Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study & Action Plan, Public Review Draft, is now available. Provide comments by June 22, 2026
El Estudio y Plan de Acción sobre Vivienda para Trabajadores Agrícolas del Condado de Ventura, Revisión Pública Borrador, está disponible. Proporcionar comentarios antes del 22 de junio de 2026.
VENTURA — Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) hosted a special dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of its new Breast Health Center on Friday, May 29, 2026.
This milestone marked a major advancement in expanding access to high-quality breast imaging and diagnostic services for Ventura County residents. The project was made possible through a $2,034,969 RISE grant awarded by Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP), supporting transformative improvements at the region’s critical safety-net hospital.
“Grant opportunities like this from Gold Coast Health Plan are especially important because they allow for a targeted collaboration where our vision to provide enhanced breast health services can be realized for a community that deserves access to high quality health care,” said Matt McGill, VCMC Director of Imaging Services.
CENTRAL COAST — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has released its 2025 Impact Report, celebrating 35 years of helping women build financial independence, launch businesses, strengthen families, and contribute to thriving local economies across the region.
The report highlights a year of growth and innovation as more women turned to WEV’s programs and services to pursue economic opportunity and financial stability. Through business advising, training, and financial empowerment programs, WEV continues to support women at every stage of their economic journey.
Among the programs featured in the report is WEV’s Business of Care program, which helps women establish and grow successful home-based childcare businesses while addressing the region’s ongoing childcare shortage. The report also highlights the launch of WEV’s Credit Builder pilot, designed to help participants strengthen their credit, improve financial health, and expand access to future opportunities.
Tyburski is an accomplished public works executive, infrastructure leader, and licensed California civil engineer with nearly 30 years of experience managing complex public infrastructure programs, multimillion-dollar capital improvement projects, and large-scale governmental operations. His career spans both the public and private sectors, giving him a well-rounded perspective on infrastructure delivery, operational strategy, and organizational leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Fresno and a Master of Public Administration from Arkansas State University.
In partnership with the City of Camarillo, the Economic Development Collaborative has launched the City of Camarillo Business Assistance Loan Fund. This low-interest program is specifically designed to prioritize the vibrant business community in the City of Camarillo. Start-ups can get the necessary capital to launch their ventures and established businesses can secure funds to fuel their growth. With abundant opportunities for collaboration, a diverse customer base and an environment of innovation, Camarillo is a perfect place to start or grow your business.
Launched in response to growing uncertainty surrounding federal and state funding, the campaign was designed to help sustain life-changing programs that provide safety, healing, and prevention throughout San Luis Obispo County. With nearly 50% of Lumina Alliance’s budget historically supported by government funding, the campaign focuses on building long-term community investment to ensure survivors continue to have access to 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, transitional housing, therapy, advocacy, and prevention education.
OXNARD — The City of Oxnard celebrated the groundbreaking of the Endless Waves Skatepark at Del Sol Park, marking a major milestone in the City Council’s continued investment in recreational opportunities and infrastructure improvements for the community. Once completed, the nearly 40,000 square-foot, Olympic-quality skatepark will be the largest skatepark in Ventura County.
“We are thrilled to break ground on the incredible new skatepark—a bold project that showcases our commitment to creating vibrant spaces where our youth, families, and entire community can come together to enjoy social and health benefits,” said Mayor Luis A. Mc Arthur. “The Endless Waves Skatepark will become a premier amenity for our community members throughout Ventura County and a proud symbol for the neighborhoods of La Colonia, Rose Park, and the City of Oxnard for generations to come.”
The Ventura County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, unfolded in a highly charged atmosphere. Faced with a packed room of over 100 disgruntled citizens and a profound break in institutional trust by Superintendent Dr. César Morales, the Board of Trustees responded to a political crisis with a unanimous 5-0 vote to launch an ad hoc committee. Chaired by Trustees Michael Teasdale and Richard Lucas III, this committee is tasked with hiring experts to conduct an independent investigation and full forensic audit into the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE).
