Category: keyt-local-news

Alissa Orozco

MORRO BAY, Calif. (KEYT) – On this week’s segment of ‘The Walkthrough’, News Channel’s Caleb Nguyen spoke with Morro Bay’s Sands Dougherty – the senior quarterback who’s a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season.

After an impressive junior season, Dougherty is returning to the field, hungry for more. With 500 passing touchdowns and over 900 yards under his belt, Dougherty is kicking off the 2025 season strong.

Dougherty says the team’s connection and mutual understanding will be their strongest tool this season.

“Honestly, our team is just so connected. I had that that connection with everyone. It’s just that me and Efrain (Efrain Hernandez, Morro Bay wide receiver), we work a lot, like when we do over the summer, him and the other receiver Tony Caminario, they would all come and we just developed a great connection over the summer,” Dougherty says. “He played a little bit last year, got a little bit of receptions, but this year he’s going off and he’s definitely on the radar of some people now.”

Morro Bay High School head coach, Robert Dougherty, praised the quarterback on his abilities as a player and teammate, as well as his character as a person. Saying Dougherty is a instinctive and intelligent player who leads by example by walking the walk, and talking the talk.

Coach Dougherty also decribes his player as a kind person – an attribute Dougherty attributes to his family.

“Growing up with three sisters definitely helped me become that person I am because they’re just very strict on me. They want me to be a great person.”

The Morro Bay Pirates will take on the Wasco Tigers tonight, and Dougherty warns the Central Coast to be on the look out.

“We’re coming back with a vengeance to hopefully host another CIF championship, and if we do or don’t, we’re gonna come back and win it this year. We’re very hungry for that title.”

To show just how passionate the quarterback is, out of all the superpowers he could have, he would choose teleportation to be quicker on the field.

The Morro Bay Pirates take on Wasco tonight, aiming for a 3-1 record. Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

You can watch the full results from this game and plenty more at 11:10pm on Friday Football Focus with News Channel’s Mike Klan.

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John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The first ever Carpinteria Film Festival will take place this weekend in the historic Alcazar theatre.

It will feature multiple shorts, and long form movies, many of which are locally produced.

The theatre was built in 1928. In recent years it has had many new and impressive upgrades including the sound system.

There are about 200 seats.

For more information go to: CarpFilmFest.com

Carpinteria Film Festival Schedule

September 5th, 2025 | 4:00PM-9:00PM

Eight (8) Short Films

Elsha Narachi | Dust & Duct Tape – Action, PG-13, Runtime: 0:30

Harry Rabin | Greetings from Summerland: Birthplace of Offshore Oil – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:22

Jorrit Van der kooi | MY WORLD – Family, G, Runtime: 0:02

Jorrit Van der kooi | Ollie’s little adventure – Family, G, Runtime: 0:02

Leslie Westbrook | Voces de Old Town Carpinteria – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:15

Roberto Varela | Objects of Curiosity – The Art of Dan LeVin – Documentary, N/A, Runtime: 0:15

Sam Flegal | Fade – Horror, PG-13, Runtime: 0:03

Motoki Otsuka | All Things Metal – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:18

Musical Performance: Burleigh Skidmore

Feature Film: Eternal Stoke – The Chris Brown Legacy

Directed By: Josh Pomer

Runtime (minutes): 60 min

Genre: Documentary

Film rating: G

Followed by Question & Answer Session

September 6th, 2025 | 4:00PM-9:00PM

Tweleve (12) Short Films

Giselle Vazquez | Kidnappin’ Sitch – Action, PG-13, Runtime: 0:04

Jaime Andrade | Golf n stuff a hole in one history – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:09

Kevin McDevitt | Bike Short – Comedy, N/A, Runtime: 0:11

Larry Nimmer | Dance for Peace 2025 – Comedy, PG, Runtime: 0:05

Lindsay Maxoutopoulis | People Watching – Comedy, PG-13, Runtime: 0:12

Sam Szpor | Twice Lost – Drama, PG, Runtime: 0:24

Michael Bagdasarian | The Bill – Comedy, PG-13, Runtime: 0:05

Olly Johnson | The Bees and the Birds – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:13

