Author: KEYT

John Palminteri

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) – Three Central Coast beaches have received some top honors from Sunset magazine.

In a recent travel award story, the “Where to Go: Beautiful Beaches” honors included Montecito’s Butterfly Beach, and both Avila Beach and Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo County.

Butterfly Beach is right in front of the landmark Biltmore Hotel which is going through a remodeling project. The nearby Coral Casino has been open for members to enjoy the pool and oceanfront dining.

For more on the story go to: Sunset Magazine.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Now more than ever, we are exposed to hate and violence than ever before via social media. Videos grow viral at rapid speeds, spreading from platform to platform and sometimes we see videos without even intending to click on them.

This repeated exposure to violent content online can have depleting effects on one’s mental health, especially in kids and teens who frequent social media the most.

Alice Mills Mai, CEO of Centering Wholeness Counseling, says what she sees most often in teens is anxiety, depression, hyper vigilance, and children not being able to differentiate what is on social media and what’s their real life.

“They may take it into their real life as well, which did impact them, they don’t wanna hang around people – social anxiety going out to town, they may feel afraid that ‘oh this might happen to me.’ Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders,” Mai says.

This creates a nightmare not only for children, but for their parents as well, who feel incapable of protecting them from such exposure. But Mai reiterates to parents the importance of checking in with their children.

“Parents are having a very difficult job because they cannot control what their children are seeing on social media. So when that line of communication is open, children can come to parents and ask them questions. ‘This is what I’m seeing online.’ ‘What do you think about it?’ Or ‘can I even share it?’

“And parents can also tell their children, ‘do not share these videos, do not download them onto your phone.’ You can block these people that are sharing it. You have an impact or an influence in how you navigate social media and so I think it’s very important that parents have these conversations with their children.”

Mai suggests parents whose children are showing signs of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD should get them into therapy as soon as possible.

Overall, Mai advises parents to minimize their children’s screen time, assuring it is not the first thing they wake to and the last thing they see before bed. Before giving them access to their first phone, parents should have a conversation with their children so they fully understand the responsibilities and consequences that come with social media.

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Caleb Nguyen

ORCUTT, Calif. – Fire crews are tackling a five to seven-acre grass fire near the 5800 block of Telephone Road in Orcutt that started before 3:00 p.m. Friday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department

The fire is threatening structures in the area and an air attack is on the way, according to the SBCFD.

The fire has the potential for 10 to 15 acres and more information on the incident will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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Caleb Nguyen

NIPOMO, Calif. – A car accident sparked a vegetation fire around 1:00 p.m. Friday on Highway 101 north of Teft Street in Nipomo, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Firefighters rode with the patient to the hospital after the car burned about 1/8 acre in the nearby vegetation, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Traffic is slow in both directions and crews will be on scene to mop up the incident for the next few hours, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Those who are able to avoid the area should, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

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Allison Winslow

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KEYT) – A new bill making its way through the California State Assembly and Senate, aiming to give school district officials tools to combat sexual abuse and educate students on grooming behavior.

SB 848, or the Safe Learning Environments Act, is a comprehensive bill meant to address a common practice known as “pass the trash.” Educators accused of sexual misconduct will quietly resign from one school district, often with a confidentiality settlement agreement, only to be rehired elsewhere.

More often than not, that teacher will re-offend. In most cases, it takes a teacher passing through three school districts before that educator is finally caught. California is one of 16 states that doesn’t have a plan to address “pass the trash.” The bill broadens mandated reporting requirements, creating a database for district officials to use during the hiring process.

The Safe Learning Environments Act would set up standardized training for both students and employees to ensure stronger protections. The specific training requirements haven’t been written yet, details would be finalized once the bill is passed, however, training could include defining and recognizing grooming behavior and what constitutes acceptable communication online.

It is difficult to pinpoint just how common it is for teachers to engage in sexual misconduct with students. Current data from the Federal Department of Education is about 20-years-old. The survey showed approximately 1 in 10 students are targeted for a sexual relationship at some point in their K-12th grade education. The Teacher Credentialing Commission in California has opened more than 1,300 investigations in the last 5 years – yet another indicator of how common reports of teachers being arrested by law officials are.

State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez authored the bill – “protecting our kids is the most basic promise we make. It is time that we start building real safeguards. SB 848 should be a bill we can all support.”

In 2023, investigative reporter Matt Drange published “The Predators Playground” in Business Insider, which broke decades-long abuse at Rosemead High. Rosemead is in Senator Pérez’s Pasadena district and Drange himself is an alum of the school. Your News Channel spoke with Drange on his reaction to the possible passing of this bill.

“The generational harm from this behavior is quite deep and has left a lot of long lasting scars so I think the community in Rosemead is just glad that somebody is finally doing something about it.”

