Santa Maria High School Teacher named 2025 AG Educator of the Year by California FFA Foundation

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Alissa Orozco

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Agricultural teacher, Marc DeBernardi, has been recognized by the California FFA Foundation as the 2024-2025 “Ag Educator of the Year.”

DeBernardi is an agricultural teacher at Santa Maria High School whose passion for agriculture and his commitment to his students has earned him the Golden Owl Award, on top of the Ag Educator of the Year award.

DeBernardi was formally recognized as the Golden Owl Award grand prize winner during the California FFA State Leadership Conference in Sacramento on April 4th where he received the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 check to further invest in Santa Maria High School’s agricultural education efforts.

”It’s an honor to be recognized by the California FFA Foundation, California Farm Bureau, and Nationwide for the work we do in agricultural education. It’s truly been a privilege. I’ve taught for 29 years, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to serve not only my students but also California FFA. It’s been a joy — I love what I do, and it’s a rewarding profession,” DeBernardi said.

DeBernardi was one of six finalists who also attended the conference in Sacramento, each finalists were presented with personalized plaques and a $500 donation towards their school’s educational efforts.

The fellow finalists included: Carrie Phillips, Altaville-Bret Harte FFA, Lori Porter, Livermore FFA, Vernon Clark, Bakersfield-Foothill FFA, Krystal Thomas, San Marcos FFA, Jim Shanks, Dorris-Butte Valley FFA.

City of Goleta Presents What They Have in Store at the State of the City

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Alissa Orozco

GOLETA, Calif. – Local residents filled the Goleta Community Center on Tuesday to hear from local officials at the annual State of the City.

The event brought city leaders, superintendents, representatives, and organizations together to recap the year, future projects, and even answer questions from the crowd. This is the first State of the City that brought together the four council members since the city was divided into districts, Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), James Kyriaco (District 2), Jennifer Smith (District 3), and Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4).

Various booths showcased different departments and plans from the city, giving residents the opportunity to interact with city leaders.

Community Relations Manager, Kelly Hoover, acted as host of the event

Residents piled into the community center’s main room to hear Mayor Paula Perotte’s opening speech, where she focused on major five categories: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Quality of Life, Environmental Protections, and Community Engagement.

She began with the $11.5 million budget dedicated to Goleta’s police force, a $4 million growth in the agreement with the county, leading a to 15 percent decrease in overall crime in the city. The city utilized this increased law enforcement has help address homelessness encampments.

This clean-up has helped with overall fire prevention, including the removal of dead trees and brush at the Ellwood Mesa. The new Fire Station 10 is ready for construction, but funding is still needed, totaling a cost of $27 million dollars.

The city has also put millions into infrastructure and pavement improvements, adding 2,000 feet of sidewalks in Old Town, 17 miles of bike lanes, and 7 new pedestrian crosswalks around the city.

In regards to housing, five major housing projects were approved to add 1,143 units to the city, 245 of which will be affordable. This is part of the city’s overall plan to free more space to Goleta residents, current taken up by UC Santa Barbara students.

Perotte highlighted the legal settlement the city reached with UCSB mandating the university to provide 3,500 student beds by 2027.

The city has also made major improvements to four neighborhood parks with new playgrounds, and the Goleta Community Center received a multipurpose field and additional pickleball courts. Perotte included the Stow Grove master plan for the city’s first universally accessible playground, Perotte says “funds are being sought to make this plan a reality.”

Additional praises were made towards the city efforts for more community engagement including expanded Spanish translation at Tuesday’s meeting and every City Council meeting.

Following the mayor, City Manager Robert Nisbet broke down the city’s main sources of revenue: property tax, sales tax, and TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax or Hotel Tax). He explained how sales tax is becoming the biggest source of revenue since Measure B was voted in, authorizing sales tax to be increased by 1 percent. Totaling a predicted income of $51.4 million, 66% increase over the past five years.

He presented the five biggest projects coming to the city totaling roughly $210.3 million.

These projects include Project Connect, Goleta Train Depot, Goleta Valley Library Improvement Project, San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path, and Cathedral Oaks Crib Wall Repair.

Nisbet said these projects are fully-funded through grants, donations, and outside funding. Money had been put aside for these projects, but the city did take $35.7 million in loans to pay for the San Jose Path Project and the Cathedral Oaks Crib Wall Repair.

These two projects are set to go into construction within the next 18 months.

