Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Monday marked the beginning of the new 2026-27 school year for Allan Hancock College (AHC).

According to the school, there are just over 11,300 students enrolled this year in both credit and non-credit courses.

“Things are up a little bit,” said Kevin Walthers, AHC Superintendent/President. “I’ve been walking around this morning and every classroom is full. It’s super exciting.”

This year’s enrollment number marks a slight increase from the previous year, and continues a slow and steady increase each year following the Covid-19 pandemic, when student counts suffered a sharp decline.

“We’re up about 2%” said Walthers. “We’re capturing a lot of the local students, and that’s what we want to do, is we want to make sure local students know this is the place to come. The (Hancock) Promise program is still going for those students. When I go into a classroom, I ask how many Promise students are in there and almost all the hands go up.”

In addition to the start of the new school year, the fall semester also marks the beginning of a new campus program called “First Year Experience.”

“We have over 300 students enrolled in a cohort based program where they will get some special incentives, and they’ll all progress through their program together so that that’s going to be great for incoming freshmen,” said Walthers. “It’s a voluntary deal. We had originally planned for 225, and we ended up with almost 100 more for that, so we’re really excited about the First Year Experience program.”

Walthers added Hancock College is also starting another new program with Cal Poly this year.

“Our Cal Poly partnership, the 2+2 program, we’re starting the first Cal Poly business program this year,” said Walthers. “We have the ongoing sociology program, so that’s going to be fantastic, where we’ve got students going to Cal Poly right here on campus, and then they get to graduate with their college up in San Luis (Obispo), so that’s going to be fantastic.”

While class may have started on Monday, Walthers pointed out there is still time to enroll if anyone is still interested in attending the college.

“If people want to come and take classes, or if they just want to come to the community education programs, they can come and do pottery classes, and painting classes, and embroidery, and clothes construction, they can do all those kind of things as part of our community editor program as well,” said Walthers.

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Dave Alley

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) is offering free bus rides for everyone in the community each day this week through Friday, Aug. 21.

The promotion coincides with the start of the new school year in the Santa Maria Valley and provides an opportunity for families to consider the use of public transportation as a way to commute across the city.

“SMRT closed out Fiscal Year 2025–26 with ridership 11.34 percent higher than the year before, continuing several years of steady growth, particularly among families with high school and junior high students,” said Gamaliel Anguiano, SMRT Transit Services Manager. “This fall is looking to be another busy season, and free rides for the first two weeks can make it that much easier for students and parents to get back into the swing of things.”

SMRT provides routes to all four Santa Maria Joint Union High School District campuses, as well as St. Joseph High School and Allan Hancock College.

All of those schools can be accessed through the following routes:

•  Pioneer Valley High School: served by Routes 2, 3, 9 and 13x

•  Santa Maria High School: served by Routes 4, 11A and 11B

•  Righetti, St. Joseph and Delta High Schools: served by Routes 6 and 12x

•  Allan Hancock Community College: served by Routes 5, 7, 20 and 30

Once the free ride back-to-school promotion ends, regular fares for students will be $1.25 per trip, $3.00 for an Unlimited Ride All-Day Pass, or $31 for a 31-Day Unlimited Ride Monthly Pass.

All Hancock College students are able to ride for free for the entire school year.

“We have a fully electric, very modern fleet with USB charging across all of them,” said Tim Mai, SMRT Outreach Coordinator. “We have free Wi-Fi on board the buses, and we have super comfortable seats and skylights. It’s just a very comfortable and nice experience for the bus.”

For more information about SMRT, visit www.rideSMRT.org.

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Mina Wahab

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — The Pride flag is flying outside Santa Barbara City Hall for the first time, marking the start of the city’s Pride Week.

The City of Santa Barbara held its first-ever Pride Flag Raising Ceremony Monday at De La Guerra Plaza, bringing together city leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates, families and community members.

The ceremony was held in partnership with Pacific Pride Foundation, PFLAG Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network, YouthWell and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.

Organizers say the flag represents inclusion, equality, visibility and support for LGBTQ+ residents across the community.

“Members of the LGBTQ+ community tell me this is more than just a symbolic gesture. It’s a way of making people feel included in Santa Barbara,” News Channel reporter Mina Wahab said.

For Phillip Conrad of Goleta, the flag sends an important message to young people.

“To send a message to young people that they are safe, that they’re valued, that they can be authentically who they are.”

Community member Bob Nieder said the visibility is especially important amid what he described as threats facing transgender people.

