Category: keyt-local-news

Tracy Lehr

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) Sand and sand bags are available at a number of fire stations in Santa Barbara County and some parks have Do It Yourself sandbag supply stations.

That is the case in Lower Manning Park in Montecito.

Landscaping crews, with plenty of muscle, came early.

Some of them will be protecting the homes of employers who are out of town.

When the supply of burlap bags ran low Montecito fire came to the rescue.

They dropped off hundreds of bags and will supply more sand if needed.

Firefighters will be well-staffed to answer calls and they appreciate locals who know the danger the weather can pose.

Ana Fagan has weathered a number of disasters in her community.

“I work for bucket brigade and i also live in Montecito so I am a resident so I know what we go through I would recommend filling sandbags half full instead of full I personally can’t lift them when they are full plus you can mold them better when they are half full and get more out of it,” said Fagan.

Sandbagging is a family affair for many including Casper George Kendrick.

“There is something that usually happens when it rains at his window in the backyard, there is like a little stream where we have to put sandbags and that is kind of like why we are here,” said Kendrick.

“We try and prep before a big rain is coming, so we are doing our part to protect our home and community,” said Mike Higgins.

They plan to make the most of the holiday that is extra special for Kendrick.

“It is his birthday on Christmas,” said Higgins.”

” I am pretty sad that Santa will have to fly through the rain,” said Hendrick.

They may find shelter on Tuesday afternoon at the nonprofit Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria where “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is being screened during a Santa Paws donation drive for the Humane Society.

The Alcazar staff calls it the “Holiday Move Magic: Season of Giving.”

Now is a good time to put tarps over decorations and to bring some plants inside.

The view from Summerland showed calm before the storm on Monday afternoon and a smooth ride along the 101, but forecasters watching for an atmospheric river that could hover know things are about to change.

Staying inside and off the roads is often the best way to ride out a storm.

People can pick up sandbags after dark but they may need headlights and flashlights.

Your News Channel will have more on storm prep tonight on the news.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Good Samaritan is activating holiday storm protocol in Santa Maria for 2025’s Christmas week.

Warming centers will be up and running.

It’s been many years since the Central Coast has seen weather like this during the week of Christmas.

“It’s been several years,” says Kirsten Cahoon, director of homeless services for Good Samaritan Shelters. “I can’t remember the last time that we’ve had to even think about activating warming shelters on Christmas.”

Temperatures are expected to drop noticeably during overnight hours and rain is in the forecast beginning Tuesday, lasting through Christmas day.

“It’s crazy,” says Cahoon. “We’ve had 80 degree weather for the past few weeks and felt our normal Christmas in California. And then all of a sudden, you know, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we’re going to get hit with this big storm.”

Good Samaritan’s outreach volunteers are canvassing the city and surrounding areas to alert those who may not know a storm is coming.

“It definitely puts a lot of pieces in motion for us looking for staffing on Christmas and things like that,” says Cahoon. “So thank God we have staff that are willing to show up and work to make sure that we can get a roof over everyone’s head during the storm.”

From 6pm to 6am each night the temperature drops and it rains, centers will be open to provide means of warmth, food, and basic needs.

“We will be giving out stockings on Christmas to everybody that shows up,” says Cahoon. “We want everyone to know that it’s Christmas. We don’t have the ability to put up a tree or anything like that, but for many of them, the best present for Christmas on a rainy Christmas will be somewhere where they can just have some warm soup and get out of the weather.”

If you need to find the nearest shelter to you, you can dial 211 or visit ReadySBC.org.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On OurMobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for theNews Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Patricia Martellotti

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Tree cutting at a known monarch butterfly habitat in Ventura was halted after city officials arrived at the scene and ordered crews to stop work.

Monarch conservationist Chris Amendt of Native Monarchs raised concerns as crews began removing trees at the Vista Del Mar site, a location long recognized as a monarch overwintering habitat.

City code enforcement initially issued a verbal stop-work order to the contractor.

After city staff left the site, work continued, with the contractor telling community members who remained that they would not stop without a written order.

Code enforcement later returned and issued a physical stop-work notice, which ultimately halted the tree cutting.

Casey Rodriguez, a member of the Ventura City Arts and Culture Commission, said the tree removal is deeply concerning.

“We need trees to live, and we need to protect all our relatives — all relatives matter. This is disturbing. We need to come together, as I always say, and right now our priority is saving the trees,” said Rodriguez.

Ventura City Councilmember Alex Mangone said the project cannot move forward without additional approvals.

Mangone was present when the stop-work order was enforced.