City Officials sat down for a Q&A at the end of the night

The night wrapped up with a short Q&A style panel with questions from residents. The questions ranged from inquiries about infrastructure, concerns about parking, to traffic enforcements.

The City of Goleta is hosting two upcoming events, which the community is invitied to join in on – Beautify Goleta Earth Day Event on April 19th and the Ellwood Mesa Sperling Preserve 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 17th.

Praise to Grover Beach Police and Five Cities Fire for Quick Action

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Jarrod Zinn

GROVER BEACH, Calif. – A Grover Beach police officer is being praised for his alertness and quick action this last weekend.

Local residents can rest easy knowing authorities are present, alert, and quick to respond to any kind of situation, even in the dead of night.

The officer saved a family from a house fire, that they weren’t even aware of yet.

On Sunday just after midnight, officer Reyna of Grover Beach Police was on routine patrol when he detected the distinct odor of smoke in the air.

“He smelt something that was similar to something burning, which is at that time of night or early morning is kind of unique, especially when it’s not cold and people don’t have their fireplaces going,” says Jeremy Douglas, Grover Beach Police patrol sergeant.

Officer Reyna was able to awaken the two adults in the house and get them safely out while five cities fire authority responded quickly, putting the fire out right away.

“It was a single family residence. Two adults that lived there. No children or no one else that I’m aware of,” says Sgt. Douglas.

The specific cause of this particular fire is still under investigation and undetermined. But officials do have some important safety reminders for the public. 

“In this instance, there wasn’t a smoke alarm. So we highly encourage check your smoke detectors, change your batteries out every time you change your clocks. Really be diligent about maintaining orderly cleanliness in your homes. If you’re running extension cords only do it for a temporary purpose, not for permanent. If you are having electrical work done, make sure you have it done by a professional,” says Craig Angello, Five Cities Fire Authority battalion chief.

Both departments have acknowledged their strong working relationship with each other, and they pay their compliments to officer Reyna’s alertness and quick actions, which spared lives and property.

The power is back on and the residents are back in their home while the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

Oxnard workers and business owners in limbo due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Mina Wahab

OXNARD, Calif. — Between undocumented farm workers not showing up for work, to the slew of fires a few months ago, it’s been a difficult year for farm owner Uriel Hernandez.

“We kind of leave the politics outside of farming, but unfortunately, you kind of get dragged into it,” said the Oxnard-based Seacliff Farms Owner.

Now, the biggest concern for Hernandez is the tariffs. “As it is, the margins for a small operation like myself are small. You put a 10%, 15% tariffs on top of some of the items we need to produce. I mean, it’s going to squeeze us quite a bit more,” said Hernandez. On Wednesday, President Trump issued a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs with most countries, in order to allow trade negotiations with those countries. But China’s sky-high tariffs remain in effect.

“A lot of people don’t understand that China doesn’t pay the tariffs. They just charge more. Okay. So, the consumers end up getting that cost for the most part,” said Oxnard resident, Bruce Kelly. Many are worried these tariffs will hurt working class Americans the most. “It is a little more difficult for those that are working here, though, who are making minimum wage to like afford and save for that because we can be here like countless hours, but like there’s only so much that we can like make,” said Honeycup Coffee Manager, Alyssa Vega.

Something as simple as buying your favorite fruit like a strawberry could go up depending on what happens with these tariffs. “I am kind of scared to see a rise in the prices of everyday goods, even groceries. Living is just going to be so expensive now,” said Bianca Santos, who lives in Oxnard. Still, some are hopeful that the tariffs will help American businesses. Others like Haas, an Oxnard based machine tool manufacturer, say they feel they’re being penalized for buying parts from China they can’t buy from anywhere else.

They say they will ultimately have to decide between raising their prices, which will make them lose market shares, or maintaining current pricing, which means losing money.

Ventura County Fire ambulances now carry blood for transfusions

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – Ventura County Fire is making a new addition to its life saving effort involving blood.

For the first time, the agency’s rescue ambulances are now carrying whole blood to save lives.

“We’re only one of three agencies in the state of California to offer whole blood in a pre-hospital setting for traumatic injuries and will definitely help save lives, especially trauma, but also in medical cases too,” said medical director Dr. Neil Canby of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Fire officials believe this new blood transfusion program marks a significant advancement in prehospital emergency care.

“Blood is always critical it’s critical for this program but it’s critical all the time … every day there are emergencies and traumas … for cancer … for all kinds of in hospital treatments and we need to have it available for patients,” said regional director Susan Noone of Vitalant.

