Author: KEYT

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – If you are on the hunt for that unique item made by a local artist, 46 of them have their holiday gifts on display in one location this shopping season.

On one special night this week they will also help people in need.

The artists are all in. This is a annual tradition for the The Crimson Holiday store, located in the La Cumbre Plaza, as well as for many shoppers. The store is full of newly crafted items from clothing to jewelry.

Shoppers will also find candles named after local areas, such as Montecito, Ojai, and the Mesa. It has custom created scrabble boards – including one with all Santa Barbara locations. Potholders with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers logo on them. There’s leather products, handmade items at every turn, gift cards and chocolate.

The store can be a casual pop in, but many shoppers tend to browse for awhile then buy.

Store owner, Marilyn Dannehower, says it is a bright and inviting location.

“We have people that spend an hour just to see everything. We try to keep it no more than three of any genre. I spend a lot of time talking to people to make sure their item fits in here, so we have the best-of-the-best and we are also looking at people who can make something where someone would walk in and say ‘this is the perfect Christmas present for somebody on my list.'”

Some of the artists and crafters plan to sell during the Sunday art walk at the beach.

Some are only out a few times a year at events or special sales, including this one in the Crimson Holiday store.

On Thursday, the store is having a special holiday cookie sale from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with the proceeds going to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County.

For more information, visit A Crimson Holiday Store

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) A pilot program that shuttles people of all abilities up and down State Street is being extended.

It’s called The Loop Shuttle.

City leaders said 16,700 people have taken a ride on the shuttle since the pilot program began in May.

Locals and tourists have ridden on the three shuttles contracted with Santa Barbara-based Sweep inc.

One of the three is wheelchair accessible.

The pilot program was slated to hit the breaks next week, but Santa Barbara City Council members, present at Tuesday’s meeting, voted unanimously to extend the program until May 2026 and to add a fourth shuttle that will also be wheelchair accessible.

State Street Master Planner Tess Harris said people are able to take a survey following each ride and so far the feedback has been great.

“Over and over again, we hear really positive feedback with a fair split of people going for entertainment, shopping, just sight seeing, restaurants and just exploring Downtown, so, it is just a great addition to our Downtown community and it is something we are excited to continue and I look forward to seeing all of our members of the public on The Loop,” said Harris.

City of Santa Barbara Finance Director Keith diMartini said enjoyed a romantic ride this month.

“It was great, it felt great to be Downtown, my wife and I were celebrating our 20th anniversary last weekend, we hopped on the shuttle at Stearns Wharf and rode it up a couple of blocks and went to a wine tasting room, it was super fun and the driver was really nice,” said diMartini.

Deputy City Administrator Anthony Valdez said he is looking forward to giving it a try.

“We want to make sure there is a safe State Street, that is accessible to everyone, all the families can come out with the kiddos , the seniors can come out and enjoy State Street, and be able to move up and down, ” said Valdez, “It is a long walk, it is uphill we just want to make sure the families and those with accessibility issues have access to State Street and can enjoy it on the weekends along with everyone else.”

Move Santa Barbara County Program Administrator Barry Remis said its been a nice addition to the closure along State Street that allows people to get out of their cars and enjoy the area.

“What the city implemented was The State Street Loop which are electric vehicles, kind of like golf carts but better than that, where they transport people for free from Sola to the Waterfront,” said Remis.

The Loop Shuttle program will continue between the Arlington Theatre and the Dolphin Fountain Thursdays through Sundays from noon-to 7 p.m.

The fourth free shuttle vehicle should be to be added by Christmas.

The addition, they will move in pairs, shortening the current 20-30 minute wait times on designated blocks along State Street.

For more information visit https://santabarbaraca.gov.

Your News Channel will have more reaction to the pilot programs extension tonight on the news.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Barbara regarding the appointment of their new City Attorney, John Doimas

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the appointment of John Doimas as the new City Attorney, following a vote by the City Council. Mr. Doimas brings over 13 years of dedicated service to the City, most recently serving as Assistant City Attorney, where he has been a trusted legal advisor on some of the City’s most complex and high-impact matters.

