Category: keyt-local-news

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Two people were arrested in the Santa Maria riverbed over the weekend for allegedly having drugs and ammunition.

This is an example of the multi-agency operation for keeping the riverbed cleared.

Around 8:30 Saturday morning, police officers were called to the Santa Maria riverbed to check on possible drug sales in the area.

Two residents of Santa Maria were contacted, at least one of them a transient living in the riverbed.

“Our city rangers are monitoring the riverbed on a daily basis,” says Santa Maria’s Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu. “You do see some camps in there, but it’s not nearly the extent of what we had a year ago.”

Officers say the man and the woman had more than half a pound of methamphetamine, nearly three ounces of fentanyl and other narcotics as well as ammunition for a .22-caliber firearm.

“The person that was arrested is actually a transient,” says Lt. Nate Totorica with the Santa Maria Police Department. “They don’t have a current residence. However, they’re known to be inside the city, frequent the city shop at our local businesses, and they’re contacted or have been contacted in the past several times.”

No firearm was located, but the residents were booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail on multiple violations related to narcotics and for possession of the ammunition.

“This is one aspect of public safety and but it’s also a community issue,” says Wu. “We still expend a lot of public safety resources and services on typical patrol and traffic.”

City officials say the problem of riverbed encampments is certainly better than it was a year ago, but more resources are needed to combat the issue in full.

“We ultimately want to direct people to resources if there is addiction that they’re dealing with,” says Wu. “So I think it’s a balanced approach of both helping people and applying the law.”

City leaders say they are doing their best to balance public safety with providing help and resources to those who need them, as often the core of the problem can be deeply personal.

Police and city officials encourage the public to promptly report any suspected narcotics activity.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Two professors from the University of California, Santa Barbara have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their incredible work and research in quantum physics.

UC Santa Barbara’s John Martinis and Michel Devoret were selected, alongside UC Berkeley physicist John Clarke. The three minds are credited with “the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in an electric circuit.” Developing a series of experiments in 1984 and 1985, they built an electronic circuit of superconducting materials – each separated by a thin layer of insulative material, creating what is known as a Josephson junction.

“What a profound thrill, and a moment of exceptional pride for our campus, to congratulate our UC Santa Barbara professors John Martinis and Michel Devoret on winning this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside UC Berkeley’s John Clarke,” said UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis. 

The physicists’ findings helped to create major technology advancements, such as the creation of cellphones, data storage devices and LED lighting.

John Martinis graduated with his doctorate in physics from the UC Berkeley in 1987 under the guidance of Clarke, before coming to UC Santa Barbara in 2004. In 2014, Google Quantum AI hired Martinis and his team to build a quantum computer to take on a problem considered too difficult for normal computers. He joined Australian startup Silicon Quantum Computing in 2020 before co-founding the quantum computing company Qolab, where he serves as Chief Technology Officer.

Devoret graduated from the University of Paris, Orsay in 1982 with a doctorate in condensed matter physics, and worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Clarke’s lab at UC Berkeley from 1982-1984. He served as the director of research, head of the Quantronics Group at CEA-Saclay in France from 1995-2002, then went on to teach applied physics at Yale University from 2002-2024. Devoret ultimately joined faculty at UC Santa Barbara and is the Chief Scientist at Google Quantum AI.

“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises,” said Olle Erikkson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. “It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology.”

Dr. Martinis shared his thinking with students before a UCSB news conference about the award.

“It has been a long time, it’s not going to happen, so this year I just forgot about it more or less,” said Martinis.

Martinis said his wife had stayed up late reading a book when the phone starting ringing with the news”

“She let me sleep in until 5:30 because she knows I need my sleep,” said Martinis.

He also said a math teacher when he was young deserves some credit for his success.

“The mathematics teacher in high school, Mr. Iverson was great because he taught, you know, a nice advanced calculus, the thing he did for me; he wouldn’t give me credit unless I organized my material, he forced me to be very methodical and logical in how I solved my mathematical problems.” 

The winners will share a cash prize and be recognized at a ceremony in Sweden on Dec. 10.

For more information visit https://www.science.ucsb.edu and https://www.nobelprize.org/all-nobel-prizes-2025/

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Learning to read can be tough.

But a new California law aims to help children before they struggle.

“We are the 41st state to adopt a reading risk screener this is a universal screener it’s quick… it’s a way of checking in with the kids and flagging any students who show signs of being at risk for reading difficulties,” said parent and teacher Natalie Wilkes at Monte Vista School.

Starting in the 2025–26 school year, all kindergarten through second-grade students will be screened for early signs of reading difficulties.

“As a parent I was reassured … I like knowing our state is also concerned about students who need early intervention,” said Wilkes.

“It really holds people accountable in terms of people really looking at students and whether they’re struggling, and identifying where their needs might be,” said curriculum and instruction TOSA Allison Heiduk of Hope School District.

School administrators hope this new law will help close the reading gap for all kids.

“I’m hopeful in that just again it gives us more information identifies ways in which we could support our students,” said Heiduk.

