Category: keyt-local-news

Joey Vergilis

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Former UC Santa Barbara basketball player, author and philanthropist JD Slajchert is adding new chapters to an already remarkable journey.

Slajchert recently became an Adjunct Professor at California Lutheran University in his hometown of Thousand Oaks, where he teaches a course focused on public speaking and helping students effectively master and tell their own stories. The role marks another milestone for the author of MoonFlower and Darling, You’re Not Alone, whose career has been built around storytelling, advocacy and inspiring others.

Now, Slajchert’s own story is heading to the screen. VictoryRoad Studios is producing a feature documentary chronicling the life-changing friendship between Slajchert and Luc Bodden, a young boy who tirelessly battled Sickle Cell Disease.

“This documentary has been unfolding in the background of my life for the past year. At its core is my relationship with Luc, how he changed my life, who I was before I met him, and who I became after his tragic passing. I believe this project can help raise awareness about sickle cell disease and serve as a beacon of hope for others,” said Slajchert”

During Slajchert’s basketball playing career, Bodden became one of his biggest supporters. Their unlikely bond would ultimately change the course of Slajchert’s life, leading him to co-found The LucStrong Foundation and write his debut novel, MoonFlower. Bodden passed away in 2016 at the age of 10.

Directed and executive produced by Mike Basone, founder and CEO of VictoryRoad Studios, the documentary follows Slajchert’s journey from basketball standout to author, speaker and advocate.

Slajchert believes the documentary is arriving at the right time, as audiences increasingly seek authentic, real-life stories.

“The documentary world is booming right now,” Slajchert said. “With so much AI-generated content and fiction saturating the market, people are looking for something real. They want to watch documentaries, learn about others and connect with genuine human experiences.”

“This project can generate a lot of exposure and, hopefully, even find a place at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival,” Slajchert said.

The film is slated to debut exclusively on VictoryRoad+, the studio’s new streaming platform featuring sports documentaries and unscripted programming.

Beyond education and filmmaking, Slajchert is also making waves in the fashion industry through a partnership with 27 Miles, the Malibu-based luxury cashmere brand who have a store in heart of Montecito. The company recently styled him in a lightweight suit from its Italian division, Vallorani, highlighting a collaboration that blends California style with Italian craftsmanship.

With a new teaching role, a major documentary in development and growing opportunities in fashion, Slajchert continues to expand his influence while staying rooted in the message that first defined his career: the power of human connection and storytelling.

To keep up with JD Slajchert, follow him on Instagram, subscribe to his YouTube channel , or visit his website for the latest updates on his projects, speaking engagements and upcoming documentary.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Longtime Santa Barbara locals are mourning the city’s longest serving mayor.

Sheila Lodge, who turned 97 in June, died on Wednesday.

People who regularly attend city council meetings are likely to remember Lodge who served three terms as mayor in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Lodge was also the first woman to become Mayor of Santa Barbara, but not the last.

Video of one of her campaign advertisements show Lodge talking about the need for affordable housing.

Lodge also stayed active.

In April of 2025 she attended to the city council meeting to apply to be on the latest Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission.

When she walked along the halls of city hall she garnered immense respect

Lodge wrote a book entitled “Santa Barbara – An Uncommonplace American Town.”

Mayor Randy Rowse said he recalled tangling with her over the signs at his restaurant.

“Sheila, number one, was our longest running mayor, she was our first female mayor and she was the mayor that was there when I started my business in the early 80s right across the street from city hall, so my beginning relationships with Sheila was kind of contentious.”

They disagreed over an ordinance impacting his neon sign that said Paradise Cafe, that formerly said La Paloma Cafe.

Rowse won the fight over the sign.

Years later, Rowse said they found common ground.

“She saw me perform on council, we became friends and she became somebody as a confidant somebody I talked to a lot about stuff and somebody who would talk to me when I would say something she didn’t agree with so as far as issues go Sheila and I disagreed on a lot of stuff but we had a great relationship and a lot of mutual respect because we both had the city at heart and sheila especially and that is the most incredible track record for a civil servant that I can think of-is what she did for a city, ” said Rowse.

Jeff Berkus recalls getting to know Lodge while working with his architect father Barry Berkus in the 1980s.

“My thoughts are that Sheila Lodge, Mayor Sheila Lodge was an amazing individual and represented our city incredibly well, I happened to be working with my father downtown during her tenure I was there from 83-89 and she was mayor the entire time, ” said Berkus,” she did a lot for the city, she was a woman of character and she was the kind of woman you’d like to look back and say this is the legacy we would like to continue in our town in Santa Barbara.”

