Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Just days following a News Channel exclusive story, community members in Santa Barbara have come together to fully raise the money needed for a local tenant to meet her April 30th rent deadline, preventing eviction.

The effort means Shawn Hernandez will be able to remain in her home after what had been a looming deadline that put her housing at risk. The community raised 100 percent of the required funds in time.

The tenant is now sharing an emotional reaction after learning she will not be evicted and can stay in her home thanks to the support she received.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – San Marcos High School captured the Channel League girls swim championship and the overall combined title while Dos Pueblos claimed the boys crown.

The Royals girls piled up the points in this eight-school league meet by winning a couple of freestyle relays while freshman Nya Cable won the 100 butterfly (1:00.21) and senior Bethany King finishing first in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.89).

The San Marcos girls totaled 572 points while second place Dos Pueblos had 466 points.

DP got a double win from Riley Moore who touched first in the 100 backstroke (59.32) and 200 IM (2:14.40).

Santa Barbara sophomore Jules Horton is a double Channel League champion winning the 200 freestyle (1:55.12) and the 500 freestyle (5:06.81).

Pacifica senior and UCSB-commit Abigail Tamayo won the 50 freestyle (23.59) and the 100 freestyle (52.07).

As for the boys DP senior Eli Carnaghe set a Chargers program and a meet record by winning the 50 freestyle at 20.61 seconds.

(Carnaghe celebrates after record-setting 50 freestyle race).

The University of Santa Cruz-commit Carnaghe later won the 100 freestyle (46.29).

Grant Nelson of Dos Pueblos won the 100 backstroke title (55.92).

DP beat second place San Marcos 496-468.

The Royals got a double win from Nolan Clark as he took first in the 200 IM (1:57.11) and the 100 butterfly (50.49).

Will Stuart set a program record in the 100 breaststroke with a winning time of 57.26).

Jacob Angel won the 500 freestyle (4:48.63).

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Girls Lacrosse Round 2: El Segundo 8, San Marcos 7

CIF-Southern Section Division 3 Girls Lacrosse Round 2: Santiago 15, Dos Pueblos 2

CIF-Southern Section Division 3 Girls Lacrosse Round 2: Great Oak 6, Cate 5

CIF-Southern Section Division 8 Boys Volleyball Round 2: West Valley 3, Laguna Blanca 2

High School Baseball: Bishop Diego 9, Villanova Prep 1: Cardinals win Frontier League title.

Channel League Track and Field Individual Championships:

Santa Barbara High School standout Elina Stump wins the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and triple jump. Stump was the defending champion in the 100 hurdles and triple jump.

The Dons Malachi Johnston won the shot put for a second straight year.

San Marcos senior Logan Patterson Deakyne captured the 300 hurdles title while Oliver Werkhoven won the triple jump.

Kellan Cotter won two championships as the Dos Pueblos runner was first in the 200 meter and 400.

Also for DP, Cullen Gully is the 800 meter champion, Alex Hollingsworth won the discus and Luna Gnagy was first in the high jump.

Several athletes from Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos all advance to CIF-SS prelims.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the County of Santa Barbara regarding Voter information for the upcoming June election.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Vote by Mail Ballots will be mailed during the first week of May. Registered voters throughout Santa Barbara County should have received their County Voter Information Guide for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election in the mail by the end of April and will receive their Vote By Mail ballot in early May.

Voters are encouraged to return their completed ballot as soon as possible using the postage-paid return envelope provided. The return envelope must be signed by the voter. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, June 2, 2026. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing ballots early to ensure timely delivery to the Elections Office for processing and counting.

Official ballot drop boxes will be available 24 hours a day beginning May 4 until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, June 2, 2026. Voters are encouraged to utilize one of the 18 official ballot drop boxes located throughout the County to return their ballot. A list of official ballot drop box locations in Santa Barbara County is included with the voter’s mailed ballot and is posted at Elections | Santa Barbara County, CA – Official Website.

The Voter Information Guide issued by the County of Santa Barbara provides the voter’s polling place location and hours, an image of what the ballot looks like and includes instructions for completing the ballot.

Receipt of the Voter Information Guide is a good reminder for voters to verify that their voter registration is up to date.

