Category: keyt-local-news

Dave Alley

PASO ROBLES, Calif. – The California Mid-State Fair kicks off its much-anticipated 12-day run in Paso Robles beginning on Wednesday afternoon.

Over nearly two weeks, at least 400,000 fairgoers are expected to attend the annual gathering that includes headline concerts, thrilling carnival rides, wide assortment of food and drinks, livestock show and auction, home arts exhibits and much more.

“We’re very excited to bring you this year’s fair,” saids Colleen Boroquez, California Mid-State Fair CEO. “We’re excited to bring you all the fun things that the fair has to offer. The carnival, the food, and just the atmosphere of coming together and seeing everybody who you’ve only seen, only see once a year at the fair.”

The Mid-State Fair opens its doors at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, which will be preceded with an opening ceremony set for 3:45 p.m.

The first 100 visitors will receive one complimentary admission ticket that is valid on any other day of the 2025 Fair, an exclusive 2025 California Mid-State Fair commemorative button and a bag of kettle corn.

The theme of the fair this year is “Off to the Races!” which will be prominently seen and felt by fairgoers during their time inside the Paso Robles Event Center.

In a release, the fair said the theme will be heavily referenced around the fairgrounds, buildings and exhibits, as well as an exhibition in the Ponderosa Pavilion showcasing the days when the Paso Robles Event Center (then known as the San Luis Obispo County Fairgrounds) hosted horse racing.

As typical, the fair has lined up another big name lineup of entertainment to fill the Chumash Grandstand Arena.

Flo Rida will begin the festivities with a performance on Wednesday night and will be followed by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry over the next several days, including Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, 311, Viva La Quebradita, David Lee Roth, Keith Urban, Bailey Zimmerman, along with Country Rodeo Finals and a Monster Truck Takeover.

With typical temperatures during the fair reaching into the 90’s and often times into triple figures, the Paso Robles Event Center has made a push this year to keep fairgoers as comfortable as possible with the addition of several new cooling features.

“We have our misty midway,” said Boroquez. “There will be a portion of our midway that we have misters to help in case it gets over 100 degrees. We also have a cooling area at the Headliner Stage.”

In addition, there is a new hydration station located by the Frontier Stage where fairgoers will be able to fill up plastic bottles with free water.

Fortunately for visitors, this year’s fair is shaping up to be one of the coolest in many years.

On Wednesday, the high only reached into the mid-70’s and the forecast through the rest of the fair has temperatures mostly in the 80’s, approximately 10 degrees below the normal average.

The California Mid-State Fair will be held from July 16 through July 27.

Gates open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight and from Friday to Sunday from noon to midnight.

For more information, click here to visit the official California Mid-State Fair website.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. ⁃ Rivers are powerful forces of nature shaping landscapes and impacting millions who live nearby. 

Now, scientists at UC Santa Barbara are shedding new light on why some rivers split into multiple channels while others stay on a single path.

“When we think of floods, we always think of the context of rising water levels, right but rivers are not stopping rivers move around,” said associate professor of geography Dr. Vamsi Ganti of UC Santa Barbara.

Ganti and his team used decades of satellite imagery to study 84 rivers around the world. 

Their findings could make a big difference in places like Santa Barbara, where local creeks often overflow during heavy storms.

“Understanding how rivers move is critical for how we manage flood risk on the banks of the rivers, and also trying to figure out how the river movement can change in the future,” said Ganti.

“And his research is helping us understand these forces of nature so we can better live with them,” said science communicator Harrison Tasoff of UC Santa Barbara.

Researchers believe this study could help guide smarter flood planning in the region and even around the world.

“What this means for the community is, we have a better idea of how rivers behave and when they’re aggressive, and when they’re docile,” said Tasoff.

These discoveries can be especially crucial in communities still recovering from past disasters, like the deadly 2018 Montecito mudslides.

“My hope is that we start to incorporate … river movement into flood medication, such that we are better prepared,” said Ganti.

