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

Santa Barbara Education Foundation welcomes Leonor Reyes as programs manager

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Reyes, a San Marcos High School graduate and parent of three Santa Barbara Unified School District alumni, brings a lifelong connection to local public education and a passion for supporting students, families, and educators. As Programs Manager, Reyes will oversee SBEF’s enrichment programs and initiatives that enhance student learning and engagement across the district, including programs such as the Summer Music Camps and the Foundation’s annual Educator Grants program, which will invest more than $228,000 in innovative classroom projects across Santa Barbara Unified School District schools this year.

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

Bilingual commentary — Mount Trumpmore, or Mount Trumpless?

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We can never accuse President Trump of having small ambitions. After all, he recently sought a Nobel Peace Prize, though to no avail. But even more monumentally, so to speak, he has not denied seeking to have his visage carved into and enshrined forever on Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. 

In 2018, Trump undertook what he considered a serious conversation with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem about that very possibility. That friendly chat has blown up to become one of MAGA’s highest aspirations.

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

Bilingual report — Mosquito sample tests positive for West Nile Virus in Ventura County

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VENTURA — The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that mosquitoes collected from the City of Fillmore on June 17th, 2026, tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is established in Ventura County and additional WNV positives are expected. This is the first mosquito sample collected in 2026 from Ventura County to test positive for WNV. Ventura County Public Health confirms that no human cases have been identified to date in 2026.

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

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College faculty member creates documentary to support conservation efforts in Namibia

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SANTA MARIA — What began as a personal connection during a trip to southern Africa has become a documentary project aimed at protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems and the Indigenous communities who call it home.

Allan Hancock College film studies instructor Tim Webb recently completed a short documentary for Himbaland Indigenous Conservation, a nonprofit organization working in the remote Namib Desert of northwestern Namibia. The film was created to help the organization share its story with a broader audience and support fundraising efforts focused on community development and wildlife conservation. 

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Business, Events, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

Ventura County Animal Services — $10,000 grant funds low-cost spay and neuter surgeries on July 14-15

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VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has received a $10,000 grant from Wings of Rescue to help provide low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to the pets of families living within VCAS’ contracted cities.

The two-day event, taking place July 14-15, is funded entirely by the grant and will be performed by the Spay Neuter Imperative Project (SNIP).  The SNIP Team will bring a fully equipped mobile veterinary hospital to perform the surgeries.  The event will take place near the Camarillo Animal Shelter.

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

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Raising Justice is Back on Sept. 17th! — Join Us for Our 25th Anniversary Celebration

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For the past 20 years now, you’ve created a Raising Justice that continues to bring together hundreds of our movement friends for a fun early evening of food, drinks, music, and community rooted in our shared organizing for a more just region. It’s free to attend with an invite to donate any amount that feels right to you.

Today, we invite you to join our growing circle of Early Event Sponsors. Sponsors not only underwrite the event, but also allow our work throughout the year to stay community supported and here for the long haul — it’s one of the ways you can ensure our event’s success.

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Business, Education, En español, Entertainment, Events, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — City of Ventura releases Fall Parks and Recreation Activity Guide

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The City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Activity Guide is now available, featuring hundreds of classes, programs, and events taking place from September through January.

Registration opens Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Residents can register online, by phone, or in person at Ventura City Hall (501 Poli Street, Room 226). Registration information and policies are available on page 43 of the guide.

The Fall Activity Guide offers activities for all ages and interests, including ceramics, cooking, creative writing, parent-and-child classes, pet wellness, fitness, sports, and more. Check out several free new workshops focused on Financial Literacy and Health and Safety on pages 10-11.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Summer Reading, Constitution Day, Civic Tours, and More

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Get fun summer reading ideas, activities, and more from the VCOE Library’s Summer Reading Extravaganza. Click here to check out local libraries’ summer reading programs and get online access to free full-length young adult novels. Also, find out how summer readers can earn free ride tickets for the Ventura County Fair.

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Business, Education, Local, News, Women

California Lutheran University expands strategic communications and marketing leadership

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THOUSAND OAKS — To further strengthen community awareness and engagement, California Lutheran University is expanding its Marketing and Communications department. On Aug. 1, Angela Fentiman will join the university as the vice president for strategic brand communications, and Amanda Savercool as the associate vice president for integrated marketing. Fentiman and Savercool have had esteemed careers in marketing and strategic communications, most recently with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

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Business, En español, familia, Family, Finance, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Ventura County Air Pollution Control District — $1.97M available for heavy-duty electric trucks

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VENTURA — Nearly $2 million in grant funding is available to help replace heavy-duty diesel trucks based in Ventura County with equivalent battery-electric models and install charging stations.

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District was awarded $1.97 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Program to help fund replacement projects. Recipients need to cover at least half of the project costs.

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

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics expands affordable behavioral health services for Santa Barbara County residents

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) is strengthening access to comprehensive Behavioral Health Services for individuals and families throughout Santa Barbara County through an integrated, whole-person care model designed to address both physical and mental health needs.

Santa Barbara County has significant community behavioral health needs that extend beyond the publicly funded specialty mental health system. Many residents experience challenges accessing timely outpatient mental health services due to insurance, cost, and provider availability. Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics helps address these gaps by providing integrated, community-based behavioral health services for individuals and families who might otherwise experience barriers to care.

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Business, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Behind the pour at Allan Hancock College annual West Coast College & University Wine Festival

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SANTA MARIA — When Allan Hancock College Winery operations specialist Grace Wearda arrived at the college just days before its West Coast College & University Wine Festival last year, she had little time to experience the planning behind one of the college’s signature events. This year, she led months of planning for the fourth annual festival, coordinating everything from participating wineries and vendors to volunteers and event logistics. 