Students will be tested in their primary language, and parents will receive results within 45 days.

The screenings can flag traits linked to dyslexia, though they do not diagnose the condition.

Districts are also required to follow up with targeted literacy instruction, tutoring, or further evaluation for students found at risk.

“It’s another valuable data point that we will have as teachers to help us understand our students in our classroom and to give them the support that they need,” said Wilkes.

Teachers hope early support and responsive teaching will build confidence — one reader at a time.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – Elliot McGuire is terrific at the triple jump but he is even more impressive in the classroom.

The senior was honored as the Dos Pueblos High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the weekly Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon at Harry’s.

Fellow DP senior Callan Lee was named the Male Athlete of the Week while Bishop Diego volleyball and tennis player Natalie Chan was awarded the Female Athlete of the Week.

McGuire has the third best triple jump in school history and is captain of the Chargers track team.

He also owns an incredible 4.94 GPA and is a force in the DP Engineering Academy.

Lee rushed for 175 yards with two touchdowns in the Chargers 27-8 win over Hueneme.

Chan went 6-0 in singles tennis and also totaled 29 kills to lead the Cardinals to two victories in volleyball.

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Tracy Lehr

SOLVANG, Calif. (KEYT) – The Solvang State of City focused on the future and honored the owners of Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery.

The Solvang Chamber hosted the sold out event at the Craft House at Corque on Alisal Rd.

Dr. Mark Schniepp, the Director of the California Economic Forecast in Santa Barbara, served as the keynote speaker.

Dr. Schniepp said businesses are going to be impacted by artificial intelligence and its impact on employment, but he appears optimistic about the Solvang community.

“Despite the little downturn in international tourism that we are seeing in California there is still a lot of domestic visitation that is coming into Santa Barbara County, including Solvang, so I think they are holding up pretty well, so I don’t see this changing going into next year,” said Schneipp.

Mayor David Brown gave the State of the City Address.

Brown said when he travels on business for the city people admire his town.

He considers it a Shangri-La and doesn’t mind if people compared to the fictional town of Mayberry.

City Manager Randy Murphy took part in a Q & A and received applause for extending lighting in the park.

The State of City audience also toasted the Olsen family.

Bent and Susy Olsen of Olsen’s Village Bakery opened the business in 1970 after meeting in an English class.

They remembered toughing it out during the oil crisis and other economic downturns.

Both are stepping back to let their children run the popular bakery.

Susy Olsen said she feels lucky to have children who want to keep the family business going.

Bent Olsen said he will always be there to help.

“I want people to know there will be no change to the quality the quality will stay the same and the bakery will be there and I will be right behind there like I said I am the quality controller so I will be there when they call me.”

He said retirement is not in his nature, nor is losing his hair!

“A lot of people ask me why Olsen do you have all this hair and I tell you why i eat one piece of pastry a day and three cookies a day,” said Bent Olsen.

The city is gearing up for all kinds of events including the Viking Classic car show on Oct. 11 ,the ongoing Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest and Julefest.

Visitors often want to see the bakeries and places made famous in Hallmark movies.

Mr. Olsen said even at the toughest times globally people see to find their way to his community.

For more information visit: https://solvangcc.com, https://californiaforecast.com, https://olsensdanishvillagebakery.com, https://cityofsolvang.com

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Caleb Nguyen

MORRO BAY, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of Morro Bay advised residents to only use boiled tap water or bottled water due to a water main break by a contractor Monday.

AlertSLO sent out the notice just before 4:00 p.m. Monday and offered this map on the affected areas within the city.

Several agencies advised using boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes for safety and the City will inform residents when the notice is lifted.

Morro Bay officials offered bottled water at the Water Resources Center, City Hall and its Fire Station after hours.

For more information and the latest updates, visit the city’s website.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Fall has officially arrived — and with it, doctors in Santa Barbara County are already seeing more patients with coughs, colds, and early signs of flu.

“We’re starting to see more of the you know, kids back in schools or upper respiratory infections,” said nurse practitioner Ashley Henderson of Cottage Health Urgent Care.

“runny nose and coughing fever they are very easily spread through the air,” said public health officer Dr. Henning Ansorg of Santa Barbara County.

Ansorg says wastewater data shows virus levels remain low right now — but that could change fast as families spend more time indoors.

“When somebody sick and there you know, sneeze and cough and to speak, that’s enough to actually spread the virus,” said Ansorg.

The newest COVID booster targets the XFG variant now spreading nationwide.

“Therefore, four times more protected than the old vaccine people who have had Covid vaccines in the past, I would strongly recommend to get the booster with the new one,” said Ansorg.

If you’re feeling chills, body aches, or fatigue doctors recommend staying home.

Henderson says they’re already seeing more patients with coughs and colds as kids return to school.

“I think we are slipping back to where people are a little more tempted to let me just still go to this social event still go to work still go to my sporting event, but it really does affect those around us,” said Henderson.

