Category: keyt-local-news

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Highlighted by Hamad Mousa’s All-Big West first team inclusion and the addition of Cayden Ward and Peter Bandelj as honorable mention selections, the Cal Poly men’s basketball program enjoyed its best all-conference showing 19 years on Tuesday.

Mousa, the Big West’s leading scorer at 20.4 points per game and just the second Mustang in program history to reach 600 points in one season, became Cal Poly’s first All-Big West first team selection since Chris Eversley during the 2012-13 season.

Ward and Bandelj, meanwhile, provided Cal Poly its highest total of All-Big West selections since four Mustangs earned honors for the program’s 2006-07 Big West Championship runner-up season.

Mousa, a double-digit scorer in all but one of his 31 appearances, ranks 26th among NCAA Division I players with 20.4 points per game. He’s also 20th nationally with 175 total free throws and 67th with 84 three-pointers.

Enjoying four 30-plus point games and 13 of 20-plus points, Mousa – with 15 points at UC Irvine (March 5) – became just the second Mustang and first since Stuart Thomas during the 1990-91 season to surpass 600 points in one year. He next requires just 28 points to overtake Thomas’s single season record of 658 points. Mousa also ranks second in single season history with 175 free throws – three behind the program record of 178 by Thomas (1990-91) – fourth with 84 three-pointers, fifth with 220 three-point attempts, eighth with an 87.6 percent free throw mark and 11th with 186 field goals.

Ward has scored in double digits 25 times this year and ranks 10th among Big West players with 14.6 per game. He scored a career best 28 points in Cal Poly’s Nov. 20 win at Utah, matched the total versus Long Beach State (Feb. 26) and produced a pair of double-doubles during the regular season. Cal Poly’s co-leading rebounder with 6.3 boards per game, Ward ranks seventh among Big West players alongside Mousa.

Bandelj, Cal Poly’s third leading scorer at 13.2 points per game, also ranks fifth among Big West performers with an 86.5 (109-for-126) percent free throw mark. A 21-time double-digit scorer, Bandelj’s career high 37-point performance at Cal State Fullerton (Dec. 4) included a program record nine three-pointers. He’s also Cal Poly’s top distributor, ranking seventh in the Big West at 3.4 assists per game.

As a program, eighth-seeded Cal Poly – winners of five of its last seven to close the regular season – faces No. 5 UC San Diego in the Big West Championship opening round on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

(Article courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics)

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon read a statement of values to the Santa Barbara City Council in an effort to re-affirm its commitment to the community in the midst of Federal Immigration Enforcement Activities.

Speakers urged the council to stand with the people and do more.

They commented on the recent assault of residents.

Councilmembers have already adopted a resolution condemning aggressive and non-transparant ICE tactics.

A speaker urged the council to strengthen the past resolution.

A member of Indivisible Santa Barbara asked the council to continue the subject to improve the drafting and tone of value statement.

After Councilmember Mike Jordan walked out without explanation, the remaining councilmembers voted to direct staff to bring back audit information that could help police maintain trust at a future council meeting.

Click here to follow the original article.

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Santa Barbara City Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting legislation for a California Climate Superfund.

They also received a Waterfront Adaption Plan update on coastal erosion and flooding hazard options.

Both will cost money, but the Superfund will make polluters pay.

State lawmakers tabled the issue until next year.

People of all ages voiced their support.

They included members of the Fearless Grandmothers and local high school and UCSB students.

CALPIRG students Jake Twomey, Hunter Maher and Sierra Ferrante applaud the efforts to pass the resolution.

They believe support from local communities will show the importance of the issue during a month that is likely to set heat records statewide.

Santa Barbara High School 10th grader Ethan Maday spoke, too.

“Young people are scared we are worried we are concerned about our future and we are always incredibly grateful when leaders like the council members here the county leader step up and go and do something we are very grateful for them for that,” said Maday.

The teen led a walkout the day the Santa Barbara County Supervisors approved similar resolutions.

“We had a walkout down the street at the Board of Supervisors building, a hundred walked out and protested and spoke and we got two resolutions done so I think that is pretty cool and it gives me, as a young person, some hope because we are scared, we are terrified we don’t know what the future looks like no generation has faced something where we might not have fresh water or housing, affordable housing.”

He also mentioned the war and other issues on the minds of his generation.

Catherine Gautier of Fearless Grandmothers said she is a Jesusita survivor who got sick from the environmental impacts.

She hopes waterfront plans will be funded by polluters paying into a superfund as climate issues rise.

Councilmember Eric Friedman who serves as the Finance Committee Chair said it could help communities cover costs.

“The Superfund resolution is really important this is going to have some significant costs associated with it, in terms of raising the breakwater or other hard costs that we won’t be able to pay for alone in Santa Barbara,” said Friedman.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new food truck in Santa Barbara is serving more than sandwiches.

The Good Samaritan Shelter has launched the “Good Samwich” food truck.

It’s parked at Old Mission Santa Barbara and will run as a culinary job training program.