Sheena Rock | Scavenger – Science Fiction, PG-13, Runtime: 0:11

Sue Perry | Overheard In Manhattan – Documentary, PG-13, Runtime: 0:09

Zach Edwards | Fish for the Future – Documentary, N/A, Runtime: 0:06

Tatum Davis | The Kelp We Breathe – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:15

Feature Film: This Surfing Life: Big Wave Guardians

Directed By: Luke Stirtz

Runtime (minutes): 91 minGenre: DocumentaryFilm rating: PG

Followed by Question & Answer Session

September 7th, 2025 | 3:00PM-8:30PM

Eight (8) Short Films

Bent Mygen | 100 Years of Unity SB – Documentary, G, Runtime: 0:08

Duffy Hecht | Shopping Cart People – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:21

Lea Roman | Book Club and Tarot Cards – Thriller, PG-13, Runtime: 0:15

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Commercial “Delusionist Spirits” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:02

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Episode One “Curse of the Mona Lisa” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:17

Rogelio Lara | Monstrare Episode Two “The Last Regret” – Experimental, PG-13, Runtime: 0:23

Ryan Murphy | Ventura Nights – Documentary, PG, Runtime: 0:21

Joseph Lopez | First Love – Romance, PG, Runtime: 0:14

Alexander Payne | Precision, PG-13, Runtime: 3:03

Musical Performance:

Feature Film: David Crosby: Remember My Name

Directed By: A.J. Eaton

Runtime (minutes): 95 minutes

Genre: Documentary

Film rating: R

Followed by Question & Answer Session and music by Jackson Gillies.

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Christer Schmidt

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Some people have started to form close relationships with artificial intelligence chatbots. That growing trend is raising questions about whether those connections are healthy, especially after a 16-year-old boy died by suicide and his parents alleged that AI encouraged him to harm himself..

The parents of Adam Raine, who died by suicide in April, allege that ChatGPT encouraged self-harm and told their son to keep his plans secret. Court filings say the chatbot even described a “beautiful suicide.” The wrongful-death complaint, filed Aug. 26 in San Francisco Superior Court, comes as regulators press AI companies to strengthen safeguards for minors.

Licensed clinical psychologist Catherine Schafer said she isn’t surprised by such cases. “AI does a really good job of mimicking normal, natural human language, and it also does a phenomenal job of just providing warm feedback and what feels like connection to the user,” Schafer said. “For somebody who’s really lonely or getting over a heartbreak, they’re more vulnerable.”

Risks of loneliness and depression

Schafer noted that people already struggling with loneliness or depression may be at higher risk of over-attachment to AI. “I would have concerns about patients who are experiencing depressive episodes perhaps becoming attached to GPT and other models, where we would have hoped that they would find connection with the humans in their lives,” she said.

In the lawsuit, Adam’s parents claim their son spent hours a day chatting with the bot. Schafer warned that replacing human relationships with AI “can deepen isolation instead of healing it.”

Calls for real-world connection

Her main advice is simply to interact with people daily, even in small ways. “Every single day, as much as you can, interact with the humans that are out there,” Schafer said. “Whose life are you contributing to? Who are you adding to? Do that even in the smallest of ways. When you’re passing someone in the coffee shop, hold the door, say hello.”

Role for AI as a tool

Schafer believes chatbots have a place when used responsibly, especially for those facing barriers to mental health care. “There are millions of Americans who want and need therapy but enormous costs, long wait times, and few providers stop people from engaging in the therapy they need,” she said. In those cases, she added, using AI to practice coping strategies like mindfulness, distraction, or sensory grounding may help in the short term.

“Using ChatGPT is not horrific,” Schafer said. “We should use this tool, but it’s an important tool that we use appropriately.”

