Category: keyt-local-news

Jarrod Zinn

AVILA BEACH, Calif. – Many people have their eyes on our coast this weekend to beat the heat.

Businesses are hoping for an influx of customers at Avila Beach, but there’s some construction that people need to be aware of.

Highway 101’s interchange ramps at Avila Beach Drive and Shell Beach Road are closed for another month as part of the county’s plan to ease traffic congestion.

“It’s been a lighter week for sure,” says Jack Kesselring, Peloton Cellars’ tasting room attendant. “And as we get into the down season, I’m sure it’s going to become more and more impactful, just less of the locals coming up here, less people coming from out of town to visit. Now, that school started.”

A roundabout and a park-n-ride are in the works, causing detours to San Luis Bay Drive to the north or Spyglass Road to the south.

“It’s still wonderful down here,” says Kesselring. “It’s nice, right in the mid seventies where it’s always at. We get that nice little breeze that comes through, keep stuff cool. All of our buildings around here have A.C. as well.”

Local businesses remain open, and though they are feeling some impacts from the construction project, they look forward to a bustling weekend due to the higher temperatures.

“We like to come to Avila,” says Paxton Dahmer, who is visiting from Texas with his family to attend a wedding. “There’s just so much to do. Beyond that, you know, the chance to, to get out of the hustle and bustle of San Luis is always a good thing.”

The roundabout will be completed and open for use September 26th, and the second phase of the overall project, the park-n-ride, will be completed in January of 2026.

Locals say the detours are quite efficient and while it may look like they’re causing backups, it’s really only a couple extra minutes to your drive and Avila Beach will be cooler this weekend than communities further inland.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A new high school football season kicks off Friday night across the Central Coast, and with it comes a milestone for a local tradition. Friday Football Focus returns to KEYT NewsChannel 3 for its 40th season of covering the region’s biggest games.

The long-running show has been part of five decades of high school football coverage, with highlights stretching from Paso Robles to Camarillo. Sports Director Mike Klan has been with the program for most of its run, guiding the weekly showcase of touchdowns, tackles and student-athlete stories.

“We all know Friday nights are more fun under stadium lights,” Klan said.

San Marcos head coach Ralph Molina said the atmosphere is unmatched.

“Nothing better than Friday nights,” Molina said. “We have kids that don’t even sit. They are literally at the rails screaming the whole game. There is nothing better than high school football. Basketball is great, baseball too, but you get that whole crowd out here, especially at home.”

One of those players now stepping into the spotlight is San Marcos senior Brody Green. A standout in basketball and track, Green decided to join the football team for the first time this year.

“Sitting in the stands the last three years I always just had an itch to play,” Green said. “I didn’t want to live life without experiencing it, so I decided to make it happen.”

At Santa Barbara High School, head coach Nate Mendoza is entering his third year leading the Dons.

Mendoza, a member of Lompoc’s 2002 CIF championship team, previously coached six years at Dos Pueblos before a brief break from football.

“I kind of stepped out of administration, going back to teaching. It was a no brainer for me because I want to coach football,” Mendoza said. “These Friday nights are special. You don’t know about them unless you are a part of it.”

Senior lineman Malachi Johnston, who recently committed to play at Cal Poly, said he is grateful for one more year in the Friday night atmosphere.

“I am a very, very lucky guy to get to play with all of these kids in this atmosphere on this field,” Johnston said. “It is a pretty great experience.”

Over four decades, Friday Football Focus has captured the spirit of high school football in the 805, featuring dozens of future NFL players and countless memorable moments. The show has even drawn cameos from celebrities and sports legends, including Randall Cunningham, Jack Johnson and Garth Brooks.

Faces, graphics and video formats have changed since the show debuted, but the energy remains the same. As Klan put it: the lights come on, the crowd roars, and high school football takes center stage.

Friday Football Focus airs at 11:10 p.m. every Friday on KEYT NewsChannel 3 after the games.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – High school football highlights as the 2025 season kicks off.

