Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT)– It’s a tradition at University of California, Santa Barbara for students to celebrate the first Saturday following their first week back from Spring Break.

What started as the unsanctioned ‘Floatopia’ decades ago turned into unsanctioned ‘Deltopia.’

But a crackdown on loud music, public intoxication and parking has led to other celebrations.

That latest is called ‘Soltopia.’

Students and the Isla Vista Community Services District worked on making Soltipia a fun alternative along The Loop.

Students graduating this year said they enjoyed the free music festival.

“At first a lot of people felt disappointed, but I feel like they really did a good job creating something that people are really excited about,” said Eliza Bulanti.

“I do want to give props to the school, though, for actually creating an alternative event, because the first it was like, ‘oh, if we just cancel it, okay, we’re not going to do anything’ and that was kind of a bummer because we’re seniors,” said Anna Chmeh.

Thousands of students and residents registered for Soltopia wristbands that came with perks.

The weather turned out to be picture-perfect for people to enjoy the sunny Saturday.

Some students plan to continue their version of Deltopia on Sunday along Del Playa where beach access is closed this weekend.

There are unconfirmed reports that a deputy was injured in the area.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – UCSB scored 12 runs on 14 hits as they finished off a 3-game sweep over rival Cal Poly to jump right back in the Big West race.

Xavier Esquer and freshman Ryan Severns each knocked in three runs in a 12-4 win as the Gauchos are now ahead of Cal Poly in the loss column in league. UCSB is 8-4 in the Big West while the Mustangs are 10-5.

Esquer homered in the second inning and added a 2-run triple in the 9th inning.

Severns had an RBI double in the second inning, a run-scoring single in the sixth inning and an RBI double in the 9th.

The Gauchos led 6-0 after six innings before the Mustangs scored a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Dos Pueblos High School alum Kellan Montgomery improved to 5-2 on the year after allowing just one run in six innings of work.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – The UC Santa Barbara softball team earned its fifth straight conference series win after defeating Hawai’i 7-6 in the rubber match of the series. After falling in game one of the doubleheader, the Gauchos bounced back and defeated the Rainbow Wahine to take the series.

GAME ONE: RAINBOW WAHINE 6, GAUCHOS 0Hawai’i took an early lead in the first inning on an RBI double. The Gauchos’ Dani Rauscher lined out, followed by a single from Tehya Banks, who later stole second, but the team could not capitalize further.

In the second inning, Hawai’i extended its lead with two runs. A triple pushed one run across, followed by a single to push the second run across. The Gauchos again got a runner on base but could not capitalize.

Hawai’i added another run in the third inning when a pinch runner scored on a double. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, they were unable to produce any offense in their half of the inning.

In the fifth inning, Hawai’i plated another run on a double. Again, Santa Barbara got traffic on the bases in their half of the inning but could not push a run across.

In the seventh inning, Hawai’i extended its lead with a home run and that was all as the Gauchos were unable to plate a run and fell to UH 6-0.

GAME TWO: GAUCHOS 7, RAINBOW WAHINE 6UC Santa Barbara secured a narrow victory over Hawai’i with a final score of 7-6. The Gauchos took an early lead in the first inning when Dani Rauscher singled and advanced on a wild pitch, scoring on a Giselle Mejia double to center field. UC Santa Barbara led 1-0 after the first inning.

In the fourth inning, Bella Fuentes delivered a crucial three-run home run, bringing home Delaina Ma’ae and Ainsley Waddell. This offensive surge extended the lead to 4-1 for UC Santa Barbara at the end of the fourth inning.

Hawai’i responded in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, including a three-run homer, which gave the Wahine a 5-4 lead. However, in the bottom of the fifth, Mejia doubled to left center, allowing Rauscher to score and tie the game at 5-5.

In the top half of the sixth inning, the Wahine jumped out in front 6-5 after a solo home run. The lead did not last long as Ella Myers hit a two-run home run, adding to the score. This put UC Santa Barbara ahead 7-6 headed to the final frame.

Sophia Clark entered the game with runners on first and second and two outs in the sixth and struck out the next Hawai’i batter on three pitches. In the seventh, Clark shut down the Wahine to hold on and claim her ninth victory of the season.

Santa Barbara’s defense held strong in the final inning, preventing any further scoring from Hawai’i and securing the win. The final score was UC Santa Barbara 7, Hawai’i 6.

UP NEXTUC Santa Barbara will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Long Beach State. The Gauchos and Beach will clash in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11, with game one starting at 3 p.m. The series will wrap up on Sunday, April 12, with a single game at 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

Click here to follow the original article.

Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The northern portions of the Central Coast came alive with Easter celebrations this weekend.

Many are celebrating with an all-inclusive attitude.

