Category: keyt-local-news

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Applications are now open for non-profit organizations that wish to set up booths and sell fireworks for the Fourth of July.

The application window is open until March 25th, and all interested organizations are encouraged to apply.

“More dates to come after March 25th,” says Francisco Santos, Fire Inspector for the Santa Maria Fire Prevention Bureau. “From there we have other meetings before permits are issued, but it’s the beginning of the process.”

Guidelines for non-profits that want to sell fireworks include being an established 501(c)(3) for 2 years minimum, and having your primary meeting place in Santa Maria or Orcutt.

“Only booths within our city limits are allowed to sell fireworks, and those fireworks purchased within those booths have to be used within our jurisdiction,” says Santos.

Additionally, only “safe and sane” fireworks are permitted to be both sold and used on Independence Day.

“In California, legal fireworks have a State Fire Marshal seal or logo embedded in the containers, whether it be a box or in the wrapping of the actual firework,” says Santos.

Fire officials say if the product you’re buying doesn’t have the safe and sane logo and isn’t coming from a permitted sales booth, it’s most likely illegal.

Last year, a record number of citations for use of illegal fireworks were issued.

“Those nonprofits that obtained a permit last year and operated last year are going to have priority,” says Santos. “Out of the limited permits that we have to offer, there might be some remaining. Some nonprofits decide not to continue. So there might be openings.”

Officials say interested non-profits need to re-apply every year.

To see the guidelines in detail or to begin a non-profit’s application process, click here.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Nine Giant Pacific Seahorses have returned to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, drawing crowds and sparking wonder among visitors of all ages.

These tiny swimmers usually live farther south, in the warmer waters off Mexico and Southern California.

Lately, rising ocean temperatures are nudging more tropical species north into the Santa Barbara Channel, making the seahorses’ comeback both beautiful and a quiet reminder of the changing ocean.

The Sea Center’s exhibit gives people a rare chance to see these delicate creatures up close. Their return was made possible through a renewed partnership with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, marking the first display in the area in years.

Visitors on Stearns Wharf are captivated by the seahorses’ slow, almost dance-like movements, while the Sea Center hopes the exhibit will inspire the community to pay closer attention to how the ocean is shifting—and how important it is to protect it.

Small but resilient, these seahorses are more than just a magical sight—they offer a window into the changes happening beneath the waves.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – UC Santa Barbara recently acquired a former Staples store building in downtown Santa Barbara. Now plans to put it to use have begun at 410 State St.

That started with an outreach to the community.

During First Thursday in downtown Santa Barbara, the doors were open, lights were on and anyone coming in could fill out some notes and put them on idea panels.

There were also pictures of what other colleges have done with similar building properties in cities across the country.

Some of the first ideas were to use both all of the space and portions of the space depending on the event.

UCSB Purchases Location at 410 State St.

The location at 410 State Street is not restricted to just academic, cultural, and research activities but also summer camps were suggested.

There is a city parking lot nearby off Gutierrez St. and another a block away off Haley St.

Some initial activities could begin this year, but a build out would take about a year, according to school officials.

Many local politicians and community leaders stopped by with an interest in how the site will be used.

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

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Maria regarding a vacancy on City Council after the resignation of former District 1 Councilmember Carlos Escobedo.

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Maria City Council currently has a vacancy after the resignation of former District 1 Councilmember Carlos Escobedo. An election for the vacant Council seat will be conducted during the regularly scheduled general election in November 2026. The elected Councilmember will serve the balance of the former Councilmember’s term (through 2028).

The City Council will have the option to appoint a replacement Councilmember to fill the vacant position until voters select the next District 1 Councilmember in the November election.

The City calls on interested residents of District 1 to fill out the online application for submission to the City Clerk’s Office starting Monday, March 9th and ending Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

The notice of vacancy for District 1 and the corresponding online form is located here:https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/boards-commissions

Questions may be directed to the City Manager’s Office, (805) 925-0951, Ext. 2306.

Traducción al español:

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – El Ayuntamiento de Santa Maria tiene actualmente una vacante tras la resignación del antiguo concejal del Distrito 1, Carlos Escobedo. Las elecciones para cubrir la vacante se celebrarán durante las elecciones generales programadas para noviembre de 2026. El concejal elegido ocupará el cargo durante el resto del mandato del antiguo concejal (hasta 2028).

El Concejo Municipal tendrá la opción de nombrar a un concejal sustituto para ocupar el puesto vacante hasta que los votantes elijan al próximo concejal del Distrito 1 en las elecciones de noviembre.

