Author: KEYT

Mike Klan

IRVINE, Calif. (KEYT) – In a reversal of the usual roles, the UC Santa Barbara Baseball team (24-11, 11-5 Big West) rode its offense to success, with six early runs helping smooth over some early bumps in the road for ace starting pitcher Jackson Flora, eventually rolling to a 7-3 series-opening win over UC Irvine (16-20, 7-9 Big West). Eight of the combined 10 runs came in the first three innings, with Flora surrendering a pair in the first. He settled in afterwards, ending the evening with nine strikeouts, including the 200th of his career. Corey Nunez smacked a home run for late insurance, and Chase Hoover handled most of the relief duties on the mound before Raymond Olivas slammed the door.

The Gauchos are in a 3-way tie for first place in the Big West with UC San Diego and Cal Poly.

HOW IT HAPPENEDThe Gauchos came out swinging. Well, bunting, as Colin Beazizo’s walk, Liam Barrett’s bunt single and William Vasseur’s sacrifice put two runners in scoring position for reigning Big West Player of the Week Nate Vargas, who stayed hot and drove a two-run double into left center. He got to come home too, scoring on Rowan Kelly’s infield single that was effectively a swinging bunt.

The Anteaters went walk, double to get one of those runs back in their half of the first, then scored a second on a passed ball as Flora had to work his way through the inning. He was better in the second, working around a pair of walks to keep Santa Barbara’s 3-2 lead intact. He also hit a major milestone, racking up the 200th strikeout of his career in the frame. The Irvine traffic stuck around for the third though again, Flora navigated it.

It helped that the righty’s cushion was far more comfortable by that third inning. Vargas led off the top of the third with a four-pith walk, then scored on another Kelly RBI single. Santa Barbara punished Anteater mistakes to plate two more, with a dropped fly ball that would have been the third out instead allowing Kelly and Jonathan Mendez to come home safely and extend the Gauchos’ advantage to 6-2.

Flora put up another zero in the fourth, then finally worked a perfect frame in the fifth. He wrapped up his night with another perfect frame in the sixth, his swan song for the evening. Nunez drove a home run to left on the very first pitch of the seventh, then Hoover took the mound after the stretch and picked up right where his right-handed counterpart left off, punching out a pair of Anteaters as part of a perfect inning. Hoover allowed two singles in the eighth but got out of the inning unscathed thanks to two more strikeouts and a nice catch from Beazizo in foul ground down the left field line.

Some sloppy play allowed Irvine to score once in the bottom of the ninth, but Olivas entered and got the final two outs of the game.

UP NEXTThe Gauchos will look to secure the series win on Saturday, as they return to Anteater Ballpark at 1 p.m. for game two. Nathan Aceves is set to take the mound for Santa Barbara. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ or by following along with live stats and a free audio-only broadcast at ucsbgauchos.com.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police arrested a man after a domestic violence investigation just before 4:00 p.m. Friday.

The man involved attacked his victim and noticed he was being watched before fleeing the area, according to the SBPD.

SBPD officers gave the victim medical attention before an investigation into the domestic violence case.

SBPD officers then found the man asleep in his car at the 600 block of Mulberry Ave. before arresting him after contact.

The SBPD later booked the man at the County Jail on numerous felonies including domestic battery and kidnapping.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After a one week delay due to weather issues, the 40th annual Santa Barbara Kite Festival is ready to take flight this Sunday.

The festival will be on the green grassy area on the west campus of Santa Barbara City College known as the “Great Meadow.” It overlooks the ocean and captures many wind currents from the coastal zone.

The event is open to all ages.

It takes place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, giving everyone a chance to get their kite airborne and also practice their skills.

That will be important if they are planning to be in any of the competitions.

Kite Festival Organizer David Hefferman said, “about 1,500 folks flying a kite all at once. It is a lot of fun organized events we have tail chase, most beautiful, highest flying, best hand decorated kite, best handmade kite and lots of prizes.”

Recently during first Thursday in downtown Santa Barbara, the Kite Festival team had tables out on State Street by the Museum of Art.

