Author: KEYT

Mike Klan

VENTURA, Calif. – Troy Hill is going back to school as he returns to St. Bonaventure High School.

The Seraphs alum has been named head football coach as he takes over for Joe Goyeneche who resigned last week.

Hill played for the 2008 Seraphs state championship team and the defensive back is a 2010 St. Bonaventure High School graduate.

He played college at Oregon and had a successful 10-year career in the NFL.

Hill played for five NFL teams including the Los Angeles Rams.

He played in Super Bowl LIII with the Rams.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – An after school program held a talent show.

The A-OK Performing Arts Showcase took place in the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens.

Children ages 4 to 12 took part.

They danced, they sang, and played instruments.

The friends and families sat on the lawn near the stage and enjoyed the show.

They also had a chance to dine at a food truck parked nearby.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, insurance rates are going up.

California just approved State Farm’s 17 percent temporary increase on home insurance premiums.

The rate hike will begin in June and impact about a million customers.

But, it is lower than the 21.8 percent increase State Farm had requested.

California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara adopted the plan Tuesday, following a judge’s ruling on Monday.

He also approved a cash infusion to help the State Farm stay afloat in the state.

It being called an emergency rate increase request following the Eaton and Palisades Fires that destroyed or damaged more than 17,000 homes, businesses and structures in January.

Realtor Steve Epstein of Epstein Partners said rate increases are already impacting real estate transactions in Santa Barbara County.

“I can tell you where it has really hurt people is up in the foothills, once you get into the high fire or extreme wildland fire, once you get by Botanic Gardens or Mission Canyon, upper Mission Canyon Heights or those areas the insurance expenses are crazy.” said Epstein. “We had a listing on Painted Cave, the initial quote was a 100 grand a year.”

Other insurance companies are likely raise rates too.

Many including AAA, Mercury have already filed applications to have surcharges approved by the state.

Tim Baxter of Baxter Insurance Agency in Santa Barbara has been talking to his clients about it.

“For every dollar in premium they are paying more than a dollar out in claims and until that can return to an equilibrium I expect to see rate hikes,” said Baxter.

Mission Canyon homeowner Matthew Nirenberg recalled being close to the Zaca Fire.

Nirenberg is working with the Calfornia Fair Plan that provides insurance options.

You can find more information at https:///insurance.ca.gov

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It will be an all-local CIF-Southern Section Division 3 boys tennis championship match between San Marcos and Cate.

San Marcos won at La Canada 12-6 while Cate beat Long Beach Poly 12-6 in semifinal matches.

The finals are scheduled for Friday and the CIF-SS may move it to a local location instead of Redlands.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara has identified at least 40 violations that led to the red-tagging of La Casa de la Raza on Anacapa Street.

City officials delivered the Notice of Violation to La Casa Founders Holding Company on Wednesday afternoon. The document outlines numerous issues, including fire safety, building integrity, electrical system deficiencies, and noncompliance with accessibility standards.

According to the city’s Code Enforcement Division, inspectors discovered illegal occupancy of areas not approved for residential or assembly use, blocked or improperly marked exits, unpermitted construction, and hazardous electrical installations. Exposed wiring, obstructed exit routes, and a lack of required fire suppression systems were also documented.

In addition, the facility failed to meet accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Restrooms and access points lacked necessary features, and combustible materials were improperly stored near mechanical rooms and electrical panels—violating fire safety regulations.

The notice states that further violations may exist, as not all areas of the building were accessible during the inspection on Wednesday, May 7. The city deemed the facility “unsafe” and red-tagged the building that same day.

La Casa de la Raza has long served as a cultural and community resource for Latino residents in Santa Barbara. The historic site has stood for over 200 years and has been a central hub for local activism.

Following the red-tagging, several community groups have been forced to relocate. Alma de Mexico, a dance group formerly rehearsing at La Casa, is now practicing at Ortega Park.

The property is owned by La Casa Founders Holding Company, formed after the original nonprofit, Casa de la Raza, faced mounting debt and foreclosure.

