Author: KEYT

Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – November 2nd is celebrated as All Soul’s Day, but festivities are being held all week long to honor Día de Los Muertos.

This time of year is a beloved tradition in Latino communities, bringing together families and friends to celebrate the spirits of those we’ve lost, and cherished the memories we shared with them.

The memories of our lost ones are honored with altars, or ofrendas, traditionally decorated with beautiful photos, flowers (cempasúchil), candles, toys, and Pan de Muerto.

Pan de Muerto – spanish for “bread of the dead” – a sweet Mexican bread enjoyed in the weeks leading up to Día de los Muertos. The living are of course able to enjoy, but so are the dead. The bread is placed on altars to welcome spirits, lured by its sweet, citrus aroma.

Cristino’s Bakery in Goleta has provided Pan de Muerto to the community since opening in 2017. Owner Lorena Casas and her daughter Allyson joined your News Channel to explain the significance of the bread and the holiday, and what it means to carry on the tradition.

“The Pan de Muerto is the most important item for the ofrenda. It’s a way to remember our loved ones that are gone,” said Casas.

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The bread is a circular, bun shape – representing the infinite cycle of life, with strips to symbolize the body of our loved ones who have passed on. It’s orange scent is strong enough to guide spirits home to their families, and is top with either sugar or sesame seeds to represent the tears we shed for those we miss.

“It’s just brings all the memories from my mom, from my dad, from my sister. It’s just like remembering the days when we set out the altar together and it just brings all the most beautiful memories – a way to say ‘you’re still here.'”

The bakery sells the traditional Pan de Muerto, along with different shapes including ‘Mueritos,’ person-shaped Pan de Muerto that can further be used to represent lost loved ones.

Cristino’s Bakery will be selling Pan de Muerto until November 2nd. You can place your order by calling or visiting the bakery at 170 Aero Camino in Goleta.

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Jarrod Zinn

GROVER BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – The City Of Grover Beach is announcing open seats for two Citizen Oversight Committees created by a resolution that was adopted by the City Council last month.

“The council passed a resolution in September and that reformed the single committee we previously had of five members into two separate committees,” says Kristin Eriksson, Grover Beach’s Assistant City Manager.

Applications are open now to fill five seats on the Committee for Transaction & Use Tax Measures, and three seats on the Committee for Revenue Measure K-14.

“That is specifically related to the residential street work that we do in the city,” says Eriksson. “And those funds can only be used for that purpose.”

The Transaction & Use Tax Committee is designed to make sure tax-generated funds are spent transparently and on appropriate projects.

Revenue Measure K-14 was the street improvement bond from 2014 authorizing $48 million to be issued over 25 years for both residential and major street rehabilitation projects.

“We’ve been doing a committee in this form for many years now,” says Eriksson. “It’s just now we have two separate committees. Really, It’s similar information to what was shared with the consolidated committee before just split into two separate reports.”

Applications are available on the City Of Grover Beach’s website.

The deadline to apply is November 21st by 5pm.

Applicants need to be available December 8th at 6 pm for public interviews conducted at city council.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) students looked to the future at a Transfer Fair on campus with representatives of four-year schools Wednesday.

The school had them in various pop-ups around the west campus.  

Most were schools in California including UC’s and Cal State campuses with some as far away as Colorado, New York and Ohio.

This gives the students a chance to learn about the schools without traveling hundreds of miles. Many are going to school on a limited budget and can not afford to travel for campus tours in advance of making a decision.

SBCC has an automatic transfer plan with many schools to assist students in their higher education planning, including UC Santa Barbara nearby.

JennyErika Barco the Santa Barbara City College  SBCC Transfer Center Director said, “this event is really much it gives them the opportunity to do an early exploration of the university. And we do want them to start as early as possible. Making the connection with the university, not just the one that they’re interested in.”

Thomas Field is a student who found the event to be very helpful for his future. “You can kind of ask specific questions. You don’t have time to ask, like out of the states especially. I don’t have time to visit. I’m very busy with school right now, so it’s really convenient for me. “

Barco said, “technically this is a one shot location for students to come and just look around and see what they want to consider for more research.”

One student said she could be close to home or go far away for awhile.

“Yes. Irvine. Because I was born there and then (I could do) study abroad. Semester at sea is really cool. I’m thinking of doing communication there and getting to travel,” said Grace McElroy.

Another student looked to San Diego for school and her personal future.

Jasmyne Vincent said, “I want to settle down there. So hopefully finding a college, my masters and doing all that stuff down there will help.”

