Author: KEYT

Dave Alley

GUADALUPE, Calif. (KEYT) – The Guadalupe Union School District (GUSD) officially opened its Early Learning Center (ELC) on Wednesday morning, welcoming about 100 students to a facility that’s been in the works for several years.

“It absolutely is a very significant day for the for the City of Guadalupe,” said GUSD Superintendent Emilio Handall. “They’ve never had a place like this. They’ve ever had a campus designed specifically for their three and four-year-olds. We have other federal programs in the area, but this school sponsored design space is something that they’ve never had before.”

The new campus is located to the new Guadalupe Junior High School, which just opened earlier at the beginning of the current school year in August.

Spread out over five acres in the Pasadera housing community, the ELC features eight classrooms created for both preschool and transitional kindergarten students.

“It gives them a space that’s specifically designed for them with a play area that’s age appropriate with classrooms that allows them to learn at their most optimal level,” said Handall. “It’s just a space where children will feel more comfortable and more engaged. Students will be learning how to play with each other. They’ll be learning how to communicate their needs. They’ll be learning how to collaborate with other students. They’ll be learning how to regulate their emotions along with the academic piece, learning their letters, numbers, colors and what have you.”

The cost of the new campus was about $10 million with funding coming to the district through a variety of sources.

“Without the tremendous support of the Guadalupe community, these much-needed and much-anticipated facilities would not have been possible,” said Handall. “The citizens of Guadalupe overwhelmingly approved four bond measures in the span of six years. First passing Measures M &N in 2016, and then Measure V &W in 2022. The schools represent incredible opportunities for the children of Guadalupe and the generosity of its citizens.”

On Wednesday afternoon, GUSD will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. to officially celebrate the opening of the new campus.

The event will be held at the ELC, which is located 375 Arroyo Seco Road in Guadalupe, and is open to the public.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The poster reveal for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) didn’t need a spotlight or a drum roll. The excitement for the 41st annual event was in the air.

Executive Director Roger Durling was beaming in the moment as he read off some of the highlights and turned to artist Baret Boisson. Each grabbed an end to a cloth and revealed the poster Boisson created in one original piece for this year’s event.

It featured many creative elements, several “eye view” images, a pathway and a quote from the late President John F. Kennedy that read, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”

“The quote about artistic freedom really spoke to me so I use that quote,” said Boisson.

She had artistic freedom and hoped the film fans will use their imagination when looking at the poster. Boisson said, “opening your eyes opening your mind and letting go and nothing should be super recognizable, it’s a just a play on going into a different realm.”

Durling said, “I love this poster the whole  the whole underwriting theme this year of this festival is supporting artists and supporting the arts in general.”

The festival continues to add different elements during tribute nights and educational engagement opportunities. Durling expects people from all over the world to be in town. “It is an international film festival so the fact that  50 countries are represented is vital I want to live up the name international film festival.”

Durling said there would be 200 films, including 46 World Premieres and 81 U.S. Premieres

He was also thrilled to announce the opening of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival McHurly Film Center in the 900 block of State Street on February 4.

“What a way to start a festival than with a brand new state of the art film center. We have the Arlington,  we have the Riviera, and now have the five screens at the new film center.”

Some of the tribute events are already sold out.

The festival will have several days with free films, educational opportunities for students and a young filmmaker competition called 10-10-10 that, for the first time, will include mentorships for movie music.

Over 600 volunteers also assist with film and tribute night logistics, poster distribution and information to guests.

For more information go to: SBIFF

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Layan, a 9-year-old snow leopard at the Santa Barbara Zoo, is quickly winning over young visitors.

He arrived from the Idaho Falls Zoo as part of a conservation breeding program.

Layan replaces the zoo’s late snow leopard, Kisa.

Kisa is giving families a rare chance to see this vulnerable species up close.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The cost of glue traps is showing up at wildlife rescue doors in Santa Barbara.

“We’re seeing a lot of glue trapped animals this past month we’ve had a skunk trapped in six all changed together in sequence,” said intake lead Dylan Helenberger of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is treating a growing number of animals arriving stuck in powerful adhesive, often unable to free themselves.

“Feathers ripped out, skin tears, and the struggle only makes it worse. Many don’t survive,” said Helenberger.

Since 2025, 35 animals have been brought in after becoming trapped, already the highest total on record.

Since 2019, 142 animals have required care, many unintended victims including birds, bats, and lizards.

“They’re a form of pest control and animal trapping that is in the household and domestic spaces which don’t discriminate against which animal they trap,” said education and communications coordinator Pam Perrimon of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

“It’s sad uou can clearly tell that they’re stressed and trying to get out and it takes a while to get them off of it without causing more damage,” said Helenberger.

If you do catch an animal, the wildlife team urges people not to try remove it on your own.

