Category: Government

Bilingual commentary — The Dust Bowl: A Warning for Modern America

by Community Contributor • August 28, 2026 • Comments Off

A couple of weeks ago, I randomly chose a book to read from one of the “little libraries” that people put up in their front yards. Despite considering myself somewhat of an optimist, a book by Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time, caught my eye.

This book is about the Great American Dust Bowl, that period of our history marked by immense environmental, economic, and agricultural hardship. The Dust Bowl coincided with the Great Depression, something that my parents and grandparents lived through—and fortunately survived.

Guest contribution — Moorpark Moms for Progressive Values — Follow-Up on Moorpark’s Flock Cameras

by Community Contributor • August 28, 2026 • Comments Off

One of California’s safest cities is preparing for a September debate over why its 15 fixed Flock license plate reader cameras remain in place after Ventura County data was made available to out-of-state and federal agencies in violation of California law.

During a one-month period in early 2025, out-of-state agencies ran more than 364,000 searches against the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s Flock network, even though VCSO believed national access had been disabled since 2023. Immigration enforcement was referenced in the justifications for 299 searches. Flock has acknowledged that the access was unauthorized but said its technical logs cannot fully explain how it occurred.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura honors 25 longtime employees representing 680 years of public service

by Community Contributor • August 28, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently recognized twenty-five County of Ventura employees for their longstanding commitment to public service and whose careers collectively span 680 years. Celebrated during the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, August 18, the employees marked career milestones of 25, 30 and 35 years of employment with County agencies. Over the course of their careers, the employees have helped deliver essential services, respond to changing community needs, and provide the experience and expertise that keep County operations moving forward.

With each honoree marking at least 25 years of County service, their careers represent decades of institutional knowledge and commitment to public service that have helped shape the programs and services Ventura County residents rely on today.

Bilingual report — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) August 2026 newsletter

by Community Contributor • August 28, 2026 • Comments Off

Lea en español | Received this from a friend? Subscribe! eNewsletter | August 2026 Here’s to 56 years! This month, nearly 200 People’s team members from throughout the Central Coast came together to mark the milestone. Friend, The coming months will…

Bilingual report — Three additional birds test positive for West Nile Virus in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • August 26, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Environmental Health Division (Division) received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that a bird collected in the city of Camarillo on August 1, 2026, and two birds collected in the city of Ventura on August 3, 2026, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). All mosquito breeding sources in the area where the birds were collected will be inspected and treated if evidence of mosquito breeding is observed. Ventura County Public Health and Environmental Health are closely monitoring WNV activity, including the increase in WNV cases and the recent WNV-related death in Los Angeles County.

Public Health confirms that no human cases of WNV have been identified to date in 2026 in Ventura County.

Leadership Ventura County unveils new identity, launches expanded programming across the county

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Over 200 community leaders, alumni and partners gathered Thursday, Aug. 20th, at the Ventura County Office of Education for The Big Reveal Party, where the organization formerly known as Ventura County Leadership Academy introduced its new name, Leadership Ventura County, alongside an expanded slate of leadership programming built to reach more of Ventura County.

While Leadership Ventura County’s new identity marks a visible change, organization leaders say the programming behind it is the real story: a broader, more accessible approach to developing leaders across the region.

“Our new name, Leadership Ventura County, is really about access,” said Pattie Braga, Executive Director. “With Leadership Class, Leadership Explore, Leadership Elevate, and Leadership Connect, we now have programs tailored to where someone is at personally or within their career, whether that’s a nine-month deep dive or a first step into their community. This next chapter is about opening that door wider for more people across the county.”

Santa Barbara to host Inaugural California Ocean Summit (on Dec. 9-11), uniting the State’s Top Ocean Scientists, Policymakers, Investors and Innovators

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Registration is now open for the inaugural California Ocean Summit, a landmark three-day convening taking place December 9–11, 2026, in Santa Barbara. Bringing together leading ocean scientists, policymakers, investors, innovators, and advocates from across California and beyond, the Summit will showcase solutions, mobilize capital toward ocean impact, and build the cross-sector relationships needed to turn shared ambition into coordinated ocean action.

City of Santa Paula opens cooling center amid high temperatures

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA PAULA — With temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees or higher for several consecutive days this week, the City of Santa Paula will open a cooling center at the Santa Paula Community Center to provide residents with a place to find relief from the heat.

