Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) The first Coffee Culture Fest took place on Saturday.

Coffee lovers took part at the Majorie Luke Theatre and Santa Barbara Junior High.

Everyone had a chance to enjoy a cup or two .

The all day celebration included arts, science and community discussions with elected leaders and others.

Santa Barbara City Councilmember took part in a panel discussion.

“The concept of building community for me is at the nexus of everything else that i do. it’s about making sure that we are looking out for one another, that we are operating with honesty, accountability, like when you said, but really, truly believing that when we come together things can change because they have to change.,” said Santamaria.

A women’s panel included women in the coffee Industry.

Coffee tasting pass holders also enjoyed trying different blends made by a number of local vendors.

They also had tea and specialty drinks on hand.

Some people took their coffee to go.

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Cole Tryba was back on the mound for the UC Santa Barbara Baseball team (16-8) on Saturday, and even better, he was back in his groove. After injuries delayed the start of his season, the Gauchos’ star left-handed reliever provided his first signature moment of 2026, spinning 4 1/3 perfect innings out of the bullpen to back up Nathan Aceves’ strong start and lock down Santa Barbara’s 8-2 win over No. 20 Oregon (22-5). Those eight runs were courtesy of an offense that was back in its groove after a big reshuffle in the order. Rowan Kelly remained stellar at the top, with two hits and three RBIs on the night, but Xavier Esquer also played a big role after being inserted into the four spot as the Gauchos’ designated hitter for the night.

QUOTABLEFrom head coach Andrew Checketts: “It starts on the mound, it starts with that guy going out and setting the tone, and I thought Aceves did that, gave us some time to score and work and be able to punch through a little bit,” Checketts said. “(Tryba) looked like he was in Spring Training his first three outings. You know, it was, it was the stuff was good but it was a little loose, the command wasn’t where he would like it, he was throwing some stuff miss or middle, so that’s the first time where he has put it all together and looked like alright there’s Cole, he’s back, not only healthy but he’s executing the way he’s capable of executing.”

“We’ve been struggling offensively, I think we’re better than that,” Checketts said. “I think our coaches do a good job of recruiting, I think we have better players than that. Coach Fonteno has been with us a long time and has coached in regionals, championship games of regionals and conference-championship teams for us that have led the conference in offense and runs scored, so he knows what he’s doing, so I think we’re really trying to get everyone to take a breath a little bit, not panic, we’ve got a lot of season in front of us. We do have a lot of new guys, in terms of some transfers on the position player side of it, but I think that was the right response today.

I didn’t put that together, Coach Fonteno did.”

From Cole Tryba: “My plan was attack, attack, attack,” Tryba said. “Just getting in there early, trusting the process, trusting my stuff, that’s really just it.

It felt amazing. I’ve been hurt for around a month now, coming back from injury two weeks ago, my stuff didn’t feel as good, but I stuck to the process and stuck to my mentality and that’s what really helped me today, and it felt really good.”

HOW IT HAPPENEDAceves did his part to help the Gauchos grab the early momentum, setting the Ducks down in order in the top of the first, including a big strikeout, winning an eight-pitch battle. Santa Barbara’s offense showed their intent in their half of the first too, with Kelly’s hard-hit ball getting him aboard on an error, and Esquer’s single putting runners on the corners. They were left there that time around, but it did not take much longer for the home side to get on the board. Corey Nunez was hit by a pitch to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the second, which Ryan Severns continued with his second career hit. Kelly reached on another error, this time a throw that sailed into the Ducks’ dugout, allowing Nunez to score. Severns then came home on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 to Santa Barbara.

The game remained on a knife edge with the threat of Oregon’s potent offense looming, but Aceves kept them in check. He stranded runners on the corners in the third and struck out two more Ducks in the fourth before the visitors finally got to him in the fifth. Four consecutive two-out singles tied the game, and Tryba was summoned to put out the fire. The stadium PA blasted Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero, and the junior lefty answered the call. He struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches to end the threat.

Even better, the Santa Barbara offense re-took the lead immediately. Kelly led off the bottom of the fifth with a ground-rule double, then scored on Esquer’s two-out single. Colin Beazizo then narrowly missed a home run to the deepest part of the ballpark but got an RBI double out of it, and the Gauchos’ two-run lead was restored.

Tryba continued his heroics with perfect sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings, and in their last chance to bat, the Santa Barbara offense put the game away. Beazizo led off the bottom of the eighth with a single and a steal of second, and Nunez brought him home with a single up the middle. Kelly then punched another base hit back up the middle to score two more runs, and Max Stagg brought home the eighth and final run of the night for his squad by walking with the bases loaded.

To punctuate the big win, Tryba ended his evening as he started it, with a three-pitch strikeout.