Mr. Doimas began his tenure with the City in 2012 as a Deputy City Attorney and was promoted to Assistant City Attorney in 2017. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in shaping key City policies and ordinances, leading sensitive investigations, and supporting the creation of the Civilian Oversight Commission. His legal leadership has been instrumental in advancing housing safety through receivership and unfair competition cases, and he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to public service, transparency, and community well-being.

Mayor Randy Rowse praised the appointment, stating, “John brings a rare combination of legal expertise, collaborative spirit, and deep understanding of our community. His appointment ensures continuity, stability, and a strong legal foundation for the City’s future.”

In his new role, Mr. Doimas will serve as the City’s chief legal advisor, overseeing the City Attorney’s Office and providing legal counsel to the City Council, City departments, and various boards and commissions.

Originally from Chicago, Mr. Doimas earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from DePaul University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on his daughter at gymnastics and soccer competitions.

Reflecting on his selection, Mr. Doimas stated, “I am honored to be selected by the Mayor and City Council to continue serving Santa Barbara in this expanded capacity, and helping to contribute  to the success, stability, and resilience of our city, and I am deeply grateful for the tremendous support of the City Attorney’s Office, whom I consider my extended family, as well as the dedicated staff across all City departments.”

The City looks forward to Mr. Doimas’s continued leadership and dedication in his new role.

For more information about the department, visit City Attorney (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityAttorney).

Traducción al español:

SANTA BÁRBARA, Calif. – La Ciudad de Santa Bárbara se complace en anunciar el nombramiento de John Doimas como nuevo abogado municipal (City Attorney), tras un voto del Concejo Municipal. El Sr. Doimas aporta más de 13 años de servicio dedicado a la Ciudad, desempeñándose recientemente como abogado municipal adjunto (Assistant City Attorney), donde ha sido un asesor legal de confianza en algunos de los asuntos más complejos y de mayor impacto para la comunidad.

El Sr. Doimas inició su trayectoria con la Ciudad en 2012 como abogado municipal auxiliar (Deputy City Attorney) y fue ascendido a abogado municipal adjunto en 2017. A lo largo de los años, ha desempeñado un papel fundamental en la formulación de políticas y ordenanzas clave, ha liderado investigaciones delicadas y ha apoyado la creación de la Comisión de Supervisión Civil. Su liderazgo legal ha sido esencial para promover la seguridad habitacional mediante casos de intervención judicial y competencia desleal. Además, ha demostrado un compromiso constante con el servicio público, la transparencia y el bienestar de la comunidad.

El alcalde Randy Rowse elogió el nombramiento y afirmó, “John aporta una combinación poco común de experiencia legal, espíritu colaborativo y profundo conocimiento de nuestra comunidad. Su nombramiento garantiza continuidad, estabilidad y una base legal sólida para el futuro de la Ciudad”.

En su nuevo cargo, el Sr. Doimas se desempeñará como el principal asesor legal de la Ciudad, supervisando la Oficina del Abogado Municipal y brindando asesoría legal al Concejo Municipal, a los departamentos de la Ciudad y a diversas juntas y comisiones.

Originario de Chicago, el Sr. Doimas obtuvo su título de abogado en la Universidad Loyola de Chicago y posee una licenciatura en ciencias políticas e historia de la Universidad DePaul. Fuera del trabajo, disfruta pasar tiempo con su familia y animar a su hija en competencias de gimnasia y fútbol.

Reflexionando sobre su nombramiento, el Sr. Doimas declaró, “Es un honor haber sido seleccionado por el alcalde y el Concejo Municipal para continuar sirviendo a Santa Bárbara en esta nueva capacidad y contribuir al éxito, la estabilidad y la resiliencia de nuestra ciudad. Estoy profundamente agradecido por el tremendo apoyo de la Oficina del Abogado Municipal, a quienes considero mi familia extendida, así como del personal dedicado de todos los departamentos de la Ciudad”.

La Ciudad espera con entusiasmo el liderazgo y la dedicación continuos del Sr. Doimas en su nuevo cargo.

Para más información sobre el departamento, visite City Attorney (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CityAttorney).

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo Police Department officers arrested Robert Torres, 45, after he used a metal pipe to assault another transient man at 8:00 a.m. Saturday.

