Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is awarding 7.7. million dollars this graduation season.

Hundreds of recipients filled the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens for a group photo following an awards ceremony that had the looks and feel of a graduation.

Parents and relatives and supporters applauded with pride as the recipients went up on the garden steps and announced the named of their scholarship and where they are headed to study.

Foundation President and CEO Melinda Cabrera said donors attend the ceremony year after year.

Some have created memorial scholarships named after loved ones.

“It’s wonderful to see how their gift keeps giving life and opportunity  to new students it’s really wonderful,” said Cabrera.

Other scholarships are created to fit criteria. There’s one for a students who bowl and another for young fine artists.

Others come from donations, with no strings attached, allowing the award-winning nonprofit to make sure they go to students in need.

The average undergrad scholarship is $3,500.

Graduate students often receive more.

Students are grateful and excited about their future.

“We are all going up there and saying our names and where we are going off two,” said Dos Pueblos senior Amirsam Jabarri I’m going off to UC Berkeley.”

He wrote an essay and had an interview but he thinks a letter from his English and mock trial teacher Hannah Krieshok helped “seal the deal.

Many of the students already know what they want to do with their education.

San Marco High senior Kian Strenn plans to go to UCSB to study electrical engineering.

“The most important part of our society is our future and I think  that donating to help students fulfill their potentials allows us to do thing that we wouldn’t have been able to do  before,” said Strenn.

When he can afford to Strenn plans to give back.

“I hold donors to such a high regard, “said Strenn, “I hope  one day to be able to give back to the community in the same way.”

The foundation calls that a virtuous circle.

Cabrillo High School senior Jose Soriano plans to go to Santa Barbara City College.

His goal is to become a multi-media journalist or a public information officer.

Donors attended to a thank you dinner following the ceremony at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

For more information visit https://sbscholarship.org

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade is starting its first-ever five-day run Wednesday night with a brand new event featuring an exclusive show of bull riding only.

Kicking off the long-time Santa Maria showcase annual event is a night of Xtreme Bulls, an all-bull riding tour that’s part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

“To bring in an old bull riding event on a Wednesday night, you’re going to see the the NASCAR of rodeo,” said Fred Boettcher, PRCA Extreme Events Director. “It’s 40 of the best bull riders matched up with stock from Flying U Rodeo Company from Marysville, California. You’re going to see National Finals Rodeo bucking bulls. And what does that mean? That means we got some of the best bucking bulls in the country assembled tonight.”

The new event highlights the growth and popularity of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, which has been held over a four-day period for the past several decades.

“We’ve been so blessed in the last few years,” said Johnna McGuire, Elks Recreation Media Director. “We’ve had mostly sold out performances and it’s been really tough to get tickets. It’s hard. We want everybody to be able to come, so this year we were able to to add a day and add something new and exciting for people to come and watch. We all know the bulls are a favorite. We all love the bulls and they’re at the end of the night, so sometimes not all the little ones make it for that one, but this will be great because it’ll be all bulls all night.”

Looking ahead, the PRCA is hoping this event becomes part of the Elks Rodeo tradition and will return in the years ahead.

“I sure hope so,” said Boettcher. “I don’t like to count my chickens before they’re hatched, but we’ll put on a good show tonight, and I hopefully come Sunday, we sign a new contract for next year.”

While the bulls begin the rodeo on Wednesday, the traditional format that features several other events, such as barrel racing, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, and bareback riding, breakaway roping, mutton bustin’ and more, will begin on Thursday and run through Sunday.

For more information about the 82nd Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade, click here to visit the official website.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Championship Baseball Schedule

Division 4:

Ganesha vs Dos Pueblos, Saturday, May 31, 4 p.m. Blair Field, Long Beach

Division 8:

Pioneer vs Fillmore, Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. Blair Field, Long Beach

CIF-Central Section Baseball Schedule

Division 1:

Centennial vs St. Joseph, Saturday May 31, 6 p.m. Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia

Division 3:

Morro Bay vs Fowler, Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m. Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia

CIF-Southern Section Championship Softball Schedule

Division 3:

Marina vs Westlake, Friday, May 30, 4 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

Division 5:

West Ranch vs St. Bonaventure, Saturday, May 31 4 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

Division 8:

Cathedral City vs Hueneme, Saturday, May 31 1 p.m. Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine

CIF-Central Section Championship Softball Schedule:

Division 3:

Pioneer Valley vs Liberty, Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. Fresno State

Division 5:

Dos Palos vs Orcutt Academy, Thursday, May 29, 4:30 p.m. Fresno State

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Maria regarding road closures in the area due to The 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 31st.

The 82nd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 31st along Broadway (Highway 135) brings a road closure and parking restrictions.

The Broadway closure will begin between 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. from Mill Street to Enos Drive. After 7:30 a.m. no parking is allowed on the parade route on Broadway between Fesler Street and Enos Drive. All cars parked in that zone after 7:30 a.m. will be towed at owner’s expense. Broadway will re-open shortly after the conclusion of the parade, which is estimated to be about 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Parade entries must be in place by 8:00 a.m. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at Broadway and Mill Street and heads south. It features marching bands, youth floats, equestrian groups, local dignitaries, and antique vehicles.

