Category: keyt-local-news

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Teachers across the Hope School District are putting the finishing touches on their classrooms as they prepare to welcome students back Thursday.

Desks are being arranged, supplies unpacked and classroom walls decorated as educators get ready for a new group of students.

For teachers, the final preparations go beyond getting the room organized. They are creating spaces where students can feel comfortable, connected and ready to learn from the moment they walk through the door.

The work marks the final stretch of summer preparation before classrooms fill up again for the start of a new school year.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara County Chief Executive Officer has retired from the position she has held since 2013.

Mona Miyasato has been instrumental in changing the way Santa Barbara County manages its departments, finances and responds to emergencies.

During the time she held the post, she helped the county through budget hearings with severe financial issues. Miyasato also had to declared numerous emergencies due to weather and other related issues that opened the door to state and federal aid.

She has been a watchdog over county departments and the Board of Supervisors through some of the biggest events in history.

That included the COVID crisis.

Funding problems have never full gone away and each year she had to prepare a balanced budget.

She says the county is in much better shape today with the work the staff has done.

Miyasato said, “as I leave I have great confidence in this county, this county organization. There will always be difficult choices. There will never be enough resources there will always be issues but remember the public’s trust has to be continually earned. This organization will do what it has to do, and what it has always done, which is respond, adjust, and renew.”

Miyasato received two standing ovations during her farewell appearance to the county.

She ended by removing her special county badge and leaving it on the podium where she was speaking.

She is not completely stepping out of the work force.

She will be a professional coach for public sector executives.

(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council received a two-year progress report on climate.

The city’s Energy and Climate Division Manager Jefferson Litten gave the presentation.

“Today was a great opportunity for council to hear a two-year progress update on what our department and what all the city departments are doing to achieve our climate action plan goal and I think it was really well received by council and we also talked about what we are ready to do in the next three years,” said Litten.

Litten said his department is working with other departments to achieve the city of Santa Barbara’s goals.

“The city has really ambitious climate action plan goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. So that is going to be a combination of adding EV charging, converting our buildings to electric buildings and adding solar storage where ever we can.”

He said the council responded with encouraging words.

The Climate Action Plan adopted in July of 2024 serves as a roadmap for the city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The report says greenhouse gas emission primarily comes from on road passenger transportation and building energy use.

Clean energy programs include street and community trees, residential and city EV charging, and home electrification.

Members of the public can watch a recording of the council meeting on YouTube.

“The presentation was really well received by council, it was great to see praise for the department and our other departmental partners for all the work we have been trying to do to advance our climate goals,” said Litten.

In the next few years the city will focus on municipal building electrification and solar.

The city will incentivize residential solar and storage offering and shifts to use electricity during off peaks hours.

The city will replace vehicles with EVS.

It will continue building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and improvements.

The city will also create a student climate innovation grant competition and explore partnerships with UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College.

The current climate has been a topic of conversation.

People visiting Tuesday’s farmers market on State Street felt the afternoon heat.

It was about 86 degrees before 5.p.m.

Jenna Davis wanted to make sure her children didn’t get overheated.

“It is always changing, it is definitely getting warmer and I feel like summer is just shifting to be later and later now, so kids are going back to school, but it is going to be hot at their school, and in the classroom, so I am glad to hear the city is doing things though and trying to move positive change forward and trying to adjust to this warming climate, we’ve got,” said Davis.

The Library On The Go on State Street during the market had staff on hand to recommend books about the climate.

One librarian recommended a book that includes climate inspired poetry entitled “You A Here, Poetry in the Natural World.”

The city is gearing up for a EV Charging Station ribbon cutting at the Eastside Library on Aug. 26th.

For a link to the report visit https://SantaBarbaraCA.gov

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Caleb Nguyen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara Zoo sadly euthanized Poppy, an 8-year-old capybara, Friday after finding an inoperable mass on her throat that made eating and breathing difficult.

