Author: KEYT

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Boys Soccer:

San Marcos 2, Santa Barbara 1

Oxnard 2, Buena 1

Pacifica 1, Dos Pueblos 0

High School Girls Soccer:

San Marcos 2, Santa Barbara 1

Dos Pueblos 1, Pacifica 1

Rio Mesa 1, Ventura 1

Oxnard 0, Buena 0

Channel Islands 4, Santa Paula 2

Boys High School Basketball:

Santa Barbara 77, Rio Mesa 49

San Marcos 59, Pacifica 54

Dos Pueblos 76, Buena 37

Oxnard 56, Ventura 33

Bishop Diego 56, Foothill Tech 45

Calabasas 64, Oaks Christian 62

Westlake 71, Newbury Park 42

Laguna Blanca 72, Midland 24

Dunn 60, Villanova Prep 54

Grace 57, Santa Clara 54

High School Girls Basketball:

Oaks Christian 85, Calabasas 31

Santa Paula 72, Channel Islands 24

Thousand Oaks 82, Agoura 25

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Alissa Orozco

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – The man convicted of murder in the 1996 Kristin Smart case had his petition for review formally denied by the California Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Paul Ruben Flores is currently serving a 25-years-to-life prison sentence for the murder of 19-year-old Kristin Smart, the Cal Poly freshmen who disappeared from a house party back in 1996. Flores was reportedly the last person seen with the young woman, and nearly three decades later, a Monterey County jury convicted him of murder – a crime Flores denies.

On Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that the California Supreme Court has denied Flores’ petition for review of his conviction.

Flores has previously submitted two separate appeals of his conviction to the Second District Court of Appeal back in October 2024 and July 2025, both of which were denied.

“While we are very pleased that this decision brings a stronger sense of finality for all involved, we will always remember Kristin Smart and will continue to do all we can to honor the memory of her vibrant life,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Our hearts go out to Mr. and Mrs. Smart and their entire family for all that they have endured for the last 30 years.”  

Kristin Smart’s body has still never been recovered.

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Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif (KEYT) – It’s the next best thing to the famously popular Antiques Roadshow, only this traveling group of buyers does not televise.

“We buy jewelry, coins, paper money, wristwatches, pocket watches, art and, rare documents,” said Michael Merritt, owner of Place Vendôme. “We have to look at a lot of things to see something really unusual.”

Merritt said each expert buyer linked to his Pasadena-based business has their own speciality and they’re on hand — free of charge — for four days at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club.

“I really like the people that are here and they’re very honest about their appraisals,” said Nancy Van Gelder, a Santa Barbara resident. “I think it’s worth checking out if you have some things that you would like to sell.”

Many of the people who come through the doors end up as repeat customers, including Van Gelder.

“What I brought in (this time) was sterling silver flatware and various jewelry pieces including some gemstones. In fact, I did sell several pieces so I’m very happy with what the offer was, particularly with silver. It’s a great time now to sell.”

Merritt agreed.

“Silver and gold are right now at the highest price that they’ve ever been in the history of metal so it’s a very good time to sell,” said Merritt. “What are those prices?” I asked. “Gold, last I looked, was $4,600 and something. And silver is at $92 an ounce. So, very high.”

“I brought flatware, watches and jewelry,” said Alexandra King, a Santa Barbara resident. “I sold most of it, it was really easy to sell.”

King said she made about $1,000 and will put the money toward legal support for her screenplay.

Merritt said over the past six years since the group’s dealings in Santa Barbara, one item really stood out.

“Very interesting paper currencies, some old banknotes that were really wonderful.”

Appointments are recommended for those wanting items assessed and appraised. If both parties agree on the value, the piece or pieces are purchased on the spot.

“If it doesn’t, then we never pressure anybody to sell anything and there’s still no charge, no risk to anybody who comes to see us,” said Merritt.

He added that the vast majority of people coming through the doors have “stuff” and it’s time for them to get rid of it. Most don’t come because they need the money.

“We’re relieving the burden of stuff,” Merritt said. “Gemstones, pieces of jewelry — we love to get signed pieces of jewelry from houses of luxury — but we buy tons of sterling silver flatware and tea sets and that kind of thing, too.”

The group will be at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club starting Wednesday through Saturday, January 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

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Jarrod Zinn

VANDENBERG / LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – As vandenberg space force base pursues more launch capacity, they have issued a proposal—or, what they call a Request For Information (RFI) for heavy launch capacity at the base.

Congressman Salud Carbajal has written a letter to both the Air Force and U.S. Space Force urging thorough evaluation of potential impacts to surrounding environments and communities before proceeding with the proposed Space Launch Complex 14, or “Slick-14.”

As the congressman says, “They have been extremely receptive.”

The conversation isn’t necessarily a new one, but the RFI from December 29th for Slick-14 would break ground.

