Category: keyt-local-news

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara’s tech scene is gaining momentum, with startups and engineers driving new ideas that are reshaping the region’s economy.

From emerging companies to established innovators, the Central Coast is becoming a hub for technological growth and opportunity.

That progress will be showcased at the upcoming TechTopia Summit, where local leaders and creators will highlight how innovation is fueling job creation and economic expansion.

The event aims to bring together members of the community to explore the impact of technology across the region.

Organizers are encouraging the public to take part in the event, which is scheduled for March 18th at 2:30 p.m. at OASIS in Goleta.

The summit offers a chance to see firsthand how Santa Barbara’s tech surge is shaping its future.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of San Luis Obispo opened its newest parking garage Tuesday morning with the hope of helping drive more people into the downtown area.

The $43 million structure is located at 609 Palm Street, on the corner of Nipomo and Palm Streets, and adds nearly 400 parking spaces, 41 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, 14 bike lockers and 16 bike parking spaces.

“This is the largest downtown infrastructure investment the City has ever made, and we invite the community to take advantage of this opportunity to park at no cost in the new garage and familiarize themselves with this new gateway to the downtown,” said San Luis Obispo City Manager Whitney McDonald.

“This investment will set the stage for a vibrant Cultural Arts District downtown, will support a variety of transportation options for downtown visitors and employees, and will provide safe overnight parking options for downtown residents.”

Officially known as the “Cultural Arts District Parking Garage,” the building also includes rooftop solar panels to offset energy use and underground utilities to improve reliability, safety, and the surrounding streetscape.

There will also be a rooftop event space that is not yet open to the public.

This marks the City’s fourth downtown parking structure, to go along with two located on Palm Street and the other on Broad Street.

Construction began on this garage more than two years ago in Nov. 2023, coming after the City said was more than 20 years of public engagement, planning and design.

According to a release, the purpose of the project is to increase transportation options for downtown and support a vibrant Cultural Arts District, including the Children’s Museum, History Center, the future SLO Rep Theatre and the expanding SLO Museum of Art.

To help celebrate the opening of the garage, San Luis Obispo is offering free parking for the first 28 days from March 17 to April 13, 2026.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – If you have plans to fly in the next few weeks, you may encounter more than just Spring Break crowds.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been impacted by a partial government shutdown through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

At the Santa Barbara Airport passengers have been advised to be aware of this on their departure and as they go forward and return from their flights, for as long as this problem exists. It varies by the passenger load and the airports.

The mood was positive in Santa Barbara for both passengers departing and arriving, with a smooth flow and no serious impacts at this terminal.

According to CNN, security checkpoints at airports nationwide are now experiencing longer-than-usual wait times.

The partial shutdown started in mid-February. Senate Democrats want changes to the DHS before approving more money to the department. DHS is embroiled in controversial actions nationwide with its immigration enforcement policy.

The nation is also dealing with a see-saw weather pattern and that includes ice, rain and snow in some parts of the country – also responsible for flight delays.

Adam Rothstein is a traveler that came in from Detroit. He said, “the lines were a little long, it’s Spring Break season but this morning at the Detroit Airport I had a flight at 8 a.m. the lines were a little longer than they are normally .”

Another passenger thawed out from the chill of the East Coast as she came west and landed in 90 degree weather. Her flight was on time but others were waiting for hours. Cairstin Mills said, “at JFK in New York there were a lot of people sleeping who had gotten there yesterday and who had flights that were cancelled.”

Getting set to go back to Cleveland after a stay in Ventura with a flight out of Santa Barbara one traveler said he was in a plane several times in the last five weeks.

Robin Harbage said, “my general assumption is travel is actually down because people are worried about it so they are traveling less. We have less to fight against so I think that TSA is probably not as well stocked but we don’t have to fight against a lot of people.” His only delay was with customs when he went out of the country.

As for the TSA agents on the job, one review from Katie Harbage was also without a hitch. “It’s been great, the TSA has been wonderful they have been very friendly , they have been very helpful.”

UC Santa Barbara student Jack Joblan was looking forward to snowboarding back east and said, he was hoping to avoid delays. “A lot of people are calling out sick and a lot of people with the government shut down are not showing up so it is a little concerning. I have pre check so I hope that works, that’s what I am hoping for .”

Leaving any flight issues behind her and heading into the sun or to the beach Mills said, “we landed on time in Salt Lake City and we got the connection and here we are in maybe the most beautiful place in the world. ”

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table:

Boys Athlete of the Week: Logan Patterson Deakyne, San Marcos senior track & field: 1st place in 400 meter (50.53), 1st place in 300 hurdles (39.45), 4th place in 110 hurdles (15.82) at Spartan Relays* 2nd fastest 300 hurdle time in SM history

Girls Athlete of the Week: Anastasia Brunner, Dos Pueblos senior softball: 3-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R in 17-4 win over Santa Clara, 3-for-4, 3B. 2 R in 9-0 win over Buena, 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R in 10-0 win over Buena

Santa Barbara High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Dane Polchin boys lacrosse: On the field the senior Polchin was the defensive MVP last year for the Dons. In the classroom he has a 4.81 GPA and was named an AP Scholar in 2024 and an AP Scholar with Distinction in 2025.

