Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA — Two towering housing projects proposed mere steps from the iconic Old Mission Santa Barbara have sparked a fierce preservation showdown, pitting urgent housing needs against historic and environmental safeguards.

“There’s no question that the proposal would lead to significant traffic and safety impacts in the case of a fire or an earthquake. It’s already jampacked,” said resident Lanny Ebenstein.

Leading the charge is SAGE (Sustainable Architecture for the Greater Environment), a new coalition fighting to protect the area’s heritage.

The plans: an eight-story, 270-unit complex directly behind the Mission and a multi-story tower on Grand Avenue in a high fire zone.

“It’s the fire area zone that’s over the entire hazardous state hill … and the concern is not only the fire but the evacuation of getting 400 automobiles out of that site,” said SAGE architect Fred Sweeney, pointing to a map.

Developers are using Builder’s Remedy to bypass zoning.

The city must process applications despite opposition.

While the application is complete, it conflicts with local rules and is under review for fire and safety risks.“Of course it’s one of our most important architectural resources … Mission Canyon and Foothill could clog fast in an emergency. That’s a problem,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse.

A Sacramento cleanup bill is now raising questions about environmental exemptions.

“We must consider endangered species, tribal consultation when skipping CEQA,” said Sen. Monique Limón, who added that lawmakers are pushing for closer scrutiny of exempt projects.

SAGE insists it supports housing—just not here.

Over 400 neighbors have demanded full impact reports.

“We all back affordable housing,” said SAGE attorney Marc Chytilo. “But Builder’s Remedy lets this skirt laws protecting Santa Barbara’s safety.”

Old Mission leaders warn the towers could destroy the site’s iconic views.

“It really doesn’t have any architectural fit and could tower over the Mission,” said Father Joe Schwab.

“To propose something that would affect an historic site and its views is really remarkable that that would just be ignored.”

Both projects face public hearings soon.

City leaders warn the outcome could reshape California’s housing future.

Developers did not respond to requests for comment.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced the star-studded lineup they have in store for the 2026 Virtuosos Award.

Actors Jacob Elordi, Chase Infiniti, Amy Madigan, Wagner Moura, Renate Reinsve, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor and Jeremy Allen White will receive their Virtuosos Award at the 41st annual film festival in February.

The award recognizes a group of talent whose “exceptional work in films this year has placed them at the center of the conversation around noteworthy cinematic performances.”

The recipients will be honored for their performances in the following films:

Jacob Elordi – FRANKENSTEIN

Chase Infiniti – ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

Amy Madigan – WEAPONS

Wagner Moura – THE SECRET AGENT

Renate Reinsve – SENTIMENTAL VALUE

Sydney Sweeney – CHRISTY

Teyana Taylor – ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

Jeremy Allen White – SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE

The actors are scheduled to receive their award in-person on Sunday, February 8th during an evening moderated by by Dave Karger, Turner Classic Movies host.

“This year’s group of Virtuosos are as impressive as they are eclectic. We’ve got three international actors, two megastars from acclaimed television series, two breakouts from the latest Paul Thomas Anderson film, and even one veteran performer who earned an Oscar nomination 40 years ago. I can’t wait to return to Santa Barbara for my 16th year and chat with them all,” said Karger.

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place from February 4th – 14th, 2026.

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Michael Yu

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – SB Humane is back with Your Morning News with Maya, an 8-year old Husky!

Maya was surrendered to Humane after the owner moved and could not afford to take her along.

Maya is house trained and affectionate. Fun fact, she also runs the front desk at the campus! She greets visitors, and goes to lunches with staff. She was also recently in a pet parade.

Santa Barbara Humane was also just named the Best Place to Adopt a Pet for the fourth consecutive year!

Two local Pilates classes will benefit SB Humane as well on November 7th at Pilates & Or in Santa Barbara.

