Author: KEYT

Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Staying active doesn’t always mean breaking a sweat at the gym. For older adults, even simple seated movements can bring big benefits like easing pain, boosting energy, and helping maintain independence.

At 86, Lillian Smith is proof of that. Just two years ago, arthritis in her knees left her nearly unable to walk. “I could barely lift my feet,” she recalled. “But look now. I had aches, but since I’m doing the exercise it’s gone. I’m very grateful for this.”

Smith participates in chair-based exercise classes designed for seniors. The routines may look simple, but they are keeping her strong, mobile, and smiling.

For 74-year-old Rachna Bali, chair-supported yoga has become a lifeline. “It helps with focus, concentration, anxiety, breathing,” she said. “I have acute asthma and it has been helping me.”

Classes like these are part of the California Department of Aging’s mission to expand evidence-based fitness opportunities. The agency partners with senior centers statewide to promote programs that prevent falls, manage chronic conditions, and strengthen community ties.

“It’s a partnership,” said Kimiko Kelly, the director of Arts, Wellness and Engagement at the Jewish Services Center in Los Angeles. “We have social services with case management, transportation, meal service, and engaging activities. All of that is connected to the Department of Aging.”

Beyond the physical results, experts say the group environment is key. Social interaction, laughter, and friendship keep participants motivated.

For Smith, the payoff is simple: she can move without pain.

“The results that I get, I’ll never stop coming.”

For more information on programs for older adults, visit the California Department of Aging.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Dignity Health Central Coast is calling attention to September as A-Fib Awareness Month, raising a caution flag.

Physicians want the public to be aware of what they’re calling a hidden danger, which many may not be aware they already have.

A-Fib, or atrial fibrillation, is an irregular heartbeat, often fast, and occurs when the upper chambers of the heart–the atria–lose coordination and beat erratically, out of sync with the lower ventricles.

This can cause problems with blood flow leading to dizziness and fatigue, and increased risk of blood clotting and stroke.

“It’s a very important problem because atrial fibrillation can cause increase in risk of stroke,” says Dr. Ragesh Panikkath, a cardiac electrophysiologist at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo. “So there’s a five times increased risk of stroke, three times increased risk of heart failure, twice the risk of mortality in patients who have atrial fibrillation than who don’t have atrial fibrillation.”

Factors that can contribute to A-Fib include diabetes, obesity and thyroid conditions, as well as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and sleep apnea.

“The most common symptom is tiredness and shortness of breath, which someone could easily, think could be due to something else rather than being due to atrial fibrillation,” says Dr. Panikkath.

Doctors refer to A-Fib as a hidden danger because many who have it don’t feel anything wrong for long periods of time.

“That’s why more awareness is needed about this problem,” says Dr. Panikkath.

Research shows that between 2.5 and 6 million Americans are estimated to be directly affected by A-Fib, and the figure is only predicted to rise.

“There are more patients or people with atrial fibrillation than all the cancers combined,” says Dr. Panikkath. “It’s a huge number and many people are unaware about it in the population because they don’t feel it or they might just feel they’re getting older or have little shortness of breath because of aging. But in fact atrial fibrillation is causing it.”

There are medical and consumer grade technologies such as the Apple watch on the market and in development making early detection possible.

Physicians still advise a healthy lifestyle, regular screenings, and open communication with your doctor.

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Michael Yu

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Humane joined your Morning News with special guest Queso!

Queso is a terrier pup coming up on 8 weeks of age. He is one of 29 dogs available for adoption, as well as 16 new kittens available today at noon.

SB Humane also highlighted Po, a Siberian Husky who has been looking for a home for a while now.

SB Humane is partnering with local law enforcement and first responders to provide free veterinary care to K9 units in Santa Barbara County. It is in partnership with One805, an organization formed to help first responders.

The One805LIVE! Concert is this Saturday at Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams. Tickets are still available on their website.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – September 18th is National Rice Krispie Day. Joining the Morning News Thursday is Mark Gonzales, a local renowned chef for Folded Hills Winery.

Gonzales has embarked on a new journey launching The Good Square: a homemade brown-butter salted, marshmallow crispy treat.

The tasty treats reflect a nostalgic taste for those who get to try them. You can find the treats available for purchase Third Window, The Lucky Llama Coffee shop, The Blue Owl and the Westmont Student Book Store.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT). – Dos Pueblos raced out to a 6-1 lead after the first quarter and never let Santa Barbara in the game as the Chargers won 17-6 in their Channel League opener.

