Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Chocolate lovers, brace yourselves — your favorite treat is feeling the heat.

Think chocolate’s a sweet gig?

Try crafting it while cocoa prices explode.

Inside Menchaca Chocolates, a hidden factory hums in Santa Barbara’s heart—where liquid gold turns into pure craving.

“We are bean-to-bar… we source beans from Ecuador… and Guatemala,” said chocolate maker Pete Menchaca of Menchaca Chocolates in Santa Barbara.

This is chocolate the slow way — roasted, ground, and tempered to perfection.

Dark chocolate–dipped mango, finished with a spicy twist to warm winter hearts.

“Dipped in 60% cacao dark,” said Menchaca.

“Well chocolate brings people together because there’s not a lot of people in the world that doesn’t like chocolate, you know,” said chocolate maker LeAnne Iverson of Menchaca Chocolates in Santa Barbara.

“That’s what it takes to make chocolate you gotta feel the chocolate and connect with it,” said Menchaca.

But lately, these chocolate makers are racing the clock.

Worldwide cocoa shortages have sent prices soaring, driven by climate change, droughts, and supply disruptions.

“Cacao butter is the real thing that’s gone up … like 400 percent,” said Menchaca.

“ I would buy 50 pound block of cacao butter that was maybe $378 and the next time I bought it it was over $1,000,” said Iverson.

And even as prices jump, demand keeps climbing.

So Iverson came up with something new — an art chocolate workshop that turns customers into chocolatiers.

The workshops bring in extra income and a bit of relief, easing the strain of rising costs.

From tempering to the final shine, this is chocolate as art.

And somewhere between bliss and sugar shock, everyone seems to have an opinion on just how much chocolate is too much.

“I could eat nine pounds a day,” said one Menchaca customer.

While cocoa prices rise and fall, this tiny factory keeps melting beans into memories.

Because some treasures taste sweeter — when you make them your own.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – There’s been some changes for Christmas week at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara.

    The live animals for the creche at the  mission this year will not be brought out. 

    It is usually a couple of donkeys and some sheep, which makes it popular with visitors and parishioners.

    The mission staff says this year there is a safety concern for the volunteers who watch over the site during the holidays.

     This comes as the area is dealing with a series of rain storms and strong winds.

.     The 4:00 p.m. Christmas eve outdoor mass was also moved into the church due to the weather.

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Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved Sable Offshore’s plan to restart oil production off the Gaviota Coast.

The approval comes after the federal agency removed the California Office of State Fire Marshal from the restart process entirely earlier this month.

According to an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration informed the Houston-based energy company that it had approved its restart plans for Line CA-324 and Line CA-325 on Dec. 22.

Line CA-324, formerly known as Line 901, has remained dormant since it ruptured, causing the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill which impacted 150 miles of California coastline and destroyed thousands of acres of shoreline habitats.

In September, Sable Offshore submitted official paperwork to restart oil production with the California Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the state-based safety agency responded the next month that there were still unmet conditions before an official restart.

Earlier this month, Sable Offshore informed investors that it had determined that the pipeline connecting the Santa Ynez Unit to Pentland Station in Kern County is technically an interstate pipeline under the Pipeline Safety Act and requested that federal regulators take over its restart plans involving the pipelines.

The Department of Transportation agreed with Sable Offshore’s assessment and promptly asserted its authority over restart plans in mid-December.

“Ever since a catastrophic oil spill at Refugio Beach in 2015 led to a court-ordered consent decree, CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal has been responsible for overseeing the repair of the lines that caused the spill, which are now operated by Sable Offshore Corp in Santa Barbara County,” shared Daniel Villaseñor with the California Natural Resources Agency. “The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is asserting these lines are within their jurisdiction and will assume regulatory authority of the lines going forward, and that the Office of the State Fire Marshal no longer has any role to play in keeping Californians safe from potential problems with these pipelines. The Administration is reviewing PHMSA’s new action and evaluating next steps.”

The day before the decision to transfer regulatory authority, the County of Santa Barbara’s Board of Supervisors officially voted to not transfer permits associated with Sable’s restart plans.

The permit transfer is a notable step to restart oil extraction from 114 wells on three offshore platforms, transportation through associated pipelines, and a refinement facility at Las Flores Canyon that are collectively called the Santa Ynez Unit.

The permit transfer decision isn’t the only roadblock Sable Offshore has faced as part of its restart plans at the Santa Ynez Unit:

Lease Violation: Public claims in May to have restarted oil production already may have violated leases issued by the California State Lands Commission

Civil Charges: The California Attorney General filed civil charges over alleged violations of state environmental laws while Sable and its subsidiaries were conducting pipeline work

Criminal Charges: The Santa Barbara County District Attorney filed criminal charges including five felony charges of knowingly discharging a pollutant into local waterways between at least October 2024 and April of 2025, 16 misdemeanor charges of obstructing a streambed, and improper actions concerning materials considered dangerous to local wildlife

“There is just too much evidence in the record that shows a pattern of noncompliance and either ignorance of our rules or just blatant disregard,” explained Supervisor Lavagnino on his vote to deny the energy company permits after approving of the transfers earlier this year.

