Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – As the Central Coast steps over the threshold from summer to autumn, Santa Maria is once again opening The Patch.

There are a few things that are fresh about it this year, besides the pumpkins.

The Patch was started in 2017 by four young adults to provide agricultural career and leadership experience to high school students by having them grow the pumpkins.

“The proceeds from the main event directly benefit the students through scholarships that we present to them once we wrap up each season,” says Corina Posada, one of the founding members of The Patch. “And the kids love being out here and showing off all their hard work.”

Located at Los Flores Ranch Park on Dominion Road, The Patch features a corn maze and activities for kids every weekend from now until Halloween.

“This year, we took a different approach to our corn maze,” says Posada. “So it is skeleton themed. It is not spooky. It is actually intended for young children. And throughout the maze, you’ll be able to find different skeletons, kind of like our skeleton tour guide.”

In addition to free crafts and plenty of photo ops, each of The Patch’s five weekends will feature a different set of activities, including Discovery Day, a Scavenger Hunt Day, and a Golden Ticket Day.

“We come out every year and we usually come multiple weekends just because we have so much fun with the jump houses and it’s such a good price with the pumpkins,” says Santa Maria resident David Probst. “We kind of usually buy a couple every visit. So it’s just it’s kind of like our nice little get away for the weekend.”

The Pink Pop Shop, a benefit for Mission Hope Cancer Center, will be at The Patch on Sunday October 19th, and the final Saturday will feature a trick-or-treat “not-so-spooky” nighttime hike on October 25th.

“We kind of usually get a big a big amount,” says Probst. “So we have a lot of carvings going on and it’s, you know, multiple times throughout October. We just like to carve pumpkins.”

Visitors will have a famously wide variety of pumpkins to choose from to make their own perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern.

The full promotional calendar for The Patch this year can be fond by clicking here.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Joey Vergilis

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) – This week on “The Walkthrough with Joey” St. Joseph’s Hunter Garber showed exactly why he’s the heart of the Knights.

Ask anyone around the Knights program and they’ll all tell you the same thing: Hunter is the ultimate teammate. So, what does that mean to him?

“Honestly, it’s a really big honor coming from both my coaches and my teammates,” Hunter said. “We all try to build that family atmosphere here at Saint Joe’s.”

That family-first culture is built into the DNA of the St. Joseph’s football program. Known as the “Three Ts”, the team lives by Technique, Toughness, and Together.

“That last one, Together, might honestly be the most important,” Hunter explained. “It has to be a family program, and that’s what I love about Saint Joe’s.”

After missing part of his junior year with an injury, Hunter is back and better than ever. But the road to recovery wasn’t just physical.

“It was spiritual too,” he explains. “God’s timing helped me stay patient. I kept telling myself: one step back for a giant leap forward.”

He isn’t just turning his comeback season into a personal leap forward, he’s anchoring one of the most dominant defenses on the Central Coast, with the Knights allowing just 8 points per game.

For a kid who was practicing three-point stances before he could walk, Hunter’s lifelong passion for football continues to fuel his leadership and drive on the field.

As the 2025 season hits the midway point, one thing’s clear: Hunter Garber isn’t just back in the game, he’s come out swinging, tougher in the trenches, sharper in his reads, and locked in to lead the Knights down the stretch.

St. Joseph’s heads to the Central Valley tonight to take on Shafter at 7:30pm. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- The Goleta Lemon Festival squeeze the days this weekend at Girsh Park.

For over 30 years, the festival has been a community favorite from live bands, to lemony treats and of course, the pie eating contest.

Your Morning News is joined by Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Director of Communications, Mary Lynn Harms-Romo for all the juicy details.

