Business, Cultural, Home, Local, News, Women

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. celebrates 45 years with ‘Roots & Roofs,’ previews more than 500 new homes

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VENTURA COUNTY — Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. (Cabrillo EDC) marked its 45th anniversary with its inaugural Roots & Roofs celebration, an evening market and program on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Camarillo Ranch. The evening brought together residents, community partners, sponsors, elected officials, and supporters. Built around the idea that strong roots create the foundation for a stronger future, the evening paired a look back at Cabrillo’s history with a preview of the more than 500 homes now in its pipeline.

“Building community is about more than housing. It’s about dignity, opportunity, and creating a better future for generations to come,” said Victoria Brady, CEO of Cabrillo EDC. “A roof provides shelter. But strong roots create belonging, opportunity, and a future.”

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Commentary, Cultural, En español, Government, Immigration, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Politics, Public Safety

Bilingual commentary — Remigration: An Ominous Proposal

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The Trump administration quietly established the U.S. State Department’s Office of Remigration in 2025. The word “remigration” sounds innocent enough. Most people would interpret it as meaning simply the return of immigrants to their countries of origin. 

But “remigration” is a Trojan horse blowing a dog whistle. Nationalist extremists have managed to transport within our government an insidious objective that has a very distinct meaning for them: the normalization of ethnic cleansing.

The poisonous rhetoric around

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

CSUCI Professor Mari Riojas-Cortez appointed to Ventura County First 5 Commission

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CAMARILLO — Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor Mari Riojas-Cortez has been appointed to the Ventura County First 5 Commission, where she will help guide efforts to support the health, development and well-being of young children and their families throughout the county.

Riojas-Cortez is chair of the Early Childhood Studies program in CSUCI’s School of Education. She brings decades of experience in early childhood education, including teaching, research and work supporting young children and their families.

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Cultural, Local, News, Veterans

Santa Barbara community gathers to honor service members at annual Veterans Day Ceremony

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This year’s open-air tribute featured a special focus on the U.S. Military Reserves, alongside performances and presentations by Bernard “Barney” Melekian, the UCSB Color Guard, the Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band, David Gonzales, the Santa Barbara Choral Society, and The Prime Time Band, concluding with a classic aircraft flyover by the San Diego Salute formation team.

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Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI student Mercedes ‘Meche’ Cacho honored as Newman Civic Fellow

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CAMARILLO — Mercedes “Meche” Cacho, a student at Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI), has been named a 2026-2027 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition of her leadership and commitment to creating positive change in communities.

Cacho joins a cohort of student civic leaders from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico selected by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, En español, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Funding Opportunities for Ventura Businesses

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Known across the world for the beautiful coastline, the county’s seat of government, and excellent economic opportunities, the City of Ventura has even named the “off-ramp to paradise” by Sunset Magazine. Now more than ever, Ventura has led the way through the COVID-19 pandemic with its resilience and adaptability.

The City of Ventura’s Business Assistance Program and the Economic Development Collaborative proudly offer three loan options for small businesses and micro-enterprises in Ventura. Small Business Loans offer low-interest funding designed to create jobs and support the growth of Ventura’s small business community. Commercial Rehabilitation Loans revitalize the city’s older commercial districts of downtown, midtown and Westside areas. Code Compliance Loans support commercial property owners with property maintenance, parking, structural Improvements, and more.

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Business, Education, Family, Local, News, Youth

Volunteer Opportunities at Southeast Ventura County YMCA

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and its two branches are looking for volunteers.

Volunteers are needed to help staff and organize YMCA and community events, coach youth sports, be youth program advisors, and take part in donation and fundraising drives.

“Volunteers play an important role in everything the YMCA does,” says Ronnie Stone, president and CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. “Whether it’s guiding a young person, helping out at an event, pitching in on a program or sharing your professional expertise, your involvement creates a lasting impact.”

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Ventura County Public Works Agency achieves national accreditation by the American Public Works Association

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VENTURA —  The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has recently received full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA). This accreditation formally verifies and recognizes that the Ventura County Public Works Agency has demonstrated that it operates as a cohesive team and does so to nationally recognized, best-management practices.

