Crews help injured rock climber near Gibraltar Rock Sunday afternoon

KEYT on April 21, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Fire crews helped an injured rock climber off Gibraltar Road and east of Gibraltar Rock just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the 20-year-old woman fell while climbing and was airlifted to Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries from the fall.

First responders on the ground and in the air were dispatched to the call that came in at 4:57 p.m. Sunday detailed the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The featured image of this article shows the general location of the fall as the red marker.

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Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara celebrates Easter at Sunken Gardens attracting Hundreds of People

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It was a bright day to celebrate Easter at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens.

“Remember when the angels showed up to who? The shepherds,” said Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, Tommy Schneider as he gave the Easter message.

Hundreds of people gathered for Sunday church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ – a holiday traditionally celebrated by Christians.

“I feel like every year it keeps growing. I definitely feel like something just hit me today and it’s going to make me continue going to church,” said church attendee Sergio Morales.

The service began with worship and a message before prayer took place and ended with more worship.

“You can feel what God is all about, you can feel the presence of God that’s what I just want to share with you,” said Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara staff member, Mario.

People were full of joy as the celebrated with family and friends, Happy Easter to all who celebrate.

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Gauchos upset #3 Hawai’i on Senior Night

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 18 UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball team (12-15, 3-7 Big West) celebrated Senior Night on Saturday with an upset sweep of No. 3 Hawai’i (24-5, 7-3 Big West). All active seniors were in the Gauchos starting lineup, playing their hearts out to a 25-22, 25-22, 27-25 instant classic night in the Thunderdome.

Geste Bianchi was undoubtedly the best player in the gym, earning a match-high 21 kills—hitting .450—six digs, and walking it off with an ace. It will be a night Bianchi, Owen Birg, Jack Walmer, Ben Coordt, Max Gordon, Sam Meister, and Patrick Kane will remember for a long, long time.

FROM HEAD COACH RICK MCLAUGHLIN”Very fun to watch our great senior Gauchos get a huge win in their last home match,” McLaughlin said. “They are so deserving. I’m very proud of that group.”

HOW IT HAPPENEDBefore the match, McLaughlin figured all six active seniors were deserving a full runway of playing time. Bianchi, Walmer, and Meister entered the starting lineup, while Birg, Coordt, and Gordon retained their spots from the night prior. They all played pretty much the entirety of the match. It worked, like a charm.

The veteran Gauchos started out hot to a 6-2 lead, but a 6-1 Hawai’i run to follow stopped the momentum. Down 9-8, Meister earned a kill before serving two aces in three points to give Santa Barbara the lead back—12-9. This time, they maintained it, as Coordt’s ace gave them a 20-15 advantage; up to that point, the Gauchos were hitting .500 without an attack error. The great Hawai’i squad would shrink their deficit to two, but kills from Bianchi and Meister clinched the opening set 25-22.

The Gauchos’ passionate and inspiring performance continued in the second set. Ben Pearson—the only non-senior starter for the Gauchos—earned his fifth kill to give Santa Barbara a 15-11 lead. The Gauchos had a perfect 100 percent sideout percentage into the media timeout. The Rainbow Warriors would turn it on, though, winning four out of five points to make it 20-19 Santa Barbara. A kill from Coordt prevented the visitors from tying it, and Bianchi’s 14th of the match made it set point. A Hawai’i attack error gave the Gauchos set two—25-22—and in turn, a two-set advantage. Santa Barbara hit .452 (16-2-31) in the set.

At 11-9 Hawai’i in the third, Walmer had 29 assists already in the match but smartly decided to get in on the action, dumping for his first and only kill. Tied at 13, Pearson got a favorable roll off the tape to give the Gauchos the lead with an ace. Shortly after, Meister elevated for a huge solo block before his kill tied things at 18-all. With Coordt serving the ensuing point, McLaughlin subbed 6-foot-10 freshman George Bruening into the game to get some more height at the net, the Gauchos now without a setter on the floor. Poetically, a Hawai’i overpass fell right to Bruening, and Santa Barbara was now up 19-18. The teams traded points until another freshman sub, Ethan Saint, entered to serve with the score tied 23-23. He threaded an ace perfectly down the line, and suddenly it was match point Gauchos. Hawai’i countered with two points, meaning it was now set point Rainbow Warriors, but Bianchi went off the block for a kill to extend the set, now 25-25. His 21st and final kill of the night brought match point number two, setting him up for a moment of magic at the service line. His powerful left-handed serve split the Hawai’i back row, clinching the match as the entire Gauchos bench ran onto the floor to celebrate the sweep.

