Category: keyt-local-news

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Allan Hancock College held its commencement ceremony Friday morning for the class of 2025.

Some graduates carry with them some incredible stories.

The 104th graduating class crossed the stage Friday morning to receive their Associates’ degrees.

Families and friends gathered on the college’s football field in beautiful conditions to honor 2025’s graduating class.

“I feel really excited,” says featured graduate Samantha McDonald. It’s almost kind of surreal that this is happening. I started when I was 13 years old and now I just turned 18 and I’m graduating from college.”

Among the graduates highlighted by the college are Samantha McDonald, who just celebrated her 18th birthday on Tuesday, and Josie Mora who had the unique privilege of graduating simultaneously with her daughter.

“Most of the students are younger and with her by my side it made me feel more comfortable,” says Josie Mora, who is graduating with a psychology degree for transfer. “And it’s exciting that we’re graduating together.”

“I’m very proud of her,” says Josie’s daughter and co-graduate Mayra Campa. “She’s helped me through a lot. She’s been my support but I’m glad I managed to support her. I’m very happy with her accomplishments.”

President Kevin Walthers began the ceremony by commenting on the positive “problem” of having too many graduates.

This year, 1,287 graduates are taking home 2,491 degrees and 3,110 certificates of achievement across 116 majors.

“My word of advice is to not let your age stop you from doing what you want to do, even though I was only 13, today, I’ll be graduating with five degrees,” says McDonald.

College officials say one student crossed the stage today having achieved no less than twelve degrees, a testament to perseverance and seizing opportunity.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – One of the biggest yearly events held in Santa Maria rolls into the city today with the arrival of hundreds of cars that are part the 44th Annual West Coast Kustoms Cruisin’ Nationals.

The popular car show features one-of-a-kind customized cars and will run Friday through Sunday.

Held each Memorial Day weekend, the show attracts hundreds of entries, as well as thousands of visitors to the city.

“We expect to be 800 cars at least registered for the show,” said Randy Bond, West Coast Kustoms Cruisin’ Nationals representative. “This show is known for custom cars. Custom cars are are any car that has had extensive body modifications to change the the look of them and every one of these cars are considered extreme custom cars. People from all over the world literally bring their custom cars to this show to debut them to the rest of the world, so this show is known for, the greatest custom cars in the world.”

Over the next few days, customized cars will be seen driving all over the city, especially along the busy Broadway corridor around the Historic Santa Maria Inn, which serves as the official host site.

One of the most popular events in the car show is the Friday night cruise along Broadway, which begins at 7 p.m. and is free for spectators to attend.

On Friday morning, several blocks of Broadway were already filled with chairs along the sidewalk as spectators arrived early to save a spot for the show.

“We flew in from Colorado yesterday and got up early this morning to come down here to get seats,” said David Valdez, visiting from Lakewood, Colorado. “I think this is the best show in the country. I love it. I love looking at customs. I think they’re the prettiest cars you could build.”

Over the weekend, the model car show will be held at the Santa Maria Fairpark, where spectators will be able to see all of the cars up close and personal.

An entry fee is required for the model car show, which runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information on the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin’ Nationals, click here to visit the official website for the event.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Valley is home to a new museum celebrating the Chumash tribe.

The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center opened its doors to the public one week ago.

“My reaction is to have so much joy and excitement,” says Nakia Zavala, Santa Ynez Museum Vice Chair. “And really, it’s the ability to tell our story. I think that’s really important.”

It’s been a long time in the works, and anticipation has been high for the staff as much as the public.

“I was in town for a conference, and I’ve been waiting for so long for the museum to open up,” says Alexandra McCleary, who is visiting from her home in Rancho Cucamonga. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it and visiting it.”

As of May 15th, anyone can visit to observe the artifacts and creations.

“A lot of thought went into the layout of this museum,” says Zavala. “We wanted to make sure that the museum would look like you were up in their local mountains, walking around and you’re able to interact with native plants. And we identify them through our Samala language as well as their English word.”

The gardens are home to native plant species that have been preserved, as well as beautiful water features made from reclaimed water sources in a sustainable and culturally relevant immersive environment.

“The attention to detail is absolutely amazing. I feel like I’ve learned a tremendous amount and love hearing the language spoken as well. I love that,” says McCleary.