Some of her admirers were getting ready to Wet Wednesday sailing races at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club when they heard she had died.

Lodge spent some of her childhood years in Ojai and went to UC Santa Barbara once her daughters were in school.

She got involved with the League of Women Voters and stayed involved.

Her husband Judge Joe Lodge died of cancer decades ago.

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, Lodge is survived by four daughters and a grandson.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from the City of Santa Maria warning the public about fraudulent water condition claims made by scammers in the area.

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The City of Santa Maria is alerting the public to a potential scam targeting local water customers. Individuals have reportedly been visiting residents and falsely claiming that the City’s water is contaminated. They are advising residents not to drink or use the water without additional treatment and then attempting to sell water treatment units based on these false claims.

The water in Santa Maria remains safe for drinking and use. The City regularly tests and monitors water quality to ensure it meets all health and safety standards. In June 2026, the City mailed its Annual Water Quality Report to all City water customers. The Report is also available on the City’s website at https://bit.ly/WaterQualityReport25

The public is reminded that City employees will never visit a property without proper identification, and any concerns regarding water safety should be addressed directly to the Utilities Department at (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270. Residents are advised to exercise caution and report any unsafe encounters to the Santa Maria Police Department’s nonemergency line at (805) 925-0951 ext. 2277.

The City encourages all residents to stay vigilant and to always verify information through official City channels.

Department: UtilitiesContact Person: Joshua Reynolds, Deputy Director of Water ResourcesTelephone Number: (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270Email Address: jreynolds@cityofsantamaria.org

Traducción al español:

SANTA MARÍA, Calif. – La Ciudad de Santa Maria está alertando al público sobre una posible estafa dirigida a los clientes locales del servicio de agua. Se ha reportado que algunas personas han estado visitando a los residentes y afirmando falsamente que el agua de la Ciudad está contaminada. Estas personas aconsejan a los residentes que no beban ni utilicen el agua sin un tratamiento adicional y luego intentan venderles equipos de tratamiento de agua basándose en estas afirmaciones falsas.

El agua en Santa Maria continúa siendo segura para beber y para el uso diario. La Ciudad realiza pruebas y monitorea regularmente la calidad del agua para garantizar que cumpla con todas las normas de salud y seguridad. En junio de 2026, la Cuidad envió por correo el Informe Anual sobre la Calidad del Agua a todos los clientes del servicio de agua de la Ciudad. El informe también está disponible en el sitio web de la Ciudad en: https://bit.ly/WaterQualityReport25

Se le recuerda al público que los empleados de la Ciudad nunca visitarán una propiedad sin portar una identificación oficial, y que cualquier inquietud relacionada con la seguridad del agua debe dirigirse directamente al Departamento de Utilidades al (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270. Se recomienda a los residentes tener precaución y reportar cualquier encuentro sospechoso a la línea de no emergencia del Departamento de Policía de Santa Maria al (805) 925-0951 ext. 2277.

La Ciudad anima a todos los residentes a mantenerse alertos y verificar siempre la información a través de los canales oficiales de la Ciudad.

Departamento: UtilidadesPersona de Contacto: Joshua Reynolds, Subdirector de Recursos HídricosNúmero de Teléfono: (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270Correo Electrónico: jreynolds@cityofsantamaria.org

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Residents of Santa Maria who live on Cesar E. Chavez Drive are pushing back against the City Council’s decision to rename the street.

The surveyed residents are unanimous that they don’t want the street to be renamed.

This all started in march with reports of Chavez having been involved in sexual misconduct during his life.

Both Santa Barbara and Santa Maria decided to change their street names.

Similar name changes are happening all over the country.

At June 16th’s meeting, mayor Alica Patino spoke in strong support of changing the street’s name.

“I am in total support of this,” the mayor said. “And I think we need to stand here in the city of Santa Maria and say we want that culture changed.”

In Santa Maria, Cesar E. Chavez drive is alongside Tommie Kunst Junior High School and on the north side of the city.

“The council has taken a pretty clear action that the street is going to be renamed and thus, choose a name,” says Brett Fulgoni, City Of Santa Maria’s Public Works Director.

It is the address for no more than 60 homes, and some of those neighbors have questioned the rapid decision, as the neighborhood has strongly opposed the change.

“I went door to door and started talking and meeting with my neighbors, And when I asked if they wanted to have the name change, every single one person that I spoke with said no, not because of politics, but because of the financial strain it’s going to take on everybody,” says Stella Felix-Villarreal, who lives on Cesar E. Chavez Drive.

