Category: keyt-local-news

Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Just last week in a wowing performance, Santa Barbara’s Jenna Ramirez and Penelope Hernandez were selected as Old Spanish Days’ Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta. Now the real fun begins as duo prepares for the official start of the Fiesta season.

Jenna and Penelope joined Your Morning News to talk about the moment they heard their names announced.

“I kind of knew like what to do when we go backstage or when it’s my turn to go on, but it was still really nerve-wracking because when I went on stage, I still felt how I was every single year. But when I heard my name get called, I was really proud of myself and I’m just so happy,” explained Hernandez.

Between the two of them, the duo has years of experience, performances, and auditioning, but as first-time Spirits they’re looking forward to simply continuing traditions.

“Dancing at Mission Pequeña. I’m so excited for that. That is like a dream come true of mine and just being able to dance all through Fiesta is so special to me because I’ve been my whole life, I’ve participated in Fiesta, so I’m really excited,” said Ramirez.

The Spirits will be busy throughout the next few months leading up to the celebrations in August, with scheduled events happening around town including La Primavera, Fiesta Ranchera, and La Recepción del Presidente.

The 2026 Fiesta season kicks off from August 5-9. You can find a complete list of events here.

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John Palminteri

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. (KEYT) – There will be boat loads of fishing lovers at Cachuma Lake this weekend for the Neal Taylor Nature Center’s Annual Fishing Derby.

Last year, nearly 600 participants took part, including all ages from 5-years-old and up. They shared in $10,000 in prizes. Those included cash, fishing gear, gift baskets and certificates for restaurants.

Participants come in from throughout the Central Coast and some from many cities more than two hours away.

Ralph Galindo is from Chino east of Los Angeles and says, “it is just a real beautiful place get away from work and you know a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work and this is the place to spend it.”

The lake is full from the winter rains. Even during drought years the turnout has been strong.

Neal Taylor Nature Center Executive Director Julie McDonald says, “depending on the type of fish you are fishing for sometimes it’s better when the lake is a little lower so it’s all good depending on what you are fishing on, you are going to catch something.”

The registrations are strong with about 500 already signed up.

The derby takes place rain of shine and last year it rained on Saturday. This year it is sunny and beautiful and many people hope their name is read as a winner Sunday at noon.

A winner from last year, made it by about an inch. Kayla Maher said, “I fish here often so I know when the big ones come but it is close I almost got beat by about an inch. “

Cheryl Rossman and her family have been to all 29 derby events. She said, “I think it is awesome that the whole community participates and gets together from 99 years to one it is very cool.” They have customs shirts made and bring a large group.

During the winners ceremony one person makes free hot dogs, another throws out bags of peanuts like at a Dodger game.

The center raised more than $35,000 for the programs at the Neal Taylor Nature Center on-site, which promotes education and ecology around the Cachuma Lake Recreation area about 30 minutes from Santa Barbara. . Those who come through annually learn about the wide variety of animals and overall history of the lake.

Neal Taylor was a beloved naturalist here from 1983 to 2002 and was a fishing expert who taught many children and four Presidents how to cast a line.

McDonald said, “we have over 40,000 kids and families come through every single year. You kinda get the idea there’s a lot going on here so we really are a hidden gem.”

The event kicks off with a flare gun shot at 6 a.m. Saturday. It ends at noon on Sunday.

The lake has had recent fish stocking to be ready for this event.

Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories ranging from ages to types of fish caught in the event.

For more information go to: Neal Taylor Nature Center Fishing Derby

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Alissa Orozco

PISMO BEACH, Calif. (KEYT) – An older Arroyo Grande man has died after being hit by a motor vehicle Thursday in the parking lot of a Pismo Beach medical clinic.

According to Pismo Beach Police, officers were called out to the scene around 10:15am Thursday to reports of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle incident outside of Med Plus, located at 877 N. Oak Park Blvd.

There, first aid was immediately administered to a 88-year-old Arroyo Grande man by medical personnel from Med Plus before the man was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The man died from his injuries before arrival.

Police say the driver remained on scene and was cooperative with officers. Drugs and alcohol do not seem to be a factor.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A once-gray downtown intersection is quickly transforming into a vibrant public art display just days after its kickoff.

What used to be asphalt is now becoming a shared work of art in downtown Santa Barbara.

Paint rolls across the pavement as volunteers fill in bold colors that are quickly spreading across the intersection.

“It looks beautiful it brought vibrant downtown that already exists here it’s so beautiful,” said shopper Vanessa Leath of Santa Barbara.

Project designers hope the project will turn community ideas into something everyone can experience right on the street.

“It’s been going great to see all the volunteers … all the hands that are you know being part of this project and helping it with the establishment with it coming to fruition is really honoring and humbling,” said Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative Lead Designer Eddy Jimenez.

Organizers are excited to see over a hundred volunteers sharing in the creation of this project.

“I was thinking about sort of what this land is like it’s history and sort of what it means for people. I’m really proud to be by this,” said volunteer Rian Gladnick of the Downtown Art Project.

Brushes and rollers keep moving as crews finish one section and start the next.

“My hope is that the communities within Santa Barbara all of them can recognize this as Home can be inspired by this art,” said Jimenez.

The intersection that once moved only traffic is now moving people.

Volunteers have returned steadily, filling the crossroads of Carrillo and State Streets in bold colors as the mural pushes past the halfway mark.

The project is already drawing crowds and boosting foot traffic, with shoppers stopping to watch and take photos.

Volunteers and community members describe a growing sense of energy as the artwork comes to life, turning the space into both a destination and a shared community experience.

