Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. – The Dana Reserve development in Nipomo will once again need to go through the approval process with San Luis Obispo County leaders following the announcement of a legal settlement this week.

On Wednesday, NKT Development, along with the Nipomo Action Committee (NAC), and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) announced the three sides have reached an agreement to end a lawsuit that was filed by NAC and CNPS soon after the Dana Reserve was approved last year.

The two non-profit organizations filed the suit in an effort to stop the project, citing several concerns, most notably environmental impacts the development would create.

After months of negotiating, the agreement establishes a revised Dana Reserve Specific Plan, which will create a smaller, less environmentally impactful development.

“It’s been a long process,” said Alison Martinez, NAC Director. “We were never about a no project. We’re always about compromise, so we asked for that many times. We’re pleased that the developer came to the table even after the project was approved. We’ve worked for at least six months to try and get some kind of settlement, something that we can all live with and I think we’ve achieved a good compromise.”

“We are happy that we were able to reach a settlement,” said Jocelyn Brennan, Dana Reserve Representative. “We met over several months and there was a lot of give and take in back and forth, compromise and sacrifice, and we have come to agreement that we feel, really addresses the concerns of all parties. I think all parties are really ready and excited for this to move forward. We’re very excited to see homes built.”

One of the biggest elements of the agreement include the reduction in housing units by 229, which equates to an approximately 16% smaller project size.

Another key element of the settlement will be a newly created offsite biological mitigation effort, which the parties said will help support long-term protection of sensitive manzanita habitats outside of the project boundaries.

The new design will now protect additional sensitive plant species and 195 coast live oak trees, as well as contribute financial resources for public benefit specific to Nipomo, which will overseen by the Nipomo Action Committee.

Now that the settlement is in place, the project will once again need to go through the county approval process.

“The changes that were made to the project as part of the settlement, now we’ll go to the county for review,” said Brennan. “They’ll go to the (San Luis Obispo County) Planning Commission and then the Board of Supervisors. We are looking at probably August and September.”

With the timeline still unknown, it’s unclear just how long it will be before any potential construction could begin the large-scale development that would include more than 1,200 housing units, along with commercial properties and other amenities. 

“Every year that passes, home prices go up,” said Brennan. “We’re excited to actually move forward. right? The timing is important and financially, it’s important to move forward with the project, and not only for the project itself, but also for the housing crisis.”

“I think it has been so contentious throughout the years,” said. Martinez. “I understand everybody comes from a different place and we understand that, so we’re really hopeful that as we’ve worked together, that Nipomo can come back together the way it used to be. This was never meant to divide the community, but people need to be heard. They have, opinions and they feel very strongly about Nipomo and that’s a great thing about our community. We have a passion for our own community, so I think that this hopefully will mend some of the bridges.”

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Joey Vergilis

LOMPOC, Calif. – Lompoc High School’s senior running back, Jacob White, is closing out his high school career with a spring to remember.

Just last weekend, White anchored the Lompoc Braves’ 4×400 relay team at the CIF Central Section Masters Meet in Clovis. This weekend, he’ll suit up with the best of the best, representing the Santa Barbara County All-Star team in the 14th annual FCA All-Star Classic.

But perhaps the most meaningful moment is still to come — on June 6, Jacob will walk across the stage and graduate from Lompoc High.

After suffering an injury during his sophomore year, the athlete lost his way. He got mixed up with the wrong crowd, his grades slipped, and he lost focus and motivation.

“I would be like, ‘I don’t need this class to do what I want to do in the future,’ and it ended up in a spiral — not doing work,” White admitted.

Redemption, however, was within reach. With unwavering support from his mom, stepbrother, coach, teachers, and friends, White refocused — both academically and athletically — and began to unlock the potential that had always been inside him.

That commitment became the key to his turnaround.

White said, “Locking in was just breaking old habits, building new good ones, and just accepting that you’ve got to get rid of certain things and stop wasting so much time.”

