Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Airport is giving travelers a little extra welcome this week with Passenger Appreciation Week.

Passengers are being treated to daily activities, giveaways and surprises throughout the terminal as a thank-you from the airport.

Live music, free ice cream and other activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

“My hope is that our passengers this week feel appreciated and they enjoy all the fun surprises that we have planned for them,” Lauren Gonzalez said. “We have live music, giveaways, free ice cream, all to say thank you.”

The celebration is designed to add a little fun to the travel day while showing appreciation to passengers who choose to fly through Santa Barbara Airport.

Passenger Appreciation Week continues through the end of the week.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The economic boost for many businesses and big crowds in downtown Santa Barbara were part of the annual Old Spanish Days surge of foot traffic, but now the challenge is to keep the area interesting enough to snap out of the issues its been facing.

Many people watching the streets come alive during Fiesta, realized it was mainly for the celebrations taking place throughout the area that bring in thousands of people every day, many from out of town.

Now to recharge the streets while a master plan is created for the future, events, activities, music and creative gatherings could be the answer.

Local residents asked about what brings them to downtown streets said it was not always shopping or dining out. A sense of vibrancy and a gathering place with their friends made it special. It was also a place to bring visitors coming to Santa Barbara to see the city with them.

Suggestions included more outside performances, music, street theatre, petting zoos, cultural fairs and even a movie night in De la Guerra Plaza, which is unused by the public most of the year.

A downtown worker, Catherine Chapple said pop-up events would be attractive to her. “Infrastructure your wouldn’t have to change,” she said compared to a complete rebuilding of the streets for millions of dollars per block. She said some of the blocks are “kind of quiet.” She looked forward to more activities at the new library plaza in the future.

“Live music and vendors and performances,” she said would be welcomed. “And all the dance schools,  programs I think that would be such an awesome opportunity for kids.”

Michael Schmidt sells art in downtown and says, “music and maybe some busking. Some performance or something.  I would rather have them spend money to get people like that in here than new sidewalks and stuff.”

“There are so many that tell me that the live music changes it. It gives them a great feeling. It changes their day. I am happy to do it,” said trumpet player Miles Julian.

“I think one of the most important things you can do for a small town like this is certainly is increase the aspect of festive communion.  Any sort of music for people walking by  and people need humanity in this world right now especially a place like Santa Barbara.,” said Cainan Birchim.

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Jarrod Zinn

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Leaders of San Luis Obispo County are joining a state senator in celebrating a milestone agreement with PG&E regarding operations at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

PG&E will be voluntarily paying San Luis Obispo County $16 million over the next two years, to begin mitigating community impacts of the nuclear power plant’s extended operations.

In 2016 a plan was put in place to shut Diablo Canyon down entirely by 2025, retiring one reactor at a time over the course of several months.

“In 2016, energy efficiency was really ramping up,” says Dawn Ortiz-Legg, District 3 Supervisor County Of SLO. “Everything that we were doing was seemed to using less energy, which was great.”

The plan changed in 2022 with Senate Bill 846, extending the plant’s operation through 2030.

“What was not really calculated was that electrification of transportation was actually going to really increase the demand for electricity,” says Ortiz-Legg.

That extension created massive funding gaps for impact mitigation at local schools and public services, which had been counting on the 2025 shutdown.

“Trying to protect the Diablo lands, having seismic safety reviews that were up to date, trying to deal with the regulatory authority of the Coastal Commission, making sure there was $1 billion for renewable energy,” says John Laird, District 17 Senator for the state of California.

In January of this year, Laird introduced senate bill 931 to ensure these impacts were given funding for mitigation.

“And PG&E basically approached me to make a deal to do voluntarily, essentially what was in the bill,” says Senator Laird.

In April, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the renewal of Diablo Canyon’s license for 20 more years, up through 2045.

“A formal legislation can be installed at the state and then signed by a governor in the future,” says Ortiz-Legg.

State law only authorizes the plant to operate through 2030, and more changes would need to be legislated to authorize operation for 2031 and beyond.

“This is great news for the locals,” says Laird. “And it really sets up the future conversations to make sure this continues. But there just won’t be a fiscal cliff.”

PG&E has specified that this $16 million mitigation package is being provided entirely out of corporate shareholder funds, and neither taxpayers nor rate payers are being held responsible.