UP NEXTThe Gauchos’ victory sets up a rubber match on Sunday, March 29 in the series finale, with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. from Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Santa Barbara native Kellan Montgomery will take the mound for his hometown team. Sunday is Youth Day; kids ages 13 and under can run the bases after the game and join in an autograph session with Gauchos Jackson Flora, Rowan Kelly, Calvin Proskey and Josh Jannicelli. Tickets are on sale now at ucsbgauchos.com/tickets.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

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Mike Klan

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KEYT) – UC Riverside, powered by four home runs in a 15-hit offensive attack, defeated Cal Poly 10-4 to even its Big West baseball series against the Mustangs on Saturday at the Riverside Sports Complex.

One day after scoring 22 times on 25 hits, including five home runs, Coach Larry Lee’s Mustangs were held to just four runs and nine hits by senior southpaw Matthew O’Brien, who pitched UC Riverside’s first complete game since 2022.

O’Brien (2-3), who was 4-5 with the Highlanders a year ago after transferring from Hawaii-Hilo, walked two and struck out two for the victory, throwing 104 pitches. In 2025 at Baggett Stadium, O’Brien allowed the Mustangs five runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

The loss overshadowed a second straight four-hit game by Mustang second baseman Alejandro Garza, his third of the year and fifth of his collegiate career. He doubled once and singled three times, but the rest of the Cal Poly lineup could not drive him home.

Center fielder Casey Murray Jr. extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single leading off the fourth inning, but he was promptly picked off first base. Murray was one of just three Mustang leadoff batters to reach base Saturday.

Right fielder Cam Hoiland’s 12-game hitting streak came to a close in an 0-for-5 day at the plate.

After UC Riverside scored in the first inning, Cal Poly evened things up in the second when Dante Vachini’s fly ball to shallow left field was dropped for an error and Xander McLaurin scored Vachini with a double into left field.

UC Riverside grabbed the lead for good with a four-run third-inning rally highlighted by a solo home run from Lucas Bonham to go along with two singles and a pair of doubles.

It was 9-1 in favor of the Highlanders before Cal Poly produced its next run in the sixth on Ryan Tayman’s leadoff home run to left, his sixth of the year. Shortstop Nate Castellon’s first home run of the year, a two-run shot down the left-field line with two outs in the ninth, completed the scoring.

Left fielder Jarren Sanderson, who homered twice Friday, added another as well as a single and double Saturday and has eight RBIs for the series. Bonham also had three hits for the Highlanders.

Mustang starter Corden Pettey (2-2) gave up five runs on six hits over 2 1/3 innings in absorbing the loss.

Garza is the first Mustang since 2011 to produce back-to-back four-hit games. Shortstop Mike Miller had four hits against Oklahoma State on Feb. 27, 2011, and at Fresno State on March 1, 2011. McLaurin doubled twice Saturday for his fourth multi-hit game of the season.

Final game of the series is set for Sunday at 1:05 p.m. with redshirt junior right-hander Carson Turnquist (2-0, 1.85 ERA) of Cal Poly to face UC Riverside senior southpaw Jaxon Byrd (0-1, 5.14 ERA).

(Article Courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics)

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA and VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) ‘No Kings’ rallies took place along the coast.

People rallied at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara on Saturdy afternoon.

Participants spoke out against the war with Iran as it enters its fifth week

They also talked about their opposition to other Trump Administration policies.

A White House spokesperson said the protests are “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” and that the only people who care about them besides the protesters are the reporters paid to cover them.

Some people also attended an earlier rally in Ventura.

An estimated 10,000 people turned out at the rally by the Ventura County Goverment Center on Saturday morning.

The sound of honking seemed nonstop.

“I think the war amplified things that people were already frusutrated about we had a good gathering last June bigger in October, the war just piled on something else that we are all upset about,” said Carl Morehouse with Justice for All.

Vivien Latham joined friends at the rally and said it is a global event opposing President Trump.

“The fact that other people around the world London, Paris, Spain all over the world; Australia, Canada are all protesting shows everybody how hated this man is, how feared he is and how unqualified he is for the job,” said Latham.

A teenager said she intended to vote when she is old enough and hopes her generation will show up at the polls, too.

Maggie McKinney said she was proud of the turnout up and down the coast.

“We are turning up this is our country and this is out place I love Ventura county, Santa Barbara County and our Central Coast and California,” said McKinney.

One of the organizers spearheaded a postcard writing campaign to send registered Republicans in states with upcoming primaries.

Justice for All , Indivisible, and 50501 helped organize the events.

The latter that stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement.

Volunteers served as crossing guards to keep participants safe.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police officers took a man into custody after a domestic disturbance and subsequent vehicle pursuit around noon Saturday.

It happened at the 100 block of North Salinas St. when officers received information about a domestic disturbance between a man and woman, according to the SBPD.

The man left the home before SBPD officers arrived and later returned, driving recklessly and threatening officers.

SBPD officers tried a traffic stop on the car but the man fled driving recklessly, starting a quick pursuit.