A major drive for SB 848 to pass is the financial toll sexual misconduct cases take on school districts, one of the reason’s for the bill’s bipartisan support. In 2019, AB 218 was passed that extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases to be filed. Since then, hundreds of cases of been filed in the state. California’s Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team – or FCMAT – found that the estimated liability from those cases is in the $2-3 billion dollar range. “For schools, the financial toll of settlements is staggering,” said Senator Pérez.

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Alissa Orozco

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – During last night’s Farmer’s Market in Carpinteria, the official poster for the 39th Annual California Avocado Festival was revealed!

Designed by local artist, Scott Anderson, the poster displays a perfectly-ripe avocado enjoying what looks like an absolutely perfect day on the Central Coast.

For its 39th year, the festival received an impressive bunch of poster entries, from kids to seasoned artists, they said the creativity this year was incredible.

The 39th California Avocado Festival takes place from October 3rd – 5th in Carpinteria, spreading nothing but Peace, Love, and Guacamole. Attendees can look forward to taste-tasting all kinds of avocado-themed treats such as avocado ice cream, avocado beer, and much more!

For more information, visit the festival’s official site.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. – For this week’s segment of “The Walkthrough,” News Channel Sports Anchor Caleb Nguyen caught up with Santa Ynez’ triple threat player, Diego Pulido.

The senior has showed impressive versatility in his high school career, covering all aspects of the field: wide receiver, free safety, and kicker for the Pirates.

“Feels amazing. It just shows how much I’ve been waiting for this, and it’s a great, great way to show the team that I can play all three ways and help the team out win the games,” Pulido says.  

Pulido’s dedication is something that can be seen both on and off the field. Head coach for the Pirates, Josh McClurg, says the senior is an extremely competitive athlete who “works just as hard in class as he does on the field.”

For Pulido, the recognition means everything.

“It feels great to see that he sees that I am in school studying and as well studying in the playbook, the film… and it just shows how much I’ve been successful,” Puildo says. “Playing the game of football from just studying, and that’s just how I get my confidence as well.”

Santa Ynez is aiming for a 3-1 record in tonight’s game against Mission Prep. Although the Pirates may look small, Pulido says they are a disciplined team, that sure can hit.

Fueled by his go-to game day meal – Panda Express chow mein and orange chicken – Pulido is prepared to show just what the Santa Ynez Pirates has in store for the Central Coast this Friday night.

The Santa Ynez Pirates will visit Mission Prep tonight, with kick-off at 7:30pm. Catch highlights of this game and all the other local action tonight at 11:10pm with Mike Klan on News Channel’s Friday Football Focus.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The famous steps of Old Mission Santa Barbara takes you to one of the most breathtaking views in the city.

For most visitors, it’s a climb they hardly think about.

“It’s a little hard … not too bad,” said visitor Mike Risch.

But for Fiesta dancer Gilda Sahagún, who performs here every year on this celebrated stage, each step feels like a risk.

“This is a challenge for me … especially at my age. Balance is an issue, and I can’t see each step. I take it slowly, one at a time, until I reach the top safely,” said Sahagún.

And for some, reaching the top is impossible.

“People with disabilities … and even some dancers with injuries … simply can’t make it up,” said Sahagún.

After years of visitors struggling with the steep stone steps, the Mission is planning something historic: They’re building a ramp.

“It will be the first time everyone—no matter their mobility—can enter through the front doors of the church,” said Father Dan Lackie of Old Mission Santa Barbara.

But this is no ordinary construction project.

“This mission design hasn’t been altered in 150 years. Even in 1952, the front was rebuilt only as a replica of what had been here before. This is very historic,” said project architect Fred Sweeney.

So historic, regular cement won’t do.

“The idea is to blend the stone of the ramp with the stone on the mission walls today,” said Sweeny.

That meant going back to the source where the original stones were cut centuries ago.

“All that rock was quarried from Tepusquet Canyon in the Santa Maria Valley,” said Sweeney.

Church leaders believe the ramp is essential. But to finish it, they need the community’s help to raise enough funds.

$1 million to be exact.

The price tag is steep, but the project is one most believe is long overdue.

“We want everyone to be welcomed. We want them to enter with dignity and safety,” said Lackie.

And in the spirit of giving back, Sweeney is donating his work.

“This is pro bono. This has been my home for nearly 50 years, and this is my gift to the community,” said Sweeney.

And while the Mission gains something new, it will still look timeless, as if the ramp had always been there.

To date, approximately $760,000 has been raised through individual donations. St. Barbara Parish has pledged $150,000 from its reserve fund as a matching grant to encourage community support.

“This is a vital improvement for parishioners and visitors,” said Maria Cabrera, a Mission docent, parishioner, and former Fiesta Presidente. “It allows everyone to share in the life of the Mission.”