Fire officials say paramedics had to undergo special training for the new program.

“Just takes a lot of collaboration to get approval from the state to procure the blood that we need here also,” said Canby.

By carrying whole blood, firefighter paramedics can deliver life-saving transfusions at the scene, and significantly improving patient outcomes when every second counts.

“My hope is that the patients who are in desperate need of a transfusion pre-hospital will get that transfusion and we will save lives,” said Noone.

Right now, less than two percent of EMS agencies in the nation have blood transfusion programs.

UC Santa Barbara wins Voter Registration honor from the Secretary of State

KEYT on April 11, 2025

John Palminteri

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara has won the state’s top honor for voter registration after a massive drive to get students to sign up last fall.

The college ballot bowl is a multi-layered competition for schools to take part in as a way to encourage their entire student body to be active in an election.

The campuses had representatives attend the orientation sessions with voter registration forms. They encouraged all students to register or re-register if they had moved to a new address and then on election day polling places were crowded as a result.

The Secretary of State Shirley Weber said “the winner of 2024 California University and College Ballot bowl competition is the University of California Santa Barbara.”

Also honored was Cal Poly with the highest percentage of student body population that registered to vote.

Overall, 234 colleges took part in the competition.

The Secretary of State presented the award on campus today. She said, “the fact that we over the years have changed it to 18 (years old). It makes it a college thing. I was 21, and folks thought they could wait until they became adults. Now we’re doing this and you can vote at 18. You can pre register at 16 and 17.”

After her visit at UC Santa Barbara, Weber went to Los Angeles to talk about voter registration with high school students. This is a focused week for voter registration outreach for high school students to pre register so materials will arrive after they are eligible.

The engagement was impressive both on the campus and in Isla Vista nearby. Weber said, “this is what we are about in terms of participating in the process making sure that this nation survives.”

Kaitlin Andrade  works as a UCSB Restorative Justice Coordinator and in Civid and Community engagement. She says the honor involves the commitment by the students who realize how many issues directly impact them and they need to begin voting as soon as possible. “Being able to have such a large pool of students who aren’t registered to vote because  they just turned 18 or just moving to  a new community, most people don’t live in Santa  Barbara  that are coming on to the campus. That is such a big deal in order for us to have all these people to register to vote,” she said.

UCSB Dean of Student Life Katya Armistead helps the students find an area where they can make a difference and getting involved in voting is one of many steps. She said, “I can help  model and help them engage in  lifelong civic engagement and really understand where they can make a difference and something they really care about.”  

Historic El Cuartel gets some Maintenance Help from a Sheep and a Goat

KEYT on April 11, 2025

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A sheep and a goat are on duty at one of the most historic buildings in California to do some landscaping work.

With the recent rains, a new crop of grass and weeds popped up at El Cuartel in Santa Barbara’s Presidio District.

The building is the second oldest in California.

The goats are feasting to bring the weed levels down and tidy up the property bite-by-bite.

They have also been popular with passersby going for food or retail shopping in the area.

El Cuartel is part of El Presido de Santa Barbara in the State Park System dating back to 1780s.

Six Santa Barbara County Fire Departments release Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps

KEYT on April 11, 2025

News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from multiple fire departments regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA – On March 10, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) within Santa Barbara County. It was CAL FIRE’s first update to the LRA maps since 2009. In accordance with State law, local agencies must adopt and designate updated zones within 120 days.

The State Fire Marshal classifies lands as one of the FHSZ types:

Moderate

High

Very High

Per Government Code, CAL FIRE provides FHSZ Maps for Local Responsibility Areas. The six fire departments of Santa Barbara County with areas updated by the 2025 release of CAL FIRE’s FHSZ Maps for Local Responsibility Areas are:

Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District 

Lompoc City Fire Department

Montecito Fire Protection District

Santa Barbara City Fire Department

Santa Barbara County Fire Department

Santa Maria Fire Department

The six fire departments with Local Responsibility Areas in their jurisdictions have posted CAL FIRE’s LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps on their respective websites. Where applicable, local fire departments have also published proposed maps specific to their jurisdictions. These proposed maps incorporate State-designated zones and reflect local knowledge, such as terrain-specific hazards, sundowner wind patterns, and evacuation complexities.

Under State law, local agencies may not reduce the severity level of hazard zones designated by the State. However, they may raise the hazard classification or include additional areas based on local conditions.