SANTA MARIA — For the past 20 years, Nick and Deborah Carpenter have shared a tradition that has become an important part of their lives: taking Community Education art classes together at Allan Hancock College.
Over two decades, the couple has explored a variety of creative pursuits through the college’s tuition-free art offerings, developing new skills while building lasting memories. Among their most meaningful projects were creating the rings they later exchanged on their wedding day.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is holding a school supply donation drive through July 10.
The goal is to fill 230 backpacks with donated items for young scholars participating in the Y’s “Find My Genius” summer learning program. The program serves low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level in the Conejo Valley and Simi Valley school districts.
Needed are newly purchased pencils, pencil boxes, 24-pack crayons, wide-ruled composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, colored pencils, erasers, pocket folders, glue sticks and hand sanitizers.
MOORPARK — John Forbes, vice president of academic affairs at Moorpark College, has been named one of 40 fellows in the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, selected from a competitive pool of more than 125 candidates for the 2026-27 cohort.
The Aspen Institute’s research has shown that exceptional presidential leadership directly contributes to student success, prompting Aspen to offer the fellowship for senior community college leaders on track for the presidency. The year-long program includes training, mentoring, coaching and workshops to prepare participants for the role.
“Excellent colleges share a common trait: they are led by presidents who focus on a few transformative initiatives that extend beyond enrollment and even completion numbers…” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “I cannot wait to begin working with this impressive set of leaders.”
VENTURA — McCarthy Companies has been selected to provide Preconstruction and General Contracting services for The Village at Fairview, a 100% affordable multifamily development in Burbank. Developed in partnership with Burbank Housing Corporation (BHC) and Homes and Hope, The Village at Fairview will deliver 60 affordable homes at 2321-2335 North Fairview Street, with all units reserved for income-qualified families.
Design development commenced in April of 2026 and construction groundbreaking is anticipated for Q1 of 2027.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation (Foundation) raised over $234,000 at its annual Voices of Hope Gala on Wednesday, May 27, at Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms in Moorpark. The evening drew 240 community leaders, elected officials, and supporters who gathered to raise critical funds for the Foundation’s free programs serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Proceeds from the gala will support Camp HOPE, Voices of Ventura County, and the Pathways to Hope program, as well as the Foundation’s continued expansion. Two new Family Justice Centers are on track to open in 2027: the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center in Oxnard and the East County Family Justice Center, both of which will extend critical, trauma-informed services to communities across the county.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTFVC), in collaboration with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), announced the launch of a new Residual Receipts Loan Fund, a long-term financing program designed to accelerate the production of high-quality affordable housing while supporting developments that advance equity, financial sustainability, and long-term community benefit. Applications are currently being accepted until 5:00 PM on July 2, 2026. Learn more at https://www.housingtrustfundvc.org/residual-receipts-loan-program/
“You like me, you really like me!”
-Sally Field, 1985
-and Friendship Center, 2026
I know Friendship Center is beloved by so many in our community; it would be impossible for us to have existed for 50 years otherwise. But May was one of those months where we really felt the love.
We were honored to receive our first-ever grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, supporting the operation of our dementia-friendly transportation service. If you’re unfamiliar with the incredible research, diligence, and care that the Women’s Fund invests in every grant decision, let me assure you, this recognition is no small thing. Their team spent months getting to know Friendship Center, understanding our work, evaluating our impact, and determining whether we could deliver on the promises we make to our community.
VENTURA — The nomination period for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s LEGACY Awards is now open. These awards recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and businesses dedicated to helping older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers to live optimally.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The winners will be announced in November. The nomination packet is attached.
VENTURA — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is proud to announce the recognition of its 2026 Employees of the Year. These exceptional individuals have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, dedication, and innovation in their roles, contributing to the Agency’s ongoing success. The awards were presented on Tuesday, May 19th, during the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Ivan Gonzales, honored with the Operations & Maintenance Employee of the Year award, has been with VCPWA for 19 years, playing a key role in the Roads and Transportation Department. His major duties include coordinating emergency response efforts during storms, floods, fires, and landslides; supervising road maintenance crews and field operations; managing budgets and projects; overseeing personnel, training, and development; and responding to resident and roadway concerns to help keep the community safe.
