Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Residents of Santa Maria who live on Cesar E. Chavez Drive are pushing back against the City Council’s decision to rename the street.

The surveyed residents are unanimous that they don’t want the street to be renamed.

This all started in march with reports of Chavez having been involved in sexual misconduct during his life.

Both Santa Barbara and Santa Maria decided to change their street names.

Similar name changes are happening all over the country.

At June 16th’s meeting, mayor Alica Patino spoke in strong support of changing the street’s name.

“I am in total support of this,” the mayor said. “And I think we need to stand here in the city of Santa Maria and say we want that culture changed.”

In Santa Maria, Cesar E. Chavez drive is alongside Tommie Kunst Junior High School and on the north side of the city.

“The council has taken a pretty clear action that the street is going to be renamed and thus, choose a name,” says Brett Fulgoni, City Of Santa Maria’s Public Works Director.

It is the address for no more than 60 homes, and some of those neighbors have questioned the rapid decision, as the neighborhood has strongly opposed the change.

“I went door to door and started talking and meeting with my neighbors, And when I asked if they wanted to have the name change, every single one person that I spoke with said no, not because of politics, but because of the financial strain it’s going to take on everybody,” says Stella Felix-Villarreal, who lives on Cesar E. Chavez Drive.

Others think the 26 thousand dollars estimated to cover the name change could be better spent enhancing safety measures near the school.

“We have a safety issue on the street,” says Felix-Villarreal. “We could use more stop signs, more crosswalks. Our children walk these streets in the morning and in the afternoon.”

Public Works officials have more process to go through before the street name undergoes its full change.

“It’s a lot like moving, right?” says Fulgoni. “You file the, the address change and, and get everything switched over. So it is a, it is an administrative burden for sure.”

Public input on what the new street name is to be, will be welcome at a traffic committee meeting on July 22nd.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Fair is reopening to the public Wednesday to begin the final five days its unprecedented split schedule this year.

Last Friday, the fair opened for a three-day run over the Fourth of July holiday weekend before closing to the public for the past two days on Monday and Tuesday.

Now, it’s opening its gates once again to make the start of its traditional five-day run from Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12.

“Normally we are open just for one weekend for the Santa Barbara County Fair, but we wanted to bring double the fun, so we are here for two weekends,” said Chloe Parks with Helm and Sons Entertainment. “After two days off, now we’re back again for the final weekend, this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

For more than 25 years, the fair has been held over a five-day period in mid-July, beginning on a Wednesday and finishing the following Sunday.

This year, Santa Maria Fairpark Board of Directors decided to expand the schedule, especially with the opening weekend falling on the special 250th Fourth of July celebration.

“I’m going to call it a soft launch, even though we were open and all the typical hours that we would be as if it were the regular fair,” said Santa Maria Fairpark Interim CEO Todd Ventura. “It was solid crowds, very steady, I would say. I don’t think they were overwhelming crowds, but it’s the first year, and there was a lot of special circumstances, a lot going on around the 4th of July, family barbecues, fireworks, all those kinds of things. Nonetheless, we did have great crowds, particularly on Sunday, that was a really fantastic crowd for our our Fiesta day.”

In addition to a its new longer schedule, Ventura pointed out the fair will also feature an array of format changes and other new concepts.

“I think the I think the feedback has been very, very positive,” said Ventura. “The people have really enjoyed the new layout and the Fairpark being different, with different spots, different booths, different vendors, different commercial, there is a whole new a whole new Fairpark. The atmosphere is different. The vibe is different. The feeling is different.”

The fair has also expanded its carnival with more rides that ever before. The overall amount of rides that are spread out across the Fairpark is said to exceed that of any other local fair.

“This is humongous,” said. Parks. “We went from having just the major area and the kids area to having three different new areas. We have 60 rides, including three roller coasters. We have a brand new kiddy area. We had only two areas last year, but we expanded it, and we have five in total. We brought some fan favorites and then some brand new ones as well.”

The Santa Barbara County Fair will open at noon during the weekends and at 2 p.m. on weekdays and close each night at 10 p.m.

“There’s so much to do from the vendors, the food, the games, all the rides” said Parks. “There is just so much going on that it would be hard not to have fun here and enjoyment with the family.”

The fair’s concert series begins on Thursday with the first of three shows inside the Minetti Arena.

Alternative rock band Everclear takes the stage on Thursday, followed by country singers Dylan Scott on Friday and Rodney Adkins on Saturday.

Concerts are free to attend in the grandstand, with paid seating in the lower area closer to the stage.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here to visit the official website.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – More families in Santa Barbara County are receiving financial help to cover the cost of childcare through a new round of scholarships from United Way.

