Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Students at Arellanes Elementary School in Santa Maria helped plant a new tree for earth day this morning.

Santa Barbara County’s Parks Department and Urban Forestry Division partnered with the offices of 5th district supervisor Steve Lavagnino for the presentation.

For the 23rd annual event recognized by Tree City USA, students witnessed and directly participated in the planting of a young fern Podocarpus, known to be a low-maintenance evergreen tree.

Arellanes is a dual-campus school with the junior high directly adjacent to the elementary campus.

Officials say the kindergarteners who helped plant it today will get to see how much the tree grows before they graduate to high school.

“This is our 23rd year, and we rotate it amongst our five districts,” says Udy Loza, road maintenance manager for County Of Santa Barbara Public Works. “This year was in district five, It gives you a lot of satisfaction to our entire department, from Chris Sneddon all the way down to our maintenance team. A great pride of what we do for our community in the county of Santa Barbara.”

Another tree will be planted this Friday to celebrate Arbor Day.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Santa Maria celebrated the 50th anniversary of its transit system with a special event that took place Wednesday afternoon on Earth Day.

The event was held for three hours at Machado Plaza in downtown Santa Maria and included booths from several other Santa Maria city departments, such as Recreation and Parks, Utilities, Library and City Rangers.

Created in 1976, Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) has become a bus service the city describes is “a nationally recognized and award-winning fleet.”

“Fifty years of public service is a testament to the City of Santa Maria’s commitment to its residents,” said Gamaliel Anguiano, Santa Maria Transit Services Manager. “The service has evolved quite considerably since its inception.”

Anguiano explained SMRT, which previously was known as Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT) prior to a 2022 rebranding, had humble roots when it first got rolling five decades ago.

“Public transit started in Santa Maria originally as a van providing service up and down the Broadway corridor,” said Anguiano. “Since then, public transit has grown tremendously, not only throughout Santa Maria, but entire Northern Santa Barbara County. It continues to this day to be a very vital and important lifeline for many in our community, who choose public transit as their preferred mobility option.”

One of the biggest changes SMRT has implemented over the past few years has been a transition to the an all-electric fleet, an accomplishment that has put Santa Maria at the forefront of public transportation in the nation.

“We are noow fully transitioned to 100% electric, and only the second city in all the country to accomplish this important milestone,” said Anguiano. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in our ridership, especially since implementing some of the service changes back in 2022 and implementing this new fleet of electric busses and we’re projected to provide a million rides by 2030.”

In addition, SMRT’s daily service now extends far beyond Santa Maria, going to locations well outside the city border.

“Public transit users are not just limited to the city limits of Santa Maria,” said Anguiano. “Their needs extend beyond our city limits and so we are a regional provider with service into Southern Santa Barbara County and even into San Luis Obispo.”

To celebrate its golden anniversary, SMRT is allowing all passengers to ride for free today on Wednesday, April 22nd.

In addition, for the next 50 days through June 12th, regular bus fares for the general public will be only 50 cents and 25 cents for qualifying seniors or disabled persons.

“It’s our way to give back to the people of Santa Maria for supporting us for all of these years,” said Tim Mai, Santa Maria Transit Outreach Coordinator. “We understand that the cost of living is very expensive. Everything is getting more expensive. So, kind of throwing our fares back the way they were before.”

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – San Marcos made quick work of rival Santa Barbara as the Royals capture a third straight Channel League championship.

San Marcos swept the overmatched Dons 25-17, 25-10, 25-22 to finish off an undefeated 10-0 league season.

(The Royals will enter the CIF-SS playoffs with an impressive 25-2 record. Entenza Design).

Matteo Burdick led the way with 13 kills followed by Owen Willer with 9 and Koji Hefner tallied 8. The lone Royals senior Hefner was honored before the match.

Santa Barbara was led by five kills each from Hayes Costner and Kristian Dybdahl.

The Dons are CIF-SS playoff-bound with a 17-7 mark.

In other volleyball results, Dos Pueblos swept Ventura 3-0, Bishop Diego sweeps Foothill Tech 3-0 and Oxnard 3, Rio Mesa 0.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

CIF-SS High School Girls Beach Volleyball First Round Playoffs:

Division 3: Dos Pueblos 4, Downing 1: Chargers are at Camarillo on Thursday in second round.

Division 4: Bishop Diego 4, Costa Mesa 1: Cardinals play at Pacifica Christian on Thursday in second round

High School Baseball:

Rio Mesa 2, Dos Pueblos 0

Oxnard 5, Ventura 4

High School Softball:

San Marcos 8, Pacifica 1

High School Boys Lacrosse:

Santa Barbara 20, San Marcos 2: Dons share Channel League title with Dos Pueblos

High School Girls Lacrosse:

San Marcos 15, Santa Barbara 2: 30 straight league victories for Royals

High School Boys Golf:

San Marcos 339, Ventura 368

Santa Barbara 403, Pacifica 459

Bishop Diego 205, Grace 218: Cardinals repeat as Tri-Valley League champions

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Jacaranda trees are in bloom.

The purple flowers line many streets in Santa Barbara, including Carrillo.

It looks like purple rain when the flower petals start to fall.

The petals cover sidewalks and cars.

One tree near Santa Barbara City Hall is shedding flowers in the parking lot.

Love them or hate them, the blooms only last a couple of weeks.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council voted in favor of an updated resolution to re-affirm the city’s response to ICE.

The 6-1 vote followed a couple of hours of discussion.

The resolution promotes community safety, diversity and public trust in response to Federal Immigration Enforcement.

Mayor Randy Rowse voted against the plan due to signage that will mark public and private spaces in city facilities.

