Category: keyt-local-news

Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police are investigating an assault with a deadly weapon case that happened just before 1:30 Sunday morning at the 300 block of Milpas Street.

SBPD officers found a victim suffering from stab wounds and helped him to Cottage Hospital after the attack.

The 21-year-old man needed further medical treatment from the stabbing and while no threat to public safety is present, an investigation remains ongoing.

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Tracy Lehr

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KEYT) News Channel reporter Patricia Martellotti’s coverage of a monarch butterfly research project that tracks them with tiny transmitters received a regional Emmy Award.

“I hope this new technology will help improve the chances of survival for endangered monarch butterflies,” said Martellotti.

Martellotti appeared speechless as she accepted the award, but she soon recovered and had the audience in stitches when she thanked her father for picking up the $500 tab for the hotel room at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

This is her first Emmy Award, and she congratulated her fellow nominees in the Environment & Science News category.

Martellotti’s report entitled “Echoes of Flight” can be watched on: https://keyt.com/lifestyle/2025/12/17/butterflies-go-high-tech-in-a-race-to-save-their-species/

“This is a dream come true. I thank my family and friends for their support. Beyond the award, my focus is always on getting better at what I’m doing,” said Martellotti.

News Channel’s Tracy Lehr co-chaired the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest 52nd Annual Emmy Awards Show.

Some of KEYT’s News Press Gazette (NPG) affiliates also earned regional Emmys. 

Congratulations!

For more information visit https://natas.psw.org

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (KEYT) – Several agencies, including the Ventura County Fire Department, helped a man from a plane crash at a river bottom near the Santa Paula Airport just before 1:00 p.m. Saturday.

The airplane fell near the river bottom and the injured sole passenger in the plane got himself out, according to the VCFD.

A helicopter airlifted the injured man to the Santa Paula Airport, where an ambulance then got him to a local hospital, according to the VCFD.

The man is now in stable condition with minor injuries from the crash. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will continue the investigation.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Police arrested a man for robbery and hatchet possession just before 6:30 p.m. Friday near the Bus Depot.

The victim refused to give the robber his headphones and called the VPD after a 19-year-old in dark jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black beanie flashed what appeared to be a revolver at him.

The victim then gave up his headphones, and the robber walked away before being detained about 15 minutes later by VPD officers.

VPD officers identified the robber thanks to the victim and had a hatchet in his possession when VPD officers called him.

VPD officers then took the 19-year-old to the County Jail for charges of robbery and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.

Those with more information on the case are asked to contact the VPD command center.

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Caleb Nguyen

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – Paso Robles Police officers found the initial suspect in a June 26 bank robbery in Fresno around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

PRPD officers relayed information about the man and Fresno officials helped find and arrest him on suspicion of bank robbery and a post-release community supervision violation.

PRPD officers later took the man back into custody and booked him into the SLO County Jail for the aforementioned violations.

The case remains under investigation and those with information are asked to contact the PRPD.

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Tracy Lehr

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KEYT) The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Pacific Southwest Region, inducted Jeff Martin into the Silver Circle.

The Silver Circle is a prestigious honor roll that recognizes individuals who began their television careers at least 25 years ago and those who have contributed to their community and the NATAS PSW chapter.

Martin plays a central role in the Unity Telethon, Old Spanish Days,  public service announcements and more.

“It took a lot of people in my life to remind me, like Jeff this is a big deal, it is a really big deal, so it is finally sinking in, like wow, wow, and then when you look back at your video and your own history you’re like didn’t we just start doing this and here we are,” said Martin.”

Martin credits his mother for inspiring him to pursue his television career.

He grew up in Montana where he turned his childhood closet into a broadcast studio.

At 17 he told people at a TV station in Missoula that they needed to hire him and they did.

His next stop was an NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City.

For the past 42 years KEYT-TV has been his television home.

Kenny Loggins said he crossed paths with Jeff in 1986 when the Loggins created the Unity Telethon.

“Back then Jeff was just a skinny kid pushing buttons in a production truck, now he produces the whole live TV event, and we have worked together on many live performances over the years, along with my friend Mike McDonald, Olivia Newton-John, Clint Black, Brad Paisley, Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, so many more,” said Loggins, “the thing that stands out the most for me is that, like myself, Jeff has a deep sense of care and commitment to the community in every project he touches.”

Martin was among six people honored at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines including two Gold Circle inductees who have made their mark in the industry for 50 years or more.

The Gold Circle inductees include Doug Friedman and Joe Smith.

The other Silver Circle inductees inductees include Luis “Pollo” Aceves, Scott Heath, and Steven Luke.

Former Silver Circle recipients Catherine Garcia emceed the event and former Silver Circle Kent Kay presented the awards along with NATAS PSW President D.J. Summit.

The recognition does not mean Jeff Martin is retiring, he is still going strong behind the scenes.

Congratulations Jeff!

NATAS PSW members are welcome to nominate future recipients.

For more information visit https://natas.psw.org

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It took 18 games but the Santa Barbara Foresters have dropped two games in a row.

The San Diego Waves scored three runs in the eighth inning and pulled out an 8-6 victory.

The Foresters had their 11-game win streak ended on Thursday by the San Luis Obispo Blues 3-1.

Santa Barara is 15-3 on the season and host the Menlo Park Legends on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara High School.

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Alissa Orozco

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – The city of Oxnard is now home to a new sweet treat spot, the Cookie Plug!

The cookie shop is known for its California-style bold, colorful, street-style graphics, and of course, their delicious, unique cookies with flavors ranging from cookies and cream, Snooperdoodle, and more!

The business just recently opened up a Oxnard location, and owner/ operator Elias Toma sat down with your News Channel to talk all things sweet.

You can following the Cookie Plug on Instagram, and visit the shop in Oxnard at 1941 N Rose Ave.

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Caleb Nguyen

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara County Fire crews found one person dead after a car fell 200 feet over the side of Willow Springs Trail just after 5:00 p.m. Friday.

The single car went over the side of Highway 166 and San Luis, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Maria Fire personnel all helped the SBCFD find the deceased.

An extensive search is ongoing for additional passengers in the car, and Highway 166 is currently reduced to one open lane, according to the SBCFD.

Drivers are advised to use alternate routes or to avoid the area if possible for the safety of both them and emergency crews on scene, according to the SBCFD.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation and more updates will be provided once available to Your News Channel.

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Caleb Nguyen

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that a 16-year-old boy was found guilty of willful, deliberate and premeditated first-degree murder of Davy Glen Pichel.

The killing took place in June 2025 outside of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard while the teen and a second teen boy involved in the murder were both 14 years old, according to the VCDAO.

The second teen in the murder previously pled guilty to first-degree murder in January and received a maximum base term under California state law of seven years in the Secured Youth Treatment Facility.

A church volunteer found Pichel dead outside the church with heavy injuries to his head and face. Pichel also was not fully dressed at the time of his discovery, according to the VCDAO.

Paramedics later arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene before investigators from the Oxnard Police Department took on the case.

Church security video later revealed the two teens approached Pichel sitting next to the church in his wheelchair before beating and stomping him multiple times, according to the VCDAO.

The minor is scheduled for sentencing at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard where he faces a maximum base term of seven years in the Secured Youth Treatment Facility, according to the VCDAO.

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