The team hopes their findings will be used by planners and emergency managers across California and beyond.A new UCSB study reveals why some rivers split into multiple channels.

For more information, visit: https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/021948/rivers-choose-their-path-based-erosion-discovery-could-transform-flood-planning-and

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara’s biggest event, Old Spanish Days, will take place in about two weeks and thousands of people traditionally take part in the festivities.

Old Spanish Days Division Chief of Pageantry Casie Killgore said “personally, for me, Fiesta Friday is the best day of the year in Santa Barbara. ” She was born and raised in Santa Barbara and said, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. And I would never take a vacation on Fiesta Friday.  It’s a place to be.”

Although some summertime activities have seen lower turnouts in Santa Barbara County, including the just-completed County Fair, the Executive Board of Old Spanish Days is going all out for the event’s 101st year.

El Desfile Historico, the Fiesta Parade will again, be on Cabrillo Boulevard. The route at noon on August 1st will be direct from Castillo St. to Calle Cesar Chavez. It will not go past the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

The carriages are expected to return to Pershing Park on a route that includes Yanonali and Garden Street.

Overall it will be slightly different. “It is a little shorter this year, but we want to pack the people in. We have announcing booths every half block. We have kits and help do a live, broadcast. And we’re just excited to bring the fun back into Fiesta,” said Killgore.

There will be many Fiesta activities including Fiesta Pequena, Las Noches de Ronda, the Children’s Parade and the downtown Mercado are all in the preparation stages. Just added has been the Casa de la Guerra entertainment stage of dance and music.

In the next two weeks groups involved in floats for the famous parade will be spending hours decorating to their themes. That work will be done in the back lot of the Carriage and Western Art Museum in Santa Barbara.

In the next week, there will be other announcements about Fiesta activities, any special additions, and ways families and friends can take part in the largest and most celebrated event of the year in Santa Barbara.

El Presidente Fritz Olenberger said, “after 12 or 15 years of photographing it, Gretchen and I are going to be in it in a carriage, and our kids and grandkids are going to be in a wagon. They’re going to be in the circus wagon. So that’s like the family circus.”

Killgore says it will be a full parade. “We’re coming back with 58 entries. We will have 27 carriages and we’re returning to a very equestrian focused parade with a lot of charro groups coming out. And we’re just really excited to bring back that Fiesta flair and some fun. “

Second Vice President Tony Miller said support from businesses has been a key factor to the Fiesta budget and the way many events are offered for free. “Year in, year out. And no matter what happens, they come back and they support our community.   We can’t do this without them.”

The history of this parade and those who want to experience it every year have a way of bonding the community especially in challenging times.

Killgore said, “it’s one day for us to come together as a community and celebrate and, you know, enjoy all the horses and really just enjoy the day as a community.”

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Coming to you LIVE from Transylvania, its Young Frankenstein!

The Theatre Group at Santa Barbara City College opened its 80th season with this musical comedy, adapted from the hilarious book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.

Following the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania and brings to life a monster just like his grandfather’s! Along with some friends, Frankenstein sets off on a wild goose chase when the monster ultimately escapes.

Two stars of the popular adaption, Dillion Yuhasz who plays Frederick Frankenstein and Kate Brody-Adams who plays Igna, joined your Morning News to talked about the must-see musical comedy.

“This is just amazing. This has been a lot of work to put this show, from everything – the costumes, the tech side, Santa Barbara City College always just does such a good job with their shows. We are just lucky to get to be the actors in the show,” Yuhasz said.

The show features music and lyrics by Brooks and original direction and choreography by Susan Stromans.

“I think we’re doing a great job of lifting each other up, and that’s, I think that really is the most fun. I mean, getting up there and singing and acting and dancing is wonderful,” said Brody-Adams.

As of Wednesday morning, tickets for upcoming shows are sold out, but ‘stand-by’ tickets may be available to those who show up at the theatre an hour prior to showtime.

