Author: KEYT

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Your News Channel welcomed back Dory from Santa Barbara Humane, and her special friend Chuy!

Chuy is a nearly 8-year-old purebred German Shepherd with a sweet demeanor and a voice you can’t miss. Chuy was surrendered to the shelter due to no fault of his own – his previous owner had to move out of the country, but left behind a great pup.

His foster mom and SB Humane CEO says Chuy is completely house trained and a total couch dog – with the occasional zoomies of course.

Dory took the opportunity to discuss the importance of spaying and neutering your animal. SB Humane is largest provider of affordable veterinary care in the county, assisting in over 8,000 spays and neuters in 2025.

Santa Barbara Humane just expanded access to its weekly walk-in vaccine clinics, offering a low-cost option for dog and cat owners across the region.

“Please if you have an animal out there that you’ve been putting off medical care or you know your cat needs to get spayed just reach out to us we wanna help.”

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Beth Farnsworth

SANTA BARBARA, Calif (KEYT) – For the first time in 80-years, a trip to the Caribbean Sea beat out a Hawaiian vacation as the top destination for West Coasters.

“People are wanting new things, new experiences,” said Chris Olvera, Manager of Automobile Club of Southern California’s Santa Barbara Branch. “AAA wants to see more people go back to Hawaii, it out-priced itself in recent years. They realize that now.”

But taking a flight to the Caribbean may not necessarily be the most popular option.

“2026 is expected to be one of the largest travel years for cruising,” said Olvera. “And, the Caribbean is the number one destination, followed by Alaska.”

Olvera added that cruising “exploded” after the pandemic; cruising companies seem to be coming up with new ships each year to out-do each other.

Courtesy: Allison Winslow/KEYT

He shared other great travel tips and top trends Wednesday afternoon from AAA’s State Street hub. Those include a spike in multi-generational trips (yes, cruises are also popular with that demographic), wellness vacations and, trips with so-called bragging rights.

“Expedition travel. We’re talking Antarctica, we’re talking the Galapagos Islands, we’re talking the Arctic regions. We’re seeing trends that people want to be associated with going new places, experiencing new things.”

Olvera admitted, those are considered bucket list trips. Japan might be another.

Courtesy: AAA

“Europe is still hot but Japan was number one last year,” he said. “For most Americans, Japan was the number one travel destination. Japan is just exploding. People are not afraid to go to Asia, the yen to dollar ratio is in our favor and so that has attracted a lot of people. Whether they want to go to Tokyo and do Mario Kart or they want to travel throughout the country, they want to experience something different and that’s a trend throughout the U.S.”

Courtesy: AAA

Olvera said travel deep into Mexico is also popular, rather than the typical tourist spots.

“People are not just going to Cabo anymore or Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta. They’re going deeper into Mexico — Mexico City, Mérida, Huatulco. And they’re still just a couple hour flight.”

He believed safety concerns linked to well publicized cartel violence are more relegated to border regions and not resort destinations. He said, personally, he felt no danger while traveling with his family throughout parts of Mexico.

Trips to our national parks are still highly popular. And, Hawaii will always beckon travelers to its islands of paradise.

“They’re coming back with extraordinary deals and trying to get people to come back.”

Travel insurance, when you’re lucky to take that trip, is always recommended.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria City Council cut into a $25.1 million deficit on Tuesday night by approving a number of a number of “budget amendments.”

“The staff brought for the City Council recommendations to reduce, the budget,” said Chuen Wu, Santa Maria Assistant City Manager. “The council approved the recommendations, so I feel like we’re making progress on addressing the city’s budget deficit and yesterday was kind of a big step towards that.”

Among the proposals that were approved by councilmembers were a number of capital improvement projects that must now be delayed, cancelled, or funded with another source.

The Recreation and Parks Department in particular received significant budget reductions totalling more than $4.3 million.

“The council approved last night a reduction plan to put on hold a lot of the capital projects that we had planned for the future,” said Dennis Smitherman, Recreation and Parks Department Interim Director. “Things like sports field ADA access (at Simas Park), new lights (at Elks Field), different aspects for the department to help continue to grow as we grow in the community. They’re not canceled. They’re just on pause for right now. andwe’re looking to keep those items on that list and to make sure that they stay front and forward, and as funding becomes available, either through general fund dollars or potentially grant dollars, we’ll be able to go out and ask for that funding again.”

The Fire Department will also have a large amount of funding rebalanced with City Council approving more $3.8 million in reductions, including $3.629 million earmarked for the expansion of Fire Station 1.

“The Station 1 expansion has to be done,” said Santa Maria Fire Chief Brad Dandridge. “With the future growth that our city is expecting, and with the expected downtown infill projects that have been approved for the community, we need to expand station one to hold additional firefighters to ensure that the service levels that are provided our community stay at the level that they need to be. The project isn’t being delayed. The project isn’t being canceled. We have Congressman Salud Carbajal that has proposed that $1.23 million grant for us to allow the project to continue. We’re also looking at alternate funding to ensure that that project continues on path.”

