Author: KEYT

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council voted to deny an appeal, filed on behalf of UNITE HERE Local 11, of the Planning Commission’s approval to the Hilton Hotel Expansion Project at 633 East Cabrillo Blvd.

The vote, taken without Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez in attendance, was unanimous.

Hospitality workers with the union, and their supporters in red shirts, used their public comment time to talk about the lack of affordable accommodations at the Moxy that was originally a hostel built by the Parker family.

The Moxy Santa Barbara, owned by Marriott on E. Montecito St. in the Funk Zone, has no relation to the MOXI (The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation) children’s museum on State Street.

They also talked about the lack of affordable rooms citywide.

Their attorney Jordan Sisson said they are looking their options moving forward.

“The city is not getting their low cost accommodations, but we will live to fight another day and we will leave it at that,” said Sisson

City staff told the council the sale of the Moxy property and agreements made decades ago allowed Santa Barbara’s largest hotel to expand.

One councilmember described the hostel as a glamping hostel when it opened. It was described as nicer than most youth hotels.

The Moxy hotel is pet-friendly hotel with rooms rates between $270-630 a night.

The Hilton Beachfront Santa Barbara plan calls for 73 rooms, a pool, spa, lounge and bar, intended for a different demographic than the original portion of the hotel built by the late actor and developer Fess Parker.

The Mayor said there is still hope for affordable accommodations at other locations down the road.

“These hotels produce a lot of revenue in terms of T.O.T. sales tax and property tax, so on the balance, when you talk about things like affordable housing, affordable accommodations these are going to add into those funds and help us do those things,” said Rowse.

T.O.T. stands for the Transient Occupancy Tax imposed on guests staying at hotels.

Some of the young members of Local 11 said they did know the history of the hotel or Fess Parkers Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone fame.

The Fess Parker changed its name to Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort 8 years ago.

Longtime locals said Fess Parker left his mark on the community and they fondly remember special occasions held at the hotel.

“I remember when Fess was still alive and he was the one that cut this deal with the city to build this youth hostel they did that, then they sold it,” said Rowse.

The Parker family and their representatives chose not to comment following the vote.

They did not say when work would begin, but the extension is slated for the portion of the property that is currently used to play pickleball.

For more information visit https://www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Saturday, music lovers from near and far rocked out at the One805 benefit concert on Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams” estate in Summerland.

Since the devastating Montecito mudslides, the organization hosts their annual fundraisering concert to help support first responders throughout Santa Barbara County. The event hosted epic musical acts such as The Fray, Good Charlotte, Steppenwolf’s John Kay, Trisha Yearwood, and more!

Although the event is now in the past, individuals who did not the get the chance to attend can still participate in supporting first responders by bidding through the One805 auction.

The auction originally opened weeks before the event on September 2nd, and will remain open until Saturday, September 27th at 8:00pm PDT.

One805 says every bid goes to funding mental health programs, lifesaving equipment, and vital support for first responders.

The items up for bid range from one-in-a-lifetime trips to shopping sprees to unique art pieces to VIP experiences!

For more auction information and to place your bid, visit One805’s official website.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The debut of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Film Center is on track to completion by the beginning of the year.

Crews have been tearing out the inside of the building in the 900 block of State Street and creating what Executive Director Roger Durling has said would be one-of-a-kind ‘movie palace.’

The goal was to have it finished by the 2026 International Film Festival where it will serve as the main site for the 200 films. The Arlington Theatre up the street will remain the location for the tributes than can draw 2000 movie fans.

The former Fiesta Five theatre will still have its five screens and seating will remain in line with what was there before. Three theatres will have more than 200 seats and two will have 100 seats.

The theater, which opened in November of 2024, is in an existing building for a Santa Barbara parking lot.

The festival staff ran it until May then work began on a brand new state-of-the-art five-screen theatre in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara.

It was previously run by Metropolitan Theatres.

The new theatre will have a new entrance with a “red carpet” feel from the tile design. It will also have a fully accessible inside ramp for those who are mobility challenged.

The lobby will have state of the art ticketing in person or with phone apps.

The bathrooms will have more stalls and multiple entrances and exits.