“They will be required to obtain two separate permits to continue the full scope of work, including the removal of all 35 or so trees they were hired to remove. At this time, there is a stop-work order in place,” said Mangone.

The area had remained untouched for more than a decade before drawing renewed attention following recent Ventura City Council discussions and increased activity on social media.

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Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Guard Hamad Mousa scored a game high 33 points – including sinking three successive free throws with three seconds to play to force overtime – but the Cal Poly men’s basketball program, after overturning an 18-point deficit with seven minutes remaining in regulation, dropped an 83-80 overtime home decision against Idaho Sunday evening to close the 2025 calendar year.

Fellow sophomore Cayden Ward finished with 22 points for Cal Poly (5-9), which trailed Idaho (8-4), 67-49, before closing regulation with a 24-6 run. With Cal Poly still facing a 71-65 deficit and 81 seconds to play, Ward converted a three-point play before Mousa cut the gap to one after knocking down a jumper with 11 seconds on the clock.

With Cal Poly forced to foul, Vandals guard Kolton Mitchell – who scored 31 points – sank two free throws to keep Idaho in front with nine seconds left, 73-70. Mousa though was fouled attempting a three-pointer with three seconds and sank all three attempts to deadlock the matchup at the buzzer, 73-73 (left).

Playing its first overtime game of the season, Cal Poly took its first lead of the game after sophomore guard Peter Bandelj opened the extra period with a pair of free throws. Cal Poly then scratched out a 78-75 advantage with two minutes left after Ward hit a three-pointer.

Idaho, however, answered with a jumper from guard Biko Johnson to close to within a point before Mitchell converted a four-point play to hand the Vandals an 81-78 lead with seven seconds to go.

Cal Poly trailed at the Sunday’s break, 29-26, despite a 25.0 (7-for-28) percent first-half shooting mark before Idaho opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers. The Vandals led by as much as 19 points and were up 67-49 before the Mustangs produced a 14-0 run to shave their deficit to four points with two-and-a-half minutes remaining.

Cal Poly Noteworthy (versus Idaho Jan. 21)

Up Next:After an 11-day holiday break, Cal Poly plays its first New Year’s Day game since 1966 and resumes Big West action when welcoming defending conference champion UC San Diego on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m.A double-digit scorer in all 13 appearances, Hamad Mousa maintained the Big West scoring lead at 20.6 points per game.Mousa enjoyed his second collegiate double-double after co-leading Cal Poly with 10 rebounds.Cal Poly now features three of the Big West’s top seven scorers with Peter Bandelj (16.2) ranking sixth and Cayden Ward (16.1) seventh.Junior Kieran Elliott grabbed a Cal Poly best 10 rebounds against Idaho.Sunday’s matchup was Cal Poly’s first overtime game since a 112-100 home victory against UC Riverside (Feb. 22, 2025).

(Article courtesy Cal Poly Athletics).

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) The Light Up the Harbor Chanukah Celebration in Ventura was led by Rabbi Yakov Latowicz from Melbourne, Australia.

His wife Sarah seemed glad he would get to share his thoughts following the tragedy during the first night of Chanukah at a Bondi Beach celebration one week ago.

“All the Chabad Rabbis around the world are resolved not to cancel a single menorah lighting, to add menorah lightings, to add public menorahs,” said Yakov Latowicz.

Some people skipped the local celebration in wake of the deadly shooting that is being investigated as terrorism against Jews.

Latowicz said they want everyone to feel the light and love and hope of Chanukah.

“I want people to know that they shouldn’t be afraid, they should specially for the Jews, they should be proud to be Jewish, they’ve got to be bold, the kind of people who perpetrated the atrocity in Bondi they want us to cower, to hide, to hide under the bed to take our star of David, our Chai, take the mezuzah off the door, at times like this, we have to be prouder than ever, we’ve got to take our Judaism outside, not hide it indoors, very, very important and it is important to the non-Jewish community, we need you guys, we are part of your community and we need allies, we need friends, that is why we do public lightings,” said Latowicz.

He said he was sent to the local community by the worldwide leader of the Chabad movement.

“You counter random acts of violence with random acts of kindness and goodness and charity and that is the message we want to send out to everybody, be kinder than you were yesterday, be sweeter to another person than you where yesterday that is the message of Chanukah.”

Chabad Ventura invited Chris the Juggler to entertain the crowd in Ventura Harbor Village before the lighting of seventh candle on the menorah.

During the celebration children had a chance to make Chanukah cards that sparkled.

 Some people wore menorah inspired clothing including light blue Micky Mouse ears.

One dog owner dressed his four-legged-friend in a Chanukah outfit.

Chanukah began Sunday, Dec. 14 and ends at nightfall on Monday, Dec. 22.