Held June 13 on the Santa Maria campus, The West Coast College & University Wine Festival brought together college and university winemaking programs from across the region alongside local wineries, food vendors and community partners. The festival gives students an opportunity to showcase wines they’ve helped produce, receive professional feedback and connect with industry professionals while introducing the public to collegiate winemaking. 

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Business, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Sports, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Ventura County Parks announces launch of new reservation management website and policy updates

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VENTURA — Ventura County Parks is excited to announce major improvements for park visitors with the launch of a new reservation management website. These updates make booking easier, offer longer advance windows for popular sites, and introduce new self-service options for Day Use and Community Center reservations. New features for our guests include online booking for Distinguished Veterans, extended 180-day windows for Rincon Parkway, and streamlined self-service for Day Use and Community Centers. These enhancements are designed to make planning visits more convenient and accessible.

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Business, Commentary, Government, Health, Local, News

Trump Administration to auction lands near Carrizo Plain in SLO for oil drilling

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CENTRAL COAST — Last week, the Trump administration announced plans to auction nearly 36,000 acres of federal public land and mineral estate in four California counties to oil companies. The parcels cover thousands of acres adjacent to Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo and western Kern counties.

A public comment period on the proposal closes on August 1.

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

Guest contribution — Cancer-Causing Pesticide (including Santa Maria )exceeds California’s Own Safety Trigger, requiring state to act

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“Once again, DPR is sitting on bad news instead of telling the people breathing this air,” said Angel Garcia, co-director of the statewide coalition Californians for Pesticide Reform. “The Department loves a press release when a number goes down. When a number blows past their own safety trigger, they bury it in a spreadsheet and hope nobody notices. That’s not regulation — that’s public relations for the pesticide industry.”

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Business, En español, Family, Finance, Government, Home, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Ventura updates Short-Term Rental Ordinance: Renew by August 31, Apply by July 13

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura has finalized an updated Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance with two critical deadlines property owners need to know:

Existing Permit Holders: August 31, 2026, renewal deadline

New Applicants: July 13, 2026, application opening date

Current STVR permit holders have until August 31, 2026, to renew their permits, or their permits will be canceled. The City is guaranteeing renewal for existing permit holders under a grandfathering provision, provided they meet updated requirements and submit applications on time through Ventura Online Permit Services (OPS).

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Business, Government, Local, News

All Aboard: Ticket to results marks $80 million in CalSTA Port & Freight Infrastructure Program funding at the Port of Hueneme

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PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme welcomed California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin along with other local and state leaders(on July 2) for Ticket to Results, a special event designed to highlight the transformational impact of California’s Port & Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP) investments at the Port of Hueneme.

Ticket to Results revealed the progress the Port of Hueneme has made in deploying $80 million in PFIP funding. Port staff led guests through a behind-the-scenes tour of completed and ongoing projects showing how strategic state investments are increasing capacity, improving operational efficiency, reducing emissions, strengthening workforce development, and enhancing trade across the region.

“These impressive Port of Hueneme projects funded by the Port & Freight Infrastructure Program are not just critical for California’s supply chain system, but they are also of vital importance to our communities,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Governor Newsom’s investments in transportation infrastructure are helping to move these projects from vision to reality, delivering cleaner air and better jobs to communities across California.”

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

Bilingual report — Ventura County Assessor certifies 2026-27 Annual Assessment Roll at $194.4 Billion

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VENTURA — County Assessor Keith Taylor certified and delivered the 2026–27 Annual Assessment Roll to the Auditor-Controller’s Office on June 26, 2026, ahead of the July 1 requirement, marking a key step in the preparation of annual property tax bills for Ventura County property owners. The certified roll reflects a net assessed value of $194.4 billion after exemptions are applied, which is an increase of 3.95%.

Assessor Taylor noted that the overall increase is primarily on the Secured Roll which was driven by two primary factors: reassessments resulting from changes in property ownership, and the annual inflation adjustment applied under Proposition 13. Under Proposition 13, assessed values for properties that have not changed ownership are adjusted annually by the California Consumer Price Index (CPI), capped at a maximum of 2% per year.

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

Bilingual report — City of Ventura invites public review of Draft Prohousing Designation Application

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is inviting community members to review and comment on its draft application for the State of California’s Prohousing Designation Program. The public comment period will be open from July 8 through August 8, 2026, providing residents and stakeholders an opportunity to review the application and share feedback before it is considered by the City Council and submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). 

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — FREE – AI Webinar Series (July 7, 14, 21, 23, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 13, 18): Back by Popular Demand!

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Back by popular demand, this FREE webinar series is designed to help small business owners use AI to save time, improve marketing and grow revenue.

Attend one session or all
All sessions are practical and beginner-friendly

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

United Way of Ventura County announces Annual Spirit Award recipients

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VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 21st Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Every year since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also award our President’s Award, and our Women United Award. The awards and awardees are listed below:

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Commentary, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual commentary — Are Latinos “White”?

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I had a moment of angst three years ago as I filled out the 2020 U.S. Census form. I froze in my tracks, just as I had with employment forms in the past, when I saw a question asking me to denote my race. I am thoroughly aware that much of the U.S. population, especially in the more conservative states, would not consider me “white.” 

Their assessment is based solely on my appearance. I’m not particularly dark, but neither am I of “fair skin.”

In light of recent developments in our country, I am now less willing to declare myself as of the “white” race on any form inquiring about my ancestral background. However, in the following Census question inquiring about my ethnicity (as opposed to “race”), selecting “Hispanic or Latino” was an obvious choice.

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