Category: keyt-local-news

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – There is now a sweet way to help the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County at a time when federal funding is being drastically reduced.

The Foodbeats program encourages you to sign up with a donation of $5 or more per month. With that you will get special notifications that could include perks and deals you will enjoy often for being a supporter.

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery is part of the kick-off with a “No-Expiration Buy One – Get One” scoop of ice cream as a member to Foodbeats.

Rori Trovato the owner of Rori’s Artisanal Creamery. She said, “we decided to do a buy one-get one and five percent of all of those proceeds will go to the Foodbank. (Beside Santa Barbara) now we are rolling it out to all eight of our stores. ( from Arroyo Grande to Santa Monica)” For now she says, “we don’t have an end game.”

The $5 donation through Foodbeats to the Foodbank can be turned into $25 worth of food help for those in need including friends, families, farmworkers and neighbors across Santa Barbara County who are vulnerable and rely on the Foodbank distributions.

Funding cuts are taking a hard hit on the Foodbank. Millions of dollars in support has been cut and alternative ways of fundraising are being created and kicking in. There is also a reported rise in the need for food assistance countywide.

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County CEO Erik Talkin reported on the federal cuts to the County Board of Supervisors earlier this month. He said, “we’re looking at a dollar amount of about $5 million of food that basically has vanished or will vanish for the rest of this year and that represents a quarter of all the food we distribute in the county.”

With his granddaughter in the Public Market enjoying a cup of ice cream, Tom Luria said he will sign up to Foodbeats to make a donation, lend some help and get the deal. “I think you hear more about it in Santa Barbara just because people are of that nature they like to give and support those causes. There’s people in need we need to step up and help.”

He has two grand kids, so this ice cream offer will be a frequent stop.

For more information go to : Foodbeats

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. – Alexander Hajda keeps hitting home runs and Dos Pueblos High School keeps winning playoff games.

Hajda blasted a 3-run first inning home run and added a 2-run double in the fifth inning as the Chargers beat Thousand Oaks 7-1 in a CIF-Southern Section Division 4 semifinal game.

(The senior Hajda is greeted at home plate after a 3-run home run. Entenza Design).

DP will play Ganesha of Pomona in the championship game on Saturday, May 31 at Blair Field in Long Beach at 4 p.m.

The Chargers are making their first CIF-SS title game appearance since 1993.

Hajda has hit three home runs in four playoff games, the last two have come in the first inning at home.

Seth Tedeschi has started on the mound in every playoff game and the senior worked 4 2/3 innings allowing just an unearned run to the Lancers.

(Senior reliever Derek Brunet works out of a 5th inning jam. Entenza Design).

With the score 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, senior catcher Zach Gesswein delivered a run-scoring single to left and Hajda followed with a line drive double to left to boost the Chargers lead to 6-1.

Dos Pueblos finished fourth in the competitive Channel League and they have caught fire in the postseason winning their last two games by a combined 18-2.

They face a Ganesha team that is riding a 19-game win streak.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Semifinals

Division 4:

Dos Pueblos 7, Thousand Oaks 1 (DP vs Ganesha in title game, TBD).

Division 5:

Elsinore 6, Camarillo 0

Division 7:

Mary Star of Sea 7, Channel Islands 6 (11 innings).

Notre Dame(Riverside) 5, Grace 4

Division 8:

Fillmore 5, Colton 0 (Fillmore vs Pioneer in title game, TBD).

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews were on scene of a house fire that spread into a quarter of an acre of vegetation just before 4:00 p.m. between Santa Maria and Cuyama at 1850 Miranda Canyon Road.

A single resident from the home was displaced but the SBCFD did not report any injuries from the incident.

The SBCFD took a defensive position on the flames and knocked it down just before 7:00 p.m..

The SBCFD are receiving aid from Los Padres National Forest among multiple other agencies to continue mop up duties.

The cause of this residential fire remains under investigation, according to the SBCFD.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For several months, Katja Broomberg volunteered at a hospice center in Santa Barbara.