Others think the 26 thousand dollars estimated to cover the name change could be better spent enhancing safety measures near the school.

“We have a safety issue on the street,” says Felix-Villarreal. “We could use more stop signs, more crosswalks. Our children walk these streets in the morning and in the afternoon.”

Public Works officials have more process to go through before the street name undergoes its full change.

“It’s a lot like moving, right?” says Fulgoni. “You file the, the address change and, and get everything switched over. So it is a, it is an administrative burden for sure.”

Public input on what the new street name is to be, will be welcome at a traffic committee meeting on July 22nd.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Fair is reopening to the public Wednesday to begin the final five days its unprecedented split schedule this year.

Last Friday, the fair opened for a three-day run over the Fourth of July holiday weekend before closing to the public for the past two days on Monday and Tuesday.

Now, it’s opening its gates once again to make the start of its traditional five-day run from Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12.

“Normally we are open just for one weekend for the Santa Barbara County Fair, but we wanted to bring double the fun, so we are here for two weekends,” said Chloe Parks with Helm and Sons Entertainment. “After two days off, now we’re back again for the final weekend, this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

For more than 25 years, the fair has been held over a five-day period in mid-July, beginning on a Wednesday and finishing the following Sunday.

This year, Santa Maria Fairpark Board of Directors decided to expand the schedule, especially with the opening weekend falling on the special 250th Fourth of July celebration.

“I’m going to call it a soft launch, even though we were open and all the typical hours that we would be as if it were the regular fair,” said Santa Maria Fairpark Interim CEO Todd Ventura. “It was solid crowds, very steady, I would say. I don’t think they were overwhelming crowds, but it’s the first year, and there was a lot of special circumstances, a lot going on around the 4th of July, family barbecues, fireworks, all those kinds of things. Nonetheless, we did have great crowds, particularly on Sunday, that was a really fantastic crowd for our our Fiesta day.”

In addition to a its new longer schedule, Ventura pointed out the fair will also feature an array of format changes and other new concepts.

“I think the I think the feedback has been very, very positive,” said Ventura. “The people have really enjoyed the new layout and the Fairpark being different, with different spots, different booths, different vendors, different commercial, there is a whole new a whole new Fairpark. The atmosphere is different. The vibe is different. The feeling is different.”

The fair has also expanded its carnival with more rides that ever before. The overall amount of rides that are spread out across the Fairpark is said to exceed that of any other local fair.

“This is humongous,” said. Parks. “We went from having just the major area and the kids area to having three different new areas. We have 60 rides, including three roller coasters. We have a brand new kiddy area. We had only two areas last year, but we expanded it, and we have five in total. We brought some fan favorites and then some brand new ones as well.”

The Santa Barbara County Fair will open at noon during the weekends and at 2 p.m. on weekdays and close each night at 10 p.m.

“There’s so much to do from the vendors, the food, the games, all the rides” said Parks. “There is just so much going on that it would be hard not to have fun here and enjoyment with the family.”

The fair’s concert series begins on Thursday with the first of three shows inside the Minetti Arena.

Alternative rock band Everclear takes the stage on Thursday, followed by country singers Dylan Scott on Friday and Rodney Adkins on Saturday.

Concerts are free to attend in the grandstand, with paid seating in the lower area closer to the stage.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Fair, click here to visit the official website.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – More families in Santa Barbara County are receiving financial help to cover the cost of childcare through a new round of scholarships from United Way.

United Way of Santa Barbara County has awarded more than $220,000 in childcare scholarships, helping nearly 40 local children so far. The organization recently released its second round of scholarship funding.

The scholarships are intended to reduce childcare expenses for working families while helping more children access care.

More scholarship funding is expected to continue supporting local families facing the high cost of childcare.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Two endangered red panda cubs have been born to first-time parents Ruby and Raj at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Zoo officials say the twin cubs are the first red pandas born at the Zoo since 1993 and represent an important contribution to ongoing efforts to conserve the species.

They were born on July 2nd.

“The birth of these red panda cubs is an extraordinary milestone,” said Charles Hopper, President & CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo. “Welcoming red panda cubs for the first time in more than 30 years is a remarkable accomplishment made possible by the exceptional dedication, expertise, and patience of our Animal Care & Health team. As an AZA-accredited zoo participating in the Red Panda Species Survival Plan, we are proud to contribute to a global network of conservation organizations working together to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species.

