Category: keyt-local-news

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Valley is home to a new museum celebrating the Chumash tribe.

The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center opened its doors to the public one week ago.

“My reaction is to have so much joy and excitement,” says Nakia Zavala, Santa Ynez Museum Vice Chair. “And really, it’s the ability to tell our story. I think that’s really important.”

It’s been a long time in the works, and anticipation has been high for the staff as much as the public.

“I was in town for a conference, and I’ve been waiting for so long for the museum to open up,” says Alexandra McCleary, who is visiting from her home in Rancho Cucamonga. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it and visiting it.”

As of May 15th, anyone can visit to observe the artifacts and creations.

“A lot of thought went into the layout of this museum,” says Zavala. “We wanted to make sure that the museum would look like you were up in their local mountains, walking around and you’re able to interact with native plants. And we identify them through our Samala language as well as their English word.”

The gardens are home to native plant species that have been preserved, as well as beautiful water features made from reclaimed water sources in a sustainable and culturally relevant immersive environment.

“The attention to detail is absolutely amazing. I feel like I’ve learned a tremendous amount and love hearing the language spoken as well. I love that,” says McCleary.

The recreated “aps,” which are dome-shaped shelters used by the Chumash, and the museum’s layout, were designed by renowned architect Johnpaul Jones.

Collectors and artisans donated many of the artifacts on display, and one object on temporary display was found on site during construction.

“It’s a stone bowl, and it was found here on site as they were preparing the land for this museum. And we were able to collect it and archive it and curate it for this presentation,” says Zavala.

The center looks forward to welcoming field trips from schools in the area starting this fall.

To learn more about the museum’s hours of operation and admission prices, be sure to visit the museum’s website here.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is seeing an uptick in the number of coyote pups coming into care this year. 

The center generally gets up to two coyotes a year.

But this year, they have received nine coyote pups brought to the center.

Calls are coming from other centers with requests to take more coyote pups.

Animal experts can not speculate as to why there is an increase this year. They will rely on survey and biologist reports to give more insight when they are available. 

In general, coyotes are a pivotal part of the ecosystem, controlling rodent and small mammal populations. They also eat carrion, the dead and decaying flesh of an animal.

The center encourages members of the public to keep cats indoors and keep dogs on 6″ (or less) leash lengths to reduce any conflicts between coyotes and pets. 

They say it’s important to respect the role of coyotes in the environment and are encouraged that people call to help coyotes when they are in distress. 

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Southern Section Quarterfinals:

Division 3:

Westlake 4, Mission Viejo 0 (Westlake vs Kennedy in semifinal Saturday)

Division 4:

Harvard-Westlake 12, Dos Pueblos 9

Division 5:

St. Bonaventure 17, Patriot 3 (St. Bonaventure vs JW North in semifinal on Saturday)

Division 8:

Hueneme 12, Calvary Chapel/Downey 2 (Hueneme vs Calvary Baptist in semifinal on Saturday)

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –

CIF-Central Section quarterfinals:

Division 1:

St. Joseph 2, Redwood 1 (SJ at Buchanan on Friday in semifinal)

Division 2:

Ridgeview 2, Lompoc 0

Washington Union 5, Arroyo Grande 1

Kingsburg 4, Paso Robles 3

Division 3:

Morro Bay 10, Mission Oak 3 (MB hosts Hoover Friday in semifinal)

Division 4:

Pioneer Valley 1, Reedley 0 (PV hosts Wasco on Friday in semifinal)

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The California Highway Patrol CHP said maximum enforcement runs Friday at 6p.m. until Monday at midnight.

CHP spokesperson Jonathan Gutierrez said in the wake of recent fatal accidents it is worth reminding people to do everything they can to make it a safe weekend on busy road.

Chris Olvera, the AAA Santa Barbara and Lompoc Branch Manager, said about Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to be up at least 3 percent.

It appears more people are choosing to taking road trips rather than fly to destinations with new Real ID requirements.

Now is the time make sure your car, and RV are in good condition.

Olvera said people are welcome to stop by the newly remodeled office on State Street in Santa Barbara.

The branch is one of the third in AAA history in California.

This week is already part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign nationwide.

The California Highway Patrol said smart choices also include driving sober and staying alert.

