Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Three time capsules are set to be buried on the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria.

As part of the project, the school celebrated the event by recording historic moment on video during a gathering held at the library Wednesday afternoon.

“Instead of doing something like a traditional ceremony, we thought let’s get our students together and film a video and have Spike, our mascot, running through the campus, acting like he’s just trying to find a place to bury the time capsule,” said Lauren Milbourne, Hancock College Public Affairs and Communications Director. “(During the recording) he finally he reaches his destination. We had the dance team, and we had our students, and everybody was cheering, and we’re going to produce a really cool video so that everybody can have something to watch and celebrate with.” 

To help gather as many students as possible, the school sent out a message through its various communication platforms looking for participants.

“It was super fun,” said student Jared McFadden. “I got to be around my friends. It was really energetic and fun to be a part of.”

According to the school, the project was originally scheduled to take place during Hancock’s centennial celebration during the 2020-21 academic year.

However, as it turned out, the COVID-19 pandemic coincided at the same time, wiping out or significantly altering a number of planned centennial-related events.

“We pulled up the a capsule during our centennial,” said Milbourne. “We had COVID, so we got a little bit behind things, and so today, five years later, we’re finally putting new time capsules back in the ground.”

Inside the capsules are a number of artifacts that are specifically school-related only, which are all meant to capture what life was like on campus during current times.

“We have so many things inside the time capsules to really reflect the time,” So we have college magazines, brochures. We have fliers. We have materials to to reflect our Pride Center. We just have everything that just shows the spirit of Allan Hancock College as it is today in 2025.”

The time capsules will be buried right in front of the campus library, underneath a statue of the school’s namesake, Capt. G. Allan Hancock.

“These time capsules are going to be in the ground for a long time,” said Milborne. “The first time capsule is going to be dug up for our 125th anniversary. The next one will be for 150th, and finally, the last one is our 200th anniversary.”

When the capsules are eventually opened, students predict those times will be much different than what they are experiencing in the year 2025.

We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but they see how much time has grown.  

“A time capsule that’s going to be open like years from now, that that’s going to be crazy to see how much time has changed,” said McFadden. “I hope when they look back on, they look on it fondly. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but to see how much time has grow and see how time has passed and how much things have changed, and it’s different now, and to be mind blown to see how the world used to be towards what it is then, I hope people get that feeling.”

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

Girls Flag Football:

Dos Pueblos 36, Ventura 33

San Marcos 34, Rio Mesa 7

Oxnard 39, Santa Barbara 19

Pacifca 30, Buena 0

Girls Volleyball:

San Marcos 3, Rio Mesa 0

Santa Barbara 3, Oxnard 1

Ventura 3, Dos Pueblos 0

Boys Water Polo

Righetti 10, Santa Barbara 7

Carpinteria 15, Santa Ynez 13

Royal 23, Burbank 17

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT).- There is a lot to like with the 2025 Santa Barbara Dons high school football team.

Santa Barbara is off to a 2-1 start and could be undefeated but they could not hold onto a 13-point fourth quarter lead to Corona del Mar two weeks ago.

Dons head coach Nate Mendoza is pleased with how hard his team is playing as they head into a tough game this Friday at undefeated Moorpark.

The Musketeers have outscored their first three opponents 103-26 (Rio Mesa, Centennial and Birmingham).

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT). -Dos Pueblos won a second straight Channel League ‘instant classic’ in girls flag football.

Quarterback Kacey Hurley escaped the rush and threw a 15-yard touchdown to Taylor Grant with 27 seconds to play as the Chargers celebrated a 36-33 win over Ventura.

DP is 4-0 in league while the Cougars are 3-1.

Last week DP edged rival San Marcos 15-14 as they stopped the Royals at the goal-line as time expired.

This time Dos Pueblos outlasted Ventura in a shootout.

Ventura grabbed a 33-30 lead midway in the fourth quarter as Ava Ortman threw a 4-yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to Kaiya Cooke. Ortman tossed 4 TD’s with three of those going to Cooke.

Both offenses went up and down the field for most of the game but the Chargers Kindah Ahmad-Reda had a huge defensive play as time expired in the third quarter. She intercepted Ortman and outraced the Cougars 70 yards for a pick-six that gave DP a 30-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Ahmad-Reda also caught a touchdown pass earlier in the third quarter from Hurley who had 4 TD passes in the game as the Chargers improved to 13-1 overall.

(Kacey Hurley threw for close t0 250 yards. Entenza Design).

(Taylor Grant had 2 touchdown catches including the game-winner. Entenza Design).

Ortman also ran for a touchdown in the first half for Ventura who led 19-18 at the break.

The Cougars fall to 3-3 on the season.

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Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEY-T) – San Luis Obispo Police arrested a Grover Beach woman after she refused to leave the Hotel Cerro and threatened harm on hotel staff with a gun or knife Tuesday afternoon.