“It is very complicated, even within the bankruptcy world,” said Lisa Valencia Sherratt, board president of the original La Casa de la Raza founded in the 1970s. “I understand from our counsel that we have many unique situations. The nonprofit, the original La Casa de la Raza, is in an involuntary bankruptcy with an associated case. That case went to mediation, and the result is that the building will be sold and have new ownership.”

La Casa Founders have until June 13 to submit a building permit application with detailed plans to correct the violations. Failure to meet the deadline could result in a $100 citation per violation.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Several local high schools won CIF-Central Section titles in the past week in various sports while others were runner-up. All photos courtesy CIF-CS.

St. Joseph boys tennis are Division II Champions after beating Bullard 8-1 in title.

Atascadero boys tennis was runner-up in Division III losing to Fresno Christian 7-0.

Mission Prep boys golf wins the Division III crown.

Santa Ynez finished runner-up to Mission Prep in Division III.

Templeton boys golf (404) was runner-up in Division II to Bakersfield Christian (404).

Jonas Smith of Morro Bay was the Medalist shooting a 70.

Arroyo Grande girls beach volleyball wins the championship over Bakersfield Christian 2-1.

Atascadero girls swimming wins Division II championship.

Atascadero boys swimming is runner-up in Division II to Redwood.

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Community members spoke at Santa Barbara City Hall Tuesday— to speak out against what they say was a “sudden” closure of the historic Casa de la Raza building on Friday. The Casa de la Raza building has been an important hub for the Chicano community for decades. Its closure is sparking some intense emotions.  The building has been operating as a safe space for migrant families seeking resources. It’s held numerous cultural events, fundraisers, and more over the years. But the city says an inspection on May 7th found multiple code violations, including issues with the building’s gas, electrical, entryways and signage. The city says the inspection came ahead of a potential bankruptcy auction. Folks we spoke with Tuesday say they are unhappy with the timing of this sudden closure, which comes on the heels of a trying time for Santa Barbara’s immigrant community in light of what’s happening with ICE deportations.

“What has changed in the last X amount of months that would have them to come in here and say there’s violations? To condemn a Latino historical facility, the only one of its kind in the city of Santa Barbara, which again, will affect hundreds of people that don’t feel comfortable nor feel safe to go anywhere else for help,” said Gerardo Jerry Menchaca, who lives in Santa Barbara.

“There are people right now that are calling our phone lines wondering, you know, ‘can I still come in?’ or ‘is there somebody that’s going to still help me get diapers for my kids because I’m too scared to go out of my home?’ So it’s really sadness more than it is fear,” said Casa de la Raza Director Jacqueline Inda.

City Administrator Kelly McAdoo says the private property owner is responsible for repairs. A city spokesperson told your News Channel documentation of the violations will be served to the property owner Tuesday, and the notice will become public record. The building is currently owned by the La Casa Founders Holding Company, which we’re told is a separate entity from the original La Casa de la Raza non-profit, but goes by the same name. The owners have about a month to make repairs, but until then the building will be closed.  Casa de la Raza Director Jacqueline Inda says she hopes the city can purchase the building so that the organization can continue to help the community safely. 

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Andie Lopez Bornet

Winds have died down Wednesday and brought mostly clear skies through the region. Thursday will be the warmest day of the rest of the work week, before a cooling trend arrives on Friday. First Alert Weather is tracking a very weak trough of low pressure that will make its way to the Central Coast and LA areas. Onshore Flow strengthens on Thursday as well, so it expect some gloomy and cooler temperatures as we head into our late Thursday evening, when temperatures drop.

Winds are expected to stay on the calmer side for the next couple of days with occasional sundowner breezes depending on your microclimate. Temperatures on Thursday will be in the high 60s close to 70s and for the inland areas, temperatures will be in the 80s, Thursday will definitely be one of the days where it’s warm in the sun and cold in the shade, so keep a light jacket handy.