Performance times are Thursday through Saturday @ 7:30pm, Sundays @ 2pm from July 9-25 at the Garvin Theatre.

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Mike Klan

UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Miro Little has the experience, the size and the talent to effectively lead the Gauchos at the point guard position.

“He’s played at Baylor for a year, Utah for a year, now he comes here,” began UCSB head coach Joe Pasternack. “I think getting these guys older, more experienced, they know what college basketball is about is a really huge thing. Miro is a great passer, we are really excited about having a big guard, 6’4 200 pounds.”

Little started 12 games as a sophomore at Utah, scoring a career-high 21 points against rival BYU last March and he tallied a double-double versus St. Mary’s with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

A native of Finland, Little played for their national team at the age of 17.

He cited leadership as his biggest strength.

“I have seen a lot of basketball already in my life, in my early age, my early career,” said the UCSB junior.

UCSB is in week two of an 8-week summer practice session and Little likes what he is seeing from his new team.

“We have built really good relationships already and we are excited to compete and play as hard as we can everyday.”

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – A frustrated Board of Supervisors has sounded off about Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – ICE actions last week in Carpinteria.

Ten arrests were made at Glasshouse Farms as part of a larger effort with search warrants, that included a Glasshouse location in Camarillo. In all 361 arrests were made and ten minors were found in the cannabis facility in Ventura County.

The Santa Barbara leaders are asking for more information including who was arrested and why.

They also want ICE to appear at a future meeting to answer questions.

If more funding is going to be allocated for resources and services relating to the response of the enforcement actions, the county wants financial help from each of its cities.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch said he did not favor the tactics used and urged everyone to remember “the rule of law.”

He said the opponents need to meet, “their force with our voice. Meet their force with our actions.”

Savrnoch did not want anyone hurt and said those who are throwing cinder blocks or attacking the agents are breaking the law and face consequences. He suggested other ways to speak out. “Violent and dangerous people will face consequences,” he said. He also warned, “my fear is there will be more large scale military enforcement.”

Prior to the root of his comments he talked about the immigrant background his family went through and challenges they had generations ago.

Sheriff Bill Brown said his department does not participate in ICE actions or immigration enforcement. He understood that people from other countries do not always know the difference between the military and city or county law enforcement.

County Public Defender Tracy Macuga said, “ICE is allowed to racially profile.” She said it goes far beyond what was scene in the local area. “What is occurring in our community, what is occurring on the Central Coast, what is occurring nationally can only be described as government sanctioned terror.”

Primitiva Hernandez is the Executive Director of 805UndocuFund and says, “it will continue escalating.  and we need the resources from our county. Not only the funding, we need actual protection that can help us to have a fighting chance against the unhinged federal agents.”

The newest member of the board said he did not feel protected after what he has seen.

Roy Lee is the supervisor for the First District which covers the Capinteria Valley. He told the public, “these actions are tearing our community and our business community apart. It’s the first time that I as an immigrant did not feel safe and I’ve been targeted.”

Some of those attending spoke out saying they backed the enforcement by ICE against illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and reminded the board that underage children were found working in a cannabis farm.

One supervisor said farm workers, mainly immigrants, are still on the job in Northern Santa Barbara County and elsewhere and not staying away as has been suggested.

Bob Nelson read a statement from a Northern Santa Barbara County farm owner saying, “the headlines claim up to 70 percent of the farmworkers fled California fields during the recent immigration raids, and our farm ran at 95 percent labor capacity. If there is a crisis, it hasn’t arrived here.”

Some members of the South Coast are quick to point out that the enforcement was specifically targeted at on cannabis producer with an address just outside of the Carpinteria city limits and not general farm fields overall.

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Dave Alley

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County is moving closer to a major construction project that will completely overhaul a busy roadway that links a northern part of the county to South San Luis Obispo County.

Bonita School Road travels between Highway 166 in Santa Barbara County and Division Street in Southern San Luis Obispo County just outside Nipomo.

