Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) Ventura County’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day began with a Freedom March.

Hundreds of people of all ages walked from Plaza Park to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center where they were welcomed by the Oxnard High School Marching Swarm led by Andre Spence.

“It’s important that we keep the tradition alive, you know, Dr. Kings tradition and his memory and his legacy will live forever hopefully and it’s important these kids know about it. In 2026 the culture seems to be on he decline and we need to build awareness and that is why we are here, said Spence.

The program called “A Living Legacy: Cultivating Compassion and Justice “ followed.

Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson served as the keynote speaker.

The UCSB professor is the director of the Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality and Democracy.

For more information visit https://www.mlkventuracounty.com

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – The public is asked to be on alert after an injured bobcat escaped the hands of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network last week.

Your News Channel was told the bobcat appeared to be hit by a vehicle on Highway 154 sometime last week. A rescue team was transporting the cat when it bolted from the car at the network in Goleta near Fairview Ave.

Anyone who spots the injured bobcat is urged to contact the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Sea Center was the place to be this past weekend with a free event celebrating marine life.

Each year for Underwater Parks Day, the sea center located on Sterns Wharf offers free admission to the public with interactive booths and kid-friendly activities.

Home to some of the most vibrant marine life on the plant, the event promotes sustainable fishing practices and conservation practices to protect our ocean right here on the Central Coast.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual News Channel 3-12 MLK Day of Service Blood Drive concluded on Monday afternoon with the event hitting its goal for blood collected.

Over the course of five hours, the blood drive collected 100 pints of blood at three Elks Lodge locations in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Now in its 8th year, the blood drive is held with Vitalant and takes place on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to increase local blood supplies that are typically at critically low levels at the start of the new year.

All of the donated blood will stay in the Tri-Counties area and will directly benefit patients in need at local hospitals.

Vitalant reports one pint of blood has the ability to save up to three lives, so the blood collected on Monday has the potential to save up to 300 lives.

For more information about the 8th Annual News Channel 3-11-12 MLK Day of Service Blood Drive, click here to visit the official webpage.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – The World Surf League is back in Pismo Beach all week for SLO CAL Open’s 8th annual week-long surfing competition.

The first day could not have been met with better weather.

Ideal conditions for late January.

Monday marked day one.

“Here we are in our microclimate of Pismo,” says Brian Robbins, World Surf League of North America’s tour manager. “Day one, we got a full day. We’ll be here all day. Eight hours of heats and, waves are fun. Sun’s out. The beach is full.”

This is the 8th year of the competition overall here at Pismo Beach, but the organization is celebrating equality milestones as well, as it is the 7th year for women to be included, and the second year for the Pro Juniors category.

“We have men’s, women’s, junior men, junior women,” says Robbins. “Technically running four separate competitions, we’ll crown four champions.”

This is the first time the competition is taking place on the north side of the Pismo Beach Pier.

“It’s, like, pretty small conditions, but it’s really fun,” says Jett Maughn, a competitor from Encinitas. “There’s, like, a little good sand bar by the pier, so, a couple sick rides coming through.”

This allows another two hours of sightline for the judges, as opposed to the southern side where harsh glares occur on the water during the last few hours of the day.

“I think I did pretty good,” says Maughn. “Maybe want to get some higher scores in the later heats. But this was a good first heat, just warming up. Shout out to my dad for taking me out here and all my friends for supporting me.”

The competition streams live and can be watched on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Humane is expanding access to preventive pet care through its weekly walk-in vaccine clinics, offering a low-cost option for dog and cat owners across the region.

The clinics are designed to remove financial and scheduling barriers, making it easier for families to keep their pets healthy and protected with core vaccinations in a low-stress environment.

Walk-in vaccine clinics are held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at Santa Barbara Humane’s Santa Barbara and Santa Maria campuses, with no appointment required.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif (KEYT) – Construction workers are busy putting in an access ramp that is ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act) for people with physical challenges who are visiting the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Crews are preparing the entrance area while working to preserve the Mission’s historic look and can be seen chiseling away each day at sandstone blocks. It is the same material used to create the church’s facade and was sourced from the same quarry.