“These cubs represent more than a joyful new addition to our Zoo family; they symbolize the meaningful role the Santa Barbara Zoo plays in wildlife conservation at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Their birth also inspires our community to become active partners in protecting the natural world for generations to come.”

Zoo veterinary and animal care teams say they are closely monitoring first-time mother Ruby and her cubs and are cautiously optimistic about their progress. The cubs appear healthy.

Red panda cubs are especially vulnerable in their first weeks of life.

Ruby and her cubs remain behind the scenes in their nest box.

Ruby came to the zoo in 2025 and  joined their father Raj  who arrived in 2023.Zoological Manager Liz Cunningham said, “it is a very vital time for the mom to spend time with the cubs in a nice quiet area so that is why she is  behind the scenes at this point and time.”

Fresh fruit treats are often served up and it was helpful when they were doing a medical check a couple of months ago on Ruby to  verifying her pregnancy. Santa Barbara Zoo Keeper Joseph MacPhee said, “she stands on her back feet  with her front paws on the front (rail) and she let’s us ultra sound her abdomen.  She was hand raised at the zoo she came from so her instincts have been perfect and she has done everything she was supposed to do .”

The staff will monitor their growth, development, and wellbeing. It is expected that the cubs will remain off habitat until they are approximately three months old, but their father Raj will be visible to guests in the habitat.

When it comes to meal time, they can be fussy but seem to like Farmers Market fresh fruit. “We he  first came to us Raj would only eat Craisins  and his palet  has expanded since he’s lived in Santa Barbara.   He prefers fresh peaches or nectarines (and) cherries are from the Farmers’s Market .”

For the Santa Barbara Zoo this is exactly what the staff works for on and off the property every day.

Cunningham said, “conservation  work happens in the wild and we support  local field programs. Conservation also happens at the zoo with these breeding programs.”

For more information or to make a donation go to: Santa Barbara Zoo

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Mike Klan

COMPTON, Calif. (KEYT) – Cole Chamberlain hit two home runs and drove in five runs as the Santa Barbara Foresters won a 14-10 slugfest at the MLB Academy Barons.

Chamberlain had four hits and was a double-shy of hitting for the cycle.

Zane Becker also homered as the Foresters improve to 20-4 on the season.

Chris Newstrom who is transferring from Tennessee to UCSB, had two doubles and knocked in four runs for the Foresters who play at the OC Riptide on Wednesday.

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Mike Klan

PITTSBURGH, PA. (KEYT) – Ryan O’Hearn slugged his way into the Pittsburgh Pirates record book.

The Santa Barbara Foresters Hall of Fame member smashed three home runs and knocked in a Pittsburgh single-game franchise record 10 runs as the Pirates routed Atlanta 12-4.

O’Hearn launched a grand slam in the first inning, belted a 3-run homer in the third inning and hit another 3-run blast in the sixth inning.

The Pirates have been around since 1882 and O’Hearn is the first to reach double-digit RBI in one game.

Back in 2012 O’Hearn helped the Foresters win the National Baseball Congress World Series and the following season he led Santa Barbara in RBI.

In 2020 O’Hearn was inducted into the Foresters Hall of Fame and now after his 10 RBI performance, his batting helmet is headed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Getting around Santa Barbara is becoming easier for more residents after the City of Santa Barbara and BCycle completed a major expansion of the city’s electric bike-share program.

The $1.8 million project adds 60 new e-bikes and 22 new docking stations throughout the city, expanding access to neighborhoods that previously had limited bike-share options.

City officials say the expansion is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable, particularly in underserved communities.

New docking stations have been installed on the Eastside, Westside, downtown, and near popular destinations including Leadbetter Beach, West Beach, and Chase Palm Park.

The expansion also includes the BCycle for All program, which offers discounted annual memberships for income-qualified residents.

A standard annual BCycle membership costs $244.68, while eligible riders can purchase a BCycle for All membership for $25 plus tax for an entire year.

Residents who participate in programs such as CalFresh, SNAP, Medi-Cal, or Medicare may qualify. Seniors living on fixed incomes and people with disabilities may also be eligible.

The city hopes the expanded network will encourage more people to use bicycles for commuting, running errands, and recreational trips while reducing reliance on cars.

Residents interested in the discounted membership can apply through the City’s BCycle portal. Officials are also asking community members to complete a survey to help guide future improvements and identify locations for additional bike-share stations.

The expansion is part of Santa Barbara’s broader effort to improve sustainable transportation options and increase mobility throughout the city.

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