Voters can verify the accuracy of their voter registration, including residential and mailing addresses, at the California Secretary of State’s website, or Santa Barbara County Elections Office website. To make address and other updates to voter registration or for eligible citizens to register to vote, visit the California Secretary of State’s Register to Vote website.

Traducción al Español

SANTA BÁRBARA, Calif. – Las boletas de votación por correo serán enviadas por correo durante la primera semana de mayo. Los votantes registrados en el condado de Santa Bárbara deberían haber recibido su Guía de Información para el Votante del Condado para las elecciones primarias directas estatales del 2 de junio de 2026 a finales de abril y recibirán su boleta de votación por correo a principios de mayo.

Se recomienda a los votantes que devuelvan su boleta completada tan pronto como sea posible utilizando el sobre de devolución con franqueo pagado que se incluye. El sobre de devolución debe estar firmado por el votante. Las boletas devueltas por correo deben tener el sello postal a más tardar el día de las elecciones, el 2 de junio de 2026. El Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos recomienda enviar las boletas por correo con anticipación para garantizar su entrega oportuna a la Oficina Electoral para su procesamiento y conteo.

Las urnas oficiales para las boletas estarán disponibles las 24 horas del día a partir del 4 de mayo hasta las 8:00 p. m. el día de la elección, el 2 de junio de 2026. Se alienta a los votantes a utilizar una de las 18 urnas oficiales ubicadas en todo el condado para entregar su boleta. Se proporciona una lista de las ubicaciones de las urnas oficiales en el condado de Santa Bárbara en la boleta enviada por correo y está publicada en Elecciones | Condado de Santa Bárbara, CA – Sitio web oficial.

La Guía de Información para el Votante emitida por el Condado de Santa Bárbara proporciona la ubicación y el horario de su centro de votación, una imagen de cómo se ve la boleta e incluye instrucciones para completar la boleta.

Recibir la Guía de Información para el Votante es un buen recordatorio para que los votantes verifiquen que su registro de votante esté actualizado.

Los votantes pueden verificar la exactitud de los datos de su registro, incluso su dirección residencial y postal en el sitio web de la Secretaría de Estado de California o en el sitio web de la Oficina Electoral del Condado de Santa Bárbara. Para actualizar su dirección u otros datos de su registro o para que los ciudadanos elegibles se registren para votar, visite el sitio web de Registro para Votar de la Secretaría del Estado de California.

Si desea obtener más información, visite sbcvote.com o llame a la oficina de Elecciones del Condado de Santa Bárbara al 800-722-8683.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the County of Santa Barbara regarding a $15.3 Million grant awarded to the Isla Vista community.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The County of Santa Barbara has been awarded a $15.3 million grant to develop a community microgrid in Isla Vista that will support critical community facilities including the Isla Vista Sheriff’s Office, Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic and the Isla Vista Community Center.

The microgrid will also serve about 120 residential customers and 50 non-residential customers connected to the system, with customers served by the microgrid expected to see no change in their electric bill. The grant will also fund community engagement and workforce development activities, expanding the award’s reach and impact.

The solar-powered microgrid with battery energy storage is expected to provide at least 24 hours of backup power, enabling the system to operate independently from the grid during emergencies. This “islanding” capability ensures continuity of operations during severe weather events or earthquakes.

“This significant investment reflects our commitment to protecting communities, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that the benefits are felt directly by the people it’s meant to serve,” said Supervisor Laura Capps. “In Isla Vista, that means reliable power during emergencies, support for essential community spaces, and meaningful opportunities for residents to shape and participate in a clean energy future.”

“Not everyone can own a battery in their own garage, which is especially true in Isla Vista,” said Garrett Wong, Sustainability Division Manager. “This project generates enough clean energy and backup power to serve several neighborhood blocks.”

The grant was awarded through Southern California Edison (SCE) under the statewide Microgrid Incentive Program. With the funding secured, the County will initiate a request for proposals for project management, design and construction services to proceed with technical evaluation studies in partnership with SCE. These efforts will inform final design and implementation, moving the project into the development phase.

For more information and updates, visit County of Santa Barbara Microgrids website.

