Category: keyt-local-news

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from Santa Barbara Unified School District regarding the appointment of its new Student Board Member for the 2025-2026 school year, Carlos Vasquez

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara Unified is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Vazquez, a senior at San Marcos High School, as its new Student Board Member for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Carlos will succeed Erick Gonzalez Ramirez, a recent graduate of Santa Barbara High School, who served with distinction during his term.

Carlos Vazquez brings a wealth of leadership experience and a strong commitment to student advocacy to his new role. As an active leader in his community, Carlos currently serves as a member of the Santa Barbara Youth Council, has been President of his AAPLE Academy class for the past three years, and is Co-President of the San Marcos MEChA chapter, an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Latino culture on campus.

Passionate about amplifying youth voices both in schools and across the broader community, Carlos is especially committed to fostering diverse and inclusive school environments where every student feels represented and supported. He hopes to focus on students and educators working collaboratively to build a culture of belonging, ultimately leading to academic success.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as the Student Board Member and represent the voices of students across our district,” said Carlos Vazquez. “I believe our students thrive when they feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued. I look forward to working with the School Board to promote inclusive, collaborative school communities where every student is supported and empowered to succeed.”

Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado extended a warm welcome to Carlos and expressed gratitude to the outgoing member. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Carlos Vazquez to the Santa Barbara Unified School Board. His dedication to student voice and his impressive leadership experience will be invaluable as we continue to work towards creating supportive and equitable learning environments for all our students,” said Dr. Maldonado. 

Carlos Vazquez’s term as Student Board Member will run throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Thousands of students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District returned to class Monday as district leaders pledged to prioritize both safety and learning in the new school year.

Superintendent Hilda Maldonado said the district is addressing concerns from families, including fears about the potential presence of federal immigration agents on school campuses. She emphasized that staff members have been trained on safety protocols designed to protect students.

“We will use our safety protocols to ensure we validate who’s here, what is their business, and do they really have a real reason to be here,” Maldonado said. “If not, we will not allow them to take any student or family from our campus. We know that fear is real. For us, having the students participate in a free public education is our main mission.”

District officials said they have also strengthened partnerships with community groups to provide additional resources for families. Leaders stressed that fear should not prevent students from accessing an education or feeling supported.

The Santa Barbara Teachers Association (SBTA) said educators share the district’s concerns about safety but want more specific guidance. “SBTA wants to see more leadership and guidance from Santa Barbara Unified so that educators and staff are better able to support our students and families,” said SBTA President York Shingle. “While we agree that we can’t predict every scenario, we need more specific training from our district leaders so we know what we can and can’t legally do if ICE tried to enter our campuses.”

Shingle said teachers are worried current protocols could inadvertently reveal student information. “For example, saying ‘I’m not sure if that student is here today’ actually communicates that the person named is a student at the campus,” he said. The association wants training on neutral responses such as, “I cannot confirm if anyone is a student at this site.” Teachers are also seeking clarification on what actions are legally acceptable if ICE agents do not follow district protocol, including whether shutting a classroom door is allowed.

For families choosing not to send children to campus, Santa Barbara Unified will continue offering online learning options, similar to the virtual classes provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

District leaders said their focus this year remains clear: keeping students safe and supported while delivering a strong academic experience.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the County of Santa Barbara Health Department, Animal Services regarding them seeking the community’s help as local shelters begin facility improvements

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) is calling on the community to help find temporary or forever homes for approximately 50 dogs from August 27 to September 30, 2025 as two shelters undergo major improvements.

Lompoc Animal Shelter Gets a Fresh New Look:

The Lompoc Animal Shelter is getting a long-awaited facelift, with fresh paint to create a brighter, more welcoming space for pets and visitors. During the renovation, the shelter will temporarily limit the capacity to just 20 dogs to ensure safely and reduce stress to the animals.

Santa Barbara Animal Shelter Play Yard Renovations:

Thanks to a generous grant from the ASPCA, in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBCACF), the Santa Barbara Animal Shelter’s play yards will be transformed into more functional, enriching spaces for dogs with a more inviting and comfortable place for visitors. The project will expand playgroup opportunities, reduce stress, and help dogs show off their best personalities to potential adopters. To accommodate the construction, the shelter will temporarily limit the capacity to just 30 dogs.