“And I think that this brings us some breathing room until the future governor can move forward on seeing Diablo extended,” says Ortiz-Legg. “We’re going to need that energy.”

There is still a funding gap for the remaining three years of the plant’s operation, and Senator Laird says he and his team won’t rest until that gap is filled.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Police Department says more people were arrested, cited and detained during Old Spanish Days this month than it had on the books in 2025.

Overall arrests totaled 199 arrests and 94 people went to the Santa Barbara County Jail. That’s 50 arrests more than a year ago.

43 were for felony offenses. 12 arrests were for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 1,557 calls for service were made to the police, that is also higher than a year ago. Parking citations were up by more than 300 with 1282 citations left on windshields.

The Santa Barbara Police Department was assisted by outside agencies including the San Luis Obispo Police Department, The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, UC Police and Probation.

See the full report here.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Students across the Santa Barbara Unified School District returned to class Wednesday, marking the end of summer break and the start of a new school year.

Santa Barbara High School was filled with first-day energy as students found their classrooms, reconnected with friends and met their new teachers.

“I’m really excited for football games and then also getting out of classes and having new people in my classes,” student Jacqueline Durling said. “It’s super exciting.”

The first day brought a mix of familiar faces, new classmates and hopes for the year ahead.

“My hope for this year is probably to get good grades and do well in our volleyball season and just have a good community for school,” Durling said.

Student Bea Flagiello is looking forward to meeting people and learning more about her teachers.

“Meet people and learn new things about my new teachers, maybe get to know a few classmates,” Flagiello said.

Teachers also spent the day getting to know their new classes and helping students settle into a new routine.

“First day of school, it’s going great,” Santa Barbara High School teacher Miranda Jue said. “This is the second class of the day. They’re really great. I love that our admin has been really present on campus too, which is really nice for the students to see.”

Beyond the nerves and excitement, the focus is on creating a welcoming campus where students feel comfortable and ready to learn.

“I feel very settled as a teacher,” one teacher said. “I feel like we have a great group of students and love seeing all the incredible faces that are passing through my door.”

The first day marks a fresh start and the beginning of another school year across Santa Barbara Unified.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The San Luis Obispo County Elections Office held a media event Wednesday morning to help provide the community with important updates and developments about the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3. 2026.

During the one-hour event at the San Luis Obispo County Elections Center inside the Katcho Achadjian Government Center, County-Clerk Recorder Elaina Cano provided insight on what voters can expect when ballots arrive in a few weeks.

Cano provided information on a number of election-related topics, including what will be on the ballot and what changes have been made to the ballot itself, updated processing and counting timelines and ongoing voter registration projects.

Other subjects discussed were updated U.S. Postal Service changes, changes with voting at the polls and combating misinformation and communication logistics.

The upcoming General Election will provide voters with a very full ballot that includes several different races, including at the local and statewide level.

In San Luis Obispo County, there will be a number of elections for local school districts, community services districts and special districts, in addition to offices that include candidates advancing from the top-two June Primary Election, including seats for the U.S. House of Representatives, State Assembly, and statewide constitutional offices.

Three San Luis Obispo County seats that were up for election during the June Primary Election will not be on the November since they were decided by voters and do not require a runoff.

Those include the District Two Supervisors seat that was won by Jim Dantona, the District Four Supervisor seat won by Jimmy Paulding and the County Clerk-Recorder position won by Cano.

Voter registration remains open until 15 days before Election Day. The deadline this year for voter registration is on Oct. 19, 2026.

Eligible San Luis Obispo County residents who are not yet registered, or who need to update an existing registration (such as a name or address change), can do so at registertovote.ca.gov.

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Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara City College’s campus was placed on a temporary lockdown while officers searched for a person who reportedly punctured a bicycle tire after an argument Tuesday.

The Santa Barbara Police Department went to the community college’s campus around 10:56 a.m. after a caller said that a person they only knew on a first-name basis had argued with them before using “a sharp instrument” to puncture the tire of their bicycle. Several patrol officers arrived and joined campus security mainly in an area above La Playa Stadium.

The person then left the area towards Santa Barbara City College’s main campus and the entire school was shut down out of an abundance of caution and in compliance with safety procedures.

According to Santa Barbara City College’s Jordan Killebrew, both the east and west sections of campus were part of Tuesday’s lockdown as police searched the area.