Regulatory scrutiny grows

In response to mounting criticism, OpenAI announced new parental controls and teen-specific settings this week. Attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission are also weighing new oversight into how AI affects young people’s mental health.

The case echoes a 2024 lawsuit against Character.AI, where a Florida mother alleged a role-playing bot worsened her 14-year-old son’s suicidal ideation before his death.

Clinicians warn that while AI may bridge gaps in care, it cannot replace the value of human connection. “We should never forget the importance of reaching out and contributing to each other’s lives,” Schafer said.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat via 988lifeline.org. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria Fairpark is hosting a spookily fun way to ring in the Halloween season this weekend, albeit for slightly more mature audiences.

While halloween is still a month and half away, anyone dying to get right into the spirit has a chance to attend a show with growing audiences and new acts.

“There are still good seats available, but tickets are going fast,” says Steve Copeland, Paranormal Cirque’s publicity director and a comedic performer in the show.

Paranormal Cirque II is performing at the Santa Maria Fairpark for this weekend only, September 5th through the 8th.

“We’re so excited to be back in Santa Maria, close to Halloween,” says the show’s sound engineer Peter Combs.

This is one of the latest times in the year they’ve performed in the area, and Monday is their last show.

With more of an “R” rating, it’s worth getting a babysitter for the little ones and bringing a date to ring in the halloween season.

“I had a lot of work to make all the pieces fit, make all the voices scary enough, write some music to put under it,” says Combs. “Ricardo’s cracking noises is celery that I snapped in front of a microphone and then worked on in the computer.”

Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30.

Audiences can expect a professional circus with acrobats, contortionists, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, but with a horror theme.

“We’re so grateful to Santa Maria Fair Park for having us back,” says Copeland. “The fairgrounds are beautiful and it’s nice to perform on grass for a change. Usually we’re in mall parking lots so it’s always very relaxing When we come here.”

To get your tickets, visit Paranormal Cirque’s website by clicking here.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to recognize a disease that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and rigid.

The LucStrong Foundation, a nonprofit based in Ventura County, helps children living with sickle cell disease. JD Slajchert, Director of Relationship Development for the foundation, joined the Morning News to share what this month means to him and to highlight upcoming events.

“Sickle Cell Awareness Month is September, so a big part of what I’m doing this entire month is talking about this illness and my connection to it,” Slajchert said. “My good friend Luke tragically passed away from sickle cell disease and I ended up writing my first book about him, called Moonflower. That propelled and gave me the platform to speak about this illness a lot and give a voice to Luke and all the things he stood for in my life.”

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that predominantly affects the African American community. “I myself too, when I met Luke, I’d never heard of it, which is fairly common,” Slajchert said. “It’s a genetic illness people are born with and the only known cure is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.”

The foundation provides financial support for children undergoing those transplants. “That’s why every single dollar we raise is really necessary, huge and important,” Slajchert said.

On Sept. 13, the foundation will host its annual poker tournament and gala fundraiser. “Anyone is welcome,” Slajchert said. “You can sign up on LukeStrong.org. I’ll be there speaking, along with a UCLA physician who will also share updates.”

Looking ahead, Slajchert said he will deliver a TEDx talk in November in Greenville, South Carolina, and early conversations are underway about producing a documentary.

“It’s year nine now of us at the foundation, and we’re excited to bring a really strong event together,” he said. “I’ve been such a strong ally and advocate because it doesn’t affect people that look like me necessarily, so trying to educate and bring people who don’t know anything about it along for this education is very important.”

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Jarrod Zinn

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – The future of a well-known bakery and sweet shop in Arroyo Grande is up in the air.

Founded almost 70 years ago, the Arroyo Grande Bakery has been a Central Coast staple for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and much more.

Custom-made cakes are a bragging right for the confectionary creators Marc and Chris Lossing, from well-known franchises to personal designs.