The cooling center will be located in the front lobby of the Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St., Santa Paula, and will be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bilingual report — VSP Eyes of Hope, SEE International provided free eye exams and glasses to more than 100 Santa Maria and Lompoc residents

by Community Contributor • August 25, 2026 • Comments Off

partnered with SEE International’s local SEE Vision Care program and the County of Santa Barbara Health Department to bring free eye exams and prescription glasses to over 100 Santa Maria and Lompoc residents without access to vision care. In recognition of National Eye Exam Month, a 40-foot VSP Eyes of Hope mobile clinic and volunteer eye doctors stopped at the Santa Maria Health Center on Aug. 20 and the Lompoc Health Center on Aug. 21, providing comprehensive exams and on-site eyewear selection at no cost to patients.

Port of Hueneme — Notice: Potential Delays on Hueneme Road

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2026 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — Please be aware that California Highway Patrol (CHP) is assisting the California Air Resources Board (CARB) with air quality monitoring and compliance inspections at three locations outside the Port.

These activities may cause delays on Hueneme Road.

We have been informed that the operations will take place (Aug. 25 and 26).

Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Turn out Tuesday, Aug. 25 in Santa Barbara: No surveillance in our communities!

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2026 • Comments Off

Because of growing community opposition to mass surveillance, Santa Barbara has decided to terminate its contract with Flock, and Flock’s cameras are scheduled to be shut off citywide today, August 24. We’re grateful to the coalition of multi-issue groups across Santa Barbara who have been leading this effort, and to the City administration for moving swiftly and decisively to end the Flock contract. … But we need to keep pushing. Our message to the City Council is simple: Don’t replace Flock with Verkada.

Join us tomorrow in Santa Barbara at City Council at 2 PM (735 Anacapa Street).

The City is now moving toward a contract with Verkada Inc. to provide replacement automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. We learned about this over the weekend, and the City has announced that it “will be switching to [Verkada] technology.”

Bilingual commentary — National Debt: Should We Be Concerned?

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2026 • Comments Off

This morning I woke up to the disconcerting news that our national debt had attained an ominous level: $40 trillion dollars (that’s $40,000,000,000,000). Sure, it sounds like a lot of money, but what exactly does that portend for us, our children, and our grandchildren?

Lots of bad things, as it turns out. Apparently, the United States can bury itself in debt just as individuals can. What happens when we as individuals find ourselves drowning in debt?

Our credit rating drops because we can no longer be trusted with fiscal management. So too the United States.

Making Waves: Port of Hueneme hosts ‘Sustaining the Seas Summit’ in recognition of World Oceans Day

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2026 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme marked World Oceans Day with its fourth annual “Sustaining the Seas Summit” on Tuesday, August 18, at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard.

The Summit brought together Port of Hueneme staff, environmentalists, maritime companies, and community organizations for robust discussions on sustainability and the challenges facing the world’s oceans.

“We have an ambitious but achievable goal to reach zero-emissions status at the Port of Hueneme by 2030,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jason Hodge. “As leaders in clean port operations, it’s exciting to bring together leading minds in environmental stewardship in pursuit of real progress when it comes to protecting our oceans.”

Bilingual report — Ventura County Board of Supervisors approves renaming Ventura Family Justice Center in honor of late Judge Colleen Toy White

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved renaming the Ventura County Family Justice Center in Ventura as the Judge Colleen Toy White Family Justice Center, honoring the late Ventura County Superior Court Judge whose decades of public service transformed how the county supports victims and other vulnerable members of the community.

Judge White devoted 41 years to serving the people of Ventura County, including 18 years with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, where she served for 10 years as Chief Assistant District Attorney. She was elected to the Ventura County Superior Court in 1994 and served 23 years on the bench before retiring in 2017. During her judicial career, she served as Presiding Judge, Assistant Presiding Judge and Family Law Supervising Judge.

Ventura County Animal Services — FREE PET Adoptions this Saturday! 1PM-6PM

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2026 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — FREE ADOPTIONS this Saturday, August 22 at Ventura County Animal Services! Browse our adoptable DOGS, CATS, and BUNNIES to see who you’d like to take home!

Adoption Appointments can be made online from 9:00am – 10:30am. Shelter opens at 1:00pm sharp! While walk-ins are welcome, appointments get priority. Tap/click here to learn about our adoption process.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Assessor’s Office issues public advisory regarding false property tax claims targeting seniors

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Assessor‘s Office warns seniors and all local property owners about a current trend regarding misinformation on reducing or freezing property taxes. The Assessor’s Office has received numerous calls, emails, and in-person visits from property owners inquiring about a supposed federal program that allegedly freezes property taxes. This misinformation is being spread through fraudulent online claims, social media posts, and scam phone calls encouraging property owners to file a non-existent federal IRS form “1098-SR” to reduce or freeze property taxes. No such form exists, and these messages are not legitimate.

Trump Administration moves to eliminate Roadless Rule, threatening Los Padres National Forest

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — The Trump administration has formally proposed
eliminating the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a move that could remove longstanding protections from more than 44 million acres of national forest lands across the country, including 635,000 acres in Los Padres National Forest.