The person was not found on campus after the search and the lockdown was lifted stated the Santa Barbara Police Department about noon.

One family was the bookstore at the time and stayed in place. Sandy Gilmore could see some of the police activity from there. “We were told there was a slashing and slashed tires and there was a victim that we were watching outside of the window and they were photographing his body.  His front and then they too pictures of his back. We were all just watching it.”

No additional information about the suspect nor their relationship to the caller or the campus has been shared publicly at this time.

The bike was taken off the campus.

Local police shared that at this point, there does not appear to be any ongoing threat to the community.

Your News Channel has reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department multiple times for more information and their response will be added to this article when it is received.

(There are two video clips attached)

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

Flag Football: San Marcos 13, Santa Ynez 6: Victoria Aldana tossed two fourth quarter touchdown passes to Piper Kittle for the comeback win. The game was scoreless heading into the final quarter.

(Scarlett Holian had one of the two Royals interceptions as San Marcos improves to 4-2 on the year. Entenza Design).

Flag Football: Santa Barbara 27, Simi Valley 12: The Dons improved to 3-0 behind some explosive plays from Camila Salcedo who scored on a 41-yard touchdown run and a 56-yard touchdown catch. Laila Hernandez tossed two touchdown passes and ran for another score.

Girls Volleyball:Santa Barbara 3, Valencia 1: Blake Saunders had 16 kills for the 1-2 Dons.

(Lola Heckman is up at the net for the block. Entenza Design).

Girls Volleyball: Arroyo Grande 3, San Marcos 0: Margaret Deakyne and Harper Dees each had six kills as the Royals dropped to 0-2.

Boys Water Polo: Thousand Oaks 17, Santa Barbara 12: Mason Walsh scored five goals for the Dons who dropped their season opener.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Griffin Arnold went from Big Game MVP to fighting for his life in a matter of a few weeks.

“Going through all of that definitely changed my outlook on a lot of stuff, it’s all a blur now I am back in full shape,” said a grateful Arnold who is entering his junior season as quarterback for the Santa Barbara High School Dons.

Arnold was having a standout sophomore season in 2025 throwing 14 touchdown passes with just one interception in six games. He was even honored at the Most Valuable Player in the Dons rout of rival San Marcos in the annual Big Game.

But in early October he was having stomach pains, fatigue and a fever. He was sent to UCLA Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He underwent chemo treatment to reduce a papaya-sized tumor blocking his intestines.

His body responded well to the treatment and by spring he was playing baseball for the Dons.

Griffin Arnold is now cancer-free as he enters the Dons 2026 football season which kicks off at home this Friday night against Camarillo at 7 p.m.

“I just appreciate being out here with the guys, working everyday, you don’t take anything for granted anymore,” said Arnold.

“Guys are going to rally around him,” began Dons head coach Nate Mendoza. “We love his play on the field but to have his leadership back that is key, he is a phenomenal leader.”

Griffin lost around 40 pounds last fall but all of the weight has come back and he is excited to play a full season for what should be a solid Dons year.

“I am feeling better mentally, physically, you know I am stronger,” said Arnold. “We have the guys, we have the weapons and we have a lot of returners coming back on defense so I think everyone is looking forward to a great season.”

It’s great to have Griffin Arnold back under center for the Dons.

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Mike Klan

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) – Ajay Mitchell records another assist for UCSB men’s basketball.

The former Gauchos star point guard is now the general manager for the program he led to the NCAA Tournament in 2023.

“I told coach(Joe Pasternack) awhile back that I just wanted to help this program in any way I could and it’s great,” smiled Mitchell. “I am excited to still be a part of this program.”

“He loves the university, loves the community, loves our basketball program and really cares about mentoring our athletes,” stated Pasternack.

The official announcement came at a donor event at the Coral Casino hosted by UCSB alum Mike Stewart.

Mitchell is entering his third season in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft after starring at UCSB from 2021-2024. He was the Big West Freshman of the Year in 2022 and the Big West Player of the Year in 2023 leading the Gauchos to the NCAA Tournament in his junior season.

Mitchell is looking forward to his mentor and advisor role with UCSB. “Definitely helping the younger guys being a mentor to them, helping with the recruitment process and retaining our players and seeing the areas where we can grow, the goal is to win.”

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