Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria City Council held their monthly meeting this evening at City Hall.

They finalized the language for a new sales tax measure, due for voter approval this November.

In May, the City Council approved adding the measure to this November’s ballots.

“We are faced with a budget deficit, a structural deficit,” says Santa Maria’s city manager David Rowlands. “The City Council made a phenomenal job reducing our structural deficit from 25 million down to 13 million so far. So we’re doing our part right now. So right now we’re really hoping to work together with our residents to get this sales tax approved.”

If voters approve the measure in November, a one-half cent transaction & use tax will immediately go into effect.

“Sales tax,” says Rowlands. “Go to restaurants, go to Costco, get gas in your car, buy a vehicle, that’s where we’ll see the tax.”

The ordinance is similar to but separate from Measure U from 2012, which is focused on law enforcement and public safety.

“It’s going to be additional programing for seniors and youth programing, we’ll be able to keep open the Aquatic Center year round and increase our library hours,” says Rowlands.

This measure will ensure continuity of a wide range of city services including but not limited to road repairs and maintaining public facilities.

“You know, attack the potholes on a regular basis,” says Rowlands. “There are some of the general items right there.”

Annual revenue is expected at around $13 million.

Officials say the ordinance has been dubbed “Measure C,” and stands for community.

“I think the most important thing is, the community right now, we have beautiful parks,” says Rowlands. “We have great programing for our youth, our library is a world class library. If we don’t receive this revenue, those are the items are going to be on the chopping block next fiscal year.”

In addition to the sales tax measure this November, Santa Maria voters will be electing a total of three new members of their city council, and a one-month nomination period begins on Monday.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual California Wine Festival is coming to Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara and features a BBQ competition that will have everyone struggling to cast their vote!

Each competitor will serve tri-tip and the winner will be awarded “Best Tri-Tip in the 805.”  Each guest to the festival will receive a wristband up entry with a voting tab to vote, once trying the selection of delicious tri-tip competitors, attendees can submit their vote. Voting ends at 3 p.m.

The Morning News was joined by one of the competitors Chef Sean Conway of Costa Kitchen and Barn.

Costa is located at the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara.

If you want to try Chef Sean Conway’s tri-tip and cast your vote, tickets are still available!

The event is July 18th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Chase Palm Park. You can use code KEYT for a discount at checkout or click the link.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Good morning! The heat arrives today and it is here to stay! Weak onshore flow will continue to bring low cloud cover to the coasts and coastal valley areas. The region can still expect marine layer each morning through the week.

A heat advisory will go into place today at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday evening. The advisory affects areas away from the coasts, which includes the valleys and interior areas, stretching from Paso Robles all the way down to Los Angeles county. During the advisory, temperatures will reach into the 90s to triple digits, with the higher terrain mountain areas reaching up to 103 to 105 degrees. Continue to stay hydrated and use caution.

These dry and warm conditions are always bring fire concerns. Winds are also a concern as sundowner winds will build each afternoon and progress overnight. A wind advisory is in place until 6 a.m. this morning with speeds 20-30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. It is very possible it can be reinstated this evening again.

A ridge of high pressure sits over the four corners and will move West Wednesday, making Wednesday and Thursday the hottest days of the next seven. By Friday, some relief returns but temperatures still near normal for this time of year.

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Alissa Orozco

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – On July 1st, two men were arrested out of Los Angeles County in connection with multiple stolen vehicles in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office says this was part of a mass organized vehicle theft operation throughout Southern California, resulting in over $1.3 million in stolen vehicles.

Ventura County officers were initially looped into the investigation during the early morning hours of May 16, 2026 when a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, valued at approximately $105,000, was stolen from a Thousand Oaks dealership.

From there, an extensive investigation unveiled a much larger criminal operation and those responsible, involving stolen vehicles, fraudulent registrations, altered vehicle identification numbers, and fictitious license plates.

Two men were arrested in Los Angeles County on July 1st, on vehicle theft, conspiracy, and possession of stolen vehicles charges.