The recreated “aps,” which are dome-shaped shelters used by the Chumash, and the museum’s layout, were designed by renowned architect Johnpaul Jones.

Collectors and artisans donated many of the artifacts on display, and one object on temporary display was found on site during construction.

“It’s a stone bowl, and it was found here on site as they were preparing the land for this museum. And we were able to collect it and archive it and curate it for this presentation,” says Zavala.

The center looks forward to welcoming field trips from schools in the area starting this fall.

To learn more about the museum’s hours of operation and admission prices, be sure to visit the museum’s website here.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is seeing an uptick in the number of coyote pups coming into care this year. 

The center generally gets up to two coyotes a year.

But this year, they have received nine coyote pups brought to the center.

Calls are coming from other centers with requests to take more coyote pups.

Animal experts can not speculate as to why there is an increase this year. They will rely on survey and biologist reports to give more insight when they are available. 

In general, coyotes are a pivotal part of the ecosystem, controlling rodent and small mammal populations. They also eat carrion, the dead and decaying flesh of an animal.

The center encourages members of the public to keep cats indoors and keep dogs on 6″ (or less) leash lengths to reduce any conflicts between coyotes and pets. 

They say it’s important to respect the role of coyotes in the environment and are encouraged that people call to help coyotes when they are in distress. 

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Quarterfinals:

Division 3:

Westlake 4, Mission Viejo 0 (Westlake vs Kennedy in semifinal Saturday)

Division 4:

Harvard-Westlake 12, Dos Pueblos 9

Division 5:

St. Bonaventure 17, Patriot 3 (St. Bonaventure vs JW North in semifinal on Saturday)

Division 8:

Hueneme 12, Calvary Chapel/Downey 2 (Hueneme vs Calvary Baptist in semifinal on Saturday)

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Central Section quarterfinals:

Division 1:

St. Joseph 2, Redwood 1 (SJ at Buchanan on Friday in semifinal)

Division 2:

Ridgeview 2, Lompoc 0

Washington Union 5, Arroyo Grande 1

Kingsburg 4, Paso Robles 3

Division 3:

Morro Bay 10, Mission Oak 3 (MB hosts Hoover Friday in semifinal)

Division 4:

Pioneer Valley 1, Reedley 0 (PV hosts Wasco on Friday in semifinal)

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The California Highway Patrol CHP said maximum enforcement runs Friday at 6p.m. until Monday at midnight.

CHP spokesperson Jonathan Gutierrez said in the wake of recent fatal accidents it is worth reminding people to do everything they can to make it a safe weekend on busy road.

Chris Olvera, the AAA Santa Barbara and Lompoc Branch Manager, said about Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to be up at least 3 percent.

It appears more people are choosing to taking road trips rather than fly to destinations with new Real ID requirements.

Now is the time make sure your car, and RV are in good condition.

Olvera said people are welcome to stop by the newly remodeled office on State Street in Santa Barbara.

The branch is one of the third in AAA history in California.

This week is already part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign nationwide.

The California Highway Patrol said smart choices also include driving sober and staying alert.

They recommend designating a driver whenever one may be needed or find alternative transportation.

The CHP tracks accidents over the holiday period and wants people to get to and from their holiday safely.

More than half the people killed in car accidents last Memorial Day weekend in the CHP’s patrol area were not wearing seat belts.

They don’t mind reminding people or even nagging if it saves lives.

Drivers are likely to see buckle up messaging on freeway signs.

Sandie Wilkes is looking forward to a road trip to Lake Nacimiento.

She said her kids and grandchildren aren’t going on this trip, but always offers them good advice.

For more information visit https://www.chp.ca.gov

And for American Automobile Association information visit https://ace.aaa.com

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Andrew Gillies

This article has been updated to include additional information from a Thursday morning booking log from Santa Barbara Sheriff and a response from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

MONTECITO, Calif. – A suspect was taken into custody Wednesday evening after violently attacking a woman inside a Montecito estate and barricading himself from deputies during a major law enforcement response that shut down parts of Channel Drive.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to an “unknown type problem” around 4:31 p.m. on May 21st at a private residence of Beanie Babies’s creator, Ty Warner, in the 1000 block of Fairway Road. The initial report was of a possible home invasion or vehicle theft in progress.

