Category: keyt-local-news

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Channel Island Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) made a heroic rescue of a subadult sea lion with a monofilament line imbedded in its neck off of a buoy in the Santa Barbara Harbor Wednesday.

The Lil’ Toot boat, which tours by there daily, was actively involved in calming the sea lion down because the mammal is familiar with that vessel and crew Captain Milo Wolf.

This effort began two months ago at the docks in the harbor.

At that time the sea lion was in the middle multiple adult sea lions, including large bulls and could not be reached.

After a few weeks, the group disbanded and the entangled sea lion relocated to the buoy.

Ken Hughes is a CIMWI Volunteer on the team and said, “the animal was so used to us trying to approach it  that it would run , but it was used to Milo every day so he was able to allow us to get closer.”

CIMWI was able to successfully use a pole syringe to administer sedation.

This partially put the sea lion to sleep.

Dr. Sam Dover is the CIMWI Chief Veterinarian who helped to lift the 200 pound mammal into an inflatable. He said the sea lion was “mildly sedated.  He was was sleeping on the surface. The Toot, he sees it every day so that made it simple and we were about to get medication into him.”

The fishing line was digging into the sea lion’s neck and getting covered up with muscle because the mammal was feeding. Others have been found with deeper impacts and health failure. “We get them all the time on the beach in various stages. This one was very serious,” said Dover.

Then volunteers transferred it to the dock where it was put in a crate.

It is now at the CIMWI center at Gaviota for rehabilitation.

Wolf came in on his day off more than once to help out with the early morning rescue attempts.

“I was so happy I almost cried. We have been trying to catch him for two months. I am really, really glad! I could hardly sleep last night worrying about this operation,” said Wolf.

The sea lion could be in good health again and released within a month.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A Santa Paula man was sentenced to served 22 years in state prison for molestation charges of two underage victims. On June 22, 2026, Leonel Galindo Galindo pleaded guilty to eight counts of lewd acts upon a child and admitted the aggravating factor that he took advantage of a position of trust and confidence.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office says between 2018 and 2020, Galindo molested two victims under the age of 14 on multiple occasions within their own home. The DA says Galindo was known to the victims and used his position of trust to take advantage of them.

“The defendant relied on silence and fear to shield him from accountability,” said Senior DeputyDistrict Attorney Emily Reber. “But the courage of the survivors proved stronger than both. Thissentence reflects their strength and the justice they fought so hard to obtain.”

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new study from UC Santa Barbara suggests that people’s perceptions about who works in a job may influence how much they believe that job should pay.

Researchers presented participants with descriptions of the same occupation but varied information about the workforce. When participants believed a larger share of women worked in the role, they consistently assigned it a lower salary.

The findings suggest that gender stereotypes may shape how work is valued, even when the job itself does not change.

Researchers report the study offers insight into one factor that may contribute to the persistent gender pay gap.

They hope the research encourages employers to use clear, consistent compensation practices that focus on the responsibilities and qualifications required for a position rather than assumptions about who typically performs the work.

For more information, visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0276562426000429

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The show will go on at the 100-year-old Lompoc Theatre thanks to a philanthropic gift of $6 million.

This is the largest singular, private donation the theater has ever received.

Santa Barbara’s very own Cheryl Goldberg, a technology executive and arts philanthropist continues to carry out her late husband’s legacy, and this is her latest benefaction.

After a recent personal tour of the Lompoc Theatre, which first opened in 1927 and has rested dormant for over 20 years, Goldberg is helping the theatre move closer to curtains up.

“Her first time in Lompoc was coming to tour this theater,” says Mark Herrier, Lompoc Theatre Project’s executive director. “And she was so compelled that she said she had to be a part of it.”

Her philanthropic donation in the amount of $6 million kicks the theater’s restoration project into high gear.

“I can’t tell you what it means to all of us to have that kind of attention and resources made available,” says Joan Hartmann, District 3 Supervisor for the County of Santa Barbara.

In 2027 the theater’s centennial season will begin in what they call the black box configuration.