A portion of the road includes a small 300-foot bridge, along with a third-of-a-mile stretch that takes drivers into the Santa Maria Riverbed.

The stretch of roadway is extremely bumpy, often times strewn with potholes, causing many drivers to drive at extremely slow speeds, as well as swerving to avoid the hazardous conditions.

“The existing bridge and low water crossing on Bonita School Road was constructed in 2002 as a temporary replacement,” said Lael Wageneck, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department public information officer. “It’s one of three vital crossings from Santa Barbara County in the San Luis Obispo County, and supports over 4,000 vehicles a day. Most of it is a low water crossing that runs through the riverbed, which means that during heavy storms or when the river is flowing, the bridge washes out.”

In order to improvement conditions, Santa Barbara County is planning a total overhaul of the road around the Santa Maria River, including the construction of a new and vastly longer bridge.

“The new bridge will be nearly a half-mile long and will span the entire channel,” said Wageneck. “It will avoid being flooded during heavy storms and will be smooth sailing across the whole channel.”

In addition to improved driving conditions, the new roadway will also include new features for pedestrians and bicyclists as well.

“Another important part of this new bridge is that it will provide more access for pedestrians and cyclists, including a connection to the the future multi-use path that will run along the levee that will connect the cities of Guadalupe and Santa Maria,” said Wageneck.

To help the public learn more about what is officially called the Bonita School Road Bridge Replacement Project, Santa Barbara County is holding a community meeting that is scheduled to be held near the project site early next month.

“We’re holding an open house to discuss the project with the public on August 7th at 6 p.m. at Bonita Elementary School,” said Wageneck. “We’ll present an update on the project’s development, along with a presentation with latest design plans, the project right of way, the schedule and next steps. We’re looking forward to get input from the community, their thoughts on it.”

Residents who live near the project site are receiving mailers this week that provide a quick overview of the project, along with details about the upcoming meeting.

Wageneck added the project will be federally funded and is set to begin construction in 2027.

Work is expected to last two years and the roadway will be closed to the public while construction is taking place.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Franklin Neighborhood Center was too small for the crowd trying to attend an emergency town hall on Tuesday.The overflowing audience watched and listened from outside via social media.

A majority of speakers said they saw the immigration raids coming and urged community leaders to stand with the immigrant community. One woman said that, for the first time in her life, she was looking over her shoulder for danger. Another said she had begun patrolling her own block.

The head of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce emphasized the need for solidarity, urging residents to stick together and protect local businesses.

Speakers also discussed the recent federal raids at Glass House Farms locations in Carpinteria and Camarillo, which led to the death of a farmworker and the detention of a veteran and CSUCI professor.

A faith leader also addressed the crowd.“Our community, our people who share this land with us—we get to stick up for one another,” said Pastor Leo Smith.

Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon told the crowd her officers are not typically notified by federal authorities when ICE operates in the community or when children are left behind.

She encouraged residents to call the department if they have concerns and reminded them that they do not have to open their doors to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, that didn’t stop ICE from breaking a car window in Carpinteria during an Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO), she noted.

City Councilmembers, including the son of immigrants, pointed to federal enforcement funding as a key barrier to local action.

“Unfortunately, the federal government surpasses our authority. So even if we wanted to, we couldn’t do too much to stop them—other than provide services so that the community has something to fall back on,” said Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez.

No one spoke in favor of deportations. However, one speaker held up a book titled The 5 Basics Everyone Should Know About Immigration by Margaret Orchowski, also known as Peggy Sands. The book argues that the best option for someone receiving a deportation notice is to opt for voluntary departure by cooperating with authorities.

The Santa Barbara City Council voted to direct staff to explore ways to help, including approving an emergency declaration, funding the 805 Undocufund, and joining legal challenges.

Before the meeting, a Santa Barbara Police dog named Roz swept the Franklin Neighborhood Center grounds to ensure public safety.