By Friday, the cooling trend deepens and mostly cloudy skies are expected. There is a small chance of afternoon clear skies closer to the coasts, but models are showing a small chance currently. Saturday will be the coldest day of the cooling trend. With the trough and onshore flow, the marine layer is expected to be dense enough to produce light mist and drizzle. Plan for gloomy and wet conditions on Saturday.

Through the weekend, temperatures will be 5-15 degrees below average for this time of year. As we head into our work week next week, we’re tracking a warming trend that will last a few days.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – After years of preparation, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) recently opened its long-planned new North County headquarters in Santa Maria.

“This is a landmark for the Air Pollution Control District,” said Aeron Arlin Genet, APCD Executive Direction/Air Pollution Control Officer. “We’ve been working out of Santa Maria, but not in our own building and this establishes a strong foothold for us in the community, for our staff, for the sources that we regulate and for the general public that we serve.”

The sleek modern-looking two-story building is located on West McCoy Lane and replaces a much smaller office the agency occupied that was located in the downtown area close to the Santa Maria Town Center mall.

“We have great space to conduct meetings, workshops, organize with other non-profit organizations to hold functions here at our facility,” said Arlin Genet. “In addition to housing our staff and our office needs, we also have a lab so we can work with our monitoring and our enforcement equipment to ensure that they’re all in proper working functions, so we can then enable them out into the field.”

APCD purchased the building in 2021, and according to an agency release, remodeled with it sustainable concepts in mind that include, metal-insulated siding and roofing panels to provide a highly insulated building; dual-glazed windows that reflect heat and provide an improved weather seal, heat pumps for heating and cooling, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) with Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 filters for clean indoor air quality and Clean Air Center capability, thermostats in each room to minimize energy use, skylights to increase natural light; and high-efficiency LED lighting throughout.

“This building was a significant investment for the air district,” said Arlin Genet. “We were able to invest not only for the district itself, but for our staff, but more importantly for the community that we serve. We want to be local. We want to be present. We want to be top of the mind. When you have air quality questions or concerns, you know where we are and you can come in and talk to us in person or online. We have online resources available at ourair.org.”

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The oil industry has shaped Santa Barbara county’s history, but it’s not likely to be a big part of it’s future.

County supervisors voted to move away from fossil fuels. 

At the end of the day, the Board of Supervisors are adopting resolutions to phase out any remaining oil and gas production projects, and to ban applications for any future projects onshore.

It’s been estimated that a rapid, planned phasing out of oil and gas production can save Santa Barbara county 100 million dollars by the year 2045.

“Do we want to be investing in jobs related to clean economy or ones that in a dwindling oil and gas economy?” says Laura Capps, Santa Barbara County Supervisor.

A report from UCSB says a project to phase out current infrastructure would create jobs, as the lengthy process requires the same skill set as operation.

“People are very attached either trying to transition away from it or trying to make sure that it stays here. So I it’s a very hot topic. And we had a good debate on really the future of this county. And do we want to be investing in jobs related to clean economy or ones that in a dwindling oil and gas economy where there’s really just about 100 jobs in the oil and gas industry now?” says Capps.

County supervisors voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution phasing out oil production on Tuesday.

Supervisor Bob Nelson cast the sole “no” vote.

“Probably the most disappointing day that I’ve ever had at County Board of Supervisors. It was a complete snow job where a county staff member and department worked with environmental nonprofits to actively work on destroying an important industry in our county,” says Supervisor Nelson.

He says his district is composed of a significant number of families who depend on work from the fossil fuel industry, and that they want him to fight for their jobs.

“I see this as really political theater, just like the Sable Pipeline. Actions that have been advocated by those in the environmental nonprofits in our county. You know, they’ve tried to drag the county into lawsuits which have cost us time and money where we had really no say in whether the pipeline starts again. This is the same thing here,” says Nelson. 

Board chair Laura Capps says the transition away from outdated fossil fuel technology is fiscally prudent and essential, a step that will protect the well being of generations.

Supervisor Nelson acknowledges a future of clean energy does make sense, but that the fossil fuel industry can be part of the solution, not just seen as the problem.

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