Category: keyt-local-news

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After having basketball taken away from him last year due to injury, Hosana Kitenge is enjoying every second of being back on the court.

“The new found love I have is amazing,” said Kitenge who transferred to UCSB from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The 6’8, 235 pound Kitenge will have one season of eligibility for the Gauchos.

“Coach Joe (Pasternack) came and found me, we just got along, our plans and vision aligned so happy to be here.”

A native of England, Kitenge averaged 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Rajin’ Cajuns in the 2023-’24 season.

An achilles injury wiped out last season but Kitenge is healthy again and is a full participant in the Gauchos 8-week summer practice session.

Watching him at practice it is clear that Hosana Kitenge will bring toughness, energy and enthusiasm to the Gauchos.

Asked to describe his play, Kitenge said “Tough and never wanting to quit.”

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Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. – In the wake of recent ICE activities, the Goleta City Council voted unanimously to reprogram $100,000 to support services such as legal aid and defense and financial assistance to separated families.

The vote follows a four and half hour Special City Council Meeting called to discuss ICE activities under the President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security.

The council ultimately chose to reprogram $100,000 of the $250,000 from existing childcare initiatives.

That money will go to the Human Services Committee to determine how it will be allocated.

Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martin suggested the amount after sharing her story. Reyes-Martin said she was an immigrant and the daughter of a farmworker.

She said the people impacted by ICE activity in the community look like her and her children.

“Please see them, and support them, speak up for them, I have seen so many of our community members do that tonight, I am so proud of that,” said Reyes-Martin.

The city staff seemed well aware of the need for overflow seating.

They set up dozens of chairs and a video monitor in the parking lot, beneath solar panels, outside the council chambers.

During public comments, community members said they have seen ICE agents near businesses including 7/11 and laundromats. They have also seen them in neighborhoods.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch said the fear and anger is real.

He wants to make sure people know they can still reach out to local law enforcement and his office for help, however, he said they can’t stop ICE.

“We also can’t stop it, we can’t interfere with it either, but we will continue to do our job in the way that California requires us to do and that is with respect for everyone that calls Santa Barbara County home,” said Savrnoch.

He said he is not told when there will be ICE activity.

Diego Avila brought a megaphone that he has been using to warn community members.

“Trying to do something about it and this is one way showing up here, networking, connecting, making ourselves heard in this institution, so that is one way we can voice our opinions,” said Avila.

“I think it is really sad that we are having masked men just going out into the community and causing havoc,” said Cesar Trujllo, “I am a father and I have two daughters, a lot of women are afraid to leave their homes.”

Both men are part of a chapter of Union Del Barrio, based in San Diego, that tries to warn people about ICE activity.

“This is a good opportunity for our communities to unite and come together as a community as one,” said Trujillo.

The city also had an interpreter on hand to help those speaking and listening.

Julissa Peña told the council that Goleta and the Central Coast are sandwiched between ICE processing centers.

“One in north Santa Maria and we have Camarillo and so we feel so surrounded,” said Peńa, who serves as the Executive Director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC).

“Folks facing deportation proceedings cannot afford private attorneys and are not appointed government council,” said Peña.

They have five attorneys helping hundreds of people taken into custody by ICE.

Speakers said they worried about the Mixteco indigenous community members.

“We are now trying to figure out how to get families back together, a lot of people are reaching out to figure out how to do family prep planning,” said Josue Vasquez with the MICOP Legal Assistance Program.

Vasquez told the council about three local brothers missing their parents due to recent raids.

They are asking the city leaders to rise up and help the undocumented workers who are impacted by so-called collateral arrests during Enforcement and Removal Operations.

After hours of public comments, the Goleta City Council voted unanimously in favor a six-pronged approach to help those impacted by ICE raids.

The resolution from the council agenda posted online includes the following:

Work closely with regional partners, including the County of Santa Barbara and nearbysouth county cities to formulate a consistent message and any collaborative actionitems. Pertinent information and any updated guidance are important to regularlydisseminate throughout the community.

Submit Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests on the federal government,seeking access to ICE records on raids and enforcement actions conducted within theCity. Staff would seek information about recent operations in the area to betterunderstand what activities have occurred, when and where such activities haveoccurred, and who has been subject to such activities, among other items.