Search warrants served in North Hollywood and Los Angeles led to recovery or seizure of the following vehicles:

Lamborghini Aventador valued at approximately $450,000

Porsche 911 Carrera valued at approximately $240,000

Porsche 911 Targa valued at approximately $240,000

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 valued at approximately $70,000

GMC Hummer valued at approximately $100,000

BMW X7 M60i valued at approximately $110,000

Ford Shelby GT500 valued at approximately $89,000

Chevrolet Colorado valued at approximately $35,000

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Blank temporary license plates, high-end vehicle key fobs, fraudulent vehicle documentation, electronic devices, and other evidence related to the investigation were also found during the searches.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office say the total value stolen totaled over $1.3 million.

The two men are currently in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, where bail has been set at $250,000 each.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Bars with big screen TV’s aren’t the only places to find World Cup fans.

The Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara is showing the match between team USA and Belgium, too.

And it is free.

The historic theater is making some money by selling drinks, popcorn and candy.

But folks may be hard pressed to find Belgium fans.

It seems everyone is dressed in red, white and blue.

“Every time I come here I just love how big it is how many people actually come and support it is just a cool screen so,” said Sutter Munizich.

He often comes with friends and family and even watched the U.S. match verse Ghana at the Arlington Theatre during the World Cup in 2010.

Many fans said they have been thinking about the match and red card controversy.

“Initially when the red card was given I thought it was not right, it wasn’t an actual red card I thought the ref was biased, but then when I heard Trump overturned it I thought that is just not the way the game should be played I don’t think world leaders should get involved with that,” said former soccer player Lucy Speier,” and I think now that he as done that there might be some bias toward us moving forward.”

“I am pretty sure that the red card was wrong i don’t think he deserved the red card and I would argue that literally no one in the world has the ahtletic abilility while they are falling to purposely crack someones ankle like that, looks bad, was not intentionally and in my humble opinion did not deserve a red card and in regards to the controversy I would really like to think and do think that Trumps intentions were excellent but I also think that he may not have understood and that it is sadly not understood how it would be perceived,” said soccer enthusiast David Bruemmer,” which unfortunately for the United States team and the United States of America may have an unintended consequence, right, and so when I look at this effect I think it is pretty safe to say we shouldn’t have world leaders getting involved in sports, it is just not appropriate.”

Some locals with Belgium roots said they are cheering on both teams at home.

It wasn’t easy to find people cheering on Belgium fans at local watch parties.

“I am just so happy that a country that is like 11 million people strong can take on the United States, the strong country in the world that is 330 million people strong- oh- another goal right there,” said Jasper.

A fan wearing a Belgium jersey cheered on both teams

“It was exhilarating, but 4-1 though, it seemed too easy, my kids are American so whatever was the outcome I would be happy,” said Alex.

Free souvenirs at some bars lifted spirits. 

Your News Channel will have more fan reaction to the match tonight on the news.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds of local agriculture students filled the Santa Maria Fairpark all day Monday to begin the annual Santa Barbara County Fair Junior Livestock Show and Auction.

For hours, students, along with parents, advisors and other helpers delivered nearly 4,000 animals into the several agriculture barns located on the far western edge of the Fairpark.

“We are having or move in day,” said Hailey Rose Switzer, Santa Barbara County Fair Livestock Superintendent. “We’re welcoming all of our 4-H, FFA, Grange and independent exhibitors here onto the fairgrounds.”

There are 1,111 exhibitors at the fair this year, local students that coming from mostly Northern Santa Barbara County or South San Luis Obispo County.

“It’s just exciting,” said Rylie Allen, Sisquoc Cinco Campanas 4-H. “Even though this is my ninth year doing it, I’m excited to be able to take my animals this year and have that experience again.”

Ever since the Santa Barbara County Fair first started more than 130 years ago, the livestock show has long served as the backbone of the county fair.

The event allow local agricultural students to show and auction a variety of animals they have raised over the past several months.

Different species represented at the fair this year includes, dairy/beef cattle, poultry, rabbits, swine, sheep, dairy/meat/pygmy goats and cavies.

“The junior livestock show is the heartbeat of the county fair,” said Switzer. “It’s what keeps us energized and excited to be here. The kids are really excited to be here, and yes, all the other stuff is so fun. The carnival rides and the hot dogs and everything, but we love the exhibitors. They look forward to this all year and they work really hard to be here, so we’re very excited for them to get to show off that work this week.”