On November 16th, the Santa Maria campus is hosting a Car Show & Donation Drive. Adoptions will be 50% off that day as well.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals: Long Beach Poly 3, San Marcos 0

Royals lose on the road 17-25, 26-28, 11-25. San Marcos expects to play in CIF State Tournament in November.

CIF-SS Division 4 quarterfinals: Ventura 3, Paloma Valley; Oak Park 3, Linfield Christian 1

Ventura hosts Oak Park in semifinals on Saturday 6pm.

CIF-SS Division 5 quarterfinls: Santa Barbara 3, Gahr 0

Blake Saunders had 16 kills. Dons are at Ontario Christian on Saturday in semifinals at 6pm.

CIF-SS Division 7 quarterfinals: Cate 3, Santa Fe 2

Oyin Opawumi had 29 kills and 15 digs. Cate plays at CAMS on Saturday 6pm in semifinals

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – The Dons made short work of the Gahr Gladiators as Santa Barbara completes a sweep in a CIF-Southern Section Division 5 quarterfinal match in girls volleyball.

The Dons cruised 25-11, 25-20, 25-20 to advance to Saturday’s semifinal match at Ontario Christian.

Junior Blake Saunders led the way with 16 kills and 4 aces while Lola Heckman added 7 kills.

(Sophomore Jules Horton filled up the stat sheet with 24 assists, 5 digs, 3 aces and 2 kills. Entenza Design).

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Mike Klan

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT). – Cate High School was not ready to end their girls volleyball season.

They kept rallying all match long as they pulled out a five-set thriller to beat Santa Fe in a CIF-Southern Section Division 7 quarterfinal up on the hill in Carpinteria.

Rams star Oyin Opawumi had a monster match with 29 kills and 15 digs as Cate won 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-19 and 18-16.

In each set they won the Rams had to erase a deficit along the way.

Besides Opawumi, Cate got 13 kills from Cassidy Rose and Emerson Evans added 7.

Cate will play on the road in Carson on Saturday when they meet the California Academy of Math and Science in the semifinals.

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Andrew Gillies

WASHINGTON D.C. (KEYT) – On Wednesday, nine Senators wrote a letter condemning the appointment of former ‘Stop the Steal’ attorney Kurt Olsen to investigate the 2020 election and warned that the White House may use the investigation to declare a national emergency and make sweeping changes to elections nationwide.

The letter, signed by California’s Senators and seven other members of the upper chamber, was addressed directly to the White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles and White House Counsel David Warrington.

“While the 2020 election was nearly five years ago, Mr. Olsen’s appointment appears to be part of a scheme to convince the President to attempt a national emergency declaration to illegally claim unconstitutional federal powers over state and local election administration,” opened Wednesday’s letter from legislators. “Any such declaration would quickly fail to withstand legal scrutiny, but it would still represent a completely unacceptable attempt to undermine the U.S. Constitution and free and fair elections in this country.”

The letter asks that the White House legal officials ensure the investigation does not violate legal and ethical standards nor undermine future elections nationwide.

Olsen played a prominent role in attempts to stop the certification of results of the 2020 election in four battleground states and, according to reporting by The New York Times, recently encouraged the President to make public claims and legal demands for voting machine data from Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

The Senators noted in Wednesday’s letter that The New York Times also reported that Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity at the Department of Homeland Security Heather Honey pushed for the Trump Administration to declare a national emergency to exercise, “some additional powers that don’t exist right now” to take, “these other steps without Congress and we can mandate that states do things and so on”.

Article I Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution assigns the authority to determine the times, places, and manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives to respective state legislatures while empowering the federal legislature to pass laws that may alter those regulations.

The Office of President of the United States is not mentioned in the clause.

Olsen has also made claims that voting machines were not properly secured during the 2020 election and media outlets that repeated similar claims have had to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to settle defamation claims detailed Wednesday’s letter.

“The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history,” read a joint statement from federal elections security groups and private organizations focused on elections security on Nov. 12, 2020. “All of the states with close results in the 2020 presidential race have paper records of each vote, allowing the ability to go back and count each ballot if necessary. This is an added benefit for security and resilience. This process allows for the identification and correction of any mistakes or errors. There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.”

The Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Christopher Krebs during President Trump’s first term and signatory of the above joint statement regarding the 2020 Election, was fired days after the statement was issued.

“Chris Krebs did a really good job, as state election officials all across the nation will tell you, and he obviously should not be fired,” stated Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska in November of 2020.

In March, the Trump Administration issued Executive Order 14248-Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections which, among other changes to voting, ordered the Election Assistance Commission to, “rescind all previous certifications of voting equipment based on prior standards.”

Earlier this month, Senator Padilla joined Senator Gary Peters in filing an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit aiming to halt the Trump Administration’s demands for state voting information to create a national database that can be used by state’s to purge voters while also explicitly tying election security funding to compliance with the demands.

Last week, the Department of Justice announced that it was sending election monitors to five counties in California to observe voting during the 2025 Special Election that features a single item, Proposition 50, which could have significant impact on federal representation in the next election cycle.

“This [Department of Justice election observation] initiative is aimed at promoting transparency and an open flow of communication between poll observers and election monitors to ensure that elections proceed with a high degree of security,” argued the Department of Justice while announcing the election observers on Oct. 24. “From now and up to Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws.”

The announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice shared that requests for election monitoring in a particular jurisdiction can be sent to VEM@usdoj.gov for review.

Voting in the 2025 California Special Election is already underway and some local counties asked that voters send their mailed ballots as soon as possible to ensure they are counted while other counties have set up Voting Centers that provide expansive assistance to voters looking to properly cast their ballots.

“[A]ny attempt to declare a national emergency to interfere in state and local election administration would be illegal and unconstitutional,” concluded Wednesday’s letter. “While we are confident any such scheme would fail quickly in the face of judicial scrutiny, it still poses unacceptable risks of undermining future elections in this country.”

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John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of the more creative Halloween events on the South Coast is ready for visitors Thursday and Friday.

Volunteers have unloaded 1,500 pumpkins in Isla Vista at Anisq’Oyo Park to create the 5th annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch, but it will be more than just a field of pumpkins.

Isla Vista Recreation and Parks (IVRP) General Manager Kimberly Kiefer says, “It’s about creating an immersive experience that the community can participate in no matter what the age. It’s a multi-generational event. It’s a good time for all and really it’s about, showing what public space can do when you have an outdoor public space in a park.”

She says it is a blend of activities “and you create it into a space where people want to come out and have fun and meet each other and connect, you know, anything’s possible and I think that’s what this event does.”

A nighttime theatrical-style journey is being created in different areas in a family friendly event for all ages.

It will include many art and entertainment areas including character actors, a black light experience, a silent disco, an interactive experience and a costume contest. The first prize in that event is $750. This event is night two, Oct. 31 and hosted by Emmce Vivian Storm and Thriftopia. (Pre register with the IVRPD and the contest is limited to 50 entries.)

Night One will feature cirque-style “Jack and Sally” performances by Wildfire Arts Entertainment and pop-up flash mob by World Dance for Humanity.

The disco is sponsored by UCSB’s Associated Students Program Board, with dueling DJs in the park’s Cool Corner near Embarcadero Hall.

This year’s pumpkin patch challenges visitors to discover hidden clues about a legendary garden grove whose ancient magic is crucial to ensuring the park’s future. The IVRPD says, live costumed actors like the Werewolf from New York and the Oracle will enlist the help of the pumpkin bumpkins to rally together in an adventurous storyline filled with plot twists.

The Pumpkin Patch event will be open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at no cost. Each night Oct. 30 and 31, will have a special events unique for that evening. Everyone attending can take one of the pumpkins with them on the way out.

Many partners unite

IVRPD is partnering with Environment Makers, Branches Mobile Gallery, and Fishbon to create the theatrical character experience. Security is provided by the Guardian Team. Sponsors include the Isla Vista Community Relations Committee, The Farmacy, and Associated Students Program Board.