Rowse said he thought it would be confusing.

The resolution dropped a portion regarding Flock cameras.

The third party vendor’s cameras will be discussed in August following a July break.

“We want to be able to do more against ice so they don’t kidnap our neighbors who we really love um so I am happy this is a step forward but more steps need to be taken and getting rid of the Flock cameras I think is super important,” said Beckett Stabus-Friedmann.

Friedmann, who said he is with the Democratic Socialists of America, spoke during public comments.

Larry Behrendt of Indivisible Santa Barbara spoke, too.

He favors the signs and anything the city can do to help.

“It was a positive step forward by our city to express their values that all are welcome here and that we want to do everything a city can for everyone to be safe here,” said Behrendt.

During the discussion, one city council member said ICE has taken 97 people within city limits and 387 in the Tri-County area to date.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Literary Festival will write its first chapter on May 2nd-3rd.

Posters about the festival are going up all in Downtown Santa Barbara.

The first festival will celebrate storytellers at multiple venues including The Lobero Theatre, the former Karpeles Manuscript Museum and the Environmental Hub.

It is the brainchild of local author, filmmaker and actor Leslie Zemeckis.

“It is the first one in Santa Barbara and I kind of modeled it off the film festival, Roger Durling is a great friend and to see what he has done for film in Santa Barbara, I want to do for books, not quite on his level, I mean, that is a few years out,” said Zemeckis, “but we have amazing authors and storytellers and screenwriters and it was really important to me to get this young element, so we have this big ‘Romantacy’ panel with a hot actor, so I am very excited about that.”

Actress and author Muriel Hemingway will moderate a Women’s Health, Wealth & Happiness panel that includes author Leslie Lehr, who happens to be KEYT reporter Tracy Lehr’s sister.

Leslie Zemeckis will appear on our News Channel’s morning show on April 28th.

For ticket and author and panel information visit https://www.santabarbaraliteraryfestival.org

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Caleb Nguyen

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies are searching for a 40-year-old Santa Barbara man with a felony warrant who fled from a black BMW after hitting the front of a Goleta Police SUV.

The initial call for the incident came just after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday in the area of South Patterson and Overpass Road in Goleta, according to the SBCSO.

As of 9:00 p.m., the man’s car was towed from a footpath he took before fleeing on foot and the suspect remains outstanding.

The SBCSO is receiving help from County Air Support, the CHP and UC Santa Barbara’s Police Department and K-9.

“Be on the lookout for Anthony Torres Lopez Jr.,” said SBCSO Public Information Officer Raquel Zick, “He is a 40-year-old male from Santa Barbara, he is about 6′ 1″ he has black hair, he shed clothing as he ran so we are not entirely sure what his description is right now, we want to encourage anyone sees him or that knows his current whereabouts to call 9-1-1.”

A neighbor, picking up mail near Patterson Place, could hear the helicopter overhead.

“I went out to get the mail and what do we got here about 12 cop cars all over the place, apparently somebody jumped out of his car from over there and obviously they are running to find him, but behind here there is a lot of tricky terrain and you can do a lot of hiding back there, “said Robert Piata.

“The call began where deputies came to check on suspicious circumstances and the subject backed into their vehicle and then drove along this path here, this pedestrian path and eventually his car became disabled when he hit a curb there and he fled on foot,” said Zick.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 if they know his location.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Breast Cancer Resource Center is opening a new chapter in Santa Barbara, relocating to a larger space on North Hope Avenue to meet growing demand for services.

The move marks a major step forward for the organization, which provides free support to individuals and families facing a breast cancer diagnosis. From patient navigation to emotional support and financial guidance, the center plays a critical role for many navigating one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Executive Director Silvana Kelly explains the new location allows the center to expand its reach and deepen its impact. The upgraded space offers more room for private counseling, support groups, and educational programs—all designed to better serve clients at every stage, from diagnosis through recovery.

For those who walk through its doors, the center is more than just a resource—it’s a community. The new facility is designed to feel welcoming and accessible, helping ease the burden for those already facing emotional and financial stress.

With more space and increased capacity, the organization is now better positioned to grow alongside the needs of the community—ensuring no one faces breast cancer alone.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The long-planned Sheriff’s substation for Nipomo was officially approved today the by San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors.

During Tuesday’s regular board meeting, supervisors also approved the required environmental reviewunder the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and authorized a budget adjustment.

The overall cost of the project is $14.4 million, with construction scheduled to begin next year and finished by 2028.

The 7,000 square foot facility that will be built on county-owned property at the intersection of East Tefft Street and Carrillo Street in Old Towne Nipomo.

The site is currently an empty field adjacent to the Adobe Plaza shopping center, where the Sheriff’s deputies utilize a small office.

According to the County, the new facility will significantly expand the operational capacity of the Sheriff’s Office by improving response times, enhancing field operations and strengthening service delivery to the growing community of Nipomo and surrounding areas.

“This project is about making sure our deputies have the resources and infrastructure they need to serve South County effectively,” said San Luis Obispo County Sheriff, Ian Parkinson. “Nipomo has grown significantly, and this substation will allow us to better respond to emergencies, support our personnel in the field, and provide a higher level of service to the community.”

In addition to the space that will be used by members of the Sheriff’s Office, the substation will also include a community meeting room that will be available to the public.

“For years, South County residents have been asking for increased public safety resources, and today we are delivering on that commitment,” said Board Chair Jimmy Paulding, who also represents Nipomo as the 4th District Supervisor. “This substation represents a major investment in community safety, faster response times, and stronger support for the men and women who serve and protect our neighborhoods every day.”

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