Author: KEYT

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – In a program that has gained national attention, the Santa Barbara Unified School District with its “phones off and away” policy for classrooms continues with the start of the new school year.

In addition to cell phones, smart watches and headphones are not allowed during class time. 

Instruction began today.

Each high school room has a “cell phone hotel” where students can store their devices, but also have quick access to them in an emergency. 

The program has proven to be successful to keep the students focuses on their learning and minimize distractions.

At times phones can be used for instructional reasons but if not, they are in the hotel slots.

In the lower grades they are given a pouch that cancels out the signal and they are not able to get service. It stays there until school is out. It is not allowed during breaks.

They can also use the phone in an approved emergency.

The plan to limit cell phone use on campus has recently been praised by Governor Newsom.

At Santa Barbara High, the message about a no cell phone policy in classrooms has been shared with students and their parents.

There are penalties for those who try to use their phones or digital watches against the rules.

Last year the program was recognized by Governor Gavin Newsom.  He signed Assembly Bill  3216 requiring school districts to have a policy limiting cell phones on campus by July 1, 2026.

The time frame at La Colina Junior High is  8:50a.m. when they have their first class to  3:05 p.m. when they are let out.

Connor MacNaughton, an eighth grader gave us the rules as he was told by the school. “You’ll put your phone in the pouch, before the first bell rings at the start of the day and put it in the pouch in your backpack with the phone in it for the entire day. And then after the last bell rings, you can get it back.”

Principal Jennifer Foster said the program can help with learning and reducing distractions. “We’re using the pouches as more of a tool to help them manage those things.”

Overall there will be more traditional interaction. “It feels like it makes you more live and  in person and maybe fosters conversation and stuff like that,” said MacNaughton.

Max Quijano is an eighth grader who said, “I’ll probably just keep hanging out with my friends. Last year I didn’t really use my cell phone that much. I use it for music, so it won’t be that big of a difference.”

 MacNaughton said there are times when the phone helps him make a connection. “Sometimes you miss it because if you can’t find your friend, you need to text them and call them.”

 Santa Barbara Unified School Superintendent HIlda Maldonado said she has had good feedback. “Parents are thanking us. Teachers are thanking us. Obviously, our principals are also doing a great job promoting it. So, no, it’s not an area that I think anybody’s upset about .”

Without a phone there’s more critical thinking and reasoning  which are valuable school and life skills to develop early on. 

Foster says, “one of our goals here at La Colina this year is building that grit and perseverance skills. And you know, if something gets hard, they you stick with it.”

Santa Barbara Unified School District “Off and Away” policy from Superintendent Hilda Maldonado:

Dear Santa Barbara Unified School District Parents and Guardians,

I’m writing to you today to share important information about a new cell phone policy that will be in effect at Junior High Schools for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. This change will be part of the registration process, which begins on July 1.

Our goal with this updated policy is to promote responsible and balanced technology use among our students, ensuring a focused learning environment for everyone.

Here’s a breakdown of the new policy:

2025-2026 Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

What’s New?

The most significant change for elementary and junior high schools is the introduction of an “Off & Away All Day” policy.

Elementary Schools: All cell phones and non-instructional electronic devices, such as earbuds, must be turned off and stored away from the official start of the school day until dismissal. This means these devices are not permitted for use at any time during the school day.

Junior High Schools: The same “Off & Away All Day” policy applies. Devices must remain off and put away from the start to the end of the school day. However, a junior high school may be exempt from this all-day policy if they submit and implement a plan for managing responsible device use on campus. This includes providing students with digital citizenship lessons throughout the school year.

High Schools: The policy remains similar to previous years. All cell phones and non-instructional electronic devices must be turned off and put away during class time. However, students may continue to use their devices before and after school, during passing periods, nutrition breaks, and lunch.

Why the Change?

This updated policy aims to minimize distractions in the classroom and promote a more engaged learning experience for all students. We believe that by creating clearer boundaries around device use, we can better support academic focus and positive social interactions during the school day.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Failure to follow this policy will result in appropriate support and/or consequences. These may include a verbal warning, reteaching of expectations, a family conference, behavioral intervention support, confiscation of the device, or loss of privileges, depending on the student’s age, ability, and the frequency of the violation.