The event is part of a coordinated safe Halloween event with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Isla Vista Foot Patrol and the Office of the Second District Supervisor Laura Capps.

Transportation options

IVRPD encourages guests to attend the Halloween Pumpkin Patch by bicycle, skateboard, foot, bus—direct routes to the park include Santa Barbara MTD Lines 11, 15x, 25x, and 27—or by other means of alternative transportation. Guests may request ADA accommodations by emailing ivrpd@ivparks.org or by calling (805) 968-2017.

Dia de Los Muertos coming up

A separate Día de Los Muertos event will be held on Saturday, November 1st from 12pm-3pm at the St. George Youth Center at 889 Camino Del Sur in Isla Vista. Special cultural Folklorico performances, ceramic skull painting and traditional Mariachi music and food from Super Cucas from Isla Vista and Loteria will be a part of this event. Traditional alters will be featured and community members are encouraged to bring photos of their loved ones to add into the community alter that will be up until Tuesday, November 3rd.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Three well-known Santa Maria car dealerships are once again providing support to the annual News Channel 12 Turkey Drive.

Honda of Santa Maria, Toyota of Santa Maria, and Kia of Santa Maria just started a nearly three-week long food drive that will directly benefit clients at Good Samaritan Shelter in Northern Santa Barbara County.

“We’ve been this for the last several years and it’s great,” said Shane Conway, Santa Maria Honda General Manager. “We get great turnout. It’s helping people that need it and when we get an opportunity to do that, we want to jump on that.”

To participate, people can simply take canned goods and non-perishable food to any one of the three dealerships during business hours starting today through Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Each of the dealerships will have a designated vehicle parked inside its showroom where the public can leave their donations in the trunk or bed.

“Anything the public can bring will be super helpful,” said Carl Sainz, Santa Maria Toyota Sales Manager. “You can just stop in and say hi. We see a lot of regulars that come in that regularly donate, so we’d like to see some new faces get involved.”

All of the donations will later be delivered directly to Good Samaritan Shelter during the last day of the Turkey Drive when New Channels hosts its main collection site at its Santa Maria station located at 1211 W. McCoy Lane.

“Thanksgiving is certainly a happy time of year,” said Sainz. “For some families, they need a lot of help in order to make that happen, so just being able to provide that platform for the families in Santa Maria is just great.”

The annual News Channel Turkey Drive benefits SLO Food Bank clients in San Luis Obispo County and those with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Barbara County.

Donations collected in San Luis Obispo County will directly assist SLO Food Bank Clients, while those collected in Santa Barbara County will directly benefit Good Samaritan clients, as well as other local non-profit organizations.

For more information about the News Channel 12 Turkey Drive, or to donate, click here.

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Alissa Orozco

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information from the Department of Justice regarding the arrests of the defendants mentioned below.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KEYT) – Announced in a press release by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday morning, a total of 12 individuals have been federally charged with “engaging in violence and civil disorder against law enforcement officers and property during immigration enforcement actions in Southern California earlier this year,” including Isai Carrillo of Oxnard.

The press release, issued by Acting United States Attorney Bilal A. Essayli representing Central District of California, details the arrests of several defendants federally charged in three criminal complaints across South California.

United States v. Reyes, et al.

Two Oxnard residents, Virginia Reyes and Isai Carrillo, are both being charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer during a July 10th federal raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo. The DOJ claims the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) executed several search warrants at the farm locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria when members of VC Defensa began to “follow, chase, agitate, and impede federal agents enforcing immigration laws.”

Reyes is accused of participating in a creating a roadblock preventing agents from entering and exiting Glass House Farms, while the DOJ says Carrillo and other threw rocks at government vehicles.

“During the incident, at least four government vehicles were damaged and at least one federal contract employee sustained injuries.”