His lifelong best friend, Izzy Elizondo, put it best:

“He’s been through a lot — I know that he has — and to overcome that, you have to have some kind of courage.”

You can catch Jacob White and Izzy Elizondo back in action one last time on Saturday night at Santa Ynez High School. The duo will suit up for the Santa Barbara County All-Stars in the 14th annual FCA All-Star Football Classic, proudly representing the Lompoc Braves. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The trends may be shifting from those looking for just white sand beaches or pamper-forward resorts. Architecture may be the foundation of some travel plans.

The Visit Santa Barbara 2025 Annual General Meeting made that connection Thursday. It focused on the intersection of hospitality and the architectural heritage of Santa Barbara. 

Local tourism leaders describe how Santa Barbara is one of the perfect locations for that type of offering. Local historian, Neal Graffy, discussed how the city’s architecture was shaped in the 100 years since the 1925 earthquake. The region has Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings in all directions.

Some of the area’s most iconic landmarks, include Old Mission Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

He said tourists began coming to the region for not just the weather but long stays at the new Potter Hotel on the beach and the Arlington Hotel in upper downtown. They needed something to do, and the tourism industry began. “Now we’ve got these people staying for months, two months, three months. What are we going to do? Well, that created our tourism industry, celebrating our natural destinations creeks, canyons, the ocean islands and our man made endeavors at orchards, farms, ranches, the historic adobes, the mission,” said Graffy.

May is California Tourism Month. It celebrates the role of tourism to the Santa Barbara South Coast.

The industry generates more than $2.24 billion annually, including $82.9 million in tax revenue and supports more than 15,000 local jobs.

“As the summer travel season approaches, Visit Santa Barbara’s Annual General Meeting shines a spotlight on the South Coast’s tourism industry,” Kathy Janega-Dykes, president/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, said. “Tourism is essential to the Santa Barbara South Coast, driving economic prosperity, supporting thousands of jobs in a wide variety of businesses and enhancing the vibrancy of our region.”

Janega-Dykes will discussed the state of the South Coast tourism industry and travel trends, followed by a presentation by Neal Graffy on Santa Barbara’s architectural heritage. It commemorates 100 years since the 1925 earthquake that shaped the region’s Spanish Colonial Revival style. 

She says, “from the red-tiled roofs to the white stucco walls, Santa Barbara’s architecture tells a story that continues to captivate visitors from around the world.” “I can’t emphasize enough the role of Santa Barbara’s esthetic and how we stand apart from our coastal competitors. It dominates how we promote the Santa Barbara South Coast today, really spanning from Summerland and Montecito, Santa Barbara and north to Goleta.”

Graffy has written numerous monographs and books on Santa Barbara history and is a guest lecturer and former board member at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. 

Additionally, he has served as chairman of the Santa Barbara County Landmarks Commission and president of the Santa Barbara Corral of Westerners.

In his talk Graffy said before the image of Santa Barbara began evolving to what it is today, “most people thought California and the people back East thought this was a land of horse thieves, desperadoes, and wild Indians.”

He says now, interesting history is in every direction. “I have one tour that’s just a one block tour. I walked a block into history and it takes 45 minutes just to do one block. So there’s just so much that Santa Barbara has to offer with history and also accommodations, of course, which brings our tourists here,” said Graffy.

Part of the event included a sit down talk with Entrepreneur, StonePark Capital founder and hotel owner Andrew Firestone. “We’re going to reinforce the fact that our guests are in somewhere very unique in California, that the architecture, the design, the culture of Santa Barbara is special.   I take it for granted. I’ve been born and bred here. I’ve been here my whole life, and I need to take a look at that.”

Firestone spoke of sharing the past story of Santa Barbara with his workers and help them have a better understanding of the regions history to share with those visiting. In 2022  Santa Barbara welcomed its newest hotel, Courtyard Santa Barbara Downtown, a Courtyard by Marriott hotel. It includes the Saint Remy restaurant.

