Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The sale of “safe-and-sane” fireworks are now underway in a handful of Central Coast locations, including Santa Maria.

For area non-profit organizations, the annual fundraiser with the sale of fireworks can generate several thousands of dollars in profit, which for many, represents their biggest fundraiser of the year.

This year, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, the 23 non-profit organizations that are licensed to sale fireworks are hoping the special occasion will provide an extra boost.

The sale of safe-and-sane fireworks officially went on sale in Santa Maria at 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and will continue on through this Saturday.

While the safe-and-sane fireworks are now for sale, they are not allowed to be used at any time before the Fourth of July.

Customers who make a purchase at one of the booths will have to wait until Independence Day to light fireworks.

Fireworks can only be used in Santa Maria on the Fourth of July during a 12-hour period from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Santa Maria is one of only a few Central Coast cities where safe-and-sane fireworks are permitted.

In Santa Barbara County, safe-and-sane fireworks are also allowed in Lompoc and Guadalupe, while in San Luis Obispo County, they are permitted in Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria city officials and first responders are preparing for the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration.

City officials want everyone to have a great Independence Day, and especially since our semiquincentennial celebration is on Saturday, they say they’re expecting a high use of fireworks overall.

They’re reminding the public that safe and sane fireworks are all that are allowed, only on Saturday.

Officials say the use of illegal fireworks has become a highly prevalent issue in recent years, and residents report their repeated use in the weeks leading up to and subsequent to July 4th, every year.

Ordinances from the state and county have had to become more stringent in recent years, yet city leaders affirm the issue persists.

Safe and sane fireworks are all that are legally allowed on July 4th only, from 11:00am to 11:00pm, and only within Santa Maria’s city limits.

City leaders and department officials remind the public that, if the firework you are purchasing does not have the safe and sane logo and is not being sold by a licensed seller, it is most likely illegal.

Citations for illegal firework use are $1,000 apiece, and residents can report their use by calling the city’s fireworks hotline.

Additionally, free yard signs are available at City Hall that can help identify that a “Noise Sensitive Resident Lives Here.”

Fire department officials say citations have been increasing in recent years thanks to the implementation of aircraft and drone technologies.

Officials say in 2025, a total of 119 citations were issued.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — New CalFresh eligibility requirements are expected to affect thousands of residents across Santa Barbara County.

Foodbank leaders estimate about 17,000 county residents could feel the impact as new federal SNAP requirements take effect.

More than 55,000 local residents received CalFresh benefits last year.

Among the changes are stricter work-reporting requirements for some adults who care for children between the ages of 14 and 17.

Leaders of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County expect more people may seek help if they lose benefits or experience gaps in assistance.

The concern comes as food prices remain elevated and many households continue to feel pressure from the region’s high cost of living.

To prepare, the Foodbank is increasing food purchases and expanding outreach efforts to connect residents with available resources.

The Foodbank expects the effects of the new CalFresh requirements could become more noticeable in the months ahead.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police are investigating an assault with a deadly weapon case that happened just before 1:30 Sunday morning at the 300 block of Milpas Street.

SBPD officers found a victim suffering from stab wounds and helped him to Cottage Hospital after the attack.

The 21-year-old man needed further medical treatment from the stabbing and while no threat to public safety is present, an investigation remains ongoing.

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Tracy Lehr

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KEYT) News Channel reporter Patricia Martellotti’s coverage of a monarch butterfly research project that tracks them with tiny transmitters received a regional Emmy Award.

“I hope this new technology will help improve the chances of survival for endangered monarch butterflies,” said Martellotti.

Martellotti appeared speechless as she accepted the award, but she soon recovered and had the audience in stitches when she thanked her father for picking up the $500 tab for the hotel room at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

This is her first Emmy Award, and she congratulated her fellow nominees in the Environment & Science News category.

Martellotti’s report entitled “Echoes of Flight” can be watched on https://keyt.com .

“This is a dream come true. I thank my family and friends for their support. Beyond the award, my focus is always on getting better at what I’m doing,” said Martellotti.