The event was co-hosted by the 805 Immigration Coalition, which distributed bilingual flyers. A volunteer said racial profiling is happening in the region.Aja Forner shared that a driver was racially profiled on Ogan Road the previous day. He was asked for papers and, after proving he was a citizen, was followed by agents for another eight minutes. An Oxnard man said something similar happened to his father weeks earlier.

Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez, Kristen Sneddon, and Wendy Santamaria called for the meeting in response to the July 10 raids, which resulted in more than 300 people being taken to detention facilities—most from Camarillo. Officials also found teenagers who appeared to be working at the Carpinteria location, though Glass House Farms denies employing minors. Detainees were initially held at a U.S. Customs facility on Cortez Circle in Camarillo before being transferred to downtown Los Angeles.

Attorney Andrea Anaya, who is representing five clients affected by the raids, met with them Monday in Los Angeles. She said their U.S.-born children were left wondering why their parents hadn’t come home. Donations to local nonprofits are intended to support those children.

During the meeting, Primitiva Hernandez, Director of 805 Undocufund, delivered a passionate call for stronger local government support. She said her four-person team, which covers three counties, is operating entirely on philanthropic funding while “approximately 500 families right now [are] waiting for financial assistance or philanthropy.” Hernandez criticized the limited public response, saying even $1 million in aid would be “crumbs,” and called for city and county support for rapid response training efforts. She also expressed frustration with bureaucratic red tape that prevents community organizing in city-funded spaces, pushing them to rely on churches instead. Volunteers, she said, have faced police intimidation while legally monitoring enforcement actions. Hernandez closed by urging leaders to accept discomfort as a catalyst for change: “If you guys are feeling uncomfortable, that is because it’s not working on you and you should continue feeling uncomfortable and showing up for our community.”

For more information visit https:www.805immigrant.org or https://805undocufund.org or https://causenow.org or https://www.santabarbaraca.gov

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Below is a press release from the City of Goleta regarding lane closures starting today, July 15th

GOLETA, Calif. – Beginning today, Tuesday, July 15, the #2 lane along northbound Los Carneros Road from Karl Storz Drive to approximately the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp will be closed. This closure will help facilitate the construction of a new storm drain being completed as part of the adjacent Heritage Ridge housing project.

Construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-August. Construction and traffic control will be in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

The public is advised to expect slight delays along Los Carneros Road in that area during construction. “Share the Road” signage will be posted to alert motorists of the presence of bicyclists and to support safe travel for all roadway users during construction activities. Motorists are advised to stay alert and follow all posted signage.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

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Below is a press release from The Ventura County Probation Agency regarding the county’s new Chief Probation Officer

VENTURA, Calif. – Ronald L. Miller II was officially sworn in, on Monday, July 14, 2025, as Chief Probation Officer of the Ventura County Probation Agency. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors appointed Miller to the position on June 24, 2025, following an extensive statewide recruitment process.

Chief Miller brings more than 35 years of experience in probation services, having previously served as the Chief Probation Officer in Riverside County. In that role, he led more than 1,000 staff members and oversaw the management of multiple juvenile facilities. He has also held numerous leadership positions within the field, including serving as the Southern Region Chair for the Chief Probation Officers of California.

“I’m honored to step into this role and serve the people of Ventura County,” said Chief Miller. “I look forward to working with our dedicated team and community partners to enhance public safety, support rehabilitation, and promote long-term positive change.”

Chief Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from California Baptist University. In addition to his professional experience, he has served in both the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the California Army National Guard.

As Chief Probation Officer, Miller will oversee adult and juvenile probation services, including supervision, rehabilitation programs, court investigations, and management of the county’s juvenile detention facility. His priorities include strengthening community-based alternatives to detention, reducing recidivism through evidence-based practices, and fostering meaningful reentry pathways for justice-involved individuals.

For more information about the Ventura County Probation Agency and its programs, visit probation.venturacounty.gov

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