Officially awarded on November 3, 2026, the accreditation marks a significant milestone following three years of dedicated work by employees across the Agency’s five departments: Central Services, Engineering Services, Roads & Transportation, Water & Sanitation, and Watershed Protection. VCPWA joins a select group of approximately 230 accredited public works organizations nationwide, representing less than 1% of public works agencies across the country, and is only the seventh county public works agency in California to achieve this distinction.

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

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — You’re invited to our Open House!

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You’re invited to walk through our blue wave front doors (artwork by David Horvitz)  on Sunday November 15, from 12-4 pm for a special Open House for our current exhibition, Falling Into the Future: Kinetic Art at the Edge of the World.

Come see Oblivion, 2026, a newly commissioned interactive sculpture featuring articulated dog and cat skeletons by Nicaragua based artist Patricia Belli. (Skeletons were ethically sourced)

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Cultural, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Santa Barbara Museum of Art announces upcoming events — Nov. 21, Dec. 5, through Jan. 3

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Nov. 21 — Look beyond the familiar image of Mary Cassatt and discover the radical, intellectually ambitious artist who helped shape modern art.
Join Mary G. Morton, curator and head of the French paintings department at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., for a compelling lecture inspired by her new book, Cassatt Reconsidered. Challenging longstanding perceptions of Cassatt’s work and legacy, Morton offers a fresh perspective on an artist whose vision extended far beyond her celebrated depictions of women and children.

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Business, Family, Local, News, Youth

Habitat Ventura teams build 14 playhouses for local military families at fifth annual Playhouse Build Blitz, presented by Bank of America

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VENTURA COUNTY — On Saturday, Nov. 7, about 150 volunteers and sponsors joined Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County at Bank of America’s Westlake Village campus to build 14 custom children’s playhouses at the fifth annual Playhouse Build Blitz. Each playhouse was designed around the interests of a local military family, and all 14 families arrived that afternoon to receive their finished playhouses. The event raised $45,000 for Habitat Ventura’s new construction and home repair programs.

Volunteer teams spent the day building, painting and decorating alongside Habitat Ventura staff and volunteer build leaders, who guided first-time volunteers through each step. Teams were matched with their families several weeks in advance and designed each playhouse around the children’s favorite things. Themes included friendly dinosaurs, under-the-sea scenes with sharks and sea turtles, farm animals, woodland creatures, jungle animals and a fantasy world of princesses, unicorns and fairies, along with gardens filled with butterflies, sunflowers and tulips. When the families arrived that afternoon, volunteers had the chance to meet them and present the playhouses, which were given at no cost. For many of the children, the playhouse was a complete surprise. 

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Business, Commentary, Health, Local, News, Youth

Veteran Santa Barbara paramedic receives national award after rescuing patient from fiery crash

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Morfin Watkins has spent nearly 18 years as a paramedic and is one of Santa Barbara County’s most trusted, known for her clinical expertise, steady leadership and willingness to mentor newer colleagues—but the rescue that earned her national recognition unfolded in a matter of minutes. Earlier this year, on a rain-soaked stretch of Highway 101 north of Highway 154, a vehicle left the road, hit a tree and caught fire. “Over the radio we heard, ‘car into a tree, engulfed in flames,’ and I knew it was going to be bad,” she recalled. “Those calls happen fast, and a lot of times people are trapped.”

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Business, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — City of Ventura begins construction of protective coastal sand berm amid El Niño conditions and elevated ocean levels

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VENTURA — In anticipation of seasonal high surf, El Niño-related winter storms, and upcoming King Tides, the City of Ventura will construct an approximately one-mile-long, 5- to 6-foot-high temporary protective sand berm along a vulnerable stretch of the coastline to help safeguard beachfront neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and coastal accessways.

Various types of heavy machinery will operate along Pierpont Beach, from San Pedro Street to Greenock Lane, between Monday, November 16 at 8:00 a.m. through Thursday, November 19 at 5:00 p.m. Staging of equipment near local beaches will begin Friday, November 13.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Salud

Bilingual report — Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report: Potential storm water runoff contamination

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Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County. In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions. 

There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water. In addition, storm water runoff can transport physical hazards such as partially submerged tree limbs and logs into the ocean that could result in serious physical injury. Contact with this runoff water will result in an increased risk to human health and should be avoided for at least 72 hours after all rainfall activity has ended. 

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Business, Family, Home, Local, News

People’s Self-Health Housing announces pre-applications available until Dec. 14 for College Community Courts in Ventura

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VENTURA — Pre-applications will be available on this webpage, starting Monday, Dec. 14 at 9AM.

