Author: KEYT

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

Bishop Diego 3, Malibu 0: Karina Urzua had a match-high 15 kills and 5 aces while Natalie Chan added 13 digs and 9 kills as the home Cardinals won 25-21, 25-17, 26-6. Bishop Diego is 3-0 in the Tri-Valley League and 9-3 overall.

Santa Barbara 3, Arroyo Grande 0: Blake Saunders led the Dons with 15 kills and Lola Heckman added 13 kills as the Dons swept the Eagles on the road 28-26, 25-19, 25-23.

Ventura 3, Dos Pueblos 0: The Chargers lost on the road 21-25, 14-25 and 20-25.

Santa Ynez 3, San Marcos 0: The Royals lost in the valley 17-25, 23-25, 19-25.

Carpinteria 3, Channel Islands 0: The Warriors sweep 25-23, 30-28, 25-17

Villanova Prep 3, Laguna Blanca 2: Lauren Kenny recorded 17 kill and 9 digs in the 5-set loss for the Owls,

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) — Local artists have a few more days to submit their work for Goleta Valley Library’s fifth annual Creek Week Art Contest.

The deadline has been extended to Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. Artwork can be dropped off at the Goleta Community Center.

This year’s theme, “Story Beneath the Surface,” encourages artists to create pieces inspired by creeks, oceans and watersheds.

People of all ages and experience levels can participate using paint, colored pencils, photography or another medium of their choice.

Entries will be divided into adult, teen and children’s categories and judged on originality, appearance and connection to the theme.

Artists can also submit a short paragraph explaining the story or inspiration behind their work. Those descriptions will be displayed alongside the pieces during the Creek Week Art Reception.

The artwork will be on public display at the Goleta Community Center from Sept. 11 through Sept. 30.

The reception is scheduled for Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will include the announcement of contest winners, refreshments and live music.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Sansum Diabetes Research Institute is raising awareness about the health risks diabetes can create during pregnancy.

The Santa Barbara-based institute studies many forms of diabetes and works to improve care for people living with the disease.

One area of focus looks at how diabetes can affect both mothers and babies before and during pregnancy.

Researchers also work on education treatment and prevention aimed at reducing complications and improving long-term health.

Sansum continues to use research and patient care to address diabetes across different ages and stages of life.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – UC Santa Barbara is expanding its academic offerings with a new undergraduate major focused on the broader role education plays in society.

The Education and Society major will be offered through UCSB’s Gevirtz School of Education.

It’s designed for students interested in more than traditional teaching careers.

Courses will explore how people learn, how education systems operate and how policy and communities influence educational opportunities.

School leaders report the program is meant for students considering a wide range of paths including research, advocacy, public service and other education-related fields.

Prospective first-year students will be able to apply for the major beginning this fall.

The first classes are expected to begin in fall 2027.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Restaurants across the area are participating in Dine Out for Hunger, a month-long campaign benefiting the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County during Hunger Action Month.

Helena Avenue Bakery and Bouchon are among the participating businesses.

Bouchon is donating $2 from select dishes ordered during the campaign.

Bouchon owner Mitchell Sjerven hopes the effort will also bring more attention to food insecurity in Santa Barbara County.

“Food security is an actual thing in Santa Barbara that people don’t think about a lot,” Sjerven said. “Hopefully we’ll do a great deal and help them in meeting their goals.”

Money raised will support Foodbank programs serving families throughout the county.

Foodbank Development Coordinator Julianna Madrigal said the campaign is also a way for local businesses and customers to become more involved in addressing hunger.

Customers at Helena Avenue Bakery welcomed the effort.

“The food here is phenomenal, so really good food and donating to a good cause … that’s a double win there,” customer James Shamoun said.

Other participating businesses include Padaro Beach Grill and Mad & Vin.

Dine Out for Hunger continues through September.

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Dave Alley

RAGGED POINT, Calif. (KEYT) – Two wildfires burning in Monterey County along the scenic Big Sur coastline are causing impacts to parts of neighboring San Luis Obispo County.

As of Tuesday early afternoon, the Plaskett Fire, which is burning just north of the border of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties had burned nearly 29,000 acres, making it currently the largest wildfire in California.

About 35 miles north along Highway 1, near Big Sur, the Timber Fire is also burning and has scorched more than 25,000 acres.

