Category: keyt-local-news

John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Issues including new dense housing plans, aging stations and the need for more personnel were all out on the table in a presentation to the Santa Barbara City Council recently.

That led to an allocation of funds to begin planning for specific future actions for the Santa Barbara City Fire. The council unanimously agreed to $100,000 for an immediate station location and facilities master plan. 

There are many concerns or needs for upgrades.

That includes changes to fire station 7 on Stanwood Drive, which is aging and can not be replaced at its current site due to earthquake faults.

Also the historic fire station 3 on Sola Street built in 1929.   

Fire Chief Chris Mailes says the engine in that station has a clearance of “an inch and a half.” He said any new fire engine would not fit.

Mailes is also concerned about the city’s development plans now and in the future that could increase the size and capacity of buildings that house people.

He pointed out there is a lateral spread and a vertical spread they plan for and it relates to the “life safety risk.”

“When you are dealing with a mid-rise and high-rise you are putting people in those buildings you are complicating what we call the life safety risk,” said Mailes.

He said the area is getting a mix of larger commercial and residential properties. “You are looking at the multi family dwellings you are looking at buildings greater than 50,000 square feet.  You’re looking at large fire flow requirements.   This town, especially downtown, is getting more dense and it is getting more difficult to protect as far as  fire protection.”

The department is also looking at adding a quick response team for medical calls. Right now there are about 8,100 calls a year.

Overall, the department is responding to 12,000 calls a year. In 1993, that number was 5,500.

Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said when the police station was deemed old, outdated and unsafe rebuilding a new command center (now underway) was a priority. She says the fire department needs the same attention.

“These are stations where firefighters are living overnight, spending time, so this is very high priority,” said Sneddon.

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Jarrod Zinn

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – New state laws will bolster student protection policies at schools and higher education institutions.

Educators say they feel validated.

Since March, the nation has seen a significant increase in immigration enforcement.

Locally, some Santa Barbara county cities and school districts are doubling down on policies affecting students.

“10% of Santa Barbara County is undocumented, and that means another many, many thousands of people more are married to those who have mixed documentation or the daughters and sons or relatives of,” says Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps.

ICE official policy is no enforcement at any schools, designating them as sensitive areas requiring multiple layers of authorization.

“They have to come through the district office and speak with me, the superintendent, to be able to get direction from there,” says Darren McDuffie, Santa Maria-Bonita’s superintendent. “But most definitely we haven’t had any incidents at our schools.”

Activities near school campuses have increased anxieties, causing some parents to keep their kids at home.

“It’s not a remote thing that’s happening out of the White House or Washington, D.C,” says supervisor Capps. “It’s really in our neighborhoods. It’s in our schools. It’s in our workplaces. It’s definitely on our farms. It’s at our in our shopping centers. It’s everywhere.”

In September, governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 98 and Assembly Bill 49, bolstering student protection services, backing schools by state legislation.

“For us, it really is a validation that what we’re doing is the right thing for our students,” says superintendent McDuffie.

The new state laws require ICE agents to have judicial warrants and valid identification, and for school districts to send notes to parents when agents are on campus.

Due to their urgency clauses, the laws went into effect as soon as the governor signed them.

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Andie Lopez Bornet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Christmas is just days away and shopping for the perfect gift can be stressful… especially for kids.

Your Morning News sat down with Gail Kvistad and her dog Mojo to talk about the best thing you can gift a kid – The Enchanted Tails of Magic Mojo and Gail.

Kids can join Mojo the Chihuahua on a heartwarming journey to find his inner spirit and find his forever home with the inspirational Gail Good Fairy. The book is offered in English on one side and Spanish on the other.

To order a book you can visit Kvistad’s website or visit True Love Always & Tecalote store, both in Montecito & LOVEWORN in Carpinteria.

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

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Some children on the Central Coast who may never seen snow had a chance to play at the Channel Islands Harbor.

The snow was delivered by truck on the same day as the harbor’s annual boat parade.

But the snow didn’t last long. By Sunday it was melting fast.

Even so, children threw snowballs and gave sledding a try.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Former California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who is celebrating Hanukkah, shared her reaction to the deadly shootings in Australia.

“When you allow people filled with hate, rage, and ignorance to access firearms they certainly can and will continue to act out and destroy the lives of innocent people. We know in Australia, that this was an act of antisemitism, we know that 15 people have lost their lives at a time when we celebrate a wonderful holiday of happiness and thanks that is filled with family and children,” said Jackson. “This is inexcusable and actions need to be taken to stop this kind of hatred, to stop this lack of understanding to stop this cruelty.”

Jackson also spoke out against the shooting at Brown University.

She urged lawmakers to make a commitment to take action to end this kind of violence in the nation and the world.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Parade of Lights took place on Sunday night with displays of all kinds and a firework show.

Dozens of illuminated boats took part for prizes, including one that looked like a green dinosaur.