They recommend designating a driver whenever one may be needed or find alternative transportation.

The CHP tracks accidents over the holiday period and wants people to get to and from their holiday safely.

More than half the people killed in car accidents last Memorial Day weekend in the CHP’s patrol area were not wearing seat belts.

They don’t mind reminding people or even nagging if it saves lives.

Drivers are likely to see buckle up messaging on freeway signs.

Sandie Wilkes is looking forward to a road trip to Lake Nacimiento.

She said her kids and grandchildren aren’t going on this trip, but always offers them good advice.

For more information visit https://www.chp.ca.gov

And for American Automobile Association information visit https://ace.aaa.com

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Andrew Gillies

This article has been updated to include additional information from a Thursday morning booking log from Santa Barbara Sheriff and a response from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

MONTECITO, Calif. – A suspect was taken into custody Wednesday evening after violently attacking a woman inside a Montecito estate and barricading himself from deputies during a major law enforcement response that shut down parts of Channel Drive.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to an “unknown type problem” around 4:31 p.m. on May 21st at a private residence of Beanie Babies’s creator, Ty Warner, in the 1000 block of Fairway Road. The initial report was of a possible home invasion or vehicle theft in progress.

When deputies arrived, they found a woman outside the residence suffering from severe injuries sustained in an assault. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Deputies soon learned the male suspect was still inside the home, but it was unclear whether any other occupants remained or if anyone was being held hostage.

Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter, rerouting traffic away from Channel Drive near the bird refuge and the roundabout at Los Patos Way and Cabrillo Boulevard. Units from the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Barbara Police Department, and Santa Barbara County’s South Coast Patrol responded. A sheriff’s helicopter circled overhead, and the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team arrived with two BearCat armored rescue vehicles.

Deputies entered the residence to check for additional victims and confirmed that all other occupants had safely escaped. They found the suspect barricaded in an upstairs restroom. A crisis-trained Co-Response Team deputy attempted to negotiate with the man.

Instead of surrendering, the suspect tried to escape by climbing out of a second-story bathroom window. He jumped to the ground, where deputies and a Sheriff’s K9 apprehended him.

The suspect has been identified as 43-year-old Russell Maxwell Phay, a resident of Nevada. He was booked at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury, and kidnapping. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for obstruction.

Photo: Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office

A Thursday morning booking log shows Phay is being held on a first degree attempted murder charge, and his bail is now set at $1,000,000.

Investigators say there is no indication the victim and suspect knew each other.

News Channel reporter Tracy Lehr reported live from the scene, describing dozens of law enforcement vehicles—many unmarked—surrounding the estate, which is located across from the Music Academy of the West and near the property of Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner.

Several residents and bystanders were prevented from returning to their homes. Sylvia Cruz, who was trying to meet her daughter nearby, said, “I got off from my job and started hearing the police and ambulances. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was scary for me.”

Cary Jones and his wife were walking their dog nearby when the incident escalated. “We were on a walk when we saw a couple of highway patrolmen with automatic rifles,” he said. Their car was later blocked in by law enforcement vehicles. One of the unmarked units had to be towed due to a dead battery.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, a report about criminal threats made over the phone by a Russell Maxwall Phay against a couple in the Arroyo Grande area was taken on May 22, 2024.

The couple did not know Phay, but investigating detectives believed he was living in Nevada or San Francisco at the time after he could not be reached added the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s in response to Your News Channel inquiries Thursday.

Reports from Siskiyou County show Phay was booked into their jail in 2017 and 2019 for battery and assault.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and authorities say more details will be released as they become available.

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Mike Klan

FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 4 seed Hawai’i capitalized on a pivotal fifth inning, scoring three runs to secure a 6-2 victory over No. 5 seed UC Santa Barbara at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

UC Santa Barbara ends their season at 36-18.

The Rainbow Warriors (34-19) secured the win with homers in the fifth and seventh innings, scoring three and two runs respectively. Down by a run, Ben Zeigler-Namoa took a fastball over the center field wall for a three-run bomb and gave Hawai’i a 4-2 lead.

Matthew Miura then hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning for insurance and to account for the final score of the game.  