BY THE NUMBERSGeste Bianchi’s dominant night was his 31st career match with double-digit kills. His six digs also led the team, with senior libero Max Gordon tallying five.Senior setter Jack Walmer was phenomenal, dishing 38 assists—good for nearly 13 per set—and facilitating the team’s .364 hitting percentage on the night. Speaking of senior leadership, it felt like Ben Coordt’s seven kills, three digs, block, and ace all came in a big moment.Middle blockers Owen Birg and Sam Meister tied for a team-leading three total blocks. Two of Meister’s were solos, and he also had seven kills on 13 swings.An electric Senior Night for the Gauchos, it was also a somewhat historic one. With the win, they snapped a 20-match losing streak to the Rainbow Warriors and achieved their first win over a top-five team this season.

UP NEXTWith the Gauchos win and UC San Diego and CSUN losses, all three teams finished tied for fourth in the Big West standings. By tiebreaker, the Gauchos will be the five seed for next week’s Big West Championship, facing four-seed UC San Diego. Taking place in Hawai’i’s Stan Sheriff Center, the first round matchup is set for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. (PT). Fans not making the trip to Honolulu can watch the match on ESPN+ and follow along via live stats at ucsbgauchos.com/MVBLiveStats.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics).

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CAL Fire SLO conducting prescribed burn next week

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. – CAL Fire SLO officials announced a prescribed burn of 25 acres starting next week between April 21 and April 24 at 10:00 a.m. as part of wildfire prevention.

The vegetation burn will be conducted on private property about 20 minutes east of Santa Margarita, near the intersection of Las Pilitas and Parkhill roads, according to CAL Fire SLO.

Those near these areas during the proposed times are advised to visit the SLO ACPD website for the latest on both air conditions and burn sites.

Oxnard man arrested for firearm possession Saturday night

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

OXNARD, Calif. – Oxnard police arrested a 41-year-old man on multiple firearm violations at a traffic stop just after 9:00 p.m. Saturday.

The man rode an electric scooter and OPD officers found a loaded gun in his waistband at Hemlock and Dunsmuir Street.

Those with information on similar incidents are encouraged to contact the OPD.

“The Cottage” fills Santa Paula Theater Center with laughter

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Tracy Lehr

SANTA PAULA, Calif. – The Cottage is getting rave reviews.

The sexy comedy by Sandy Rustin is now playing at the Santa Paula Theater Center.

It is a British tale about couples, lovers, and others that offers endless laughs from start to finish.

The play opened on Broadway two summers ago and is considered a modern take on a Noël Coward comedy.

The show, directed by Kimberly Demmary, stars Dawn Michelle, Emily Redman Hall, Hillary Rushing, Stan McConnell, Alphonse Phillipe Mouzon, and Anthony Elias Contreras.

All of them have long stage resumes.    

The Cottage runs through May 11, 2025.

The non-profit community theater is located at 125 South 7th Street in Santa Paula, just a short walk from local restaurants

For ticket and donation information visit https:/santapaulathreatercenterorg or https://vi.ovastiontix.com

UCSB sweeps Cal Poly in men’s and women’s tennis

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Gauchos brought out the brooms for rival Cal Poly.

Both the UCSB men and women’s tennis teams defeated the Mustangs by identical 4-0 scores.

UCSB Women Recap:

The No. 33 UC Santa Barbara Women’s Tennis team secured the Big West Regular-Season title in full on Saturday afternoon at the Arnhold Tennis Center. The Gauchos battled for a 4-0 sweep to defeat the Mustangs, earning the No. 1 seed in The Big West Championships.

THE MATCHFinal: No. 33 UC Santa Barbara 4, No. 51 Cal Poly 0Records: No. 33 UC Santa Barbara (14-8, 9-0 Big West), No. 51 Cal Poly (18-4, 7-2 Big West)

HOW IT HAPPENEDThe Gauchos got a strong start in doubles with all three courts taking an early lead. On court two, Lucy Lu and Lily Pradkin fought off a Mustang comeback to earn a 6-4 win. Court three followed with Marie Weissheim and Raphaelle Leroux defeating Cal Poly in similar 6-4 fashion to clinch the first point for the Gauchos.