“Please don’t wash it … please don’t try to use canola oil … just cover the rest of the glue on the trap with newspaper … put the animal in a box that’s covered and bring it straight to us,” said Helenbergr.

In California, cities including West Hollywood, Ojai, and Culver City have moved to restrict or prohibit their use.

Wildlife experts recommend humane pest control methods that focus on prevention rather than harm.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ready, set, hike!

Santa Barbara and Ventura are two of eight Southern California counties that will be represented in a new women’s professional flag football league that is launching in the summer of 2026.

The So Cal Women’s Pro Flag Football League (SCWPFFL) is the brainchild of sports entrepreneur and longtime sports promoter Roy Englebrecht.

The league, in 2026, will launch with SCWPFFL franchises in each of the eight Southern California counties, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Imperial.

“Women’s flag football has reached a tipping point,” said Englebrecht, the founder of So Cal Women’s Pro Flag Football League, and a partner in the soon to go public sports property, Combat Sports Entertainment. “The talent level is extraordinary, the interest is real, and the timing is right. Southern California has always been a leader in sports innovation, and this league is about creating opportunity and visibility, with players finally having a true professional home to continue their careers in flag football. I look forward to hiring a full-time Commissioner in January who will oversee the formation of the League.

Games are expected to be staged at top high school or junior college football stadiums in each of the eight counties, to ensure that the athletes from each county will get to play in front of family, friends and football fans. The SCWPFFL 14 game regular season will run June and mid-August, with playoffs starting in August. All SCWPFFL games will be played in four 15-minute quarters. A league wide draft will be held mid-March.

Women’s flag football is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, sanctioned by numerous state high school athletic associations and now supported by the NFL at the grassroots level.

“This league isn’t just about games,” Englebrecht added. “It’s about building a sustainable future for women’s football and inspiring the next generation of athletes.”

Additional announcements, including team names, venues, league draft, player tryouts, ownership groups, and corporate partnerships – will be released in early February.

(Information and quotes provided by Nicole Taylor BZA).

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will be led by Bob Nelson – a North County Supervisor from Orcutt who has a list of goals ready to go for 2026, including one to deal with housing costs.

In taking over the main seat and the gavel, Nelson says he realizes there are straining days on the general public with concerns over what is happening on the federal level, but he says the county needs to focus on issues that impact day to day lives.

With housing being a top priority he wants to see more effort in finding newer housing options that will make the home buying dream more of a reality. That includes homes that are made of materials with lower overall costs if such a process can be found.

Nelson said, “I do think we can be smarter and use smaller lots and smaller houses and find a product that is affordable, so young people can buy actual homes in Santa Barbara County.”

It would be similar, but a more forward plan than some past options. “For years we had mobile home parks but we have moved away from that. I think that might be something we look at in the future not as a ‘for rent’ product like we had in the past, but for a ‘for sale’ product.”

Nelson says the Olympics will be taking place in Southern California and he hopes the county can benefit from tourism and events relating to the games and the international visitors.

He also hopes to have county meetings with more efficiency on getting to decisions.

This is the second time Nelson has served as the Board Chair.

He replaces Laura Capps who handed over the gavel and remains in her post as the Second District Supervisor and is currently running for reelection.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – After years of seeing thousands show up for out of control parting in Isla Vista, the County Board of Supervisors will be using a new ordinance change to quiet it down and make it less attractive to out of towners.

It is known as Deltopia. It started as Floatopia in the water, then after a beach ban, ended up on Del Playa Drive.

A ban on amplified music means if it can be heard from the sidewalk it is a violation.

The county heard some staggering numbers from the Sheriff’s department including costs of $465,000 in overtime from 2023 to 2025 for the Sheriff and Fire departments.  From 2010 to 2025 the costs have been over $1 million.

There are also associated costs for the University Police, American Medical Response (AMR) and clean up efforts.

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting saying it has had a full or overflowing emergency room from the calls for medical needs coming from the event.

The impacts on the hospital and transport services have been beyond any normal weekend significantly.

Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Schmidt made the presentation with photos, financial impacts and statistics that included injuries and deaths.  He personally has been part of the response teams for years, including making rescues when someone goes 40-feet off the bluffs.

The UC Santa Barbara Associated Students has been working on solutions and providing funding for alternative events as part of a pivot on the event towards a more sanctioned and controlled scene.

The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) has also favored a more collaborative festival using parks and sites off of Del Playa Drive with security, food set ups, music, restrooms, and a more inclusive schedule for the community. A meeting on that plan will take place in Isla Vista at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 20th.

County Supervisors were firm in their concerns about unsafe bluff top and patio parties that were over crowded and uncontrolled gatherings that have been difficult to measure or break up when there are safety issues or medical calls.

Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann both recall talking to parents after fatal incidents over the years in Isla Vista as they stressed the safety priority.

There was also an alert about the ineffective use of cell phones when the crowd use overwhelms the towers making 911 calls sometimes impossible.

Student leaders were credited with their work on a solution and their presentations at town hall meetings and to the county leaders.

IVCSD President Spencer Brandt said he met with San Luis Obispo officials to find out how St. Patrick’s Day events were controlled using rules and alternative activities that were supported by the community and some of what made that plan work, is being used in Isla Vista going forward.

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

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Renters and landlords packed a marathon meeting that resulted in a 4-3 votes to pass an ordinance to establish a temporary rent increase moratorium and a Just Cause Eviction code update.

Santa Barbara City Council member Meagan Harmon made the motions.

“The ordinance will become effective in 30 days, it is just a temporary rent freeze during this interim period while we move forward to develop a rent stabilization ordinance,” said Harmon,” one thing to note is that there is a rollback date that increases are not allowed as of December 16th, so even though it becomes effective in a month, it goes back to Dec. 16.”

It’s was proposed to stop a rush of rent increases while the city works on a program.

“It is really just about stabilizing and sort of maintaining the state of play as it currently exists, while we go forward and develop this program, it is not about setting a permanent rent freeze or stopping increases forever, it is just about stabilizing the here and now, while we develop this program together,” said Harmon.

Mayor Randy Rowse , Council member and Mayoral candidate Eric Friedman and Council member Mike Jordan were not swayed by more than three hours of mostly supportive comments.

Many critics of interfering in the free market agreed with the no votes.

“We have 3 city council members that are renters, they are going to benefit by this vote,” said Mike Stoker, a former Santa Barbara County Supervisor who works with the nonprofit Santa Barbara Taxpayers Advocacy Center.

Another speaker thought they should recuse themselves and another asked if any council members were landlords.

None of them currently rent out property.

Council member Wendy Santamaria reminded the crowd that this does not apply to single family homes or Section 8 housing.

Supporters are pleased, although many including Stanley Tzankov, with the Tenants Union and CAUSE, recognized a 5th yes vote would have made it an urgent ordinance.

“I wish they would have acted with urgency because people are hurting and I guess this is better than the alternative but we need to get something good to protect tenants and stabilize rents,” said Tzankov.

Emily Pelstring said she supported the yes votes even though she plans to move in about six months due to her high studio rent.

“When you are paying into rent it is not going into any investment,” said Pelstring, ” and property values in Santa Barbara always continue to go up, you are sinking away a good portion of your money to live an area where you work.”

In July, the council plans to consider a permanent rent stabilization program that the city staff was asked to work on following a presentation on Dec. 16, 2025.

Rent stabilization or control is likely to be a hot topic during the upcoming mayors race. 

The agenda’s first recommendation that passed included the introduction and adoption of an emergency ordinance that establishes a temporary rent increase moratorium during the preparation, consideration and potential adoption of a permanent rent stabilization program.

The second item that passed included the adoption of an amendment to the Santa Barbara Municipal Code relating to additional requirements for Just Cause Evictions for the purpose of removing rental units from the market

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

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Boys & Girls Clubs Of Mid Central Coast is celebrating its 60th anniversary of service to kids and their families.

An open-house “birthday party” was held at the north Santa Maria location on Railroad Avenue Tuesday night, complete with refreshments, alumni presentations, and tours of the clubhouse.

City leaders, alumni and their parents say they are grateful for the club’s services over multiple generations.

Awards were given at the party to 2025’s honorees for both the ‘Lifetime Giving Award’ and the ‘Jeremiah Milbank Society’ Awards.

“We are going to be recognizing our staff as well,” says Maria Fabula, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs Mid Central Coast. “So we have three staff who just completed five years here at the club, and then we have two staff who have completed 25 years and one staff who has completed 35 years at the club. So really celebrating what they’ve given to this organization and to the community.”

Residents interested in the services for children and families available at the Boys & Girls Clubs can check their website by clicking here.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Actress Kate Hudson has been added to the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival lineup to receive the 2026 Arlington Artist of the Year Award.

On Friday, February 13th, a special in-person tribute will be held to honor Hudson with the award, to highlight both her impressive career and her performance in her latest film, Song Sung Blue.

Starring alongside Hugh Jackman, Hudson has received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a SAG Actor Award for her role.

“We fell in love with her in Almost Famous more than 25 years ago and have loved her ever since. We were ecstatic to see Ms. Hudson in a role worthy of her talents in SONG SUNG BLUE. It’s a career redefining performance, and she knocks it out of the park!” said SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling.

The Arlington Artist of the Year Award is named after one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Santa Barbara. Kate Hudson will receive her award at 8:00pm on Friday, February 13th.

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