A Call to Action for Dog Lovers

To support these improvements, SBCAS is seeking foster families and adopters who can open their hearts and homes to dogs during this transition, for a month—or a lifetime. Foster care provides a loving, low-stress environment for dogs, while freeing up shelter space for construction and incoming animals in need.

“This is a unique moment where the community can directly help us improve the quality of life for shelter dogs — both now and for years to come,” said Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director. “By fostering or adopting this month, you’re not just helping one dog — you’re helping us create better spaces for every dog who comes through our doors.”

How to Help:

Foster: Provide a safe, temporary home for any of our shelter dogs until October SBCAS provides supplies, medical care, and support.

Adopt: Make the commitment permanent and give a dog a lifetime of love

Spread the Word: Share our posts and anyone who might be able to help.

Interested in fostering or adopting? Stop by any of our shelter locations to meet available dogs and get matched up!

Santa Maria Animal Center: 548 W Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Lompoc Animal Center: 1501 W Central Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436

Santa Barbara Animal Center: 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111

About Santa Barbara County Animal Services:

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is the leading animal welfare organization in Santa Barbara County, caring for over 6,000 pets in their shelters annually, and thousands of families across the community. SBCAS is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership and providing comprehensive animal care services to enhance the lives of both pets and people in the community. Through various programs and initiatives, the organization strives to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of animals.

About the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (SBCACF):

Founded in 2002, the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to giving every adoptable and treatable animal in Santa Barbara County a second chance at a loving home. In close partnership with Santa Barbara County Animal Services, SBCACF provides life-saving medical funding for abused, neglected, and injured shelter animals — covering everything from heartworm treatment and emergency surgeries to amputations. The foundation also funds essential equipment and supplies, ensuring the county’s three shelters have the resources needed to care for the most vulnerable pets. Through community support and steadfast commitment, SBCACF works tirelessly to create a more compassionate, caring future for animals in need.

About the ASPCA:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is one of the nation’s largest animal welfare grant makers, committed to providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals across the United States. Since 2001, the ASPCA has awarded more than $200 million in grants to over 4,000 animal welfare organizations, agencies, and programs — supporting everything from disaster response and emergency care to innovative pilot programs and best-practice implementation that improve the lives of animals nationwide.

Traducción al Español:

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCAS, por sus siglas en inglés) está haciendo un llamamiento a la comunidad para ayudar a encontrar hogares temporales o para siempre para aproximadamente 50 perros del 27 de agosto al 30 de septiembre de 2025 como dos refugios someterse a importantes mejoras.

El refugio de animales de Lompoc se renueva:

El refugio de animales de Lompoc recibe un esperado cambio de cara, con pintura fresca para crear un espacio más luminoso y acogedor para mascotas y visitantes. Durante la renovación, el refugio limitará temporalmente la capacidad a solo 20 perros para garantizar la seguridad y reducir el estrés de los animales.

Renovación del patio de recreo del refugio de animales de Santa Bárbara:

Gracias a una generosa subvención de la ASPCA, en colaboración con la Fundación para el Cuidado de los Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCACF), los patios de juego del Refugio de Animales de Santa Bárbara se transformarán en espacios más funcionales y enriquecedores para los perros, con un lugar más acogedor y cómodo para los visitantes. El proyecto ampliará las oportunidades de los grupos de juego, reducirá el estrés y ayudará a los perros a mostrar sus mejores personalidades a los posibles adoptantes. Para acomodar las obras, el refugio limitará temporalmente la capacidad a sólo 30 perros.

Una llamada al acción para los amantes de los perros

Para apoyar estas renovaciones, SBCAS busca familias de acogida y adoptantes que puedan abrir sus corazones y sus hogares a los perros durante esta transición, durante un mes o para toda la vida. La acogida proporciona un entorno afectuoso y poco estresante, y a la vez libera espacio del refugio para la construcción y la llegada de animales necesitados.

Cómo ayudar:

Acogida: Proporcionar un hogar seguro y temporal para uno de nuestros perros. SBCAS proporciona suministros, atención médica y apoyo.

Adopción: Haz un compromiso permanente y dale a un perro una vida de amor.

Corre la voz: Comparta nuestras publicaciones con quienes puedan ayudar.

¿Está interesado en acoger o adoptar? Pase por cualquiera de nuestras instalaciones para conocer a los perros disponibles y encontrarlos.