The Dons fell to 0-2 in league.

Grant Nelson scored a game-high 7 goals as DP led 13-3 at halftime and called off the dogs in the second half.

Aracin Marshall dished out 8 assists and freshman Koa Zertuche had 13 saves for the Chargers who improved to 10-2 overall.

Santa Barbara was led by Paolo Borgioli who had 2 goals and 2 assists.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – No one is giving San Marcos a chance in Friday’s 65th Annual Big Game at Santa Barbara.

The Royals have heard that before.

Just last year San Marcos, a heavy underdog, shocked the Dons by going toe-to-toe with them.

The game ended in a controversial 20-20 tie, the first deadlock in the history of this series.

The Dons lead the all-time series 39-24-1.

Santa Barbara is 2-2 on the year, San Marcos is 1-3.

“Control the football, control the clock and keep it close, if we do that we have a shot,” said Royals head coach Ralph Molina.

Santa Barbara head coach Nate Mendoza is excited for Friday saying, “This is the one game I remind them(his team) it’s not really about us, it’s about our alumni, our staff, everybody who has worn the helmet before, I take a lot of pride in this game.”

The Big Game is Friday at Peabody Stadium at 7p.m.

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Alissa Orozco

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Over the course of 18 months, several individuals – all believed to be gang-affiliated – were arrested in Ventura County for various crimes including distribution of narcotics, illegal possession or/and transfer of firearms, and unlawful relations with a minor.

Beginning in early 2024, Special Crimes Unit detectives in Ventura County arrested two active gang members following an investigation into an Oxnard-based street gang suspected of illegal possession of firearms and distributing narcotics. As a result, detectives recovered three firearms and indicia (cannabis).

During another investigation in June 2024, a search warrant led to the recovery of four handguns, a sawed-off rifle, ammunition, 834.7 gross grams of cocaine, 248 gross grams of methamphetamine, indicia used for narcotics sales, and $21,000.00 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales at yet another gang member’s residence.

Even more illegal firearms and narcotics were recovered in another 2024 investigation into a Ventura County criminal street gang and the Sureño prison gang. 85.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.9 pounds of ecstasy pills, $10,000 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales, ammunition and three handguns from a narcotics source of supply in Los Angeles County were found during that investigation.

To close out the year, Special Crimes Unit detectives initiated an investigation into a gang member working as a Sureño prison gang member on behalf of the Mexican mafia. Detectives seized 9.36 pounds of methamphetamine destined for Oxnard from one of the gang member’s couriers.

Photo: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Investigations continued into the Spring of 2025 where detectives arrested an additional 13 gang members through several search warrants in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. This final investigation uncovered twelve handguns, five rifles, two shotguns, 56 gross grams of cocaine, 439.3 gross grams of heroin, 293.3 gross grams of methamphetamine, ammunition, $107, 205.46 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of narcotics sales, and one vehicle.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, three of the arrestees have entered guilty pleas and are now serving their sentences.

During one of the investigations, a gang member was found to had engaged in a unlawful sexual relationship with minor that lasted about five years. Another member was also arrested for having engaged in an online, sexual relationship with a minor with the intent to send, distribute or exhibit harmful or obscene material to the minor with the intent to engage in sexual intercourse.

Detectives concluded their investigations in late July 2025. As result, the following was seized:

· Twenty-two handguns
· 43,618 gross grams of methamphetamine

· Six rifles
· 861 gross grams of ecstasy

· Two shotguns
· $138,298.46 U.S. currency

· 912.7 gross grams of cocaine
· One vehicle

· 439.3 gross grams of heroin

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –The newest refrigerated van is now getting filled up to combat the growing needs of the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara. It comes at a time when the need for fresh food continues to grow.

Unity Shoppe Executive Director and CEO Angela Miller-Bevan said, “so we have we have three refrigerated vans and this was just added to our fleet. We’re super excited about the relationship with Whole Foods. They have just done such an amazing thing for us and they designed it.”

That design has fruits, vegetables, and other food products. It gets a lot of looks, but also reminds the community fresh food is getting picked up and brought in at a steady pace.

