Author: KEYT

Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Fifty-six years ago, a disaster off the coast of Santa Barbara sparked the creation of Earth Day, a movement that continues to focus on educating the next generation, as it did in 1991.

Thirty-four years ago, children gathered at Santa Barbara’s De La Guerra Plaza to celebrate Earth Day.

At the time, key concerns included deforestation, ozone depletion, and basic recycling awareness.

‘If they keep cutting the forests in Brazil, in 60 years they will be gone,’ one young girl shared in a KEYT news report by Jennifer Mansback.

In 1991, more than 4,200 square miles of forest were cleared in the Brazilian Amazon. By 2023, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon had decreased by 23%, with only 3,475 square miles of forest cleared that year—the lowest annual figure since 2018, according to Mongabay, a nonprofit conservation and science news outlet.

Children were the theme of the 1991 Santa Barbara Earth Day celebration.

“The children get so much input about what’s wrong with the world,” one woman said in the report. “We wanted them to also know that they are very powerful if they choose to recycle or write letters.”

At the time, youth involvement was encouraged to spread awareness. Today, young people are leading global movements using social media and activism to address climate change, microplastic pollution, environmental justice, and the transition to clean energy.

“The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were a major update to U.S. environmental policy, targeting air pollution from urban smog, toxic air pollutants, and ozone layer depletion.”

Thirty-four years later, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a comprehensive plan to enhance climate resilience, including a target for 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032.

However, the Trump administration rolled back several environmental policies, including granting two-year exemptions from mercury and air toxics regulations to 47 coal-fired power plants.

Santa Barbara has a long history with Earth Day, dating back to Jan. 28, 1969, when a blowout from a drilling operation at one of the offshore platforms spilled more than 3 million gallons of crude oil over several weeks—one of the largest oil spills in U.S. waters at the time. It was also one of the first televised environmental disasters.

“The Santa Barbara oil spill brought home, vividly, the lesson that man can no longer irresponsibly exploit the environment without facing consequences,” said Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day’s founder.

Nelson founded Earth Day one year later, on April 22, 1970.

In response to growing environmental concerns following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, President Richard Nixon called for the establishment of the EPA in 1970.

Today, the City of Santa Barbara continues to lead the environmental movement by banning single-use plastics to reduce waste entering the ocean and requiring all new construction to use electric systems for heating, cooking, and other energy needs, all in an effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

This year, Santa Barbara will celebrate the 55th Earth Day at Alameda Park on April 26-27.

The 1991 Earth Day Celebration footage is preserved by UCSB Library Special Research Collections as part of the KEYT News Video Archive.  Digital copies of materials are available by request. For more information on the collection, contact the Film & Television Curator.

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Caleb Nguyen

CUYAMA, Calif. – Several fire crews helped with a small grass fire near Cuyama that first ignited at 3:07 p.m. Monday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The SBCFD estimated the fire at three acres and received help from the Los Padres National Forest to stop forward progress at 3:42 p.m.

Both those agencies mopped up the fire for about one to two hours following the burn and no structural damage or injured people were reported, according to the SBCFD.

More information on the fire will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – CAL Fire SLO crews responded to a three-acre brush fire near Oso Flaco Lake just after 3:00 p.m Monday.

Forward progress of the fire stopped just before 6:00 p.m. and a helicopter helped put it out, according to CAL Fire SLO.

More information on the cause of this fire and the overall incident will be provided once available to Your News Channel.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Officials are acknowledging the state of disrepair on some of the rural roads in the northern parts of Santa Barbara county.

You don’t have to drive more than six miles up Figueroa Mountain Road before encountering a bumpy ride.

Santa Barbara county Public Works has identified these increasing problem areas.

“This is what I’m getting mostly for my constituents is about roads, you know, and about how bad it is around their house and how it’s been 30 years since anybody’s ever, you know, showed up from the county,” says Bob Nelson, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

These roads are not highly trafficked, they wind through hills, and even forested areas, making visibility tricky.

“Roads aren’t sexy. You know, there’s no ribbon cutting when you’re out there with the pavement. But it’s it’s hugely important,” says Supervisor Nelson.

According to some constituents who live out in these areas, many of these roads have not been resurfaced in several years, to say nothing of the damages caused by recent wildfires.

“We would love to pave everything. But those ones, we have to be a little bit more careful and do them in segments versus like doing the whole thing,” says Public Works director Rick Sneddon.