La Ciudad invita a los residentes interesados del Distrito 1 a que rellenen la solicitud en línea para presentarla en la Oficina del Secretario Municipal entre el lunes 9 de marzo y el jueves 26 de marzo de 2026 a las 5:00 p.m.

El aviso de vacante para el Distrito 1 y el formulario en línea correspondiente se encuentran aquí: https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/boardscommissions.

Las preguntas pueden dirigirse a la Oficina del Administrador de la Ciudad, (805) 925- 0951, ext. 2306.

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Mike Klan

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara pro tennis player Kayla Day defeated Francesca Jones 6-3, 6-1 in a first round match at the BNP Paribas Open.

The 26-year old Day will next face #2 seed Iga Swiatek on Saturday. Swiatek is a 6-time major champion.

Day has been ranked as high as 84th in the world and has reached the third round in the past at Indian Wells.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

CIF-State Girls Basketball Round 2

Division 1: Francis Parker 60, Oak Park 46

Division 2: St. Joseph 60, St. Margaret’s 52: Knights host Rosary Academy on Saturday in a regional semifinal

CIF-State Boys Basketball Round 2

Division 3: Colony 67, Atascadero 61

CIF-State Boys Soccer Regional Semifinals

Division 5: Crystal Springs Upland 5, Nipomo 0

CIF-State Girls Soccer Regional Semifinals

Division 1: Mater Dei 2, Oaks Christian 0

Division 2: Westlake 1, Garces Memorial 0: Warriors host Westview on Saturday in regional final

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Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Cayden Ward led three Cal Poly men’s basketball players in double-digit scoring figures with 16 points and Hamad Mousa (above) became just the second player in program history to reach 600 points in one season, but UC Irvine pulled away late in Thursday’s first half as the Mustangs fell inside the Bren Events Center, 107-85.

Mousa finished with 15 points and Austin Goode added 13 for Cal Poly (13-18, 9-10), which sank 10 three-pointers. Big West leader UC Irvine (21-10, 14-5), however, shot 56.3 (40-for-71) percent, committed just five turnovers and outscored Cal Poly in the paint, 64-38.

Mousa reached his historic milestone with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the opening half, sinking a jumper in the lane to become the first and only player in program history since Stuart Thomas (1990-91) to reach 600 points in one year.

Keyed by a 4-for-4 shooting start and nine early points from Ward, Cal Poly found itself locked in a 21-21 stalemate after eight-and-a-half minutes. UC Irvine though scored the next six points to surge in front for certain, eventually shooting 50.0 (18-for-36) percent during the first half and leading by as much as 15 before taking a 52-42 lead into the break.

Into the second half, Cal Poly closed within eight points of UC Irvine three times – including a 73-65 deficit with 12-and-a-half minutes to go following a layup by freshman Ali Assran. The Anteaters, however, answered with an 11-4 run and maintained a double-digit lead the remainder of the night.

Up Next: Cal Poly closes the regular season on Saturday, March 7 when hosting Cal State Bakersfield at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, Cal Poly will honor its lone senior, Luka Tarlac.Having already clinched a spot as one of eight programs for the March 11-14 Big West Championship, Cal Poly landed the No. 8 seed after Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis – who entered play Thursday just one game ahead of the Mustangs in the standings – both prevailed.With 15 points, Hamad Mousa – the Big West’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game – improved his season total to 608. He requires just 51 more points to overtake Stuart Thomas (659, 1990-91) for the all-time single season lead.Also, 4-for-4 from the free throw line Thursday, Mousa brought his season total to 174 free throws to match current Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (2023-24) for the second highest single season tally in program history and just four behind Stuart Thomas’s program record from 1990-91. Mousa’s 87.4 percent free throw mark this season also ranks eighth all-time.

(Article courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics)

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara waterfront will be going over 14 leases in the coming months and it expects to get renewals from the current tenants.

There will be seven leases on Stearns Wharf and seven others in the harbor area that will be up for a renewal.

The Santa Barbara Harbor Commission received a briefing recently.

Except for the recent closure of the Anchor Rose restaurant, which has at least one new tenant lease in the works, the harbor has 100 percent occupancy.

It has been that way for about 20 years

Up for renewal between now and November will be businesses including Char West, Mother Stearns Candy Company, the Santa Barbara Sailing Center and the Chandlery Yacht sales.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from Montecito Fire Department regarding the retirement of Fire Chief David Neels after 36 years of service.

