Santa Barbara County selects Garrett Huff as new fire chief

KEYT on November 7, 2025

News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara County selected Garrett Huff as its new fire chief, succeeding former chief Mark Hartwig, starting on Dec. 8.

Below is a full press release from Santa Barbara County on the new appointment:

County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato announced on November 7, 2025, that Garrett Huff has been selected to be the next Fire Chief for Santa Barbara County.  The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to ratify the appointment at the November 18, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Huff is currently the Deputy Chief of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. His first day will be December 8, 2025. He will assume the duties from Chief Mark Hartwig, who is retiring on December 7, 2025, after six years as the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief.

Huff began his career in firefighting in 1999 and came to the County of Santa Barbara in 2005.  Over the past 20 years with the County, he has worked his way up the ranks from starting as a Firefighter/Paramedic on an engine to most recently the Deputy Fire Chief.  In this position he oversees the County’s Emergency Medical Services and the Regional Fire Communications Center.  In addition, he has served on the Incident Management Team for numerous fires, the Montecito Debris Flow, the Conception Boat Tragedy, and the County’s response to the COVID pandemic.

“I am deeply honored to be chosen as the next Fire Chief of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Having grown up and spent my career serving within this department and county, this opportunity is both humbling and profoundly meaningful. The men and women of this organization embody the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and dedication. It is a privilege to lead them as we continue to serve and protect the citizens of Santa Barbara County. I look forward to building upon our department’s proud history and working collaboratively to ensure a safe and resilient future for our communities,” said Huff.

The County Fire Department operates 24/7 with 320 personnel and an operating budget of $130 million.  There are 16 fire stations, and each is equipped with multiple firefighters, engines and Primary Advance Life Support (ALS) to directly serve about 172,000 people in the unincorporated areas such as Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, and most of the Santa Ynez Valley, along with acting as the fire agency for  the cities of Buellton, Goleta, and Solvang.  In addition to fire station response, the Fire Department utilizes helicopters, bulldozers, rescue watercraft and hand crews for various disasters.  The Department oversees the new Regional Fire Communications Center which dispatches the closest available resource to fire and emergency medical calls throughout the County.  In addition, the Department oversees the Office of Emergency Management which coordinates emergency preparedness, response, and recovery for the entire county.

“After a nationwide search, I’m confident that Deputy Chief Huff will continue to lead the department in the right direction. He has proven leadership skills, solid fire experience and immense respect from myself, County leadership and the staff of the Fire Department.  He knows this department from the bottom to the top and has worked throughout the divisions of the Department to have a full understanding of the work the Department does and the responsibilities of a Fire Chief.  I value his expertise in this field and servant heart to protect our community,” said County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato. 

Huff received his B.S. in Fire and Emergency Management from Kaplan University, his A.S. in Fire Technology from Oxnard College, and is continuing his education with completing his Master’s in Public Administration this coming summer.  Huff also has several certifications for his field and is involved in professional organizations across the state, including serving as a Board Member on the California 9-1-1 Advisory Board.  Throughout his career he received multiple recognitions including being named the 2016 Firefighter of the Year for the County of Santa Barbara.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank Chief Mark Hartwig. With a career spanning 33 years, he has been a knowledgeable, dedicated and bold leader, always striving to advance the fire service for the betterment of our community and the entire state. We appreciate that he has shared his immense experience and leadership with us over these last six years,” said CEO Miyasato.

For more information on the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, go to Home – Santa Barbara County Fire Department

Santa Barbara County

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Nordhoff’s Michael Dennie Leads Rangers Back to Playoffs After Record-Breaking Season

KEYT on November 7, 2025

Joey Vergilis

OJAI, Calif. (KEYT) – On this week’s Walkthrough with Joey, Nordhoff’s standout junior quarterback Michael Dennie discussed the Rangers’ return to the postseason and the journey that got them there.

“It feels good,” Dennie said. “It’s kind of a relief that we’re finally here. It feels like the season’s gone by really fast. But now that we’re here, we’re just preparing for Buena Park.”

It’s been a breakout year for both Dennie and the Rangers, who bounced back strong after an early setback.

“We’ve been working really hard,” he said. “We had that first loss, we thought we were going to win, we under-prepared, and after that, we didn’t really let that happen again. This year’s been going by really fast for us, and we don’t want it to end. We want to go all the way, and we’re going to make sure it happens.”

Dennie’s season hit a high point in Week 9 when he set the Nordhoff single-game passing record with 504 yards and six touchdowns in a dominant win over Carpinteria.