Miller-Bevan said, “it is huge for us because we pick up five days a week. So I have drivers going out all over the place to all the different stores in town – Grocery Outlet, Whole Foods, Gelsons, Vons,  Albertsons and Target.”

One of the stops Wednesday was the Grocery Outlet store just a few minutes from the Unity Shoppe in downtown Santa Barbara.

In some stores, the pick up could be designated surplus food items, and in others, it can be a purchase with donated gift cards.

Kevin Easter with the Unity Shoppe was pushing a cart of food and said, “it’s usually the staples. Pasta, canned vegetables, potatoes, onions and some type of ground beef. That type of thing.” Seasonally it can also be many of the necessary food products, for example at a holiday meal.

For the Unity crew, they are often out in the morning after the stores set aside the donation from the overnight stocking shift.

Easter said, “and then they have it prepped for us so the drivers will come, load up the vehicle, refrigerate it, and then go straight to Unity Shoppe.”

The van was off loaded at the Unity Shoppe in minutes and the items were on the shelves right away.

The vans make it a very seamless process. It goes from the stores to the Unity Shoppe and the clients right away.

Miller-Bevan said, “thanks to the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, we have been able to put some refrigerators in some freezers that helped us so that we can distribute more food into the community.”

One recipient, Tony Rogers, said this gives him healthier choices. “They have good freezers. The food is really preserved and nice for us. It’s a blessing to have all those extra resources. So it is not wasted in the community.”

The third van comes at a time when the need is growing in different demographics and new recipients on a limited budget are coming in all the time.

Miller-Bevan said the clients can use the money they are saving on healthy food for other things like “rent and gas for the car and childcare.”

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Goleta regarding the start of Creek Week, starting Saturday, September 20th.

GOLETA, Calif. – The countdown to Creek Week 2025 is on! Beginning this Saturday, September 20, participate in activities throughout the week right here in Goleta that will allow you to connect with, learn about, and care for our local waterways.

Here is what you have to look forward to in Goleta throughout the week:

Coastal Cleanup Day:

Saturday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Join millions worldwide for this annual event. Locally, help clean up Ellwood Bluffs & Beach and Haskell’s Beach (hosted by Explore Ecology).Register & view all sites at exploreecology.org/coastal-cleanup-day.

San Pedro/Las Vegas Creeks Cleanup:

Saturday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Help the Environmental Defense Center and the City of Goleta restore healthy waterways. Meet at Covington Footbridge (6200 block of Covington Way). RSVP: btrautwein@environmentaldefensecenter.org

Beautify Goleta: Free Bulky Item Drop-Off:

Saturday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Safely dispose of unwanted items at Phelps Road between Cannon Green Drive & Pacific Oaks Road. Accepted items include: mattresses, box springs, furniture, wood pallets, tires, etc. Please do not bring electronics, hazardous waste, or medications – these items will not be accepted.

North San Jose Creek Walking Tour:

Wednesday, September 24, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.Meeting Point: Southeast corner of Cathedral Oaks Road and North Kellogg Avenue

Step away from the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of San Jose Creek.

Learn about the challenges facing creek health and efforts to protect and restore this important waterway. This year’s tour also highlights the County’s Beach Sediment Management and Resilience Tactics (BeachSMART) project.

Reserve your spot by emailing environmentalservices@cityofgoleta.org.

From Bluffs to Backyards: Native Plant Walk at Ellwood:Wednesday, September 24, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.Meeting Point: Ellwood Mesa Parking Lot (across from Ellwood Elementary)

Take a guided walk through Ellwood Mesa to explore the beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits of native plants. Learn how these resilient species support pollinators, conserve water, and strengthen ecosystems – at Ellwood and in your own garden.

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/2kv3mvz4

Restoration Planting at Ellwood Monarch Grove:Thursday, September 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Point: Ellwood Mesa Parking area opposite Ellwood Elementary at 8:45 am for a short walk to the planting area

Join UCSB’s Cheadle Center Staff and student team to plant native plants in support of Monarch butterflies. Wear pants, close-toed shoes, and bring a hat and water. Gloves, tools and plants will be provided.

RSVP to ncos@ccber.ucsb.edu

Creek Week Art Contest Reception:Thursday, September 25, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)

Come enjoy the creativity from local artists of all ages who created artwork for the 4th Annual Creek Week Art Contest. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Creek: Bringing the Community Together with Art.” While the reception is on September 25, the artwork is on display now through October 10 at the Goleta Community Center.