Battles and Fesler roads will be open to cross Broadway. In an extreme emergency Main Street, Cook Street, and Stowell Road will have law enforcement officers present to assist emergency traffic across Broadway.

For parade spectators coming entering Santa Maria from Highway 101, they are advised to exit the freeway at the Stowell Road exit, if they wish to view from the Stowell shopping center area and vicinity. If they want to view the parade north of City Hall, visitors should exit on Main Street.

Additional information about the Elks Rodeo Parade is online at www.elksrodeoparade.com. Questions may be directed to the City of Santa Maria at (805) 925-0951 extension 2372.

Traducción en español:

El 82º desfile anual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade el sábado 31 de mayo a lo largo de Broadway (carretera 135) trae un cierre de carreteras y restricciones de estacionamiento.

El cierre de Broadway comenzará entre las 8:00 y las 8:30 a.m. desde Mill Street hasta Enos Drive. Después de las 7:30 a.m., no se permite estacionar en la ruta del desfile en Broadway entre Fesler Street y Enos Drive. Todos los coches aparcados en esa zona después de las 7:30 a.m. serán remolcados a expensas del propietario. Broadway se reabrirá poco después de la conclusión del desfile, que se estima que será alrededor de las 12:00 p.m. (mediodía).

Los participantes en el desfile deben estar en sus puestos a las 8:00 a.m. El desfile comienza a las 10:00 a.m. en Broadway y Mill Street y se dirige hacia el sur. Cuenta con bandas de música, carrozas juveniles, grupos ecuestres, dignatarios locales y vehículos antiguos.

Las carreteras Battles y Fesler estarán abiertas para cruzar Broadway. En caso de emergencia extrema, Main Street, Cook Street y Stowell Road contarán con la presencia de agentes de la ley para ayudar al tráfico de emergencia a través de Broadway.

Para los espectadores del desfile que entren en Santa Maria desde la autopista 101, se les aconseja que salgan de la autopista por la salida de Stowell Road si desean verlo desde la zona del centro comercial Stowell y sus alrededores. Si desean ver el desfile al norte del Ayuntamiento, los visitantes deberán salir por Main Street.

Encontrará más información sobre el Elks Rodeo Parade en www.elksrodeoparade.com. Las preguntas pueden dirigirse a la Ciudad de Santa María en (805) 925-0951 extensión 2372.

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Alissa Orozco

ISLA VISTA, Calif. – A ‘Timely Warning,’ sent out by the UC Santa Barbara Police Department (UCPD) early this morning, alerted students and community members of an armed robbery that happened at an Isla Vista park on Tuesday, May 27th.

According to UCPD, two victims were approached by three to four Hispanic males wearing masks at approximately 6:44pm at Tierra De Fortuna Park in Isla Vista. The suspects demanded their property on their person.

One suspect lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a black handgun tucked in his waistband. Another suspect raised a knife and told the victims that he would “kill them.”

When the victims attempted to flee, they were assaulted by the suspects.

UCPD says property was stolen from both victims, but they were ultimately able to flee the scene and report the robbery and assault.

Raquel Zick from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Office said the two victims fled to the nearby Home Depot after the incident. When officers arrived, they spoke with two teen-aged juvenile male victims who reported they had just fled to Home Depot after being robbed.

The ages of the suspects are unknown. They are described as Hispanic males, wearing black hooded sweatshirts and black “dickies” style pants – including the one who displayed the firearm. The suspect with the the knife was described as wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and black “dickies” style pants.

The area was checked for the suspects, but officers found nothing. The victims did not request medical assistance at the scene.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the report. If you have information that might assist in the investigation, call (805) 683-2724, or report crime information anonymously.

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Christer Schmidt

VENTURA, Calif – Ventura High School locked down after a student reported that they saw the outline of a potential gun in another student’s waistband.

Ventura Police Department say the suspected student was detained.

After an extensive search with K9 units, the police say they found no weapon.

Police lifted the lockdown about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and classes resumed.

The Ventura Unified School District shared that the incident has has an emotional impact on students, staff, and parents and it has made counseling available for those impacted by Wednesday’s lockdown.

This is the second time a lockdown has happened at the school this month.

The previous lockdown occurred after a hoax bomb and shooting threat was made to the school by two students earlier in May.

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Christer Schmidt

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – A motorcyclist died Tuesday after leaving the roadway and hitting a large electrical pole.

Paramedics say they found motorcyclist Matthew Estrada on Erbes Road north of Tubbs Street at 10:20 p.m. according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

They attempted life saving measures on the scene. The motorcyclist was brought to a hospital but was pronounced deceased when they arrived.

Thousand Oaks Traffic Investigator Christ Riggs says anyone who witnessed the collision or has any additional information about the collision is encouraged to contact them at (805) 494-8271 orChristopher.riggs@ventura.org

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A popular butterfly exhibit is back open in Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History just kicked off its popular Butterflies Alive! exhibit, featuring a variety of more than two dozen tropical butterfly species from Costa Rica.

