is not much we can do to control the volume,” said Greene.

The courthouse is a public space and more than one wedding may be taking place at the same time.

The Hall of Records has specific rules:

Guest count is limited to fifteen (15) people including children and photographers, due to County Parks regulations. The indoor space is limited to ten (10) guests.

Please arrive promptly at your scheduled time. Late arrivals may result in cancellation.

Throwing petals, rice, confetti, or birdseed is considered littering and is strictly prohibited.

Photography is welcomed, but please be considerate of other ceremonies taking place.

Public restrooms are available in the Courthouse and the County Administration building.

Guests will be asked to wait outside while the couple completes their paperwork inside the office.

Afterwards Greene says, “we get thank you notes and post cards from our couples.”

For more information go to: Santa Barbara County Hall of Records

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