MONTECITO, CA – Montecito Fire Chief David Neels has announced his upcoming retirement at the end of March, after 36 years of dedicated service to public safety. Chief Neels has served as Montecito Fire Chief since 2023. His last day as Fire Chief will be March 31, 2026.

Chief Neels began his firefighting career in 1989 as a paid-call firefighter for San Luis Obispo County Fire. He also worked as a seasonal firefighter for Cal Fire San Luis Obispo while earning his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Neels went on to complete paramedic school and worked as an ambulance paramedic before joining Santa Barbara County Fire Department in 1998.

Over his 21-year career with Santa Barbara County Fire, he promoted through the ranks of firefighter/paramedic, engineer, captain and battalion chief. He was instrumental in founding the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Benevolent Foundation, an organization that provides financial relief for firefighters and their families after line-of-duty incidents and supports the overall wellbeing of Santa Barbara County firefighters. He was also responsible for writing and implementing the first Community Wildfire Protection Plan in the County of Santa Barbara for the Mission Canyon community, setting an industry standard of creating specialized plans for areas vulnerable to severe wildfire impacts.

In 2019, Chief Neels joined Montecito Fire Department as a battalion chief. He was promoted to DivisionChief of Operations in 2021 and was appointed to lead the department in 2023.

“Chief Neels devoted his entire professional life to serving the community,” said Montecito Fire Protection District Board President Peter Van Duinwyk. “We are grateful for his leadership and service to the Montecito community over the last six years. My fellow Board members and I congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.

Throughout his career, Chief Neels has been an engaged partner and respected leader locally and regionally. He served on federal Incident Management Teams for over 15 years, responding to major incidents across the western United States. He led the All-Hazard Incident Management Team for Santa Barbara County as Incident Commander and served as president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Santa Barbara County.

“Partnership and collaboration have been central to every success I’ve been fortunate to experience in my career,” Neels said. “This job has afforded me with invaluable opportunities to work alongside countless first responders and regardless of the patch on our uniform, we’ve worked together to take care of our community.”

In retirement, Chief Neels looks forward to spending more time with his wife and three children.

Chief Neels informed the Board of Directors in October 2025 of his intention to retire in the spring. After a thorough recruitment process, the Board extended a conditional offer of employment to Brian Fallon to serve as Fire Chief of the Montecito Fire Department, subject to the completion of a standard pre-employment process. Fallon brings decades of fire service leadership experience to Montecito, most recently serving as Fire Chief of Lompoc City Fire Department. Chief Neels and Fallon are working together to support a smooth transition. Pending successful completion of the pre-employment process, Fallon will begin as Fire Chief on April 1, 2026.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Maria City Council will consider appointing someone to replace former councilman Carolos Escobedo who abruptly quit during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Right now, people living and working in Santa Maria’s District 1 don’t have representation on city council.

When councilman Escobedo announced his resignation and walked out of Tuesday night’s council meeting, city leaders say they didn’t know if they’d have another chance to applaud his service to date.

“As he provided comment, there was a desire to, acknowledge his, service to the city of Santa Maria, to the community,” says Chuen Wu, currently serving as Santa Maria’s City Manager.

With the councilman’s abrupt resignation, local residents and their representatives are eager to see what happens next.

“Sometimes things that are unexpected, they happen,” says Wu. “But, you know, we will remain focused on the work and continue to do what’s best for our businesses and for our residents.”

Santa Maria City Attorney Tom Watson says a municipal election is occurring this November, and the city council has the option to appoint someone to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of Escobedo’s term, which is through 2028.

“At the last election, that Carlos did win, his primary opponent was Maria Salguero,” says Gary Hall, a resident of Santa Maria who has spoken at several recent city council meeting. “And, I would hope that she would be considered as a temporary replacement.”

City leaders have agreed to discuss that option at the next council meeting.

Later Tuesday evening, the vote to establish an ad-hoc immigration committee resulted in a tie, defeating the motion.

“We were all surprised the vote came out the way it did,” says Hall. “If it would have been different if Carlos had been there, I can’t speculate. I can imagine he would support it. I can also imagine he wouldn’t support it based on other things he’s said.”

City leaders say long-term employees are hard at work keeping the basic functioning of city operations running, but do they acknowledge the so-called “plot twist.”

“There’s always a lot of city business to conduct,” says Wu. “This certainly adds a twist to it, but we’ll continue to work with our elected leaders and have that conversation, take direction from them.”

Locals say the sudden vacancy of the seat opens and re-opens many controversial questions.

Escobedo’s priorities were public safety, housing, homeless outreach, and Santa Maria’s quality of life.

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