Author: KEYT

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It’s a cold, damp day in Santa Barbara.

Outreach workers with Good Samaritan are walking along the train tracks — checking on people camped nearby as the rain tapered off.

“Just trying to give them things they could use when it’s raining … ponchos wipes water,” said outreach housing navigator Tim Garcia of Good Samaritan.

And dry socks — anything to help people weather the storm.

“It’s all critical you know it’s all critical. It’s bringing awareness and our shelter options. We can try to help them transport them. Whatever we need to do,” said program manager for outreach Todd Johnson of Good Samaritan.

The team believes these supplies are often lifesaving, especially when temperatures drop and shelters fill up.

Good Samaritan’s outreach continues even after the rain stops — connecting people with shelter beds and long-term help.

“My hope is to get them to engage and maybe be open to case management and shelter,” said Garcia.

While the rain may be over,Outreach continues, no matter the weather.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – One of Santa Barbara County’s local heroes was honored Friday evening with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary dedication to the community. Nelson Trichler, a 44-year veteran of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, received the award at a fundraising barbecue held at the Santa Barbara Carriage and Western Museum.

Trichler has been a part of over 3,000 search and rescue missions across the state since joining the then-Los Padres Search and Rescue Team in 1981. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office says Trichler has played a pivotal role in the team’s operations, securing modern vehicles and equipment, improving procedures, and developing the county’s evacuation zone system used during wildfires and other disasters.

“Nelson Trichler is a gifted servant leader – someone who has a strong desire to serve others and to put their needs above his own,” said Sheriff Bill Brown in presenting the award. “He fosters a culture of trust and empowerment, and he encourages communication and collaboration. His success is really measured by the Team’s long track record of success.”

Trichler helped the SAR program at Channel Islands National Park – mentoring numerous SAR members. His work continues to shape how the team responds to emergencies throughout the county.

Nelson Trichler remains an active member of the team, now serving as President of the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue Team.

You can learn more about Nelson in a Youtube video here.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – In partnership with the 805 Car Club, the Santa Maria Police Department held the 2nd annual Cops And Cars event Saturday at the department’s Betteravia complex.

“Just having a wonderful day out here,” says Grover Beach resident and spectator Bob Hamblin. “Weather is beautiful. A lot of nice cars and some happy people.”

Food trucks, bounce houses, vendor booths, a live band, and of course, numerous classic cars adorned the lot as an impressive turnout of spectators flowed through.

“It just started stand and it starts at ten,” says co-owner of Extreme Electronics Roger Galvan. “So we’re expected to have to 300 cars and many, many people. It’s a great event for the community brought to you by the San Marino Police Department.“

Local businesses and non-profits joined in the fun with some of their own display booths, including the promised free lithium-ion battery bucket giveaway from the City of Santa Maria’s Utilities Department.

“We did this system here on this beautiful 1960s police car,” says Galvan. “We did a retro radio front speakers, a six and a half Sony E.S., back six-by-nine Sony E.S. And we did a whole trunk build with 2 12-inch subs, four channel amp, and also a one channel mono block.”

While admission is free for spectators, proceeds from the vehicle entry fees fund the Santa Maria Police Department’s various community outreach efforts.

“It’s a family event,” says Hamblin. “So you can bring the kids looks like, and there’s a lot to see. Something for everybody.”

Drawing visitors from beyond Santa Maria’s boundaries, this community gathering’s popularity is increasing, and spectators say they hope this will become a long-standing Central Coast tradition.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT). – For the second straight weekend UCSB men’s water polo was able to deep-six another sixth-ranked opponent.

Brock Zamanian scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter and the #12 Gauchos held on to beat #6 UC San Diego 11-10 in the Big West opener for both teams.

Last weekend UCSB beat San Jose State who was ranked sixth at the time.

Zamanian’s 3rd goal of the game gave the Gauchos an 11-9 lead.

The Tritons Bennett Axline tallied his 3rd goal of the afternoon with 1:31 left to make it a one-goal game.

UC San Diego had two more possessions but UCSB goalie Levin Lentin came out of the cage to steal an entry pass and in the final seconds a Gauchos defender was able to block a shot and time expired.

A big crowd on alumni weekend celebrated the win as UCSB improves to 15-10 on the season.

The Gauchos got off to a fast start as they led 4-2 after the first quarter and 7-4 at halftime.

UC San Diego scored the first three goals of the second half and it was back-and-forth the rest of the way.

Santa Ynez High School alum Landon Lassahn scored on a 6-5 advantage with 0.52 seconds left in the third quarter to put UCSB up 9-8 heading into the final eight minutes.

Danilo Dragovic shared team-high honors in goals at 3 with Brock Zamanian.