(Firestone and Jess Parker are the founders of StonePark Capital.)

The meeting luncheon was held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. The museum currently has a special exhibit on the 1925 Earthquake.

For more information go to: Visit Santa Barbara, The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Courtyard Santa Barbara and StonePark Capital

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Mike Klan

COLOMBIA- The USA Cadet Women’s National Team won gold at the PanAm Aquatics U17 Championship with an 18-7 win over Canada. Caroline Daniel scored four goals to lead the offense with Paige Segesman adding three goals on the way to earning title match MVP honors. Shelby Killingsworth and Gianna Adams combined in net for 10 saves. Team USA finishes their run in Colombia with a 7-0 record.

Team USA started strong with Daniel and Madison Mack building a 2-0 lead to open the match. After Canada scored, Segesman hit on a power play to close the quarter up 3-1. Canada cut the deficit to one in the second quarter at 4-3. Team USA then ran off four in a row from Juliana Horton, Addison Ting, Daniel and Campbell Pence for an 8-3 edge. Horton closed the high scoring period with a power play strike to give the United States a 9-4 advantage at the break.

Horton is a freshman at Santa Barbara High School while Jade Pattison is a defender from San Marcos High School. Both play for Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club.

The United States took control of the match in the third with another six girl outburst, including two more from Daniel, to build a 15-5 lead. Kiernan Hogan opened the scoring for Team USA in the fourth quarter for a 16-6 lead. Segesman finished off the scoring late in the period as Team USA rolled to the 18-7 victory. The United States went 6/14 on power plays and 2/3 on penalties while Canada went 1/9 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties.

(Most of this article courtesy of USA Water Polo).

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A hard working crew has cleared out a canyon, where fire dangers were growing between Santa Barbara and Montecito.

They are goats and sheep from the California Grazing Co. based in Nipomo.

The week-long effort ended Wednesday morning and the crew is on to another assignment.

Tall brush and grasses, that were starting to turn brown, were chewed up and leveled.   

That will prevent a fire from spreading in the area that is surrounded by the Montecito hills and the densely populated Santa Barbara Eastside.

The Eucalyptus Hill Improvement Association coordinated the effort with funding from the Fire Safe Council.

250 goats and 200 sheep were on the hills between Lou Dillon Lane and Alston Road.

Sue Burk is the President of the Eucalyptus Hill Homeowners Assn. She says, “if a fire took off, no matter what direction it’s blowing, it could be devastating to the homes in this area. So and after what happened down south earlier this year we’re on it. We we want to get this done.”

She said the demand for the goats has been high. “The goats are only available for a short period of time, the spring, and the summer. And so everybody else has contracted them out. So we only we snuck in there.”

The goats and sheep are part of a larger crew that will be working in areas such as the Trout Club off Painted Cave Road, Bell Canyon in Ventura, the land behind the county fire headquarters and parts of Monterey County coming up.

For more details go to: California Grazing Company. Michael Klain, Co-Owner | (530) 518-6926 | info@calgrazing.com 

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is awarding 7.7. million dollars this graduation season.

Hundreds of recipients filled the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens for a group photo following an awards ceremony that had the looks and feel of a graduation.

Parents and relatives and supporters applauded with pride as the recipients went up on the garden steps and announced the named of their scholarship and where they are headed to study.

Foundation President and CEO Melinda Cabrera said donors attend the ceremony year after year.

Some have created memorial scholarships named after loved ones.

“It’s wonderful to see how their gift keeps giving life and opportunity  to new students it’s really wonderful,” said Cabrera.

Other scholarships are created to fit criteria. There’s one for a students who bowl and another for young fine artists.

Others come from donations, with no strings attached, allowing the award-winning nonprofit to make sure they go to students in need.

The average undergrad scholarship is $3,500.

Graduate students often receive more.

Students are grateful and excited about their future.

“We are all going up there and saying our names and where we are going off two,” said Dos Pueblos senior Amirsam Jabarri I’m going off to UC Berkeley.”