Participants gain hands-on experience while working toward stable employment.

Organizers hope the project will create opportunity while serving the community.

Good Samaritan Shelter is excited to see the Good Samwich Food Truck has finally rolled out thanks to the gift of the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – 40 Italian Stone Pines have been planted to replace similar trees that have come down on Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.

Members of Santa Barbara Beautiful assisted in the work with the City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Department and Forestry Division. The non-profit contributed $2,700 to fund the project.

Some of the aging historic trees have fallen in harsh weather or due to old age and several areas were barren, after a canopy of trees once covered the route. In its prime, the route between Garden St. and Anapamu St. was a picturesque walk or drive and often written up by historians.

The new trees were grown in special pots to encourage root strength down in the ground, not out or under the sidewalk where future problems could occur. The trees are about three-years-old now.

The city has discussed the tree replacement for several years, including the possibility of changing the type of tree in this area. Some residents felt the Italian Stone Pines had a storied past that needed to be preserved and cultivated for the future.

They brought the issue to the city’s street tree advisory committee and eventually up to the Santa Barbara City Council where support was found to fill the gaps with the same type of tree. It preserves the history in the location that is of a value to the city and can be found in photos from about 100 years ago.

“The trees were here before the sidewalk, before the paving, they created this arcade that the infrastructure grew around,” said Rick Clossan who has spoken several times in favor of the new Italian Stone Pine trees.

Santa Barbara City Urban Forest Superintendent Nathan Slack says, “the trees won at the end of the day in the City of Barbara. That happens a lot and it is what makes the community super unique.”

For now they don’t look like the type of tree the public sees nearby, but they will. “They do look like Christmas trees so the new growth is widely different even to the point where the needles are in bundles like two, three and five and currently they are single,” said Slack.

Looking to the future, Closson said, “I have great hope for this and I hope to be around for another twenty years to see what it grows up to.”

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

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Board Of Supervisors honored the Santa Barbara County Fire Department this morning.

The department just hit the century mark.

Supervisors started their agenda with a resolution recognizing 100 years of the Fire Department’s service to Central Coast communities.

“Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this board of supervisors of the county of Santa Barbara does hereby recognize, honor, and celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, commending the department for a century of exceptional service, leadership, and innovation,” Chief Deputy Clerk of the Board Jacquelyne Alexander read the resolution. “Passed and adopted today.”

First established as the county’s Department Of Forestry in 1926, its name changed to the County Fire Department in 1956.

“Marking its evolution into a modern, all-hazards emergency response agency serving the diverse needs of Santa Barbara County,” Alexander continued reading.

Sponsored by county supervisor and board chair Bob Nelson, the resolution acknowledged the fire department’s environmental stewardship, emergency response, hazard mitigation, educational outreach efforts, and much more.

“There was quite a few ‘whereases’ but, this department really does have a strong culture, a strong history,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Department Chief Garrett Huff.

Supervisor Nelson interjected to acknowledge that sometimes leadership involves being versed in a team’s past accomplishments.

“I think all of us on the board got a chance to see Chief Huff’s appreciation for the history of this department, where it’s been,” said supervisor Bob Nelson. “And then obviously, that vision that he now has to hopefully take it into the future.”

Chief Garrett Huff received the honor at the Joseph Centenno Government Building in Santa Maria.

“So on behalf of the entire department, thank you for your continued support, and for recognizing this important milestone,” said Chief Huff. “Thank you for this beautiful resolution. Thank you.”

Chief Huff took office last December following Mark Hartwig’s retirement.

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.

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – American Airlines will end daily service from Santa Maria Airport (SMX) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on May, 7. 2026.

The announcement comes less than five months after the airline started daily service between the two airports on Oct. 15, 2025.

American Airlines said in a statement, “Service to Santa Maria, California (SMX) operated under the American Eagle banner in partnership with SkyWest Airlines. Unfortunately, flights to SMX did not meet performance expectations and SkyWest informed American it will discontinue service as of May 7.”

The company added it will “proactively reach out to impacted customers with alternate travel arrangements or a refund in line with American’s customer-friendly policies.”

For SMX and the City of Santa Maria, the decision is sure to be a significant disappointment.

When the new flight to PHX began last October, it marked the return of daily service at SMX for the first time since 2017.

However, when American leaves in early May, SMX will return to providing only twice-weekly commercial service through Allegiant Air and it’s long-running flight to Las Vegas.

Santa Maria Valley Chamber Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs Suzanne Singh, who has long helped in the efforts to bring air service to Santa Maria, said in a statement, “It’s unfortunate that the Airlines didn’t give Santa Marian’s a chance.”

In another statement provided to News Channel 3-12, Santa Maria Valley Chamber President/CEO Michael Boyer said, “While this is disappointing news for our community, it does not change the long-term value and potential of the Santa Maria Airport as a critical regional asset. Air service plays an important role in supporting economic development, tourism, and quality of life for residents and businesses throughout the Central Coast. We believe this is a moment for the airport, local leaders, business community, and regional partners to come together, stay proactive, and make a strong case for future commercial service. Santa Maria has real opportunity, and with a unified regional effort, we can work toward restoring service and strengthening connectivity for the future.”