“People are physically in danger. I mean, there are trans people being attacked every day. It’s important for us to stand.”

Erin Poletti of Santa Barbara said the involvement of LGBTQ+ community members in organizing the ceremony made the moment feel especially meaningful.

“There was, like, the LGBTQ community actually involved with setting all of this up. And so it is not lip service. It actually does feel like a step in the right direction.”

Santa Barbara District 1 Councilmember Wendy Santa Maria, who identifies as queer, said watching the flag go up was an emotional experience.

“Honestly, made me tear up a little bit. To be a young queer council member and to see this Pride flag raised and at the same time as our Pride Festival, I think it’s sending out a very clear signal to our queer youth and elders and everybody in between.”

Santa Maria said the ceremony sends a message that LGBTQ+ residents are an important part of the city.

“This is your city. You belong here. You have every reason to expect representation of you in your local government. So it’s just—it’s such a joyous moment.”

The flag raising officially kicked off Pride Week in Santa Barbara, with local organizations continuing events throughout the week celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and promoting acceptance and equality.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) It’s pretty quiet on the Santa Barbara City College Campus, but that will change next week when thousands of students of all ages start Fall Semester classes.

There is still time to register.

SBCC starts Monday, Aug. 24, a month before the University of California, Santa Barbara, where students often transfer to following SBCC graduation.

Starting in August gives students time to get a jump on moving into new housing and buying supplies.

Some SBCC staff members are graduates and they are ready to help.

“I am excited for the students to come here and get help, I’m excited for students to get help for their questions, I’m excited for campus to become lively again,” said Jason Berdan.

Some students are far from home.

“I’m feeling very excited, this is a beautiful place, the most beautiful place I have ever been at and I am living here, I came from Vancouver, Washington and yes it is beautiful,” said Jaxen Crabtree.

“I am excited for a new experience; going to college and meeting new people and seeing what it is like, I am very excited,” said Beau Newman.

Many athletes, including cheerleaders, have already started playing and cheering.

Cheerleader Odisea Daal of Carpinteria will save her family money by living at home.

“I cheered my last year in Carp High, I really like cheerleading and I got accepted and I am here in summer program,” said Daal.

Daal will be cheering on the Vaqueros red and white scrimmage this Saturday at 6 p.m.

The school website even has a countdown to kick-off.

A lot of students will be using the bus that goes to Isla Vista where many students will live.

And they will learn to use the bridge between East and West Campuses.

The bridge overlooks the ocean and work on a new four-story Physical Education and Athletics Building on Cliff Drive that should be completed by the Spring 2028.

Custodian Hector Barbosa said he gets a lot of questions about it.

Barbosa said he likes seeing kids come to SBCC to better their lives.

There will be welcome tables set up on both East and West Campuses on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 24-25 and

SBCC President Dr. Erika Endrijonas enjoys this time of year.

“Two of my favorite days as a college president are Commencement and the first day of school…The start and end are pivotal in any journey and we are grateful for our students choosing SBCC as their pathway to success,” said Endrijonas.

Last years student ages ranged from 17 to 77.

Some teens are part of a dual enrollment program at their high school.

Graduation numbers rose nearly 12% in 2026.

SBCC staff said students can register for classes now and learn more about the offerings online.

Visit https://sbcc.edu/classes or https://sbcc.edu/extendedlearning/ for more information.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Teams will have a huge challenge this year going up against the line of the Bishop Diego Cardinals.

“We feel our strength is probably in the trenches,” said head coach Tom Crawford who is entering his 27th season in charge of the Cardinals.

Bishop Diego has good size and experience on both sides of the ball led by 6’1, 270 pound senior Terrence Tasila who simply said, “I love getting physical.”

(Terrence Tasila leads a big and talented line for the Cardinals. Entenza Design).

Senior Donovan Tupa’i checks in at 6’3, 360 pounds.

Sam Boeddeker is an outstanding linebacker who already has a scholarship offer from Cal Poly but the junior will also be the Cardinals featured running back this season. “All of those Samoan guys out there giving it their all every play you know it’s definitely a blessing to run behind them.”

“He (Sam) had a great sophomore season but I’m expecting even more this year,” said Crawford.

While the Cardinals will be more than willing to “ground and pound” the opposition, don’t sleep on their passing attack led by sophomore quarterback Kaleo Satele who is over 200 pounds as well.

(Satele has a strong arm and just lacks varsity game experience at this point).

Crawford is impressed with what he has seen from his young signal-caller. “He has developed and continued to develop a lot over the course of the summer and has been particularly good here this past month so we are gaining a lot of confidence in him.”