United Way of Santa Barbara County has awarded more than $220,000 in childcare scholarships, helping nearly 40 local children so far. The organization recently released its second round of scholarship funding.

The scholarships are intended to reduce childcare expenses for working families while helping more children access care.

More scholarship funding is expected to continue supporting local families facing the high cost of childcare.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Two endangered red panda cubs have been born to first-time parents Ruby and Raj at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Zoo officials say the twin cubs are the first red pandas born at the Zoo since 1993 and represent an important contribution to ongoing efforts to conserve the species.

They were born on July 2nd.

“The birth of these red panda cubs is an extraordinary milestone,” said Charles Hopper, President & CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo. “Welcoming red panda cubs for the first time in more than 30 years is a remarkable accomplishment made possible by the exceptional dedication, expertise, and patience of our Animal Care & Health team. As an AZA-accredited zoo participating in the Red Panda Species Survival Plan, we are proud to contribute to a global network of conservation organizations working together to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species.

“These cubs represent more than a joyful new addition to our Zoo family; they symbolize the meaningful role the Santa Barbara Zoo plays in wildlife conservation at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Their birth also inspires our community to become active partners in protecting the natural world for generations to come.”

Zoo veterinary and animal care teams say they are closely monitoring first-time mother Ruby and her cubs and are cautiously optimistic about their progress. The cubs appear healthy.

Red panda cubs are especially vulnerable in their first weeks of life.

Ruby and her cubs remain behind the scenes in their nest box.

Ruby came to the zoo in 2025 and  joined their father Raj  who arrived in 2023.Zoological Manager Liz Cunningham said, “it is a very vital time for the mom to spend time with the cubs in a nice quiet area so that is why she is  behind the scenes at this point and time.”

Fresh fruit treats are often served up and it was helpful when they were doing a medical check a couple of months ago on Ruby to  verifying her pregnancy. Santa Barbara Zoo Keeper Joseph MacPhee said, “she stands on her back feet  with her front paws on the front (rail) and she let’s us ultra sound her abdomen.  She was hand raised at the zoo she came from so her instincts have been perfect and she has done everything she was supposed to do .”

The staff will monitor their growth, development, and wellbeing. It is expected that the cubs will remain off habitat until they are approximately three months old, but their father Raj will be visible to guests in the habitat.

When it comes to meal time, they can be fussy but seem to like Farmers Market fresh fruit. “We he  first came to us Raj would only eat Craisins  and his palet  has expanded since he’s lived in Santa Barbara.   He prefers fresh peaches or nectarines (and) cherries are from the Farmers’s Market .”

For the Santa Barbara Zoo this is exactly what the staff works for on and off the property every day.

Cunningham said, “conservation  work happens in the wild and we support  local field programs. Conservation also happens at the zoo with these breeding programs.”

For more information or to make a donation go to: Santa Barbara Zoo

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Mike Klan

COMPTON, Calif. (KEYT) – Cole Chamberlain hit two home runs and drove in five runs as the Santa Barbara Foresters won a 14-10 slugfest at the MLB Academy Barons.

Chamberlain had four hits and was a double-shy of hitting for the cycle.

Zane Becker also homered as the Foresters improve to 20-4 on the season.

Chris Newstrom who is transferring from Tennessee to UCSB, had two doubles and knocked in four runs for the Foresters who play at the OC Riptide on Wednesday.

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Mike Klan

PITTSBURGH, PA. (KEYT) – Ryan O’Hearn slugged his way into the Pittsburgh Pirates record book.

The Santa Barbara Foresters Hall of Fame member smashed three home runs and knocked in a Pittsburgh single-game franchise record 10 runs as the Pirates routed Atlanta 12-4.

O’Hearn launched a grand slam in the first inning, belted a 3-run homer in the third inning and hit another 3-run blast in the sixth inning.

The Pirates have been around since 1882 and O’Hearn is the first to reach double-digit RBI in one game.

Back in 2012 O’Hearn helped the Foresters win the National Baseball Congress World Series and the following season he led Santa Barbara in RBI.

In 2020 O’Hearn was inducted into the Foresters Hall of Fame and now after his 10 RBI performance, his batting helmet is headed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Getting around Santa Barbara is becoming easier for more residents after the City of Santa Barbara and BCycle completed a major expansion of the city’s electric bike-share program.

The $1.8 million project adds 60 new e-bikes and 22 new docking stations throughout the city, expanding access to neighborhoods that previously had limited bike-share options.

City officials say the expansion is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable, particularly in underserved communities.

New docking stations have been installed on the Eastside, Westside, downtown, and near popular destinations including Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and Chase Palm Park.

The expansion also includes the BCycle for All program, which offers discounted annual memberships for income-qualified residents.