The Blue and Gold kicked off singles with two more quick points. On court four, Raphaelle Leroux took an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory. Amelia Honer followed with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win on her senior day. Continuing the senior day success, Tyra Richardson answered the call for the Gauchos’ fourth and final point. She went game-for-game on court three in the second set to come away with a 6-3, 7-5 win, securing the sweep for the Gauchos.

Three Gauchos were in third set battles that were left unfinished as Santa Barbara clinched the win. Marie Weissheim was tied 2-2 in the third set after Cal Poly battled back in the second. Ali Benedetto forced a third set on court five where she trailed 3-2. On court six, Katarina Vayser started strong with a 6-4 first set but was behind 4-3 in the third when the match was left unfinished.

RESULTSDoubles

Amelia Honer/Ali Benedetto (UCSB-W) vs. Romane Mosse/Kennedy Buntrock (CP) 5-5, unfinished

Lucy Lu/Lily Pradkin (UCSB-W) def. Peyton Dunkle/Amy Leather (CP) 6-4

Anna Weissheim/Raphaelle Leroux (UCSB-W) def. Jessica MacCallum/Natalie Lynch (CP) 6-4

Order of finish: 2,3

Singles

#12 Amelia Honer (UCSB-W) def. Kennedy Buntrock (CP) 6-3, 6-3

Anna Weissheim (UCSB-W) vs. Peyton Dunkle (CP) 6-4, 4-6, 2-2, unfinished

Tyra Richardson (UCSB-W) def. Romane Mosse (CP) 6-3, 7-5

Raphaelle Leroux (UCSB-W) def. Alexandra Ozerets (CP) 6-1, 6-2

Ali Benedetto (UCSB-W) vs. Jessica MacCallum (CP) 3-6, 6-3, 2-3, unfinished

Katarina Vayser (UCSB-W) vs. Natalie Lynch (CP) 6-4, 1-6, 3-4, unfinished

Order of finish: 4,1,3

UP NEXTAs the No. 1 seed in The Big West Championships, the Gauchos will have a week to prepare for their semifinal match on Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego.

UCSB Men Recap:

The No. 34 UC Santa Barbara Men’s Tennis team secured the Regular Season Conference Championship and the No. 1 seed in The Big West Championships with a 4-0 win over Cal Poly on Saturday afternoon at the Arnhold Tennis Center.

THE MATCHFinal: No. 34 UC Santa Barbara 4, Cal Poly 0Records: No. 34 UC Santa Barbara (17-3, 6-0 Big West), Cal Poly (8-14, 2-4 Big West)

HOW IT HAPPENEDThe Gauchos got on the board early with quick success in doubles. Lucca Liu and Diogo Morais took a swift 6-1 victory on court two. Gianluca Brunkow, on his senior day, took a dominant 6-2 win with Dominique Rolland on court one to clinch the doubles point.

In singles, Lucca Liu continued the Gauchos’ success with a 6-4, 6-1 win. Dominique Rolland would pull Santa Barbara within one point of the win with a straight-set win of his own, 6-2, 6-3. Shortly thereafter, the sweep would be complete as Diogo Morais got the fourth point with a 6-4, 6-4 performance.

There were three courts left unfinished as the Blue and Gold took the win. On court one, Gianluca Brunkow took the first set, 6-4, and was trailing 5-3 in the second. Matei Gavrea was only one game away from a win on court five with a strong 7-5, 5-1 performance. On court six, Sam Rappaport made his singles debut for this season and left his match unfinished just behind by one game in the second set.

RESULTSDoubles

#57 Gianluca Brunkow/Dominique Rolland (UCSB-M) def. Bastiaan Weststrate/Raz Haviv (CP) 6-2

Lucca Liu/Diogo Morais (UCSB-M) def. Sean Kamyshev/John Cross (CP) 6-1

Sam Rappaport/Matei Gavrea (UCSB-M) vs. Aaron Eliscu/Wian Roothman (CP) 4-3, unfinished

