Author: KEYT

Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Electric vehicle drivers in Santa Barbara now have a new option for fast, public charging.

The City of Santa Barbara unveiled four new 400-kilowatt DC fast chargers at the Eastside Library Wednesday, giving EV drivers the ability to charge their vehicles in approximately 15 minutes.

For drivers juggling work, errands and family responsibilities, the faster charging time could make owning an electric vehicle more convenient.

“I can drop my car, charge it, pick up my kid, walk back, and my car is ready to go,” said Geordie Scully-Taylor, a policy analyst for California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón.

The chargers are Level 3 DC fast chargers, which are significantly faster than Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations.

“These are the fast chargers. So Level 3. And so that can fill up your vehicle in roughly 15 minutes. It’s really quite fast,” said Kristian Hoffland with the City of Santa Barbara’s Energy and Climate Division.

Drivers can start a charging session using a credit card, a mobile app or an RFID card.

Charging costs vary by time of day

The city says the new chargers are also designed to provide a relatively affordable public charging option.

Charging during the middle of the day, when solar electricity is most abundant, currently costs 37 cents per kilowatt hour.

Hoffland said that rate is among the lowest for public chargers in the area.

Expanding access for renters

City officials and environmental advocates say the new chargers could also help make EV ownership more accessible for people who don’t have the ability to charge at home.

More than 60% of Santa Barbara residents are renters, according to the city.

“Over 60% of our city residents are renters, and renters have a very hard time getting access to charging,” Hoffland said.

The Eastside location provides another public charging option for residents who may not have access to a private garage or home charging station.

Project received state funding

The project was funded in part with more than $500,000 in state funding, including money from Senate Bill 1.

The chargers are powered by 100% carbon-free electricity through Santa Barbara Clean Energy.

The new charging stations are now open to the public at the Eastside Library.

Santa Barbara residents can also receive up to $4,000 in rebates when purchasing an electric vehicle, according to the city.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Bishop Diego High School girls volleyball team sweated out a five-set victory over small school rival Laguna Blanca 25-17, 25-23, 18-25, 22-25, 15-12. The Cardinals rallied in the final set to pull out the victory on a hot evening inside the Brick House.

(Karina Urzua led Bishop Diego with 25 kills. Entenza Design).

Lauren Kenny led the Owls attack with 11 kills.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hope School District students are settling into a new school year.

And for some of the district’s youngest students there’s already plenty to look forward to.

From making new friends to learning new things, students shared what they’re most excited about in the year ahead.

“I’m looking for this year to learning long division and hanging out with my friends,” said student Sammy Lopez.

“Reading more chapter books improving on my math skills,” said student Heather Mannion.

“I’m excited for school because I love my teachers,” said student Heaven Desalegn.

“I’m excited for making paper houses,” said student Orion Tane.

Tane is only in kindergarten.

Tuesday marks day four of the year for students at Vieja Elementary School.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Dolly Parton fans made a point of listening and buying her music following news of the her death.

Joe Figueroa put one of her used albums on the turntable at Warbler Records & Goods on Tuesday afternoon.

“I thought it was so sad to hear but I feel like she is an artist that for every generation that gets to enjoy her music finds something pretty special in what she has to say, I feel like so many things she has spoken about and all throughout her life are still relevant to our situation and our times, you know,” said Figueroa, “anyone can here working 9-5 and relate to that one and really so many of her songs she is a real legend and we have all generations that come in here and are always asking for Dolly Parton and will continue to I think.”

At the landmark Salzer’s Records in Ventura, Manager Ricky Madrid noticed a spike in their Dolly Parton sales online following the news of her death.

“Dolly Parton was an amazing icon for young people, too and gays, everybody, I grew up listening to Dolly, grandma always played her records, she is one of my favorites, I miss her already,” said Madrid.

Both record stores decades of recording to choose from.

Parton’s final big Nationwide Pure and Simple Tour stopped at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Sept. 25, 2016, almost exactly a decade ago.

UCSB Classics Professor Helen Morales, Ph.D. saw that concert.

“I last saw her her at the Santa Barbara Bowl and she was wonderful she has such a connection to the audience when she says I will always love you believe her,” said Morales, “There was one moment that really stood out she sang a song called Little Sparrow A cappelo, no instrument of backround and she was pitcher perfect.”

Morales wrote the book entitled, “Pilgrimage to Dollywood; A County Music Road Trip through Tennessee.”

Her phone started ringing when the news broke.

“Suddenly my phone exploded with people being heartbroken and so yes I am very upset but I know that so many people around the world are,” said Morales.

She is a British-American professor of Greek literature who has always been a fan of Dolly Parton.

I hadn’t intended to write the book I studied Homer and things like that, but as I began to read the lyrics of her thousands, thousands of songs that she has written I realized there is a body of work there, and an importance of witnessing people’s lives and changing attitudes to women and of the countryside that rivals the work of Sappho,” said Morales.