For most players, shattering two school records in one game would be a night to remember, but for Nordhoff’s rising junior gunslinger, it was just another Friday under the lights.

“That night, it was just like any other,” Dennie recalled. “We prepared for it, did our thing before the game. We had our running back, Desi Canfield, out that week, so I knew I’d have to step up. My guys were making plays out there and helping me out a lot. I wasn’t going for stats, I just wanted to win. I didn’t even know I broke the record until I got taken out in the fourth and somebody told me.”

For Dennie, there’s something special about every home game under the lights in Ojai.

“When I’m there, I like to look around before the game, like, ‘This is what I’m fighting for,’” the 6-foot, 170-pound signal caller said. “I love the scenery. When we’re out there playing, you can just look around, we’ve got the meadows right next to us. Hopefully soon we’ll have our new stadium up, and it’s going to be real fun next year.”

Before every Friday night, Dennie keeps things simple with his tight end, Elliot Sheets.

“Me and Elliot like to go to Subway, get our sandwiches, then head back to my house,” Dennie said. “We’ll watch some film, relax, make sure our bodies are right before the game.”

After a record-breaking regular season, junior QB Michael Dennie has the Rangers dreaming big. 

The first step in that dream happens tonight in Round 1 of the CIF-SS Division 13 playoffs, when the Rangers head to Orange County to take on the Buena Park Coyotes at 7 p.m.

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UCSB loses lopsided game at #3 UCLA

KEYT on November 7, 2025

Mike Klan

WESTWOOD, Calif. (KEYT) -UCLA’s three-guard lineup of Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice and Utah transfer Gianna Kneepkens each scored 20 points or more in the third-ranked Bruins’ 85-50 rout of UC Santa Barbara on Thursday.

Jaquez shot 7 of 11 from the floor for 21 points and had six rebounds, Rice made all seven of her free throws for 20 points to go with eight rebounds, and Kneepkens finished with 20 points. Jaquez and Kneepkens each hit four of UCLA’s 10 3-pointers.

The last time at least three players scored 20 or more for the Bruins was on Nov. 12, 2023, against Bellarmine. In that 113-64 win, Jaquez had 30 points, Charisma Osborne 24, Lauren Betts 22 and Londynn Jones 21.

The Bruins (2-0) got 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Betts in their home opener at Pauley Pavilion. They were coming off a 24-point win over San Diego State in their season opener Monday.

Rice and Jaquez combined for 26 points the last time the teams played on Dec. 3, 2022. The Bruins have won eight in a row and are 17-2 all-time against coach Cori Close’s alma mater.

Olivia Bradley led UCSB with 11 points. Julia Puente-Valverde added 10 while in foul trouble.

The Gauchos (1-1) trailed 21-17 after the first quarter.

UCLA dominated the second, outscoring the Gauchos 30-9 to lead 51-26 at halftime.

The Gauchos were outscored 23-17 in the third, when UCLA ran off 16 straight points, but by then they were down 31 points. They were held to just seven points in the fourth.

UCLA controlled the boards, 43-24, with all 10 Bruins grabbing at least one rebound. The Bruins had 10 steals and 22 assists to eight for UCSB.

Betts’ sister, touted freshman Sienna Betts, missed her second straight game with a lower leg injury.

Up next

UC Santa Barbara plays at Seattle on Sunday.

UCLA plays No. 6 Oklahoma in Sacramento on Monday.

(Article courtesy of Associated Press).

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CIF-SS Boys Water Polo quarterfinals: DP outlasts Buena in ot; San Marcos ends season

KEYT on November 7, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Quarterfinals: Dos Pueblos 11, Buena 10

Lucas Neushul scored a team-high 5 goals including one in overtime.

CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Quarterfinals: Loyola 13, San Marcos 10

Jack Kramer scored a team-high 5 goals as San Marcos ends year 18-15

(Pepperdine-commit Will Stuart scored 2 goals for the Royals. Entenza Design).

Dos Pueblos is at Loyola on Wednesday in CIF-SS D1 semifinal.

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CIF Volleyball finals wrap-up: Morro Bay wins, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande and Ventura come up short

KEYT on November 7, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

CIF-Central Section Division II Final: Central Valley Christian 3, Arroyo Grande 2

CIF-Central Section Division III Final: Bullard 3, Nipomo 0

CIF-Central Section Division V Final: Morro Bay 3, North 0

CIF-Southern Section Division IV Final: La Canada 3, Ventura 2

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Melodee And Ashlee Buzzard May Have Been Seen In Utah

KEYT on November 6, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – Word is reaching us of new sightings in the multi-state search for Melodee Buzzard, missing now from her Vandenberg Village home for more than 3-weeks.