At Pismo Beach, community members have been keeping watch over a simple driftwood cross someone set up a few days ago, and now it’s adorned with simple gifts and embellishments.

Locals say some people have been coming out overnight to keep watch, attempting to keep it up through the Easter weekend, despite some others trying to take it down.

“Certainly for events like this where we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and we get to do that in a space that I am confident He is proud of,” says Jacqui Banta, the event’s coordinator.

Saturday morning in Santa Maria, Children’s Resource & Referral Of Santa Barbara County in partnership with the Banta family of Orcutt held the 14th annual special needs easter egg hunt.

“This is a great place,” says Jeff Banta, the event’s co-director. “It’s a very sensory supportive place for people that need to have support in that area. We have various vendors here, Parents Helping Parents, Central Coast Autism Center is here as well.

Over 600 people attended this year and collected 12,000 eggs, complete with colorful helium balloons.

“This is our first year in Santa Maria, therefore, the Santa Maria Police Department is participating this year,” says Sgt. Oscar Corral with the Santa Maria Police Department. “We put a booth together. We have a little spinning wheel that basically allows them to win a prize.”

Event organizers say Easter weekend often falls at the beginning of Autism Awareness Month, and participants look forward to this event every year.

“I came here to celebrate the wonderful day of Easter,” says William Ente, a Children’s Resource & Referral Facilities Attendant. “This is actually my first time. I am very excited.”

And, of course, what kind of Easter holiday would it be without a chance to meet the Easter Bunny “herself?”

“We get to meet and visit with special needs families all up and down the coast,” says Jacqui Banta. “They come from as far as Paso, down to Santa Barbara, and we meet in the middle. And it’s our favorite day of the year.”

The legendary lagomorph showed up for photo opportunities before the event was over.

“I wish everyone hopefully a happy Easter and I hope everyone finds the magic Easter egg,” says Ente.

Additionally, Saturday is the last day this year for photos with the Easter Bunny at Santa Maria Town Center Mall.

You can get a photo taken until 8:00pm.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Cole Tryba pitched 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball in relief as UCSB rallied to beat Cal Poly 4-2 to secure the Blue-Green rivalry series.

The Gauchos trailed 2-0 after five innings as the Mustangs Alejandro Garza had an RBI single in the third and a run-scoring double in the fifth.

But UCSB manufactured a run in the sixth on a wild pitch and took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on sacrifice flys off the bats of Ryan Severns and Rowan Kelly. A fielder’s choice in the eighth gave the Gauchos an insurance run.

UCSB is now 7-4 in the Big West and Cal Poly is 10-4.

UCSB will go for a 3-game sweep on Saturday with first pitch scheduled at 1 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – For decades, visitors have walked through a Santa Barbara museum to experience history up close. Now, the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum is entering a new chapter—one that’s prompting reflection across the community as it prepares to leave its longtime home.

Inside the museum, moments that shaped the world feel almost within reach. From fragments of the Declaration of Independence to relics tied to Apollo missions, the collection offers a rare, intimate look at history—often just inches away from visitors.

“It’s the world’s largest privately owned significant manuscript collection,” said Director Norman Cohan.

For more than 40 years, the museum has welcomed the public free of charge, drawing visitors from across the country. Many describe the experience as both powerful and inspiring.

“I come from Fairfax, Virginia and this is just incredible to see all these historic pieces here,” said visitor Laurie Sullivan.

But that experience is about to change.

The Santa Barbara location will close its physical doors on April 5, as thousands of manuscripts are relocated to Florida. Some materials will also be digitized, allowing broader global access.

Local leaders say the loss will be felt.

“Artifacts from ancient Egypt… just a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t see anywhere else, and it makes me sad that they’re moving,” said Santa Barbara City Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez.

As the final days approach, visitors are being encouraged to take one last look before the transition.

“I hope people will come out and learn from the artifacts while they still can,” Gutierrez added.

While the building may soon go quiet, museum leaders say its mission will continue—reaching new audiences beyond Santa Barbara.

“Perhaps this can further the cause of enlightening humanity,” Cohan said.

The museum’s physical chapter in Santa Barbara is ending—but its history, and its impact, are far from over.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The historic Fremont Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo is getting closer to reopening after being closed for more than a month due to storm damage.

In mid-February, a powerful storm damaged the theater’s iconic 35-foot fin sign, causing a portion of the structure to fall onto the ground.

Since then, the theater has been closed, along with a portion of Monterey Street directly in front the of the building.

This week, the City of San Luis Obispo fully reopened the street, which has been partially closed directly in front of the theater for more than a month.

