Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Ventura Harbor Village invites families, furry friends and witches to celebrate Halloween By the Sea

by  • 

VENTURA  — Halloween gets a coastal twist this October as Ventura Harbor Village welcomes families, witches, zombies, four-legged companions and Halloween enthusiasts to celebrate Fall with a festive lineup of Seaside Halloween happenings.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Ventura Harbor, this year’s Halloween festivities feature a dog costume contest, family-friendly trick-or-treating, Halloween entertainment and activities, and the colorful spectacle of costumed witches and warlocks paddling across the harbor. Visitors can also enjoy waterfront dining, shopping, harbor views and attractions throughout Ventura Harbor Village.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

UCSB — The Current — ‘Luis J. Rodriguez Papers at UCSB Library document life and work of the renowned author and activist’ and more news, events

by  • 

Now open for research, the collection provides scholars, students and community members with a rich resource for studying Chicano literature, grassroots activism and social movements.

Read more about the Luis J. Rodriguez Papers

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

LEAP Names Juan Pimentel Chief Operating Officer and celebrates his 20 years of service

by  • 

GOLETA — LEAP celebrates Juan Pimentel’s 20 years of service and his new title as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., recognizing his longstanding leadership and commitment to children, families and community.

Pimentel joined LEAP, then Isla Vista Youth Projects, in 2006 at age 19 as a Work-Study student attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, serving as a group leader in its after-school program.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Local, News

Teatro de las Américas — Heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s production of Diego Rivera: His Story – A One Night Theatrical Event performed by Herbert Siguenza? (Oct. 10)

by  • 

Sat. October 10th 2026, 7:00 pm

Have you heard the buzz about Teatro De Las Americas’s spectacular production of Diego Rivera: His Story – A One?Night Theatrical Event performed by Herbert Siguenza? It’s an event you absolutely can’t miss! Secure your seat today by grabbing your tickets online. Join us for an unforgettable experience!

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Last chance: Tell CEC what matters to you. Upcoming events

by  • 

There’s still time to share your perspective with CEC — but our community survey is closing soon!

We’re asking Central Coast residents to share how they want to hear from CEC and what would make it easier to connect with the climate action work happening in our communities. Your feedback will help us better understand how to reach more people and create accessible pathways to get involved.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Family, Finance, Local, News

Sponsors Wanted For National Philanthropy Day Celebration, Nov. 12

by  • 

SANTA BARBARA — Once a year, nonprofits come together to celebrate the people and institutions that give generously to the local community. This year’s National Philanthropy Day celebration will be held November 12 at the Rincon Beach Club in Carpinteria, and organizers are seeking sponsors.

The event is hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter (AFP), an organization that brings together those in the fundraising and nonprofit fields.

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Allan Hancock College hosted Career Exploration Day for high school and college students

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College invited 1,300 local high school and college students to its Santa Maria campus Oct. 2 for the college’s annual?Career?Exploration?Day.

The in-person event provided participating students with the opportunity to explore potential career paths and learn more about the college’s academic and career technical education programs. 

“Career Exploration Day helps students see what’s possible beyond the classroom,” said Hancock Career Counselor David Hernandez. “By talking directly with employers and industry professionals, students can discover careers, companies and opportunities they may not have known were out there.”

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Events, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. celebrates 45 years of bringing community home

by  • 

“Over forty-five years ago, a group of farmworker families worked together to protect their homes, and everything we have built since carries that same spirit forward,” said Victoria Brady, Chief Executive Officer of Cabrillo EDC. “This milestone belongs to the residents who have trusted us, the staff who have dedicated their careers to this mission, and the partners and supporters who have stood beside us through decades of growth. We are proud of how far we have come, and just as excited about what the next 45 years will bring.”

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Public Safety, Technology

Bilingual commentary — The Impressive Tesla Safety Record

by  • 

Let me start by saying that I am not receiving any compensation from Tesla Corp. for this article. Nor am I trying to promote the make or model of any car. 

I am simply writing as someone who has driven cars for over 60 years. Over just the past year, I have had the opportunity to drive an electric vehicle (EV)—specifically, a Tesla. 

Read more →

Business, Cultural, Education, Local, News, Women, Youth

CSUCI doctoral student Liliana Manriquez Loza receives CSU’s highest student honor

by  • 

Manriquez Loza is one of 22 students across the CSU selected for the annual award, which recognizes superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and financial need. She was honored as the CSU Foundation Board Member Ron and Mitzi Barhorst Scholar during the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 22.

A first-generation college student, Manriquez Loza is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity and Justice at CSUCI, where she maintains a 3.9 GPA. Her academic and professional work reflects a longstanding commitment to empowering Indigenous communities and improving educational opportunities for historically underserved students and families.

Read more →

Education, Family, Government, Local, News, Youth

Ventura County Office of Education wins Golden Bell Award

by  • 

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) has received the prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for its innovative approaches to alternative education that are helping students overcome significant barriers to graduation and success after high school.

VCOE’s Alternative Education program received the award for its submission “From Incarceration & Expulsion to Graduation, College & Workforce: Sustaining an Impactful Whole Child Ecosystem in Court & Community Schools.” The program serves students in grades 6–12, including expelled students, justice-involved youth, and students facing significant academic, behavioral, and social-emotional challenges. It operates Gateway Community School in Camarillo and Providence School at the Ventura County Juvenile Facility in Oxnard.