Health-Related and Accessibility Needs

We understand that some students may have a health-related or accessibility need that requires the use of a device. If this applies to your child, please inform their school or teacher so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

Registration Process to begin July 1

We encourage you to review the full policy during the registration process, which begins July 1. We appreciate your partnership in creating a productive and focused learning environment for our students. To learn more about registration, visit our Enrollment Website. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

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Dave Alley

PASO ROBLES, Calif. – Just as firefighters have nearly put the Gifford Fire completely out, a dangerous heat wave is forecasted to hit the Central Coast this week and create an elevated risk of wildfire to the area.

According to News Channel 3-12 meteorologist Mackenzie Lake, an Extreme Heat Warning begins today for most inland areas.

In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning begins beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday in parts of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties.

“Red Flag Warning means that we’re going to have low relative humidity, high temperatures and also accompanying winds,” said Ryan Grebe, San Luis Obispo County Fire Department public information officer. “That combination allows for rapid fire growth. If we do get a start, it’s going to be harder for firefighters to, you know, go out and put out that fire.”

The elevated fire risk arrives as firefighters draw close to fully extinguishing the Gifford Fire, which has burned more than 131,000 acres and now stands at 95% contained as of Wednesday

“It’s not ideal,” said Gifford Fire information officer Rich Eagan. “Guys have been here for two-and-a-half, three weeks now and they’re tired. It’s tedious work, but we’re here to complete the mission.” 

Eagan added more than 2,000 firefighters remain assigned to cover the fire with most of them now stationed the re-established Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Santa Maria Elks Event Center.

Earlier this week the ICP was moved from Santa Margarita Ranch back to the Elks Event Center, which served as the host site for a few days following the start of the Gifford Fire on Aug. 1.

With this week’s weather conditions creating extreme fire hazards, fire crews are hoping the public will heed their advice and be mindful of what they can do to lower risks.

 “We really want people to be aware of this Red Flag Warning and make sure that we don’t have any starts,” said Grebe. “Obviously accidental ignitions can happen, but, we’ve we’ve been fighting fire for a long time locally, and a lot of our, partner agencies have been out there with us, so we just want people to keep that in mind. We’ve seen a lot of local fire started by mowing, tow chains, things like that. There’s always that human element that’s involved in the ignition of these fires, so we want people to be aware of what they’re doing. Don’t mow after 10 a.m., and I probably wouldn’t mow it all during these next couple of days.”

Since a large number of firefighters remain on the Central Coast from around the state through the mutual aid system, there is a silver lining should a fire break out locally.

“We are prepared and willing to go if we get diverted,” said Eagan. “We can get redeployed at any time to a different incident. If a fire starts, they’ll definitely send people there.” 

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Bishop Diego has the ‘skills to pay the bills.”

The Cardinals have loads of experience and talent at the skill positions as they look to return to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs after they just missed out last season.

Quarterback Tua Rojas has plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal including star senior running back Oscar Mauia who will certainly play college football next fall.

Fellow running back Gabe Villa along with wide receivers John Michael Flint and Sam Crawford will produce plenty of highlights.

The big question mark for the Cardinals is the inexperienced offensive and defensive line.

If they improve through game experiences than Bishop Diego should be able to compete at a high level even in the rugged Marmonte League.

Last year the Cardinals were 4-5-1 and lost a handful of close games.

Bishop Diego plays four out of their first five games on the road including Friday’s opener at Lancaster.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – San Marcos liked the taste of going to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs and they are hoping to build on last year despite losing close to 30 seniors.

The Royals ended a 19-year playoff drought and they do not plan on being a one-hit wonder.

San Marcos has over 20 seniors on this year’s varsity team including a few top notch athletes from other sports that are playing under the Friday lights for the first time ever.

The Royals open the season this Friday, August 22nd at home against Del Sol of Oxnard. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

(Play the video as the Royals talk about the season).