Please note: College Community Courts is still under construction. No pre-applications or information are available at the site.

Pre-applications received by January 15 at 5PM will be entered into a randomized lottery on January 26 to determine order of processing. Pre-applications received after January 15 will be added to the waitlist in the order received.

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Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Local, News

Los Padres ForestWatch expands Wine for Wilderness Passport to 30 Central Coast wineries

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CENTRAL COAST— Los Padres ForestWatch is expanding its Wine for Wilderness Passport for 2027, growing from 24 to 30 participating wineries and extending the program’s reach north into Carmel Valley. Now entering its second year, the passport invites wine enthusiasts to discover the Central Coast’s diverse wine regions, explore nearby hiking trails, and support conservation throughout the Los Padres region.

Priced at $85, the 2027 Wine for Wilderness Passport offers a complimentary tasting at each participating winery, a combined value of more than $800. Valid January 1 through December 31, 2027, the passport gives holders an entire year to discover new favorites and explore the region at their own pace. Each winery is paired with a nearby hiking trail in Los Padres National Forest or surrounding public lands.

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Business, Cultural, Health, Local, News

Agromin in Oxnard enters Into agreement With Kern County Public Works to market county compost and mulch

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KERN COUNTY — Agromin, California’s largest organics recycler, has entered into an agreement with Kern County Public Works (Kern County) to market compost and wood mulch generated from Kern County’s solid waste facilities.

Kern County operates the Shafter-Wasco Composting Facility, which produces compost products made from locally generated organic waste. Kern County operates 11 solid waste facilities that manufacture wood mulch products from materials such as brush and lumber.

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Business, Cultural, Family, Local, News, Youth

PODS® returns to help collect toys for Ventura County children

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VENTURA — After helping collect toys for local children last year, PODS® Local Moving and Storage is honored to return as an Angel Sponsor and storage partner for the 2026 Cumulus Media and Ventura County Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary Toy Drive. 

Running throughout November, the drive collects new, unwrapped toys for children receiving care at Ventura County Medical Center. A donated toy can offer a welcome distraction, a moment of comfort or something to smile about during a hospital visit.

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

UCSB — The Current — ‘‘Missing Man Table’ at UCSB honors prisoners of war and those missing in action’ and more news, events

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Celebrations on Veterans Day are etched into national consciousness by military flyovers, honorary parades and soldiers saluting in full-dress uniform. However, simple gestures — even just a small table and empty chair — can prove equally as powerful.

Read more about the ‘Missing Man Table’

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Business, Commentary, Family, Finance, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Walls raised on new Self-Help homeownership development in San Miguel

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — On Saturday, November 7, a group of 14 owner-builders raised the walls on their new homes, built through the People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) mutual self-help program.? 
 
This development, named Mission Gardens II, is located in central San Miguel on an adjacent lot to the 39 homes built through the same self-help program in 2018. PSHH homeownership and construction team members work alongside the owner-builders to guide them throughout the process. Contributing 32+ hours of labor per week per household over a 12 to 16 month period, the group will be investing over 1,600 hours of work at the construction site under professional supervision. This effort, known as “sweat equity,” is used in lieu of a down payment. With the additional help of a USDA-subsidized mortgage making the homes even more affordable, this is a cost-effective on-ramp to homeownership.

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Business, Commentary, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura Fire Foundation pop-up shop open through Nov. 15

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The VFF pop-up shop is open through November 15, which makes it an easy place to finish a few Christmas gifts.

Pick a back design: a Ventura Firefighter or the Ventura Pier. Tees start at $25, hoodies at $40, and youth tees are $24. Every piece has the VFF logo on the left chest.

A hoodie for the firefighter in your family. Matching tees for the kids. A Pier shirt for anyone who calls Ventura home.

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

Guest contribution — When a loved one dies by suicide: Understanding this complicated kind of grief during the holiday season

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SANTA BARBARA — Losing someone we love is among life’s most painful experiences. But when that loss comes through suicide, grief can become especially complicated, leaving families and friends struggling with emotions and questions that may never have answers.

Alongside profound sadness, those left behind may experience guilt, anger, confusion, shame, and even a sense of abandonment. They may replay conversations, search for warning signs they missed, or wonder whether something they said or did could have changed the outcome.

