Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Dozens of students from Northern Santa Barbara County attended a brand new educational event that was designed to build valuable career and life skills.

Held inside the Hancock College’s Fine Arts Complex, the first first-ever “Level Up Youth Summit” was put on through a collaboration of several community partners, including the Workforce Development Board of Santa Barbara County, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, CoastHills Credit Union and many others.

“We’re really excited to have invited youth freshman in high school all the way to sophomore in college,” said Alyssa Stovall, Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board Operations Manager. “They are here to learn about some of the priority industries here in Santa Barbara County, as well as participate in workshops that are designed to help them build some of the skills that are going to help them be successful as they transition into a career.”

About 70 students took part in the four-hour event, which was focues primarily on career exploration, workforce development and personal growth.

“They definitely packed a lot,” said student Rayonna Patterson-Lee, who recently moved to the Central Coast from Maryland. “But I brought my notebook and I took notes on what I should use moving forward in life and I think the qualities that they’ve provided us are pretty good and substantial.” 

After an opening keynote address, participants moved into a series of classrooms, where they had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, learn about career pathways, participate in interactive workshops, and explore internship and employment opportunities.

“I just hope that with this I learned something,” said Hancock College student Daniel Limon. “I hope everyone learned something because nothing can stop you. Any excuse that you put in yourself is just in your mind and you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and be the best you can be.”

In addition to providing students with education on career and personal development, this event also included the awarding for four scholarships and four laptops from Goodwill Industries and CoastHills Credit Union.

“Our goal at the end of the day is to eliminate barriers,” said Celest Mendoza, Goodwill Industries Mission Services Manager. “Scholarships to any student I think is very beneficial, especially in the times we’re in nowadays. Any help that we can provide students to our community, our goal is to eliminate barriers to education in any career development, so that was the goal behind this with the donation from Coast Hills.”

Other community partners that participated in the summit included Allan Hancock College, CommUnify, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, the California Department of Rehabilitation, Future Lompoc and Creciendo Raíces.

The Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board indicated a “Level Up Youth Summit” is in the works for the South County area sometime next year in 2027.

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Jarrod Zinn

ORCUTT, California. (KEYT) – Orcutt Union School District is banning e-bikes for elementary and junior high students and restricting their use for high schoolers.

Doctors at Marian Medical Center think that will cut down on E.R. visits.

The popularity of e-bikes is accelerating.

But injuries from e-bike incidents are rising in tandem.

“Not only are we seeing a rise in the increase in injuries from the e-bikes, but also the percentage of those injuries is higher in the 16 and under category in the last couple of years, which is pretty significant,” says Bette Jenkins B.S.N., Trauma Program director at Marian Regional Medical Center.

Doctors at Marian Regional Medical Center say injuries caused by e-bikes and e-motos are now one of the leading causes of trauma cases.

“On top of that, recently, we’re seeing many of those that are severely injured are not wearing helmets,” says Jenkins.

Experts say in comparison to standard bicycle accidents, injuries tend to be significantly more severe with e-bikes due to the high speeds they can reach.

“They’re also very heavy, the e-bikes,” says Jenkins. “So they do cause more significant injuries.”

The risks have led Orcutt Union School District to fully ban what are called powered mobility devices for elementary and junior high school students.

“We call them powered mobility devices because there are several different devices within that,” says Sandra Knight, Assistant Superintendent at Orcutt Union School District. “Any type of motor, electric engine, anything like that, that is not allowed.”

High school students must now take training courses and get approval to ride an e-bike to and from school.

“For the high school kids, the only thing that are allowed are e-bikes,” says Knight. “No scooters, anything like that. Our overall concern is just the general health and safety of our students, our seventh graders are going to be on campus tomorrow. All of our other students start on Monday.”

And high school students have to walk their e-bikes on campus, not ride them.

“Now is the time to be more aware of bikes on the road, kids on the road, pedestrians on the road,” says Jenkins. “And I can’t say it enough times. If you’re going to ride these, you need to wear a helmet. No one is ever too old to wear a helmet.”

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Direct Relief is sending emergency medical aid to help healthcare providers and communities impacted by the Spokane wildfire.

The nonprofit is coordinating with local partners to deliver essential medical supplies and other emergency resources to areas affected by the fast-moving fire.

The response is designed to help hospitals, clinics and first responders continue caring for patients as wildfire conditions strain local healthcare services.

Direct Relief regularly mobilizes during disasters, providing medical assistance to communities facing emergencies across the United States and around the world.

As firefighting efforts continue, the organization plans to adapt its response based on conditions and the needs identified by healthcare partners on the ground.

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Nate Loop

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Viva La Fiesta! Old Spanish Days 2026 officially begins Wednesday night with La Fiesta Pequeña on the steps of Old Mission Santa Barbara.The show begins at 8 p.m. PT and is expected to end before 10 p.m. PT. Dozens of dancers, musicians and more will perform traditional songs and dances in the Californios Spirit. All are welcome to attend.The event is hosted by News Channel’s Beth Farnsworth and will include pieces highlighting the history of Santa Barbara and Old Spanish Days festivities. You can watch below, on Youtube or live on News Channel 3.

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News Channel 3-12

Due to operational disruptions caused by a labor dispute, the Station is running alternative programming to our regular newscast.  We regret any inconvenience resulting from the actions taken by the union representing our employees.  The Station remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union, and it disavows any suggestion that it has engaged in conduct that violates the National Labor Relations Act.