“It’s been a really eye opening experience … I don’t know how much it would mean to mean to me,” said student Broomberg of Laguna Blanca School.

Broomberg joined several students from Laguna Blanca sShool to work closely with residents, staff, and volunteers of Sarah House, home for end-of-life care.

“To be able to introduce to young people … in a way that hopefully … they’re not afraid but rather curious about this … plant more seeds … with different communities,” said administrator Paloma Espino of Sarah House.

“There was a resident at the house i was close with … he passed away unexpectedly … it hurt a lot … but it was that experience that thought me life goes on even with death,” said Broomberg.

Their experience at Sarah House was so powerful, students created an entire production exploring themes of death, dying, and care.

“It has really changed the way I think about … to live in the moment and appreciate everything I have,” said student Ada Green of Laguna Blanca School.

While this is the first time these students have worked with Sarah House, they’re hoping it won’t be their last.

“I’m hoping each one will have a better understanding of the end of life and will appreciate their own lives,” said artistic director Peter Lackner of Laguna Blanca School.

The teen cast hopes this production will ignite empathy throughout the community for years to come.

“Death is not the end of life … it’s a part of it,” said Broomberg.

The Sarah House Journals: End of Life Care Through the Eyes of Laguna Blanca Students kicks of on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara Street.

All proceeds will benefit Sarah House.

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Mina Wahab

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information. The Memorial Day Celebration event in Solvang was hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7139, lunch was provided by the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge.

SOLVANG, Calif. — Warm applause filled the Veterans Memorial Hall in Solvang as service men gave speeches about the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and as music honored their memory.

The event was hosted by VFW Post 7139. The celebration featured the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, SYV Jazz Band, Vandenberg SFB and Post Speakers, American Legion Post 160, and the Boy Scouts.

“The purpose of Memorial is here we stand free. And this is a lot different than you see in other countries,” said veteran Rudolph Henderson, who lives in Buelllton.

Monday was not only a day to reflect on the legacy of fallen soldiers, but it was also a day that brought up important questions about America’s history and what it means to truly be free.

“It’s getting better as a black American I went through a whole lot that I didn’t deserve. But it’s my country, and I’m going to stick with it, try to make it better and just be a good citizen,” said Phillip Merritt, who lives in Buellton.

“Being Native American means I am an American and to the truest sense. We will defend. I’ll always back everybody who defends our country. And I’m always here to defend those people who defend it for us,” said Stefan Ornelaz from the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge.

The Elks Lodge provided a complementary tri-tip lunch following the ceremony.

“Doing anything in service to our veterans touches my heart no matter where they serve. How long they serve. We think of all of the veterans throughout the decades since we became a country, the United States of America,” said Terry Bunn from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that the veteran population will decrease by about 34% from 18.3 million to 12.1 million by 2048.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After a spectacular Sunday, Hudson Vedder was steady on Monday to win the 66th Santa Barbara City Golf Championship.

The Santa Margarita Catholic High School senior shot up the leaderboard with an eye-popping second round 9-under par 61.

Vedder played his final round at 1-under par to capture the 3-day tournament at the Santa Barbara Golf Club at 10-under par.

“I just stayed consistent,” began Vedder who is a Central Michigan-commit. “I knew I had the game to win this thing. I am super happy, I put in a lot of work.”

Vedder wins by 2 shots over Dos Pueblos High School senior Teddy Vigna who was shot under par each day and finished 8-under par.

San Marcos High School sophomore Austin Downing finished in third place at 7-under par.

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. – Vietnam War veteran Sal Gonzales emceed this year’s Memorial Day ceremony in Oxnard.

He welcomed attendees to the Veterans Memorial at Plaza Park on Memorial Day Monday.

Gonzales shared his experience of going to war after college at the age of 22 and being diagnosed with PTSD years later.

On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, organizers — including Gonzales — invited decorated retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Barry Harper to serve as one of the guest speakers.