Perhaps the most painful question is also the most difficult to answer: Why?

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

City of Ventura announces new district-based appointment process for Council Advisory Groups

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VENTURA — At its October 27, 2026, meeting, the Ventura City Council approved changes to the City’s Council Advisory Group appointment process. The process, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, provides that each of the seven City Councilmembers will nominate one resident to serve on each of the Council Advisory Groups listed below. All nominations are subject to approval by the full City Council.

As part of the transition established through the ordinance adopted by the City Council, seats for the following Council Advisory Groups will be vacated effective January 1, 2027:

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Business, Cultural, familia, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura County Heat Pump Rebate and Workforce Program now live

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VENTURA — Ventura County residents can now access rebates to help lower the cost of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems through the County’s new Skilled and Trained Heat Pump HVAC Community Rebate Program. 

The Community Rebate Program is a County of Ventura program with implementation support from Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 104. This program is funded by Clean Power Alliance’s Innovation Fund, supporting local electrification projects through the CPA Energized Communities initiative. 

Eligible residents can receive a point-of-sale rebate, up to $3,300, applied directly to the cost of their installation through a participating contractor. The program is expected to support at least 100 new residential heat pump installations across Ventura County. 

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Cultural, En español, Events, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Teatro de las Américas — Nos Traen Cortitos 2026 — Spanish Short Film Festival to be held Nov. 6-7

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OXNARD — Nos Traen Cortitos 2026
Spanish Short Film Festival.
Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m.

Enjoy a selection of five short films in Spanish from different parts of the United States. At the end, Portales, the film made by the Teatro de las Américas 2026 Film Workshop, will be presented.

The same program will be screened on both Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 6.

All films have English subtitles.

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Commentary, Cultural, En español, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Opinion, Salud

Bilingual commentary — How Ancient Wisdom Built Our Modern Medicine Cabinets

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Every morning, I routinely take a few nutritional supplements and prescribed medications. I’ve often found myself wondering: What is the source of the knowledge that makes these items possible? After all, humans have been ingesting supplements and medications for thousands of years.

We may think that the supplements and medications that we take were developed in a high-tech laboratory, possibly even using artificial intelligence (since it seems to be involved in everything now). But in fact, our modern supplements and medications are the product of thousands of years of evolution—a gift to humankind, yes from those laboratories, but also from a past stretching all the way back to our ancestors from the ancient past.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Health, Local, News

Guest commentary — The 805’s Quiet Burnout Problem: Why Leaders Wait to Ask for Help

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From Thousand Oaks to Paso Robles, the 805 runs on people who carry a lot. Scientists and managers in the biotech corridor along the 101. Growers and packers on the Oxnard Plain and in the Santa Maria Valley. Winery owners, hospital department heads, defense contractors, university researchers, and the founders of the small companies that grow out of all of them.

These are people who are good at holding steady. That is exactly why so many of them wait years to ask for help.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I see the same pattern again and again in high-responsibility jobs. The person keeps performing. The calendar stays full. Underneath, sleep gets shorter, patience gets thinner, and the evenings belong to email. Nobody at work notices, because nothing at work has slipped yet.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Finance, Local, News

Ventura Land Trust announces Launch of Lands & Libations Beverage Passport

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VENTURA — What if your next favorite local drink could lead you to a new favorite trail? Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is inviting the community to sip, explore, and give back with its new Lands & Libations Passport, a local adventure that brings together Ventura County’s craft beverage scene and the natural places that make this region special.

Featuring participating local wineries, breweries, and distilleries, the passport encourages residents and visitors to discover the people and places behind Ventura County’s beverage culture while exploring the landscapes that define the region. Passport holders can visit participating businesses to enjoy a featured tasting flight or pint, collect stamps along the way, and learn about a nearby Ventura Land Trust preserve.

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Business, Local, News

CoverlyPro in Ventura adds two strategists as agency marks 16th Year

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VENTURA — Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro), a full-service marketing and communications project management firm powered by a team of experienced storytellers, continues its growth in 2026 with the addition of Senior Account Strategist Juliana Finberg and Copywriter & PR Strategist Noah Flack. Finberg brings expertise in strategic marketing, community engagement and event development, while Flack brings a background in agency, corporate, healthcare and nonprofit communications. Together they expand CoverlyPro’s ability to turn compelling stories into strategic marketing that builds connections, drives engagement and delivers measurable impact.