Segment One: Santa Barbara 21, Camarillo 14: Lompoc 17, Nipomo 7: Santa Ynez 43, Dos Pueblos 22: San Marcos 35, Del Sol 0

Segment Two: Righetti 56 Santa Maria 0: Tulare Union 27, St. Joseph 24: Independence 47, Pioneer Valley 0

Segment Three: Cabrillo 31, Selma 14

Segment Four: Moorpark 43, Rio Mesa 13: Agoura 45, Oak Park 28

More Scores:

Bishop Diego 42, Lancaster 40

Pacifica 59, West Ranch 17

St. Bonaventure 19, St. Francis 7

Mission Prep 22, Oxnard 19

Saugus 35, Buena 16

Fillmore 49, Royal 3

Santa Paula 45, Grace 34

Taft 20, Nordhoff 17

Thousand Oaks 44, Hueneme 6

Viewpoint 27, Channel Islands 0

Millikan 49, Newbury Park 20

Westlake 38, Golden Valley 14

Calabasas 37, Bishop Alemany 34

Chaminade 42, Oaks Christian 27

Valencia 28, Simi Valley 7

Firebaugh 33, Santa Clara 7

Golden West 35, Arroyo Grande 28

Kingsburg 24, Paso Robles 14

San Luis Obispo 31, Mt. Whitney 0

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura Police officers arrested a 27-year-old Ventura man for robbing a 64-year-old Ventura man at Sunnyway Dr. and North Ventura Ave. just after 10:00 a.m. Friday.

The 27-year-old demanded the 64-year-old’s wallet and punched the older man when he did not give it to him, according to the VPD.

The younger man fled on foot after stealing personal property, leaving the older man injured, though he later declined medical treatment, according to the VPD.

VPD officers eventually found the 27-year-old two hours later and recovered the 64-year-old’s stolen property.

VPD officers later arrested the 27-year-old for robbery and booked him into the Ventura County Jail.

Those with more information on the incident are asked to contact the VPD.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For many unhoused residents, accessing services at the Faro Center in Santa Barbara has become difficult.

“I feel it’s kind of another stab of the homeless because we do have to go out and you know look for them,” said unhoused resident Anthony of Santa Barbara.

After complaints from neighbors about loitering, smoking, trespassing, and other issues, the center – located on Chapala Street – changed from offering walk-in services to appointment only.

The center says daily visits have dropped from around 70 to just 20.

Hot meals have been replaced with snack bags, and the syringe program has ended.

for those without a referral, there’s confusion and uncertainty about who can get in and when.

“I wish I could gain access between 12 and 3. But there was a time when there were occasionally open till five that’s perfect for me,” said unhoused resident Wilfred of Santa Barbara.

“For example, it’s half the time you have to make an appointment and if you have someone who would just go there to charge their cell phone and take a nap. people can’t do that … so it’s pretty much about half of what it used to be,” said Anthony.

City Net is now helping residents navigate the new system.

“We provide outreach to the community to set up appointments for SB Act and the Faro Center … we have a full-time case manager here … is scheduled by appointments one by one to be able to help him with documents, ID, social security card … any information we can to help them get off the streets,” said regional program supervisor Al Ortiz of City Net.

City Net plans to continue helping those in need of appointments at the faro center.

For now, residents are doing their best to get by under the new system.

“The Faro Center is still the best in town for homelessness … even now,” said Anthony.

The FARO Center in Santa Barbara has rolled out major changes this month, sparking concern among homeless residents and service providers.

As of August 1, the center shifted to an appointment-only model under direction from the City of Santa Barbara. The change has sharply reduced daily visits — from about 70 people a day to roughly 20. Guests must now be referred by a service provider or government agency, or have a scheduled appointment before walking through the doors.

Along with the shift in access, several core services have been cut back. Hot meals are no longer served, replaced instead with snack bags. The syringe safety program has ended. New expectations and guidelines for clients are now in place, while daytime security continues onsite.

Some homeless residents say the new structure makes it harder to get help.

Non-profit City Net is assisting people in navigating the referral process, but frustrations remain. “It’s tough for someone living on the street to manage appointments,” one outreach worker explained.

SB ACT, which has operated FARO since its opening in 2023, acknowledged that serving fewer people each day is difficult but says the commitment to guests has not changed. “Every person who comes in still receives the same care, respect, and welcome that have always defined FARO,” said Executive Director Rich Sander in a letter to supporters.

According to SB ACT, the center has welcomed nearly 1,300 unique guests in its first year and helped 101 people move into housing, with many more connected to behavioral health care, workforce training, and other services.

Looking ahead, the city plans to issue a Request for Proposals to determine which organization will run FARO moving forward. SB ACT says it will apply, stressing that continuity of care and trust with clients are key.

For now, the changes have left many unhoused residents uncertain about what comes next.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A popular barber shop is celebrating a major milestone in Santa Barbara.

This month marks the Members Only Barber Shop’s 30th anniversary on State Street.

Owner Henry Franco opened his doors in 1995 and built the shop into a neighborhood hub.

The barbershop is known for its classic style mixed with Franco’s artwork on display throughout the space.