County officials have scheduled these much needed repairs, but there are logistical concerns on these long stretches of mountain road that slow the process down.

“Figueroa Mountain, for example, is a very challenging road to maintain. It’s very long and it’s expensive to do so. He’s got many roads like that in his district and we try and we try and do everything so that we’re like making sure we’re paying attention to those roads too,” says Sneddon.

Due to the tricky nature of some of these routes, repairs will need to be done in sections, and residents will need to be notified ahead of time.

For additional details such as the roadmap and schedule for these repairs, you can visit the county’s website.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A ceremony was held Monday morning to celebrate the official renaming of the Santa Maria Post Office in honor of former mayor Larry Lavagnino.

With family, friends, and many former city government colleagues on hand, Lavagnino said he was touched so many people came out to share in this very personal and meaningful recognition.

“It’s like I said in my speech, my life was a jigsaw puzzle,” said Lavagnino. “Every one of these people were a part in my life and that means a lot to me, so when I looked out and saw those faces, it was unbelievable. I love them all. Every every one of them played a part in my life.”

In January 2024, Congressman Salud Carbajal unveiled federal legislation to formally rename the Santa Maria Post Office after Lavagnino.

After several months of waiting, Congress officially voted and approved the bill late that year in December, and the bill was later signed into law by President Biden in early January 2025.

“Can you believe that?” asked Lavagnino. “It’s hard to believe that it takes an act of Congress and President to sign this and it was done. I’m very, very proud, and of course, I’m very proud of my family. My family has done well and the City of Santa Maria has done well by my family.”

A Santa Maria native, the 89-year-old Lavagnino is a graduate of Santa Maria Union High School and Allan Hancock College, and a Navy veteran.

He served on the Santa Maria Planning Commission before a six year tenure on the Santa Maria City Council beginning in 1996, and later as Mayor from 2002 to 2012.

During his tenure as mayor and councilmember, Lavagnino helped lead the city through some of its most significant improvement projects, including the rebuilding of the Santa Maria River Levee, the construction of the new Transit Center, police station, fire stations, Abel Maldonado Youth Center, widening of Highway 101 to three lanes, and much more.

“Santa Maria and the citizens of Santa Maria have always been so good to me,” said Lavagnino. “They’ve always been very kind to me. I grew up in an era where my dad and mom told me, you treat everybody the way you want to be treated. I hope that I lived up to that because I tried.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Due to unresolved economic concerns, the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo has announced it will no longer be held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. However, a new plan is already in the works.

Old Spanish Days says the Fiesta Rodeo is likely moving for 2026. An announcement at the Santa Barbara Carriage and Western Art Museum by El Presidente Fritz Olenberger and Rodeo Committee Chair Josiah Jenkins introduced the next chapter in the rodeo’s rich history.

Olenberger said, “I grew up around cowboys and rodeos, and I wanted a rodeo—and the board of directors wanted a rodeo.”

Jenkins noted that the rodeo had faced financial challenges, saying, “Last year, we had three sold-out performances… we can’t complain about that, but we had no bottom line. You can’t continue an event or reinvest in yourself without a little left over each year.”

The operating budget included sponsorships, ticket sales, and fees for the showgrounds. For 2025, Jenkins said, “The economics of running this event have always been tight—it’s always been hard—and this year, we just couldn’t pencil it out.”

He explained that the daytime events, primarily featuring younger participants, and the nighttime events with more seasoned competitors were essentially two separate shows being operated.

Looking ahead, Jenkins said, “Ventura has approached me. We’ve got the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Center, we’ve got the Elks Center in Santa Maria—there are some facilities we can use and work with.”

Frustrated with the situation at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Jenkins added, “Our people just don’t want to work with those folks.” He also pointed out the significant expenses for touring riders and their teams to travel to Santa Barbara and stay in hotels.

The Showgrounds responded by saying it was “surprised and deeply saddened” by the decision and noted that its staff had been working with Old Spanish Days on possible solutions, though no agreement was reached. Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague stated, “Looking ahead, Earl Warren Showgrounds will remain a home for celebration, culture, and community connection—and will continue exploring ways to host a rodeo event in the future.” He also said they had gone to extra lengths to work with Old Spanish Days during negotiations—efforts they may not have extended to another group.

Old Spanish Days acknowledged it had been a difficult relationship with the Showgrounds, citing “staff who, regrettably, have at times created an adversarial environment for our volunteers, participants, and committee members.”