Read more →

Cultural, Education, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI invites community to celebrate Homecoming 2026 (Oct. 5-10)

by  • 

“Homecoming is a celebration of the people and partnerships that make Cal State Channel Islands such a welcoming and vibrant community,” said CSUCI Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. “We look forward to bringing alumni, students, families, friends and neighbors together to share in our Dolphin pride and strengthen the connections that extend well beyond our campus.”

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — County of Ventura prepares for winter weather amid strong El Niño forecast

by  • 

VENTURA — The County of Ventura is taking proactive steps to coordinate efforts across agencies to strengthen readiness, identify potential resource and informational needs, and ensure infrastructure resiliency ahead of what could potentially be a very active winter season. The National Weather Service is forecasting that significant El Niño conditions will continue to intensify through the end of 2026, with the possibility of these conditions creating the strongest event on record. The presence of strong El Niño conditions raises the likelihood of Ventura County experiencing a stormier, wetter than usual winter. 

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Finance, Government, Local, News

Allan Hancock College hosts state student aid leader for conversation on college access

by  • 

SANTA MARIA — Educators, counselors, students and community advocates from across the Central Coast gathered at Allan Hancock College Sept. 30 for a conversation focused on expanding college access and helping students navigate financial aid.

Allan Hancock College and the Central Coast Cal-SOAP Consortium hosted Daisy Gonzales, Ph.D., executive director of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), for the event at Boyd Hall on Hancock’s Santa Maria campus.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Community Colleges of Ventura County to host State of the District event

by  • 

CAMARILLO  —The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is inviting the community to hear directly from its leadership at its State of the District event, bringing together elected officials, regional industry and nonprofit partners, educational leaders and friends of the district to celebrate the work of VCCCD’s students, faculty and employees, reflect on the District’s progress and look ahead to what’s next. The free, public event takes place Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at the Camarillo Public Library. 

Chancellor Rick MacLennan, joined by Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu, Oxnard College Interim President Steve Hall and Ventura College President Luca Lewis, will offer a firsthand look at how VCCCD is responding to a changing Ventura County and creating more ways for students to access education, build careers and find opportunity close to home.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Cultural, Family, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

ForestWatch-sponsored ‘Outdoors for All’ bill signed into law

by  • 

CENTRAL COAST — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 1268, the Outdoors for All Initiative, into law, establishing the initiative in state law and creating a lasting framework for expanding equitable access to parks, open spaces, trails, beaches, forests, and other outdoor public recreation spaces across California.

Los Padres ForestWatch proudly co-sponsored SB 1268, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez, because the organization sees a direct connection between protecting public lands and ensuring more people can experience, enjoy, and build relationships with them.

Read more →

Commentary, Cultural, Education, En español, Local, News, Science, Sports

UCSB — The Current — ‘John Bowers honored by UC Regents for a lifetime of innovation’ and more news, events

by  • 

For innovations with lasting impacts on society and for his influence on generations of inventors and entrepreneurs, he received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural UC Regents Innovation Awards.

Read more about Bowers’ work

Read more →

Business, Finance, Government, Local, News

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Record $2.4 billion crop value masks 80% collapse in Ventura County Farm Returns

by  • 

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County’s record $2.4 billion agricultural production value in 2025 masked a far more troubling number: growers of several of the county’s major crops spent more money to grow them than the crops were worth.

Strawberries, Ventura County’s number one crop, grossed $807 million in 2025. But Ventura County’s favorite berry cost growers every penny of that $807 million to produce, plus $8 million more. Lemons, a crop deeply embedded in Ventura County’s history and heritage, showed even worse returns, costing growers $203.5 million to receive $181.7 million in gross revenue.

Read more →

Business, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI Fall 2027 application submission period has opened

by  • 

CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) will begin accepting application submissions for the Fall 2027 term on Oct. 1, 2026. Students should submit their applications through the Cal State Apply portal. The priority application deadline for most Fall 2027 applicants is Jan. 15, except for the Nursing program which has a Nov. 30 deadline.

Applications for transfer students interested in Spring 2027 admission are already open. Students seeking Spring admission should submit their applications by the priority deadline of Oct. 30.

Read more →

Business, Education, Family, Health, Local, News

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — All About EVs: Webinar Takeaways & Resources

by  • 

Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar “All About Electric Vehicles: Ownership, Charging, and How to Get Money Back”! CEC’s Climate Mitigation Program Manager Sean McArthur walked through the benefits of driving electric, how to navigate charging options and costs, and incentives that can help make EV ownership more affordable. If you’re ready to learn more or considering making the switch, CEC is here to help!

Read more →

familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News

City of Santa Paula opens Cooling Center during extreme heat starting Oct. 2

by  • 

SANTA PAULA — With temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees or higher over the coming days, the City of Santa Paula will open a cooling center at the Santa Paula Community Center beginning this Friday, October 2.

The cooling center will be located in the front lobby of the Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St., and will be open Friday, October 2 – Friday, October 9, including Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Read more →

Business, Commentary, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) — California Modernizes Agricultural and Forestry Fire Rules as Newsom Signs AB 2075

by  • 

SACRAMENTO— Assemblymember Steve Bennett’s AB 2075 has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Sponsored by the Ventura County District Attorney’s office, the legislation enhances wildfire safety regulations and liability protections by authorizing and equipping agricultural and vegetation management workers to suppress accidental ignitions before they escape into catastrophic wildfires.

Read more →