Community members are encouraged to visit their local fire department’s website to review the map where they live and share comments.

Pismo Beach businesses look to benefit after city is named ‘Best Small Coastal Town’ in the nation

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Dave Alley

PISMO BEACH, Calif. – Pismo Beach businesses are banking the city’s recent place atop a national poll of best small coastal cities in the nation will attract more visitors to the popular tourist destination.

This week, Pismo Beach was named the number one Best Coastal Small Town in America in USA TODAY’s 2025 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“We’re excited that USA Today has recognized what all of us have always known, which is Pismo Beach is an amazing place to be,” said Jorge Garcia, Pismo Beach City Manager. “We are now officially the country’s best small coastal town.  It’s a great thing to be on that list and it’s a validation and confirmation of all of the amazing investments that we’ve been doing.”

With the national attention the article brings to Pismo Beach, local businesses are hoping it will boost the number of travelers who will visit the popular tourist destination.

“With this number one ranking of Pismo Beach, we are hoping and we’re praying that this brings lots more tourism to our businesses,” said Denise Holt Wasson, Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair/Vice President. “Our entire little town relies on tourism. Our hotels, our businesses rely on tourism. If we didn’t have the tourists, we wouldn’t be able to thrive like we do and our chamber loves all of our businesses. We promote all of our businesses for that very reason, and now with this ranking, we’re so excited to see what the future brings in for Pismo Beach.”

The honor comes two years after Pismo Beach earned a third place ranking in the same readers poll and a second place showing seven years earlier in 2018.

Pismo Beach wasn’t the only San Luis Obispo County city to earn a place on this year’s top 10 list.

Morro Bay finished in fifth place in the poll, trailing only Pismo Beach, as well as Cedar Key, Florida, Castine, Maine and Bar Harbor, Maine.

“It’s great for the county,” said Jed Bickel, Sea Crest Ocean Front Hotel General Manager. “The county and Visit SLOCAL, they work really hard to collaborate and make sure that all the cities are represented. It’s a great thing about the cities in this county, you can you can hop to each one. You can stay in Pismo, but then you can go visit Morro Bay, so that’s something that the county works on collaboratively, and we’re really excited to see Morro Bay be right there with us. It’s just going to help the area as a whole.” 

According to USA Today, the national recognition celebrates the beauty and spirit of coastal communities. 

The coastal cities in the national rankings were selected by a panel of travel experts and winners were determined by public vote.

It’s Never too Early to Celebrate! Everything Happening this Weekend on the Central Coast

KEYT on April 11, 2025

Alissa Orozco

Easter is just a week away, but some communities are celebrating early. On top of that, there are lots educational activities for the small and big kids. Here’s what’s going on this weekend near and far:

SANTA BARBARA – SOUTH COUNTY

2025 Spirit & Junior Spirit of Fiesta Final Auditions ~ Saturday, April 12th in Santa Barbara

📍Lobero Theatre

⏰ 2:00pm

🪩 A total of 20 finalists will audition at the historic Lobero Theatre to be this years Spirit and Jr. Spirit of Fiesta! The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and support the young performers. Learn more here.

The Avett Brothers ~ Friday, April 11th in Santa Barbara

📍Santa Barbara Bowl

⏰ 7:00pm

🪩 The Santa Barbara Bowl with start off their concert season this Friday with American folk band, The Avett Brothers. The band is currently on their national tour with guest star, Charles Wesley Godwin. Learn more here.

Día: A Celebration of Children and Books ~ Saturday, April 12th in Santa Barbara

📍Michael Towbes Library Plaza

⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm

🪩 In celebration of National Library Week, the Santa Barbara Public Library is hosting this exciting event for kids and literacy! The event will showcase a special performance by bilingual children’s recording artist Nathalia, along with fun crafts, face painting, a special appearance by Sparky from the SB Fire Department, the Youth Makers Market, and activities for all ages. Learn more here.

Library on the Go ~ Thursday, April 9th in Santa Barbara

📍Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio

⏰ 5:30pm – 7:30pm

🪩 As a part of library week, Shalhoob’s is hosting an event at their Funk Zone location with Santa Barbara-inspired loteria, books, and yummy food! Come learn about upcoming library events during this fun-filled evening! Learn more here.

Spring Maker’s Market ~ Saturday, April 12th in Goleta

📍Living Faith Church

⏰ 10:00am – 3:00pm

🪩 This Spring Market will have unique and handmade gifts to shop for, plus lots of food and activities for the whole family! Proceeds go to support the Women’s Ministry at Living Faith Church. Learn more here.