Harper recalled flying in a B-52 bomber during the Christmas season of 1972.He urged attendees never to forget those who died serving their country.

“The people who gave their lives — ordinary people who did something extraordinary,” said Harper. “They gave their lives to this country. What an amazing gift to all of us — every single one.”

Manuel Gonzales helped create the program, entitled “Remember and Honor.”It included a handout honoring the late Oxnard High graduate and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Jim Kean.

Kean played a key role in the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975.

Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen shared his perspective as someone who became a refugee at the age of 8.He expressed hope for a day like Memorial Day that also remembers civilians killed in war.

Nguyen also recognized the contributions of women who served in the military, including nurses during the Vietnam War.

Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur also spoke, reminding attendees to honor veterans who died by suicide after returning from service.

While there were not many young people in the crowd, those present actively participated.

The Channel Islands High School Raiders Band performed the national anthem.Heaven Herrera Cruz sang “God Bless America,” and Daniel Sevilla performed “Taps.”

Boy Scout Troop 231 took part in the Placement of the Wreaths ceremony alongside Disabled American Veterans Chapter 24, Knights of Columbus Oxnard Council 750, the Military Officers Association of America, and American Legion Oxnard Post 48.

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John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. – The Goleta Memorial Day ceremony included many residents who knew someone that fought and died for American freedoms.

It was held at the Goleta Cemetery District.

The event was hosted by the AMVETS Santa Barbara Post 3 and the Vietnam Veterans of America and Carmen Munoz from the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Barbara.

Guest speaker Drew Wakefield showed his appreciation for the veterans who attended, but said this gathering is for those who went to war and never returned.

Wakefield told those who were gathered, “they came back in body bags, they left they came back in coffins. Some of them didn’t come back at all. They were blown up on the beaches of Normandy, or they were blown up in Okinawa or they were lost at sea when the submarine or the boat went down. Why we are here today? Is to remember them and think about them.”

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Chair Laura Capps and Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco both spoke of sacrifices and the spirit of duty in our country that continues today with those enlisted in the military.

Special wreaths were also made to honor each branch of the military.

Solo singer Valeries Salcedo sang, “You Gave All.”

The Armed Forces Medley was performed by bagpiper Bill Boetticher.

The event ended with a rifle salute by the Civil Air Squadron 131 and Taps by Bob Burtness and Howard Hudson.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – With patriotic speeches and songs performed by the Santa Barbara Choral Society and the Primetime Band, hundreds of people came out to the Santa Barbara Cemetery to remember those who fought and lost their lives for America, its values and freedom.

The Memorial Day event, presented by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans foundation and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, had many veterans in uniforms in appreciation for those who went before them and made the ultimate sacrifice – along with citizens and family members of the fallen.

U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.) Captain J. Charles Plumb told the audience, “I would encourage all of you to get out, to spread the patriotism that we are feeling today, to the schools and the churches in Santa Barbara for our friends and neighbors, not because it is so important, but because it is vital.”

The audience was also reminded of the sacrifices that current members of the armed forces are still asked to make.

Colonel Mark Shoemaker from Vandenberg Space Force Base said, “heroes go above and beyond the call of duty placing the welfare of others before their own.”

The crowd was told the current generation of soldiers are facing threats and challenges worldwide that are both known and unknown.

Shoemaker said, “we don’t know who they are, we don’t know who the heroes are going to be, only that they wear the sacred cloth and stand ready based on the oaths they took to the Constitution and the core values that they embody.”

All branches of the military were honored individually allowing for time to stand up and be recognized when their theme was played.

It was inspirational for those who served and those who have been supporters.

An Air Force Veteran from Carpinteria, Jack Sanford said, “absolutely. I am sure most of the people have some relative or some family member who was in the military or perhaps served in some other capacity that’s what I think.”

The ceremony concluded with a vintage war play flyover from the Condor squadron and the playing of taps.

Many of those in attendance brought their children so the next generation can carry on the support for those who have fought for the freedoms we have today.

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