Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

OJAI, Calif. (KEYT) — Villanova Prep in Ojai has a special connection to Pope Leo XIV.

Fr. Barnaby Johns welcomed him to campus in 2011, long before he became Pope.

During Fr. Johns’ recent three-week trip to Rome, he met with Pope Leo again while attending the 188th General Chapter, where members of the Augustinian Order reflect on their past and plan for the future.

“It was a remarkable experience for me to be there, particularly at this time when we had these two encounters with Pope Leo. He came to celebrate the opening Mass for our chapter,” said Fr. Barnaby Johns.

They also had the chance to sing “Happy Birthday” the day after Pope Leo’s 70th birthday.

“It was very delightful to be there,” he added.

Fr. Barnaby called it a meaningful experience and said he believes Pope Leo is a bridge builder in a divided world — someone who will play a key role in bringing people together.

Pope Leo was born in Chicago and attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

For more information about Villanova Prep and its connection with Pope Leo visit https:villanovaprep.org

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Volleyball teams are filling East Beach sand courts.

They are competing in the AVP Next-Santa Barbara Open.

The competition began with 60 teams on Friday and the winning teams will compete through Sunday.

Prizes included money for first place teams and Rad Power electric bikes.

Fans including Cara Spieler had a chance to watch busy courts from the sidelines with her baby Leon.

Back in the day when the AVP used to be here on east beach I have faint memories of being a volunteer super fun I looked up to all the players,” said Spieler, ” It is awesome and now I have a baby who is watching his dad and his auntie.

She said her husband Mike Stewart, sister Katie and cousin Tory are all taking part in the competition.

Tournament Director Jordon Dryer will be overseeing the championship games on Sunday.

Fore more information visit https://805beach.com

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Federal Government shutdown hasn’t stopped Islands Packers from going about its business.

Island Packers’ website lets passengers know the company known for taking people to and from the islands is maintaining current operations.

There are no changes to visitor access even though the visitor center is closed.

Visitors are likely to to see Islands Fox on the Island and dolphin and whales off the coast.

For more information visit https://www.islandpackers.com

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

Segment One: Newbury Park 31, Santa Barbara 21; St. Joseph 40, Mission Prep 0; Santa Ynez 28, Atascadero 13; San Luis Obispo 23, Pioneer Valley 21; Templeton 56, Santa Maria 0. Bishop Diego 43, Camarillo 16

(Star Brady Smigel got hurt at the end of the first half and did not return in Panthers win. Entenza Design).

Segment Two: Fillmore 21, San Marcos 0, Dos Pueblos 27, Hueneme 7; Agoura 35, Santa Paula 10; Ventura 62, Buena 13

Segment Three: Pacifica 17, Oaks Christian 13; St. Bonaventure 41, Simi Valley 26

Segment Four: Carpinteria 55, Santa Clara 6

Other Results:

Cabrillo 28, Morro Bay 21

Arroyo Grande 56, Paso Robles 14

Nordhoff 55, Channel Islands 14

Grace 53, Del Sol 6

Westlake 49, Rio Mesa 20

Thousand Oaks 49, Calabasas 34

Moorpark 52, Oak Park 27

Royal 20, Oxnard 0

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Alissa Orozco

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Vista Real Charter High School celebrated its 20th anniversary with a multi-day celebration in Oxnard this week.

Known as Viper Week, the school hosted students, staff, alumni, and community partners to celebrate the school’s two decades of achievements.

Starting out with just 12 students, the school has expanded with now six campuses in six Ventura County locations: Ventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Santa Paula and Port Hueneme, thousands of graduates, and countless student success stories.

On Friday morning, a celebration was held at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center where folks enjoyed music, games, entertainment, food, and so much more! Pro Tem Mayor Gabe Teran presented Superintendent Corrine Manley and staff with an official proclamation recognizing two decades of the schools’ success in the Ventura County community.

The school specializes in one-on-one personalized instruction, career training, life skills wraparound services to help students succeed. Their mascot – the viper – represents resilience, and their tendency to strike, and strike again.

“We are so excited to be celebrating 20 years in this incredible community. What started as a singleschool has grown into six locations serving thousands of students who were searching for a high schoolthat truly meets them where they are,” said Corrine Manley, superintendent.

At the event, Students and staff rang the bells to honor the thousands of graduates who have crossed the stage at VRCHS since its opening in 2005.

To learn more about Vista Real Charter High School, visit their official website.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Leo, the tiny yellow-belly slider turtle, who usually greets Hook & Press customers and passerbys in a nearby fountain went missing for a brief period of time on Sunday afternoon, but he has since been returned to his rightful spot.

