Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A boost in pay is in the works for In-Home Supportive Service (I.H.S.S.) care providers.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a three year contract that will provide raises. 

This approval was a long time coming.

In-home caregivers represented by United Domestic Workers campaigned for these raises in California for the past 15 years.

The union succeeded in protecting or raising caregiver wages in several counties including San Diego, Riverside, and San Luis Obispo.

“With the IHSS program, people can go get their training, go do what they need to do to be paid,” says Courtney Cazenave, who lives In Guadalupe and cares for her disabled son Edward. “I mean, and it’s a great help.”

I.H.S.S. caregivers provide invaluable support to seniors and people with disabilities.

“It’s so much,” says Cazenave. “Which is why the community and everybody needs to invest in these trainings because the population is just aging.”

Studies project that in the next five years, nearly 25% of Californians including many in Santa Barbara county will surpass age 60, causing a surge in demand for senior support.

Those numbers are expected to grow past 30% by 2060.

“Nobody’s getting–it’s not going to stop,” says Cazenave.

Local caregivers publicly expressed their gratitude for the county supervisors’ approval at last week’s meeting.

“This agreement is a step forward for providers, for care recipients and our community as a whole, and I look forward to continuing this partnership as we move ahead together,” said Olga Bravo, another Santa Barbara county resident who takes care of a disabled son, at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting.

The recently approved contract will raise wages for professional providers, and widen opportunities for family caregivers.

“It’s a good start,” says Cazenave. “I.H.S.S. workers need salary, they need benefits, and they need constant training.”

An estimated 30% of Californians serve as unpaid family caregivers for aging or disabled relatives.

Experts say that added stress can also take a toll on the caregiver’s health.

Caregivers in California currently make $19 an hour.

In March, that bumps up to $20 an hour — then, starting in July, wages will be $3.50 over the minimum wage or, $20.07 per hour, whichever figure is higher.

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John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) –  A student-led drive to collect sports gear from young athletes is underway with the goal to help those who can’t afford the equipment.

It is led by a junior at Dos Pueblos High School, Johnny Duffy.

He has created a community-wide sports equipment donation event with both the high school students and also Goleta Valley Junior High School.

Duffy says the project is called Ready Set Play Sports — a community initiative built around a simple idea: Gear Up. Give Back. Get Playing.

He wants to make sports more accessible with this gear.

Duff says, students can participate and get involved by stopping by one of the drive dates:

Tuesday – Wednesday: collecting gently used sports gear (cleats, balls, pads, uniforms, etc.) in donation bins on campus. They will also be at Goleta Valley Junior High.

Saturday – Sunday: community donation events where families can receive free sports equipment.

Any gear that isn’t redistributed will be sold to a local sports store, and all proceeds will go toward a $500 athletic scholarship for college-bound student athletes who need help purchasing gear or supplies.

This project focuses on three goals:

Making sports more accessible

Creating service opportunities for students

Supporting local student-athletes beyond high school

“Sports have played a huge role in my life, and this is my way of turning that passion into something that benefits others,” said Duffy.

Aside from school, club sports can be very expensive. “Just to be part of a club sometimes it can be up to $4000 yearly for some people it is not very sustainable,” he said.

As gear was coming in, his friends showed their support.

He doesn’t want anyone on the sidelines if they want to play.

Keenan Bowey said, ” I brought my cleats. I grew out of them they are still in alright condition. They just need to be dusted up. I thought  a price tag shouldn’t get in the way of someone playing soccer or sports so I thought might as well help out a little bit.”

Looking them over he said, “the bottoms are still good.  Ceiling is still good, the leather is intact, nice kangaroo leather, insoles are fine. Good to go!”

Holding a soccer ball, Luca Bottorff said, “I grew up playing soccer and especially in America, it is a very expensive sport.  People call it pay to play and so I think this program is bringing us in the right direction.”

A member of the Dos Pueblos basketball team, Evan Pinsker said, “when I was a little kid they got me involved in basketball and I haven’t looked back since.  I have been playing all my life .” He said it was important “to give back to someone else.”

Checking out some of the donations, with a little air their will be ready for action.

Pinsker said, “indoor basketballs they cost a lot nowadays but I have a bunch that are worn out. I have donated them too  and you can still use them outside which is nice.”

The gear can go beyond bats and balls. Swimming goggles, ankle weights and even boxing gloves are encouraged if they are unused and could find a new home through this donation. As long as they are in “wearable condition so they can enjoy it for as long as they can, ” said Duffy.

He said, sports can build can also help with mental stability and better results in his studies. “For me it has taught me some valuable life skills  but also it has really alleviated my stress and allowed me to do better inside the classroom.”

The distribution will take place this weekend at both the high school and junior high.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – A record-breaking amount of passengers traveled through the San Luis Obispo County Airport (SBP) in 2025.

Over the course of the year, the airport saw 811,905 passengers use the county-operated facility, marking a 8.7% increase from the previous year.

“The record-breaking passenger total is an exciting reflection of our region and a strong local economy,” said Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County Third District Supervisor and Board Chair. “Reliable air service is essential not only for welcoming visitors, but also for supporting our business community by providing critical access to and from San Luis Obispo County. This level of growth highlights the airport’s role as an economic engine for the region and a key connector for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

The number of passengers for 2025 is more than 65,000 than the total in 2024, and more than 151,000 who used the airport in 2023, representing a nearly 23% increase in just two years.

