Author: KEYT

Alissa Orozco

SANTA MARA, Calif. – Country singer-songwriter Larry Fleet will take the stage in the Minetti Grandstand Arena, as part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series presented by the Chumash Casino Resort, during the 2025 Santa Barbara County Fair.

The Santa Barbara County Fair announced Fleet’s performance on Friday, July 11th, with special guest Cripple Creek!

Fleet was working blue-collar jobs to make ends meet long before landing his recording contract with Big Loud Records, and creating some of his biggest hits including, Workin’ Hard, Things I Take For Granted, A Man’s Prayer, – and independently releasing Hard Work & Holy Water. The Tennessee-born artist and his music pays tribute to the music that raised him.

Tickets for the show will go on sale Friday, May 30, 2025, starting at 10:00 am on the Fair’s official website.

The 2025 Santa Barbara County Fair runs July 9 through July 13 and this year’s theme is “Dancing To Your Own Beat!”

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A new addition has just arrived to the Santa Barbara Zoo!

Five-year-old male Amur leopard, Tamur (pronounced tuh-MOOR), has arrived to Santa Barbara from the San Diego Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP).

SSP is a program designed to maintain the genetically diverse and stable population of animals in captivity, “with the ultimate goal of supporting species conservation efforts worldwide.”

Amur leopards – also called the Korean leopard, Far East leopard, and Manchurian leopard – are the most endangered big cats on Earth. The Santa Barbara Zoo says there are just under 100 are estimated to remain in the wild, with threats including poaching, forest fires, development, and, at this point, inbreeding.

Approximately 200 Amur leopards are in human care, primarily in zoos in North America, Europe, and countries of the former Soviet Union, and are part of globally cooperative conservation breeding programs.

“Welcoming Tamur is a powerful reminder of the critical conservation work we do here every day,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, Vice President of Animal Care at the Santa Barbara Zoo. “The Santa Barbara Zoo is deeply committed to protecting endangered species like the Amur leopard. Every animal move is carefully planned with the future of the species in mind, and we’re proud to play a role in helping ensure their survival.”

Santa Barbara Zoo will say farewell to its current amur leopards, Marta and her mother Ajax. Marta, born on August 6, 2021, made history as the first Amur leopard born at the Zoo in over 20 years will now reside at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio, Her mother Ajax, one of the most genetically valuable female Amur leopards in North America, also moved to a new home at the Nashville Zoo.

The Zoo says while Tamur is still acclimating to his new habitat and may not always be visible, Zoo guests are encouraged to stop by and welcome him during their next visit.

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Alissa Orozco

CAMARILLO, Calif. – Three businesses in Camarillo were busted in a recent tobacco decoy operation by the Camarillo Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement. The plan involved sending a person under the age of 21-years-old into establishments and attempt to purchase tobacco products.

The goal is to limit underage access to tobacco products and confirm businesses are operating within the law, as California Penal Code Section 308(a) prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia, including electronic cigarettes, to those under the age of 21.

The underage decoy appears young, provides identification when asked, and makes no attempts to mislead the seller. The decoy is supervised by peace officers during the process.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) confirmed that out of the 19 businesses checked during the operation, three businesses sold tobacco products to the underage decoy. They did not disclosed how much each business was fined, however “clerks of a corporation/business/retailer who sell, give or furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years old have committed a misdemeanor crime and can face a fine of $500 for a first offense, then $1,000 for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third offense.”

The three businesses fined in the operation included: Vons located at 5275 Mission Oaks Boulevard, Mobil Gas located at 4735 Pleasant Valley Road, and Chevron Gas located at 522 Las Posas Road.

The tobacco decoy operation was paid for by a newly acquired Tobacco Grant from the California Department of Justice, according to VCSO.

Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments who sell tobacco products to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig with CRU (matthew.koenig@ventura.org). 

 

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – There is now a sweet way to help the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County at a time when federal funding is being drastically reduced.

The Foodbeats program encourages you to sign up with a donation of $5 or more per month. With that you will get special notifications that could include perks and deals you will enjoy often for being a supporter.

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery is part of the kick-off with a “No-Expiration Buy One – Get One” scoop of ice cream as a member to Foodbeats.

Rori Trovato the owner of Rori’s Artisanal Creamery. She said, “we decided to do a buy one-get one and five percent of all of those proceeds will go to the Foodbank. (Beside Santa Barbara) now we are rolling it out to all eight of our stores. ( from Arroyo Grande to Santa Monica)” For now she says, “we don’t have an end game.”

The $5 donation through Foodbeats to the Foodbank can be turned into $25 worth of food help for those in need including friends, families, farmworkers and neighbors across Santa Barbara County who are vulnerable and rely on the Foodbank distributions.

Funding cuts are taking a hard hit on the Foodbank. Millions of dollars in support has been cut and alternative ways of fundraising are being created and kicking in. There is also a reported rise in the need for food assistance countywide.

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County CEO Erik Talkin reported on the federal cuts to the County Board of Supervisors earlier this month. He said, “we’re looking at a dollar amount of about $5 million of food that basically has vanished or will vanish for the rest of this year and that represents a quarter of all the food we distribute in the county.”

With his granddaughter in the Public Market enjoying a cup of ice cream, Tom Luria said he will sign up to Foodbeats to make a donation, lend some help and get the deal. “I think you hear more about it in Santa Barbara just because people are of that nature they like to give and support those causes. There’s people in need we need to step up and help.”

He has two grand kids, so this ice cream offer will be a frequent stop.

For more information go to : Foodbeats

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. – Alexander Hajda keeps hitting home runs and Dos Pueblos High School keeps winning playoff games.