Traducción al Español:

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – El Condado de Santa Bárbara ha recibido una subvención de USD 15,3 millones para desarrollar una microrred comunitaria en Isla Vista que apoyará instalaciones comunitarias críticas, incluida la Oficina del Alguacil de Isla Vista, la Clínica Vecinal de Isla Vista y el Centro Comunitario de Isla Vista.

La microrred también servirá a unos 120 clientes residenciales y 50 clientes no residenciales conectados al sistema. Se espera que los usuarios de la microrred no vean cambios en sus facturas de electricidad. La subvención también financiará actividades de participación comunitaria y desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, ampliando el alcance e impacto de dicha adjudicación.

Se espera que la microrred de energía solar con almacenamiento de energía en baterías proporcione al menos 24 horas de energía de respaldo, lo que permitirá que el sistema funcione de forma independiente de la red eléctrica durante emergencias. Esta capacidad de “islamiento” asegura la continuidad de las operaciones durante eventos climáticos severos o terremotos.

“Esta inversión significativa refleja nuestro compromiso de proteger a las comunidades, fortalecer la resiliencia y garantizar que los beneficios lleguen directamente a las personas a las que debe servir”, dijo la supervisora Laura Capps. “En Isla Vista, eso significa energía confiable durante emergencias, apoyo para espacios comunitarios esenciales y oportunidades significativas para que los residentes moldeen y participen en un futuro de energía limpia”.

“No todos pueden tener una batería en su propio garaje, lo cual es especialmente cierto en Isla Vista”, comentó Garrett Wong, gerente de la División de Sostenibilidad. “Este proyecto genera suficiente energía limpia y energía de respaldo para dar servicio a varias cuadras del vecindario”.

La subvención fue otorgada a través de Southern California Edison (SCE) bajo el Programa de Incentivos para Microrredes (Microgrid Incentive Program) a nivel estatal. Con el financiamiento asegurado, el Condado iniciará una solicitud de propuestas para la gestión de proyectos, diseño y servicios de construcción para proceder con estudios de evaluación técnica en asociación con SCE. Estos esfuerzos servirán de base para el diseño final y la implementación, trasladando el proyecto a la fase de desarrollo.

Para obtener más información y actualizaciones, visite el sitio web de microrredes del condado de Santa Bárbara.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A Santa Barbara Housing Authority event is bringing critical services directly to local senior citizens.

For many seniors here, access can be the difference between stability and struggle.

Inside Presidio Springs, dozens of residents move table to table, meeting with organizations offering help with health care, housing support, and daily needs.

About 150 Housing Authority senior residents take part in a closed resource fair focused on connecting them directly with essential services.

Organizers work to bring services directly to residents, helping close gaps many seniors face when navigating support on their own.

For residents here, it’s not just about services — it’s about staying supported in the place they call home.

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Local women leaders are being recognized for their impact across the Santa Barbara region.

The 12th annual BRAVO Awards luncheon celebrates leadership, innovation, and growth.

The National Association of Women Business Owners Santa Barbara chapter honored nine women across business, education, non-profit leadership, and technology.

Organizers describe the event theme, “Business in Bloom,” as a reflection of resilience and growth among women leaders in the region.

The luncheon highlights both established leaders and rising voices shaping the community’s future.

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Joey Vergilis

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Theater students at San Marcos High School are ready to hit the stage for their production of the dark, operatic musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

In Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street a wronged barber returns to London for revenge and teams up a with a local pie maker to turn his victims into the town’s most disturbingly delicious, comfort food.

San Marcos Royals Sophomore Nikki Kurnik who plays Johanna Barker – the daughter of Benjamin Barker (Sweeney Todd) – said, “I’m looking forward to seeing the audiences reactions, I’m also excited to show my friends and family all the hard work we’ve been putting in behind the scenes.”

Playing the rival barber is San Marcos Royals Senior, Austin Javanbakht, portraying Italian barber Adolfo Pirelli.

Javanbakht said he and his classmates have been hard at work since January.

“Our whole cast and crew has really bonded over the past four months as we’ve put in countless hours for rehearsals and preparations, through the process we’ve become like our own little tight knit family, we’re ready for opening night and I’m excited for my dad to see this production.”

The productions blend of horror, tragedy and dark comedy are sure to keep you on the “razors edge” of your seat.