Follow, support and advocate for state legislation aimed at addressing recent ICEactivities. The following state bills (which may be subject to change) are currentlyunder consideration, and, with Council direction, the City can send official letters ofsupport.

Work with the region’s federal representatives, including U.S. Representative SaludCarbajal, to follow and support federal legislative and administrative efforts aimed ataddressing the way ICE activities are occurring, including:a. S.2212 (Padilla) — 119th Congress (2025-2026). A bill to amend section 287of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all immigration enforcementofficers to display visible identification during public-facing immigrationenforcement actions and to promote transparency and accountability.

Track lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other entitiesand nonprofits aimed at protecting the community from tactics employed by ICEalleged to be unlawful.

Provide funding to local nonprofit organizations who are providing frontline assistanceto those affected by ICE activities. Services that City Council may wish to supportcould include legal defense, mental health services, and direct services or financialassistance.a. Any funding assistance to a nonprofit organization that provides services tocommunity members impacted by ICE activities serves a broad public purpose,with only incidental private benefit, consistent with the California Constitution.

For more information visit https://www.cityofgoleta.org

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John Palminteri

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Boxes and bags of donations are arriving at several locations to help those who have been impacted by immigration enforcement, especially families who have lost someone who was the main financial support.

The immigration actions have led to several hundred arrests.

Community members who want to help are being asked to donate specific items to collection points.

They include beens, rice, canned goods, pasta, peanut butter, and other necessities including diapers.

One of the drop off spots has been Island Brewing Company in Carpinteria at 5049 6th St. just off Linden Ave.

Already multiple boxes have been filled and some have been distributed through the Carpinteria Children’s Creative Project and specific churches in Ventura County who that assisting those in need.

In Santa Barbara, La Casa de la Raza at 601 East Montecito Street has a food collection site that’s open seven days a week. It is also setting up a mobile food pantry where supplies can be brought to neighborhoods for a fast distribution.

Some of the recipients say they are scared to go out during these tense times and these donations will help them get through this situation.

Sunday at Island Brewing, hundreds of dollars in purchases came in from one of the donations.

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Below is a press release from the City of Atascadero regarding the removal of one Deodar Cedar Tree from the city’s Sunken Gardens

ATASCADERO, Calif. – A local tree contractor will be removing one of the heritage Deodar Cedar trees from Sunken Gardens in downtown Atascadero this week. The removal is expected to take a day to complete, and East Mall will be closed during the work. Businesses along East Mall will be open for business. Parking is available in the City Hall parking lot on the corner of East Mall and Lewis Avenue or along El Camino Real.

The cedar tree, which is approximately 100 years old, has been in a state of decline for several years primarily due to its age. Sadly, the cedar tree has now reached a level of decline that makes it a safety risk to park users and needs to be removed. There may be a need for the removal of additonal trees at some point in the future as the remaining cedars continue to age.

The Sunken Gardens was an integral part of EG Lewis’s vision for the Colony of Atascadero; it is a designated historic resource which contributes to the site and the setting of Historic City Hall and remains a very important aspect of Atascadero’s downtown and community culture. The locations of the four cedars were designed to enhance the landscape, providing shade and adding to the nuance of the fountain and the sculptures that adorn the Gardens.

The removal of this cedar will balance the appearance of the park as the adjacent counterpart cedar was removed in 2017. As was done in 2017, a new cedar will be planted in the area of the cedar being removed sometime in the near future.

The cedar wood will be transported to a local mill and furniture company, Deadwood Revival Design, and available for purchase for Atascadero residents interested in owning a piece of the City’s history. Unprocessed wood (raw wood) will be available this fall while processed (kiln-dried) wood will be available in the summer of 2026. Atascadero residents interested in purchasing some of the cedar wood should contact Deadwood Revival Design at (805) 552-5897 or visit www.deadwoodrevivaldesign.com.