“Everybody is so, what’s so great about it … I say I get to be able to talk to everybody about the community and i get to be part of the community and it’s just a great feeling to be involved with it,” said Franco.

To mark the anniversary, the shop will hosted a celebration on Saturday from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Members Only Barber Shop on State Street.

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. – The world’s largest cornhole tournament brought competitors and fans to Ventura.

The Throw Down, which got its start as a block party outside Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company in 2010, is now a three-day competition at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The competition location is known for its ocean breeze.

Organizers added more levels of competition, mixed martial arts, a Nitro Circus motocross demonstration, and a classic car show to the event.

Teams came from far and wide, and celebrities took part too.

“We do have Shemar Moore, we have 16 different celebrities here on Saturday to play on a live ESPN tournament,” said event spokesperson Mary Osborne. “They played for their charity of choice, and they played for Industry Horror, which is our local Ventura charity. We had all these amazing people from all over fly into Ventura to party and play cornhole.”

Industry Horror is a nonprofit clothing company that helps and inspires people on the spectrum.

Cornhole players and fans dined on Spencer Makenzie’s fish tacos and more.

They took photos with a giant cornhole board and enjoyed bands and DJs.

If anyone is interested in entering next year they can visit https://thethtrowdowncornholetournament.com

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Andie Lopez Bornet

MONTECITO, Calif. – It’s the event that keeps bringing people back every year with their furry friends.

The 4th annual Miramar Best in Show took place on Sunday under warm skies, giving competitors the chance to win the coveted title of Best in Show.

The event was presented by STAUD, a Los Angeles lifestyle brand that shares a love of animals and offers customers pet portraits on select STAUD pieces.

“We started a line of hand-painted pet bags during COVID,” said STAUD President Jon Zieders. “And a year after we started that line, we came here (Miramar Best in Show) during summer, and it seemed like a natural fit. So it’s our third year sponsoring the event, and pets mean a lot to our entire organization.”

Returning hosts included actress, comedian and singer Jane Lynch.

“Seeing everybody with their dogs and knowing that we’re supporting the Humane Society here in Santa Barbara—and look at it, everybody looks so cute in their garden wear—I love it. It’s my second year doing this, and I just adore it,” said Lynch.

Rosewood Miramar Hotel managing director Rick Fidel also returned, never disappointing with his grand entrance.

The judging panel included American actress and model Camilla Belle and STAUD President Jon Zieders.

Your NewsChannel caught up with one participant before the show who explained her and her dog’s attire.

“This little guy wasn’t able to come to our wedding last year,” said participant Kayla Hogue, who wore a bridal veil while her dog sported a tuxedo bandana. “So we’re humoring him today and going to have a little walk down the aisle, a little first dance, and a first kiss.”

A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Santa Barbara Humane and Love Leo Rescue, based in Los Angeles.

A spotted Dalmatian friend took home the grand prize of Best in Show.

Other categories included Best Trick, Spectators’ Choice, and Best Look.

“My son is very creative and a great speaker, and he was like, ‘Let’s make it really fun, we want to stand out,'” said Dani Hoffman, who won Best Look with her family dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz. “So we decided we wanted to do something different and stand out. My husband and I were really nervous, but we went all in.”

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Christer Schmidt

PASO ROBLES, Calif. – Fire crews responded to a structure fire on Ladera Lane in Paso Robles on Sunday morning after a lithium battery caught fire inside a garage.

The blaze broke out around 10:15 a.m. Crews were able to remove the battery storage and isolate the hazard from the home.

Units, including hazmat teams, remained on scene to ensure the batteries were fully extinguished after being moved to the front driveway of the house.

No injuries were reported.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A series of small fires shut down Highway 154 between Highway 192 in Santa Barbara and Paradise Road in Santa Ynez just after 8:00 a.m. Saturday, according to the CHP.

Multiple spot fires on Paradise Road off Highway 154 brought out Santa Barbara County Fire and Los Padres National Forest crews Saturday morning. Later, another fire broke out on San Marcos Pass near West Camino Cielo, forcing a full highway closure.

The landmark Cold Spring Tavern was also closed due to the road shutdown from fire activity on San Marcos Pass but reopened Sunday.

Highway 154 reopened just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday, according to Caltrans.

Multiple spot fires on Paradise Road off Highway 154 brought out Santa Barbara Co. Fire. and Los Padres National Forest crews Saturday morning. Later there was a fire on San Marcos Pass by West Camino Cielo that shut the highway down. (Photos: Nick DuMong) pic.twitter.com/v52u8KdoML

— John Palminteri (@JohnPalminteri) August 25, 2025

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