Torres beat the 57-year-old victim unprovoked several times using the four-foot pipe at the City transit center, before he fled on an RTA bus, according to the SLOPD.

SLOPD officers collaborated with RTA and identified Torres, tracing him to Pismo Beach before confirming his identity and arresting him at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

SLOPD officers then arrested Torres for felony assault with a deadly weapon and booked him into the SLO County Jail with no bail.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The final day of the annual News Channel 12 Turkey Drive is set to take place this coming Thursday, Nov. 20.

The day will culminate the four-week long campaign to help raise funds for Good Samaritan Shelter and the SLO Food Bank.

The Turkey Drive has been an important outreach campaign for News Channel 12 for more than 20 years, and has helped provide a traditional holiday meal for thousands of families and individuals over the past two decades.

In-person donations will be accepted at at the News Channel 3-12 Santa Maria station, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Lompoc, and SLO Food Bank warehouse in San Luis Obispo.

At the News Channel 3-12 station in Santa Maria – located at 1211 West McCoy Lane – drive through service for donations will be held from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be several free giveaways, including food and beverages graciously provided by local merchants, for those who donate in-person at the Santa Maria location.

In addition, online donations are still being accepted through the official Turkey Drive webpage. Donors can choose which of the two non-profit organizations they would like direct their financial contribution towards.

Another way to contribute is through the purchase of a “Turkey Buck” at participating area markets, including California Fresh Market in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, and Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.

Turkey Bucks purchased in San Luis Obispo County will be directed to the SLO Food Bank, while those in Santa Barbara County will go to Good Samaritan Shelter.

For more information about the NewsChannel 12 Turkey Drive or to donate, click here.

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade is reminding community groups that the deadline to register as participants is November 21.

The annual event, organized by the Greater Santa Barbara Goleta Lions Club, costs between $40,000 and $50,000 to produce each year.

Parade Coordinator Ed Holdren says this year’s parade — presented by Fuel Depot, Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613, Toyota of Santa Barbara, and Anna’s Bakery — is designed to bring neighbors together for a festive kickoff to the holiday season.

Organizers are encouraging local schools, non-profits, and community groups to sign up before the deadline to ensure a strong showing at this year’s celebration.

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John Palminteri

SUMMERLAND, Calif. (KEYT ) – A local farm stand and non-profit in Summerland is producing and delivering more no-cost chemical free vegetables than ever before.

In part, the recent government shut down has stranded many people from their normal food programs.

Some are medically fragile and government provided foods are not always precisely right for them, which makes the Sweet Wheel Farms a life saver in every way.

Lesle Person Ryan is the farm CEO and the founder of the Santa Barbara Agriculture & Education Foundation non-profit. She had about 200 recipients in 2024 – today, that number is 1,200 with a sizeable increase recently. “It jumped very quickly,” she said.

She says nothing stops her team of volunteers, even the historic rains this week. It was pouring during the group’s work Monday morning, going in and out of the rain showers with produce and loaded to-go shopping bags.

“One of the volunteers said, ‘no one goes hungry on my watch'”, said Ryan.

They were bringing in plastic bins of vegetables from the farm, and those were all around her bagging headquarters at the Farm to Paper store on Lillie Avenue. Everything was sopping wet but quickly bagged, sorted, and sent out to addresses for those with little or no healthy food.

Each one can serve multiple people.

Bags were loaded with carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, beets, basil, dill, berries and many other vegetables and fruits that can be found on the farm nearby on the back side of Summerland. 

Deliveries are sent out Monday and Thursday each week.

She says many of the homes are “horrifically food insecure” with no food in the house.

It has been operating since 2018.

The volunteers making deliveries are vital to the operation. Some have been using electric bikes to get the food to recipients and also to reduce pollution by doing it without a car.

The most recent surge came during the government shutdown of over 40 days that upset the flow of fresh foods for many people. There’s also been a sign posted for anyone who knows a family or children that are not getting nutritious foods. The farm wants to help. The need is apparent.

Funding is coming from the farm stand sales, grants and straight donations into a box at the Farm to Paper store.