There, kites were being made by hand and colorful artistic drawings were added on.

Sunday these kites will hopefully be flying at the event.

There will also be kites for sale, food, and music.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – National Library Week kicks off next week, and there will be no shortage of celebration here in Santa Barbara.

From April 19-26, locals are encouraged to “Find Your Library Joy!” Events and initiatives will be taking place at Santa Barbara Public Libraries as part of the nationwide celebration. Some of the events include:

Día de los Niños/Día de los libros on Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm

National Library Workers Day on Tuesday, April 21st

Encore screening of “The Librarians” on Wednesday, April 22nd from 6:00 pm – 9:00pm

Library on the Go Lotería @ Shalhoob’s on Thursday, April 23rd from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Open Mic Night on Friday, April 24th from 5:00pm – 7:30pm

Locals with a library card can also enjoy special offers from Yoga Soup, Chaucer’s Books, Mizza Pizza, and more!

For a full list of ways to celebrate, visit Santa Barbara Public Library.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Santa Barbara released an updated master plan on State Street development Thursday.

This comes after ongoing projects to incorporate De La Guerra Plaza into its development plans alongside completed projects at the State Street Undercrossing, Library Plaza, and Farmers Market relocations.

The City of Santa Barbara mentioned a family focus, flexibility, and a balance between pedestrian and vehicle access as part of its new plan.

The growing vision involves separation into three districts: an arts district from the 400 to 600 blocks, a civic and commercial district between the 700 to 900 blocks, and an entertainment district at the 1000 to 1300 blocks.

For a full document on all details from the City of Santa Barbara, visit the following website.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Today, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge upheld a judicial order against Sable Offshore, the Texas-based oil company attempting to restart production on the Central Coast.

The ruling by Judge Donna Geck prevents Sable from restarting two oil pipelines located within Santa Barbara County, and rejects the Trump administration’s direct order to Sable Offshore to restart oil production – demanding the company obtain the proper approvals and permits.

Despite a premilary injunction issued back in July 2025, Sable Offshore resumed sales from onshore pipelines in March from the Las Flores Canyon processing facility in Malibu to Pentland Station in Kern County at a rate of over 50,000 barrels of oil per day, including Line 325 – the ruptured pipeline from the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill.

According to Judge Geck’s tentative ruling today, “Sable has not persuaded the court,” and must comply with state laws and procedures regardless of judicial and administrative orders.

Judge Geck has set a contempt of court hearing date for May 22nd.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Just last week in a wowing performance, Santa Barbara’s Jenna Ramirez and Penelope Hernandez were selected as Old Spanish Days’ Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta. Now the real fun begins as duo prepares for the official start of the Fiesta season.

Jenna and Penelope joined Your Morning News to talk about the moment they heard their names announced.

“I kind of knew like what to do when we go backstage or when it’s my turn to go on, but it was still really nerve-wracking because when I went on stage, I still felt how I was every single year. But when I heard my name get called, I was really proud of myself and I’m just so happy,” explained Hernandez.

Between the two of them, the duo has years of experience, performances, and auditioning, but as first-time Spirits they’re looking forward to simply continuing traditions.

“Dancing at Mission Pequeña. I’m so excited for that. That is like a dream come true of mine and just being able to dance all through Fiesta is so special to me because I’ve been my whole life, I’ve participated in Fiesta, so I’m really excited,” said Ramirez.

The Spirits will be busy throughout the next few months leading up to the celebrations in August, with scheduled events happening around town including La Primavera, Fiesta Ranchera, and La Recepción del Presidente.

The 2026 Fiesta season kicks off from August 5-9. You can find a complete list of events here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. (KEYT) – There will be boat loads of fishing lovers at Cachuma Lake this weekend for the Neal Taylor Nature Center’s Annual Fishing Derby.

Last year, nearly 600 participants took part, including all ages from 5-years-old and up. They shared in $10,000 in prizes. Those included cash, fishing gear, gift baskets and certificates for restaurants.

