John Palminteri Named Santa Barbara’s Citizen of the Year

City Councilmember Cathy Murillo smooches John Palminteri at an election night party

John “Primetime” Palminteri, the South Coast’s most beloved TV newsman, was presented with Downtown Santa Barbara’s 2014 Citizen of the Year Award at a breakfast ceremony Thursday. The longtime senior reporter for KEYT was a “natural” and “fantastic” choice, said Downtown Organization director Maggie Campbell, because of the support and passion he’s leant to countless events, businesses, and causes since arriving in Santa Barbara in 1981. Read The Independent‘s profile of Palminteri here.