“Reopening the street is an important step forward,” said San Luis Obispo Community Development Director Timothea Tway. “We understand how much the Fremont Theater means to our community and we are encouraged by the property owner’s progress. We will continue working closely with the property owner to ensure that we move forward safely, responsibly, and as efficiently as possible while protecting this historic landmark.”

With Monterey Street now open to traffic once again, according to Fremont Theater owner Rob Rossi, the theater itself is likely close to reopening as well.

“We had engineers look at the condition,” said Rossi. “We’ve opened up part of the marquee. It appears to be sound. The engineer is going to be here this early next week and hopefully he’ll find the same. And assuming he signs off, we can be open next week.”

The potential reopening of the theater in the near future is welcome news for many, especially with the annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival set to start in less than three weeks on April 23rd.

“We certainly hope that we can be open for that,” said Rossi. “Our hope is to keep it here as it’s been from the beginning. We think it’s an icon of the city and the film festival’s an icon of the city and the two go together.”

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

John Palminteri

ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) – A new, fresh and innovative festival is sprouting up for the Spring in Isla Vista known as Soltopia.

It takes place Saturday April 4 from noon until 6 p.m.

This is a permitted event that has cleared all the hurdles with Santa Barbara County Supervisors, Sheriff’s Department and other agencies after it was presented by the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) earlier this year.

“I feel really thankful for some of the people at the county that did sit down and walk us through important things that we had to consider along the way, even though it was a crazy timeline,” said IVCSD Community Programs and Engagement Director Myah Mashhadialireza.

Organizers said clearly it “is in no way” anything related to the unpermitted Deltopia event that has been a problem-filled and costly annual activity about the same time in Isla Vista. Deltopia was created out of the Flotopia event that left beaches strewn with trash and other waste in 2009 after a massive social media blitz promoting it to area residents. The next stop was Del Playa Drive and the name Deltopia.

This year the most significant change has been the ban on amplified music (except for the permitted event.)

The IVCSD has been working closely with the UC Santa Barbara Associated Students on a focused, community oriented festival with live music, art, food, bathrooms and security. All residents and their families have been invited. The goal is to keep it local and keep it safe.

“And this hopefully hits all those marks that people will get to have their own event, really enjoy something to support our local businesses for the local artists,” said IVCSD General Manager Jonathan Abboud.

There will be six stages, 80 performers and eight entertainment zones, including many suggested by the residents of the area as part of an outreach to create a festival-for-all.

Mashhadialireza said, “We want people to be able to enjoy themselves, and they voted on all of these musicians and bands that we have and deejays, so we know they like them.”

Abboud was part of a team handing out wrist bands for Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara residen ts and verifying their local addresses. He said the crowd was enthusiastic. “People are so excited. They are telling us that it’s going to be better than Deltopia.They are excited for the free food. They’re excited for the curation element because we’ve curated six different stages.”

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has said it will still be staffing with extra deputies on Del Playa Drive for any large crowds or needs in the area. In the past there have been numerous calls for medical issues linked to drugs and alcohol, cliff falls, and injuries.

Most arrests were from out of towners.

The beaches closed on the order of the county at 8 a.m. today and will reopen Monday.

One resident was not happy with the new rules but will check out the festival. C.J. Eftekhari said, “It’s better than nothing. And I think they’re doing a good job with the wristbands and I’m gonna check it out. I’m open minded, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Parking in the area will have restrictions. The nearby Goleta streets in some areas will have local permit parking only. This is mainly off Storke Road near Isla Vista. Special permits were issued to Girsch Park teams as well.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hundreds are expected to gather at Old Mission Santa Barbara this Good Friday for a quiet moment of reflection.

The annual ceremony remains a meaningful tradition for the community.

Each year, it brings people together in remembrance and faith.

The event continues to draw strong turnout from locals and visitors alike.

Good Friday at the Mission will include morning prayer at 8:00 a.m., Stations of the Cross in the Olive Garden at noon, and quiet prayer from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion is at 3:00 p.m.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Jackson Flora is making his case as the top college pitcher in the country and you probably won’t get any arguments from Cal Poly.

The hard-throwing right-hander pitched a complete game 4-hit shutout with nine strikeouts as UCSB beat Cal Poly 6-0 to begin this 3-game Blue-Green rivalry series.

Flora is now 6-0 on the season with a microscopic 0.69 ERA.

It’s the second straight year that Flora has tossed a complete game shutout versus the Mustangs.

The Gauchos offense backed Flora with a 5-run fourth inning highlighted by a 2-run single by Cole Kosciusko and a 2-run double from Nico Libed.

With the win UCSB improves to 6-4 in the Big West and 17-10 overall while Cal Poly is now 8-3 in Big West play and 17-11 overall.

Game 2 of this series is Friday 6 p.m.

Click here to follow the original article.