Last year, the auction brought in nearly $2 million, which goes directly back to the students, who are able to use the money as they need.

“A lot of exhibitors do use the Junior Livestock Show to help fund their future education, whether it’s going to college or a trade school,” said Switzer. “These projects not only teach them the responsibility of caring for somebody else, but they also teach them the day in and day out of what it takes to get this project to the end, so it’s great they get to fund their college projects in the future with their animals today.

This year’s auction will once again take place on Friday and Saturday, with a small animal auction on Friday at noon, the replacement heifer auction on Fridayat 6:30 p.m., followed by all the other market animals on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

“We have great support from the community here in our auction,” said Switzer. “Every year gets bigger and better. Our sale goes well into the night as our numbers keep growing here at the Santa Barbara County Fair, but we have a great auction and a great support system behind it.”

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.

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

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It was a startling knock at the door for many residents of an apartment complex just after midnight in Santa Barbara when a fire was burning behind their building.

Santa Barbara City firefighters extinguished the vegetation fire along the train tracks just off Rancheria Street while a rapid response by multiple police officers assisted evacuated residents.

The flames were threatening to catch the multi-story occupied building on fire.

911 calls came in at 12:24 a.m. Bolt cutters were used to open a fence for access. The structure was not damaged, and everyone got out safely.

There was some minor damage to the railroad ties nearby. There are homeless camps in the area and one resident said it was the second fire around there in the last month.

The cause remains under investigation.

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Caleb Nguyen

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Oxnard Police officers arrested a 23-year-old man for several firearm violations at a traffic stop near Teakwood and North Streets just before 10:00 p.m. Sunday.

The 23-year-old already had an assault with a deadly weapon charge from earlier in the day before OPD officers conducted the traffic stop.

OPD officers found a loaded handgun and several rounds of ammo before arresting the 23-year-old for the earlier assault charge alongside several other firearms violations.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –  After some off and on years, the carnival during Old Spanish Days will take place at The Downtown Club in Santa Barbara on Canon Perdido Street serving boys and girls.

The staff says the back field will be full of rides, entertainment and food including the talented performers from area dance studios.

It will take place August 6th – 9th from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Old Spanish Days begins August 5, with the De la Guerra Mercado opening and Fiesta Pequena at the Old Mission.

The carnival is not an official Old Spanish Days event but is taking place during the popular Fiesta days.

It is also not far from the mercado and festivities at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church which also takes place during Old Spanish Days but is not under the direction of the Fiesta board.

At the Downtown Club, traditional rides, including a Ferris wheel, and lower level roller coasters, will be operating.

The event also brings back the traditional Saturday morning pancake breakfast prior to the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department Children’s Parade which takes place on Cabrillo Blvd at 10 a.m. on August 8. The Downtown Club will serve up the pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee inside the gym.

The parade will draw thousands of people and the combination of the pancake breakfast and the kids parade has rich history in the town.

For years it was held in Alameda Park on Fiesta Saturday with the parade on State Street.   

That was run by the Kiwanis for 65 years until 2016 and attended by thousands.

This year’s pancake breakfast will come at no charge and only donations to the Club will be accepted.

Shevon Hoover is the Director of Operations for The Downtown Club. “A lot of people feel nostalgia about the club in general and to be able to host it here is like bringing it home.  It is bringing it back to the downtown area, the east side area which I feel like everyone has a special place in their  heart for.”

The facility has been around since 1938 and is serving kids year round with after school and summer activities such as music, sports, arts, homework and education assistance and good citizenship training.

“Growing up here, it was  kind of a staple in our family to participate.  I think providing some family fun for the community is really important.  We are very excited to be able to host that.   To include many of our kids in many of the festivities,” said Hoover who wants Old Spanish Days to be all inclusive across the city.

One of the kids at The Club this summer is Manny Remigeo who said he likes to cook and while he won’t be on a grill this year, he will be helping out along with other kids at the breakfast.

The first wave of breakfast dishes will go out in time for everyone to make it to the beach area for the parade.

To support the Downtown Club’s fundraising, visit: www.boysandgirlssb.org/donate

To learn more about The Club of Santa Barbara, visit: www.boysandgirlssb.org

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