“We will be opening the theater to performances on that very stage in the spring of 2027, when we complete our phase two,” says Herrier.

This black box or “cabaret” design will be an 80 seat venue enclosed within the stage, that can facilitate anything from music bands to stand up comics, or even seminars or classes, while the restoration continues on the auditorium.

“We have assembled a team that is as good as any in the country and might say any in the world,” Herrier says.

Then in 2028, the goal is to complete the entire 450-seat auditorium where large-scale productions can perform with state-of-the-art equipment.

“For Lompoc, it’s our most diverse community in the county, and so it provides a place to showcase these different cultures and feel connected to each other,” says Hartmann.

Directors of the theater and community leaders are bursting with excitement and gratitude to Cheryl Goldberg.

“There is nothing that transforms a central downtown core in the country more than restoring its original hometown historic theater,” says Herrier.

Project leaders say $5 million of the donation will go to construction, and the remaining one million will establish a performing arts fund, which will secure programming at the theater for about eight years.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – In what feels like a strange sense of deja vu, another vehicle crashed into a business here in Santa Barbara county, with luckily no injuries reported.

Just around 7:00am Thursday morning, a Toyota Corolla crashed through the front windows of Pet House, a local pet store located inside the Calle Real Marketplace in Goleta. This comes just days after another vehicle crashed into a toy store in Montecito.

The store was not open at the time, and Santa Barbara County Fire Department confirmed there were no injuries to report.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Santa Barbara City College’s Raíces program is scheduled to close on Friday, July 31.

SBCC President and Superintendent Dr. Erika Endrijonas said the Federal Hispanic Serving Institutions Title V grant money is done.

There is no longer funding through the grant for staffing or the program.

For the past 3 years the center, located on the second floor of the West Campus Center has offered on and off campus resources, and advising hours.

It also hosted special events throughout the year.

All the students impacted have been contacted and most are being serviced by other programs on campus.

SBCC said this is a temporary pause, not a permanent closure as the search for new funding continues.

For more information visit https://www.sbcc.edu

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SUMMERLAND, Calif. (KEYT) Drivers are felling the impacts of the war in Iran when it comes to fuel prices.

Global oil prices are near 90 dollars a barrel.

That is up six percent.

Regular unleaded is are between $5.40 and $5.95 a gallon at some stations in Carpinteria and Summerland.

And some stations have their pumps covered in red or yellow bags while they wait for more deliveries.

Commuters can’t help but notice.

“It is not good theses days, said Ramon Maldonado of Oxnard.

But like many drivers he know where the to find the best prices.

“This gas station Pointe is one of the best cheapest,” said Maldonado.

He also carpools to save on gas.

“I carpool I go from Oxnard all the way to Goleta sometimes.”

One person who didn’t want to talk about the costs let his dog sit in the front seat while he filled the tank.

Tourists passing by the station in Summerland said it costs even more in San Francisco.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) People lined up on opening day to enter the Ventura County Fair.

People seemed to get the memo to bring clear bags as security is high.

Even though the fairgrounds are next to the beach and it’s known for ocean air it can get pretty hot on the asphalt.

“I brought my umbrella today because I have been to this fair so many times and am always look for shade,” said Clover Robison.

The Ventura resident came prepared in other ways, too.

“We got the fair pass I’m going be here as many times as I can I pre-saled all like the wristbands, because I was like lets do the rides I am here for the fun.”

Fun is in the 2026 “Find Your Fun” theme this year that is printed on programs, posters and banners over the fairgrounds.

Some people cooled off on the Big Splash roller-coaster that ends with a splash in the water.

People can find cooler temperatures inside the exhibit halls.

That is where they can see prize-winning photography, home arts, including, quilts, table settings, cakes and jams and jellies.

On the first day of the fair some people went strait to the carnival games and won stuffed animals.

“I traded in 2 small beavers to win this beaver I won it by playing darts,” said Sophie Lipp of Westlake.

She even won a prize for her friend.