For more information about Chabad Ventura at https://www.chabadventura.com

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT)  An interfaith vigil marked the longest night of the year.

Santa Barbara County workers invited people to come together to remember lives lost while experiencing homelessness.

They gathered for the annual Longest Night Memorial at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse arch.

The event offered space for reflection, remembrance, and community.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) The Santa Barbara Eyeglass Factory host another successful Kids Day on Sunday.

It’s a day when the popular local business gives children in need free glasses, following free eye exams.

“We’ve been doing for, more than 30 years now and, and it’s all about the community,” said Santa Barbara Eyeglass Factory President Gregg Feldman.

He has worked alongside his father Rick for years and together the Feldman family has been giving back for decades.

Optometrist Dr. Joshua Pe said Sunday was his first Kids Day.

“It’s a great way to give back to the community and, you know, really be active as a part of, the Santa Barbara community,” said Pe.

Feldman said they served about 100 kids.

Some of the children had never had an eye exam.

“We’re able to help the community. Help support the community in a special way. The kids really appreciate, sometimes for the first time, they get glasses that they didn’t know they needed,” said Feldman.

They had help on Sunday from a special Santa Claus who shared his own story.

“When I was a young man, my family was very poor. And there was an elderly gentleman in our neighborhood that used to bring gift, one year I asked him what he would like from me in return for his kindness and he told me when I got older, I d like you to pay this forward,” said Santa.

Kids Day helps children see clearly in school and life.

“There’s a real need for, for the, the kids and families. Some of which just can’t afford glasses. And, when when kids can’t see, they can’t achieve their potential,” said Feldman.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

Tournament of Champions:

JSerra defeated Camarillo 52-35 to win the championship in the Gold Division.

Earlier in the day in the semifinals JSerra routed Oaks Christian 82-41 while Camarillo knocked off Orcutt Academy 56-39.

In the third place game Orcutt Academy beat Oaks Christian 57-50 while Thousand Oaks edged St. Joseph 52-51 in the consolation final.

Arroyo Grande took home the Green Division title with a 39-35 victory over Paramount.

AG had beaten Mission Prep 35-30 and Paramount knocked off San Luis Obispo 51-41 in semifinal action.

Westlake won the consolation final with a 61-35 victory over Pacifica.

Dos Pueblos lost to St. Joseph 72-45 but beat Mission Prep 59-30 later in the day.

Senior Carly Letendre scored 22 points versus Mission Prep and became the Chargers all-time leading scorer. The guard now has 1,148 points and counting.

DP is now 7-7 on the season.

San Marcos defeated San Luis Obispo 54-35 and lost to Thousand Oaks 51-29.

Santa Barbara lost a pair of game, 48-31 to Westlake and 41-19 to Buena.

Jim Bashore Holiday Cage Classic in Carpinteria:

Dos Pueblos defeated Santa Ynez 56-53 and will play Pasadena Poly in Monday’s final at 7pm. Poly beat Foothill Tech of Ventura 59-37.

The DP Chargers were led Wyatt Gardiner who scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double in the tournament.

Coulter Jay also put up double-figures in points and rebounds with 14 and 12 respectively.

Santa Ynez got 17 points from Jude Pritchard and will play in the third place game against Foothill Tech on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Host Carpinteria will play at 2:30 p.m. against Channel Islands in the 7th place game while Cabrillo meets Arroyo Grande at 4 p.m. in the consolation final.

Girls Water Polo Bill Barnett Invitational:

San Marcos beat Foothill 7-4 and Corona del Mar 20-11 to finish in fifth place.

Mater Dei won the tournament with a 10-9 victory over Newport in the championship game.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) A journalist known for covering Ronald Reagan for decades has died .

Lou Cannon called Summerland in. Santa Barbara County home.

His journalist son Carl Cannon said his father died Dec. 19th in hospice care, following a stroke.

Cannon served as White House correspondent and wrote a number of book about President Reagan.

Cannon was also friend to KEYT-TV.

The respected journalist always welcomed reporters into his home to video his comments on complex and timely issues.

He kept writing about politics with columns online.

Cannon is survived by his wife Mary and a number of children and grandchildren.

Lou Cannon was 92.

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Tracy Lehr

VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) A Roper Romp took place in the Ventura Harbor.

A Roper Romp involves fans of the 1970’s sitcom “Three’s Company” dressed up as the iconic Mrs. Helen Roper.

Its has turned into a nationwide phenomenon.

Some groups raise money for local charities.

The Mrs. Ropers walked around Ventura Harbor Village that also had a number of free holiday events going on.

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