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Below is a press release from the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County regarding the appointment of the new Chair of its Board of Trustees

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County proudly announces the appointment of David Bishop as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Bishop brings a distinguished record of leadership, having guided multi-billion-dollar organizations through periods of growth, innovation, and transformation. His expertise includes leading global operations at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to more than $20 billion in revenue and scaling MGM Home Entertainment from $300 million to $1 billion while maintaining award-winning customer service. In his advisory work, he has also helped secure major contracts for Parrot Analytics and spearheaded successful fundraising initiatives.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Bishop has long championed hunger relief efforts. He is a former chair and current board member of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and served on the End Hunger Network board, where he and actor Jeff Bridges co-created a campaign that raised $20 million to fight hunger.

Bishop’s appointment comes at a pivotal time. Under the recently passed ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ drastic cuts to USDA food support, coupled with changes to SNAP and Medicaid, threaten to deepen food insecurity in Santa Barbara County, where one in three residents relies on Foodbank services and the county holds the second-highest poverty rate in California.

“These are among our most challenging times,” Bishop said. “The Board remains focused on providing strong stewardship and oversight to ensure that every resource is carefully managed, and every decision supports the well-being of the communities we serve.”

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Below is a press release from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden regarding their  “Ready for Wildfire | Smart Strategies for Fire-Safe Living” forum

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – As wildfires become a more frequent and destructive part of life in California, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden continues to lead with science-based, community-centered solutions. On Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m., the Garden will host “Ready for Wildfire | Smart Strategies for Fire Safe Living” a free, virtual fire resilience forum to equip residents with the tools they need to prepare their homes, landscapes, and neighborhoods for wildfire. This event is a natural extension of the Garden’s mission-driven work, bringing together experts from across the county to share practical, actionable strategies for building a fire-adapted future. 

“As fire seasons grow longer and more intense, it’s critical that we work together to prepare, not just react,” shared Steve Windhager, executive director of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “This forum is focused on empowering people with knowledge – grounded in science and collaboration – that can make a difference. At the Garden, we see this as part of our mission to help both nature and people thrive.” 

Facilitated by Garden staff, the forum reflects a shared effort among government agencies, nonprofit partners, and private-sector leaders. Speakers include the Garden’s Executive Director Steve Windhager Ph.D., Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps, Supervising Captain Chris Olmstead from Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Vice President Matthew Caligiure from Allen Construction, Executive Director Anne-Marie Parkinson from Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, and others. Each organization brings unique, vital knowledge to the conversation, from policy and emergency response to practical steps for firewise landscaping and home hardening. Together, these voices highlight the power of collaboration in building a more resilient region. Live Spanish interpretation will be provided, and the forum will also be recorded and available on the Garden’s website as a free resource to the public. 

Key Topics Will Include:

How Santa Barbara County is preparing for wildfire 

What fire crews prioritize when entering a burning neighborhood 

How to harden (fireproof) your home against flames and embers 

Landscaping with native, water-wise plants to reduce risk 

Community resources for renters, homeowners, and neighborhood groups 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. (https://sbbotanicgarden.org/classes-events/ready-for-wildfire-smart-strategies-for-fire-safe-living/) 

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Dave Alley

OCEANO, Calif. – Next year’s election for San Luis Obispo County District Four Supervisor is already beginning to take shape.

Two candidates, including the incumbent, announced recently their intentions to run for the office that represents much of South San Luis Obispo County.

Current District Four Supervisor Jimmy Paulding will seek a second term in office, while South County businessman Adam Verdin is just starting his first campaign for the position.

“I’m really excited to run for reelection,” said Paulding. “I’ve enjoyed serving as your county supervisor. It’s been about two-and-a-half years. It’s been the honor of my life and I’m really excited to continue doing the work.”

“I’m running for District Four Supervisor and I’m excited about it,” said Verdin

The candidates area similar in they both grew up in the Five Cities area, live in Arroyo Grande and are graduates of Arroyo Grande High School.

Paulding, who was elected in 2022, will hold a campaign kickoff event this coming Saturday on July 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Square Park in the Village of Arroyo Grande.

In a social media post announcing his reelection campaign, Paulding said, “Over the last two years, we’ve delivered real progress: balanced budgets, expanded affordable housing, improved emergency services, and meaningful investments in our parks, libraries, and public infrastructure—all while working to restore transparency and trust in local government.”

Verdin is a native of Oceano and is co-owner of “Old Juan’s Cantina,” which is one of the most well-known and longest-running businesses in the small coastal town.