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

Girls Volleyball

Santa Barbara 3, Valencia 2

Santa Ynez 3, Dos Pueblos 0

St. Joseph 3, Laguna Blanca 0

Saugus 3, Ventura 1

Westlake 3, St. Bonaventure 2

Girls Flag Football:

Dos Pueblos 55, St. Bonaventure 0

(Alma Basave rushes for a DP touchdown as they move to 7-1 on the year. Entenza Design).

San Marcos 25, Lompoc 0

Santa Barbara 51, Cabrillo 6

Oxnard 44, Simi Valley 0

Moorpark 30, Oaks Christian 18

Rio Mesa 59, Hueneme 0

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Just days before his senior season begins, Malachi Johnston knows that his football days will not end after his high school games are done.

The Santa Barbara High School standout lineman verbally committed to Cal Poly.

“I am really grateful for that opportunity to get to keep playing football,” said Johnston. “I think I am a very, very lucky person to get to play football another 4-5 years.”

Johnston has been a team captain for the Dons ever since his sophomore season.

“Guys respect him,” began Dons head coach Nate Mendoza. “He is not afraid to be harsh on his teammates, he is not afraid to be harsh on his coaches. We love everything about him, high character, high intensity, great leader.”

Johnston has not allowed a sack over the past two seasons.

Santa Barbara plays at Camarillo on Friday, August 22nd at 7 p.m.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Santa Barbara City Council adopted the final reading of a $3.5 million loan agreement designated for affordable housing.

The money will go to the Local Housing Trust Fund.

It is part of a loan agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara.

It will be used to develop the 400 block of W. Carrillo St.

The project will be secured by a deed or trust with a 90-year affordability control covenant.

For more information visit https://santabarbaraca.gov

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Andrew Gillies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Stearns Wharf murder case was declared a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury on Tuesday. The jury voted 11 to 1 to convict, but a jury must vote unanimously for criminal verdicts.

Jiram Tenorio-Ramon, 25, of Santa Barbara was accused of fatally shooting Robert Dion Gutierrez of Camarillo in December 2022.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch told Your News Channel Tuesday night his office will move to retry the case.

On the night of Dec. 9, 2022, shots rang out at Stearns Wharf between two groups and an uninvolved Camarillo man, Robert Gutierrez, who was on a walk with his wife to celebrate their anniversary was hit.

Gutierrez died from the gunshot wound on December 20, 2022, while receiving medical care at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Four men and a 16-year-old were arrested the following month in connection with the fatal shooting and eventually three teens were also charged in connection with the shooting and being accessories after the fact.

“One group involved in the altercation has been identified as local Santa Barbara area residents with ties to a local Santa Barbara street gang,” shared the Santa Barbara Police Department in February of 2023. “The opposing group in the altercation has been identified as Ventura County residents with ties to Ventura County street gangs.”

One of the arrested men, Jiram Tenorio-Ramon, was charged alongside three other men in January of 2023 and all four faced special allegations that the crime was connected to criminal street gang activity.

By July of this year, the three other men had pled guilty to lesser charges leaving only Tenorio-Ramon to face charges of murder, personal and intentional discharge of a handgun causing death, and committing a penal code violation while on felony probation.

George Steele, an attorney representing Tenorio-Ramon during the murder trial, argued that the other gang members from Ventura County fired first and his client fired back in self-defense.

“All the other things that were basically designed to inflame your emotions and this one to make you think anything other than what was going on on that wharf was right or wrong,” stated Steele during the trial.

Final arguments were submitted and jury deliberations began on Wednesday of last week.

“You have to look at the gang evidence, you have to look at the text evidence. You have to look at the rap. You have to look at his actions and the statements in the days and weeks following the murder,” said Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister who prosecuted the case. “If he [Tenorio-Ramon] was not down there looking for trouble why did he have a loaded 9 millimeter unserialized ghost gun on him? And why was he showing it to everybody that night?

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City Council responded to a Santa Barbara County Grand Jury’s 15 page report entitled “E-Bikes In Santa Barbara: What Will It Take to Make Them Safe?”