The mystery surrounding the 9-year-old’s disappearance has captured national attention.

Investigators say they’re focusing on stops the Buzzards made during a three-day road trip.

We’re hearing about new leads being pursued along the route Melodee and her mother, Ashlee, took last month across multiple states.

Surveillance images show Melodee and Ashlee wearing wigs the day they rented a white Chevy Malibu. 

“It’s a crazy situation and horrible,” says Abbigail Harris, who lives in Junction, Utah. “And the little girl should be found.”

Investigators determined the three day trip took them as far away as Nebraska.

“Why are you changing your license plate?” asks Rilee Pinneo, who lives in Green River, Utah. “But then you come back and you’re not willing to talk about it or your daughter or anything.”

Employees at a gas station in Green River, Utah say Santa Barbara county sheriff’s investigators asked for video surveillance footage that falls right within the timeline and roadmap.

“We are the oasis in the middle of nowhere. Right? You’re coming from so far either way,” says Pinneo. “It’s just super like, suspicious, like. Why are you making her wear wigs? Why are you wearing wigs?”

And in Garfield county, Utah, an employee at another gas station says she saw Ashlee leave with an unidentified woman with purple hair.

“There’s a lot of nature, a lot of woods around here,” says Harris. “So it’s like if this is where she was the day before she got home. Who knows? You know, anything could happen.”

Santa Barbara county sheriff’s investigators and the FBI are asking for the public’s help in locating Melodee.

The Santa Barbara county D.A.’s office is also assisting in the investigation.

If you have seen Melodee or have any information, you can call the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division (805) 681-4150.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through the tip line at (805) 681-4171 or online at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.

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Land Use Changes Come as a Concern for Carpinteria

KEYT on November 6, 2025

John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – There could be some more high density housing in some areas of the South Coast, including around Carpinteria. 

Some locations mapped out for the changes are controversial.

The California Coastal Commission is discussing the Santa Barbara County plan to rezone locations on Bailard Ave., Via Real and Foothill. 

It’s about 31 acres in total.

The Carpinteria City Council is concerned about the impacts on parking, traffic, population and city services with the additional homes and the needs linked to those sites.

The Commission is meeting in Sacramento.

Public comments are being take via Zoom to speak to the commissioners prior to the discussion and vote.

(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)

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New Santa Maria Chick-fil-A opens with a plan in place to address potential traffic impacts

KEYT on November 6, 2025

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A much-anticipated new Chick-fil-A restaurant on North Broadway in Santa Maria opened Thursday morning.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., customers were able to be among the first to check out the second Chick-fil-A to open in the city.

“We are super excited to be open up here,” said Owner/Operator Joey Hickox. “It’s a great location.”

Located just off Highway 101 at the busy intersection of North Broadway and North Preisker Lane, there has been concerns about the potential impact the new restaurant may have on traffic in the area.

“It’s certainly one of our most impacted intersections in the city,” said Brett Fulgoni, Santa Maria Public Works Director. “This is a pinch point for us in Santa Maria. A lot of the entire north area of town comes through here, so we look for every way we can to try to improve this intersection.”

Since the restaurant was approved by the city last year, several stakeholders have been developing a plan to help lessen potential traffic impacts.

“We’ve worked very closely with the City of Santa Maria, Santa Maria Police Department, with our neighbors here at Wendy’s and the Hampton Inn,” said Hickox. “We eally think we have the best plan possible to help mitigate any kind of traffic issues. We understand it’s going to be a challenge and this is day one, but we think we’ve got a good plan.”

In the months leading up to the opening of the restaurant, road work has taken place on North Broadway and North Preisker Lane to improve the flow of traffic.

“The developer and Chick-Fil-A have worked with the city, and we’ve also worked with Caltrans to add a right hand turn lane for drivers who are exiting Highway 101 on Broadway southbound,” said Fulgoni. “There’s a new extended right hand turn lane, along with the green light for those right hand turns.”

In addition, Fulgoni explained additional changes are also coming to Preisker Lane at the Broadway stoplight.

“Right now, you’ve got a dedicated left lane and a left, through and right,” said Fulgoni. “So there’s there’s overall three lanes of traffic on the roadway. We’ll be re striping this next week and there’s going to be four lanes, on the road, so there’ll be two dedicated left lanes and then a dedicated through and right. We’re also going to end up adding a bike lane off the road on the west side of the roadway.”

Fulgoni estimated striping on the roadway is expected to be finished next week, but could be impacted by the weather.