Health experts say the time to act is now — wash your hands, stay home when sick, and get vaccinated early to stay healthy through the holidays.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the SLO County Fire Department reminding the community to be cautious of lithium-ion batteries during Fire Prevention Week

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Fire Prevention Week (October 5–11, 2025) is here, and the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department is urging the community to take steps to protect their homes and families from the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires.

Lithium-ion batteries are found in most of the electronics we use every day, including phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, scooters, and more. These small but powerful batteries store a large amount of energy in a compact space. If damaged, overcharged, or improperly used, they can overheat, catch fire, or even explode.

“Simple steps like charging devices on a hard surface, unplugging them once fully charged, and buying only certified products can make a big difference,” said CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo PIO Ryan Grebe. “Being proactive now is key to preventing dangerous battery fires later.”

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips:

Buy only products with recognized safety marks such as UL, ETL, or CSA.

Use the original charging cable provided by the manufacturer.

Always follow manufacturer instructions.

Charge on a hard, flat surface—never on beds, couches, or under pillows.

Unplug devices or remove the battery once fully charged.

Stop using the battery if you notice odor, heat, swelling, discoloration, or odd noises.

Dispose of batteries properly—never in household trash or recycling bins. Visitwww.call2recycle.org to find a safe disposal site near you.

The San Luis Obispo County Fire Department invites you to join us, along with many other participants, at the SLO Downtown Farmers Market from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to learn more.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, visit: www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

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Tracy Lehr

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) — A suicide awareness walk took place at Goleta Beach Park, honoring lives lost and reminding participants that no one walks alone.

The 2025 Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk on Saturday brought hundreds together to reflect, connect, and find comfort in community.

“You will be okay,” was the message echoing across the beach during the annual event, led by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and supported by local sponsors.

“It takes a lot of strength for everyone that’s here to be here today. There are a lot of emotions that come, it can be the heartache of missing a loved one, it can be joyful pain, but it’s hard to stand and be here,” said Suzanne Grimmesey with the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness.

The event began as a small local gathering but has since grown significantly. “The first one I went to had maybe 35 people at it,” said Angela Parker, a participant. “Right now, I think we’re well over 350 people walking and an incredible amount of funds have been raised for suicide awareness research,” added Grimmesey.

During the ceremony, walkers held up colored beads to represent their personal connections to loss. “As we call out your bead colors, hold your beads high so we can see who you are walking for today,” said one event speaker. “Purple represents the loss of a friend or relative. We thank you for being here, and we honor your loved one.”

For Linda Silva, the walk was deeply personal. “It makes me feel good that we’re raising awareness so that no other parent or family or sibling has to go through what I’ve gone through,” Silva said. “We have a team of about 60 of us, and they’re all here to support us, in memory of my son.”

Others said they found unexpected healing through the event.

“My brother committed suicide. My mother wanted to come to the first one that we heard about, and I took her out of obligation,” Parker said. “I thought this was going to be the most depressing day of my life. But I came back so uplifted. The emotion is actually comfort, you see other people going through the same thing. It’s everybody. It’s not a type of person or a color of a person. Every family can experience it, and it makes you feel less alone.”

That message of resilience carried throughout the morning. “I’m not okay,” said Elliot Davis, an Out of the Darkness speaker. “I will be. You keep getting up. You keep fighting. And even though you’re not okay today, I promise you, if you do the work, you will be.”

For help, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Jarrod Zinn

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – There are new banners along the Avenue of Flags in the city of Buellton.Local artists of all ages are being featured.

The Arts & Culture Committee of the City of Buellton has just unveiled the newest series of banners for its community art project.

This year, the theme is taking creativity “Up In The Air.”

“I really like this theme,” says returning artist and Buellton sixth-grader Millie Firey. “It’s just so colorful and it’s awesome.”

Over the past two months, last year’s ocean-themed designs have come down, making way for this year’s fresh, aerial-inspired exhibit.

“I tried a unicorn and I thought it would be cool,” says Buellton resident Carina Sanchez. “So I just went for it.”Since the project launched in 2022, it’s soared in popularity showcasing nearly 100 local artists over the years.

“I like drawing and I think it’s a really fun way to get people into drawing,” says artist Valentina Torres.

Thanks to continued generosity from the Buellton City Council, additional sponsors like PG&E have enabled the addition of the Zazzle store where you can purchase pieces of the featured artwork.

“Check it out,” says PG&E representative Eric Daniels. “You can purchase some of this art on other types of products and support the kids and residents who are involved in it.”

This year’s collection features 70 artists ranging in age from just 5 years old to 80.

“It makes me feel proud that my it’s up there and made me feel proud that somebody really liked it so much,” says Firey.

“I wish this program would go for, like, 230 years or even more,” says another artist from Buellton, Hazel Hawthorne. “It’s just so fun!”

City officials hope visitors will see Buellton as an outdoor gallery featuring local talent and community spirit.

For details on how to purchase some of this art, or to support the city’s Arts and Culture Committee, you can find their website by clicking here.

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