Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Merry Gothmas returned by popular demand to the city of Ventura despite protests.

Attendees dressed in gothic costumes for the first day of weekend event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

But not everyone was in the spirit.

Organizers said critics from a local Ventura church wrote a letter to the fairgrounds asking the board to cancel the event. They went as far as walking from the church and picketed outside the grounds entrance.

Fans of Gothmas said they enjoy the Nightmare Before Christmas-style decor and vendors selling unusual ornaments and gifts.

“This is for everybody, Gothmas is for everybody and the super natural,” said Milena Tea of Thousand Oaks.

Jason Swtizer of Oxnard bought some presents.

“I just like the Christmas stuff, the Halloween type – Christmas stuff, I just like all the people out here and it is something to do,” said Switzer.

Merry Gothmas continued on through Sunday from 12- to 7 p.m..

For parking and ticket information visit https://venturacountyfair.org or https://merrygothmas.com

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Tracy Lehr

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Carpinteria, a community with its very own Santa Clause Lane exit along the 101 freeway, had its annual holiday parade on Saturday.

Dozens of community groups took part in the Carpinteria Spirit Parade – including Warriors from Carpinteria High, who performed along Linden Avenue.

The infamous Santa Claus waved from a fire truck. Animals in the parade included horses, sheep and dogs.

News Channel’s John Palminteri returned to co-emcee the parade.

The parade brought people out on a day when local shops decked their halls and windows with holiday gifts.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

San Marcos 13, Long Beach Wilson 12 (OT): McKenna Stuart scored the game-winner in sudden death overtime to lift San Marcos to a 13-12 quarterfinal win at the Villa Park Tournament. USC-bound Charlotte Raisin led the way with 6 goals as San Marcos improved to 7-1 on the season.

The Royals advance to play San Diego powerhouse The Bishop’s in the semifinals.

The Bishop’s 13, Dos Pueblos 8: Kyra Jones, Talia Marshall and Malaya Coleman each scored two goals for the Chargers who trailed by just one goal entering the fourth quarter.

DP will play Long Beach Wilson in the 5th-8th place bracket of the Villa Park Tournament.

Santa Barbara 14, Carpinteria 5: Jules Horton had 5 goals and 3 assists to lead the Dons to the home win.

Rose Nelley added 4 goals while Luna Morancey and Violette Bailey each tallied 2 goals for 12-1 Santa Barbara.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Boys Basketball:

Dos Pueblos 54, Capistrano Valley 52: Wyatt Gardiner scored 25 points with 11 rebounds.

Oxnard 81, Buena 32: D’Aries Garrett scored 19 points

Santa Clara 65, Cate 45

Moorpark 70, Westlake 64: Logan Stotts 25 points

Grace 50, Laguna Blanca 44

Nevada Union 66, Santa Ynez 42 (Morro Bay Tournament)

Central East 68, Santa Ynez 57 (Morro Bay Tournament)

High School Girls Basketball:

Thousand Oaks 59, Arroyo Grande 52

Village Christian 58, Oaks Christian 56

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Ventura Cougars could not get the key defensive stop they needed in a 42-35 loss to St. Ignatius of San Francisco in the CIF-State Division 3-AA Championship Bowl at Fullerton Union High School.

St. Ignatius senior quarterback Caedon Afsharipour ran for a 27-yard touchdown on 4th and 2 to put the Wildcats up 42-28 with 9:21 to play in the fourth quarter.

Derek Garcia threw his second touchdown pass of the game with 2:40 left as Tristan Philips caught the tipped 4th and goal pass for an 11-yard score.

But the Wildcats recovered the ensuing onside kick and after one first down they ran out the clock and celebrated the championship.

James Watson rushed for two first quarter touchdowns to give Ventura a 14-7 lead.

The Cougars went in front 21-20 with under 3 minutes left in the half on a 1-yard touchdown run by Tristan Savage.

But St. Ignatius grabbed a 28-21 lead in the final minute of the first half on a Luke Tribolet 39-yard touchdown run.

The Wildcats stunned Ventura on the first play from scrimmage of the second half when receiver Hawkes Packard took a swing pass and raced 65 yards for the touchdown. The sophomore receiver broke three Cougars tackles along the way as they went out in front 35-21.

Ventura made it a one score game again as Garcia connected with Jack Cunningham for a 31-yard touchdown and the Cougars were down 35-28 heading into the fourth quarter.

But Ventura never could never catch the Wildcats who won their first CIF-State Championship Bowl in program history.

Ventura ends their historic season at 13-3.