San Marcos High School Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award: Lily Ruvalcaba, girls basketball: On the court Ruvalcaba is a second team All-Channel League performer. She carries a 4.66 GPA and has totaled 160 community service hours.

Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table:

Girls Athlete of the Week: Haley Townes, Santa Ynez track and field: Townes won the 100 and 200 meter races at the Nipomo Invite, setting a school record in the 100m with a time of 12.64 seconds.

Boys Athlete of the Week: Ashton Bluem, St. Joseph baseball: Bluem smashed a 3-run home run and scored 2 runs in a win at Lompoc.

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Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) Octobot Robotics Team 9084 is preparing for its next competition.

Team members from Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta competed at a regional competition in Port Hueneme in early March and made it to the top 10.

Students chose the name “Octobots Robotics.”

The teens had eight weeks to build a robot and succeeded during three days of competition.

They will soon compete in Glendale.

If all goes well Dos Pueblos High School’s Octobot Robotics team will earn a spot at the state competition in April.

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Evan Vega

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – A group of viewers joined Morning News Anchor Andie Lopez Bornet and First Alert Forecaster Evan Vega for a trip to the After the Oscars Show with Kelly and Mark at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Monday.

“Great trip on the bus everybody should try it,” said Patti Knoll from Solvang.

About 30 sweepstake winners from our region sat center row during the live After the Oscars Show on ABC.

“We appreciate their energy more than they could possibly imagine. Thanks for getting up so early to come to the show. We are filled with gratitude. I know it’s an overused word, but we actually use it in a proper context. We need you guys without an audience willing to show up so early for us. We would not have a show here,” said Kelly and Mark to Your News Channel.

Viewers came from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Camarillo, Orcutt, Solvang and more.

The show included appearances from comedians Leanne Morgan and Matt Friend.

“To be the guy that everyone comes to and representing Kelly and Mark… what a massive show,” said Matt Friend.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Moving quickly after signing a lease, Habitat for Humanity in Southern Santa Barbara County is starting to fill what will be its new ReStore.

Beginning today, March 16th, items can be dropped off by the public to the back loading dock the corner of 400 State Street at Gutierrez Street in Santa Barbara. There, the staff will evaluate the items and get them ready for sale when the store officially opens this summer.

The donation drop off times are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There is a street location and a drop off driveway in the back with staff to help.

Jessica de L’Arbe is the Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County CEO. She says, “it isn’t easy but it is fun, inspiring and exciting. We know the community has wanted the store back for a really long time.”

The site is 8000 square feet. Half of the store will be the display area and sales. The back half will be receiving and sorting. “We are going to have a ton of volunteers helping us build out the shelving the tables, the space and volunteer architects who are helping us measure the store,” she said.

There was a ReStore in Goleta until 2020 in an out of the way location. This address is expected to get higher foot traffic and many vehicles drive by as well. Combined that is good awareness for the storefront.

Next door was the former Staples location. UC Santa Barbara will be moving in there with a still to be determined used of the space for programs but Habitat hopes there will be some collaborations.

For now it is about getting the public to donate.

“Let’s take a couple of months, let’s collect some amazing things and to engage the community so when we open this summer we can get to shopping, ” said de L’Arbe.

In the big picture the money raised will go back into the community to help those who need to repair or rebuild on a limited budget with the help of Habitat. “We really want to focus on our mission and where the proceeds for the store go to building and repairing affordable housing.”

Habitat says acceptable donations include:

Air conditioning & heating units (working units less than 8 years old)

Appliances: major & small (less than 8 years old, must be uninstalled and disconnected)

Artificial grass

Dishwashers (2014 and newer)

Doors: exterior or interior (no flat slab or hollow doors. 24”, 28”, 30”, 32”, 36” doors only)

Exercise equipment (5 years or newer)

Flooring (min. 300 sq. ft., must be palletized and wrapped, no more than 2 ft. high)

Furniture (no broken or missing pieces)

Home Goods (must be packed into boxes)

Hot water heaters (2014 and newer)

Laminate flooring (min. 300 sq. ft., must be palletized and wrapped, no more than 2 ft. high)

Donations that are not accepted are:

Anything broken, damaged or missing parts

Box springs/ Mattresses

Carpet

Carpet padding

Children’s items, toys and books

Clothes/Shoes

Desks over 5 ft. long (“L” or “U” shaped)

Drop-in bathtubs

Large Entertainment Centers

Large office furniture (conference tables

Large filing cabinets, large bookcases)

Industrial light fixtures

Non-matching dining chairs

Paint

Roofing tiles

Scrap lumber (under 6 ft.)

For more information go to restore@SBHabitat.org

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

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Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The historic mission in Lompoc appears in portions of last night’s Academy Award winner for Best Picture.