VENTURA — City Impact, Inc. celebrated a landmark morning on the Ventura Promenade on Saturday, May 30, as the 16th Annual Beachfront Run drew its largest field in event history. With 1,267 registered runners — a new record — participants of all ages and abilities took to the scenic coastal course in support of City Impact’s mental health, youth outreach and family services programs serving over 500 Ventura County residents annually.
This year’s event not only attracted regional runners in Ventura County from Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Fillmore, Simi Valley, Santa Paula, Camarillo and Ventura, but also runners from San Diego, Carpinteria, Long Beach, Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Santa Maria, Whittier, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Sylmar and Reno, Nevada. Following are finalist winner results for first and second place runners.
To all who joined us for last week’s Cleaver & Clark Commons Grand Opening, thank you! Located in central Grover Beach, this new property is providing 53 affordable apartments to low-income households, farmworker families, and those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Dear Friends & Supporters,
June marks one year since Border Patrol carried out a series of immigration enforcement operations across Ventura County, reaching the Central Coast for the first time since the early 1990s.
Between June 10 and June 14, 2025, at least 95 community members were taken from their workplaces, homes, and families. Fear spread quickly throughout the region as workers stayed home, parents worried about their children, and entire communities braced for what might come next.
What many did not know at the time was that these raids were a warning of something far more devastating.
Together, we remember…
OXNARD — We’re putting our heart and soul into making this year’s Panteón Fest one to remember.
Thank you for always supporting what we do. Please help us spread the word and we’ll see you October 17 at Panteón
SANTA BARBARA — bioProtonics, an innovator in advanced medical imaging platforms and proprietary Magnetic Resonance Histology (MRH) technology, today announced the appointment of A. Burton Tripathi, PhD as Chief Executive Officer. Alongside this key leadership addition, the company has completed an initial closing of bridge financing, positioning it for accelerated clinical development.
SANTA BARBARA — N. Nicole Moayeri, MD, Medical Director of Cottage Health’s Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute, brings a bold vision to one of medicine’s most complex and rapidly evolving fields: world-class neurological care delivered to patients right here in our community.
Dr. Moayeri had a keen sense of her path early in her education when she was fascinated by the brain and its functions. Over the years she turned that childhood dream into reality.
Today, Dr. Moayeri is a widely recognized expert, a board-certified neurosurgeon (Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, FAANS) with more than 25 years of experience in treating complex brain, spine and nervous system conditions. She earned her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine and completed her neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today!
Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated at the start of each month.
“This donation reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of public resources while creating new opportunities for students and researchers,” said Board Chair Jeff Gorell. “We’re pleased that this equipment will continue serving the community through education, training, and scientific discovery at CSU Channel Islands”.
“Ray’s positive impact on ensuring that current and future water needs of our customers are met cannot be overstated,” says TWSD General Manager Mark Norris. “His leadership was instrumental in pushing forward the start of construction of the Pure Water Project’s Advanced Water Purification Facility under the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority. The facility will serve customers for decades to come.”
Over the past several weeks, our community invested in a healthier, more resilient future.
From the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival to our Spring Appeal, we saw hundreds of people step forward to support climate action and community resilience across the Central Coast.
Thank you.
Because of supporters like you, this campaign outperformed recent years and raised meaningful support for the work ahead.
At a moment when so much progress feels uncertain, that kind of community investment matters deeply.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival launched in 1997 with the professional production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the goal of presenting the magical comedy every decade with a different theme. Now, as the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company celebrates its milestone 30th year, it will again honor the tradition. This summer’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is set in the 1920s jazz and gangster world of Chicago and will run June 19 to July 5. “Hamlet” is the second production, July 10 to 26, and will be set in the late 19th century. All performances are at 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday, in Kingsmen Park on the California Lutheran University campus.