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Mina Wahab

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) — International Bird Rescue CEO, JD Bergeron, says after working closely with the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, they have successfully released 24 of the roughly 130 western grebes brought into their San Pedro facility. There are still more birds being rehabilitated right now. “Essentially every day we are seeing birds that are ready to go. So there’s one ready to go. Today, we’re expecting a handful of them again tomorrow. So these birds are really moving along. We want them fat. No, No exterior wounds and no infections. That’s the key thing that we’re looking at,” said Bergeron. Unfortunately, nearly a third of the grebes brought in to the rescue died upon arrival or within the first few days because of the critical condition they were in. Bergeron says western grebes are among the most challenging water birds to rehabilitate. “They’re very delicate. Things can go wrong with their their intestines, with their digestion, with their feet,” said Bergeron. But he’s proud of how much his team has done. “We’re dealing with a big crisis and yet we do love working with the species. They make crazy noises. They’re so goofy looking and also just amazing creatures,” said Bergeron.  Most of the western grebes were brought in from Ventura, but were released in LA.  

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Alissa Orozco

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KEYT) – In its Year in Help report, GoFundMe gave the Central Coast – and its generosity – a special shoutout.

The organization, GoFundMe, released its annual Year in Help report, wrapping up the year 2025 in global donations, support, and generosity.

The United States was ranked #2 amongst the most generous countries, right behind the country of Ireland. California came out on top as the most generous state in the U.S., and five California cities made the top 10 most generous places in the U.S.:

#1: Los Angeles, CA
#6: Ulster, NY

#2: Marin, CA
#7: Chittenden, VT

#3: Hampshire, MA
#8: Santa Cruz, CA

#4: Buncombe, NC
#9: Ventura, CA

#5: Kings, NY
#10: Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara, Calif. was ranked #10 on the list, following the city of Ventura, Calif. coming in at #9.

According to the report, over 79 million donations were made in 2025, with one coming in every 2.5 seconds.

January 10th was the most generous day recorded. Following multiple wildfires breaking out in Los Angeles County at the beginning of the year, donors from across all 50 states and over 160 countries made donations on GoFundMe towards rebuilding efforts and aid.

About one million donors raised $265 million dollars, over 7,500 grants were delivered to serve those impacted by the fires, along with over 170 organizations.

A statement by GoFundMe reads:

“This year, our community showed that kindness knows no borders. From town to town and across oceans, people came together to give and get help, creating a global network of support. This is the story of how generosity traveled across the world in 2025, connecting us all.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Many people who are in need this holiday season, especially those who are without housing, were able to pick up some vital essentials to stay warm today.

The Seventh Annual Public Defender’s Warm Clothing drive started several weeks ago with donations from throughout the county. Friday was the distribution day.

It took place on the lawn at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and also at the court on Cook Street in Santa Maria. Everyone showing up was able to get warm clothing including jackets and caps, a sleeping bag, new shoes, socks and essentials.

Among those in the line was Christina Patino, who is living in a local shelter.

“It is amazing. It is such a blessing, these people are helping us to dress warm. It gets really cold at night. All these warm clothes are so nice. I feel blessed,” she said.

Nearby, Charles Papke said, “I got a sleeping bag and jackets and we got some food and some shoes. Some really cool mukluks.”

This year the effort included the non-profit Adam’s Angels, which also does weekly outreach efforts and food distribution for those who are unhoused or living on the edge.

They helped to collect donations to buy some of the clothing and essentials in addition to what was donated by the general public. Everyone attending was able to get one warm weather or another clothing item in each category, including a pair of shoes if they had the right size from the donations.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A special procession to honor our Lady of Guadalupe took place Thursday night as part of a two-day event for the special feast day in the catholic church.

Those who participated left candles and flowers around the mosaic shrine at the our Lady of Guadalupe church on the Santa Barbara east side. It was illuminated all night and will continue to be lit for days.

Last night musicians played traditional songs at the site until after 11 p.m.

The mosaic was damaged a week ago by a man who allegedly had a hammer. He was arrested, but the damage was significant to the face and hands of our Lady of Guadalupe.

The procession took place on a route from Ortega Park to Nopal street and down to the church. It included Aztec dancers, singing and prayers as part of the traditional event.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Tonight’s the night to get a great deal at the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara.

If you stop by the Unity Shoppe store at 1209 State Street between 5 and 7 p.m. during our live broadcast you will get 25 percent off any purchase.

Bring an unwrapped toy with you, to double that and get 50 percent off on your purchase.

All of the proceeds from the store go directly to the Unity Shoppe programs providing food, clothing and other necessities to those in need in our community.

The store is currently stocked with men and women’s clothing, collectibles, fashion accessories and many holiday decorations.

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