Santa Maria Animal Center: 548 W Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Lompoc Animal Center: 1501 W Central Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436

Santa Barbara Animal Center: 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Acerca de los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara:

Los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara es la organización líder en bienestar animal en el Condado de Santa Bárbara, cuidando a más de 6.000 mascotas en sus refugios anualmente, y a miles de familias en toda la comunidad. SBCAS se dedica a la promoción de la tenencia responsable de mascotas y la prestación de servicios integrales de cuidado de los animales para mejorar la vida de las mascotas y las personas en la comunidad. A través de diversos programas e iniciativas, la organización se esfuerza por garantizar la salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de los animales.

Acerca de la Fundación para el Cuidado de los Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara (SBCACF):

Fundada en 2002, la Fundación para el Cuidado de Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara es una organización sin ánimo de lucro 501(c)(3) formada exclusivamente por voluntarios y dedicada a ofrecer a todos los animales adoptables y tratables del condado de Santa Bárbara una segunda oportunidad de encontrar un hogar cariñoso. En estrecha colaboración con los Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara, SBCACF proporciona financiación médica para salvar la vida de los animales maltratados, abandonados y heridos del refugio, cubriendo todo, desde el tratamiento del gusano del corazón y cirugías de emergencia hasta amputaciones. La fundación también financia equipos y suministros esenciales, garantizando que los tres refugios del condado cuenten con los recursos necesarios para atender a las mascotas más vulnerables. Gracias al apoyo de la comunidad y a su firme compromiso, la SBCACF trabaja incansablemente para crear un futuro más compasivo y solidario para los animales necesitados.

Acerca de la ASPCA:

La Sociedad Americana para la Prevención de la Crueldad contra los Animales (ASPCA, por sus siglas en inglés) es una de las organizaciones de bienestar animal más importantes del país, comprometida a proporcionar medios eficaces para la prevención de la crueldad contra los animales en todo Estados Unidos. Desde 2001, la ASPCA ha concedido más de 200 millones de dólares en subvenciones a más de 4.000 organizaciones, agencias y programas de bienestar animal, apoyando desde la respuesta ante catástrofes y la atención de emergencia hasta programas piloto innovadores y la aplicación de las mejores prácticas que mejoran la vida de los animales en todo el país.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from Santa Barbara County Association of Governments regarding free rides on MTD Route 19X as the school year begins.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), will offer free rides on MTD Route 19X from August 25 to September 12, 2025.

The 19X provides fast, direct service between Carpinteria, Eastside Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara City College. SBCAG funds the express route that has been in operation since August 2023 to ease traffic during the construction of the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project.

“We want commuters to take advantage of the free 19X service as the Fall semester begins,” said Marjie KIRN, Executive Director of SBCAG. “The 19X route is a fast, convenient option between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara that also helps relieve the stress of traffic on Highway 101.”

The 19X Express Bus operates weekdays with limited stops to ensure faster travel times. Riders can view the full route schedule at https://sbmtd.gov/routes/19x/.

“Line 19X is a great route that provides an express one-seat ride to important destinations in our community. We are excited for SBCAG to cover free rides for three weeks, and encourage Carpinterians and Santa Barbarans to give it a try,” said Hillary Blackerby, planning and marketing manager at SBMTD. “This promotion helps us reach new riders and reward those who choose transit as part of their daily routine.”

The free fare promotion on the 19X is part of SBCAG’s “Try Transit” initiative, which encourages commuters to explore bus options. Riders on the 19Xwho register and log four trips at SmartRide.org between Aug. 25 to Sept. 12, 2025 will be entered to win free monthly passes on Santa Barbara MTD.

The “Try Transit” program is open to all commuters countywide, who can request 10 free rides by completing the pop-up form at SBCAG.org/transit.

For more information about free-fare promotion on 19X or ways to save money and try transit, email info@sbcag.org or call (805) 963-SAVE (7283).

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A homeless man in Santa Barbara says the heat has been brutal.

But help is making a difference.

Good Samaritan Shelter teams in South County are handing out water, ice packs, electrolytes, and cooling towels to people living on the streets.

Volunteers are stopping at parks, encampments, and transit hubs to reach as many people as possible.

For many homeless residents, the simple gift of cold water can mean the difference between comfort and crisis.

“Incredibly I can’t describe it. It’s a gift from God just showed up was on the beach. Had to go backwards because the sand is so dense … like life or death. I’m not joking either. It’s serious,” said David Anderson who is experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara.