When deputies arrived, they found a woman outside the residence suffering from severe injuries sustained in an assault. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Deputies soon learned the male suspect was still inside the home, but it was unclear whether any other occupants remained or if anyone was being held hostage.

Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter, rerouting traffic away from Channel Drive near the bird refuge and the roundabout at Los Patos Way and Cabrillo Boulevard. Units from the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Barbara Police Department, and Santa Barbara County’s South Coast Patrol responded. A sheriff’s helicopter circled overhead, and the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team arrived with two BearCat armored rescue vehicles.

Deputies entered the residence to check for additional victims and confirmed that all other occupants had safely escaped. They found the suspect barricaded in an upstairs restroom. A crisis-trained Co-Response Team deputy attempted to negotiate with the man.

Instead of surrendering, the suspect tried to escape by climbing out of a second-story bathroom window. He jumped to the ground, where deputies and a Sheriff’s K9 apprehended him.

The suspect has been identified as 43-year-old Russell Maxwell Phay, a resident of Nevada. He was booked at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury, and kidnapping. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for obstruction.

Photo: Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office

A Thursday morning booking log shows Phay is being held on a first degree attempted murder charge, and his bail is now set at $1,000,000.

Investigators say there is no indication the victim and suspect knew each other.

News Channel reporter Tracy Lehr reported live from the scene, describing dozens of law enforcement vehicles—many unmarked—surrounding the estate, which is located across from the Music Academy of the West and near the property of Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner.

Several residents and bystanders were prevented from returning to their homes. Sylvia Cruz, who was trying to meet her daughter nearby, said, “I got off from my job and started hearing the police and ambulances. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was scary for me.”

Cary Jones and his wife were walking their dog nearby when the incident escalated. “We were on a walk when we saw a couple of highway patrolmen with automatic rifles,” he said. Their car was later blocked in by law enforcement vehicles. One of the unmarked units had to be towed due to a dead battery.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, a report about criminal threats made over the phone by a Russell Maxwall Phay against a couple in the Arroyo Grande area was taken on May 22, 2024.

The couple did not know Phay, but investigating detectives believed he was living in Nevada or San Francisco at the time after he could not be reached added the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s in response to Your News Channel inquiries Thursday.

Reports from Siskiyou County show Phay was booked into their jail in 2017 and 2019 for battery and assault.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and authorities say more details will be released as they become available.

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Mike Klan

FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 4 seed Hawai’i capitalized on a pivotal fifth inning, scoring three runs to secure a 6-2 victory over No. 5 seed UC Santa Barbara at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

UC Santa Barbara ends their season at 36-18.

The Rainbow Warriors (34-19) secured the win with homers in the fifth and seventh innings, scoring three and two runs respectively. Down by a run, Ben Zeigler-Namoa took a fastball over the center field wall for a three-run bomb and gave Hawai’i a 4-2 lead.

Matthew Miura then hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning for insurance and to account for the final score of the game.  

The Warriors feature several standout players, including Zeigler-Namoa with two hits, three RBIs, and a home run. Miura made a registered two runs, two RBIs, and a home run. On the mound, starter Cooper Walls, The Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year, went 4.0 innings, giving up two runs. Cory Ronan (3-2) earned the win after giving up no runs in 2.1 innings. Isaiah Magdaleno earned the save with 2.2 innings of scoreless work, striking out three batters while allowing no hits.

LeTrey McCollum stood out for the Gauchos with three hits in five at-bats and scored a run. Isaac Kim contributed offensively with two hits in four at-bats and drove in one run. 

(Most of this article courtesy of Big West).

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. – A furious rally came up just short as Dos Pueblos lost a wild CIF-Southern Section Division 4 quarterfinal game 12-9 to Harvard-Westlake.

The Chargers were down 10-2 after a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning by Ainsley Nutting, her second home run of the game.

DP got within 11-9 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a solo home run by Vereniki Maniadi.

(Freshman Vereniki Maniadi connects for a sixth-inning home run. Entenza Design).

Later in the inning Anastasia Brunner launched a deep shot to center with a runner on second but Stanford-commit Kale’a Tindal made a sensational catch to rob a home run and preserve the lead.

The Wolverines added one more run in the 7th.

A young Dos Pueblos squad ends the season at 14-15.

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