Together, the two fires are causing a significant amount of smoke, some of which is moving south into San Luis Obispo County.

On Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) issued an alert that indicated air quality is deteriorating across the North County.

“It is very disappointing to see it so smoky and know what’s happening behind those mountains that it’s burning,” said Jane Zachrich of Peoria, Arizona while visiting Ragged Point Tuesday morning. “But it’s beautiful down below and the ocean.”

According to the APCD, sensors in the Lake Nacimiento area showed air quality is most impacted in Paso Robles and Atascadero.

In response to the Plaskett Fire and its proximity to San Luis Obispo County, the county has issued Evacuation Warnings for the following three Evacuation Zones located along the far North Coast area:

SLC-001: Cambria Area/Far Northwest corner of SLO County. North of San Carpoforo Creek, South of Monterey County Boundary, West of Cabrillo Highway (CA-1)

SLC-002: Cambria Area/Coastal Region of Northwest SLO County. North of San Carpoforo Creek, South of Monterey County Boundary, East of Cabrillo Highway.

SLC-003: Northwest corner of SLO County. North of San Carpoforo Creek, South of Monterey County Boundary, East of Cabrillo Highway.

The fires have also caused Highway 1 to be closed to traffic just north of Ragged Point. The windy roadway is a major attractive for visitors, but is now blocked off for anyone wanting to travel from San Luis Obispo County into the Big Sur region.

“It is very disappointing,” said Bill Hanly of Bakersfield, while stopping at Ragged Point. For people traveling from other countries and wanting to come and see California coastline and they can’t.”

While Highway 1 is closed in both directions, at Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo County’s most famous tourist attraction, fire has not caused any current impacts.

“At this point, our operations are business as usual,” said Dan Falat, California State Parks SLO County District Superintendent. “Operations are not changing at this point in time. We continue to monitor kind of the movement of the fire and prepare, just in case we have to go into any type of emergency situation.”

Falat recalled the Chimney Fire burned to within just a mile and a half of Hearst Castle in 2016, so everyone on staff is keeping a very close eye on conditions.

“Our crews are both ready to respond,” said Falat. “We are just making sure going through our checks to make sure that we can have everybody here safely and make sure we protect the park to the best of our ability.”

After of Tuesday evening, the Plaskett Fire was listed at only 1% contained, while the Timber Fire was at 22% containment.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council voted 6- to 1 to approve the final State Street Master Plan. 

Only Mayor Randy Rowse voted no.

The vote follows comments for and against the plan and a final presentation by the Master Planner Tess Harris and consultant Stefanos Polyzoides that focused on its flexibility.

It included stormwater analysis, pavers, gravel storage, drywell and bioretention systems.

Thanks to retractable bollards and other parts of the design it could be changed for special events.

“I just could not be more elated what is next to come is building it getting it under construction,” said Harris.

“I think there is enormous possibility for this to become one of the great project in the state and country over the next 20 year,” said Polyzoides.

He also called it an admirable decision for a city that pioneered State Street ideas over the last century.

“This is an extraordinary city, a world class city, the best downtown in California and it is ailing and it is not ailing because of cars, it is ailing because of the e-trade, because of the size of some of its buildings being too big.”

He called it a crucial moment in time.

“One of the great decisions for the council in the future [will be] how to get this project executed,” said Polyzoides.

It can be done in three phases along the 8-block stretch.

The plan is estimated to cost nearly $100 million and take six years or more, but supporters believe approving the plan will pave for investments and grants.

Critics raised concerns about cost.

“This will be a huge detriment to all the 50 plus businesses on State Street that are against this plan. I see this as a huge mistake for Santa Barbara for businesses and our city in general please this contract and plan,” said Rosalie Hardoin.

Other critics said now was not the time to vote on a vision plan when forecasters are predicting rainy El Nino year ahead.

But supporters talked about the visionaries who built spaces like Central Park.

Another supporter read from a Santa Barbara Master Plan from 1964 that sounded as ambitious as the master plan.

“You have moved this plan forward at every step, and now I’m asking you to take the next step waiting will cost us momentum, funding and people ready to build,” said Sharon Rich of Friends of State Street.

Although the consultant said the plan is not about the closure of State Street to cars, that it what a majority of the public comments discussed.

Councilmembers are likely to talk cars, traffic patterns and fundraising strategies at a later date.

The Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Downtown Improvement District Robin Elander said she is ready for the next step downtown.

“This plan makes a major investment for down significant step forward and I’m excited.”

The council vote also amends Title 31 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code that addresses what is allowed on State Street.

The plan will be officially be adopted with a vote at the next city council meeting on Sept. 15.

For a link to the plan visit, https://statestreet.santabarbaraca.gov

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Jarrod Zinn

Mayor Alice Patino proclaimed “National Preparedness Month” for Santa Maria at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

The theme for National Preparedness Month 2026 is “Americans Stand Ready.”

As wildfires are burning north of SLO County affecting air quality as far south as Santa Barbara County, El Nino seems to be simultaneously signaling palpable weather changes in the coming weeks, as summer transitions to fall.

The first week of this year’s national month-long campaign is focused on self reliance and individual resilience.

The second week centers on the individual’s duty to their loved ones, and the remaining weeks focus on community.

“When I was talking to our weather service partners, they’re really trying to downplay the whole ‘El Nino, El Nino, El Nino!’ thing,” says Roy Dugger, Santa Maria Emergency Services Specialist. “Because when we do get things like this hurricane coming next week, coming up the coast, the they want people to be able to hear the alert message and act on it.”

Experts say cutting-edge technologies are being developed across the nation to help people navigate to safety during emergencies, but nothing compares to being prepared.

“Everybody needs—you have to have a plan,” says Ernie Williams, ‘Go 2 Green: Pathway To Safety’ CEO. “If you don’t have a plan, you’re, you’re going to fail, guaranteed.”

Preparedness Month proclamations are made each year nationwide to encourage all residents, businesses and organizations to continually take preemptive planning steps in anticipation of emergencies.

“Just to try to get the public’s attention, to start the preparedness, and also as a way to highlight to the City Council the work that our government agencies do all year round to be prepared,” says Dugger.

National and local leaders encourage knowing your environment, planning escape routes and meeting points with family, having go bags pre-packed, and community involvement like first aid or CPR classes.

“A lot of people talk about a go bag,” says Williams. “The next question I ask, ‘Where are you going to go?’ And they don’t have that answer. So if you have a go bag, have a place to go.”

And city and county leaders encourage residents to sign up or update their information for emergency alerts at ReadySLO.org or ReadySBC.org.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A controversial relocation of a gun store in Goleta has the county looking at strengthening its rules on the location sites for this type of business.

Goodland Guns moved from Old Town Goleta to a new location at 7443 Hollister Avenue next to the Here We Grow Early Learning Center.

During the renovation, the neighbors raised issues about the location near a school and the safety of children.

It was called an unacceptable space. This has caught the attention of the Goleta City Council and the Goleta Unified School District.

Goodland Guns CEO Daniel Ashton has said he has made improvements to what was a vacant 7-Eleven that was a location for frequent, “trespassing, drug use, vandalism, and defecation right beside the preschool property line.”

Since taking over, Goodland has installed security fencing and says the area is safer.

The business has also been described as a sporting goods store.

Santa Barbara County Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann are bringing this to the attention of the Board of Supervisors to see if any changes can be made to the current policies.

They are asking for a retail buffer zone for protect schools and an Interim Urgency Ordinance.

Tuesday afternoon the issue was discussed with the board moving forward on an analysis of what it could do to add new distance rules for these types of businesses.

The Goodland Guns site is in the city of Goleta and the council there took up the matter Tuesday night at its meeting.

The county was concerned in the unincorporated areas including portions of the Santa Ynnez Valley, Orcutt and between Santa Barbara and Patterson Ave.outside of Goleta, where a similar business could seek a business permit.

The county currently has some restrictions on where cannabis operators can open a storefront.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Bishop Diego High School junior volleyball standout Karina Urzua and Dos Pueblos High School senior running back Chase Johnson were named Athlete of the Week at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon at Harry’s.

The former setter Urzua has made a smooth transition from setter to outside hitter for the Cardinals.

In six games at the Del Sol Tournament in Oxnard she totaled 83 kills to lead Bishop Diego to a second place finish.

Johnson tallied four touchdowns as Dos Pueblos defeated Buena 42-28 to move to 1-1 on the year.

He rushed for 175 yards and had 3 of his touchdowns on the ground.

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