Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Students are racing through real-world career challenges at Vieja Valley Elementary School in Santa Barbara.

“We’re trying to go to Tower in 10 minutes in a group so it’s all about teamwork. How tall of a tower can you build,” said teacher Kim Aragon of Vieja Elementary School.

Funded by California Jobs First, the new skills lab uses monthly kits that simulate jobs in fields from AgTech to aerospace.

“We’re working on building skills that students will need in order to be productive in the labor force,” said superintendent Anne Hubbard of Hope School District.

“We’re learning teamwork and we’re building a tower that takes a lot of effort with the whole team,” said student Tayla Stites-Kemp of Vieja Elementary School.

“It’s hard because some people are not working and some people are and we’re trying to make a plan,” said student Zay Corzo of Vieja Elementary School.

So far kids say they’re loving all the hands-on activities from the monthly kits.

“I’m excited because this is a very fun math lesson and we get to work with so many of our close friends,” said Stites-Kemp.

A lab where classroom learning has become a pathway to real careers.

“Listening to each other and they just all wish they had more time,” said Aragon.

By engaging in practical problem-solving activities, students are building confidence and discovering potential career paths at an early age.

Teachers and program leaders hope the skills lab will inspire the next generation of local talent and strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline for future high-opportunity jobs.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria City Council approved additional funding Tuesday night needed to complete work on the now-under-construction Santa Maria Sports Complex.

According to the city staff report, an $5,530,000 in funding is required to allow the Santa Maria to deliver the long-planned sports park as envisioned, including four multipurpose playing fields, basketball courts, restrooms, playgrounds, trails, landscaping, site lighting, public art, and supporting facilities.

On Tuesday, councilmembers approved the appropriation of the additional funding andthe award of remaining bid alternatives for the project using Growth Mitigation Program funds, which are paid by developers.

“At last night’s meeting, City Council approved some additional funding to help bring home this sports project all the way to completion,” said Dennis Smitherman, Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department Recreation Services Manager. “In addition to the $12.1 million already allocated, last night’s approved additional funding to really bring this project home, so that means when we’re ready to cut the ribbon and that grand opening ceremony, we’ll have everything all completed.”

The city said in a release the funding will specially cover the cost security lighting, restrooms, a playground, landscaping, construction management, change orders and renovation of an existing water well.

While the complex will be available for many different types of sports, it’s soccer, which has by far and away the most participants in the city, both youth and adult, that will utilize the fields.

Currently, the city is lacking sufficient field space to fully accommodate the numerous organizations and teams, along with the thousands of soccer players of all ages.

“Field space is very limited currently in the city,” said Vlahdemir Cruz, Central Coast Surf Youth Soccer Club coach. “One of the biggest things is when it rains, certain facilities end up closing, and then there’s coaches scrambling for space.”

When the new facility opens, it will help alleviate some of the existing strain on the city’s inventory of sports fields.

“More field space means you open the you open the door for more programs,” said Cruz. “More programs means more involvement from the community specifically for the youth. It also it also gives us the opportunity to to grow the adult men’s league. And at this point right now, they’re growing a women’s men, women’s league, which would be a huge. Obviously we’re around the corner from the World Cup, so it is perfect timing. I mean, kids are out through the roof right now and the opening of the sports complex, it’s a huge, huge benefit to the city.”

Construction of the facility is expected to take several more months and the city is planning to open the sports complex sometime in either late 2026 or early 2027.

“This is such a great opportunity not only for our community, but for our region,” said Smitherman. “We’re going to be able to host our much needed, field sports right here, whether it be soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, but also open it up to the community, on a on a much broader scale and being able to host tournaments that we desperately can use here in the city, as well as inviting outside the community to come play as well.”

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John Palminteri

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The next stop for thousands of UC Santa Barbara students will be a job in their career field but it could be in a totally different direction.

That’s what some exolored at the fall career and internship day event in the Thunderdome on Wednesday.

70 employers were on-hand to meet with those looking for an internship or a starting job. Part-time and full-time positions were available.

Jane Castillon is a UCSB Associate Dean in Career Services and said, “it is the path that launches them upon graduation, it also provides opportunities for them to seek part time employment, internships, paid internships.”

An on line application is sometimes overwhelming for students who say they feel like they could be lost in the system. They often have more confidence in a face to face meeting right on their campus.

Castillon said of the employers on site, “all of them are seeking to hire.”

A third year student Zack Blum said, “I am interested in wealth management,  asset management consulting there are a lot of great companies out here a lot of them are companies I have applied to .”

UCSB’s career services office also helps the students with professional clothing for job interviews and help with their resume. There was a special table for students to go through a practice session on an interview before they met with some of the employers on site.

Students are taking a broad look at the job market locally, nationally, and internationally with companies that can provide something in their major or if they need to pivot, see who their studies can be applied.

Representatives were on site in areas such as technology, health care, finance and hospitality.

UCSB Grad Student Nicki Degado said, “in the day and age of where AI is going. it is concerning but nonetheless exciting and I have a back ground in brain science psychology  here at UCSB and I want to connect that with the technological advances we are heading towards.”