Poppy lived past the normal life expectancy for capybaras in the wild as many capybaras live up to seven years, according to the SB Zoo.

The SB Zoo’s other capybara, Antonio, is four years old and is suffering from a rare blood cancer diagnosis.

Antonio is receiving chemotherapy for treatment alongside special care and testing over the last two months, according to SB Zoo officials.

Antonio’s successful diagnosis of multiple myeloma marks the first in a living capybara at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility, according to SB Zoo officials.

Poppy’s passing marks a string of recent tragedies at the SB Zoo after beloved red panda Ruby and her two cubs died in July.

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News Channel 3-12

CHANNEL ISLANDS, Calif. (KEYT) – The Channel Islands National Park will open its new Prisoners Harbor Campground on Santa Cruz Island on August 27th.

Below is a press release from the National Park Service on the upcoming opening:

Beginning Aug. 27, Channel Islands National Park will open the new Prisoners Harbor Campground on Santa Cruz Island, introducing overnight visitors to a new way to experience the park’s largest island.

Reservations will open on August 18. Each of the six campsites accommodates up to four people; the nightly rate is $15 per site. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.

This is the first new campground added to Santa Cruz Island in decades and fulfills the park’s goal of expanding visitor opportunities while protecting the island’s extraordinary natural resources. Located a short walk from the Prisoners Harbor Pier, it offers a quieter camping experience than Scorpion Campground while remaining easily accessible.

“For our park rangers, Prisoners Harbor Campground is one of those rare opportunities to create a new inspirational experience that will be here for generations to come,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “It’s a small, thoughtfully designed campground that’s in tune with nature. Visitors will fall asleep listening to the gentle rhythm of cobblestones rolling in the surf.”

The campground also expands recreation opportunities on Santa Cruz Island. Visitors can now hike between Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, creating new point-to-point backpacking trips. Experienced kayakers can also paddle between the two harbors for a multi-day coastal adventure.

“We’re really excited about the new Prisoner’s Harbor campground on Santa Cruz Island,” said Channel Islands National Park Foundation board member Michael Delaney. “It’s set in a beautiful oak woodland nestled below Eagle Ridge, and it’s easily accessible with just a short walk from the pier where visitors arrive. Our heartfelt thanks to Toad & Co, Fund for People in Parks, and Aera Energy of Kern for providing the funding to build a campground that generations of campers will enjoy.”

Santa Cruz Island now offers three distinct camping experiences: 

Scorpion Campground, the park’s largest campground, provides easy access and is ideal for families and first-time campers. Del Norte Campground offers a remote backcountry experience for backpackers willing to carry all of their food and water. Prisoners Harbor Campground bridges those two experiences, combining convenient access with a quieter, more secluded setting.

Additional information about camping at Channel Islands National Park is available at www.nps.gov/chis/camping.htm.

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News Channel 3-12

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a special segment Wednesday, your News Channel will invite guests former Santa Barbara City Councilman Dale Francisco and former State Representative Hannah Beth Jackson for a LIVE conversation.

But we want to hear from you! How is your cost of living? Can you afford your groceries? Or to fill your tank? What on your latest thoughts on Santa Barbara’s State Street? And should e-bikes be banned entirely from it?

Vote in this week’s poll, and drop your questions, comments, opinions in the chat box below.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – With the start of many school year schedules moving back to the middle of August from other dates closer to September 1, summer vacations are wrapping up fast.

Cities list those on the Central Coast that rely heavily on tourism will be seeing a change as they have in recent years.

In Santa Barbara County some of the north county schools, including in Lompoc, have welcomed back their students.

Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria school districts will start on different but closer schedules in the next week.

The dynamics of the economy then change in many cities. Not as many people are off doing vacation-type activities. Some are going into full school mode, after school sports, and a more structured daily schedules for drop offs and pick ups.