One of the filmmakers is from Santa Barbara county as well.

“One Battle After Another” had quite the social buzz leading up to the Oscars, as it was written nearly twenty years ago but has become sharply relevant to the world we live in now.

Among six Oscars, “One Battle After Another” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Picture.

And its Best Film Editing award went to a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Andy Jurgensen.

“I want to give a special thank you to my editorial crew, who worked their butts off behind the scenes,” said Jurgensen in his acceptance speech. “You guys are amazing. Thank you to Paul. Thank you for taking me on this journey and our collaboration. Thank you to the wonderful cast and crew.”

La Purisima Mission in Lompoc was selected for a location shoot for several scenes in the film.

“It’s very cavernous,” says Jurgensen. “Especially that chapel. And so when lockjaw is, like, screaming at her and they’re kind of yelling at each other, it really it has, like, a really cool effect.”

Already a popular tourist attraction on the central coast, La Purisima Mission has stood for over two centuries and contains a rich history.

“The convent scenes were all filmed at Mission La Purisima,” says David Bolton, California Missions Foundation Executive Director. “The chapel, the colonnade, all of the surrounding areas allowed for the entire convent scenes.”

The filmmakers wanted to capture the authentic atmosphere, and they also wanted to avoid having to film a key scene with any special effects, and that made La Purisima’s neighboring hills an ideal practical location.

“Bob is driving up the hill and looking down at the mission,” says Jurgensen. “Like we really wanted to do that practically so that we could use a hill that would look down on the mission so that we, you know, didn’t have to green screen.”

During the two weeks of filming in the summer of 2024, cast and crew were booked at several of Lompoc’s hotels.

Jurgensen made sure to make a shout-out to his family from the Oscar stage: “Love to my parents and my sisters who are up in the balcony somewhere.”

La Purisima’s visitor center is open for tours most days of the week, showcasing the rich history that goes back much further than last night’s Oscar-Winning film.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics received a major boost from the Wyatt family of Montecito.

The family contributed $5 million toward a new medical facility on the city’s Westside.

The three-story, 19,000-square-foot clinic is currently under construction and will significantly expand services for local residents who depend on the nonprofit network for care.

Once complete, the building will provide additional space for primary care, dental, and behavioral health services, helping meet growing demand from thousands of patients across the community.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – San Luis Obispo County celebrated on Monday the grand opening a new building that has been in the works for more than two decades, the new home for the Probation Department.

“This day represents so much,” said San Luis Obispo County Chief Probation Officer Tom Milder. “It represents a new beginning for the probation department in certain respects.”

Under unseasonably warm conditions, about 100 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was held at the site of the new building that’s located on Bishop Street, just off of Johnson Avenue.

The two-story structure is 34,000 in size and includes dozens of rooms and offices, along with modern amenities the Probation Department has not enjoyed at its previous headquarters.

“We’ve never had anything like it, said Milder. “It’s an amazing new space. It has space for all kinds of essential probation responsibilities, whether it’s training of staff, interview rooms, office space to meet with persons we’re responsible for, programing space where we can run cognitive behavioral groups and other interventions for those we work with, locker rooms for staff. Key pieces to our public safety responsibility. There’s an armory, there’s an evidence room. There’s a safety equipment room. All modern, safe, secure.”

The new building is located essentially next door to the old Probation Department building that dates back to the 1940’s.

According to the County, the old site was woefully antiquated and severely lacking in the size, space and scope needed for the department to meet its needs.

“It’s a very old building and in fact is due to be torn down afterwards,” said Milder. “The County could no longer even put money into that building. It wasn’t worth it. We needed this new space and in lieu of repurposing something else that wasn’t going to maximize the efficiencies and the public safety contributions we have as a department, the County chose to invest in this, and we are extremely grateful for that.”

With the new building now finished, the County said the $40 million facility will enhance public safety, as well as support its rehabilitative mission.

“It’s really is more than a building,” said Matt Pontes, San Luis Obispo County Chief Executive Officer. “This is an investment in efficiency. It’s an investment in our staff. It’s an investment safety for the community that we do business with. It’s an opportunity for staff to be more efficient. We’re consolidating three separate operations into one facility. We hope that it facilitates more communication and better serves the public. We’ve got it kind of set up here to be a safe facility and we’re really excited about it.”

Another key component to the new building is that it keeps the Probation Department within the same location, close to many other nearby related services along the Johnson Avenue area.

“This facility really is kind of our jewel of the campus now,” said Pontes. “This campus is put together and it was designed from the time which the county started investing it with the old hospital, in really trying to have our services close to each other and close to the public that we serve. I think one of the important things is really locating this new modern facility within the campus of other health like operations that we have. We have the Public Health Department here on campus. We have Welcome Home Village coming online soon. We have the sobering center. We have. some of the Public Health, Environmental Health and really trying to create a campus where our community can go get the services they need in an efficient manner.”

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