Some of the opportunities will be local and some are out of the area….but well paying and in their field.

UCSB Senior Bella Farrand who studied chemical engineering said she isn’t restricted by where the job is located. “I am open to practically anywhere, I am young and I would like to explore a little bit more.    I have lived in California my whole life, I would not mind staying in California.  It is an amazing state, it would also be cool to explore other areas.  “

If the graduate and the job don’t connect just yet,  Delgado said, “I love cooking. I love the culinary arts so  if this doesn’t work out I know I will be cooking for somebody….maybe my Dad!”

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Mina Wahab

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) — It’s been a stressful couple weeks for Leo Martinez, an Oxnard-based activist and VC Defensa volunteer who was detained by ICE after they rammed into his pick up truck last Thursday. 

“These ICE agents are brutal in the way that they act when nobody’s watching. So to see them do this, when people are watching, it kind of gives you a hint as to how they operate, when nobody’s paying attention to what they’re doing,” said Martinez. 

Martinez was in the area tracking ICE agents and warning community members about their presence.

In a video that’s since gone viral, a Jeep Grand Cherokee can be seen ramming into the side of Martinez’s pick-up truck. 

“When they actually hit me, that kind of caused a little bit of a panic because like I said, it’s a – it’s a lonely street there. There’s not a lot of traffic. This is seven something in the morning. So my initial thought was like, ‘they’re going to drag me out of the car and beat me up.’  I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to get brutalized off-camera and that somebody would catch something over here,” said Martinez. 

Oxnard police say that when they were called to the scene, ICE agents reported they were pursuing a truck that had hit their vehicle.

But the dash cam footage from Martinez’ truck does not show that. 

Martinez says he was relieved to find the dash cam footage from that day. 

“As you see this, I’m not speeding anywhere. They’re not turning on their lights at any point in time. And when I saw that they were going to continue following me as I kind of ran out of ideas and I said, ‘let’s go in circles for a while until I think about how it is I want to respond.’ And they just started getting really, really close to me,” said Martinez. 

Martinez says he’s accustomed to helping families who say they’ve been pulled over and brutalized by ICE agents, but this is the first time that he’s experienced aggression firsthand. 

He shows us exclusive dash cam footage from last Monday.

“They were in full gear. And as soon as they noticed that I was on them, they pulled over right away. They all got out with their guns out. They all got started moving towards me,” said Martinez. 

That Monday, Martinez says ICE agents smashed the car window of another VC Defensa volunteer. 

Martinez says despite the increased aggression his team has been experiencing at the hands of ICE agents, they will continue to fight for the community. 

“The question is, ‘how do you speak out about this?’ ‘How do you draw attention to this?’ Because the other alternative is not doing anything. When we see these families come in for support, we see ourselves in every one of their kids. We’re never going to let that go,” said Martinez.

Oxnard police say Homeland Security is in charge of the investigation and they’re not taking an active role in the incident.

We’ve reached out to Homeland Security for comment.

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Alissa Orozco

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Several individuals are facing criminal charges following a three-month investigation conducted by the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.

In May of 2025, the Narcotics Unit severed search warrants relating to an investigation of the sales and distribution of illegal narcotics within San Luis Obispo County.

The investigation ended with detectives seizing approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine, 14 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately $80,000.00 in US currency, and 11 firearms.

The following individuals were arrested in the case:

JORGE CASTANEDA: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another.

CARLOS RIOS: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic (cocaine), HS 11378- possess controlled substance for sale, HS 11370.4 (B)- enhancement over 1 kilogram methamphetamine, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

BIANCA SUDIAS NAVARRO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ALEXIS NUSICO ISIDRO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4- (sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic), HS 11352(B)- transport for sale-controlled substance from non-contiguous county to another, PC 12022.1- commit felony while released on bail.

ANTHONY TRAVERSO: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ARGENIS ZEPEDA GRANDE: PC 182(A)(1)-conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic).

JOSE CASTANEDA: PC 182(A)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over one kilogram of narcotic (cocaine), HS 11351- possess controlled substance for sale.

ZACHARY HOYT: PC 182(A)(1)- conspiracy, HS 11370.4(A)- sales enhancement over 1 kilogram of narcotic (cocaine).

The Sheriff’s Office says the drug trafficking organization was based out of Northern San Luis Obispo County with ties to Southern California and Mexico.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – Down 4-1 in the first set, Santa Barbara High School senior Nicole Buist ripped off five straight games and went on to capture the Channel League Individual Singles title 6-4, 6-3 over Dos Pueblos senior Mel Mayo.

The two players have grown up together playing with and against each other in Southern California tournaments and throughout high school.

(Nicole Buist and Mel Mayo sharing a meal at the age of 6. Courtesy photo).

The San Marcos High School duo of Kate Selby and Tate Jaeger won the Channel League Doubles crown over the Santa Barbara High School team of Lucy Kronberg and Kate Hashbarger 6-1, 6-0.