This is an immersive experience where guests can walk through a garden while some 1,000 butterflies fly around them.

Visitors can also explore butterflies at an earlier stage of life at the Santa Barbara Gallery.

Most recently, the exhibit was named amongst the Best Butterfly Gardens by USA TODAY.

The Sprague Butterfly Pavilion is ADA accessible.

For more information about the butterfly exhibit, click here.

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Dave Alley

NIPOMO, Calif. – A legal settlement has been reached between the developer of the Dana Reserve project in Nipomo and the two groups who filed a lawsuit against the planned housing and retail community.

On Wednesday, a joint press release was sent out by project developer NKT Development, as well the Nipomo Action Committee (NAC), and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS).

In the release, it was revealed the three sides has agreed to a deal that will, if approved, establish a revised Dana Reserve Specific Plan, which will create a smaller, less environmentally impactful development.

Some of the key elements of the agreement include the reduction in housing units by 229, which equates to an approximately 16% smaller project size.

The smaller design will result in a new perimeter to the development layout, which the parties said will help address some neighborhood and community concerns.

The release also indicated the the project will still include deed-restricted, affordable housing units, with first priority given to Lucia Mar Unified School District employees, as well as other housing types.

Other notable benefits that will remain in place are the down payment assistance program, local priority, and on-site childcare.

Another key element of the settlement will be a newly created offsite biological mitigation effort, which the parties said will help support long-term protection of sensitive manzanita habitats outside of the project boundaries.

The new design will now protect additional sensitive plant species and 195 coast live oak trees, as well as contribute financial resources for public benefit specific to Nipomo, which will overseen by the Nipomo Action Committee.

“We have worked closely with NAC and CNPS to modify the project in a way that is mindful of the community concerns and still provides a meaningful ladder of housing,” said Nick Tompkins, Nick Tompkins, Dana Reserve Managing Partner. “We appreciate our local representatives who make land use decisions. Our hope is that the commissioners and supervisors will support the settlement and recognize the time, effort, and compromise it took to reach this agreement.”

“We worked tirelessly in this settlement process with all parties,” said Alison Martinez, Nipomo Action Committee Director. “We appreciate all the work and support of our community members and are ready to move forward. This settlement will provide significant financial resources to address future priorities of our community. I anticipate this settlement, as agreed, will now proceed through the county approval process.”

The Dana Reserve has been much-discussed and much-debated in the Nipomo area, as well as throughout San Luis Obispo County since the project was first planned nearly 10 years ago.

The Dana Reserve proposal is a 288-acre master-planned community that featured in its original plan up to nearly 1,400 residential units, 110,000-203,000 square feet of commercial and non-residential (Visitor Serving/Hotel, Education) floor area, a minimum of 55.6 acres of open space and 6.3 acres of recreation, and related circulation and infrastructure.

The project site is located on a highly visible 288 acre piece of property adjacent to Highway 101, on the westside of the freeway, just south Willow Road. The property is passed by thousands of vehicles daily traveling on Highway 101 and is located about one mile north of Tefft Street, the main commercial corridor of Nipomo.

In April 2024, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of the project.

Soon after, the NAC and CNPS filed a suit to stop the project citing environmental concerns.

Now, the three sides have come to an agreement, which will now return to the County of San Luis Obispo for review and approval.

No timeline on when San Luis Obispo County officials will begin the new review process.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Santa Maria officials celebrated the official start of construction of the city’s long-planned new sports complex with a groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday morning.

With several Santa Maria elected officials and other city employees on hand, a small ceremony that included a ceremonial groundbreaking, was held at the construction site.

“It is a long time coming,” said Alex Posada, Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department Director. “I think having it available to us today, being the groundbreaking today, it’s just a lot of work that was done by a lot of people over the last, really ten years almost.”

The new facility will be built at the corner of Battles Road and Depot Street on what was previously agriculture land in the heart of the city.

When completed, the sports complex will feature four athletic fields, which will be used primarily for soccer, as well as a handful of other amenities.

“It will have parking for about 200 vehicles,” said Posada. “There will be a small maintenance facility, public restrooms, snack bar and a playground area in the middle of the complex.”

The sports complex has been in the works for nearly 10 years, formed as a goal established by the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Safety, which was created in 2016.

“We knew we needed all these fields,” said Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino, who created the task force. “We’ve known that for a long time. We needed more football fields. We needed baseball fields. We need soccer fields. When you have a median age of 29-years-old, you’ve got a lot of kids out there in our community because they’re using our parks. They need to be using this and so I’m just really excited.”

The cost of the project has increased significantly over years, and according to Posada, is currently listed between $14 to $15 million.

“It’s mostly grant funded,” said Posada. “We were able to secure grants from the state of California, the County of Santa Barbara, the State Parks propositions and also from some private donors in the community.”

The new Santa Maria Sports Complex is scheduled to be completed sometime in summer 2026.

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