In addition, the city will continue to operate with a smaller work staff as hiring to fill open positions will now be paused indefinitely.

“There were 24 full-time positions that have been vacant,” said Wu. “Many of these positions have been vacant a while and so we decided to remove the budget allocations for those positions. There were also part-time hours that we’re going to remove off the books, and so we’re really trying to be efficient and lean with the people that we have, but still try and provide the same level of services.”

Among the open positions that will remain unfilled are 10 with the police department and eight with the fire department.

“We are not reducing the service that we’re providing our community,” said Dandridge. “Although those positions are unfilled on paper, we continue the minimum daily staffing levels that we have contracted with our community to ensure the service that we provide is at the level that our community deserves and expects.”

With the first round of budget amendments now approved, City Council is now looking at new ways to increase future revenue streams.

On Tuesday, City Council approved up to $36,500 in funding to hire DHM Research to provide PublicOpinion Survey Research and Ballot Measure Polling Services.

“We’re exploring potential revenue options,” said Wu. “We’ve enlisted a polling services to just kind of gauge community sentiment on the potential of whether it’s, sales tax or a parcel tax, or rental tax, those are options that are being explored, but we want to get a sense of what the community feels and we also want to have direction from our council. It’s a discussion that we’re having at the moment and we’re having those conversations within the next couple of months. Everything that we’re talking about really has lead into the next, budget that we intend to adopt for ’26 through ’28.”

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John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new effort is underway to have an organized Spring celebration in Isla Vista that reigns in the crowds known to show up for the unpermitted Deltopia event, which was recently silenced by the County Board of Supervisors.

Santa Barbara County Supervisors voted to have a noise ordinance, banning amplified music on and near the dates when Deltopia would be taking place.

To still bring the community together for a festival event under more sanctioned activities, the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) has a plan in the works. The organizers and board members did have alternative activities last year to get the crowds away from the overloaded Del Playa Drive and reduce issues with medical calls, first responder access, and the dangers of cliff falls.

It was well received in the park settings with live bands, free water, tacos and safe resting areas.

A similar festival vibe is on the drawing board and funding has come in that amounts to about $240,000 from the IVCSD and also the A.S. Board at UC Santa Barbara nearby, which has been joining the recent events that serve the student population in Isla Vista in a safe way.

The festival has no name as of now, but organizers are looking for suggested names as part of their outreach.

Last night was a work session and town hall meeting to lay out the plan, show a color map and give the timeline that has to be met for approvals prior to the April 4th festivities.

Even if the event falls short on the approval, the IVCSD will be providing extra bathrooms, water stations and resources to help with safe community services, in anticipation of an active scene.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department is already budgeting to have resources on duty that would be in line with a large event.

In a presentation to the Board of Supervisors recently prior to the noise ban,  the Sheriff’s Isla Vista Foot Patrol cited the burden of the unpermitted event with numerous calls for service, medical emergencies, injuries, overloaded emergency room beds, a broken crowded balcony and over the past 15 year, two deaths.

The report also cited thousands of dollars in county funds spent on managing the event needs beyond what a normal weekend would need. This is taking place as the county budget is forecasted to be facing a multi-million dollar deficit.

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

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Girls Basketball:

Ventura 68, Dos Pueblos 42: Brinley Anderson 22 pts, 12 reb for Cougars.

Oxnard 67, Buena 23: Gia Angell 16 pts for Yellowjackets.

Pacifica 28, Santa Barbara 25: Shea Gannon 10 pts, 8 reb for Dons

St. Bonaventure 54, Bishop Diego 34: Sophia Fernandez 20 pts, 10 reb for Seraphs.

Santa Ynez 51, Atascadero 45 (OT): Helina Pecile 15 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast for Pirates.

High School Girls Soccer:

Dos Pueblos 0, Ventura 0

San Marcos 3, Pacifica 0: Kate Selby 2 goals for Royals

Santa Barbara 1, Oxnard 1:

Bishop Diego 0, Dunn 0

High School Boys Soccer:

Dos Pueblos 1, Ventura 1: Abel Navarro goal for Cougars, Keenan Bower goal for DP.

Pacifica 4, San Marcos 1

Rio Mesa 1, Buena 0: Victor Espinosa goal for Spartans.

Cate 8, Foothill Tech 0: George Marin 5 goals for Rams.

Laguna Blanca 5, St. Bonaventure 1: Inak Phillips 2 goals for Owls.

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Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) The Goleta City Council welcomed its new Chief of Police at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Lieutenant Jarrett Morris has worked with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for two decades.

Morris will now oversee the police department that contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Morris said he is looking forward to meeting community members at functions around the city.

Councilmembers thanked outgoing Chief, Lt. Frank Vasquez, for his service.

To learn more about the new chief visit https://cityofgoleta.org

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Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Tuesday, Goleta City Council Members were given a presentation by the city of a million gallon sewage spill over Presidents Day weekend in 2024.

They also heard public comments from members of the Goleta West Sanitary District. The sewage spill was caused by a ruptured pipeline.