The bakery is up for sale, and the Lossings welcome creative flare from any new owner, but they also want them to carry on some long-time traditions.

“If anybody’s interested to carry it on, that would be nice. I would hate to see it just disappear,” says current co-owner Clara “Chris” Lossing. “Somebody that’s very creative and has their own ideas or follow mine, which I really like. We have an excellent buttercream recipe that you would have to stick with because it’s very popular.”

While the future of the bakery is in question, everyone’s hope is that someone will take over to carry on the legacy and keep the bakery running.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – For San Marcos it was the longest yard.

On the game’s final play sophomore quarterback Victoria Aldana was stopped just short of the goal-line and Dos Pueblos celebrated a thrilling 15-14 Channel League win.

With 9.9 seconds left, the Royals had the ball inside DP’s 15-yard-line with no timeouts.

Aldana scrambled and made a dash for the end zone but Chargers sophomore Kindah Ahmad-Reda pulled the flag just before Aldana stretched the ball out over the goal line.

(It’s a game of inches as Aldana is stopped just short of end zone on the final play. Entenza Design).

Initially the clock stopped at .9 seconds but that was an error and after a brief discussion the game was over and Dos Pueblos celebrated the showdown victory to move to 3-0 in league while the Royals slip to 2-1.

San Marcos took a 14-8 lead midway through the fourth quarter on a wild play as Aldana’s pass went off of receiver Peyton Sperling and fellow senior Rio Chesluk made a juggling catch in the end zone. The Royals failed on the point after attempt.

DP drove down the field late and quarterback Kacey Hurley threw a 15-yard touchdown strike just over a defender’s head and Brooklyn Hedricks made a nice catch to tie the game at 14. The visiting Chargers converted the point after to take the lead as Ruby Streatfeild lofted a left-handed pass to Ahmad-Reda with 1:20 remaining.

The game was a defensive battle all the way with just one big play in the first half.

Hurley completed a short pass to Ruby Streatfeild and after two Royals could not pull her flags, she raced down the field for a 59-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the game. DP got the two-point conversion and led 8-0 which was the score at halftime.

The Royals got their offense going in the third quarter. Aldana completed a pass over the middle that Chesluk tipped to herself for an acrobatic catch. Sperling scored on a short touchdown run and the Royals converted the two-point conversion to tie it at 8 to set up the dramatic fourth quarter.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

Boys Water Polo: Santa Barbara Invite

Yucaipa 12, San Marcos 8

Dos Pueblos 13, Carlsbad 9 (Ben Fuhrer & Lucas Neushul each with 4 goals)

Girls Volleyball:

San Marcos 3, Dos Pueblos 0 (25-11, 25-9, 25-7)

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Caleb Nguyen

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – Arroyo Grande Police arrested a 33-year-old Arroyo Grande man on a felony charge for sexual penetration with a foreign object just before 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 4.

The 33-year-old was taken into custody at his business, SLO Massage Therapy, after a thorough investigation into a sexual assault allegation, according to the AGPD.

AGPD officers also served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande man’s business for evidence related to the investigation.

The 33-year-old was booked into the SLO County Jail for the felony charge and his bail is set at $100,000, according to the AGPD.

The Arroyo Grande man has served as a massage therapist for the past 14 years in the Five Cities area and the AGPD believes there could be more victims.

Those with more information or potential victims are encouraged to call the AGPD Investigations Bureau.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new pedestrian signal has been installed in Santa Barbara on Las Positas Road at Stanley Drive where the area has earned a dangerous reputation over the years.

Speeding drivers, crashes and many stories of near misses are known in the area.

The new full-sized light system is much more than just a blinking alert light you might see elsewhere.

It has a combination of several yellow and red lights. Sometimes they will be flashing and sometimes they will be solid lights.

Drivers will need to pay attention to either prepare to stop or come to a full stop depending on the lights. The area has also been restriped to slow the traffic pace down.

This is located between Adams school and State Street, across from the Municipal golf course.

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