It’s essentially asking private companies if they want to help build out a new launch complex capable of handling larger rockets.

“When you’re launching a heavy or super heavy capability, you want it to be in a place that’s advantageous so that you’re not impacting neighboring operations, it’s further away from areas that it might overfly,” says Col. James Horne Iii, commander of Space Launch Delta 30.

Congressman Carbajal acknowledges the environmental stewardship the base has demonstrated in the past, as well as the benefits heavy commercial launch would bring to the economy, both locally and globally.

“Vandenberg Space Force Base provides a critical installation for not only our national security, but all those functions that we take for granted on a daily basis,” says congressman Carbajal.

Members of the congressman’s district have been vocal about the impacts of the base’s launches to date, and these impacts involve noise factors from sonic booms, as well as physical effects from the vibrations, including some cracked windows and similar environmental disturbances.

“With the super heavy, it would increase the type of launches in the future,” says Carbajal.

Commander of Vandenberg, Col. James Horne III, refers to launch as a “team sport,” and says this proposal has just been made, and there’s a lot of work to be done before a single nail gets hammered.

“This first step is just to understand who’s interested,” says Col. Horne. “So then we can go through an objective process, determine what makes the most sense for a particular provider to start that process, to assess and analyze. And then from that, we’ll have a much better appreciation of potential impacts.”

The colonel says there is time to take the community’s questions and concerns into consideration.

“We want to be responsible stewards of the environment,” says Col. Horne. “We want to be responsible with our community partners while also maximizing our access to space to counter our adversaries activities there and ensure protection for everybody.”

More public input sessions will be taking place in the near future, and the base is making concerted efforts to be good neighbors as they charge boldly into the future.

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Dave Alley

GUADALUPE, Calif. (KEYT) – The Guadalupe Union School District (GUSD) officially opened its Early Learning Center (ELC) on Wednesday morning, welcoming about 100 students to a facility that’s been in the works for several years.

“It absolutely is a very significant day for the for the City of Guadalupe,” said GUSD Superintendent Emilio Handall. “They’ve never had a place like this. They’ve ever had a campus designed specifically for their three and four-year-olds. We have other federal programs in the area, but this school sponsored design space is something that they’ve never had before.”

The new campus is located to the new Guadalupe Junior High School, which just opened earlier at the beginning of the current school year in August.

Spread out over five acres in the Pasadera housing community, the ELC features eight classrooms created for both preschool and transitional kindergarten students.

“It gives them a space that’s specifically designed for them with a play area that’s age appropriate with classrooms that allows them to learn at their most optimal level,” said Handall. “It’s just a space where children will feel more comfortable and more engaged. Students will be learning how to play with each other. They’ll be learning how to communicate their needs. They’ll be learning how to collaborate with other students. They’ll be learning how to regulate their emotions along with the academic piece, learning their letters, numbers, colors and what have you.”

The cost of the new campus was about $10 million with funding coming to the district through a variety of sources.

“Without the tremendous support of the Guadalupe community, these much-needed and much-anticipated facilities would not have been possible,” said Handall. “The citizens of Guadalupe overwhelmingly approved four bond measures in the span of six years. First passing Measures M &N in 2016, and then Measure V &W in 2022. The schools represent incredible opportunities for the children of Guadalupe and the generosity of its citizens.”

On Wednesday afternoon, GUSD will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. to officially celebrate the opening of the new campus.

The event will be held at the ELC, which is located 375 Arroyo Seco Road in Guadalupe, and is open to the public.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The poster reveal for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) didn’t need a spotlight or a drum roll. The excitement for the 41st annual event was in the air.

Executive Director Roger Durling was beaming in the moment as he read off some of the highlights and turned to artist Baret Boisson. Each grabbed an end to a cloth and revealed the poster Boisson created in one original piece for this year’s event.

It featured many creative elements, several “eye view” images, a pathway and a quote from the late President John F. Kennedy that read, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”

“The quote about artistic freedom really spoke to me so I use that quote,” said Boisson.

She had artistic freedom and hoped the film fans will use their imagination when looking at the poster. Boisson said, “opening your eyes opening your mind and letting go and nothing should be super recognizable, it’s a just a play on going into a different realm.”

Durling said, “I love this poster the whole  the whole underwriting theme this year of this festival is supporting artists and supporting the arts in general.”

The festival continues to add different elements during tribute nights and educational engagement opportunities. Durling expects people from all over the world to be in town. “It is an international film festival so the fact that  50 countries are represented is vital I want to live up the name international film festival.”

Durling said there would be 200 films, including 46 World Premieres and 81 U.S. Premieres

He was also thrilled to announce the opening of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival McHurly Film Center in the 900 block of State Street on February 4.

“What a way to start a festival than with a brand new state of the art film center. We have the Arlington,  we have the Riviera, and now have the five screens at the new film center.”