Although the Cardinals lost several talented skill players to graduation the cupboard is certainly not bare. Seniors Remi Boykin (wide receiver/defensive back), Nate Hernandez (running back/defensive back), and Jeremiah Mercier (tight end/defensive line/linebacker) are among several players ready to make major contributions for Bishop Diego.

The Cardinals open the season Friday, August 21 on the road against Paso Robles.

Bishop Diego has the home opener (SBCC) on Friday, August 28 versus West Ranch.

(Cardinals have their work cut out for them in the rugged Marmonte League featuring state power Pacifica of Oxnard. Entenza Design).

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The organization that picks the annual Saint Barbara for Old Spanish Days has historically been women who were born in California.  

Now the Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW) has made a policy change –allowing women who simply reside in California.

The organization has been working to increase its membership which has been declining.

The California Grand President Renee Renee Rianda said, “it got to the point that we had so many ladies that were born here  and  moved out of state or came here even as little kids, even babies, two, three, four, five years old lived here all their lives, finally our board said we need to  open this is up.”

It was just a few words with great significance. “Instead of born in California, reside in California is what we changed to,” she said. “Basically as long as you have a love of California and love of California history and preserving it and  promoting it you’re in.”

The NDGW celebrated in July with a special ceremony at Casa De La Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. The ceremony featured the members who have served as St. Barbara and other members of the group from Reina del Mar Parlor 126.

The local chapter was founded on April 20, 1901.

At a special tea, the 125 year old local parlor was given a special resolution from Mayor Randy Rowse.

The Native Daughters have been picking Saint Barbara 100 years. A special exhibit is underway at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

There were also dances from the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta and a performance from a group of three sopranos.

Past Saint Barbara’s were brought up in front of the audience for recognition.  This year’s honoree Julie Herrera Foley was a member for 14 years and was chosen to represent the city.  Her sister was Saint Barbara ten years ago.

Foley is a descendant of  the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio Commadante Jose Ortega who arrived in California with the Portola Expedition.

There is also another parlor established in 1974. It is number 304. This chapter works with Old Spanish Days to coordinate the children who carry flowers at events and share them with the public. The Los Niños de las Flores program creates official greeters of Fiesta.

Often the announcement of Saint Barbara is at the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. It has significant ties to the Native Daughters as the location where the city was founded and its name comes from the patron Saint.

In a related action, the Native Sons of the Golden West, had already taken steps to expand its membership in a similar way.

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Patricia Martellotti

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is looking to expand as more injured and orphaned animals need a place to recover.

The non-profit is raising money to transform the last undeveloped portion of its property into a new rehabilitation area known as the Mammal Meadow.

The need has become more urgent following changes to wildlife rehabilitation regulations. The center previously had more flexibility to transfer certain patients, including raptors and large mammals, to other rehabilitation facilities with larger enclosures.

Those centers are now dealing with high numbers of animals from surrounding counties and no longer have the space to take every transfer.

That leaves Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network caring for animals that need more room as they recover. A bobcat and an owl currently in care are among the patients that could benefit from the planned expansion.

The Mammal Meadow would provide dedicated space for larger mammals and raptors, allowing more animals to complete their rehabilitation locally.

The organization is fundraising to build the new facilities and meet the growing demand for wildlife care throughout the region.

For more information on how you can support the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, visit: http://www.sbwcn.org.

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Dave Alley

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – A three-sided family support system helped 2026 Day of Hope Arroyo Grande ambassador Cathy Cachu through a battle with cancer two years ago.

Using the support she received from her immediate family, work family and service club family, the Nipomo native has been able successfully complete treatment at Mission Hope Cancer Center.

Her story of courage and triumph has led to being chosen as this year’s Day of Hope ambassador for Mission Hope Cancer in Arroyo Grande.

“I’m very humbled,” said Cachu. “I am humbled and excited to be able to help and be chosen as the ambassador for Arroyo Grande for 2026. It’s very meaningful, obviously near and dear to my heart because of the fact that I’ve been involved in the fundraising in the past and more so meaningful now because of having gone through cancer and having utilized the facilities and knowing the level of care and service that’s provided. It means a lot to me.”

Since graduating from Arroyo Grande High School and later Cal Poly, Cachu has spent her entire professional career working in the local banking industry.

She is currently is employed at CoastHills Credit Union at its Santa Maria headquarters and serves as a business development officer for the commercial banking team.