The report was issued in June and required a response within 90 days.

Councilmembers agreed with their staff recommendation to send a letter from Mayor Randy Rowse to the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury and Presiding Judge Patricia Kelly.

The Grand Jury took up the issue following social media posts about collisions and injuries the underscored complaints.

Most of the injuries tallies by the Grand Jury were the riders, but passengers and pedestrians have been hurt.

The numbers may be under-reported depending on whether officers are called to an accident.

The report stated the proliferation of e-bikes gave the issue a sense of urgency.

Santa Barbara city and council has paths for cyclists that now share the road with the faster moving e-bikes.

The reports recommended police focus on high-traffic areas that will achieve high visibility by Dec. 1.

The city council agreed that education, enforcement and community collaboration are essential to e-bike safety.

The city has already adopted an e-bike ordinance giving officers discretion while responding to unsafe behavior.

Officers recenty towed a so-called ‘pocket bike’ that was not street legal.

Following the Santa Barbara City Council meeting Mayor Rowse talking about enforcement.

“There are a zillion ideas but ordinances don’t always solve a problem because you can say these are the rules, but if you don’t enforce them what have you done, so the enforcement piece is really important.” 

Rowse has witnessed the increase in e-bike riders locally.

“The e-bike thing really blew up out of almost nowhere, it went from as few to now everybody’s got them and they are faster than they are supposed to be, ans all that kind of stuff, so we are still wrestling with the problem for now,” said Rowse, “but we had to respond to the grand jury and at least say we are working on things which we are and working on methods of enforcement or citation or perhaps even confiscation.”

The mayor shared an anecdote saying he was almost struck by an e-bike during an interview about the issue with News Channel reporter John Palminteri, not far from city hall.

At the farmers market on Tuesday e-bike riders and cyclists appeared to be on their best behavior.

People could see them walking their e-bikes on the sidewalk and riding them in areas where pedestrians were not in their path.

The city said the police department will be strategically deploying officers and will be giving the council quarterly reports.

The city has already implemented or parcially implemented some of the Grand Jury suggestions.

In conclusion, the city thanked the Grand Jury and said it “remains committed to supporting the safe integration of e-bikes into our transportation system.”

The city plans to share reports with the Santa Barbara Fire and Police Commission and share submitted reports on its website at https://docs.santabarbaraca.gov

The Santa Barbara City Council’s response will be posted on the grand jury’s website at https://sbcgj.org

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department regarding construction contract approval for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – On August 19, 2025, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the construction contract for Phase II of the Modoc Multi Use Path. This $6.5 million project will complete an 8-mile-long Class I (multi-use) path network from Isla Vista to Arroyo Burro Beach and the City of Santa Barbara. It will also provide a more comfortable experience for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The new path will extend the existing Obern Trail from the western Encore Drive intersection to the intersection of Via Senda, where it will connect to the recently completed Phase I multi-use path section. The Board of Supervisors approved Phase I in 2022, and construction was completed in August 2023.

Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said, “This beautiful path will allow more people to bike, roll and stroll from one part of our community to another — safely. It takes a village to make these projects come to life. I’m grateful to all the partners for sticking with this project and believing in the end goal.”

Modoc Road is a high-speed minor arterial in unincorporated Santa Barbara County with speed limits of 45 mph, no continuous ADA-compliant pathway, and Class II bike lanes primarily used by experienced bicyclists. This project provides a safety benefit by creating a pathway where bicyclists and pedestrians are separated from motor vehicles. This project also provides several new pedestrian crossings for residential neighborhoods to cross Modoc Rd. in order to reach the Modoc Path, Modoc Preserve and Obern Trail. This project is identified in the Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan, County Active Transportation Plan, and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Regional Active Transportation Plan.

The project is funded by the County General Fund ($1.1 million), a State Active Transportation Program. Grant ($2.6 million), the County Service Area 3 Special District ($1 million), Measure A ($1.3 million), and the State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account ($500 thousand). Construction is expected to begin this fall. For more information on this project, visit www.countyofsb.org/modocmup

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