Don’t miss your chance to see what is widely considered to be one the greatest musicals ever written tonight at 7:00 PM.

Overall, the group will host seven performances on campus at the San Marcos High Theater.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door, VIP tickets are $25, General admission are $15 and Senior/ Student tickets are $10.

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Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – A lawsuit was filed on Tuesday against Planet Fitness and two of its franchisees.

The lawsuit claims the fitness chain failed to prevent a member from secretly recording nearly 50 female gym members in various stages of undress in a tanning booth at its arroyo grande location.

It stems from an incident on Dec. 29 last year when an 18-year-old college student was secretly filmed without clothing and without her knowledge or consent while using a standing tanning booth.

“It did happen at the Arroyo Grande Planet Fitness location,” says Randy Renick with Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai LLP, representing the plaintiff.

Arroyo Grande police say the perpetrator used a cell phone, by pushing it through a crack in the booth’s doorway.

“The police describes somebody lurking around the tanning booths for an extended period of time while Planet Fitness employees just walk by and don’t take any steps to protect the members,” says Renick.

A police investigation has revealed the incident is not isolated.

“What we know about the Arroyo Grande location, from the police investigation, is that there was at least 47 victims, over just a 52 week period,” says Renick.

According to the lawsuit, Planet Fitness employees were in the immediate vicinity during multiple incidents, reportedly witnessing the perpetrator’s erratic and suspicious behavior on numerous occasions. Despite this, the gym’s staff allegedly failed to intervene, warn members, or take any corrective action, even though the gym’s own policy explicitly prohibits photography in the tanning rooms.

“I think it’s, it’s important to comment on, the impact on both our client and, and the other women,” says Renick. “Our client’s 18 years old. She went to the gym to tan. She should not have to carry this trauma for the rest of her life because Planet Fitness chose profits over the safety of its female members.”

Attorney Randy Renick says this lawsuit is representative of incidents occurring at several planet fitness locations in other cities and states, involving many perpetrators and victims.

“It’s not a one gym problem,” Renick says. “For years, Planet Fitness locations across the country, have been the sites of secret filming of female members.”

Arroyo Grande police are investigating and say they’ve identified the suspect but an arrest has not yet been made.

They’ll be keeping the individual’s identity private for now.

The corporate offices of Planet Fitness have issued the following statement.

“At Planet Fitness, the safety and privacy of our members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind. We can confirm the franchise group has cancelled the member in question and is working closely with the local police in their investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, we refer any additional inquiries to the local authorities.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual effort to remove discarded items from the Santa Barbara Harbor is taking place Saturday and it is expected to bring significant waste to the surface.

The event is known as “Operation Clean Sweep.”

It takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of the Harbor Boat Launch Ramp by Marina 4.

The Waterfront Department says a team of volunteer divers — backed by about 30 dockside volunteers — will head beneath Marina 4 to clear out underwater junk. Divers locate the debris, dock volunteers haul it up, and it is put into a Marborg dumpster.

Lunch will be provided for the volunteers.

Over the years the “Clean Sweepers” have removed more than 26 tons of debris from the harbor. Past finds include everything from bicycles, barbeques, plastic barrels, and boat propellers to wire cages, outboard engines, phones, computers, and at times a marine battery.

Fisherman Travis Meyer said, “I have seen them do the cleanups with the big dumpster and everything, and it is good to see them cleaning up the water. There’s random stuff floating in the water everywhere, unfortunately. “

Those who are in the waterfront on a regular basis either to live, or take their vessels out for recreational or commercial use say it can get busy and dirty fast without constant care.. They are thankful the Waterfront Department is coordinating this clean up annually. They also see the benefits of a healthy environment includes shore birds and marine life here on a regular basis.

Marine Spill Response Corp. worker Joe Stein said, “Yeah. I always see trash. I mean, it’s a harbor. (it gets) dirty in general. This one’s a little cleaner than most, we got to work together and get it done. Get all the plastic you out, all the trash. “

This effort is led by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, alongside volunteers from Salty Dog Dive Service, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, SB Channelkeeper, SB Maritime Museum, SB Sail and Power Squadron, and Tidy Seas.

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