“We do have some weather coming next week,” said Fulgoni. “It’s all weather dependent, so fingers crossed we can get it in, if not as soon as possible, within the next week or two.”

Looking ahead, Fulgoni also mentioned the nearby Highway 101/Broadway interchange is also slated for a major upgrade.

“There is a new interchange planned at Highway 101 and 135 (Broadway) and there will be some further improvements made to this intersection as a result of that interchange improvement,” said Fulgoni. “This area is the top major infrastructure priority for the city. The 101/135 (Broadway) project is something that we’re working with Caltrans, SB CAG, we’re dedicating Measure A funding and we’re dedicating developer impact fee dollars to it. We’re going to be ready for construction in about 2030.”

While there have been road improvements made, with several more still to come, Hickox also explained other methods have been developed to help boost mobility through the property.

“It’s going to be a little interesting at first,” said Hickox. “I just hope and pray that our customers are patient with us and our neighbors are patient with us as we as we navigate this. This parking lot is a little bit different (from Hickox’ other Chick-fil-A on Betteravia Road). We’ve got signs all over the place and we actually have lots of team members that are going to be working outside that will help direct traffic and direct people around.”

Hickox is hopeful the new restaurant will experience similar customer numbers compared to his other Chick-fil-A at the Enos Ranch Shopping Center.

That restaurant opened in 2018 and averages about 2,000 daily, something Hickox is hopeful at Highway 101/Broadway location.

“It’d be nice if we could get that up here,” said Hickox. “We’re anticipating it to be busy, but we’ll see. 

The new Chick-fil-A will be open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and will offer customers service through dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, catering and its Mobile Thru app. options.

The drive-thru will remain open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.  

“We’re very excited to be here,” said Hickox. “Santa Maria, you’ve been so warm and welcoming to us for the last seven and a half years. We’re just super excited to bring it to the north side of town now and look forward to serving you here!”

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Bowl Season Ends with ZZ Top and a Surprise Guest

KEYT on November 6, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The final show of the Santa Barbara Bowl season ended with classic rockers last night.

Coming in with their famous long beards, ZZ Top wowed the audience with their hits that date back to the 1970’s.

They performed with a colorful set, specially crafted guitars including one with fur on it, and had many sing along songs such as “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin”.

For fans leaving the bowl last night it was a thrilling end to the season.

“The weather was good, the crowd was good. The drinks could be a little cheaper, but all in all a great night,” said musician Maitland Ward.

DJ and Entertainer Scott Topper said, “ZZ Top was the first concert I ever went to in Philadelphia at the spectrum. It’s amazing. The sparkly outfits, the bubbles, the felt guitars. It was was just incredibly awesome.”

Prior to ZZ Top hitting the stage, the opening act was Night Ranger.

And a surprise guest, Chubby Checker came up to sing “The Twist”, a song he debuted in 1960.

The bowl concerts begin again in the spring.

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City of Santa Maria Calling Mural Artists For Transit Center Project

KEYT on November 5, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Attention all artists in Santa Maria!

A new project is accepting submissions.

Its for the Transit Center.

It is part of the city’s Public Art Master Plan.

A large, curved, blank wall at the Santa Maria Transit Center will be a canvas for an upcoming mural project.

“This art will cover a blank canvas that’s really gives a local artist an opportunity to show what Santa Maria is all about through their creative works,” says Dennis Smitherman, the City of Santa Maria’s Recreation Services Manager.

But you don’t need to be a painter or professional artist.

You’ll just need to be able to capture your art in a digital format.

“This is a little bit different,” says Smitherman. “We’re actually looking for digital submissions for a mural so we can put it on vinyl and hang it appropriately on this mural as it is really a curved wall and an interesting shape. So we’re looking to help artists in that aspect.”

City officials are seeking designs that reflect Santa Maria’s rich history and culture of wide-ranging diversity.

“We want to see proposals of all types,” says Gamaliel Anguiano, City of Santa Maria’s Transit Manager. “We have a beautiful, broadly diverse community with many different perspectives. Please bring us those perspectives. Make our job difficult to award this project to at least one artist.”

The selected design will be transferred into a high resolution vinyl overlay and mounted on aluminum panels, to cover this wall.

“The mural is just one of several beautification and enhancement projects we’re doing for our transit center,” says Anguiano. “It is our goal to implement this mural hopefully for the beginning of the New Year.”

All production and installation costs will be covered by the city, including a stipend to the selected artist.

Submissions for the mural will be taken over the next three weeks.

To see all the details about the project, you can visit the City of Santa Maria’s website by clicking here.

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