California Highway Patrol officers helped find the man’s car near downtown Santa Barbara and after another failed traffic stop, took off on another car chase, according to the SBPD.

The man’s car crashed at the northbound La Cumbre Road exit and SBPD officers took him into custody without further incident.

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Alissa Orozco

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) –While many here on the Central Coast typically avoid the beach during the gray, gloomy season, for members of Channel Islands Divers, anytime is a great time to dive.

This morning at Carpinteria State Beach, the group hosted their second Underwater EGGstravganza, celebrating the Easter holiday scuba-style. Members decorated real hard-boiled eggs and scattered them along the South County shoreline for a one-of-a-kind hunt.

Channel Islands Divers President, Delbert Stewart, says it’s unusual but its their way.

“It’s a perfect excuse to come out to the beach, to be with friends. You get to enjoy this wonderful ocean we have,” says Stewart. “Just thinking about ways to make diving fun, and trying to get people engage to do more outdoor activities. My inspiration is seeing people happy.”

The club is based out of Ventura County, but venture well-beyond the county lines. With regular meetings, shore and boat dives, and speaking events, newbies are able to join in at anytime. For many of the divers Saturday morning, it was their first time exploring Carpinteria State Beach – making the hunt all the more exciting.

The group found more than just eggs… (Photo: Tony Frabasilio | Channel Islands Divers)

The group found more than just eggs… (Photo: Tony Frabasilio | Channel Islands Divers)

After gearing up on shore, divers of all ages made their way down to the beach and into water.

Working in groups, they searched the ocean floor for eggs and marine life, determined not return empty-handed.

While water and sand conditions created visibility issues, everyone agreed it was an EGG-cellent morning.

“The sand I think covered everything up this time. But, I think we had like, uh, I went out to like 30… feet deep. It was 64 degrees in the water, it was beautiful temperature,” said diver Tony Frabasilio.

This morning’s egg hunt wrapped up with a BBQ and awards for the lucky hunters. Concluding just one of the unique events the group hosts throughout the year. Be on the lookout for an underwater pumpkin carving dive later this year.

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Police arrested a 50-year-old Montecito man after a DUI crash he caused injured someone before 10:00 p.m. Friday.

The crash happened at a red light near Cota and State Street, sending one person to Cottage Hospital for minor injuries, according to the SBPD.

Another person complained of pain and the scene and the pickup driver responsible for the crash later fled on foot, according to the SBPD.

A bystander tracked the 50-year-old down and detained him at Ortega Street until the SBPD arrived.

SBPD officers then conducted a DUI and hit-and-run investigation, which led to the Montecito man’s arrest.

SBPD officers then booked him on felony DUI and hit-and-run causing injury charges.

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Caleb Nguyen

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (KEYT) – Fire crews are fighting a five-acre vegetation fire in Paso Robles that first started around 9:00 a.m. Saturday near High Meadow Way & Running Deer Road.

The fire is in an area of steep terrain and thick fuels, causing some issues for fire crews cutting lines to gain access to the flames, according to CAL FIRE SLO.

Fire crews controlled the fire to just over an acre around 2:15 p.m. and worked to extinguish the flames just before 6:00 p.m.

CAL FIRE SLO advises citizens to avoid the area and to watch for emergency crews and equipment.

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The big hit never came and UCSB lost game one of this 3-game home series against #20 Oregon 4-0.

Gauchos ace Jackson Flora pitched five innings of 2-hit shutout ball, striking out five. He did walk three batters and had two wild pitches but he was able to escape a few jams.

(Flora lowered his ERA to 0.83 after 5 scoreless innings against Ducks. Entenza Design).

UCSB had plenty of chances as they walked 6 times but they could not buy a timely hit and ended up with 13 runners left on base.

Oregon broke snapped a scoreless tie on a Jack Brooks solo home run in the seventh inning off reliever Raymond Olivas.

The Ducks added 3 more runs in the ninth inning to improve to 22-4 on the year.

UCSB is 15-8 but they have dropped 6 of their last 7 games.

Saturday’s game starts at 3:05 p.m. and Sunday is 1:05 p.m.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – After leaving five runners on base in the first two innings, the Royals were one out away of stranding three more runners in the third.

But David Burkholder roped a two out, 2-run single to center and that opened up the flood gates to a 6-run frame as San Marcos swept rival Dos Pueblos 6-3.

The two wins this week over the Chargers moved San Marcos on top of the Channel League standings at 6-2 with DP and Pacifica tied for second at 5-3.

Following a bases-loaded walk, senior Levi Monson delivered what proved to be the knockout blow, a 3-run double to left field to put the Royals up 6-0.

The run support was plenty for senior pitcher Mason Crang who went the distance for a complete game victory.

(The Fordham-commit Crang helped the Royals head into spring break with a first-place bounce in their step. Entenza Design).

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