Prior to her personal experience at Mission Hope, Cachu had long known about the center through her her time serving on Arroyo Grande Hospital Board Foundation for 10 years.

“I was very familiar with Mission Hope and the services provided and so forth,” said Cachu. “I was also involved with the Day of Hope events through CoastHills.”

In spring 2024, after undergoing routine screening, Cachu learned she would need the cancer center she had long supported herself.

“Through just an annual exam there were some abnormal abnormalities,” said Cachu. “After further biopsies and testing, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Being familiar with Mission Hope Cancer Center here in Arroyo Grande, it gave me hope that realizing the level of care that I would be receiving, just being able to have family close by to provide that support.”

Soon after, she would go through a series of rigorous treatments that lasted six months.

“Initially it was surgery,” said Cachu. “Surgery didn’t capture everything, unfortunately, and so the next step was to have like four months of chemo treatment, which would hopefully eliminate any cancer findings. And then also to add to that, an additional six weeks of radiation, which was every single day. I can’t say enough about the level of care with the doctors and nurses that were there every step of the way.”

By December 2024, Cachu finished her last treatment, and ever since then, she has received nothing but positive and encouraging news on her health.

“At this point, there are no signs of any cancer coming back at this point,” said Cachu. “Everything has been clean. Every appointment, every exam has been very positive in terms of the outlook.”

She not only credits the treatment she received at Mission Hope, but also her support system she received from those around her.

“I want to say I have three families when I when I think about the support that I received,” said Cachu. My core family at home, my husband (Joe), my brother and sister in law’s, and the extended family. Then there’s my extended other families. I have my what I call my CoastHills family, which is my work family, and then my Rotary Club family, who are all just very, very supportive. I don’t think I could have gotten through this cancer journey without the support of family and friends.”

Now, she is giving back to Mission Hope by sharing her story and encouraging the community to help support the facility by giving during the upcoming Day of Hope.

“Any diagnosis of cancer, it’s surreal,” said Cachu. “But knowing that we do have a facility here, I can’t say enough about how grateful I am for Mission Hope Cancer Center and just for the level of care that is able to be provided here locally. I think everybody should come out and donate to those that are selling the newspapers on the 26th. They can also join fundraisers that are going on now to raise funds because the services that are provided, whether it’s the transportation, the services and programs for the patients and families is so important.”

The Day of Hope was created in 2014 and specifically raises funds for patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, starting at 7 a.m., hundreds of volunteers will be located throughout the Santa Maria Valley and in South San Luis Obispo County at dozens street corners, intersections, parking lots, schools, churches and other highly visible locations.

Participating teams members will once again be selling special edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers.

Proceeds specifically helps the cancer center provide patients with a myriad of complimentary programs and services.

For more information about the 13th Annual Day of Hope, click here to visit the official webpage.

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News Channel 3-12

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (KEYT) – The Public Affairs Office at Vandenberg Space Force Base is on damage control following yesterday’s embarrassing incident that left invited members of the media and two military members held at gunpoint.

Reporters for your News Channel, Noozhawk, KSBY and the Santa Maria Times arrived at the front gates of the base ahead of Monday’s scheduled “Golden shovel” ground-breaking event that the media was invited to.

This was for a new training facility for missile operators.

News Channel reporter Jarrod Zinn said when he and other media crews arrived ahead of the 1:30 p.m. event, they waited to be let onto the base and lined up for the usual caravan, which is standard protocol. They began to follow a military escort vehicle in, but were stopped and ordered out of their vehicles at gunpoint with their hands up.

Sirens went off and barriers went up; this caused our reporter and others to miss the event.

All of the reporters were eventually cleared and let go without further incident.

Base personnel apologized to our reporter for the mix-up.

Zinn reached out to Vandenberg Space Force Base and received the following statement Monday night from a Space Launch Delta (SLD) 30 public affairs spokesperson:

“Vandenberg Space Force Base is experiencing an Increased number of unauthorized entry attempts.  When media entered the installation there was a breakdown in communication and movement continued prior to verification. Every potential unauthorized presence must be treated as a legitimate threat until proven otherwise.  While we recognize this may have been unsettling the security of the base and its personnel is our priority.”

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Caleb Nguyen

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (KEYT) – SpaceX plans to open a launch window between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday for 24 Starlink satellites in support of a Falcon 9 Rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Central Coast residents may feel the sonic boom from the launch’s impact as the 12th flight for this first-stage booster supporting that mission.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean.

Live webcasts of the mission will be available 10 minutes before liftoff on both the Space X website and social media page.

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