Joe Gehl, anchor for KEYT, has announced he’s leaving the Santa Barbara ABC affiliate this Friday, January 18.

Gehl told TVSpy not to read anything into his departure. “It’s entirely a personal decision, no drama.”

“It has been a humbling honor and privilege to hold the nightly anchor position at KEYT for more than 6 years and the responsibility was never lost on me,” Gehl told the Santa Barbara View. “It’s my hope you’ll embrace my replacement with the same warmth and graciousness you’ve afforded me.”

He told TVSpy he wasn’t clear what his next move would be but added, “I simply want to travel for a while, take some time for myself. I’ll never say never about getting back in the business. It’s all I’ve known.

During his 21 year career, he has worked at stations in San Diego, Milwaukee, Tucson and Billings, MT.