Participants come in from throughout the Central Coast and some from many cities more than two hours away.

Ralph Galindo is from Chino east of Los Angeles and says, “it is just a real beautiful place get away from work and you know a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work and this is the place to spend it.”

The lake is full from the winter rains. Even during drought years the turnout has been strong.

Neal Taylor Nature Center Executive Director Julie McDonald says, “depending on the type of fish you are fishing for sometimes it’s better when the lake is a little lower so it’s all good depending on what you are fishing on, you are going to catch something.”

The registrations are strong with about 500 already signed up.

The derby takes place rain of shine and last year it rained on Saturday. This year it is sunny and beautiful and many people hope their name is read as a winner Sunday at noon.

A winner from last year, made it by about an inch. Kayla Maher said, “I fish here often so I know when the big ones come but it is close I almost got beat by about an inch. “

Cheryl Rossman and her family have been to all 29 derby events. She said, “I think it is awesome that the whole community participates and gets together from 99 years to one it is very cool.” They have customs shirts made and bring a large group.

During the winners ceremony one person makes free hot dogs, another throws out bags of peanuts like at a Dodger game.

The center raised more than $35,000 for the programs at the Neal Taylor Nature Center on-site, which promotes education and ecology around the Cachuma Lake Recreation area about 30 minutes from Santa Barbara. . Those who come through annually learn about the wide variety of animals and overall history of the lake.

Neal Taylor was a beloved naturalist here from 1983 to 2002 and was a fishing expert who taught many children and four Presidents how to cast a line.

McDonald said, “we have over 40,000 kids and families come through every single year. You kinda get the idea there’s a lot going on here so we really are a hidden gem.”

The event kicks off with a flare gun shot at 6 a.m. Saturday. It ends at noon on Sunday.

The lake has had recent fish stocking to be ready for this event.

Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories ranging from ages to types of fish caught in the event.

For more information go to: Neal Taylor Nature Center Fishing Derby

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Alissa Orozco

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – An older Arroyo Grande man has died after being hit by a motor vehicle Thursday in the parking lot of a Pismo Beach medical clinic.

According to Pismo Beach Police, officers were called out to the scene around 10:15am Thursday to reports of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle incident outside of Med Plus, located at 877 N. Oak Park Blvd.

There, first aid was immediately administered to a 88-year-old Arroyo Grande man by medical personnel from Med Plus before the man was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The man died from his injuries before arrival.

Police say the driver remained on scene and was cooperative with officers. Drugs and alcohol do not seem to be a factor.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A once-gray downtown intersection is quickly transforming into a vibrant public art display just days after its kickoff.

What used to be asphalt is now becoming a shared work of art in downtown Santa Barbara.

Paint rolls across the pavement as volunteers fill in bold colors that are quickly spreading across the intersection.

“It looks beautiful it brought vibrant downtown that already exists here it’s so beautiful,” said shopper Vanessa Leath of Santa Barbara.

Project designers hope the project will turn community ideas into something everyone can experience right on the street.

“It’s been going great to see all the volunteers … all the hands that are you know being part of this project and helping it with the establishment with it coming to fruition is really honoring and humbling,” said Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative Lead Designer Eddy Jimenez.

Organizers are excited to see over a hundred volunteers sharing in the creation of this project.

“I was thinking about sort of what this land is like it’s history and sort of what it means for people. I’m really proud to be by this,” said volunteer Rian Gladnick of the Downtown Art Project.

Brushes and rollers keep moving as crews finish one section and start the next.

“My hope is that the communities within Santa Barbara all of them can recognize this as Home can be inspired by this art,” said Jimenez.

The intersection that once moved only traffic is now moving people.

Volunteers have returned steadily, filling the crossroads of Carrillo and State Streets in bold colors as the mural pushes past the halfway mark.

The project is already drawing crowds and boosting foot traffic, with shoppers stopping to watch and take photos.

Volunteers and community members describe a growing sense of energy as the artwork comes to life, turning the space into both a destination and a shared community experience.

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