Order of finish: 2,1

Singles

#60 Gianluca Brunkow (UCSB-M) vs. Raz Haviv (CP) 6-4, 3-5, unfinished

Lucca Liu (UCSB-M) def. Bastiaan Weststrate (CP) 6-4, 6-1

Dominique Rolland (UCSB-M) def. John Cross (CP) 6-2, 6-3

#112 Diogo Morais (UCSB-M) def. Sean Kamyshev (CP) 6-4, 6-4

Matei Gavrea (UCSB-M) vs. Jack McGary (CP) 7-5, 5-1, unfinished

Sam Rappaport (UCSB-M) vs. Aaron Eliscu (CP) 5-7, 3-4, unfinished

Order of finish: 2,3,4

UP NEXTWith the No. 1 seed in hand, the Gauchos will await Saturday’s semifinal matchup, facing either the No. 4 or 5 seed from the quarterfinal round of the Big West Championships. The match is set for 10 a.m. at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego.

(Article courtesy UCSB Athletics)

Flora pitches a gem as UCSB hands Cal Poly first Big West series loss of the year

KEYT on April 20, 2025

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Jackson Flora fired a complete game 1-hit shutout as UCSB won 4-0 to take this Blue-Green rivalry series 2-1.

It’s the first Big West series loss on the year for Cal Poly who fell out of first place behind UC Irvine.

The only hit Flora allowed was a single to Nate Castellon to leadoff the fifth inning.

He actually pitched out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the top of the fourth inning.

A hit batter, an error and a walk had the Mustangs threatening but Flora struck out Casey Murray Jr. and got a comebacker from Cam Hoiland to end the inning.

“Obviously Jackson Flora was special today,” UCSB head coach Andrew Checketts said. “That’s elite, elite stuff, elite command, elite composure. He had that bases-loaded situation that he got out of, he had the runner at third with less than two that he got out of, so we can see him growing and maturing and improving. (He) had some really good outings early in the year, wasn’t great the middle and even missed a start, and his last four outings have been really good and consistent. Obviously, that was really good. He carried the team on his back today.”

The sophomore Flora struck out 9 batters as UCSB improved to 26-12 on the year and 12-9 in league.

Nate Vargas drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a 2-run homer in the third to finish off the scoring.

Cal Poly is now 15-3 in the Big West and will host Irvine in a 3-game showdown next weekend Friday-Sunday.

The Gauchos host nonleague opponent Cal Baptist this Monday with first pitch at 4:35pm.

Crews help with vegetation fire at blueberry farm near Buellton Saturday afternoon

KEYT on April 19, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

BUELLTON, Calif. – Fire crews helped with a one-acre vegetation fire near a blueberry farm on Highway 101 close to Buellton at 3:15 p.m., according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The fire was put out before 4:00 p.m. and one lane of the northbound 101 was closed for about an hour, according to the SBCFD.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and more information on this fire will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

City of Goleta held its 3rd annual Beautify Goleta Earth Day event Saturday

KEYT on April 19, 2025

Andie Lopez Bornet

GOLETA, Calif. – “We have a pizza box, an old blanket that was in a storm drain, a few beer bottles, a number of doggy poop bags,” said Brooke Armstrong, a volunteer at the annual Beautify Goleta Earth Day event.

To beautify the City of Goleta, the city held its 3rd annual Beautify Goleta Earth day event on Saturday.

“Last year we got over 50,000 pounds of trash and we had close to 40 cleanups with over 400 volunteers throughout the year so building a good community,” said Ryan Wong, Co-founder of Tidy Seas.

People of all ages gathered at Evergreen Park in Goleta early Saturday morning to help gather trash and hear from different organizations about living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, as well lending a hand in making Goleta a beautiful and clean place. 

“It brings out the inner treasure hunt in them,” said Wong. “But having the Kids learn at a young age, it’s cool to see after if they come to another cleanup. The parents are like ‘now everywhere I walk my kid wants to pick up trash and you know we can’t leave that there.’”

The event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of its volunteers and informational tables showing up to help and share. Elubias Kitchen was also at the event.

“It’s great that the city organizes these events just to keep things environmentally clean,” said volunteer Brooke Armstrong, who is also part of Rotary Club of Goleta.

We asked Armstrong about what he thinks should be done to help keep Goleta a clean place.

“Just be mindful.” said Armstrong. “You know, when I go out for a walk and I see a stray poop bag that’s good karma just to pick it up on your route and deposit it where it needs to be.”

Fun activities were available for kids like getting the chance to touch a truck from MarBorg.

Earth day is Tuesday April 22, 2025.