Fiesta Pequeña will air live tonight from the Santa Barbara Mission at 8:00 p.m. on NewsChannel 3.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – When the Bellosguardo Foundation teams up with Flamenco! Santa Barbara, it’s a hot ticket.

Guests got to see Timo Nuñez and Maria Bermudez and other amazing dancers accompanied on a stage overlooking the Pacific.

“This is magical,” said Bermudez. “It is one of our favorite places to perform, we are inspired by the surroundings how could you not be.”

The history of the Clark Estate includes the late Huguette Clark’s love of all things Fiesta.

On this occasion that history feels alive.

“We know, I think now that flamenco is a very special and unique art form,” said Bermudez.” Because it has to do with the soul and it has to do with spirit, so it is very appropriate for Santa Barbara and it’s history here and I think that you know, 100 years it has been the history here and Old Spanish Days, and flamenco, and Spain and Mexico and all of our ancestors are part of the equation.”

They performed a new dance called Tiempo or Time.

“It was choreographed by Manuel Gutierrez who is here tonight as well myself as a collaboration there and Maria steps in and she looks and tweaks and gives us her advice, so it is the most incredible team,” said Nuñez.

Bermudez passed her studio onto Nuñez last year and they are still collaborating.

They call it a pleasure to dance with world class musicians and bring something new and fresh to an audience.

Guests also enjoyed Mariachi Jalisco of Oxnard, featuring a father and son and other musicians.

The finale featured solos by all the flamenco dancers.

Guests raved about the entire evening.

For more information visit http:bellosguardo.org and https://flamencosb.org and https://timonunezflamenco.com

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) The Dallas Cowboys Training Camp couldn’t score with fans without volunteers.

Fans watched their favorite players practice with the players trying to make the team on a hot Tuesday afternoon.

Volunteers helped guide fans to the general admission seats in the stands or onto the field for the VIP experience at River Ridge Playing Fields Oxnard.

Volunteers also help sell concessions that benefit the Police Activities League.

Michelle Nuñez is volunteering for the first time this summer.

She is a Ventura College student.

It is a great experience getting to know people helping the community just seeing new things and being there for everyone helping them out and helping them get the best experience here at the cowboy camp,” said Nuñez.

Volunteers recommend wearing hats and sunscreen.

General admission is free and so are the training camp rosters that tell you all about the 99 players taking part this year.

The camp is celebrating its 20th year through August. 18.

For more information visit https://DallasCowboys.com/TrainingCamp

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It’s a traditional church festival and it has become very popular over the years. The Our Lady of Guadalupe church mercado on the eastside of Santa Barbara is annually mentioned in the same conversation as the 102-year-old Old Spanish Days Fiesta.

The two events are separate, but share the same message of bringing the community together.

Father Pedro Lopez is the Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. He said, “oh my gosh, this Fiesta is something that has grown and has become an enormous event, not just for our parish but for the  whole community.”

It starts Friday for three days.

Thousands will come and go for hours of entertainment and multiple plates of food made from homemade recipes.

“The families that run the food booths they have been doing it for generations – the abuelitas, the grandmothers – they are more than happy to continue that tradition here year after year,” said Father Pedro.

Those who attend church here will have their hands blessed at a special mass, before the weekend of work.

And those hands will be extended to the visitors….

Anthony Rodriguez is an event coordinator and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parishioner. “We welcome everyone so come and enjoy the food and once you come you will be coming back year after year.”

Some eat on the spot and many take food to go as well.

Father Pedro said, “just tamales we made close to 6000 pounds of masa to make tamales and hopefully that will be enough.”

For those who are coming to the church mercado they also have a chance to pay their respects to the mosaic and mural for our Lady of Guadalupe on the corner of Montecito and Nopal streets that is surrounded by candles and flowers.  

This mosaic was badly damaged in an attack by a man who has since passed away.  

A plan is in the works to create an even more beautiful location for the public to gather and pray here in the future.

And the church mercado brings the message and the followers back together.

Father Pedro says, “but they always come back for Fiesta so this is a gathering place and a reunion for families and friends and people you haven’t seen in awhile and say ‘hey how ya doing?’ It puts smiles on everyones faces.”

The event will be welcoming with a large area of the property set for the music, and food. “Just make sure that everyone comes in make it a family affair because  this is where traditions happen,” said Rodriguez.

When the other mercado and stages close Saturday night elsewhere, there’s one more day at the church.

“Sundays are very busy. We are the only ones that are open  We want people to come in, we are   separate from the other Fiesta,” said Rodriguez.

For more information go to: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife arrested three people for hunting-related violations after hunting at night.

CDFW officers, alongside SLO County Sheriff’s Department officers, received multiple reports of nighttime poaching and conducted patrols on Monday.

CDFW officers found suspects shining bright spotlights into fields where wild pigs often are during one of these patrols.

CDFW and SLOCSD officers found the suspects using surveillance and captured video of the illegal poaching activity.

CDFW officers approached the suspects and an aircraft caught video of one suspect tossing his gun off an embankment to discard evidence.

CDFW officers later found the three suspects in possession of night vision equipment, spotlights and weapons, trying to find wildlife at night.

All three received citations and arrests for the following hunting violations:

spotlighting hunting after hours hunting without licenses possession of night vision equipment while hunting

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