The 40-year-old woman refused to leave after staying Monday night and barricaded herself in her room at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, according to SLOPD.

SLOPD received help but the woman refused to cooperate with authorities and stayed in the room. SLOPD established a perimeter and all hotel rooms on the floor were evacuated as a precaution.

SLOPD investigators got an arrest warrant for the 40-year-old for felony criminal threats and a Crisis Negotiation team talked her into exiting the room, according to the SLOPD.

SLOPD officers took the 40-year-old into custody without incident and found no guns or knives at 3:00 p.m. when the woman left the room, according to the SLOPD.

SLOPD officers arrested and took the woman to the San Luis Obispo County Jail for felony criminal threats, and her bail is set at $50,000.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – There could be some improvements and branding to one specific historic neighborhood in Santa Barbara.

An online survey has just been completed for the Presidio neighborhood.

The results will be evaluated for possible changes to promote the area and enhance it image.

This is a nine square block area bordered by State street, Ortega street, Garden street and Carrillo street.

Within that is the El Presidio State Park, Old Chinatown, several historic homes and adobes and some of the cities original buildings.

There have been maps and limited promotion in the past.

This latest effort could integrate it more directly with the overall downtown experience.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council heard staff recommendations about adaptive reuse Tuesday.

The issue involves a housing amendment to municipal codes that would incentivize adaptive reuse projects without delay.

Santa Barbara City Council members questioned the inclusionary requirements of 10 percent for workforce-priced units.

Councilmembers voted 5-2 on a motion to send the ordinance back to staff to reduce restrictions in the Commercial Business District along the State Street corridor by carving it out of the main ordinance.

Wendy Santamaria and Kristen Sneddon voted no.

Both appeared ready to vote on the staff recommendation rather than send it back for changes.

“I voted no today for moving forward without inclusionary housing, and so that is a 10 percent inclusionary requirement for adaptive reuse. But it would also allow in-lieu fees that could be charged if they were not able to make that 10 percent in the small space or configuration. Then they could pay into our local trust fund,” said Sneddon.

A study on in-lieu fees is in the works. She had hoped to adjust the ordinance once that study is done.

She said the city has been working on this issue for seven years.

“There is really the potential that entire floors could be penthouse suites for sale, and I would hate to miss out on that 10 percent inclusionary requirement and what those in-lieu fees could mean for our local housing trust fund,” Sneddon added.

Staff also recommended reconsidering a 1,200-square-foot average maximum.

The adoption is intended to pave the way for building above retail and office space, as well as replacing vacant space.

Public speakers had the chance to share their thoughts before the city council voted on whether to amend the municipal code pertaining to adaptive reuse projects.

The citywide change would have added an inclusionary requirement for decades to come.

One speaker noted a lack of three-bedroom units and argued the ordinance’s wording would hinder developers.

Ben Romo, representing Yardi developers, urged the city to remove the 10 percent below-market or inclusionary unit requirements.

Romo was not alone.

Other critics said renovations are expensive and that financial barriers to achieving a return on investment could drive developers away.

But other speakers and a couple of councilmembers said they support the ordinance and the conversion of non-residential units into housing to increase workforce housing downtown.

Many speakers said they prefer helping residents rather than weekenders.

Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association Executive Director Robin Elander spoke on behalf of the Housing Task Force.

They urged the council to exempt inclusionary housing requirements within the CBD for adaptive reuse, remove average unit size caps, and allow additional floors outside existing shells.

Developers said they would prefer not to have average unit size caps.

The recommended staff proposal, as written, waives some reviews and current zoning requirements.

It does not require compliance with current maximum density, setbacks, or parking requirements.

Mayor Randy Rowse, after tabling the adoption, said he favors requiring parking spaces.

The city will await staff’s revisions before moving forward.

They are also waiting on results of a study about in-lieu fees, which would allow developers to pay a fee per square foot if they don’t meet inclusionary housing requirements.

Councilmember Meagan Harmon considered it a victory. She said she wants to vote on something that won’t need changes down the road.

“I think there is a lot to celebrate out of today’s hearing. Adaptive reuse is about taking existing spaces and facilitating their development for housing. We all know that is wildly expensive to do downtown, and there is a lot about bringing folks to live downtown that would be really beneficial for economic revitalization,” said Harmon.

She added that it is about removing hurdles.

“So today we took a step to make it easier, simpler, more cost-effective to do that in the downtown core and citywide—to do that in existing spaces while maintaining a component of affordability,” Harmon said.

She believes the city is closer to paving the way to revitalize downtown.

For more information from the city visit https://SantaBararaCa.gov

Your News Channel will have more on this vote tonight on the news.

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Caleb Nguyen

VENTURA, Calif. – Jacob Saldivar of Oxnard, 23, pled guilty to 12 felonies Monday, including murdering Charles Barber in 2019, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Saldivar committed several crimes before murdering Barber, including seven counts of robbery, two counts of residential burglary, sodomy of a person under 18 and unlawful sexual intercourse, according to the VCDAO.