The former owner of the Santa Ynez Unit and current permit holder, ExxonMobil, dropped its lawsuit against Santa Barbara County‘s denial of the company’s plan to use trucks to transport oil from offshore platforms instead of the dormant pipelines in February of 2024 after it sold the oil production infrastructure to Sable Offshore.

According to court documents, Sable secured a $622,000,000 loan from Exxon to fund the purchase of the Santa Ynez Unit which is set to expire and ownership revert back to the oil giant unless oil from the Santa Ynez Unit enters the market.

With the latest federal approval, it appears as thought the Santa Ynez Unit is poised to officially restart production and satisfy its financial deadline with ExxonMobil.

“Sable is committed to energy affordability and reliability and to recommencing oil sales in a safe and efficient manner,” shared Steve Rusch, Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs for the Sable Offshore when reached for comment earlier this month. “Not only have we demonstrated all required operator capabilities and financial requirements, but we have gone above and beyond those requirements. Today’s decision [the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors vote to deny permit transfers on Dec. 16, 2025] does not impact Sable’s ability to continue operating the SYU facilities and pipeline system or its plans to re-commence oil sales.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The holiday time off for Santa Barbara City Hall workers was a perfect time to do a fumigation project.

A circus-like tent from Lenz Pest Control has covered the building for the work. It is also fenced off.

City Hall dates back to 1922 when it was built for another use, but it has age and needs.

It’s not known if there was a specific problem or need prior to this fumigation plan.

The building is often entered from De la Guerra Plaza, but the street address is on the Anacapa Street side, next to the parking lot for staff.

The Mayor and Councilmembers will not be able to access their offices during the fumigation and have made alternate plans if there is a city emergency.

The workers are on a break and will return Jan. 2.   

Essential services including police, fire and some water managers remain on duty citywide.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Christmas Eve was celebrated up and down the Central Coast today, despite the rain.

A lot of people stayed indoors today.

While the rain isn’t necessarily unusual for the Central Coast this time of year, it does seem to be unusual for the Christmas holiday itself.

’Twas the day before Christmas and along the Central Coast, fewer people than normal may have been stirring, ‘cause the weather’s usually warm as toast!

“We’re here for the weekend. For the week, actually,” says Sandra Carlson, Lives In Arizona. “And we were surprised that you guys are getting all this rain.”

Santa held hours at Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo for the last time in 2025, and a lull in the weather brought families out just a few hours before the rain again went live.

“We moved from outside to inside the house here, which is very comfortable,” says Santa. “And we get a lot of people show up for the last Christmas Eve to see Santa and we’re very pleased.”

Some folks at Pismo Beach said this weather makes much more sense for a holiday celebrated in December, unlike so many years hence.

“We’ve been very fortunate for the last few years that the weather’s been pretty mild if not warm,” says Scotty Jalbert with SLO County Emergency Services. “So it just so happens that the storm hits right during Christmas Eve and Christmas this year.”

Emergency services in SLO and Santa Barbara counties know this is not typical weather, and they are ready to spring at whatever this stormy Christmas Eve night may decide to bring.

“Slow your speeds down,” says Jalbert. “Watch out for hydroplaning. Sometimes your standing water on the side of the road, you can lose control of your vehicle, keep a safe distance and don’t be in a hurry.”

“Have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year,” says Santa.

County officials send reminders to tune in to emergency notification systems and celebrate responsibly.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)- A fierce storm coming in from the Pacific with a train-like stream of rain has battered the Santa Barbara and Ventura coast.

The Ventura Pier and the Hueneme Pier have both been shut down by emergency officials until a safety inspection can be completed.

Flooding is reported on Padaro Lane in Carpinteria from an overflowing small creek in the area. Drivers were able to get through but the depth was a concern for many of them who saw a large pond of water that stretched past the driveways of many homes.

 Prashand  Deore came through from Los Angeles.  “I don’t know, I’ve never came on this road. If there’s some ditches there,  If I am stuck in it with my car, with my family, I don’t want to take this. “

Surface streets in Santa Barbara that were closed or treacherous included lower Calle Cesar Chavez, Chapala at Ortega, Cabrillo at Castillo Street and Old Coast Highway along with North Jameson Lane near Sheffield in Montecito where water was over running the road.

A sedan on Coast Village Circle went up and over a concrete design feature for the parking stalls. The driver was not hurt but the car was damaged.

A late evening downpour drenched and flooded some streets in Goleta and Isla Vista with concerns that brought out the fire department around 7:30 p.m. There was a large tree down covering Cathedral Oaks at Los Carneros. Streets with flooding include Trigo, Seville, Vega and Valdez. Also by the airport, Aero Camino at Hollister.

