Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – This week’s storm to hit the Central Coast produced an unusual display of thunder and lightning on Wednesday night, but so far, has not resulted in any significant impacts in San Luis Obispo County.

“This is one of those weird storms that we get sometimes in late summer, early fall where we get kind of the side of a tropical storm and we never know what to expect,” said Anita Konopa, San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Coordinator. “Sometimes we get a ton of rain and a lot of issues, and sometimes it just kind of spits out and we don’t get a whole lot. It looks like this is going to be one of those second cases where we planned for more than we’re getting.”

Large parts of San Luis Obispo County, including inland, valleys, and mountain areas had been under a flood watch by the National Weather Service (NWS), which was scheduled to last through Friday morning at 2 a.m.

However, due to the change in the storm, the NWS has now lifted those warnings across the county.

When the storm arrived early Wednesday evening, it appeared it was going to pack a big punch.

“Some parts of the county yesterday in 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. range got a bit of a show with some isolated bands of thunderstorms and rain that came through,” said Konopa.

Loud claps of thunder, along with lightning flashes, followed by a sudden downpour were reported in some areas of San Luis Obispo County, raising flags with county emergency officials.

“Dry lightning is always a risk,” said Konopa. “It’s a risk particularly this time of year when the ground is dry and fuels are dry. It was certainly something that our office was working with County CAL FIRE on just to anticipate and be prepared with staffing.”

As of Thursday morning, no fires within the county were reported due to any lightning strikes.

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Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Staying active doesn’t always mean breaking a sweat at the gym. For older adults, even simple seated movements can bring big benefits like easing pain, boosting energy, and helping maintain independence.

At 86, Lillian Smith is proof of that. Just two years ago, arthritis in her knees left her nearly unable to walk. “I could barely lift my feet,” she recalled. “But look now. I had aches, but since I’m doing the exercise it’s gone. I’m very grateful for this.”

Smith participates in chair-based exercise classes designed for seniors. The routines may look simple, but they are keeping her strong, mobile, and smiling.

For 74-year-old Rachna Bali, chair-supported yoga has become a lifeline. “It helps with focus, concentration, anxiety, breathing,” she said. “I have acute asthma and it has been helping me.”

Classes like these are part of the California Department of Aging’s mission to expand evidence-based fitness opportunities. The agency partners with senior centers statewide to promote programs that prevent falls, manage chronic conditions, and strengthen community ties.

“It’s a partnership,” said Kimiko Kelly, the director of Arts, Wellness and Engagement at the Jewish Services Center in Los Angeles. “We have social services with case management, transportation, meal service, and engaging activities. All of that is connected to the Department of Aging.”

Beyond the physical results, experts say the group environment is key. Social interaction, laughter, and friendship keep participants motivated.

For Smith, the payoff is simple: she can move without pain.

“The results that I get, I’ll never stop coming.”

For more information on programs for older adults, visit the California Department of Aging.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Dignity Health Central Coast is calling attention to September as A-Fib Awareness Month, raising a caution flag.

Physicians want the public to be aware of what they’re calling a hidden danger, which many may not be aware they already have.

A-Fib, or atrial fibrillation, is an irregular heartbeat, often fast, and occurs when the upper chambers of the heart–the atria–lose coordination and beat erratically, out of sync with the lower ventricles.

This can cause problems with blood flow leading to dizziness and fatigue, and increased risk of blood clotting and stroke.

“It’s a very important problem because atrial fibrillation can cause increase in risk of stroke,” says Dr. Ragesh Panikkath, a cardiac electrophysiologist at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo. “So there’s a five times increased risk of stroke, three times increased risk of heart failure, twice the risk of mortality in patients who have atrial fibrillation than who don’t have atrial fibrillation.”

Factors that can contribute to A-Fib include diabetes, obesity and thyroid conditions, as well as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and sleep apnea.