The Old Mission, a Santa Barbara landmark and hub for community events, is asking for continued donations to help finish the project. Contributions can be made at SantaBarbaraMission.org.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Community leaders came together on the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria this morning to launch an exciting new economic initiative.

This state funding will go toward jobs and education related to space technology.

The governor’s business development office has awarded a grant of $9.5 million to an organization known as REACH.

Networking with Central Coast government offices, educational leaders, and community organizations, REACH looks to create pathways into new and fledgling industries.

“REACH is an economic impact organization,” says founder and CEO of REACH Melissa James. “We serve the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, and we are laser focused on creating economic opportunity for many more people across that two county region.”

Friday morning on the campus of Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, a formal presentation brought Central Coast leaders together to celebrate the launch of Space Vandenberg.

“We continue to rapidly expand our launch rate,” says Col. James T. Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30. “That drives a lot of critical demands on our infrastructure. And so these partnerships are critical to our ability to continue to unlock capacity and access to space, which is vital for the economy and for our national security.”

This is an example of advanced collaboration across a large number of community organizations and entities to, quite literally, “reach” for the stars.

“The philosophy behind Reach is that we build a coalition across sectors to form an all-of-community approach to chasing down and creating more opportunity,” says James.

The grant will accelerate the development of infrastructure to bolster growth and help deploy funds for the Spaceport of the Future at Vandenberg.

“We’re excited for the partnership,” says Col. Horne. “Launch is a team sport, and we are super excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. Semper supra.”

New aerospace training and education programs in partnership with Allan Hancock College and the Santa Barbara County Education Office, as well as innovation programs through UCSB and Cal Poly, will unfold over the next few years to expand space career pathways.

Similar to the aviation pathways recently announced at Arroyo Grande High School, the launch of Space Vandenberg will create new cutting-edge jobs, and the school programs to train for them.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Out to test a concept, the City of Santa Barbara has snapped together a pedlet walking path in one block of downtown as a trial to see if it is a good fit for the rest of the street.

The pedlets are prefabricated pieces that were delivered on a truck Monday and off loaded for use on State St, between Cota St. and Haley St.    

The project required the parklets to be removed Monday. Those structures were taken down by the owners or torn down by the city to clean the street.

It was power washed from side to side prior to the pedlet work.

Thursday the final touches were going in. The pedlets all have ramps for wheelchairs and are ADA compliant. The ramps had to be modified by the city to meet California standards and that took extra work, metal sheets, welding and time. The work was finished late Friday. The city says the ramps that arrived met federal standards, but California’s requirements are wider.

Some benches have been added for seating. They are in the street near the pedlets.

Dining on the sidewalk that is already in place will be enhanced by more tables and chairs in front of restaurants that choose to use that space.

Joe’s Cafe was one of them. Five tables were set up on the sidewalk surrounded by flowers and dividers the restaurant had when they used the street for seating. The restaurant did not add or lose any tables. Spacing was also in place for wheelchairs.

This comes at no charge now. The city is normally charging for tables and chairs on sidewalk space, which is city property.

Nearby Old Kings Road has some chairs and tables out but the full layout was still being designed.

Restaurants that are next to businesses that are not using the outside space, have been told they can not use the adjacent space, only what is in front of their address.

Santa Barbara Resident Alexadra Cole said, ” I think that’s a good idea. It’s not the most attractive, but at least if all the pedestrians  are walking on it, that is free range for the people (businesses) to be able to spread their tables and get their table crowd back again.”

A visitor from Texas, Debra Boyle was in Santa Barbara with a large group of friends who were planning their day and checking out the changes. “Yes, I actually look for that when I’m researching cities. I look for sidewalk dining or piazza, anything like that that can bring me outdoors.”

She says at home in Texas it is often too hot or uncomfortable to sit outside for dining.

An Old Kings Road bartender Joe Crosby said the plan can be viewed two ways. “Absolutely it would make serving easier. But it also takes the foot traffic further away from our front door, where there would be potentially entering.” He says passersby who see their bar, the decor, the other elements that would draw them in, may not see it from the street.

No awnings can go up. Only umbrellas.The outside of the pedlets do not have a rail. They are elevated a few inches above the street.

It took extra work to make sure they were level and adjusted evenly since the older street is irregular in many area. The pedlets also do not go the full length of the block on both sides.

Signs indicating the walkways are open are mounted on some orange construction stanchions.

By early evening the public was using the new walkway, along with some portions of the street and some open areas of the sidewalk.

The downtown Loop shuttle is still able to use the center area of the street to transport its riders from Stearns Wharf to the Arlington Theatre area and back.

This project is a trial for one block. A full master plan for the downtown area is still in the works.

It has a cost of $580,000. The pedlets were purchased from Modstreet, which has set these up in other communities and has examples on its website.

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