Gauchos keeper Levi Lentin made 10 saves to go along with 3 saves.

UCSB hosts #19 UC Irvine next Saturday at 12 at Dos Pueblos High School.

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Caleb Nguyen

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – A man required helicopter transport after major injuries from a crash on Highway 1 near Lompoc just after 1:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Crews found the man’s car about 40 feet up the embankment and stabilized it before helping the man via the jaws-of-life, according to the SBCFD.

The man needed a helicopter for his major injuries and a CalSTAR airlift took him to Marian Regional Medical Center, according to the SBCFD.

The helicopter also shut down Jalama Road temporarily and the cause of the crash is under investigation, according to the SBCFD.

The SBCFD received help from Lompoc Fire and CHP in the response and more information will be provided as it becomes available to Your News Channel.

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John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 2025 NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) is showcasing about 25 films including a special session for students in Goleta.

The festival began Thursday night at the Riviera Theatre in Santa Barbara. The two-day event has world-class films that celebrate nature and outdoor adventure. Friday’s films were at the Camino Real Cinemas.

In addition to Goleta there will also be films in Los Olivos and more plans to move throughout the West Coast to bring the films to more communities.

National and international filmmakers are taking part.

All proceeds from NTFF support NatureTrack and inspire respectful stewardship of our natural world. The films are meant to inspire, educate, and connect people with nature.

Three theaters were in use Friday, in collaboration with Metropolitan Theatres, for 5th graders in the Goleta Union School district.

Jack Hanson from Mountain View School said, “me and my family. Like, converted a bus into an RV. We go on trips, like Oregon, Washington.  We are going to try to go to, northern Canada.”

Abby Pickens with NatureTrack said, “Nature track is all about fostering a lifelong fascination with nature. And we’re doing that through film today .”

Part of the outreach for the students is to be inspired by both the images and the thought of being closer to nature.

Hanson said, “I don’t really play video games, so, like, I do active stuff every day. I go outside.”

Sue Eisaguirre, NatureTrack Executive Director, said, “There’s something about seeing it on a huge screen in a theater and having that sound, that Dolby sound.”

Looking at the movies on the big screen with kids, Pickens said, “we get them excited about using their senses and nature and then they just open up and start exploring. A little bit shy at first, but by the end of the day, they’re exploring on their own and observing things that I’m not even pointing out.”

The festival has set up an area where many film makers are on hand to talk about their experiences and how they captured these images with nature.

Eisaguirre said, “so we’re reaching more people, different people. And they’re seeing these incredible nature films that motivate them to get out and do something or to just explore for the first time.”

Year round NatureTrack leads field trips with K though 12 students  and offers the Freedom Trax all terrain mobility device so everyone can have access to trails and beaches.

 “I think if we can expose people to as much nature and like getting people to create a relationship with, Mother Earth, I think that’s what we should all be striving for,” said Pickens.

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) The third annual Panteón Fest filled Heritage Square.

People of all ages attended the festival in Oxnard.

It is a celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

Families worked on their altars throughout the plaza in Oxnard to celebrate loved ones they miss.

One of the most popular altars included a classic Ford.

Erika Martin Del Campo of Santa Barbara emceed the event.

“The third annual festival magical and so special it is a representation of the Latino culture, Pipiripau has been putting this on for the third year and it really is just celebrating the Latino culture the Hispanic culture and it is such a wonderful highlight that brings out entire community together,” said Martin Del Campo.

The program included a DJ spinning records, dancing, mariachi and a Catrin and Catrina contest.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Jerry Day filled Chase Palm Park on Saturday.

The park served as the Great Meadow as bands celebrated the music of the late Jerry Garcia.

Bands included No Simple Highway, Ladyfinger and Random Animals.

Some fans recall seeing Garcia perform at local Grateful Dead shows in the ’70s.

Heads All Happy Hour hosted the free show that went until sunset.

There was a silent auction as well.

Money raised will benefit the Grateful Guitars Foundation and Jams Music School.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. – A single trailer caught fire and set one acre of vegetation ablaze at Parkhill Road in Santa Margarita just after 8:00 p.m. Saturday, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

The single travel trailer became fully engulfed in flames but caused no other injuries or damage, thanks to forward progress stopping at one acre, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Crews stopped the incident from escalating further, and the cause is under investigation, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Police Department officers arrested a 47-year-old gang member for gun and narcotic possession just before 10:00 p.m. Friday.

SMPD officers conducted a traffic stop at Carlotti and Seeward Avenue when they found outstanding warrants for the 47-year-old man’s arrest.

SMPD officers then found 16 grams of fentanyl, 2.5 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded gun in the man’s car.

SMPD officers then booked the man into the Santa Barbara North County Jail on multiple weapons and narcotics-related charges.

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