Some of the recipients say they have been able to slow or reverse some illnesses because of the healthy food they are eating, which makes the deliveries so vital. Ryan says it is “extending lives and creating community health.”

She says there is an urgent need for volunteers, drivers, people packing and people on the farm.

For more information go to:  https://sweetwheelfarm.org/

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Local agencies spoke at this morning’s Santa Barbara County Board Of Supervisors meeting with data from the rainstorms over the last four days.

While the southern portions of Santa Barbara county did see some fallen trees and road closures, officials acknowledged a rather smooth weekend for the northern portions of the county.

“While overall it was a good storm there were areas where if it had kept raining at some of the intensity that did, we could have had some issues or we’re fortunate that we didn’t,” said Chris Sneddon with Santa Barbara County Public Works.

Of significant concern to local agencies were the Gifford and Madre burn scar areas. But officials say they held up better than expected for rain levels at 400% of our annual average at this time of year.

“This is kind of some weather we usually don’t see this early on,” says Anthony Stornetta, Santa Barbara County’s Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Operations. “And if you look at our current precipitation, we’re already at 50% our annual rainfall right now with what we’ve received so far.”

Attention is turning now to the next storms.

Warming centers have been activated for the homeless population in order to keep the Santa Maria and Lompoc riverbeds clear.

“We have what we call a storm risk decision meeting whenever we get big storms,” says Stornetta. “And that’s where we really look at our protective actions. Do we need to do anything to shelter in place? Do we need to do evacuation warnings or orders?”

Officials remind the public to sign up for emergency alerts at readysbc.org.

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Joey Vergilis

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Locals on the hunt for holiday deals can now pass along the savings to their friends and family because Visit Santa Barbara is bringing back its Locals Lodging Promotion – offering 30% discounts for residents from Goleta to Carpinteria who book overnight trips within the Santa Barbara South Coast.

Kathy Janega-Dykes, president/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, stopped by The Morning News to tell us what we need to know to snag this outstanding offer. The promotion has added more than 25 South Coast hospitality partners than previous years – providing deals just for locals like Blackbird, J. Wilkes Winery, The Abalone Farm, Marisella and Goat Tree just to name a few.

“So the holidays are right around the corner, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holidays than vacationing in your own backyard or inviting your friends and family to enjoy our beautiful community,” says Janega-Dykes.

The deal is valid through early 2026 at a dozen South Coast properties, including luxury resorts such as Hotel Californian and Kimpton Canary Hotel, boutique options like Hotel Santa Barbara and The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, as well as The Eagle Inn.

Janega-Dykes says this is great way for locals, and their family and friends, to experience truly everything Santa Barbara has to offer.

“This is the third year that we’re doing this, and it’s really a, a great way for locals to celebrate other local businesses, many of these businesses are family-run and owned businesses, great opportunity to help them thrive during the holidays.”

Additional deals from area businesses are available on Visit Santa Barbara’s website, but make sure you click the link for the direct website for the discount or enter santabarbaraca.com/locals.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – San Marcos High School and Orcutt Academy cross country took away most of the awards at luncheons in Santa Barbara and Orcutt.

Elsie Tuttle and Wyatt Degnar claimed the Male and Female Athlete of the Week Awards at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon at Harry’s.

Tuttle turned in the third fastest girls time in San Marcos cross country history by running three miles in a time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds.

Tuttle finished third overall and led San Marcos to a first place team finish in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 prelim race and qualified for this weekend’s CIF Final.

Degnar finished fifth overall and his time of 15 minutes and 5 seconds is the second fastest time in program history. He advances to the individual CIF Final.

Orcutt Academy runner Aiden Kaufman is the Male Athlete of the Week at the Northern Santa Barbara County Round Table luncheon. He is the Ocean League champion in the three mile race.

Rowan Elkin is the Female Athlete of the Week but was unable to attend the luncheon. The Orcutt Academy cross country runner was one of the top finishers in the Ocean League.

The Santa Ynez doubles tennis team of Haley Towns and Keegan Withrow were honored as Female Athletes of the Week for the luncheon that was missed due to Veterans Day. They finished as semifinalists in the area CIF Individual Tournament.

(Kaufman Towns and Withrow show off their Athlete of the Week honors).

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