Hajda blasted a 3-run first inning home run and added a 2-run double in the fifth inning as the Chargers beat Thousand Oaks 7-1 in a CIF-Southern Section Division 4 semifinal game.

(The senior Hajda is greeted at home plate after a 3-run home run. Entenza Design).

DP will play Ganesha of Pomona in the championship game on Saturday, May 31 at Blair Field in Long Beach at 4 p.m.

The Chargers are making their first CIF-SS title game appearance since 1993.

Hajda has hit three home runs in four playoff games, the last two have come in the first inning at home.

Seth Tedeschi has started on the mound in every playoff game and the senior worked 4 2/3 innings allowing just an unearned run to the Lancers.

(Senior reliever Derek Brunet works out of a 5th inning jam. Entenza Design).

With the score 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, senior catcher Zach Gesswein delivered a run-scoring single to left and Hajda followed with a line drive double to left to boost the Chargers lead to 6-1.

Dos Pueblos finished fourth in the competitive Channel League and they have caught fire in the postseason winning their last two games by a combined 18-2.

They face a Ganesha team that is riding a 19-game win streak.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Semifinals

Division 4:

Dos Pueblos 7, Thousand Oaks 1 (DP vs Ganesha in title game, TBD).

Division 5:

Elsinore 6, Camarillo 0

Division 7:

Mary Star of Sea 7, Channel Islands 6 (11 innings).

Notre Dame(Riverside) 5, Grace 4

Division 8:

Fillmore 5, Colton 0 (Fillmore vs Pioneer in title game, TBD).

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews were on scene of a house fire that spread into a quarter of an acre of vegetation just before 4:00 p.m. between Santa Maria and Cuyama at 1850 Miranda Canyon Road.

A single resident from the home was displaced but the SBCFD did not report any injuries from the incident.

The SBCFD took a defensive position on the flames and knocked it down just before 7:00 p.m..

The SBCFD are receiving aid from Los Padres National Forest among multiple other agencies to continue mop up duties.

The cause of this residential fire remains under investigation, according to the SBCFD.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For several months, Katja Broomberg volunteered at a hospice center in Santa Barbara.

“It’s been a really eye opening experience … I don’t know how much it would mean to mean to me,” said student Broomberg of Laguna Blanca School.

Broomberg joined several students from Laguna Blanca sShool to work closely with residents, staff, and volunteers of Sarah House, home for end-of-life care.

“To be able to introduce to young people … in a way that hopefully … they’re not afraid but rather curious about this … plant more seeds … with different communities,” said administrator Paloma Espino of Sarah House.

“There was a resident at the house i was close with … he passed away unexpectedly … it hurt a lot … but it was that experience that thought me life goes on even with death,” said Broomberg.

Their experience at Sarah House was so powerful, students created an entire production exploring themes of death, dying, and care.

“It has really changed the way I think about … to live in the moment and appreciate everything I have,” said student Ada Green of Laguna Blanca School.

While this is the first time these students have worked with Sarah House, they’re hoping it won’t be their last.

“I’m hoping each one will have a better understanding of the end of life and will appreciate their own lives,” said artistic director Peter Lackner of Laguna Blanca School.

The teen cast hopes this production will ignite empathy throughout the community for years to come.

“Death is not the end of life … it’s a part of it,” said Broomberg.

The Sarah House Journals: End of Life Care Through the Eyes of Laguna Blanca Students kicks of on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara Street.

All proceeds will benefit Sarah House.

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Mina Wahab

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information. The Memorial Day Celebration event in Solvang was hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7139, lunch was provided by the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge.

SOLVANG, Calif. — Warm applause filled the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang as service men gave speeches about the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and as music honored their memory.

The event was hosted by VFW Post 7139. The celebration featured the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, SYV Jazz Band, Vandenberg SFB and Post Speakers, American Legion Post 160, and the Boy Scouts.

“The purpose of Memorial is here we stand free. And this is a lot different than you see in other countries,” said veteran Rudolph Henderson, who lives in Buelllton.

Monday was not only a day to reflect on the legacy of fallen soldiers, but it was also a day that brought up important questions about America’s history and what it means to truly be free.

“It’s getting better as a black American I went through a whole lot that I didn’t deserve. But it’s my country, and I’m going to stick with it, try to make it better and just be a good citizen,” said Phillip Merritt, who lives in Buellton.

“Being Native American means I am an American and to the truest sense. We will defend. I’ll always back everybody who defends our country. And I’m always here to defend those people who defend it for us,” said Stefan Ornelaz from the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge.

The Elks Lodge provided a complementary tri-tip lunch following the ceremony.

“Doing anything in service to our veterans touches my heart no matter where they serve. How long they serve. We think of all of the veterans throughout the decades since we became a country, the United States of America,” said Terry Bunn from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that the veteran population will decrease by about 34% from 18.3 million to 12.1 million by 2048.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After a spectacular Sunday, Hudson Vedder was steady on Monday to win the 66th Santa Barbara City Golf Championship.

The Santa Margarita Catholic High School senior shot up the leaderboard with an eye-popping second round 9-under par 61.

Vedder played his final round at 1-under par to capture the 3-day tournament at the Santa Barbara Golf Club at 10-under par.

“I just stayed consistent,” began Vedder who is a Central Michigan-commit. “I knew I had the game to win this thing. I am super happy, I put in a lot of work.”

Vedder wins by 2 shots over Dos Pueblos High School senior Teddy Vigna who was shot under par each day and finished 8-under par.

San Marcos High School sophomore Austin Downing finished in third place at 7-under par.

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