The event is free admission and parking. For more information on the zesty event, visit Goleta Lemon Festival.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

High School Football: Pacifica 42, Hamilton 14

8-Man High School Football: Valley Christian Academy 67, San Luis Obispo Classical Academy 6

High School Flag Football: San Marcos 35, Buena 6

Dos Pueblos 44, Pacifica 0

Newbury Park 49, Oaks Christian 19

High School Girls Volleyball: San Marcos 3, Buena 0

Dos Pueblos 3, Pacifica 1

Ventura 3, Santa Barbara 2

Laguna Blanca 3, Providence 0

High School Girls Tennis: San Marcos 12, Santa Barbara 6

NCAA Women’s Soccer:

UCSB 1, UC Davis 1

Cal Poly 2, UC San Diego 0

Stanislaus State 2, Westmont 1

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A house fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Santa Maria’s Preisker Ranch neighborhood.

Thick smoke poured from what appeared to be a garage at a home near Juleston Drive and Hidden Pines Road.

The flames drew a large crowd of onlookers as firefighters worked to gain control.

Authorities have not yet released details on possible injuries or the extent of the damage.

Click here to follow the original article.

Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of the best ways to empower and strengthen a person’s mental health in order to better ride life’s big waves, is through surfing.  Just ask Shaun Tomson.

The 1977 World Champion Surfer and local resident joined your News Channel Thursday night for a special edition of Be Mindful.

Tomson has traveled the world, educating people about his creation of what he calls, “The Code” and how a simple list is changing lives.

“The Code was developed about 20 years ago,” said Tomson.

Turns out, an ongoing, multi-million dollar septic problem at Rincon was part of Tomson’s inspiration, along with a challenge posed by Glenn Hening, founder of the Surf Rider Foundation and, a group of volunteer kids Tomson had never met.

“Do something to inspire these young people coming down to the beach,” Hening said to Tomson.

So, Tomson compiled a list of 12 lessons that surfing had taught him about life.

“I will always paddle back out. I will never turn my back on the ocean. I’ll realize that all surfers are joined by one ocean, just the fundamental values.”

He quickly printed them up on cards, shared them with the kids and the movement grew. One of his favorites was written by a 13-year-old girl: “I will always be true to myself.” Tomson created a groundswell that is still spreading to this day as he travels internationally as an inspirational speaker.

“Now, hundreds of thousands of people around the world write their own codes, from the biggest corporations around the country to schools, universities.”

Tomson is among featured speakers at the 5th Annual Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival’s two day event which kicks off Friday, September 26 at the Lobero Theatre.

People interested in his new book, “The Surfer and the Sage” and, learning more about The Code can find information here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Taste of Santa Ynez kicks off October 2-5, 2025.

The event gives ticket holders the chance to explore the incredible food, wine and demonstrations that the Santa Ynez has to offer.

It’s a four-day event involving six towns. The Solvang Gathering Table chef and owner also joined, sampling his halibut ceviche.

Some events are sold out, but tickets for other fun and tasty events are available. For more information on tickets, visit The Visit Santa Ynez website.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The results are in for the 12th annual Day of Hope fundraiser.

They’ve topped themselves once again this year.

For twelve years now, a collaboration between Mission Hope Cancer Centers and the Santa Maria Times has been raising funds for the patient services and programs at Mission Hope.

This year’s Day of Hope was held on August 27th, when volunteers sold Santa Maria Times newspapers all over town for $1.00 each.

“It’s an amazing event,” says Dr. April Kennedy, hematologist with Mission Hope Cancer Center. “And I see firsthand the good that it does for our patients. I see, you know, amazing community. There’s not a community out there like Santa Maria where so many people support our patients and our center.”

Funds are raised for a limited time before and after the official day of hope each year at the end of summer.

“And the partnership with the Santa Maria Times to make this happen, to me, it’s my favorite event because it’s the whole community coming out and giving a dollar at a time to support us,” says Sue Andersen, Dignity Health’s president & C.E.O.

The tallied results of all contributions have been steadily increasing every year, bringing the community together to break the record each time.

This year was no exception, and the $473,000 announced at Thursday’s celebration in front of mission hope’s flagship building was about 64 thousand dollars more than last year.

“A lot of what we do could not be done without the Day of Hope donations that are made possible by the wonderful people in this community,” says Dr. Kennedy.

Awards are issued to teams who reached high levels of contribution.

The folks with Rugged Radios, an organization from Arroyo Grande, say they are proud to outdo themselves every year.