Mission officials say services and tours are continuing during construction.

The ramp project began in early October of 2025 and is expected to finish by summer of 2026.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Central Coast State Parks were busier today with a benefit to go along with the celebration of the national holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the fee-free day to park and beach users after it was deleted as a free day across the naional by President Donald Trump last month.

In California, there was free access at more than 200 participating locations. A message was posted on social media.   

“I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all,” the Governor said.

On the Central Coast the sites will include La Purisima State Park and Mission, Carpinteria State Beach, Emma Wood State Beach, El Capitan Beach and Refugio Beach.

Niki Mazatoli was a beach visitor with his family and said, ” growing up on the east coast, we had big sandy beaches but not big sandy beaches and those  mountains right there.  It’s very , very special.”

For some it was already going to be a day at the beach, and they came in from inland areas including Santa Clarita. That’s more than an hour away.

“All of our kid’s best friends, we kinda sent of a text. Some decided this morning that they are coming,” said Aimee Sztapka, a beach visitor who was coordinating some of the day’s activities.”

The area has a city beach and a state beach. The city beach is often referred to as the “World’s Safest Beach.” Mazatoli was nearby and said, “the state amenities are really nice. The bathrooms close to the campground, a bike path for the kids., it is  quite nice here .”

It was a good day for a free day, and not a rainy or gloomy January day.

“We love Carp because it is quiet and the kids have the best day ever. Look at this weather we got very lucky today. It can end up being cloudy and it ended up being beautiful,” said Sztapka.

The Governor was hoping those who were enjoying nature were also reflecting on the words and messages of peace from Dr. King.

.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Gauchos held visiting Hawai’i to just 21 first half points and went on for a 77-62 victory to tighten up the Big West standings.

The Gauchos had five players score in double-figures led by Aidan Mahaney who turned in a game-high 17 points.

UCSB is now 4-3 in the Big West, one game behind co-leaders Hawai’i and UC Irvine.

The Gauchos led 40-21 at the half but the Rainbow Warriors cut the deficit to 53-46 with under 10 minutes to go.

“I thought Friday and Saturday last week, after losing to Davis, we had unbelievable practices,” said UCSB head coach Joe Pasternack. “Our guys really bought into defense, and I thought this week we got better at it during hard practices early in the week. We are far from perfect. I just talked with the team about how we don’t understand how to play for 40 minutes. Hawai’i is a great team; they are the best team we have played all year. We had our best defensive outing in the first half, but then gave up 41 points in the second half.”

But UCSB responded with a 10-0 run as Miro Little drilled a three-pointer, freshman CJ Shaw was fouled on a driving layup and converted the free throw. Zion Sensley made consecutive buckets and the Gauchos were back in control up 63-46 with 7 minutes remaining.

Less than two minutes later, the lead swelled to 68-48 following a Mahaney three-pointer and another Sensley basket.

(Zion Sensley finished with 11 points off the bench. Entenza Design).

Hosana Kitenge also played a strong second half and finished with 12 points off the bench shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor.

Little and Colin Smith were the other Gauchos to score in double-digits with 11 and 10 points respectively.

(Besides his 11 points, Miro Little also added 5, rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Entenza Design).

(Colin Smith scored 6 points in a five second span late in the first half. Entenza Design).

UCSB outshot Hawai’i 55% to 42% and outrebounded the Rainbow Warriors 32-28.

The Gauchos improve to 11-7 overall while Hawai’i is now 13-4.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – The All Breed Shows Kennel Club of Beverly Hills hosted a series of dogs shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The dog shows ran through the weekend, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday.

Members of the public are invited to watch for free.

In addition to watching the dogs, the handlers, and the judges in action, the event included pet vendors on the grounds selling everything from dog food to grooming products.

Some of the dogs are heading to the Westminster Dog Show in New York City later this month.

For more information visit https://venturacountyfair.org

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.