Mission Creek was pounding with rolling rocks cascading through Oak Park where it dumps out from the De la Vina curve. It starts up in the foothills beyond Rocky Nook Park.

Some of the coastal areas quickly got more than three inches of rain from the steady blast between midnight and 9 a.m. Some of the hardest rain was falling about 5 a.m.

During the morning drive hours a vehicle spun out and off the freeway at Winchester Canyon on the eastern side of Goleta.

Crews on Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara were using heavy equipment to pick up palm fronds. In many cases it was done by hand and collected into piles. The street was covered in them.

Work was also underway to keep the drains open in the lower Santa Barbara City College parking lot which filled with water this morning when more rain came down than the area could handle in the small outlet to the ocean.

A wrecked sailboat was just one of the many challenges in and around the Santa Barbara waterfront with fierce winds and driving rain east of Stearns Wharf. The mast was banging on the dredging pipe and it broke a protective fence. Many items on board including a generator, oil and fuel were an environmental concern.

“Our electricity went out at 5:30 in the morning,” said Jack Martinez is a Carpinteria resident. “I battened down the hatches, got everything covered yesterday. So we’re ready.”

For a bike rider, his regular route was drenched from Montecito through Carpinteria.

 Darren Phillips said, “No, I’ve never seen it like that before. Missed the last rain, I was away. No, it’s as deep as I’ve seen it.”

The Santa Barbara Airport had a good report card despite the weather challenges for the passengers getting to and from the terminal in the rain. There were a few delays but most were on time and for those traveling to the East at dawn that was a critical start to the day.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) People expected the storm to arrive on Tuesday and it did with heavy rain and soft showers at times.

Some fallen palm fronds line State Street.

At times the rain looked like snow falling on the Christmas tree near The Arlington Theatre.

Adam Angel’s namesake Adam McKaig said it gave volunteers a reason to get a jump start on poncho deliveries.

“We are out and about making sure that people are not only warm and fed but are protected from the rain, we have a nice rain in the weather right now, so we are trying to get a jump start on the rain storm,” said McKaig.

He said they will give out hundreds of ponchos to keep people dry on Christmas Eve.

“And tomorrow at Pershing park at 5 O’clock we are setting up canopies where we will serve a warm meals, nonperishable bags of food and Christmas cheer,” said McKaig.

“It warms my heart, it is cold outside my heart is warm and my community keeps us going we have a lot of volunteers with big hearts.”

The storm is likely to get heavier.

First responders are already out and about protecting people.

The Holiday trolley also made the rounds in the rain especially at the Milpas Roundabout.

Your News Channel will have more on the storm tonight on the new.

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Caleb Nguyen

GAVIOTA COAST, Calif. (KEYT) – Fire crews helped a man to the hospital after his truck rolled over and crashed near railroad tracks on Highway 101 between Refugio and El Capitan State Beaches Tuesday.

Crews arrived just after 8:00 p.m. and spent 30 minutes using the jaws of life to get him out of the car, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Union Pacific received word and stopped train traffic during extrication before resuming a few hours later, according to the SBCFD.

Highway 101 remained open in both directions, though the SBCFD closed Lane #2 going south for precautionary measures.

The cause of the crash is under investigation with the California Highway Patrol.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) People like Charlotte Heath are enjoying the showers that started in Santa Barbara on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is like Christmas and it is like is snowing,” said Heath who spent the afternoon shopping with her grandmother Jane Maurer.

“I was buying four new tires and I said we have a Christmas tree because everyone is sick in my family,” said Maurer who is also a singer at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

As they chose a tree at Big Wave Daves at La Cumbre Plaza Maurer said she had just finished a holiday album that is available on all platforms to buy.

They were far from alone.

Educator Eban Robinson bought a tree, too.

“Last minute tree shopping, older son, cant live without a tree,” said Robinson.

He like the light rain.

“Nice change it give us a winter feel i would say. For the holidays,” said Robinson.

The Big Wave Dave crews said they would bring the few trees left to their Ventura location near the Pacific View Mall for Christmas Eve shoppers.

The rain may be coming down harder by then.

A record amount of people are heading home or on vacation before and after Christmas Day.

First responders including firefighters hope people will stay off the roads if they get too wet.

Your News Channel will have more on the storm on the news tonight.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Ventura County Emergency Office issued an evacuation order for Ventura Beach alongside warnings for several other areas starting at 6:00 p.m. today due to upcoming storms.

Warnings for the Mountain Fire burn scar, the area of Matilija Canyon/North Fork/Camino Cielo and the communities of Camp Chaffee/Foster Park paired with the beach order are in affect until 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve, according to the VC Emergency Office.

A hazardous weather advisory is also underway until 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve for Creek Road from Highway 33 East to Encino Drive where the VC Emergency Office advises extreme caution driving during the storm.

A map for affected areas is available on the VC Emergency website.

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