Most people don’t leave empty handed.

“We came actually specifically for plumerias,” said Michael Harold of Camarillo,” It is the first time we will have been here in 40 years, so we saw they were going to be here, and we came, my mom is inside waiting for me.”

As soon as Harold fit the giant plumeria and other purchases in his car in the fair parking lot he headed back in to enjoy all that the fair has to offer.

People can also park and ride free shuttles around the community.

This year the fair opens at noon each day and stays open until 11 p.m.

The concert line up begins at 7:30 p.m. with Bush.

For more information visit https://venturacountyfair.org

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The newest event hosted by Old Spanish days event is set for Thursday afternoon, and due to the community interest, the hours have already been expanded.

It is called “Fiesta in Montecito.” It takes place on a specially decked out area of Coast Village Road from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The timeline was expanded this week to add more dancing and to give the public more time to enjoy the festivities.

The performance area will be in the inner parking area near the shops, restaurants and businesses at Middle Road.

Decorations are already up on many of the buildings along with banner signs along the street.

Among the dance performers will be the Spirit of Fiesta Jenna Ramirez and the Junior Spirit of Fiesta Penny Hernandez.

El Presidente Colin Hayward says, “we will have strolling mariachi’s. We will have dancing. We will have singing. The restaurants along Coast Village Road are thrilled to have us and we are thrilled to be there. This is a long time (coming) and we are back with Fiesta in Montecito.”

Prior to the festivities there will be a poster signing event with artist Pedro de la Cruz.

It will take place at the Sunstone Lounge on Coast Village Road near Olive Mill Road.

This Saturday there will be the annual Presidente party at the Santa Barbara Club.

There will be dance performances, past presidents and an auction of two custom fiesta posters on metal plates. They have been uniquely prepared with special lettering on one in white and the other in green.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) – The Lompoc city council is directing its staff to obtain more information about the Santa Barbara County Association Of Governments’ most recent regional growth forecast.

The city council feels the county is underestimating the growth coming from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The issue is over conclusions of an economic forecast by the Santa Barbara County Association Of Governments (SBCAG).

It forecasts moderate growth in the northern part of the county, and most of that happening further north in the Santa Maria Valley, over the next 25 years.

“Some people don’t think the base is going to happen,” mayor Mosby said at last Tuesday’s city council meeting. “The people at the base say it’s going to happen.”

Mosby has issues with conclusions in the county’s most recent growth forecast, saying the numbers presented don’t align with current reality.

“A lengthy report,” says mayor Mosby. “My concern was, it’s been reported on and on that more than 10,000 jobs are coming to the base, was not truly recognized in this report.”

He voted no when the report was accepted by the county council of governments back in June, and now is raising this issue with his city council.

“When that happens, it’ll push up our demand on our housing,” the mayor says. “And if we don’t recognize that, we can’t use that data in support of building more housing for the jobs that are coming into our valley.”

Concerns focus on the report not reflecting factors such as growth at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and new developments announced within his city.

“I believe what’s happening is the county supervisors as the majority, and block voting the way they do, they’re not going to recognize what’s happening in our valley, and we will be misrepresented of what we have been told by multiple generals that this is happening,” Mosby says.

So, the city council now wants the data in that forecast re-evaluated.

“We’re going to need to create a community consensus that this planning has to take place on a regional basis, not just individual communities,” says 3rd District supervisor for Santa Barbara county Joan Hartmann. “Lompoc really has to realize its vast potential and be a place where people want to live.”

Mayor Mosby also sites decades-old restrictions on annexation for development within the Lompoc city limits.

“In one move in 1978, they eliminated 7642 home sites and approximately 292 acres of light industrial commercial land around Lompoc,” says Mosby. “It’d be nice if the county just leaves Lompoc alone or let Lompoc plan its own destiny, its own future, instead of the real outsiders trying to control our destiny.”

Supervisor Hartmann says a working group is being established to create a north county vision, locating areas for housing and infrastructure as well as amenities to make the whole county appealing to live and work in.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.