One of the changes will be a substantial increase in insulation. That will keep the sound from each theatre from getting into another film showing. It will also help muffle and sound from the parking structure above the ceiling.

The work is being done by Consolidated Contractors.

The project costs is $20-million dollars. Fundraising is ongoing but more than half of it has been secured.

(More details, video and photos will be added later today)

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News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Monday it was announced the Jimmy Kimmel late-night show would be returning after a temporary suspension by ABC amid criticism of the host’s comments on the assassination of the late Charlie Kirk.

Broadcasting companies Sinclair and Nexstar have decided to keep Jimmy Kimmel off the air at their ABC affiliated stations across the country, “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”

Your News Channel 3-12 (KEYT) is owned by News-Press & Gazette Company, and as an ABC affiliated station, Jimmy Kimmel will run tonight on News Channel 3.

Kimmel is planning to address the controversy in his monologue on Tuesday night, a source familiar with Kimmel’s plans told CNN. His show airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m.

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Jarrod Zinn

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT) – A Righetti High School student was arrested Monday afternoon in possession of marijuana vapes and a loaded handgun.

Local parents are expressing their concerns largely on social media.

The arrest is reported to have taken place at 1:30pm Monday, after the student was uncooperative and a school resource deputy had to get involved.

Some local parents took to social media to express their alarm.

“The school resource deputy for Righetti High School was alerted by school administrators that they were contacting somebody that was using a vape in a restroom,” says Raquel Zick, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. “When the deputy responded, which took him less than a minute because he was already on campus, he attempted to contact the student. The student failed to comply and the deputy had to physically take him into custody.”

Some of the online comments are concerned the school’s announcement in response did not make it clear the weapon that was found was a loaded firearm.

The sheriff’s office says right now this appears to be an isolated incident.

“We do want people to know that there’s no additional charge that goes with that possession of the revolver,” says Zick. “There’s no indication that this was furtherance of an additional crime. So right now it’s just the possession of the revolver, the vape on campus, and the resisting arrest charge.”

The school deputy sustained minor injuries but is already back on the job.

A few parents say they have let their kids stay home from school following the arrest.

On Monday, the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District released the following statement.

“Earlier this afternoon, members of the RHS admin and security team initiated a search of a student based on concerns regarding possible drug activity. The student did not cooperate, prompting the involvement of the School Resource Deputy (SRD). During the search, a weapon was discovered and immediately secured. The student was taken into custody by the SRD without incident.

The RHS Administration would like to reassure our school community that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. The Administration is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is working closely with law enforcement to ensure appropriate action is taken.”

On Tuesday, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District spokesman Kenny Klein told us quote,

“We are continuing to cooperate with an active law enforcement investigation so there’s not much I can say at this time. counseling services have been made available for those that request it. lastly, I’d like to re-emphasize that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority.’’

Some folks online say incidents like these are why some parents are opting for home-schooling.

According to the pew research center, a post-pandemic surge in homeschooling is fueled by the recent rise in violence-related incidents at public schools.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The sound of laughter, music, and painting fills the room offering comfort for those living with dementia.

“I’m happy … yeah .. I like get away and I like the idea of making new friends … yeah … it’s better than just being stuck at home,” said client Dorothy Kuhn of the Friendship Center.

Families caring for loved ones with dementia know how valuable every hour of support can be.

“It’s a chance for members to come and be with the community that we all feel together like a family … a time of friendship and fun and it gives the families also a time of respite,” said activity program coordinator Maria Porter of the Friendship Center.

The Friendship Center is adding that extra hour starting October 13 to give caregivers more flexibility.

Leaders say every extra hour of care will help families juggling work and caregiving.

“I love it people here are great and I’m meeting people close to my own age,” said Kuhn.

The expansion is possible thanks to a national grant from the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation.

For nearly 50 years, the non-profit has offered affordable adult day programs in Montecito and Carpinteria, supporting both participants and their families in maintaining health, social connection, and independence.

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Mike Klan

ORCUTT, Calif. (KEYT). – Cabrillo High School running back Andre Brisco was named Male Athlete of the Week at the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table luncheon at Giovanni’s in Orcutt.