“The most common symptom is tiredness and shortness of breath, which someone could easily, think could be due to something else rather than being due to atrial fibrillation,” says Dr. Panikkath.

Doctors refer to A-Fib as a hidden danger because many who have it don’t feel anything wrong for long periods of time.

“That’s why more awareness is needed about this problem,” says Dr. Panikkath.

Research shows that between 2.5 and 6 million Americans are estimated to be directly affected by A-Fib, and the figure is only predicted to rise.

“There are more patients or people with atrial fibrillation than all the cancers combined,” says Dr. Panikkath. “It’s a huge number and many people are unaware about it in the population because they don’t feel it or they might just feel they’re getting older or have little shortness of breath because of aging. But in fact atrial fibrillation is causing it.”

There are medical and consumer grade technologies such as the Apple watch on the market and in development making early detection possible.

Physicians still advise a healthy lifestyle, regular screenings, and open communication with your doctor.

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Michael Yu

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Humane joined your Morning News with special guest Queso!

Queso is a terrier pup coming up on 8 weeks of age. He is one of 29 dogs available for adoption, as well as 16 new kittens available today at noon.

SB Humane also highlighted Po, a Siberian Husky who has been looking for a home for a while now.

SB Humane is partnering with local law enforcement and first responders to provide free veterinary care to K9 units in Santa Barbara County. It is in partnership with One805, an organization formed to help first responders.

The One805LIVE! Concert is this Saturday at Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams. Tickets are still available on their website.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – September 18th is National Rice Krispie Day. Joining the Morning News Thursday is Mark Gonzales, a local renowned chef for Folded Hills Winery.

Gonzales has embarked on a new journey launching The Good Square: a homemade brown-butter salted, marshmallow crispy treat.

The tasty treats reflect a nostalgic taste for those who get to try them. You can find the treats available for purchase Third Window, The Lucky Llama Coffee shop, The Blue Owl and the Westmont Student Book Store.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT). – Dos Pueblos raced out to a 6-1 lead after the first quarter and never let Santa Barbara in the game as the Chargers won 17-6 in their Channel League opener.

The Dons fell to 0-2 in league.

Grant Nelson scored a game-high 7 goals as DP led 13-3 at halftime and called off the dogs in the second half.

Aracin Marshall dished out 8 assists and freshman Koa Zertuche had 13 saves for the Chargers who improved to 10-2 overall.

Santa Barbara was led by Paolo Borgioli who had 2 goals and 2 assists.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). – No one is giving San Marcos a chance in Friday’s 65th Annual Big Game at Santa Barbara.

The Royals have heard that before.

Just last year San Marcos, a heavy underdog, shocked the Dons by going toe-to-toe with them.

The game ended in a controversial 20-20 tie, the first deadlock in the history of this series.

The Dons lead the all-time series 39-24-1.

Santa Barbara is 2-2 on the year, San Marcos is 1-3.

“Control the football, control the clock and keep it close, if we do that we have a shot,” said Royals head coach Ralph Molina.

Santa Barbara head coach Nate Mendoza is excited for Friday saying, “This is the one game I remind them(his team) it’s not really about us, it’s about our alumni, our staff, everybody who has worn the helmet before, I take a lot of pride in this game.”

The Big Game is Friday at Peabody Stadium at 7p.m.

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Alissa Orozco

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Over the course of 18 months, several individuals – all believed to be gang-affiliated – were arrested in Ventura County for various crimes including distribution of narcotics, illegal possession or/and transfer of firearms, and unlawful relations with a minor.

Beginning in early 2024, Special Crimes Unit detectives in Ventura County arrested two active gang members following an investigation into an Oxnard-based street gang suspected of illegal possession of firearms and distributing narcotics. As a result, detectives recovered three firearms and indicia (cannabis).

During another investigation in June 2024, a search warrant led to the recovery of four handguns, a sawed-off rifle, ammunition, 834.7 gross grams of cocaine, 248 gross grams of methamphetamine, indicia used for narcotics sales, and $21,000.00 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales at yet another gang member’s residence.