31-year-old Carrillo was arrested Wednesday and made an appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. 32-year-old Reyes turned herself into federal authorities Wednesday and is currently made her initial appearance in court Thursday, October 30th in Los Angeles.

Isai Carrillo was released on a $10,000 bond, is being location monitored by ankle bracelet. He is set to be arraigned on November 25th in downtown Los Angeles.

Their charges, conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, is a felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

Your News Channel reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment and additional information regarding Carrillo’s arrest, and received this response:

“On October 29, Homeland Security Investigations arrested Isai Carrillo who was caught on tape throwing rocks at law enforcement during an operation at Glass House Farms. This violent rioter arrested by HSI was part of an agitator group called VC Defensa – a rapid response network that regularly impedes and obstructs law enforcement. The operation these violent rioters tried to obstruct resulted in law enforcement rescuing 10 migrant children from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking.”

United States v. Coreas, et al.

Nine individuals are being charged with obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder following a event in in downtown Los Angeles’ Civic Center on June 8th.

The DOJ says federal agents began enforcing immigration enforcement operations throughout the Los Angeles area on June 6th when mass protests erupted. Thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles on June 8th to protests where, according to the DOJ, “some protesters engaged in violence against officers – resulting in some injuries to the officers.” Federal buildings, property, and government vehicles were vandalized.

Protesters walked onto U.S. Highway 101, blocking traffic. CHP officers managed to get protesters off the freeways.

“As the CHP officers stood on the freeway, crowds gathered on the overpasses. At some point thereafter, individual protesters began throwing rocks, electric scooters, street signs, and various other objects at the CHP officers below. At one point, a protester poured a clear yellow liquid onto a CHP car that was ablaze, after which the flames immediately grew in size.”

Ronald Alexis Coreas, 23, of the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles; (ordered released on $5,000 bond; arraignment: December 1)

Junior Roldan, 27, of Hollywood; (ordered released on $10,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

Elmore Sylvester Cage, 34, of Downtown Los Angeles; (ordered released on $10,000 bond; arraignment: November 14)

Balto Montion, 24, of Watsonville; (remains in state custody and is expected to be transferred to federal custody in the coming weeks)

Jesus Gonzalez Hernandez Jr., 22, of Las Vegas

Hector Daniel Ramos, 66, of Alhambra; (ordered released on $20,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

Stefano Deong Green, 34, of Westmont; (ordered released on $1,000 bond; arraignment: November 14)

Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights; (detention hearing on Friday, October 31; arraignment: November 14)

Ismael Vega, 41, of Westlake (ordered released on $5,000 bond; arraignment: November 25)

The defendants listed above are said by the DOJ of being filmed or photographed throwing rocks and other objects at officers and the patrol cars.

Coreas, Roldan, Cage, Ramos, Green, Flores, and Vega made their appearances Wednesday afternoon in U.S District Court in Los Angeles. Hernandez was also arrested Wednesday and will have his day in Las Vegas. Montion is in state custody and is expected to be handed over to authorities in the coming weeks.

The defendants’ charges: obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, is felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison.

United States v. Canil

A 22-year-old Boyle Heights man, Yovany Marcario Canil, was arrested Tuesday by federal authorities and charged with assault on a federal officer – carrying a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

Canil reportedly pepper-sprayed inside a federal vehicle with three FBI SWAT members inside during a protest gathered outside of an Ambiance Apparel warehouse in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles on June 6th. According to the DOJ, at least two members of FBI SWAT were left with a burning sensation “as their faces turned orange.”

Canil is appeared in United States District Court in Los Angeles Wednesday.

Yovany Marcario Canil was ordered to remain jailed without bond, and has an arraignment date of November 14th.

Assistant United States Attorney Patrick D. Kibbe of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting the Reyes case. Assistant United States Attorneys Neil P. Thakor and Rahul R.A. Hari of the General Crimes Section and Jenna Long of the National Security Division are prosecuting the Coreas case. The General Crimes Section is prosecuting the Canil case.

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