VENTURA COUNTY — Valley View Middle School in Simi Valley is the winner of the middle school division of the 2025 Ventura County Mock Trial competition after earning the highest score in the final round yesterday. Mesa Union School came in second place. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony yesterday at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo. Here’s how the top five teams placed:
SANTA PAULA — 31 years have passed since the tragic murder of Eric Velasquez, a bright and ambitious 21-year-old student from Ventura, California, whose life was cut short on March 7, 1994. Despite the time that has elapsed, his case remains unsolved, and his family continues their relentless pursuit of justice.
Eric was known for his academic achievements, artistic talents, and kind heart. He was pursuing a degree in business with dreams of attending law school before his life was tragically taken. On the night of his murder, Eric was walking to his car in Santa Paula after dropping a friend off when he was shot and killed.
For decades, his family has endured the unimaginable pain of losing their beloved son and brother. Eric’s mother, Susan Ventura, has worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive and to seek justice. Her persistence led to the Governor of California offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Eric’s case.
SANTA MARIA — Community Partners in Caring will present the Santa Maria Valley Senior Expo from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 14 at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria, in the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium.
This event will connect the Santa Maria Valley residents to resources, products and services that will benefit those who are aging, are living with a disability or families caring for a loved one is in need of assistance. This is an opportunity to introduce the community to a variety of services all in one location, which may otherwise take them days to find.
Both for profit and non profit businesses are able to register as exhibitors and will be from a variety of industries including: health, legal, insurance, caregiving, medical devices, health checks, prosthetics, therapy, pet care, assisted and independent living facilities and so much more.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE EXHIBITOR REGISTRATON INFORMATION
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Women’s History Month. This month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the contributions of women throughout history. During this time and throughout the entire year, the EDC is committed to supporting women in achieving their business goals.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
“Tommy was part of our fire family for nearly 10 years, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us in response to our community’s public safety needs,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “We now stand with Tommy’s mother, Diana Minadeo; fiancé, Vanessa Gubbels; brother, Anthony; and his sister, in grieving his passing and supporting each other.”
Woodsome joined Ricker Pfau’s litigation department in 2017. She has been a partner with the firm since 2021 and became a member of the firm’s Management Committee in 2023. Woodsome practices in both state and federal court. Her areas of expertise include contract, M&A, and other business disputes.
Reznick has worked as a financial advisor for over 17 years. She launched Sherfina Advisors in 2024. In addition to the CEPA credential, Reznick is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPCTM). She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Irvine.
With a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and a match from the County of Ventura, the Ventura County Arts Council’s Supporting & Sustaining Arts and Culture (SSAC) program will offer eight grants of up to $10,000 to small, 501(c)(3) arts organizations in Ventura County that demonstrate a commitment to working in underserved and under-resourced communities and neighborhoods
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) (on March 4) announced the appointment of Marlen Torres as its Chief Member Experience and External Affairs Officer. In this key role, Ms. Torres serves as the leader and visionary for member satisfaction and engagement, with the goal of ensuring the best health outcomes, greatest access, and superior member experience for GCHP members.
“Marlen’s leadership and vision for enhancing the member experience and her ability to forge meaningful external partnerships make her the ideal choice for this critical role,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s acting chief executive officer (CEO). “Her years of experience in public policy and community engagement here in Ventura County will be instrumental as we continue to connect our members with high-quality care.”
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, had a derisive response to President Trump’s inane declaration that the Gulf of Mexico would be officially renamed the “Gulf of America.” She proposed, half-seriously, that henceforth the world could refer to the United States as “America Mexicana.” She suggested, whimsically, that the new label would “sound pretty.”
CENTRAL COAST — Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara is seeking a part-time Community Outreach Coordinator to expand awareness of their programs supporting cancer patients and their families. This role involves engaging with healthcare providers and community organizations, participating in outreach events, and managing marketing materials. The position requires bilingual Spanish fluency, strong communication and organizational skills, and a flexible schedule. Compensation is $21-22 per hour. Interested candidates should send their resumes to jobs@cancersupportvvsb.org
Opening night for Regreso a mi CUBA is almost here and we’d love for you to join us! Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this special moment with you!