He wrote an essay and had an interview but he thinks a letter from his English and mock trial teacher Hannah Krieshok helped “seal the deal.

Many of the students already know what they want to do with their education.

San Marco High senior Kian Strenn plans to go to UCSB to study electrical engineering.

“The most important part of our society is our future and I think  that donating to help students fulfill their potentials allows us to do thing that we wouldn’t have been able to do  before,” said Strenn.

When he can afford to Strenn plans to give back.

“I hold donors to such a high regard, “said Strenn, “I hope  one day to be able to give back to the community in the same way.”

The foundation calls that a virtuous circle.

Cabrillo High School senior Jose Soriano plans to go to Santa Barbara City College.

His goal is to become a multi-media journalist or a public information officer.

Donors attended to a thank you dinner following the ceremony at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

For more information visit https://sbscholarship.org

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade is starting its first-ever five-day run Wednesday night with a brand new event featuring an exclusive show of bull riding only.

Kicking off the long-time Santa Maria showcase annual event is a night of Xtreme Bulls, an all-bull riding tour that’s part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

“To bring in an old bull riding event on a Wednesday night, you’re going to see the the NASCAR of rodeo,” said Fred Boettcher, PRCA Extreme Events Director. “It’s 40 of the best bull riders matched up with stock from Flying U Rodeo Company from Marysville, California. You’re going to see National Finals Rodeo bucking bulls. And what does that mean? That means we got some of the best bucking bulls in the country assembled tonight.”

The new event highlights the growth and popularity of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, which has been held over a four-day period for the past several decades.

“We’ve been so blessed in the last few years,” said Johnna McGuire, Elks Recreation Media Director. “We’ve had mostly sold out performances and it’s been really tough to get tickets. It’s hard. We want everybody to be able to come, so this year we were able to to add a day and add something new and exciting for people to come and watch. We all know the bulls are a favorite. We all love the bulls and they’re at the end of the night, so sometimes not all the little ones make it for that one, but this will be great because it’ll be all bulls all night.”

Looking ahead, the PRCA is hoping this event becomes part of the Elks Rodeo tradition and will return in the years ahead.

“I sure hope so,” said Boettcher. “I don’t like to count my chickens before they’re hatched, but we’ll put on a good show tonight, and I hopefully come Sunday, we sign a new contract for next year.”

While the bulls begin the rodeo on Wednesday, the traditional format that features several other events, such as barrel racing, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, and bareback riding, breakaway roping, mutton bustin’ and more, will begin on Thursday and run through Sunday.

For more information about the 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade, click here to visit the official website.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Championship Baseball Schedule

Division 4:

Ganesha vs Dos Pueblos, Saturday, May 31, 4 p.m. Blair Field, Long Beach

Division 8:

Pioneer vs Fillmore, Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. Blair Field, Long Beach

CIF-Central Section Baseball Schedule

Division 1:

Centennial vs St. Joseph, Saturday May 31, 6 p.m. Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia

Division 3:

Morro Bay vs Fowler, Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m. Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia

CIF-Southern Section Championship Softball Schedule

Division 3:

Marina vs Westlake, Friday, May 30, 4 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

Division 5:

West Ranch vs St. Bonaventure, Saturday, May 31 4 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

Division 8:

Cathedral City vs Hueneme, Saturday, May 31 1 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

CIF-Central Section Championship Softball Schedule:

Division 3:

Pioneer Valley vs Liberty, Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. Fresno State

Division 5:

Dos Palos vs Orcutt Academy, Thursday, May 29, 4:30 p.m. Fresno State

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Maria regarding road closures in the area due to The 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 31st.

The 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 31st along Broadway (Highway 135) brings a road closure and parking restrictions.