A standard annual BCycle membership costs $244.68, while eligible riders can purchase a BCycle for All membership for $25 plus tax for an entire year.

Residents who participate in programs such as CalFresh, SNAP, Medi-Cal, or Medicare may qualify. Seniors living on fixed incomes and people with disabilities may also be eligible.

The city hopes the expanded network will encourage more people to use bicycles for commuting, running errands, and recreational trips while reducing reliance on cars.

Residents interested in the discounted membership can apply through the City’s BCycle portal. Officials are also asking community members to complete a survey to help guide future improvements and identify locations for additional bike-share stations.

The expansion is part of Santa Barbara’s broader effort to improve sustainable transportation options and increase mobility throughout the city.

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – CAL FIRE SLO crews are battling a 542-acre grass fire in the California Valley on Black Bear Road and Big Basin Trail.

The fire first broke out just after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday and CAL FIRE SLO officials mentioned a potential for 300 acres in size. Containment for the fire reached 80% just after 8:00 p.m., according to CAL FIRE.

Forward progress of the fire stopped just before 6:00 p.m. and evacuation orders were lifted from the incident around 30 minutes later.

Crews requested air tankers for the incident and solar panels are under threat in the area of the fire, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

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

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Patricia Martellotti

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of Santa Barbara County’s longest-running surf camps is seeing its busiest start in 27 years as families sign up earlier than ever for summer sessions.

Surf Happens, based at Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, opened its 27th summer season with a sold-out first week.

Founder and owner Chris Keet believes the camp’s popularity comes from the connection it gives children to the ocean, nature and one another.

The program is also drawing young surfers from across the country.

“I’m coming all the way from Florida to kill some waves,” said Logan Lovergine, who traveled from Florida to attend the camp.

Sam Hale made the trip from San Francisco and said the experience has been worth it.

“I came here to surf and it’s going great,” Hale said.

Beyond learning how to ride waves, campers spend time developing water safety skills, ocean awareness and confidence in the water.

“I’m learning how to catch a wave by myself and paddle into the wave,” camper Harrison Bobek said.

Another camper, Bodhi Raymond, said surfing has become part of his daily life.

“I like surfing. I surf mostly every day,” he said.

Camp leaders encourage families interested in the remaining summer sessions to register early as space continues to fill.

As for the young surfers, they’ll keep building skills that reach far beyond the shoreline.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A local nonprofit organization is helping feed people in need throughout the Central Coast with the purchase of livestock at the Santa Barbara County Fair.

For the past five years, the 37th District Buyers Coalition has provided financial support to 261 youth exhibitors and donate 80,000 pounds of protein.

“We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises money to purchase animals from the Santa Barbara County Fair from 4-H, FFA and Grange exhibitors,” said Renli Pope, 37th District Buyers Coalition President. “We process the meat from all those animals and donate it to local charities here on the Central Coast.”

Through community donations, coalition funds will be directed towards the purchase of animal projects during the fair auction, helping ensure that students who apply for coalition help will potentially have their animal bought.

To qualify for coalition consideration, each junior exhibitor must submit at least five letters to potential buyers that serve as invitations to attend their livestock auction.

“When we when we support an exhibit here at the Santa Barbara County Fair, we’re not just buying an animal, we’re investing in a work ethic and a family and the future of agriculture,” said Pope. “In 2024, 30% of the exhibitors that sold their animals here lost money on their projects, so it’s very important to us that we try to bolster that auction support by having these people invited into the auction and hopefully they can help bring those prices up a little bit.”

Once an animal is purchased the coalition, it is later processed and the meat is donated to any one of several different local nonprofit organizations.

“There is a lot of charities here in our community that are really struggling to afford high quality protein for their their meal programs,” said Pope. “We’ve got this new nutritious, locally raised protein that we’re able to donate to these organizations, like Good Samaritan Shelter. We do Meals that Connect. We’re reaching out to the Buellton Senior Center. We do a lot of food pantries, Welcome Home Military Heroes, Central Coast Athletic Foundation, 17 Strong. We’re very diverse. It’s not just the kids that we’re we’re supporting here with their animals, it’s also seniors, the housebound, elderly, the homeless. The list goes on and on. It just makes everybody feel good to be able to be a part of it.”

The Junior Livestock Auction is scheduled to begin on Friday at 12 p.m. with rabbits, broiler meat pens, and turkeys up for bid, followed by replacement heifers starting at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the auction concludes beginning at 8 a.m. with swine, sheep, beef and. goals on the block.

The Santa Barbara County Fair runs through Sunday, July 12.

For more information about the 37th District Buyers Coalition, click here to visit the official website.

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