Even more illegal firearms and narcotics were recovered in another 2024 investigation into a Ventura County criminal street gang and the Sureño prison gang. 85.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.9 pounds of ecstasy pills, $10,000 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales, ammunition and three handguns from a narcotics source of supply in Los Angeles County were found during that investigation.

To close out the year, Special Crimes Unit detectives initiated an investigation into a gang member working as a Sureño prison gang member on behalf of the Mexican mafia. Detectives seized 9.36 pounds of methamphetamine destined for Oxnard from one of the gang member’s couriers.

Photo: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Investigations continued into the Spring of 2025 where detectives arrested an additional 13 gang members through several search warrants in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. This final investigation uncovered twelve handguns, five rifles, two shotguns, 56 gross grams of cocaine, 439.3 gross grams of heroin, 293.3 gross grams of methamphetamine, ammunition, $107, 205.46 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of narcotics sales, and one vehicle.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, three of the arrestees have entered guilty pleas and are now serving their sentences.

During one of the investigations, a gang member was found to had engaged in a unlawful sexual relationship with minor that lasted about five years. Another member was also arrested for having engaged in an online, sexual relationship with a minor with the intent to send, distribute or exhibit harmful or obscene material to the minor with the intent to engage in sexual intercourse.

Detectives concluded their investigations in late July 2025. As result, the following was seized:

· Twenty-two handguns
· 43,618 gross grams of methamphetamine

· Six rifles
· 861 gross grams of ecstasy

· Two shotguns
· $138,298.46 U.S. currency

· 912.7 gross grams of cocaine
· One vehicle

· 439.3 gross grams of heroin

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –The newest refrigerated van is now getting filled up to combat the growing needs of the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara. It comes at a time when the need for fresh food continues to grow.

Unity Shoppe Executive Director and CEO Angela Miller-Bevan said, “so we have we have three refrigerated vans and this was just added to our fleet. We’re super excited about the relationship with Whole Foods. They have just done such an amazing thing for us and they designed it.”

That design has fruits, vegetables, and other food products. It gets a lot of looks, but also reminds the community fresh food is getting picked up and brought in at a steady pace.

Miller-Bevan said, “it is huge for us because we pick up five days a week. So I have drivers going out all over the place to all the different stores in town – Grocery Outlet, Whole Foods, Gelsons, Vons,  Albertsons and Target.”

One of the stops Wednesday was the Grocery Outlet store just a few minutes from the Unity Shoppe in downtown Santa Barbara.

In some stores, the pick up could be designated surplus food items, and in others, it can be a purchase with donated gift cards.

Kevin Easter with the Unity Shoppe was pushing a cart of food and said, “it’s usually the staples. Pasta, canned vegetables, potatoes, onions and some type of ground beef. That type of thing.” Seasonally it can also be many of the necessary food products, for example at a holiday meal.

For the Unity crew, they are often out in the morning after the stores set aside the donation from the overnight stocking shift.

Easter said, “and then they have it prepped for us so the drivers will come, load up the vehicle, refrigerate it, and then go straight to Unity Shoppe.”

The van was off loaded at the Unity Shoppe in minutes and the items were on the shelves right away.

The vans make it a very seamless process. It goes from the stores to the Unity Shoppe and the clients right away.

Miller-Bevan said, “thanks to the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, we have been able to put some refrigerators in some freezers that helped us so that we can distribute more food into the community.”

One recipient, Tony Rogers, said this gives him healthier choices. “They have good freezers. The food is really preserved and nice for us. It’s a blessing to have all those extra resources. So it is not wasted in the community.”

The third van comes at a time when the need is growing in different demographics and new recipients on a limited budget are coming in all the time.

Miller-Bevan said the clients can use the money they are saving on healthy food for other things like “rent and gas for the car and childcare.”

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