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Business, Cultural, Elections, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura County Registrar of Voters announces semifinal official election night results of the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election and the beginning of the post-election canvass period

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VENTURA — Ventura County Semifinal Official Election Night Results for the November 3, 2026 General Election were posted on vote.venturacounty.gov at 4:39 AM on Wednesday, November 4th. Statewide results are available on the Secretary of State’s website, electionresults.sos.ca.gov

The first results posted on Election Night included vote by mail ballots that were received and signature-verified before Election Day along with in-person ballots cast during early voting.  Vote center ballots cast on Election Day were reflected in the updated results postings.

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Business, Family, Local, News, Youth

Southeast Ventura County YMCA launches Holiday Food & Toy Drive

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — This holiday season, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is inviting the community to make a difference for local families. Now through Dec. 4, the Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA will collect food and toys to support families in the YMCA’s Find My Genius program.

Find My Genius is a no-cost YMCA program providing academic support and enrichment opportunities for children from low- to moderate-income families. The holiday drive extends that support beyond the classroom, helping ease financial pressures during the holiday season.

Donations can be dropped off at the Simi Valley Family YMCA (3200 Cochran Street) and Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village) seven days a week during regular branch hours.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Decades of dedication help keep County of Ventura services strong

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VENTURA — From the services residents turn to during emergencies to the everyday programs that support families and neighborhoods, the County of Ventura depends on an experienced workforce to meet the ever-evolving needs of the community. On Tuesday, October 20, during their regular meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors recognized 15 employees who reached milestones of 25 years or more of continuous service, honoring careers that collectively represent 415 years of public service. Their decades of experience reflect a lasting commitment to the communities they serve and the important role they play in keeping County services strong.

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Commentary, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News

California Ocean Summit in Santa Barbara (Dec. 9-10) opens to all: Kelp Forest concert, Ocean film screenings, family activities, free livestream, and more

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SANTA BARBARA — The inaugural California Ocean Summit today announced free livestreaming of its Working Summit Main Stage sessions, in addition to a full slate of ocean-themed film, music, storytelling, and hands-on experiences that open the ocean conversation to students, families, and the broader community on December 9-10, 2026. 

The Summit is designed to move ocean leadership forward across interconnected outcomes: shaping California’s future ocean policy, investing in the next generation of ocean innovation, and advancing a shared Declaration for Ocean Stewardship.

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Business, Local, News

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) Power of Purpose — October 2026

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Last month, I invited you to think about your lollipop moments, what Drew Dudley in his TED Talk “Everyday Leadership” calls seemingly small interactions that make a lasting difference in someone’s life, often without the person responsible ever realizing what they have done.

The many responses we received warmed our hearts. We heard a story from decades ago about a young woman about to leave for college to pursue her dream, who discovered at the last moment that the funding she thought was there did not exist. A neighbor told her, “Just go. It will all work out.” She did. Years later, she passes on the gift of higher education to so many young people by volunteering with your community foundation’s scholarship program.

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Business, Health, Local, News, Seniors

Friendship Center Adult Day Services in Santa Barbara announces new board president and three new directors

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SANTA BARBARA — Friendship Center, a nonprofit providing specialized adult day services for older adults living with dementia and their families, announced the appointment of Jeffrey Krutzsch as Board President and welcomed three new directors to its Board of Directors in July 2026.

Krutzsch joined the Board in 2020 and has served in several leadership roles, including Treasurer and committee chair. He brings more than 35 years of executive leadership experience in senior housing, healthcare and hospitality operations. A longtime advocate for older adults, Krutzsch also leads a family caregiver support group at Friendship Center and chairs the organization’s Strategic Research Committee.

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

5th Annual Holidays In The Village, A European Marketplace expands to two days (Dec. 5-6)

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THOUSAND OAKS — The 5th Annual Holidays in the Village is expanding from one day to two this year, Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6 at The Oaks (W. Wilbur Rd. and W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. parking lot) in Thousand Oaks. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Last year, the festival drew more than 14,000 people. Visitors can experience a traditional European winter festival, browsing 60 artisan shops for handcrafted holiday gifts, sampling Bavarian and French foods and drinks, and enjoying live holiday entertainment all in a family atmosphere.