In addition to his business ownership, Verdin is an active community volunteer, who is currently serving on several local boards, including Jack’s Helping Hand, the 5Cities Homeless Coalition, the South County Chambers of Commerce, and Parks California. Verdin also now works as chief pilot for a corporate aviation company.

“I think that I might bring a different perspective than what we currently have,” said Verdin. “I have some business acumen and that’s again embedded in the community and I look at this as an extension of some of the public work and some of the community work that we’re currently already doing.” 

Voting for the seat will be held during the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Office, which handles elections, the end of the filing period is in December, so additional candidates may later enter the race.

A candidate will need to capture a majority of votes in June to win the election. If not, a runoff will take place during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Whoever wins the race will be sworn in early January 2027.

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Jarrod Zinn

TEMPLETON, Calif. – Four juveniles accused of burning down the historic Templeton Feed and Grain building could face arson charges.

The SLO county sheriff’s office says all four juveniles involved are males and that one of them intentionally threw an illegal firework at the building.

“It took so much from so many people,” says Andrea Neider, who works for Templeton Feed & Grain. “We have people come all the way from Nevada for our rabbit feed. We have people all the way from L.A. We have just multiple—everybody in the area and we’re wholesale.”

The Templeton Fire Department is taking the lead in the case, and is working with the slo county district attorney’s office to determine the specifics of the arson charges.

“I’m still working with the sheriff’s department on age and name and those types of things,” says Tom Peterson, Templeton Fire Department’s chief. “They have that information. I’ve not asked for that yet, but we will be getting that. And then at that point, we’re going to have to figure out what we do with regards legally about the age.”

Templeton fire chief Tom Peterson says this is the very reason fireworks not labeled ‘safe and sane’ are illegal, and next year they’ll be increasing the consequences of their use.

“Something I want to reiterate to the community is that illegal fireworks are just that—they’re illegal,” says Chief Peterson. “And we are going to try and put measures in place that eliminate the illegal use. We’ve only had problems in the community from the illegal fireworks, not the legal.”

Thanks to overwhelming community support, Templeton Feed & Grain will be able to continue its business, moving as soon as possible to a temporary location next to Quinn Rentals on Ramada Drive.

“Everybody in the community has stepped up, They’ve been so wonderful,” says Neider. “We have had a lot of donations.”

The community is also in support of returning the business to its current, well known location.

If you’re interested in supporting Templeton Feed & Grain further, please visit their website by clicking here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Business owners who routinely place signs in the walkways, sidewalks and landscaping around the city of Santa Barbara, in unapproved sites, could find them gone in a flash under a newly upgraded ordinance.

The city’s Ordinance Committee and City Council have both spent countless hours reviewing the changes in collaboration with the city staff including the city attorney’s office.   

Free speech expression is allowed, but sign placement is the main issue.

The city has had rules for years, but enforcement has been limited.  This includes electronic signs that do not get an approval and also signs that do not comply with size rules.

The biggest issue is the signs anywhere in the walkways, for example, the busy downtown corridor.   They can be trip and fall hazards.  They can block the walkway  it they are in an area with limited space or other items using the space such as tables, chairs and planters.   They can also change the available space and create a violation of ADA laws.

As firm as the city has been on the rules, it has been criticized for lack of enforcement, which the council wants to see stepped up.

The bottom line to the rules when it comes to promoting businesses is, the signs can not be more than 42 inches tall and they must be free standing outside of the sidewalk.   They can not be tied ot chained to city posts or trees.  

Business owners in the downtown area say the signs are vital.

Diane Garmendia owns 33 Jewels on State Street. She does not have the street signs others do but she has 20 years on the block. “I’ve never seen so many signs but I have also never seen it like this before.”   

She is on board with some of the business owners and members of the public who believe the closure of State St. into a promenade should end and the street should again be open for vehicle traffic. The supporters say that would bring more activity to the area and more people would be able to see the front of the businesses at they pass by.   

She says businesses are doing whatever  they can to draw customers in. She said, “people are putting their signs out and say ‘hey we’re here. Come on down!'”

Some illegal street food vendors have been using the city’s large decorative pots at downtown intersections for their seating signs and menu boards at night.