That may also change the vacation planning to a future date, including the holidays or early January if schools extend the Christmas break to three weeks instead of two. That applies to Spring break planning in 2027 already.

For employers who hire students, some will no longer be able to work their scheduled shifts because of school commitments.

Some locations including bars and restaurants in Santa Barbara have started posting hiring notices to back fill for those who are leaving for school out of the area, or workers who want to carry less hours and concentrate on academics.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The County of San Luis Obispo is looking for public input on how to spend an estimated $3 million in federal funding that will help shape future investments in housing and community development.

The County is inviting community members, businesses, nonprofit organizations and community partners to offer their input in the 2027 Community Development Needs Assessment.

The Community Development Needs Assessment is a brief online survey the County said will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

According to the County, feedback will help guide how federal funding will be invested in localprojects and programs that strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities and improve quality of life throughout San Luis Obispo County.

The County added the Community Development Needs Assessment is a key component in its 2025–2029 U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Plan, which establishes priorities for investing federal resources in community development.

Public input gathered will help these San Luis Obispo County prioritize goals established in the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan:

Housing Facilities, including affordable rental housing, single family housing, and senior housing Public Services, including health care, mental health, and homeless services Public Facilities, including health care and mental health facilities, and childcare centers Housing Services, including homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and emergency shelters Public Infrastructure, including high-speed internet, water/sewer improvements, and sidewalk improvements

“The people who live and work in our communities know better than anyone what our neighborhoods need most,” said Marge Castle, Program Manager. “Whether your priorities are affordable housing, services for older adults, homelessness, accessibility or neighborhood improvements, your input will help shape future investments across San Luis Obispo County.”

Those would like to take part in the 2027 Community Development Needs Assessment can access the survey at slocounty.gov/CommunityDevelopment

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Andie Lopez Bornet

MONTECITO, Calif. – The Rosewood Miramar Best in Show took place Thursday afternoon for it’s 5th year and as always, it didn’t disappoint.

“2026 Rosewood Miramar Best in Show and that is number 16, Chance!,” announced by host, actress and comedian, Jane Lynch.

Chance and his owners, Brady and Addy Rogers took home the title of 2026 Best in Show.

“I feel happy because I’ve always wanted to win,” said Brady Rogers, Winner of Best in Show. “I’m going to celebrate by ordering a lot of room service to the hotel.”

The family just so happened to be visiting from Austin, Texas and decided to compete in the event.

The year New York Times Best Selling Photographer Gray Malin accompanied Jane Lynch as a host, with Lynch entering her third year as host for the event on the Great Lawn at the Rosewood Miramar.

“I love this event, I would come to it even if I weren’t hosting it,” said Jane Lynch, Actress, Comedian and Host. “I think they do such a wonderful thing for the dogs here at the organization.”

Santa Barbara Humane CEO Kerri Burns served as a judge representing the non-profit.

“This is going to be so difficult as a judge this year because I mean, how can you say no? Right? They’re just so cute,” said CEO of Santa Barbara Humane, Kerri Burns.

It was a full event with spectators smiling ear to ear and even the 2025 winner of Best in Show attended the event to cheer on this years winners.

“It was so much fun and we really didn’t expect it to the point that when they said ‘and the winner was Tucker’ I said ‘Was there another Tucker?’” said Kathy Wilson, 2025 Best in Show winner. “We decided it wouldn’t be fair to compete this year since he was last years winner.” 

Other categories in the event included Best Trick, Spectators Choice and Best Look.

“We worked very hard at this Best Look all year long, Lori chose the theme,” said Frank Moldovan, Winner of Best Look 2026.

It was another successful year for the event with over 40 dogs competing in the show and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the Santa Barbara Humane..

“Every contestant, everyone that comes here will learn about Santa Barbara Humane and it gives back to Santa Barbara Humane with all the entrances today,” said Burns. “Those proceeds as a local non-profit, those proceeds go to help with adoptions, we got pet-food pantry and so much more.”

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