People lined the waterfront to enjoy the 39th annual event. Boats moved in a line along the coast and when they motored back to their slips people got a closer look.

A fireworks show followed the Parade of Lights.

The reflection of the fireworks could be seen on the water in the harbor.

About five minutes into the show people with a view of the coast could see a spectacular fireworks finale.

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – Boat owners and yacht clubs went all out for the 59th Annual Parade of Lights on Saturday night in the Channel Islands Harbor.

The Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club may have stolen the show with a Merry Kissmas band onboard a big red yacht.

The band played as they toured the harbor.

Electric boats, sailboats, and the Scarlett Belle Paddle Wheel Boat took part.

For more information visit https://wwwchannelislandsharbor.org

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Tracy Lehr

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual Santa-to-the-Sea course is known for being flat, fast, and festive.

Runners began the half marathon at the Santa, which was moved decades ago from Carpinteria to Nyland Acres, and finished by the sea in the Channel Islands Harbor. There was also a 5K, 1K, Diaper Dash and costume contest.

Everyone was asked to bring a toy or make a donation for families in need.

The Port of Hueneme presented the race for its 18th year, bringing thousands of finishers every year. This year, some crossed the finish line for the first time.

Ryan Ramirez was thrilled to finish strong.

“It was challenging, but fun. I am so glad I did it, I think everyone should do something that challenges them especially going into the new year and I am so glad I did it,” said Ramirez.

Families lined the course cheering their loved ones on. People took photos with their medals after crossing the finish line.

Runners also enjoyed a free pancake breakfast and had a chance to shop for souvenirs, but the medals alone make great Christmas tree ornaments.

Runners, joggers, and others are welcome to sign up to run or volunteer for next year’s race at https://santatothesea.com

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Boys Basketball:

San Marcos 74, Righetti 33: Koji Hefner had 19 points for Royals

Oaks Christian 57, Foothill 46

Pacifica 44, Agoura 33

Buena 54, Foothill 53

St. Bonaventure 71, Amino Robinson 20

Moorpark 80, Van Nuys 34

Thacher 59, Santa Clara 57

High School Girls Basketball:

Oak Park 67, Dos Pueblos 29: Carly Letendre scored 14 points for Chargers.

Ventura 58, Chaminade 36: Kai Staniland 23 points for Cougars

Oxnard 58, Moorpark 15: Gia Angell 17 points for Yellowjackets

Thousand Oaks 52, Orcutt Academy 47

St. Bonaventure 53, Newbury Park: 40 Sophia Fernandez 23 points for Seraphs

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Mike Klan

ST. GEORGE, Utah. (KEYT) – The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Basketball team defeated Utah Tech today to earn a 9-1 start to their 2025-26 season – the best 10-game opening record in the program’s history.

The last team to come close to a 9-1 opening slate was the 1987-88 squad who went 8-2.

FROM HEAD COACH RENEE JIMENEZ”Right now, we’re really proud of the way this group has started the season. A milestone like this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a credit to the players’ commitment to our culture, their belief in one another, and the respect of the standard that has been built here over time,” Jimenez said. “This program has a long, storied tradition of success in women’s basketball, and our team understands they’re not just playing for this season, but for players who came before them and wore the Gaucho uniform. They’re honoring that legacy while writing their own chapter, and that’s been so special to watch.”

HOW IT HAPPENEDThe teams spent the first period grappling for the lead. When they found themselves tied at 15-15, the Gauchos pulled out ahead with a deep three-pointer by Zoe Borter. The Trailblazers scored no more points that quarter, while the Gauchos made seven. Santa Barbara was off to an early headstart at 22-15.

The second saw a ten-point Gaucho lead at 36-26 before the Trailblazers traversed their way back to 32. Nonetheless, Santa Barbara was still ahead by the half at 36-32.

The Gauchos stayed in winning position through the third, taking it 51-43. They had a ten-point buffer at multiple points, funded primarily by a series of driving layups.

Utah Tech came close to vengeance in the fourth quarter, when the Trailblazers equalized the score at 61-61. They returned from a 10-point deficit over a seven-minute campaign, threatening to take the lead the Gauchos had sheltered for the entire game. Borter lasered another three to put Santa Barbara ahead 64-61, then neither team scored for two minutes. Four last-minute free throws by the Gauchos guaranteed their win, which they took 68-65.

Jessica Grant led the way to the Gauchos’ win, blazing a season-high 16 points and making four three-pointers. Both Borter and Zoe Shaw notched 13 points, while Olivia Bradley sank 11. Bradley had a game-high three blocks and led the team in assists alongside Maddie Naro, with both players providing four.

It was rebounds abound for the Gauchos, as four players made six each and the team totaled 40 to secure the second-highest count in the stat for the season.

UP NEXTThe Gauchos’ final game of 2025 will be back at home, taking place on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6:00 p.m. versus Eastern Washington.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

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