Hook & Press owner, John Burnett, tells your News Channel that staff feed Leo and fish inside the fountain everyday. When a closing manager noticed Leo didn’t pop out for his morning feeding, the team decided to check surveillance footage.

Video shows a group of four individuals, along with a child in a stroller, walking through La Arcada Plaza when one woman in a green shirt starts to approach the fountain.

All four individuals take turns looking inside when the woman in green can be seen picking up the turtle and walking away with it.

“I think she really knew he was someone’s pet, and she took him anyways. We’ve all grown to love him, ya know?” Burnett says. “I know to some people it might just be a turtle, but for us he’s like part of the family here at Hook & Press.”

The donut shop posted the video online in hopes of drawing attention to the situation and getting Leo back home, and luckily, it worked.

Leo is was returned to his Hook & Press fountain Friday afternoon.

Anyone can go and visit Leo – but not touch – at Hook and Press Donut Shop at  15 E Figueroa St in Santa Barbara.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – The wait continues for the Santa Barbara Sky FC to take the pitch.

The team announced that their plan is to now take the field in March of 2027.

Back in 2022 the team originally announced their first season of competition would be 2024.

Here is the official statement posted on social media today by the Santa Barbara Sky FC on why they have pushed the start date to 2027.

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – A dangerous TikTok trend has struck Goleta’s University Village, where two school-age kids were caught on camera attempting the viral “Door Kick Challenge.”

The prank, gaining traction on social media, involves kicking homeowners’ front doors and fleeing, leaving residents shaken and properties at risk.

The University Village HOA is sounding the alarm, warning that the stunt is far from harmless.

“This isn’t just mischief — it’s dangerous,” said an HOA spokesperson. “It can damage doors, frighten residents, and put kids in harm’s way.”

With Halloween nearing, when pranks often surge, the HOA is urging Goleta parents to talk to their children about the risks.

Local authorities advise residents to call 911 if they catch perpetrators in the act or to report incidents to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The HOA is calling for community vigilance to stop this trend before it escalates.

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Patricia Martellotti

CARPINTERIA Calif. (KEYT) – The California Avocado Festival is back in Carpinteria with tens of thousands expected to attend.

The streets of Carpinteria are turning into one big celebration for the annual Avocado Festival.

“It’s a dream come true because we’ve been wanting to come out here and be part of the Carpinteria avocado fest,” said owner Luke Holden of Branches Mobile Gallery.

Crews are setting up tents, rides, and food booths in just one day.

“We got a great weekend, we got weather behind us, we got a lot of great people that are coming out. Great food up and down the street, cold beer—can’t ask for anything better,” said team leader Brian Burke of Pacific Beverage Company.

“We’re unloading parts of our booth, so yeah, this will all be connected and up and ready to rock ‘n’ roll,” said Edward Jones Financial Advisor Aaron Brocker.

Organizers are expecting 40,000 people to attend this year’s festival.

“The food here is really good at the festival and the music is great,” said resident Cindy Martin of Carpinteria.

Vendors say set-up is running smoothly with help from crews who do this year after year.

Entertainment will include 70 bands, four stages, and a guacamole contest for visitors.

Organizers say this year it’s all about peace, love, and a whole lot of guacamole.

The fun kicks off on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Downtown Carpinteria.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A memorial event took place at Waller Park in Santa Maria for a Central Coast real estate agent and loyal Denver Broncos fan.

Friends and associates of the late Shea Hutchinson were decked out in Denver Broncos gear to remember their colleague, a loyal fan of the team.

“I first met Shea when I started at the association, and we had to take a trip down to L.A,” says Karin Van Lith, a member of the Santa Maria Association of Realtors. “I was really worried about, what do you talk to someone you’re just meeting, for 4 hours? And he had a radio, a football station on the radio. Football. That was it.”

Shea made significant connections to the Santa Maria community, and served several terms as president of the Santa Maria Association of Realtors.

“Us as realtors, we have a tight knit community,” says Cliff Rhea, friend to Shea and former president of Santa Maria Association Of Realtors. “We all work together, and we make a living at this, and we do help everyone. You know, homeownership is our ultimate goal.”

The inaugural ‘Shea Hutchinson Memorial Walk’ brought people together for a family and pet friendly walk through the park, followed by a barbecue.

“This is our first inaugural event for one of our own that took his own life from a little bit of mental health issues that couldn’t get resolved, unfortunately,” says Rhea.

Funds are being directly raised by this event in Shea’s memory for a scholarship fund to be awarded to Santa Maria area high school athletes.

“When we had the sad time of losing Shea, sports being his primary love, we thought the best way to remember him was to start a scholarship,” says Van Lith.

Those who knew Shea well gathered at Waller Park’s Lakeside Picnic Terrace to break bread, share stories of their late friend and raise suicide awareness as much as scholarship funds.

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