Saldviar also admitted to using a deadly weapon to murder Barber and cause great bodily harm to another person over 70 during one of these robberies as a special allegation, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar committed these violent crimes in Ventura from April to June of 2019, beginning when he was 16, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar became angry and attacked Barber with a knife at a parking lot inside of an apartment complex, fatally stabbing Barber multiple times, including a wound to Barber’s brain, according to the VCDAO.

Barber’s murder came during a time when he carried out robberies, assaults and burglaries, often targeting young victims walking from school or the market and elderly victims, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar stole phones, money and jewelry from younger victims, using a knife or physical violence that often resulted in hospital visits, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar’s elderly victims included knocking an 82-year-old man unconscious, causing a concussion, a broken jaw and lasting memory issues, according to the VCDAO.

He also robbed a 75-year-old man in a Home Depot parking lot, yanking at a necklace from the man’s neck which had his dead wife’s wedding ring, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar also burglarized an apartment complex and a private residence where he stole electronics, keys and valuables, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar, just days after murding Barber, lured two underaged girls to a motel with another mean, gave one of them Xanax and engaged in unlawful sex acts on June 27, 2019, according to the VCDAO.

Police later arrested Saldivar that day after he took selfies with a gun and pounded on a motel door, according to the VCDAO.

Ventura County prosecutors argued and succeeded in transferring Saldivar’s case to adult court due to the violent nature of his crimes, according to the VCDAO.

Saldivar is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 7 this year and remains in custody without bail. He is expected to be sentenced to 33 years to life in state prison under the following charges:

Charges pled to:

PC 187(a) – Murder

PC 211 – Second-degree robbery (7 counts)

PC 286(b)(1) – Sodomy of person under 18

PC 261.5(c) – Unlawful sexual intercourse

PC 459 – First-degree residential burglary (2 counts)

Special allegations admitted:

PC 12022(b)(1) – Use of a deadly weapon (knife)

PC 368(b)(2)(B) – Great bodily injury to elder over the age of 70

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –  A new design is making history in Santa Barbara County.

“The county of South Barbara is celebrating our 175th anniversary this year so Santa Barbara County is really special because we are one of the original counties of California in fact September 9, 2025 is 175th year statehood for the state of California,” said PIO Kelsey Buttitta of Santa Barbara County.

The winning artwork was created by local artist Aiden Khuiphum through a countywide contest.

“My main design component is the illuminated manuscript motif the gold plant design that inspired me heavily,” said Khuiphum.

“To have something beautiful that they can share with their families post on the wall for people to see really recognizes the sacrifices that many people do,” said arts commissioner Roman Baratiak of Santa Barbara County.

“This so important to people, and they live on … framed in people‘s homes … and on their desk,” said executive director Sarah York Rubin of Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture.

County leaders hope it will recognize our community for generations to come.

“My hope is you know to continue making art and working more with the community that I live in,” said Khuiphum.

“We now have a resolution that is meant to commemorate incredible individuals in our community that is beautiful, and that just shows the incredible legacy that Santa Barbara County is,” said Buttitta.

The new design will be used on ceremonial resolutions honoring people and organizations across the County.

More than artwork, the new design is now a lasting mark in county history.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A.T. Still University is preparing to relocate from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo.

College officials say moving to the new building is allowing them to expand.

Back in 2019, the city of Santa Maria announced the arrival of the nationally recognized A.T. Still University, or ATSU, to Coast Hills Credit Union’s flagship building on Betteravia.

ATSU teaches osteopathic medicine and trains students to join the workforce as primary care doctors, and the Central Coast’s College for Healthy Communities trains physician assistants for underserved communities.

“We accepted our first group of students in September of 2021,” says A.T. Still University dean Eric Sauers. “So we are about to graduate our third cohort of physician assistants students actually this Friday.”

The college is preparing to relocate to a location on Tank Farm Road in San Luis Obispo, and they expect their move will be complete in time to begin the next training cycle in September of 2026.

“During our time here, what we really realized was there is a need for more higher education opportunities for people on the Central Coast and there’s certainly a resounding need to grow the health care workforce,” says Sauers.

School officials have expressed tremendous gratitude for Santa Maria’s city leaders, who they say have gone above and beyond their call of duty in setting the campus up years ago, and continuing to accommodate them along the way.

“It doesn’t impact any of our training partners,” says Sauers. “So we will continue to train our students at Marion Regional Medical Center, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Community Health Centers in the Central Coast, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. And hopefully it will create more opportunities for us to partner, say, with Adventist, French Hospital and others.”

Sauers says the SLO building is larger than their current home in Santa Maria, and was designed with the intent to house schools of higher education.

This will enable further growth which will still include students and recruits from the whole region, and Sauers says this can be seen as an expansion in service to the overall Central Coast, rather than leaving one community for another.

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