Sappho was known as the Poetess known for her prolific lyrical lines of poetry.

Morales wants Dolly Parton’s lyrics to be respected.

“Because she has a backwoods Barbie, fluffy sparkly persona she hadn’t been taken seriously as a lyricists as the male country greats.”

She described her book as a scholarly analysis of Parton’s lyrics and her persona and of Dollywood written with the warmth of a true fan.

Parton’s voice catapulting her to stardom with hits including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Parton owned a small home at 561 Alisal Road in Solvang for about a decade.

During visits she was known to try to keep a low profile.

Her prolific songwriting and generosity also led to hit songs for other artists.

Parton acted in a number of successful films including “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Parton’s philanthropy included scholarships and books.

Her Imagination library donated more than 330 million books to children.

She often teared up talking about how it was inspired by her late father who could not read or write when she was growing up in Tennessee.

Her publicist said she passed away peacefully in Nashville at the age of 80.

“One way to honor her extraordinary legacy is to think about the mantra she has as her Imagination Library that has made such a huge impact.”

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, care more, be more, then you are an excellent leader,” said Parton.

‘Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be More’ became a slogan associated with the library.

“The world will be a better place if we all did that so, thank you Dolly,” said Morales.

Your News Channel will have more on Morales and the passing of the music legend tonight on the news.

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Caleb Nguyen

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) – A vegetation fire is currently burning at about two acres south of Clark Avenue, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The fire broke out just after 3:00 p.m., and reached two acres an hour later, according to the SBCFD.

A car burst into flames around the same time as the vegetation fire, showing black smoke on the right side of the road, according to CalTrans.

The SBCFD, the Santa Maria Fire Department and CAL FIRE SLO are tackling this fire, and the public is advised to avoid the area.

More information on this fire will be provided once available to Your News Channel.

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Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – One person died after their car crashed into a semi-truck on Highway 1 near Lompoc just after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Paramedics pronounced the solo driver in the passenger vehicle dead at the scene and the semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries from the crash at Jalama Road, according to the SBCFD.

Highway 1 is closed in both directions as of 3:30 and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes, according to the SBCFD.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Losing vision can make everyday life increasingly difficult, but a type of specialized care is helping some patients regain abilities they thought were gone.

John Daly spent years watching his eyesight decline. About three years ago, his vision loss became severe enough that he could no longer read, drive or even see what he was writing.

Daly tried several optometrists without finding a solution before eventually coming to Dr. Andrew Bock, a low-vision optometrist serving patients in the Santa Barbara area.

Low-vision care is designed for people whose eyesight cannot be fully corrected through conventional glasses, contact lenses or treatment. The specialty focuses on helping patients make better use of the vision they still have.

“Low vision is not the easiest thing to understand or describe,” Bock said. “It’s where glasses and or contacts don’t allow people to do the things they love to do.”

What that means can vary from patient to patient. Some may need help reading or recognizing faces, while others want to use a computer, watch television or better navigate their surroundings.

Specialized lenses, magnification and electronic devices can be tailored to those individual needs.

For Daly, electronic glasses made a dramatic difference.

“When he put the glasses on me the first time and I was able to read I got all choked up because it was a miracle,” Daly said.

Bock works with patients who may have gone years without being able to perform certain tasks and may not realize low-vision care is an option.

Daly hopes his experience brings more attention to a specialty that often goes unseen.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After a recent massive house fire on the Santa Barbara Eastside, residents are coming together to help the residents who are displaced.

Ten residents including a small child lived in the home.

Flames were shooting out in all directions when Santa Barbara Firefighters arrived but they could not save the structure.  The cause is under investigation.

Hearing of the tragedy some residents nearby mobilized immediately.

“We said we had to do something. We had to help,” said Community Leader Sebastian Aldana. He and his wife went to the house.

“People are coming together in different ways,” said Aldana.

Donations so far have included clothing and personal necessities.     

The people who lost their housing were not all from the same family and are trying to relocate, even temporarily.

One of the residents recalled the morning of the fire and how he was yelling for everyone to get out. “The house is burning,” said Jose Mancillias. “I talked to my roommate ‘standup the house is burning’!” Later that day, people started to come together to help, “they offered us some clothes, shoes and water,” said Mancillias. He said Aldana took him nearby for lunch.

Two neighbors who were riding their bikes nearby Sunday saw a gathering, then went to Trader Joe’s to get five $50-dollar gift cards to donate.

“We were just going to the beach and I said ‘there they are’ so it was a good opportunity to stop. I wanted to figure out a way to help,” said Dana Jennings. “I was really sad, we bike here all the time. We saw kids things in the front yard. It was sad to see how they could lose everything.”

Aldana said, “it is just shows everybody’s heart. It’s beautiful people in this neighborhood.”

Norma Aldana was sorting through clothing and said, “everybody was in shock to tell you the truth. And then everything was rolling in. I am so happy I live here.” A new neighbor to the area at 1001 Montecito St. near the corner of Alisos St. has opened her yard for donations. She was a 2018 mudslide victim and knows about a major loss.