“Each year it’s about doing more because they’re doing more for our community,” says Rugged Radios’ Greg Cottrell. “So we have to do more to support them.”

Contributions can be made to Mission Hope Centers at any time through the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation website.

But be sure to begin saving dollars now for the next round of Day of Hope, coming at the end of summer, 2026.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  (KEYT) – It’s a small city-like educational setting coming together in a short time, but it’s been done before and UC Santa Barbara is launching another school year with a consistent but updated playbook.

A surprise this year has been an inaugural Gaucho Welcome rally recently.

The school says it kicked off with booming music, spirited cheerleaders, and chants of “UC! SB!”

They also met the new Chancellor Dennis Assanis, and his wife, Eleni.

He spoke to them from a stage at the famous Thunderdome and had some impressive stats.

“Nearly 130,000 students — from 54 California counties, 43 states throughout the U.S. and from more than 46 countries — applied to become Gauchos this year,” he said as was reported in a school newsletter. “We chose you because we believe in you. You are here for an outstanding education, transformative experiences and important life connections. And we are all here to help you and support you every step of the way.”

There are always adjustments and students are learning that in the first week.

The school library hours were shortened to eliminate all night use.

The University Police Department has asked the UC Regents to fund more equipment including pepper balls which can be used in crowd control efforts during large free speech events. Four other UC campuses also asked for improved gear for police.

Last year, UCSB not only had many rallies, but also criminal acts of trespassing and vandalism inside a building.

A sense of school spirit and pride was discussed at the recent rally. Some of that will be shown in the first few days with students on campus coming and going to their classes and study halls, meeting friends and checking out the nearby campus environment.

UCSB student Tatiana Jacquez works at KCSB radio on campus and said, “a lot of the freshmen are here with their bright eyes. It reminds me of when I first started. So I definitely don’t think there has been any changes within the wave of students being here.”

Some students admit they may pivot going forward as they reach their college goals. “I think you definitely have to adapt to what is to come. Obviously, we’re in a very unprecedented time where people are, you know, concerned, what does this mean for my job?”

One student who is the first in his family to go to college, Yael Carranza said, “as my dad would tell me, no pain, no gain. So I definitely have to make sure I can put in the hard work to get where I can be a little more comfortable.”

Optimism was apparent with students who were looking ahead at their opportunities. “It’s very tough times for all types of students.    I know it is very hard and just   keep going forward   and looking for the future , ” said Lizbeth Mendieta.

With a piece of advice from a third-year student, Jacquez said, “one thing that never goes away is passion to to make change and to make the best of the circumstances.”

Many students say joining a club or organization or attending activities is a key component to avoiding isolation and having a full and complete college life.

Students promoting a campus concert say it will be a good time to bond and make new friends.

Sariya Dyson said, “It’s good to get  people somewhere other than outside  and partying and in danger or something like  but being on campus and like in campus organizations, with people like them.   It’s a way to meet people.””

One student said he had a personal and family goal to meet. “Being first generation gives me this sense of like, hey, this is the first time we’re running this. I gotta make sure I kind of figure it out and that way for people like, I kind of coming later than me,” said Carranza. “I have four younger siblings. They can do better than me.”

There will also be one of the big sporting events of the yea Saturday. It will be the Blue-Green rivalry in soccer Saturday in Harder Stadium between UCSB and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The non-stop stream of unsettling news is leaving many people feeling overwhelmed, and mental health experts say it’s taking a real toll on the community.

Suzanne Grimmesy with Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health says stress levels are rising, but support is available. “We want the community to know that it’s okay to feel stressed, and resources are available to help,” she explains.

For one couple from Los Angeles, the tension back home became too much. They decided to unplug and escape to Santa Barbara for a break. “We just needed to disconnect after everything going on. Coming here gives us peace of mind,” they say. Turning off their phones and spending time outdoors has helped them reset.

Grimmesy emphasizes that no one has to face stress alone. “Support is here, and there are many ways to reach out,” she says.

For the couple, the trip has been more than a getaway — it’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to handle stress is to step back, slow down, and breathe.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.