The Fiesta Parade, El Desfile Histórico, known for its hundreds of horses, has long been a central part of Old Spanish Days. While the rodeo may be relocating, the parade will continue to feature a full list of equestrian entries, drawing thousands of spectators who come to see the variety of horses and carriages.

On May 17, the annual La Primavera event will take place, during which the 2025 Old Spanish Days poster and pin will be revealed. Olenberger said, “I think you will really like those—it will be something special, and I’m very proud of them.”

He also addressed recent backlash on social media, saying, “I would like the finger-pointing to stop, the accusations to stop.” Olenberger emphasized that there are many celebrations and positive events still to come this year.

Just last week, Natalia Treviño and Victoria Plascencia were selected as the 2025 Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta in a competition held at the Lobero Theatre.

Monday afternoon, The Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague released this statement:

“We were surprised and deeply saddened to learn earlier this month that the Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo made the decision not to continue this year. Since then, we’ve been diligently working with Old Spanish Days to find a solution to produce the event.

The Showgrounds was fully prepared to keep the rodeo tradition alive this year and presented a thoughtful, collaborative proposal to make it possible. While OSD has chosen not to move forward, we respect their decision and share their hope that the spirit of community, heritage, and horsemanship will continue to thrive.

Looking ahead, Earl Warren Showgrounds will remain a home for celebration, culture, and community connection—and will continue exploring ways to host a rodeo event in the future.”

Old Spanish Days sent this letter to the Earl Warren Showgrounds:

April 17, 2025To the Boards of the 19th District Agricultural Associationand the Earl Warren Showgrounds Foundation3400 Calle RealSanta Barbara, CA 93105RE: Old Spanish Days Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse ShowDear Board Members,At our most recent Old Spanish Days Board of Directors meeting, attended by current BoardMembers, Past Presidentes, and Associate Members, we held a thorough and heartfelt discussionregarding our long-standing partnership with the Earl Warren Showgrounds and the April 16thproposal presented by your leadership.First and foremost, we would like to reflect on our deep and meaningful history. Since our firstFiesta celebration in 1924, equestrian events have been central to our mission. In 1958, the FiestaRodeo and Stock Horse Show moved to the Earl Warren Showgrounds, where it remained for thepast 67 years. Over the course of that partnership, Old Spanish Days produced a world-classprofessional rodeo that celebrated the vaquero spirit, brought together thousands of communitymembers, and generated substantial revenue for the Showgrounds. We are proud of what we builttogether.However, it is with great disappointment that we now find ourselves at a crossroads. After decadesof attempting to work collaboratively toward a fair and sustainable agreement, we can no longer, ingood faith, continue producing the Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show at the Earl WarrenShowgrounds.Despite repeated efforts over many years, we have been unable to reach an agreement that allowsOld Spanish Days to meet its fiduciary responsibilities or uphold the standards our community,participants, and sponsors expect. Our core concerns have been communicated consistently: We have long requested a flat fee agreement in lieu of unpredictable post-event invoicing,which has repeatedly placed the Rodeo at financial risk, many years in the red. We have asked for equitable access to revenue streams generated by our audience—parking,concessions, food and beverage, stabling, and RV fees—none of which have been madeavailable to support the event’s operational viability. We have struggled with timely receipt of contracts, which in turn has jeopardized our abilityto meet obligations with partners such as the PRCA.Page TwoRE: Old Spanish Days Fiesta Rodeo and Stock Horse Show We have experienced ongoing operational challenges with staff who, regrettably, have attimes created an adversarial environment for our volunteers, participants and committeemembers. Despite a $1.5 million investment from the equestrian community, the condition of thefacilities remains substandard and does not meet the expectations of our participants,attendees, or the professional standards of our event.This year alone, despite delivering our deposit early in the year, we did not receive a contract intime to confidently proceed with our financial commitments.We appreciate your time and effort in preparing the April 16th proposal to host an independentlyorganized rodeo with the support of Old Spanish Days. Unfortunately, this proposal presents severalsignificant issues. The lack of local participation and community-focused elements, such as muttonbusting, would be a great disappointment to our audience and would likely impact ticket sales. Theexperienced volunteer base required to support such an event simply is not available, and thelongstanding sponsors of the Fiesta Stock Horse Show and Rodeo are closely aligned with ourorganization—they have indicated they would not support an event produced independently of OldSpanish Days. Additionally, if the Fiesta Rodeo—with its deep community roots, extensivevolunteer support, and decades of experience—could not remain financially viable due to risingcosts, we find it highly improbable that a separate, paid-staff event could succeed under the sameconditions. Most importantly, our Board is clear that we cannot and will not lend the Old SpanishDays name or reputation to an event we do not produce, oversee, and stand behind with fullconfidence.In the end, our Board voted unanimously not to move forward with producing the Rodeo at the EarlWarren Showgrounds—neither independently nor under the structure outlined in the April 16thproposal from Mr. Milazzo and Mr. Sprague. This decision was not made lightly.As a fiduciary board, we are obligated to act in a manner that is fiscally responsible and missionaligned.Producing a world-class professional rodeo without the necessary tools, transparency, orpartnership is simply not possible under current conditions. We remain committed to our missionof honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s cultural heritage. The Vaquero spirit will continue tolive on in Fiesta—but for now, it must do so apart from the Earl Warren Showgrounds.We thank you for the many years of shared history and hope that one day our paths might realignunder terms that reflect mutual respect, shared vision, and true collaboration.Sincerely,Board of DirectorsOld Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc.