It wasn’t detected right away and became the largest sewage spill in Santa Barbara County history.

State regulators have proposed a $1.55 million dollar settlement with the Goleta West Sanitary District, but environmental groups including Channelkeeper and several elected leaders don’t think that is sufficient.

Mayor Pro Tempore Jennifer Smith talked about the issue before Tuesday’s presentation.

“Myself, Mayor Paula Perotte and Supervisor Laura Capps, we submitted a letter directly to the Water Control Board to say we don’t think this proposed settlement of the issue is sufficient. We want to see accountability. This is the biggest spill in the history of the county and there was major communication problems that happened and that caused the spill to be worse,” said Smith.

“So, we really want to see accountability for the control board to use their own metrics, under their own metrics we don’t think the fine is sufficient and we also want to be sure these communication snafus don’t happen in the future we need to trust that the sanitary district has the leaders and staff that will communicated appropriately when these situations happen.”

It took 14 hours to stop the sewage spill that impacted the Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area, a tributary leading to a creek and the ocean.

Signs went up closing Goleta Beach about a week after the spill and the beach closure lasted for more than three weeks.

Supervisors Laura Capps went to the beach to warn people to get out of the water and wash up.

The fine could cover the cost of an environmental project.

“It would be for the Goleta West Sanitary District to cope with the fine, there is also a proposal for a project for them to undertake and we simply ask that the project have some nexus to the damage caused, some nexus to the Goleta Slough, the Goleta Beach and you know to have some connection to what actually transpired,” said Smith.

Councilmember James Kyriaco’s made the motion that passed four to one on Tuesday night.

He said It authorizes Mayor Perotte and Mayor Pro Tempore Smith to speak on behalf of the city at the upcoming Central Coast Regional Water Board meeting.

Kyriaco said they will express the need for better pipeline safety practices and call for an action plan and better communication with the city and residents about future spills.

Luz Reyes-Martin was the only no vote.

Councilmembers learned there has been one smaller spill since the large one they discussed.

One Goleta West Sanitary District staff said they attending their own regular meeting before making public comments at the Goleta City Council Meeting.

When asked they said the spill impacted an estimated 39,500 customers including about 20,000 Goleta residents.

Central Coast Water Board members will determine what the fine will be and how the money will be used at a public meeting in San Luis Obispo on February 26th and 27th.

Goleta leaders would like the money spend on improvements locally.

Goleta West Sanitary District representatives said aging pipes will need to be replaced in five years at the cost of about $10 million.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Thousands of students returned back to class on Tuesday to mark the beginning of the new spring semester at Allan Hancock College.

According to the school, more than 10,800 students are enrolled in both credit and non-credit courses between the college’s two campuses, it’s main site in Santa Maria and its Lompoc Valley Center.

“It’s going great,” said Chris McGuinness, Hancock College Public Affairs and Communications Analyst. “We’re really excited to have students come back to campus. The students are excited to be back and we’re just really excited to be able to welcome them back.” “

To help welcome the students back to the campus, the school provided a number of information tables today to help them find classes, answer questions and offer free refreshments.

“We just really want to make sure we’re here to make their experience coming back, whether they’re returning or even if it’s their first time on campus, just to make it a memorable and really welcoming experience for them,” said McGuinness.

The number of students enrolled this semester continues a steady climb for Hancock to reach pre-pandemic numbers.

Since enrollment plunged during the height of the Covid-19 era a few years ago, students have been returning in increasing numbers during each semester.

“There were a lot of challenges with Covid,” said McGuinness. “Obviously, enrollment was one of them, but we have been seeing those numbers go back up.”

McGuinness also pointed out the school continues to provide students with a wide array of resources and support students with assistance offered on both campuses.

“There’s academic counseling, there’s financial aid, there’s tutoring,” said McGuinness. “We’ve got our clothing closet, our food bank. They can get help with transportation. We really try to have a lot of programs and support and services that remove obstacles for students so they can come here and feel prepared and feel ready to learn and really focus on their educational goals. We really encourage students to take advantage of all the resources and support they have here at the college and that’ll help them get off to a really good start here during the spring semester.”

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo Police are looking for two people who stole over $3,000 in Sunglass Hut merchandise just before 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

One wore a beige jacket, headphones and a beanie while the other wore a black jacket, according to San Luis Obispo Police.

Those who can help identify the two suspects are asked to contact Officer Cutler or Crime Stoppers.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Arian Eteghaei, a 23-year-old former UCSB student, received multiple charges for sexual crimes after a three-month trial, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

A jury returned guilty verdicts against Eteghaei for forcible sexual penetration, misdemeanor domestic violence and forcible rape against two victims, according to the SBCDAO.

These charges included crimes committed against more than one victim though jurors could not reach a verdict on 14 other counts, according to the SBCDAO.

Eteghaei faces a sentencing of 30 years to life in state prison scheduled for April 8 later this year. He remains in custody pending sentencing and is remanded without bail, according to the SBCDAO.

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