SANTA BARBARA — The International Women’s Day March, Dance Party will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at De La Guerra Plaza, Santa Barbara.
Celebrate your Power!
Protest for your Rights!
Dance up State Street!
Presented by World Dance for Humanity, Santa Barbara Women’s March, Indivisible Santa Barbara, UCSB Women’s Center and the SB Women’s Political Committee.
View this email online The next meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building Board Hearing Room 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria The public may participate…
Dr. Handler specializes in treating a wide range of complex urogynecologic conditions, including pelvic organ prolapse (when pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum bulge into or out of the vagina), urinary incontinence (the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder), chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, painful intercourse, recurrent bladder infections and vaginal cysts. She supports patients through every stage of their healthcare journey, from diagnosis to post-treatment care, working closely with other medical providers to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
Tune your radio to AM 530 in the central and northern part of Santa Barbara County for year-round disaster preparedness and emergency information.
CAMARILLO — Two women who championed CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) in different ways will receive honorary doctorates at commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday May 17, 2025.
… Every once in a while, I forget and begin to feel small in the face of the challenges ahead. But our VCCF family, time and again, shows up and reminds me of the incredible power we have when we act with love and purpose—together.
VENTURA — Episode 10 of the Ventura Voices podcast is now available, featuring an in-depth conversation with Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya and Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. This timely episode explores how the City of Ventura prepares for, responds to, and recovers from wildfire emergencies, offering insights from two critical departments responsible for public safety and essential services.
The Oxnard Film Society (EIN: 20-5734347) is proud to present We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back, a powerful exhibition honoring Ventura County’s Vietnam War veterans. However, we need your support to raise $12,500 to bring this exhibition to life.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
SANTA BARBARA — In a landmark legal victory, a California judge has certified a class action lawsuit against Valley Crest, a commercial cannabis cultivation facility in Carpinteria, allowing residential property owners within a one-mile radius of the operation to collectively seek damages for the persistent and pervasive cannabis odors invading their properties. This ruling is the first of its kind in California, setting a powerful precedent for future cases against cannabis growers who fail to control malodors impacting residential communities.
We’re charging into 2025 with unstoppable momentum and a packed schedule. That makes these monthly recaps essential to keep you in the loop! Here’s a snapshot of February’s highlights at the Ventura County Taxpayer Association!
The event aimed to strengthen relationships between educators and local employers, enhancing the college-to-workforce pipeline.
Approximately 300 attendees participated, including representatives from 16 industry sectors, Hancock faculty and staff, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee members, area high school educators and other community members.
Professor Emeritus Víctor Fuentes’ new book, “Florilegio,” traces centuries of Spanish-language literature in the U.S. — spanning from the 16th to the mid-20th century — revealing a deep and often overlooked literary tradition.
Bike highways offer an important alternative to residents seeking relief from rising gas prices and those working to lower their carbon footprint. In June 2022, Caltrans released a Bay Area Bike Highway Study that identifies feasible opportunities to add these corridors and incorporates best practices most suitable for the region.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara hosted the Nobody Owns The Beach – 10th Anniversary by David Horvitz Shop last Friday, February 21, 2025 at The Culver Hotel.
The celebration was filled with laughter, music and shopping throughout the night to raise critical funds for MCASB. It was a lovely sight seeing many people from different places come together for the purpose of celebrating the 10th anniversary of this amazing piece!
We want to thank those who came and supported us at the event. The museum appreciates you all for showing up in a time like this when the Los Angeles Arts Community needs us the most.