Brisco rushed for 235 yards with 4 touchdowns as Cabrillo routed Taft 62-7.

Cabrillo is at Pioneer Valley on Friday.

The Female Athlete of the Week goes to Orcutt Academy golfer Emalie Galaites who was not in attendance due to a match.

She fired a 44 to claim medalist in a win over Santa Maria.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A Righetti High School student was arrested for having a loaded handgun and marijuana possession on school grounds at 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

A school staff member notified a School Resource Deputy of a male student possibly smoking marijuana in a school bathroom, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The student refused to stop when asked and resisted the SRD, leading to a struggle between the two, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The SRD had minor injuries from the struggle and the student’s belongings were searched, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies found marijuana vapes and a loaded handgun in the student’s backpack before taking him to a local hospital for medical attention, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Once the student received medical clearance, he was booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for firearm possession on school grounds, resisting arrest, and marijuana possession for a person under 18 on school grounds, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Santa Maria Joint Union School District Public Information Officer Kenny Klein thanked the following people in a statement on the incident:

The RHS Administration would like to reassure our school community that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. The Administration is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is working closely with law enforcement to ensure appropriate action is taken.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – When the Trump Administration cited Mount Sinai and Harvard researchers who found associations between acetaminophen exposure in early pregnancy, over long periods, and neurodevelopment disorders, President Trump said, “Taking Tylenol is not good.”

But one of scientists in that very study said the administration may be “jumping the gun.”

The director of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Koegel Autism Center Dr. Ty Vernon said the announcement Monday was not based on scientific consensus.

“Current Scientific evidence does not support direct link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. While some studies show some association between the two, higher quality studies show no evidence of causal link,” said Vernon.

He calls the comments by the administration dangerous.

“There is serious concern about selectively focusing on results that fit the predetermined narrative that Tylenol causes autism and ignoring other studies that don’t support that narrative. It’s dangerous and harmful to both current and future mother to make claims that aren’t supported by current evidence.” said Vernon.

People may be alarmed.

“There’s a lot of folks out there who may be disheartened by the news recently and I would say there’s a lot of folks on your side, that autism again is a form of neurodiversity, is a human difference and we are all about embracing those differences because that rich diversity is what makes our country so amazing and what makes our world so great,” said Vernon.

Vernon got his doctorate studying children with autism at UC Santa Barbara.

Students at the center work with people of all ages on the spectrum.

“Our main message is that autism research should be focused on support, the individual support, the family support and that is where Federal research dollars should be going,” said Vernon.

Vernon also commented on vaccines.

“The science out there definitively shows that autism is not caused by vaccines, there is a strong genetic component to it, but it is also very complex, we have done a lot of the research that shows there is not, kind of, this one cause of autism and nor should funding be going just to search for causes when really the pressing need out there is to provide support for individuals on the spectrum, their families and the broader community in general.”

Dr. Vernon calls the center’s approach a neurodiversity affirming approach.

“We want to think about what are you excited about, what are you passionate about and how do we help you reach those goals,” said Vernon.

Other researchers were quick to say the rates of Tylenol use in pregnancy have gone down in recent years, even as autism rates have risen.

Vernon quotes a study saying one in 32 children, eight-years-of-age, are on the spectrum.

While current research does not show a definitive cause for autism Vernon is concerned about loss of government funding.

The center is raising awareness and has a number of autism community groups and an art show coming up December.

For more information visit https://education.ucsb.edu

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – Santa Barbara High School sophomore quarterback Griffin Arnold had his hands full at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon.

He received both the Male Athlete of the Week Award and the Gary Blades MVP of the 65th Annual Big Game between the Dons and rival San Marcos.

Arnold threw five touchdown passes to lead the Dons to a 60-0 rout of the Royals.

San Marcos High School girls flag football sophomore quarterback Victoria Aldana claimed Female of the Week honors.

(Victoria Aladana led the Royals to a pair of lopsided victories last week).

Aldana threw four touchdown passes and had an interception on defense in a 32-0 home win against Ventura.

The lefty qb threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in a 40-0 win against Pacifica.

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