Barco said, “you can literally see in the student’s face that they are getting the information that they need and the questions answered. And they’re also being surprised of the answers that they’re getting.”

Everyone attending was given a free Bombazo burrito and a Mr. Softee ice cream.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – A scene began early Wednesday morning on North A street, where protesters have gathered in response to word of ICE agents in the area. 

Your News Channel was on scene where at one point shouting began between protestors and ICE agents. VC Defensa had been live on their Instagram and have been sharing live updates and details. Yellow tape is blocking part of the street and ICE cars are parked outside OASIS real estate and Rescue Mission Alliance.

This is a developing story, we will bring you the latest as it comes in. 

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Two people suffered injuries after a head-on two-car crash near Painted Cave Road on Highway 154 just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The driver of a Tesla suffered moderate injuries in the crash and had two dogs in the car with them, according to the SBCFD.

The driver of a Subaru suffered major injuries in the crash, and both dogs involved did not need medical attention, according to the SBCFD.

Officials closed Highway 154 to just one-way traffic as of 5:37 p.m. Tuesday, according to CHP dispatchers.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gabriel Torres, 21, from Port Hueneme, received a 32-year sentence in state prison for attempted murder, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Torres received his conviction on July 31 this year and the jury also found the special allegation that he personally and intentionally used a firearm during the crime, according to the VCDAO.

Torres drove to the victim’s home in Oxnard on Dec. 23, 2022 before walking into an alley and shooting six rounds, three of which hit him from close range, according to the VCDAO.

Torres then fled the scene, and surveillance footage showed a man matching Torres’ description and a partial license plate, according to the VCDAO.

Oxnard Police conducted an additional investigation, found a car that matched the surveillance video and started a pursuit on New Year’s Eve 2022, according to the VCDAO.

Torres threw a pistol outside his window during the chase, and further forensic analysis confirmed it was the same gun used for the shooting, according to the VCDAO.

The shooting victim spent two weeks in the hospital for his injuries and more investigation of Torres’ cell phone location matched details of his whereabouts on the day of the shooting, according to the VCDAO.

Torres received a conviction for attempted murder and the jury found the following special allegations true:

PC 12022.53(d) – Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury

PC 12022.7(a) – Great bodily injury in commission of felony

CRC 4.421(a)(1) – The crime involved great violence

CRC 4.421(a)(2) – The defendant was armed with and used a weapon

CRC 4.421(b)(1) – The defendant has engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society

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Caleb Nguyen

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Crews evacuated 16 residents at the 7100 block of Davenport in Goleta after a gas leak spread to the area around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

SoCal Gas shut down the gas line just after 3:00 p.m. and evacuations were lifted at that time, according to the SBCFD.

The SBCFD reported no injuries and those seeking more information should contact SoCal Gas on the latest.

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Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County continues to seek additional public input in its ongoing effort to update the Nipomo Community Plan.

Last updated more than 30 years ago in 1994, the Nipomo Community Plan is described by the county as a document that establishes a vision for the future that will guide land use and transportation over the next several years.

This past spring, the county kicked off a year-long project to update the plan, which included a community survey that asked respondents what issues, wants and needs they prioritize as most important.

According to results posted by the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building, more than 1,200 responses were submitted during the survey that lasted between May 3 and June 10.

Survey results showed traffic congestion is the biggest concern currently in the growing community.

Other top concerns are lack of sidewalks and bike lanes, not enough restaurants and shops, lack of community planning and future growth/housing development.

Now, as the planning project enters another phase, the Department of Planning and Building is seeking additional input from the community with a second three minute online survey.

On Monday night, San Luis Obispo County Fourth District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, who represents Nipomo, helped provide the community with an update on the project and the new poll at a regularly scheduled meeting of the South County Advisory Council at the Dana Adobe.

“One of the things on the agenda was to promote Community Plan Update, where our planning staff gave a good update as to where we are, kind of the roadmap,” said Paulding “Last night, we actually, showcased another survey that we’re doing that’s trying to really drill and drill down on the things that the community wants to see in the context of this plan update.”

Questions on the second poll include those involving travel choices, pedestrian connectivity, transportation flow and community services.

One of the specific questions asked states, The typical approach of collecting fees from new development in Nipomo could take over 60 years to raise enough money to help pay for a new Highway 101 junction at Southland Street. Do you think it’s important to build this new junction, even if it takes a long time to raise the money for it? Yes or No?