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News Channel 3-12

Below is a press release from Caltrans regarding Daytime Lane Closures scheduled south of Mussel Shoals

VENTURA COUNTY – Caltrans announces daytime lane closures on State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway/PCH) near US 101 (Exit 78) south of Mussel Shoals next week to install guardrail.

The left lane in both directions of PCH will be closed with a moving closure between US 101 (Exit 78) and Mobil Pier Road.

Monday, Apr. 20 through Friday, Apr. 24.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Residents and businesses located in this area may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with construction activities.

Pacific Coast Highway at US 101 (Exit 78) to Mobil Pier Road.

Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.” Real-time closures at Caltrans QuickMap. For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit BuildingCA.ca.gov. Please drive through the construction zone with extreme caution and obey speed limits. Caltrans reminds motorists to be “Work Zone Alert” and “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) -Hayes Costner had a match-high 23 kills to lead Santa Barbara to a four-set win at Dos Pueblos (25-14, 26-24, 16-25, 25-21).

The Dons improve to 8-1 in the Channel League, one game back of first place San Marcos. The two rivals meet again on Tuesday in the Thunderhut in the regular season league finale.

Dons star setter Maddox Denver had 45 assists with 9 kills and finished off the match with two booming aces.

DP was led by Ben Wojogbe who had 10 kills, 7 digs and 4 aces.

San Marcos 3, Ventura 0: The Royals improved to 24-2 on the season and 9-0 in the Channel League. They won all three sets by identical 25-11 scores. Kalae Anderson had 10 kills for San Marcos.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It’s three of a kind for San Marcos as they knocked off rival Dos Pueblos 13-5 to claim their third straight Channel League title in girls lacrosse.

Josephine Grossman scored a team-high four goals and Victoria Aldana added 3 goals as the Royals improve to 14-3 on the season and 7-0 in league with one regular season game left.

Carly Grant made five saves for the Royals.

Dos Pueblos senior star Linnea Clapinski scored all five of her team’s goals while Stella Lawler saved ten shots. The Chargers are CIF playoff-bound having locked up second place in league.

Boys Lacrosse:

Dos Pueblos 17, San Marcos 1: The Chargers clinch at least a share of the Channel League title with a 7-1 mark. The game saw some unlikely heroes step up, with Senior Everett Kuhm scoring his first 4 career goals, Senior Owen Anton scoring his first career goal, and freshman Lou Wendel scoring his first 2 career goals as well.

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Alissa Orozco

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – The Arroyo Grande Police Department is reaching out to the public in the hopes of identifying victims in a recent peeping incident.

On December 29th, 2025, a man was caught filming a woman at a Arroyo Grande Planet Fitness location. The woman was reportedly partially nude in a tanning booth.

The suspect had fled the scene prior to officer’s arrival, but with the help of witness statements and a review of surveillance footage, officers were able to identify a suspect. Search warrants determined the suspect had committed this crime numerous times over the course of the past year.

The department is now looking to identify anyone who may have been of victim. The suspect would enter tanning and red-light therapy rooms, and record female members without their consent or knowledge.

Investigators believe there to be approximately 47 victims spanning from January to December of 2025 – many of which have not been identified.

Any female members of Planet Fitness located at 1576 W. Branch St. in Arroyo Grande is encouraged to contact Officer Brandon Earnest at (805) 473-5110 EXT 7021 or via email at bearnest@arroyogrande.org.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a statement released Thursday, Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch shared his disappointment following the sentencing of a Santa Barbara resident charged in a fatal vehicle crash last year.

On Tuesday, 29-year-old Katelyn Fultz of Santa Barbara was sentenced to five years of probation in Santa Barbara Superior Court, having previously pleaded no contest to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

On the morning of May 1, 2025, three people – including Fultz – were transported to the hospital following a head-on collision on Highway 154. The crash left 24-year-old Carly Howard in a coma, and passenger Albert Ineira sustained injuries including a laceration requiring stitches and a fractured foot.

Howard later died from her injuries.

According to the District Attorney’s office, toxicology results showed Fultz had a blood alcohol content of 0.167%, stemming from a mixture of alcohol and cocaine – causing her to cross over double yellow lines and cause the fatal crash.

Fultz pleaded no contest to the all charges and enhancements filed against her earlier this year, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and driving without a license.

Despite recommendations from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and the Probation Department, the Court reduced Fultz’s DUI to a misdemeanor and sentenced her to five years of probation with a six year suspended prison term and ordered Fultz to serve 270 days in county jail.

District Attorney John T. Savrnoch expressed his disappointment in a statement shared with your News Channel:

“This sentence is profoundly shocking and does not come close to reflecting the magnitude of the loss suffered by Carly Howard’s family. A young woman lost her life because of a series of reckless, illegal, and dangerous decisions by the defendant—driving under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine, at nearly twice the legal limit, without a valid license.”

“Our office sought a significant state prison sentence because that is what justice and public safety demand in a case like this. When someone chooses to drive in that condition and takes a life, there must be real consequences.”

“While nothing can undo the harm caused, this appallingly lenient sentence sends the wrong message about the seriousness of impaired driving. We at the District Attorney’s Office remain committed to aggressively prosecuting DUI cases and standing with victims and their families in the pursuit of accountability.”

Fultz will return to Department 11 on April 28, 2026, to formalize the terms of her probation.

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – In a bizarre scene, a tow truck helped to remove a vehicle stuck on the train tracks near the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station Thursday.

As seen on your News Channel sky cam, the vehicle halted trains at the tracks near the intersection of State and E. Yanonali Streets.

Shot of the tracks via News Channel Sky Cam

No word on injuries or how the vehicle got stuck.

Your News Channel will provide updates as it becomes available.

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