News Channel 3-12 reached out to SMX management for reaction on the decision, but has yet to receive a response.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It was a feast fit for a champion.

The Bishop Diego High School girls basketball team was the guest of honor at the weekly Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon at Harry’s.

The Cardinals won the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 championship over Burroughs 42-41 in a title game thriller. Eden Wynne hit the game-winner with 6 seconds to play. They finished the season at 27-5.

Five awards were handed out at the luncheon highlighted by Laguna Blanca High School junior Carolina Duron Angeles saluted as the school’s Phil Womble Ethics in Sports recipient.

The junior plays basketball for the Owls and is a 3-time All-Tri-Valley League performer and carries a 3.88 GPA.

Four Athlete of the Week Awards were given since there was no luncheon last week.

Three of the four winners are from Dos Pueblos High School.

Brandon Velasquez was the only wrestler in the Santa Barbara-area to advance to CIF-State where he went 1-2 which included an upset win over the #4 ranked competitor in the 157-pound division.

DP freshman baseball player Matti Di Maggio who hit 3 home runs with 5 rbi to lead the Chargers to a 3-0 record last week.

Chargers softball player Emily Morici pitched DP to two wins with 14 strikeouts and she also went 4-for-8 at the plate.

The lone winner not from DP was Carpinteria track and field athlete Vivian Huskins.

She led the Warriors to a win over Santa Paula as she captured the 100-meter and 200-meter individual races and then led her team to a victory in the 4×100-meter relay race.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Some four-legged friends have now been given a chance to experience a boat trip as part of their future work with Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The Saturday morning ride was on board the Lil’ Toot and Celebration Cruises at the Santa Barbara harbor.

Six dogs, a mix of retrievers and labradors, were in training to get them comfortable with the movement of the ocean – not just in the harbor, but a short distance out where there’s a light swell.

It’s part of the work with guide dogs for the blind to give them locations they may go to when they are paired up with their new owner.

Vicki Lyons Wait with Guide Dogs for the Blind was on board with her pup and with other inquisitive dogs and their owners.

“We want to socialize them in all ways possible. So we want to take them on a boat, we want to take them golfing, we want to take them to the bowling alley, to the movies, and all those things so that when the person has the dog, the dog is ready to go.”

She says the dogs want to be helpful. “These dogs are bred to be working dogs and they just want to be with us and they want to please.”

The dogs were on a one-hour cruise and part of it included a stop by the near shore buoy off of Stearns Wharf where they got a close up look at some sea lions. Some of the dogs got up on the seats and seemed very interested.

The dogs enjoyed the trip and passed their test with wagging tails on and off the Lil’ Toot.

After about 13 to 15 months of training they are ready to be paired up with a visually impaired owner.

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.

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A recently-completed project has helped modernize and refresh nearly all of the libraries across the Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD).

According to the district, the project has provided school libraries with several new improvements, including:

Complete Shelving Replacement: Battles, Fesler, Miller, Arellanes Elementary, Liberty, and Ontiveros received full shelving overhauls.

Mobile Flexibility: Almost all district sites were equipped with updated mobile shelving to allow for versatile use of library space.

Enhanced Comfort: Select libraries received new tables, chairs, and soft seating to create a welcoming atmosphere for independent reading.

Dynamic Displays: New book displays, browsing bins, and rugs were added to highlight collections and encourage student discovery.

“Any time you can upgrade a space and make it more functional, you’re going to get more out of that experience,” Megan Lizalde, Santa Maria-Bonita School District Library Media Clerk. “When you’re coming in and you are visually pulled in and attracted to things, they’re going to be engaged, they’re going to pull those books out, they’re going to flip through the pages. They’re going to get excited. We try to really make our library multi-purpose and inviting throughout the day, so it just gets the kids excited to be in the space, which of course wants them excited about reading and learning. It’s just positive all the way around.”

In addition, each school site has received approximately 300 new books, which the district said will ensure students to reading materials that are fresh, relevant and diverse.

“We were really able to upgrade our library collections,” Stephanie Lowe, SMBSD Program Specialist for Library and Curriculum. “We weeded out outdated books and are providing new, more engaging books for our students, so that that’s probably one of the most exciting parts is being able to to give students new books. We want our students to be able to have updated information and to provide students with accurate, information and the formats of newer books, it’s really easy to see how more how much more engaging the books are.”

The upgrades totaled $1.3 million and were supported through the use of Title I funding, which is described by the U.S. Department of Education as supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families.

“This project is a testament to what happens when we align our resources with our vision for student success,” said Lowe. “Our libraries have evolved beyond their traditional role, becoming dynamic spaces where students’ curiosity thrives, students explore and connect, and a love of learning comes to life.”

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.