Creek Week is an annual celebration throughout the South Coast of our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean. For a full list of Creek Week events, visit SBCreekWeek.com.

Traducción al Español:

GOLETA, Calif. – ¡La cuenta regresiva para la Semana del Arroyo 2025 está en marcha! Desde este sábado 20 de septiembre, participe en actividades aquí mismo en Goleta que le permitirán conectarse, aprender y cuidar nuestras vías fluviales locales.

Aquí están las actividades en Goleta que puedes disfrutar durante la semana:

Día de limpieza costera:Sábado 20 de septiembre, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Únase a millones de personas en todo el mundo para este evento anual. A nivel local, ayude a limpiar los Acantilados y la Playa de Ellwood y la Playa Haskell’s (organizado por Explore Ecology). Regístrese y vea todos los sitios en exploreecology.org/coastal-cleanup-day.

Limpieza de los arroyos de San Pedro/Las Vegas:Sábado, 20 de septiembre, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Ayude al Centro de Defensa Ambiental y a la Ciudad de Goleta a restaurar vías fluviales saludables. Reúnase en Covington Footbridge (cuadra 6200 de Covington Way). Confirme su asistencia:btrautwein@environmentaldefensecenter.org

Embellece Goleta: Entrega gratuita de artículos voluminosos:Sábado 20 de septiembre, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Deseche de manera segura los artículos no deseados en Phelps Road entre Cannon Green Drive y Pacific Oaks Road. Los artículos aceptados incluyen: colchones, somieres, muebles, paletas de madera, neumáticos, etc. No traiga productos electrónicos, desechos peligrosos o medicamentos, estos artículos no serán aceptados.

Recorrido a pie por la zona norte del arroyo San Jose:Miércoles, 24 de septiembre, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.Punto de encuentro: esquina sureste de Cathedral Oaks Road y North Kellogg Avenue Aléjese del ajetreo y el bullicio y sumérjase en la belleza natural de San Jose Creek.Conozca los desafíos que enfrenta la salud del arroyo y los esfuerzos para proteger y restaurar esta importante vía fluvial. La gira de este año también destaca las tácticas de resiliencia y manejo de sedimentos de playa del condado (BeachSMART).Reserve su lugar enviando un correo electrónico a environmentalservices@cityofgoleta.org.

De acantilados a patios traseros: Caminata de plantas nativas en Ellwood:Miércoles 24 de septiembre, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.Punto de encuentro: Estacionamiento de Ellwood Mesa (frente a la escuela primaria Ellwood)Realice una caminata guiada por Ellwood Mesa para explorar la belleza, la resiliencia y los beneficios ecológicos de las plantas nativas. Aprenda cómo estas especies resistentes apoyan a los polinizadores, conservan el agua y fortalecen los ecosistemas, en Ellwood y en su propio jardín.Confirme su asistencia: https://tinyurl.com/2kv3mvz4

Plantación de restauración en el Mariposario de EllwoodJueves 25 de septiembre, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Punto de encuentro: Área de estacionamiento de Ellwood Mesa frente a la escuela primaria Ellwood a las 8:45 am para una caminata corta hasta el área de plantaciónÚnase al personal del Centro Cheadle de UCSB y al equipo de estudiantes para plantar plantas nativas en apoyo de las mariposas monarca. Use pantalones, zapatos cerrados y traiga un sombrero y agua. Se proporcionarán guantes, herramientas y plantas.Confirme su asistencia a ncos@ccber.ucsb.edu

Recepción del Concurso de Arte de la Semana del ArroyoJueves, 25 de septiembre, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.Centro Comunitario Goleta (5679 Hollister Avenue)Venga a disfrutar de la creatividad de artistas locales de todas las edades que crearon obras de arte para el 4º Concurso Anual de Arte de la Semana del Arroyo. El tema de este año es “Érase una vez un arroyo: unir a la comunidad con el arte”. Si bien la recepción es el 25 de septiembre, la obra de arte está en exhibición desde ahora hasta el 10 de octubre en el Centro Comunitario de Goleta.

La Semana del Arroyo es una celebración anual en toda la costa sur de nuestros arroyos, cuencas hidrográficas y el océano. Para obtener una lista completa de los eventos de la Semana del Arroyo, visite SBCreekWeek.com.

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