On August 18, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Forest Service had filed a proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule in its entirety. A public comment period is open through September 21.

Ventura County Fire Dept. — Division Chief Anthony Occhipinti promoted to assistant chief of training and development?

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2026 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) is proud to announce the promotion of Division Chief Anthony Occhipinti to Assistant Chief of Training and Development.

Chief Occhipinti’s promotion to Assistant Chief of the newly reorganized Training and Development Bureau will enable him to assume responsibility for managing all aspects of recruitment, training, and professional development for our firefighters. Most recently, Chief Occhipinti served as a Division Chief, overseeing daily operations for the department. His 14-year fire service career began with VCFD’s hand crew, and he has served every rank in the department with assignments to both support and engine companies, as well as our wildland and aviation division.

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder partners with California Office of the Secretary of State to host One-Day Apostille PopUp Shop on Sept. 10, 2026

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder is partnering with the California Office of the Secretary of State (SOS), to bring back the popular Apostille Pop-Up Shop to the Ventura County Government Center, on Thursday, September 10, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

SOS Pop-Up Shops are one-day events held throughout the year in counties across the state to provide customers with the convenience of accessing in-person Apostille services without traveling to SOS offices in Sacramento or Los Angeles.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — SBA Offers Relief to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the 2026 Los Palos Incident

by Community Contributor • August 19, 2026 • Comments Off

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Now Available

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in California to offset economic losses caused by the 2026 Los Palos incident (Boyle Heights Fire), which occurred June 17 – 25. SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs on Aug. 10.

Port of Hueneme hosts regional dive teams for advanced maritime search-and-rescue training

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2026 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — Seven regional bomb squad and search-and-rescue dive teams including Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit and Search & Rescue, Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Search and Recovery, and Riverside County Sheriff Search and Rescue recently gathered at the Port of Hueneme for an Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX)-Coastal Trident Event DELTA, a four-day exercise focused on underwater operations and emerging technologies.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2026 • Comments Off

EN ESPAÑOL: INTRODUCCIÓN A LA INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL PARA PEQUEÑOS NEGOCIOS

August 24 @ 6:00 pm

Este taller introduce a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas a los fundamentos de la Inteligencia Artificial y cómo puede aplicarse en las operaciones diarias de un negocio. Los participantes aprenderán qué es la IA, cómo la utilizan actualmente las empresas y dónde puede generar un mayor impacto. La sesión incluirá ejemplos prácticos relacionados con marketing, servicio al cliente, creación de contenido, productividad y crecimiento empresarial. Precio: GRATIS.

HAGA CLIC PARA REGISTRARSE

El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard announces 36th annual Latino Leadership Awards Fundraising Campaign

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2026 • Comments Off

OXNARD — El Concilio Family Services has officially launched its fundraising and sponsorship drive for the upcoming 36th Annual Latino Leadership Awards. Established in 1990, the awards recognize outstanding individuals and businesses that have made substantial contributions to uplifting Ventura County’s Latino community.

“Our donors deserve to know that their generosity translates directly into high-quality, professional support for local agricultural and service-sector families,” said Yvonne R. Gutierrez, Executive Director. “The Latino Leadership Awards allow us to honor local excellence while raising vital funding to keep our immigration and education services responsive, credible, and fully accountable.”

Santa Paula Latino Town Hall — Please Join Us: Defend health care in the Santa Clara Valley – 10:30 am August 18

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2026 • Comments Off

You are invited to make public comment before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and stand with our community in defending hospital-level health care in the Santa Clara Valley.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – 10:30 a.m.
Ventura County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors Meeting Room
Hall of Administration
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA) Aug. 15, 2026 Livable Communities Newsletter

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2026 • Comments Off

Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?

On Monday morning, September 14, the Ventura County Civic Alliance will host our Future of the Region conference in Camarillo. The conference theme is “Can Ventura County Still Take Care of its Own?” and we will dive into demographic shifts impacting our region.

Ventura County, like many parts of the state and nation, is experiencing a decline in the birth rate leading to changes in healthcare with an aging population, impacts to education from declining enrollment and the overall economy as we lose young workers. These and other challenges impact every city in the County.

Bilingual commentary — The Magic Kingdom: A Utopian Blueprint

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

Cities throughout the world have spent centuries trying to mold themselves into models of civic beauty, public safety, and high-functioning infrastructure that keeps its citizens happy and productive. Needless to say, most communities fall short of these aspirations.

The larger cities here in Ventura County, such as Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks are typical American cities, continually struggling to balance their lofty ambitions with economic realities on the ground. Conflicting world views among a city’s leaders determine the direction of that city’s growth and development. Is there a common blueprint that cities such as ours can follow to maximize their potential?