They credit a social media post from community leader Tere Jurado with activating the community.

She says they need gift cards and cash to begin rebuilding their housing security.

Norma Aldana said even with the fire, some of the residents “went to work. The next day they went to work. They are hard workers.”

Tori Horn was one of the residents and says she is amazed at the community support. “She has reached out to me to help me try to find permanent housing or something to rent and clothes. It is very heartfelt.” She has a little girl who lost her belongings and toys.

“The Eastside has really come together,” said Horn.

One neighbor Christy Mahar said, “so far we have a storage unit” they are filling up. ” It’s been amazing with my work colleagues at Apfolio donating funds to help the families directly,” and school parents in the area were all helping along with Ocean Hills church.

Quoting her daughters book she said, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

The Red Cross provided three nights in a hotel. Social Services provided 16 days of housing assistance.

They are getting not only support from the neighborhood, but from Santa Barbara County Social Services and the American Red Cross.

For community members who have gift cards they can be provided in a secure donation with Sebastian Aldana at SBSEBAS@gmail com.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Dignity Health physicians in Santa Maria issued a public health warning, advising California residents about the dangers extreme heat poses to heart health.

Yesterday the Fire Department declared a red flag warning for some inland parts of Santa Barbara County for the rest of the week.

While the fire department focuses on environmental concerns, the health system emphasizes that elevated temperatures create significant physical stress, particularly for older adults and individuals living with cardiovascular disease.

Doctors say when ambient temperatures rise, the human heart must pump harder and faster to help cool the body. 

“Santa Maria is a uniquely positioned city where we are at risk for these late summer heat waves,” says Dr. Kirsten Shaw, a noninvasive cardiologist at Dignity Health’s Coastal Valley Medical Center.

High temperatures can increase heart rate, lower blood volume through dehydration and disrupt electrolyte balance, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses, heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular complications.

“A lot of people underestimate the impact that high heat can have on your body,” says Dr. Shaw. “And oftentimes you can feel pretty well, but still can be having some early signs of negative impacts. Don’t underestimate the heat.”

Physicians say adults age 65 and older face the highest risk during periods of elevated temperatures, along with anyone living with heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or a history of stroke. 

“All of our stations are ALS equipped, so we have a paramedic on every piece of equipment that we have,” says Mike Gray, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. “With that comes all the equipment that a paramedic would carry.”

Additionally, people taking medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers or A.C.E. inhibitors can be vulnerable.

Outdoor workers, athletes and first responders who spend extended time in the heat are also at elevated risk.

“I would just urge people to stay aware of conditions and sign up for alerts at ReadySBC.org,” says Gray.

People are also advised to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, take frequent breaks in shaded areas, consult health care providers about medication effects and check on older family members and neighbors.

Recognizing warning signs is critical for preventing severe health emergencies.

“Don’t wait to start to feel terrible from the heat before you take a break,” says Dr. Shaw. “Take more frequent breaks early and often to really protect yourself and your health.”

Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion, fainting or difficulty breathing may indicate a serious heat-related medical event requiring immediate attention.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The aerial medical transport service known as CALSTAR is rebranding under a new name and at the same time beginning a new emergency blood program.

CALSTAR is well-known on the Central Coast for providing critical helicopter transportation for people who are critically injured or ill and need urgent medical attention.

In a release, CALSTAR said the Santa Maria operation is entering a new chapter under the name REACH Air Medical Services, transitioning from the former brand. REACH is owned by Global Medical Response, Inc., the nation’s largest provider of ground and air emergency medical services.

Flights will now be known as “REACH 38” and will continue to provide emergency medical care to patients in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Kern counties.

On Tuesday, REACH 38 unveiled a new life-saving service that places blood components on each flight, allowing crews to begin blood transfusions on patients before they reach the hospital.

“When a patient is experiencing significant blood loss, time is critical,” Michael Coglianese, REACH clinical educator said in a release. “Blood carries oxygen to the body’s vital organs, and the longer those organs go without adequate oxygen, the greater the risk of irreversible damage. By initiating transfusions at the scene of an emergency, clinicians can begin the same treatment often provided in a hospital emergency department, but 20 to 30 minutes sooner.”

REACH added the new program is done in collaboration through a partnership with Houchin Community Blood Bank, and will help supply and support the blood products carried by REACH 38 crews.

“Houchin Community Blood Bank is honored to expand our partnership with REACH, Houchin Community Blood Bank CEO Jonathan Bautista said in a release. “By providing blood products for their prehospital program, we’re helping ensure patients receive critical care as early as possible. This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to saving lives across the region.”

With the start of the new program, REACH said there is now an updated hangar and operational facility at Santa Maria Airport, which will support aircraft readiness, crew operations, and the ability to maintain 24/7 emergency response capabilities throughout the region.

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