A special thanks to: The Culver Hotel, Bibi Ji and Ysidro
VENTURA COUNTY — Trinity Pacific Christian School and Royal High School took the top two spots in the high school division of the 2025 Ventura County Mock Trial competition, which was held over two weekends at the Ventura County Government Center’s Hall of Justice. This marks the third year in a row that Trinity Pacific has come in first.
Twenty-two high schools and 525 students from throughout Ventura County participated in Mock Trial this year. The winning teams were announced at an awards ceremony this evening at the Ventura County Office of Education. Here’s how the eight highest-scoring high school teams ranked:
Have you ever wondered what 1920s fire engines looked like? Or what kind of festivities made up a parade in the year 1900? Discover interesting histories of Ventura County through MVC’s digitized archives—browse thousands of photographs, documents, and oral histories.
Visit the Digital Archives HERE.
SANTA BARBARA — It’s not just adults who are impacted by grief and loss in our community. Children are as well. One in five children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18, and one in twenty children will experience the death of one or both parents before reaching adulthood. Although death and grief are inevitable parts of life, these statistics highlight just how many children are impacted. Children are especially vulnerable when they lose a close loved one, and without professional support, grief can be especially paralyzing and overwhelming.
This session is specifically designed for businesses located along Harvard Blvd., but all Santa Paula businesses are welcome to attend. The feedback gathered during this discussion will be presented to the City Council as they consider updates to the Santa Paula Strategic Plan, which outlines the City’s vision and goals for the next two years, guiding decisions on economic development, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and community programs.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is encouraging students to earn additional college credits by enrolling in?short-term?spring?classes, which start on March 24.
Registration is underway for?short-term?spring?classes?in English, mathematics, history, anthropology, art appreciation, and more. Many of the?classes?are offered online and can be completed in just eight weeks.??
Jonathan Royas. “By expanding bike and pedestrian access, we’re not only creating a healthier, more connected city, but also ensuring safer, more accessible routes for everyone. We look forward to community input as we shape this project together.”
Recipients of the Women United Education Award are single mothers who are completing their associate degree and transferring to a four-year university or technical program and have children under the age of eighteen living in the home. This financial award may be used to offset any costs associated with efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
Since the turn of the century, we have seen major advancements towards the inclusion of disabled people in public society. However, the remnants of overlooking this underrepresented demographic continues to affect all visitors of our parks. Thus, a dedicated advisory body to support the Director of California State Parks in enhancing accessibility for the state’s lands can be helpful in remedying the systemic issue.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) plan to conduct a prescribed burn in Adams Canyon, north of Santa Paula, on March 4, 2025, weather permitting. This controlled burn is part of ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. This prescribed burn was initially scheduled for November 18-21, 2024.
Anthropologists Amber VanDerwarker and Doug Kennett present new research about the history of avocado domestication, highlighting a popular tree crop of major economic importance.
This year’s FIRST Robotics DIVE theme dared students to journey into the depths of the ocean and navigate challenges that mirror the complexities of underwater exploration. From maneuvering intricate mazes, collecting elusive treasures, and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, these young innovators used this year’s competition to showcase their technical prowess and creative thinking skills. Beyond the technical challenges the DIVE theme emphasized the critical importance of ecology and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education through exploration of our underwater world and allowed students to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of our planet’s vast and vital aquatic ecosystems and the ever important need to protect them.
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: QUICKBOOKS ONLINE SETUP AND CUSTOMIZATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
March 4 @ 10:030 am
Join Accounting Expert & QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and EDC Small Business Development Center Advisor Juliana Ramirez as she guides small business owners through the initial setup and customization of QuickBooks Online. Learn how to tailor QuickBooks to fit your specific business needs, including setting up your chart of accounts, customizing invoices and organizing your expense categories for efficient tracking.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
With 2024 behind us, we can now assess whether any shifts in the momentum of regional economic growth have occurred in early 2025.
The County’s labor market generated 4,692 jobs in 2024, representing a growth rate of 1.5 percent, which was similar to the aggregate of other Southern California Counties.