Buist along with Selby/Jaeger will play next month in the CIF-SS Individual Sectionals.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -(KEYT) –

CIF-SS Girls Volleyball First Round Playoffs

D2: San Marcos 3, Murrieta Valley 0 (Royals host Rancho Christian on Thursday 6pm)

D2: Thousand Oaks 3, Sage Hill 1 (T.O. hosts JSerra on Thursday 6pm)

D4: Ventura 3, Rancho Cucamonga 0 (Ventura at Yucaipa on Thursday 6pm)

(Sophie Otte had 13 kills and 4 blocks for Bishop Diego. Entenza Design).

D6: Bishop Diego 3, Indio 0 (BD will host Wiseburn DaVinci on Thursday 6pm)

D6: Wiseburn DaVinci 3, Oxnard 0

D8: Foothill Tech 3, University 1 (FT is at Rancho Alamitos on Thursday 6pm)

D8: Wildwood 3, Valley Christian Academy 0

D10: Thacher 3, Lucerne Valley 0 (Thacher is at Edgewood on Thursday 6pm)

D10: San Luis Obispo Classical 3, Desert Chapel 0 (SLO hosts Desert Hot Springs Thursday 6pm)

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)  The University of California, Santa Barbara is now home to KEYT archives that everyone can see for free.

UCSB hosted a panel discussion entitled, “From Airwaves to Archives: Celebrating the Legacy of Santa Barbara’s Local Television Station.”

Organizers honored longtime videographer Herb Tuyay, who was instrumental in sharing 30,000 hours of footage dating back decades.

Tuyay made a call to UCSB Professor Emeritus Dan Driskel who got the transfer underway prior to the pandemic and his retirement.

“We ended up with everything ’60s, ’70s early ’80s when it went to videotape, this was video tape I think tonight, but there is so much more that goes on in the 16 mm years and we started putting it together in 2016,” said Driskel, referring to a 3 minutes sizzle reel shown to the audience.

News Channel 3-12 General Manager Jim Lemon moderated a panel discussion with former KEYT and CNN anchor/ reporter Paul Vercammen, Senior Reporter John Palminteri and weekend anchor and nightside reporter Tracy Lehr.

Former colleagues in the audience also took part including Paula Lopez, and Michael Bolton.

Numerous local journalists including Jerry Roberts and Lisa Osborne were on hand as well.

University Librarian Todd Grappone helped welcome the guests.

Film and TV Curator Laura Treat Liebhabor talked about the painstaking task of transferring every minute of broadcasting from old tapes.

“So all of the material that we digitize from KEYT archives is available for free to anyone who wants to view them on streaming media,” said Liebhabor.

Jessica Law, the Associate Director of Development at UCSB Library said they are hoping to raise money to keep going as they have a lot of years to cover.

“We’ve already sunk a lot of our own resources into making sure we get at least 20 percent of the archive digitized, so that’s where we are moving from out here and how we can continue to help all the different formats that you have available at KEYT to digitize those,” said Law.

People who have been interviewed or played sports that KEYT covered can look for themselves in many of the clips.

For a link to the video dating back decades search KEYT Television News Tape Library by visiting https://library.ucsb.edu

 

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) When La Casa de la Raza noticed an increase in health care hurdles for members of the community it teamed up Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.

The Medical and Behavioral Health Mobile unit parked right by the entrance.

Then volunteers spread the word on social media and people started showing up for all kinds of caRE.

Mobile clinic workers said they can help people with Social Security numbers sign up for Medi-Cal and Covered California.

The Chief Medical Officer Ali Javanbakht, M.D. will see anyone regardless of their documentation.

“So with a clinic like this we can do just about anything we normally do in a primary care setting so if there is acute need an acute injury an acute illness we can access that, if someone has a chronic condition and needs someone to access and give guidance we can certainly so that if someone hasn’t seen a provider in years they need a place to begin we can start that conversation so yeah it is pretty broad that conversation we offer,” said Dr. Javanbakht.

Clinic Manager Eva Bretado said sometimes offices are too far to get to without a car.

“We understand that it is hard at this time, a lot of people might not have transportation, that is pretty much the goal of the mobile clinic to be reachable and nearby for the community,” said Botella Banuelos.

Some patients haven’t seen a doctor in  awhile.

Martha Rodriguez said she hadn’t seen a doctor in six months.

Wellness Navigator Ana Botella Banuelos helped interpret the rest of what Rodriguez said in Spanish.

“She comes for the community they don’t have documentation they are happy we accept them they have our services for free she is  very thankful she can see a primary care provider,” said Botello Banuelos.

The mobile unit plans to visit on a regular basis 

Mario Guerrero serves as the Health Promotion Services Manager.

Guerrero said it feels good to help people in need get and stay healthy.

He said the entire team knows they are appreciated by the people they serve.

For more information visit https://sbclinics.org

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Caleb Nguyen

CAMARILLO, Calif. (KEYT) – Camarillo Police deputies are investigating a stabbing that took place during a youth football game at Camarillo High School just before 6:00 p.m. Friday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The stabbing sent a 27-year-old Oxnard man to the hospital for medical care after Camarillo Police helped the victim for his injuries, according to the VCSO.

Those with additional information on the incident are asked to contact Detective Christopher Vorzimer or Detective Nicole Grover.

Anonymous tips can be sent to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at the following number.

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