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Business, En español, Government, Health, Local, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — County of Ventura earns 2026 Beacon Gold Vanguard Award for sustainability achievements

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VENTURA — The County of Ventura has been selected to receive the 2026 Beacon Gold Vanguard Award from the Institute for Local Government in recognition of its work to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a more sustainable community. The award recognizes years of progress in County government operations and across the wider community. One of the County’s most notable achievements is a 29% drop in communitywide greenhouse gas emissions since 2015.

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Business, Commentary, Education, Health, Local, News

Guest contribution — A Ventura County paramedic asked why EMS was following decades-old assessment models. His answer: Build a modern one

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VENTURA — When someone calls 911, the first few minutes can determine everything.

Yet veteran AMR paramedic, Mark Rock, noticed something surprising while teaching future EMS professionals: many of the patient assessment models being taught relied on processes developed decades ago, most of which no longer reflected sound medicine and/or didn’t consider the realities of emergency medical practice in the field setting.

While teaching paramedic students at a local college, Rock observed students taking as long as 10 to 12 minutes to complete patient assessments, often with inconsistent accuracy in diagnosing patients at the scene of an emergency. He also noticed that many assessment practices had not kept pace with evidence-based developments that were already standard in clinical medicine but had not found their way into field protocols.

Rock believed there had to be a better way. 

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

Smooth Sailing: Port of Hueneme highlights record growth, infrastructure investment and economic Impact at 2026 State of the Port

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PORT OF HUENEME — Business leaders, elected officials, port customers, labor representatives, and community partners gathered Thursday at the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club for the 2026 “State of the Port,” a special meeting hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance highlighting the Port of Hueneme’s economic impact, operational progress, infrastructure investments, and vision for the future.

In opening the event, Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners President Jason Hodge reflected on the yearly meeting. “The State of the Port is an important opportunity to bring together the people and organizations that help us live out our mission. It gives us a chance to recognize our progress and share our vision for how we’ll continue to impact our community and shape the region going forward,” he said.

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Cultural, Educación, Education, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Public Safety

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula partners with Ventura County to promote Winter Storm Preparedness

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SANTA PAULA — As Southern California prepares for a potentially active winter storm season, the City of Santa Paula is partnering with the County of Ventura to promote community preparedness, share important safety information, and help residents prepare for possible impacts associated with El Niño conditions.

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Business, Commentary, Cultural, Education, Events, Family, Finance, Government, Local, News, Public Safety

Port of Hueneme — Port of Hueneme Newsletter – November, 2026

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Every day, the Port of Hueneme unites people, businesses, and neighborhoods around the world. From the longshore workers and employees who make cargo move, to the partners who help us thrive, to the community we proudly serve, our success is built on working together. This month, we’re recognizing the people, partnerships, and shared purpose that move our Port forward.

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Business, Seniors

Bilingual report — Become a Santa to a senior at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s annual Santa to a Senior program kicks off Thursday, November 12, 2026, to collect gifts for seniors at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center. Gift donations will be accepted through Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

“Each year, this program brings the warmth of the holidays to more than 200 seniors in our community,” said Recreation Supervisor Janine Cobian. “For many participants, these gifts are the only ones they receive, and they serve as a touching reminder that the community has not forgotten them this holiday season.”

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Business, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, News

People Self-Help Housing — College Community Courts, Ventura: Pre-Applications Available Monday, Dec. 14

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VENTURA — Pre-applications will soon be available for College Community Courts: new affordable housing from People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH). At 9AM on Monday, December 14, the pre-application will be available online at pshhc.org/COL in English and Spanish.

Located at 80 Baylor Drive in the City of Ventura, College Community Courts will provide 57 new one, two, and three-bedroom homes for low-income households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The development will designate 29 apartments for agricultural worker households, 2 apartments for survivors of domestic violence (via the Ventura County Coordinated Entry System), and 2 apartments for those experiencing homelessness (via the Ventura County Coordinated Entry System).

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Local, News, Youth

Hiatus Craft House owners entrust $15 million to the Ventura County Community Foundation

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CAMARILLO — Dawn and Dave Gross, Newbury Park High School graduates of 1987, have spent years helping young people in Ventura County do what they love most: build something from the ground up. Now they are making that commitment permanent. NewCo Foundation, the philanthropic endeavor the couple built, is entrusting its assets to the Ventura County Community Foundation and its NextGen Ventures operation to Intentional Schools LLC.

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