These efforts are part of an ongoing push to protect vulnerable residents as extreme heat events become more frequent.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A new attraction at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is giving visitors the chance to step into the shoes of a ship captain.

The museum has launched a high-tech ship simulator that lets guests steer a vessel through changing ocean conditions.

Organizers say it combines history with hands-on adventure, making it both educational and fun.

Many visitors call it a one-of-a-kind experience they can’t find anywhere else on the Central Coast.

“Well, there’s nothing that is interactive as you know a lot of just reading that you actually get to experience being a vote. I think it’s wonderful. The technology is super cool,” said visitor Logan McGinnley of the Maritime Museum.

The museum says the simulator is already drawing new crowds and could become one of its most popular exhibits.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Sophie Otte is now the big hitter for Bishop Diego High School girls volleyball.

She had a career-high 16 kills to lead the Cardinals to a four-set win over Santa Barbara.

It’s believed to be the first time the Cardinals have beaten the Dons since 1975.

Last year Otte watched Eliana Urzua and Nicole Schuetz carry the Cardinals to a CIF-SS Division 3 championship match appearance. Those former stars are now at UCLA and LMU respectively.

Otte helped the Cardinals recover from a lopsided first set loss 11-25 to win the next three 25-20, 25-17, 25-22.

Otte had a key block late in the fourth set to set up match point.

With the win the Cardinals improved to 4-1 while the Dons fell to 1-2.

(Blake Saunders led Santa Barbara with 14 kills. Entenza Design).

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Some of the top UCSB men’s basketball players of all-time were upstairs training in the Thunderdome.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell had a joint training session.

Miles Norris was lifting weights on campus and he stopped by to say hi and take pictures with his former teammates.

“It’s players first program,” said UCSB head coach Joe Pasternack who coached all three players. “It’s awesome for our players to feel like this is home and they want to be out here in the summer training.”

Norris has played with several NBA organizations since leaving UCSB in 2023 and now he is headed to play in Barcelona, Spain.

“It’s a lot of ex-NBA guys, some really great players,” said Norris who helped UCSB make two NCAA Tournament appearances in the three seasons he played for the Gauchos. “The biggest thing for me probably is the atmosphere, you know the fans are pretty crazy and every game is competitive so I am excited for that.”

Norris was also thrilled to be back at UCSB.

“It’s great to be back seeing coach, some of the guys I have played with Ajay, Ajare(Sanni), Brandon(Cyrus), it’s good to see them, it’s been awhile so I miss my guys.”

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

Men’s College Soccer:

Oregon State 3, UCSB 0

San Jose State 2, Cal Poly 0

Women’s College Soccer:

UCSB 2, Cal Baptist 0

Cal Poly 0, Fresno State 0

High School:

Girls Volleyball:

Bishop Diego 3, Santa Barbara 1

Oaks Christian 3, San Marcos 2

Royal 3, Dos Pueblos 0

Villanova Prep 3, Laguna Blanca 0

Rio Mesa 3, Santa Paula 1

Agoura 3, Moorpark 2

Girls Flag Football:

Dos Pueblos 34, Lompoc 0

Buena 19, St. Bonaventure 7

Girls Tennis:

Cate 10, Dos Pueblos 8

Boys Water Polo:

Dos Pueblos 18, Arroyo Grande 10

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It’s that time of year for dog owners and dog lovers to attend the Miramar Best in Show in Montecito. The 4th annual event takes place at the hotel and is hosted by Rosewood Miramar Hotel Managing Director Rick Fidel and actress, comedian and singer Jane Lynch.

The Best in Show event draws crowds from the resort and community to sit, watch and cheer on as dog owners and dogs strut the runway showing their best looks and tricks.

Dog owners and their furry friends can compete in the categories like:

·       Miramar’s Best In Show

·       Trick of The Day

·       Most Spirit

·       Best Look

The event is all in support of Santa Barbara Humane and Love Leo Rescue based in Los Angeles.

The event will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Miramar Best in Show is presented by lifestyle brand STAUD, bases in Los Angeles and known for its doing custom pet portraits on select STAUD pieces. Exciting news for this years event- the brand will offer an exclusive Miramar X STAUD class of 2024 scarf collection to resort guest.

Your Newschannel will be covering the event so be sure to tune in on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

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