Lagerville 2025 ~ Saturday, April 12th in Buellton

📍Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. in Buellton

⏰ 12:30pm

🪩 Come experience 60+ breweries at one location! Guests can make their way through and sample World Class Lagers and food trucks. Live entertainment by False Puppet, Jacob and the Good Vibes, and DJ Peete! Learn more here.

The Good Good Show ~ Saturday, April 12th in Santa Barbara

📍Night Lizard Brewing Company

⏰ 7:30pm

🪩 It’s time for another Good Good Show. This stand-up comedy show features the hottest comedians working today that you’ve seen or heard on Comedy Central, America’s Got Talent, Netflix, Jimmy Kimmel, and more. This week’s lineup includes: Megan Gailey, Julie Weidmann and Subhah Agarwal. Learn more here.

SANTA MARIA – NORTH COUNTY

Photo: Ballet Folklorico Imperial

Mexico “A Todo Color” 2025 ~ April 11th – 12th in Santa Maria

📍Ethel Pope Auditorium

⏰ 7:00pm

🪩 Ballet Folklorico Imperial is presenting two nights full of dance and music in Santa Maria. Through dance, this event takes you through a journey of Mexican culture and history in full color! Learn more here.

Meet the Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt ~ Sunday, April 13th in Santa Maria

📍Santa Maria Elks Lodge

⏰ 12:00pm – 3:00pm

🪩 Get those pictures with the Easter Bunny a week early at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge! The organization will grilling up hot dogs and burgers for sale, while kids can enjoy games and activities. Learn more here.

Firefighter Day Camp ~ Saturday, April 12th in Santa Maria

📍Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum

⏰ 1:00pm – 4:00pm

🪩 At this special event, kiddos can hear from real firefighters from the Santa Maria Police Department! There will fire-fighting activities, games, crafts, and Museum exploration. Learn more here.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

Photo: San Luis Obispo Beaver Festival

Beaver Festival ~ Saturday, April 12th in San Luis Obispo

📍Mission Plaza

⏰ 10:00am – 3:00pm

🪩 Time to celebrate an often forgotten creature, the beaver! The Third Annual San Luis Obispo County Beaver Festival includes free admission, food, vendors, live music, children’s activities, a beaver trivia contest, speakers, and a plethora of information on beavers! Learn more here.

Free Day: Guardians of the Green & Seed Swap ~ Sunday, April 13th in San Luis Obispo

📍San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm

🪩 The Botanical Garden is hosting a free day for families to tour the garden, walk the trail, and learn about seeds and trees! There will be storytelling for the younger visitors and a visit from the Lorax! You can leave with seeds to take home and start your own garden. Learn more here.

Spring Downtown Shop, Sip, & Stroll ~ Friday, April 11th in Morro Bay

📍Downtown Morro Bay

⏰ 5:00pm – 8:00pm

🪩 Support some local businesses in Downtown Morro Bay! An assortment of food and beverages is going to be available for those who register, and you’ll even get your own wine glass and tote bag to take home! Learn more here.

3rd Annual Paso Robles Taco Fest ~ April 12th – 13th in Paso Robles

📍Estrella Warbird Museum

⏰ 2:00pm | 11:00am

🪩 This is the largest taco festival in California and you don’t want to miss it! Over 40 taco vendors from around the nation selling plenty of tacos of all kinds: Carne Asada, Pork Carnitas, Pollo, Al Pastor, Chorizo, fish, brisket, dino ribs… And of course drinks! Learn more here.

VENTURA COUNTY

The Fields at Faulkner Farm Vintage Market ~ Saturday, April 12th in Santa Paula

📍Faulkner Farms Socal

⏰ 9:00am – 4:00pm

🪩 This unique market showcases antique and vintage vendors on a beloved property in Santa Paula. Come out to discover one of a kind pieces and support local vendors in your area. Learn more here.

Record Store Day ~ Saturday, April 12th in Ventura

📍Salzer’s Records

⏰ 9:00am

🪩 Join Salzer’s Records for the exclusive release of over 330 records! You can find the full list of records and more information here.  

2025 Celebration of the Whales Festival ~ Sunday, April 13th in Oxnard

📍Channel Islands Maritime Museum

⏰ 11:00am – 3:00pm

🪩 The 26th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival is a fun, and free event with lots to do! The event celebrated ocean life with informational booths, activities, and art! Learn more here.