The Broadway closure will begin between 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. from Mill Street to Enos Drive. After 7:30 a.m. no parking is allowed on the parade route on Broadway between Fesler Street and Enos Drive. All cars parked in that zone after 7:30 a.m. will be towed at owner’s expense. Broadway will re-open shortly after the conclusion of the parade, which is estimated to be about 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Parade entries must be in place by 8:00 a.m. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at Broadway and Mill Street and heads south. It features marching bands, youth floats, equestrian groups, local dignitaries, and antique vehicles.

Battles and Fesler roads will be open to cross Broadway. In an extreme emergency Main Street, Cook Street, and Stowell Road will have law enforcement officers present to assist emergency traffic across Broadway.

For parade spectators coming entering Santa Maria from Highway 101, they are advised to exit the freeway at the Stowell Road exit, if they wish to view from the Stowell shopping center area and vicinity. If they want to view the parade north of City Hall, visitors should exit on Main Street.

Additional information about the Elks Rodeo Parade is online at www.elksrodeoparade.com. Questions may be directed to the City of Santa Maria at (805) 925-0951 extension 2372.

Traducción en español:

El 82º desfile anual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade el sábado 31 de mayo a lo largo de Broadway (carretera 135) trae un cierre de carreteras y restricciones de estacionamiento.

El cierre de Broadway comenzará entre las 8:00 y las 8:30 a.m. desde Mill Street hasta Enos Drive. Después de las 7:30 a.m., no se permite estacionar en la ruta del desfile en Broadway entre Fesler Street y Enos Drive. Todos los coches aparcados en esa zona después de las 7:30 a.m. serán remolcados a expensas del propietario. Broadway se reabrirá poco después de la conclusión del desfile, que se estima que será alrededor de las 12:00 p.m. (mediodía).

Los participantes en el desfile deben estar en sus puestos a las 8:00 a.m. El desfile comienza a las 10:00 a.m. en Broadway y Mill Street y se dirige hacia el sur. Cuenta con bandas de música, carrozas juveniles, grupos ecuestres, dignatarios locales y vehículos antiguos.

Las carreteras Battles y Fesler estarán abiertas para cruzar Broadway. En caso de emergencia extrema, Main Street, Cook Street y Stowell Road contarán con la presencia de agentes de la ley para ayudar al tráfico de emergencia a través de Broadway.

Para los espectadores del desfile que entren en Santa Maria desde la autopista 101, se les aconseja que salgan de la autopista por la salida de Stowell Road si desean verlo desde la zona del centro comercial Stowell y sus alrededores. Si desean ver el desfile al norte del Ayuntamiento, los visitantes deberán salir por Main Street.

Encontrará más información sobre el Elks Rodeo Parade en www.elksrodeoparade.com. Las preguntas pueden dirigirse a la Ciudad de Santa María en (805) 925-0951 extensión 2372.

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Alissa Orozco

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – A ‘Timely Warning,’ sent out by the UC Santa Barbara Police Department (UCPD) early this morning, alerted students and community members of an armed robbery that happened at an Isla Vista park on Tuesday, May 27th.

According to UCPD, two victims were approached by three to four Hispanic males wearing masks at approximately 6:44pm at Tierra De Fortuna Park in Isla Vista. The suspects demanded their property on their person.

One suspect lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a black handgun tucked in his waistband. Another suspect raised a knife and told the victims that he would “kill them.”

When the victims attempted to flee, they were assaulted by the suspects.

UCPD says property was stolen from both victims, but they were ultimately able to flee the scene and report the robbery and assault.

Raquel Zick from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Office said the two victims fled to the nearby Home Depot after the incident. When officers arrived, they spoke with two teen-aged juvenile male victims who reported they had just fled to Home Depot after being robbed.

The ages of the suspects are unknown. They are described as Hispanic males, wearing black hooded sweatshirts and black “dickies” style pants – including the one who displayed the firearm. The suspect with the the knife was described as wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and black “dickies” style pants.

The area was checked for the suspects, but officers found nothing. The victims did not request medical assistance at the scene.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the report. If you have information that might assist in the investigation, call (805) 683-2724, or report crime information anonymously.

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