Author: KEYT

Ivania Montes

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Across the United States, thousands are taking a stand on Monday by participating in ‘A Day Without Immigrants 2025,’ a nationwide movement highlighting the crucial role immigrants play in the country’s economy and society.

The demonstration calls for immigrants and their supporters to refrain from work, school, and economic activities to showcase their impact.

Protests against ICE enforcement continue across the country.

The ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ movement is not new, tracing back to major demonstrations, including the 2006 nationwide immigration protest and more recent events in 2017 and 2020.

These demonstrations have consistently emphasized the vital contributions of immigrants to America’s workforce and culture.

The movement has gained significant traction on social media, with viral posts drawing widespread attention. One post alone has garnered over 100,000 likes, reflecting the growing online support and awareness.

Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend, blocking streets and the 101 Freeway to protest President Trump’s immigration policies.

Similar demonstrations took place throughout the Central Coast, including Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Moorpark, with community members rallying in solidarity.

Tracy Lehr

Oxnard, Calif. – Another protest against immigration enforcement took place Sunday in Oxnard.

Young members of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, known as MEChA, organized a peaceful demonstration in Plaza Park.

Oxnard High School MEChA President Natalie Torres said she believes opponents are using artificial intelligence to generate false images of flag burning at local protests.

“There are AI-generated photos online showing the American flag being burned. That is not what we stand for,” Torres said. “This movement is about Chicano empowerment and spreading the message to ensure immigrants are treated fairly and as human beings, because that is what this movement is about.”

The high school senior said she has already been accepted into a University of California school.

Hueneme High School MEChA President Carla Barajas helped spread the word about the demonstration.

“We stand with the immigrant community no matter what. We are all descendants of immigrants. This land was stolen, and we are going to protect the rights of anyone here,” Barajas said. “If you are an immigrant, a citizen, or not, you have rights, and we want you to know we stand with you.”

Protesters held up signs and lined the streets around the park as drivers honked their horns in support.

Native Americans also performed traditional dances near the center of the park as drummers played.

Artist, musician, and activist Javior Gomez said the demonstrators are following in the footsteps of former Oxnard resident and labor leader Cesar Chavez. Chavez, for at least a portion of his career, was against illegal immigration.

“He grew up here, went to Port Hueneme Beach, fell in love with the ocean, and became a soldier for the United States Navy,” Gomez said. “Oxnard was very dear to him, but it’s also where he started organizing—in La Colonia, South Oxnard, and North Oxnard—where farmworkers labored.”

Gomez, a former teacher, noted that the first strike in Oxnard took place in 1903.

“The Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican workers united against the Oxnard brothers because they were cutting wages,” he said. “The Oxnard brothers wanted to become richer and profit more from the sugar beets grown in this area, so the farmworkers went on strike.”

He said the struggle continues today.

“This is a recurring theme, a thought Cesar Chavez brought up in the 1960s, and it remains true to this day,” Gomez said. “We can’t just relax and accept things as they are. We have to stay vigilant when injustice arises in our community, especially when our country turns its back on the most vulnerable people—the essential workers who keep our communities running.”

Gomez said the U.S.-born children of immigrants are fearful for their parents’ safety and worry about them being arrested for lacking legal documentation.

Author, artist, and activist Denis O’Leary said some voters are regretting their support for President Donald Trump.

“There are people in our community and across the country who voted for Trump, expecting that he would somehow magically make things better,” O’Leary said. “Within a week, this is the result. There has been terrorism coming from the White House—I call it terrorism because he wants people to be terrified, and you can see the results.”

Some people watching the rally live on social media posted opposing messages, including “Ice Ice Ice Baby!”

No counterprotests were seen in the area Sunday afternoon.

Allison Winslow

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A new Teen Star has been crowned following Sunday night’s finale event at the Marjorie Luke Theatre.

Naomi Jane Voigt, a 10th grader at San Marcos High School, won the title after a night of performances in front of an audience of more than 800 people. Voigt and nine other finalists, representing six different Santa Barbara County schools, walked the red carpet before taking the stage.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Voigt said. “I mean, I really wanted this, and I’m just happy that all the work I put into this paid off in the end.”

The competition was so close that the judges named four finalists instead of the usual three before selecting Voigt as the winner.

All four finalists will now have the opportunity to audition virtually for the executive producers of American Idol.

Andrew Gillies

GROVER BEACH, Calif. – A 62-year-old Grover Beach man was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly rammed a police patrol vehicle head-on while drunk and attempting to avoid arrest.

On the night of Feb. 2, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Leoni Drive for a reported disturbance involving a vehicle stated a press release Monday from the Grover Beach Police Department.

Arriving officers found that a driver, later identified as a 62-year-old Grover Beach resident, of a 1974 Ford pickup truck had collided with another vehicle in the area detailed the Grover Beach Police Department.

According to Grover Beach Police, officers attempted to make contact with the driver who evaded the first arriving officer and attempted to leave the area in his truck when a second officer arrived at the scene and activated his overhead lights in an attempt to stop the truck.

The 62-year-old driver then accelerated his truck, steered it towards the second patrol unit, and intentionally collided head-on with the officer and his vehicle explained the Grover Beach Police Department.

The three images below, courtesy of the Grover Beach Police Department’s Facebook page, show the course the driver took from the perspective of the second responding officer’s dash cam.

Both vehicles had major damage after the collision and the officer received medical aid for minor injuries at a local hospital after the collision shared the Grover Beach Police Department.

The 62-year-old driver was arrested without further incident, was found to be under the influence at the scene, and was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on the following charges:

PC 664/PC 187(a)-Attempted Murder

PC 245(c)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer

VC 23153(a)-DUI with Injury

Caleb Nguyen

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies are requesting public aid to investigate an overnight burglary at the Isla Vista CoOp Community Grocer reported after 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Between the store closing and opening that morning, surveillance footage revealed someone broke in and stole various items, according to the SBCSO.