A follow up question respondents are asked is, If a yearly fee or tax for Nipomo property owners is proposed for a new Highway 101 junction at Southland Street🛣️, would you support: (select one of the following): Higher yearly fee or tax and shorter timeframe to build the junction; Lower yearly fee or tax and longer timeframe to build the junction; Neither, I don’t think a new Highway 101 junction is important for Nipomo.

Looking ahead,

“Right now where we are in the process, we’ve done a lot of community engagement,” said Paulding. “We’re going to have our consultants prepare a draft Public Facilities and Infrastructure Financing Plan, and this second survey, we’re really help inform that plan and the consultants work. The plan will then come back to the community and in more community meetings, and then to the Board of Supervisors for review and approval.”

Paulding indicated the plan will likely be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors sometime early next year in the spring 2026.

“This comes before the Board of Supervisors,” said Paulding. “Then we’ll have some really important policy discussions as to what funding mechanisms that we want to utilize to focus on the projects that the community has identified as a priority.”

For more information about the ongoing Nipomo Community Plan or to find the online survey, click here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. (KEYT) – You won’t see a worried look on the faces of many Central Coast winemakers as they are well into their 2025 harvest and seeing a very good yield.

Many were talking about the global shift in the demand for wine recently trending down from the past, but they are still actively going after their vines and say cycles are traditional in this business.

Owner of Andrew Murray Vineyards, Andrew Murray said at the mid-October Santa Barbara County Vintners Festival, “we’ve got so much fruit ripe. We’ve got 60 percent of our fruit coming in in the next week.”

Despite mixed reviews from other regions or talk of a glut of grapes he says, “we’re growing. I don’t buy into the negativity. We bought a new brand, old brand, Qupe last year and it is up, up, up. I see blue skies,” he said.

Steve Clifton the winemaker at Vega Vineyards said, it is the “longest, mildest, coolest summer we have had since 2010 and all the way back to 2005.”  

He also notes, what ever the weather or demand, the region can pivot. After three decades of experience, Clifton says, “Santa Barbara County has the most diverse wines in one place in the world.”

At festivals and other events he knows there are new wine fans of this region coming in all the time. “It is a beverage that should make every meal better and make every conversation better.”

Even with the consumers looking at different beverage options Clifton says, “Santa Barbara has the most diverse number of wines produced in one place in the world   I mean that sincerely. There’s no other place in such a small proximity that you can grow  so many things them all really, really well.”

Ryan Carr, the owner of Carr Winery has been producing wine in Lompoc and Santa Barbara for years, including in the popular Funk Zone in its early stages. He agrees, there are many dynamics that go into creating the wines from this region. “It’s got such an amazing array of soils and microclimates, it allows us make so many different varietals small area.” He was working on Italian varietals at the time inside his production building and tasting room in downtown.

He says, “Santa Barbara County has a strong foot hold and isn’t going anywhere  and it is making some of the  best wine in the world.”

The region and its winemakers have received many honors for its wine from prestigious publications to regional tasting competitions.

The wine industry has many economic benefits that aren’t always realized during a weekend visit to a tasting room. That includes the boost to the overall economy in hotel stays, restaurant visits, entertainment events, transportation companies and thousands of jobs from the fields to resort properties.

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Jarrod Zinn

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – The cities of Buellton and Solvang are engaging in a friendly rivalry to raise money for the proposed Santa Ynez Valley Aquatic Complex.

The pool at Santa Ynez Valley High School has been closed to the public for years due to its age, but now Solvang and Buellton are making a big splash in changing that.

“The pool was built in 1965 with Community fund raising by Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation,” says Kyle Abello, spokesman for the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Foundation. “It had only been opened in the summers to the public, but now since 2020, it’s been it’s been closed to the public and just used for school events.”

In a $13.7 million campaign to build a two-pool complex, Buellton has just matched Solvang’s $450,000 commitment from June with their own $450 thousand, which was announced at its council meeting on Thursday.

“As Buellton continues to want to lead the way with investment in youth programing, which has been something every community member has said, whether you live in Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, anywhere in the valley, we need more children activities,” says Buellton’s mayor David Silva.

Along with $250,000 from the county, this brings the total funds raised for the complex to $4.5 million.

“We are just so appreciative of Mayor Silva and the Buellton City Council for their support,” says Abello.

Additionally, Buellton mayor David Silva is ratcheting up the friendly competition with their neighbor Solvang, “throwing down the gauntlet” for an additional $50,000 match.

“Solvang, we really hope you’ll meet that $50,000 challenge,” says mayor Silva. “So let’s go ahead and get that going and let’s show the people that we’re going to make this pool happen.”

If the complex continues to gain momentum, private donors may help fill the remaining gaps in funding.

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