Guest contribution — Farmworkers and advocates, including legendary civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, rally at the State Capitol to demand accountability from California’s pesticide regulator

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

The hearing room was full, with more than 110 Californians from across the state present, including those from the Central Coast. Many traveled hours from home, as far away as Ventura, taking a day from work and rising before dawn to attend the 2½ hour hearing. Community members called on lawmakers to confront the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation’s conflicts of interest and failure to protect the public.

Guest commentary — Allá En El Rancho Grande: Ventura County, One Big Plantation

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

The past, present, and future exist concurrently. History matters because the present and past manifest in the now. This is why historical events such as the 1942 Sleepy Lagoon Case of the Zoot Suiters and the Deportation Campaigns of the 1930s speak to us today in relation to the overcharging and over-sentencing of convicted ethnic Mexicans regarding the former and the vicious Gestapo kidnappings of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency with the latter.

Sweet Sixteen: Port of Hueneme earns prestigious Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 16th straight year

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

PORT HUENEME — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Oxnard Harbor District – Port of Hueneme for the sixteenth consecutive year. This year’s award, which recognizes the strength of the Port’s comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025, is the highest form of recognition teams can achieve in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

“We are honored to receive this recognition because we know accountability matters,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners. “We prioritize accuracy and transparency and do all we can to serve as a vital economic engine for our region.”

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — Agri-Tech Fair VIP Tix now available

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

For a $50+ donation, you’ll unlock our exclusive VIP Package and enjoy special day-of perks, including:

Ventura County Animals Services (VCAS) — Clear the Shelters — FREE adoptions, Saturday 8-22-26!

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2026 • Comments Off

VCAS is participating in Clear the Shelters on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026. This nationwide event is our largest pet adoption event of the year. Adoptions will be FREE, and adopters will go home with lots of free gifts from event sponsors. Animals go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, flea-treated, and come with a FREE first vet visit!

Browse the DOGS, CATS, and BUNNIES in our care to see who you’d like to take home Saturday, August 22nd!

Bilingual report — City of Ventura nomination period officially closes for 2026 Municipal Election

by Community Contributor • August 13, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura has officially concluded the nomination period for candidates seeking election to the Ventura City Council in the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.

The nomination period for City Council Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 closed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7. Because the incumbent in District 6 did not file for re-election, the nomination period for District 6 was extended for five days and closed today, Wednesday, August 12, at 5:00 p.m., in accordance with the California Elections Code.

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) graduates 14 resident teens from Summer program

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) recently celebrated the graduation of 14 students from its free, four-week Preparación, Bienestar y Cultura (PBC) summer program. Designed for HACSB residents entering grades 9–12, the program equips students with the tools, resources, and experiences needed to prepare for college, careers, and future success. Since its launch four years ago, 65 students have completed the program.

PBC provides a well-rounded experience that promotes educational achievement, social-emotional wellness, and cultural awareness. Throughout the four-week program, students participate in college tours, educational field trips, community service projects, and interactive workshops. Participants also earn community service hours and receive a backpack filled with school supplies to help them begin the academic year prepared.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2026 • Comments Off

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE: LEARN ANYTHING FASTER WITH NOTEBOOKLM

August 11 @ 10:00 am

Successful businesses make better decisions because they have better information. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use NotebookLM to conduct competitive analysis, refine pricing, accelerate SEO and AEO, and synthesize large amounts of research into simple summaries and action steps. You’ll also learn how to use AI to create executive briefs, reports, and slide decks quickly, helping you make smarter strategic decisions in less time. This session is ideal for business owners looking to leverage AI for research, planning, and strategic growth. Price: FREE.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — City of Ventura Business Assistance Loan Fund

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2026 • Comments Off

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Bilingual report — Ventura City Council election update

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura announces that Councilmember Jim Duran, District 6, did not file nomination papers to seek re-election by the close of the nomination period.

Pursuant to California Elections Code section 10225, because the incumbent did not file nomination papers by the close of the nomination period at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, the nomination period for the District 6 City Council seat is automatically extended five calendar days. Eligible candidates, other than the incumbent, may file nomination papers until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Bilingual report — Ventura County — List of Elected Offices in Extended Nomination Period for November 3, 2026 General Election

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the extension of the nomination period for the following offices that are scheduled to be voted on in the November 3, 2026 General Election. Per state law (CA Elec Code § 8027), the nomination period for the below offices is extended when an eligible incumbent officer does not file nomination papers before the August 7, 2026, 5:00 PM deadline.

Nominations for these offices have a five-day extension period that closes on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5 PM:

Guest Commentary — Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) — Ventura County Office of Education Update — Accountability

by Community Contributor • August 10, 2026 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805

Structural Governance Gaps Are the Center Question