The Warriors feature several standout players, including Zeigler-Namoa with two hits, three RBIs, and a home run. Miura made a registered two runs, two RBIs, and a home run. On the mound, starter Cooper Walls, The Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year, went 4.0 innings, giving up two runs. Cory Ronan (3-2) earned the win after giving up no runs in 2.1 innings. Isaiah Magdaleno earned the save with 2.2 innings of scoreless work, striking out three batters while allowing no hits.

LeTrey McCollum stood out for the Gauchos with three hits in five at-bats and scored a run. Isaac Kim contributed offensively with two hits in four at-bats and drove in one run. 

(Most of this article courtesy of Big West).

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. – A furious rally came up just short as Dos Pueblos lost a wild CIF-Southern Section Division 4 quarterfinal game 12-9 to Harvard-Westlake.

The Chargers were down 10-2 after a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning by Ainsley Nutting, her second home run of the game.

DP got within 11-9 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a solo home run by Vereniki Maniadi.

(Freshman Vereniki Maniadi connects for a sixth-inning home run. Entenza Design).

Later in the inning Anastasia Brunner launched a deep shot to center with a runner on second but Stanford-commit Kale’a Tindal made a sensational catch to rob a home run and preserve the lead.

The Wolverines added one more run in the 7th.

A young Dos Pueblos squad ends the season at 14-15.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Art took center stage at this year’s Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon.

The Association of Women in Communications Santa Barbara (AWC) honored five creative women.

Some of them performed at the Cabrillo Pavilion during the ceremony in Santa Barbara on Wednesday.

Teresa Kuskey joined members of her La Boheme dance group after accepting her clear star-shaped trophy.

“To be honored for the arts and being in dance and communicating through dance is very humbling and I am extremely excited, ” said Kuskey. 

Aritist Adriana Arriaga got emotional accepting her award.

“I Am hoping that when we leave today we can leave with some inspiration and give back to our community,” said Arriaga.

Some of her artwork decorated every table.

The co-founder of Santa Barbara Ring Shout said she felt respected and supported.

“I feel like I have been heard and I feel so appreciated,” said Moore before performing.

The other honorees this year include music director and Santa Barbara Choral Society artistic director and conductor JoAnne Wasserman and Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Melinda Palacio.

AWC called the event “Creative Communication: Building through the Arts.”

The nonprofit AWC is known for empowering women to deepen their communication skills.

New members are welcome.

For a link to more information visit https://awcsb.org

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John Palminteri

GOLETA, Calif. – With the population over 65 growing nationwide, services for seniors are vital. A special Goleta Senior Expo is bringing many of those necessary services together in one place.

The event at the community center was widely publicized with senior groups, senior housing facilities and on social media.

It the third year for this event.

The expo connects seniors with local organizations and resources they also attended informative presentations.

The event not only helps seniors with services but gets them involved as volunteers. One is with NatureTrack where they can go on trail hikes with children’s groups.

Sue Eisaguirre with NatureTrack says, “they’re pretty amazed. An event like this where we can talk to seniors and tell them about how they can be involved and be outdoors.”

One person getting both information and looking at ways to be involved, Liz Badillo said, “you know, I’m kind of more in the thinking of volunteering type of thing. I haven’t done it yet, but I hope to. “

Having a personal conversation also explains programs that you might not have considered before.  Like aquatic fitness. Rene Van Hoorn works with aquatics at the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital. She said, “you can get a full workout, but in warm water you can also relax. And that’s a thing, that on land you got to go right. And it’s hard to just stop in the water you can relax, you can float, I can stretch. And so it’s much kinder to our joints in our bodies.”

For those who need a health care directive, Maritza Torres-Benitez with Get it Done SB! said, “you’re making decisions in the know. Essentially, these questions, are if surgery is needed to save your life, CPR purposes, life sustaining treatments. We provide a notary, and our workshops free of charge to the public, and we assist with submitting this your medical records with Sansom and Cottage Hospital as well.”

They are also exploring the new Senior Lounge that re-opened in April 2025. The Senior Lounge is part of the Goleta Community Center’s Senior Program (ages 55+). The lounge offers members a comfortable place to socialize and engage in activities. The Senior Program also includes classes and activities, community resources and information, and access to a free healthy lunch daily.

For more information go to: City of Goleta Senior Program

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