Security video also showed the suspect as a male in his late teens to early 20s with chin-length hair, wearing a dark Oakland A’s baseball cap, a brown coat with a tan liner, blue jeans and retro white Nike Dunk sneakers with a dark trim.

Those with additional information on identifying the suspect are asked to contact the Isla Vista Foot Patrol.

Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — “Why push away so many people who want to work, who want money, and who want to have a better life for themselves?” asked Derek Garcia, a Santa Barbara resident.

It’s a question that has brought thousands of workers together in a day of (in)action, standing in solidarity with undocumented workers.

These workers are removing themselves from the workforce to highlight their impact.

It’s all part of a nationwide movement called “A Day Without Immigrants.”

“For the minority and Hispanic Latino community that is often overlooked and unseen, I think them not showing up to work today—not being in the fields picking your vegetables and fruits, not cooking in restaurants, not making your food, not doing all the things the industry relies on them for—makes a bigger impact,” said community advocate Annalisa Rivas.

On Monday, the absence of migrant workers could be felt—from Milpas Street in Santa Barbara to the fields of Oxnard.

Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners, a well-known business on Gutierrez Street near State Street, felt the impact.

Forty employees chose not to come to work, leaving the usually busy business operating with a much smaller staff. Despite the lack of workers, owner Sasha Ablitt fully supported her employees’ decision.

“We were open today because we felt if someone wanted to work, we wanted to give them the option. And we also support them in their choice to be active in this way,” said Ablitt.

She also noted that many other businesses in the area were unaware of the silent protest taking place.

But can one day really make a difference?

“If it’s a pyramid and you take out the bottom, everything collapses,” said Garcia.

Immigration advocates say just one day without undocumented workers has the power to send a strong message to policymakers.

“Some of these immigrants have been here for years, and they’re still not documented. It’s not attainable. The pathway needs to be structured in a way where everybody can access the resources they need to become documented,” said Rivas.

There is still a lot of fear in the community surrounding immigration enforcement, but community members say this movement helps put power back in the hands of undocumented workers.

“In solidarity… we’re more powerful,” said Rivas. 

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Dons left no doubt who is the top team in the Channel League.

Behind a sensational and suffocating defense, Santa Barbara led 39-8 at halftime and cruised to a 73-37 victory to wrap up the outright league title.

San Marcos could have gained a piece of the league title with a win but the Dons were not in the sharing mood.

Point guard Diesel Lowe set the tone by scoring the Dons first 8 points that included a fast break dunk.

(Diesel Lowe scores 2 of his 19 points. Entenza Design).

UCSB-commit Luke Zuffelato sank back-to-back three-pointers as the Dons ended the first quarter up 18-6.

(UCSB-commit Luke Zuffelato makes a first quarter three-pointer. Entenza Design).

The Dons allowed just 2 points in the second half as Carter Battle, Zuffelato and DJ Wilson locked down the Royals top three offensive players Brody Green, Koji Hefner and Danny Diaz.

After a scoreless first half, Hefner ended up with 12 points with ten of those coming in the third quarter.

But the Dons kept their foot on the gas and never let the Royals get any momentum.

Zuffelato scored a game-high 23 points, Lowe added 19 points while Battle tallied 16.

(Carter Battle not only scored 16 points but he played great defense. Entenza Design).

Santa Barbara finishes 13-1 in the Channel League and heads to the playoffs with a 23-5 overall record.

San Marcos will be the second seed out of league as they finish 11-3 in the Channel League.

The CIF-Southern Section playoff pairings are released Saturday, February 8th at noon.

The first round games are Wednesday, February 12.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Girl power was on full display at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table hosted their annual Women in Sports event with hundreds of local female high school and college student-athletes attending the luncheon.

UCSB Director of Athletics Kelly Barsky moderated a discussion that included key note speakers Adrienne Binder Brown and Katie Spieler.

Binder Brown was a standout swimmer at San Marcos High School and went on to be an All-American at Auburn University helping the Tigers win three national championships.

Spieler starred in volleyball at Dos Pueblos High School before playing at the University of Hawai’i and professionally on the beach on the AVP Tour.

She now runs the popular East Beach Volleyball Academy.

The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table also honored the Female Athlete of the Week Charlotte Raisin.

The superstar girls water polo player from San Marcos scored 11 goals with 7 assists in two wins against rival Dos Pueblos as the Royals locked up the Channel League title.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is celebrating its 40th year.

The Arlington Theatre marquee is already shining bright.

It promoted the opening night film: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life.

The film, directed by Laura Piani, is named after the witty English novelist, known for social commentary.

Actors and filmmakers, honored to be part of this year’s festival, will be walking the red carpet during 11 days of film screenings and tributes.

Honorees include Angelina Jolie, Ralph Fiennes, Zoe Saldaña, Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, Colman Domingo, and more.

Some have been to Santa Barbara before, others have homes in the area.

The tribute recipients include past Oscar winners and current nominees.

There is something for everyone and every budget, including free screenings and seminars for film enthusiasts and up and coming filmmakers.

Some events will take place at the former Fiesta Five Theater that has been transformed into the new Santa Barbara Film Center.

The SBIFF poster promoting the festival this year was created by Mary Heebner, who studied art at University of California, Santa Barbara.

It represents resurrection.

The choice seems fitting since the festival has partnered with Direct Relief to help with the recovery following the devastating L.A. Fires.

Your News Channel will have more on opening night during live reports.

The festival runs from Feb. 4-15, 2025.

For screening and tribute ticket information visit https://.www.SBIFF.org