Cc: Ben Sprague, CEO Earl Warren, Old Spanish Days Board of Directors

Earlier this month Old Spanish Days released this statement:

“After a century of tradition, horsemanship, and community celebration, the Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo has concluded its historic run at Earl Warren Showgrounds following three sold-out centennial PRCA performances in 2024. Unfortunately, due to increasing operational and production challenges, we are unable to sustain this historical Santa Barbara event for the future.

For 100 years, this event has honored the legacy of the Santa Barbara Vaquero, bringing together world-class contestants, dedicated sponsors, and passionate local spectators. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support that has made this rodeo a cherished part of Old Spanish Days annual celebration in Santa Barbara.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, we take immense pride in the impact and memories created over the decades. The Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo has left a lasting mark on Santa Barbara’s history, celebrating the skill, spirit, and tradition of the Vaquero way of life.

Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo would like to thank you for being part of this incredible journey the past 100 years. Though this chapter closes, the legacy of the Fiesta Rodeo will live on in the hearts of those who have ridden, cheered, and supported it for generations.”

Fiesta 2025 runs July 30-August 4 this year. Events and celebrations can be found at sbfiesta.org.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The board of supervisors just passed a new family housing project to seek state funding in Santa Barbara.

In a five to zero vote, the board of supervisors will allow DignityMoves to request roughly $11-million for a new Family Village.

Located at 260 North San Antonio Road near the Calle Real Campus, the project will include full wraparound services with a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a dining room.  

DignityMoves hopes families will live there for two to three years until they can get back on their feet. 

DignityMoves hopes this project will ultimately help more unhoused kids and their families in our community. 

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. – While some people hosted egg hunts in their backyards, one California neighborhood held its annual Easter egg hunt at the beach.

The Hollywood Beach Neighbors Easter Egg Hunt took place on the sand near Sunset Lane and Mandalay Beach Road in Oxnard, just down the street from Hollywood Beach Elementary School.

Many of the participants were students from the school.

The Easter Bunny watched over the hunt and posed for photos.

To keep things fair, the younger children went first.

Kids ran through the sand and dunes in search of dozens of plastic eggs filled with treats.

This year, local Realtor Jess Jackson helped organize the free event.

Parents dropped off more than a dozen eggs per child ahead of time.

It’s a tradition that brings families back year after year.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Fire crews helped an injured rock climber off Gibraltar Road and east of Gibraltar Rock just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the 20-year-old woman fell while climbing and was airlifted to Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries from the fall.

First responders on the ground and in the air were dispatched to the call that came in at 4:57 p.m. Sunday detailed the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The featured image of this article shows the general location of the fall as the red marker.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It was a bright day to celebrate Easter at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens.

“Remember when the angels showed up to who? The shepherds,” said Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, Tommy Schneider as he gave the Easter message.

Hundreds of people gathered for Sunday church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ – a holiday traditionally celebrated by Christians.

“I feel like every year it keeps growing. I definitely feel like something just hit me today and it’s going to make me continue going to church,” said church attendee Sergio Morales.

The service began with worship and a message before prayer took place and ended with more worship.

“You can feel what God is all about, you can feel the presence of God that’s what I just want to share with you,” said Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara staff member, Mario.

People were full of joy as the celebrated with family and friends, Happy Easter to all who celebrate.

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