Some of the tribute events are already sold out.

The festival will have several days with free films, educational opportunities for students and a young filmmaker competition called 10-10-10 that, for the first time, will include mentorships for movie music.

Over 600 volunteers also assist with film and tribute night logistics, poster distribution and information to guests.

For more information go to: SBIFF

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Layan, a 9-year-old snow leopard at the Santa Barbara Zoo, is quickly winning over young visitors.

He arrived from the Idaho Falls Zoo as part of a conservation breeding program.

Layan replaces the zoo’s late snow leopard, Kisa.

Kisa is giving families a rare chance to see this vulnerable species up close.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The cost of glue traps is showing up at wildlife rescue doors in Santa Barbara.

“We’re seeing a lot of glue trapped animals this past month we’ve had a skunk trapped in six all changed together in sequence,” said intake lead Dylan Helenberger of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is treating a growing number of animals arriving stuck in powerful adhesive, often unable to free themselves.

“Feathers ripped out, skin tears, and the struggle only makes it worse. Many don’t survive,” said Helenberger.

Since 2025, 35 animals have been brought in after becoming trapped, already the highest total on record.

Since 2019, 142 animals have required care, many unintended victims including birds, bats, and lizards.

“They’re a form of pest control and animal trapping that is in the household and domestic spaces which don’t discriminate against which animal they trap,” said education and communications coordinator Pam Perrimon of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

“It’s sad uou can clearly tell that they’re stressed and trying to get out and it takes a while to get them off of it without causing more damage,” said Helenberger.

If you do catch an animal, the wildlife team urges people not to try remove it on your own.

“Please don’t wash it … please don’t try to use canola oil … just cover the rest of the glue on the trap with newspaper … put the animal in a box that’s covered and bring it straight to us,” said Helenbergr.

In California, cities including West Hollywood, Ojai, and Culver City have moved to restrict or prohibit their use.

Wildlife experts recommend humane pest control methods that focus on prevention rather than harm.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ready, set, hike!

Santa Barbara and Ventura are two of eight Southern California counties that will be represented in a new women’s professional flag football league that is launching in the summer of 2026.

The So Cal Women’s Pro Flag Football League (SCWPFFL) is the brainchild of sports entrepreneur and longtime sports promoter Roy Englebrecht.

The league, in 2026, will launch with SCWPFFL franchises in each of the eight Southern California counties, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Imperial.

“Women’s flag football has reached a tipping point,” said Englebrecht, the founder of So Cal Women’s Pro Flag Football League, and a partner in the soon to go public sports property, Combat Sports Entertainment. “The talent level is extraordinary, the interest is real, and the timing is right. Southern California has always been a leader in sports innovation, and this league is about creating opportunity and visibility, with players finally having a true professional home to continue their careers in flag football. I look forward to hiring a full-time Commissioner in January who will oversee the formation of the League.

Games are expected to be staged at top high school or junior college football stadiums in each of the eight counties, to ensure that the athletes from each county will get to play in front of family, friends and football fans. The SCWPFFL 14 game regular season will run June and mid-August, with playoffs starting in August. All SCWPFFL games will be played in four 15-minute quarters. A league wide draft will be held mid-March.

Women’s flag football is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, sanctioned by numerous state high school athletic associations and now supported by the NFL at the grassroots level.

“This league isn’t just about games,” Englebrecht added. “It’s about building a sustainable future for women’s football and inspiring the next generation of athletes.”

Additional announcements, including team names, venues, league draft, player tryouts, ownership groups, and corporate partnerships – will be released in early February.

(Information and quotes provided by Nicole Taylor BZA).

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will be led by Bob Nelson – a North County Supervisor from Orcutt who has a list of goals ready to go for 2026, including one to deal with housing costs.

In taking over the main seat and the gavel, Nelson says he realizes there are straining days on the general public with concerns over what is happening on the federal level, but he says the county needs to focus on issues that impact day to day lives.

With housing being a top priority he wants to see more effort in finding newer housing options that will make the home buying dream more of a reality. That includes homes that are made of materials with lower overall costs if such a process can be found.

Nelson said, “I do think we can be smarter and use smaller lots and smaller houses and find a product that is affordable, so young people can buy actual homes in Santa Barbara County.”

It would be similar, but a more forward plan than some past options. “For years we had mobile home parks but we have moved away from that. I think that might be something we look at in the future not as a ‘for rent’ product like we had in the past, but for a ‘for sale’ product.”

Nelson says the Olympics will be taking place in Southern California and he hopes the county can benefit from tourism and events relating to the games and the international visitors.

He also hopes to have county meetings with more efficiency on getting to decisions.

This is the second time Nelson has served as the Board Chair.

He replaces Laura Capps who handed over the gavel and remains in her post as the Second District Supervisor and is currently running for reelection.

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