With Old Spanish Days coming, there is always an increase in signs promoting festive beverages at bars and restaurants, some that are out of compliance. It is not uncommon to have signs and banners extend off the property and into trees nearby.

Cali-Forno Pizzeria owner Beto Diaz says, “I totally saw a difference in sales when i put the signs out. There is a big difference for us so it is really important.  I would appreciate if they would let us as a business owners have those signs up.” 

He is one business owner that looks forward to some changes in the downtown area including the reopening of the Santa Barbara Film Center this year across from his restaurant and nearby the arrival of the Music Academy of the West at 901 State Street.

Realtors have worked with the city on placing their signs for directional purposes but not in the ADA ramps on sidewalk corners.

Signs that don’t meet the rules can be taken immediately and stored for three months. If they are not claimed they can be trashed. Councilman Michael Jordan who sits on the Ordinance Committee said in a recent meeting, “this gives us an opportunity to drive a truck up and throw their signs in the back of the truck, and laugh at them as we drive away with their signs, if they are  violating the ordinance.”

Garmendia is also hoping the State Street Master Plan will be finished. “It was very haphazard and I think it continues to be that way. I think the signs are part of that. It is everyone doing what they can.”    She also said this past Sunday, foot traffic was very low compared to past weekends in July. Also, the Fiesta weekend does not generate her customer base so 33 Jewels will close for that weekend.

There have been many businesses on the first block east or west of State Street either at the cross streets or mid block, that have also put signs out to direct pedestrians off the main route through the area and pathways, to find other shops and food stops. No other signage or directional boards have been available for that.

Sign issues in the downtown area known as the El Pueblo Viejo District include neon signs or signage larger than six square feet.

 All signs must be reviewed and approved by the Sign Committee, but in some cases, it has been either ignored or the process is never completed.

A building permit is required for any sign over six feet tall, any sign with electrical connections, or any sign attached to a building. 

Signs should be an approved fit within the building’s architecture, and avoid obscuring architectural features. Most sign company owners in Santa Barbara comply in the design phase knowing something out of those guidelines will not be allowed. 

Elizabeth Sorgman is the Access Advisory Committee Chair and she said in a May meeting, “there’s no enforcement, if there was enforcement then maybe we wouldn’t make these  same recommendations. We would be OK with A frames there, but the city doesn’t have any mechanism. There’s no staff.”

The city says it looks for compliance through an education outreach campaign before the enforcement period.

Construction zone signs that are temporarily used are allowed. They assist pedestrians from going into the wrong areas and instead, towards a safer route during the municipal projects.

  

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A Santa Barbara woman living with multiple chronic illnesses says she’s finally found hope — not through medication, but through food.

For years, Sarah Boyajian of Santa Barbara felt like she was fighting an invisible battle.

“I don’t have the things that most people have like sweat … my sweat glands did not work so I don’t have to perspire,” said Boyajian.

Multiple chronic illnesses left her exhausted, isolated, and often overlooked by traditional healthcare.

“And I have many many allergies many no no’s that I can’t eat or drink … and I eat as well as I can trying to avoid the pains that I get from wrong food,” said Boyajian.

Now, she’s learning how to eat the right food at the the Organice Soup Kitchen in Santa Barbara.

The nonprofit is launching a new food-based health program.

“We want to make an impact to the community about Food how it’s connected to our own health and how to really engage people in … everything they put in their mouth,” said chief operating officer Andrea Slaby of the Organic Soup Kitchen.

Right now, the soup kitchen team is getting ready to open enrollment for those interested in the series.

“We have hired a registered dietitian to help inform our clients on their particular healing journey, and how we can help them with nutrition and whole real foods,” said communications director Natasha Nazerian of the Organic Soup Kitchen.

The new program is aimed at helping those with cancer, chronic conditions, or aging-related challenges find healing through nutrition.

“I’m also a teacher and I have understanding that learning is a thing that we do every single day as we’re alive.”

For those often left out of the system, it’s a different kind of care.

And for some, the first they’ve had in a while.

If you would like to participate in the Organic Soup Kitchen’s new health education opportunity, visit: https://organicsoupkitchen.org/.

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