News Channel’s Tracy Lehr co-chaired the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest 52nd Annual Emmy Awards Show.

Some of KEYT’s News Press Gazette (NPG) affiliates also earned regional Emmys. 

Congratulations!

For more information visit https://natas.psw.org

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (KEYT) – Several agencies, including the Ventura County Fire Department, helped a man from a plane crash at a river bottom near the Santa Paula Airport just before 1:00 p.m. Saturday.

The airplane fell near the river bottom and the injured sole passenger in the plane got himself out, according to the VCFD.

A helicopter airlifted the injured man to the Santa Paula Airport, where an ambulance then got him to a local hospital, according to the VCFD.

The man is now in stable condition with minor injuries from the crash. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will continue the investigation.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Police arrested a man for robbery and hatchet possession just before 6:30 p.m. Friday near the Bus Depot.

The victim refused to give the robber his headphones and called the VPD after a 19-year-old in dark jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black beanie flashed what appeared to be a revolver at him.

The victim then gave up his headphones, and the robber walked away before being detained about 15 minutes later by VPD officers.

VPD officers identified the robber thanks to the victim and had a hatchet in his possession when VPD officers called him.

VPD officers then took the 19-year-old to the County Jail for charges of robbery and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.

Those with more information on the case are asked to contact the VPD command center.

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Caleb Nguyen

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – Paso Robles Police officers found the initial suspect in a June 26 bank robbery in Fresno around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

PRPD officers relayed information about the man and Fresno officials helped find and arrest him on suspicion of bank robbery and a post-release community supervision violation.

PRPD officers later took the man back into custody and booked him into the SLO County Jail for the aforementioned violations.

The case remains under investigation and those with information are asked to contact the PRPD.

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Tracy Lehr

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KEYT) The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Pacific Southwest Region, inducted Jeff Martin into the Silver Circle.

The Silver Circle is a prestigious honor roll that recognizes individuals who began their television careers at least 25 years ago and those who have contributed to their community and the NATAS PSW chapter.

Martin plays a central role in the Unity Telethon, Old Spanish Days,  public service announcements and more.

“It took a lot of people in my life to remind me, like Jeff this is a big deal, it is a really big deal, so it is finally sinking in, like wow, wow, and then when you look back at your video and your own history you’re like didn’t we just start doing this and here we are,” said Martin.”

Martin credits his mother for inspiring him to pursue his television career.

He grew up in Montana where he turned his childhood closet into a broadcast studio.

At 17 he told people at a TV station in Missoula that they needed to hire him and they did.

His next stop was an NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City.

For the past 42 years KEYT-TV has been his television home.

Kenny Loggins said he crossed paths with Jeff in 1986 when the Loggins created the Unity Telethon.

“Back then Jeff was just a skinny kid pushing buttons in a production truck, now he produces the whole live TV event, and we have worked together on many live performances over the years, along with my friend Mike McDonald, Olivia Newton-John, Clint Black, Brad Paisley, Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, so many more,” said Loggins, “the thing that stands out the most for me is that, like myself, Jeff has a deep sense of care and commitment to the community in every project he touches.”

Martin was among six people honored at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines including two Gold Circle inductees who have made their mark in the industry for 50 years or more.

The Gold Circle inductees include Doug Friedman and Joe Smith.

The other Silver Circle inductees inductees include Luis “Pollo” Aceves, Scott Heath, and Steven Luke.

Former Silver Circle recipients Catherine Garcia emceed the event and former Silver Circle Kent Kay presented the awards along with NATAS PSW President D.J. Summit.

The recognition does not mean Jeff Martin is retiring, he is still going strong behind the scenes.

Congratulations Jeff!

NATAS PSW members are welcome to nominate future recipients.

For more information visit https://natas.psw.org

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It took 18 games but the Santa Barbara Foresters have dropped two games in a row.

The San Diego Waves scored three runs in the eighth inning and pulled out an 8-6 victory.

The Foresters had their 11-game win streak ended on Thursday by the San Luis Obispo Blues 3-1.

Santa Barara is 15-3 on the season and host the Menlo Park Legends on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara High School.

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