The airport currently offers several direct daily flights to seven year-round destinations including to Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Denver and Dallas, with Las Vegas as an eighth destination on a seasonal basis.

Commercial airlines who provide air service at SBP include United Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

“Reaching this historic passenger total is only possible because of the extraordinary teamwork that takes place at the SLO County Airport every day,” said San Luis Obispo County Airports Director Courtney Johnson. “I am deeply grateful to our County staff, airline partners, rental car agencies, concessionaires, CAL FIRE, our air traffic control tower operators, and all those who work behind the scenes to ensure safe, reliable, and welcoming operations for our community and visitors.”

For more information about the San Luis Obispo County Airport, click here to visit the SBP website.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It was a golden moment for the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club.

The SBVC Boys 17U Molten team captured the gold medal in the open division at the SoCal Cup Open Championship in Salt Lake City.

This is the first major tournament win for the club in a long time according to the organization.

SBVC executive director Matt Riley said, “We are so proud of this accomplishment for the team and the club. It has been a long time since we’ve earned a Gold at a national tournament in the Open division, and I can’t say enough about the dedication of the players, coaches, and our staff. Court Young, our boys director and Randy Deweese, the team’s head coach have set a high standard and it’s inspiring to see our athletes rise to meet it.”

The winning team from right to left:Head Coach: Randy DeweeseOwen WillerMoses SchlobohmMaddox DenverKeanu NguyenMatteo BurdickAnders DietenhoferNate BironSoren AlldredgeTyler WalkerHayes CostnerAssistant Coach: Owen Loncar

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) Ventura County’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day began with a Freedom March.

Hundreds of people of all ages walked from Plaza Park to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center where they were welcomed by the Oxnard High School Marching Swarm led by Andre Spence.

“It’s important that we keep the tradition alive, you know, Dr. Kings tradition and his memory and his legacy will live forever hopefully and it’s important these kids know about it. In 2026 the culture seems to be on he decline and we need to build awareness and that is why we are here, said Spence.

The program called “A Living Legacy: Cultivating Compassion and Justice “ followed.

Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson served as the keynote speaker.

The UCSB professor is the director of the Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality and Democracy.

For more information visit https://www.mlkventuracounty.com

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – The public is asked to be on alert after an injured bobcat escaped the hands of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network last week.

Your News Channel was told the bobcat appeared to be hit by a vehicle on Highway 154 sometime last week. A rescue team was transporting the cat when it bolted from the car at the network in Goleta near Fairview Ave.

Anyone who spots the injured bobcat is urged to contact the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Sea Center was the place to be this past weekend with a free event celebrating marine life.

Each year for Underwater Parks Day, the sea center located on Sterns Wharf offers free admission to the public with interactive booths and kid-friendly activities.

Home to some of the most vibrant marine life on the plant, the event promotes sustainable fishing practices and conservation practices to protect our ocean right here on the Central Coast.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual News Channel 3-12 MLK Day of Service Blood Drive concluded on Monday afternoon with the event hitting its goal for blood collected.

Over the course of five hours, the blood drive collected 100 pints of blood at three Elks Lodge locations in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Now in its 8th year, the blood drive is held with Vitalant and takes place on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to increase local blood supplies that are typically at critically low levels at the start of the new year.

All of the donated blood will stay in the Tri-Counties area and will directly benefit patients in need at local hospitals.

Vitalant reports one pint of blood has the ability to save up to three lives, so the blood collected on Monday has the potential to save up to 300 lives.

For more information about the 8th Annual News Channel 3-11-12 MLK Day of Service Blood Drive, click here to visit the official webpage.

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Jarrod Zinn

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – The World Surf League is back in Pismo Beach all week for SLO CAL Open’s 8th annual week-long surfing competition.

The first day could not have been met with better weather.

Ideal conditions for late January.

Monday marked day one.

“Here we are in our microclimate of Pismo,” says Brian Robbins, World Surf League of North America’s tour manager. “Day one, we got a full day. We’ll be here all day. Eight hours of heats and, waves are fun. Sun’s out. The beach is full.”

This is the 8th year of the competition overall here at Pismo Beach, but the organization is celebrating equality milestones as well, as it is the 7th year for women to be included, and the second year for the Pro Juniors category.

“We have men’s, women’s, junior men, junior women,” says Robbins. “Technically running four separate competitions, we’ll crown four champions.”

This is the first time the competition is taking place on the north side of the Pismo Beach Pier.

“It’s, like, pretty small conditions, but it’s really fun,” says Jett Maughn, a competitor from Encinitas. “There’s, like, a little good sand bar by the pier, so, a couple sick rides coming through.”

This allows another two hours of sightline for the judges, as opposed to the southern side where harsh glares occur on the water during the last few hours of the day.

“I think I did pretty good,” says Maughn. “Maybe want to get some higher scores in the later heats. But this was a good first heat, just warming up. Shout out to my dad for taking me out here and all my friends for supporting me.”

The competition streams live and can be watched on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Humane is expanding access to preventive pet care through its weekly walk-in vaccine clinics, offering a low-cost option for dog and cat owners across the region.

The clinics are designed to remove financial and scheduling barriers, making it easier for families to keep their pets healthy and protected with core vaccinations in a low-stress environment.

Walk-in vaccine clinics are held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at Santa Barbara Humane’s Santa Barbara and Santa Maria campuses, with no appointment required.

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