VENTURA COUNTY — This Thanksgiving, add fresh flavors to your holiday meal while preventing foodborne illness with practical tips from Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) and Ventura County Resource Management Agency Environmental Health Division (EH).
Dear Neighbors,
From my family to yours, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The holidays are a time of connection and celebration, but they can also be a time of need for many families. If you or someone you know could use support — whether it’s food assistance, housing resources, crisis help, or mental health services — 2-1-1 Ventura County is available 24/7 to connect you with programs across our region.
For neighbors in the Conejo Valley, Food Share, Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, Adelante Comunidad Conejo and other local organizations continue to provide essential support.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s Economic Development team is inviting local businesses to participate in the 2025 Window Wonderland program. This festive initiative encourages storefronts throughout Ventura to celebrate the season with creative holiday window displays that brighten commercial corridors and inspire residents to shop locally.
Businesses are also invited to take part in this year’s photo submission opportunity. By sharing photos of their decorated storefronts, participants will be entered for a chance to win free advertising opportunities. Photos may be submitted now throughout December, and winners will be announced in January 2026.
“Ventura is filled with creativity, and our local businesses help set the tone for the season,” said Economic Development Manager Meredith Hart. “Window Wonderland is a fun way to showcase that spirit while encouraging residents and visitors to explore and support our shopping districts.”
“The Sound of Silence,” featuring lead artist Cheyenne Proctor, is one in a series of art exhibitions addressing mental health that is part of VibeWell Ventura County, a county-wide initiative that uses art and culture to raise awareness of mental health conditions. VCAC invites submissions from local artists to be juried for potential display alongside the lead artist. Monetary prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners. All levels welcome.
Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
Yesterday, I was unexpectedly transported back to the very beginning of my career. I was 21, attending my first Chamber of Commerce meeting, nervous beyond words. In my attempt to discreetly stab a grape from my fruit salad with a plastic fork as everyone was making their introductions, it slipped, flew across the table, and landed directly in Michael Towbes’ lap.
He looked up at me with such kindness and without judgment as he picked up the grape, handed it gently back to me, and said, with a twinkle in his eye, “I think this might belong to you.” I am sure I turned the deepest shade of red imaginable, and I have avoided eating grapes with a plastic fork ever since.
LOMPOC — It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Lompoc! If you’re headed to California’s Central Coast for a holiday escape, you’re in for a treat. Our town lights up with festive events, delicious bites, handcrafted gifts, and cozy winter moments. Whether you’re craving a family getaway, a romantic weekend, or a cheerful adventure with your besties, Lompoc has something for every type of holiday traveler.
The holidays don’t need to be hectic. Here, the season slows down. Enjoy relaxed small-town charm, a full lineup of family-friendly activities, specialty shopping, and more than 30 local wine-tasting venues. Then settle in for a restful evening at one of Lompoc’s comfy hotels. Ready to plan? Let’s unwrap the best of the season!
SCORE: GRANT PREP BOOT CAMP WORKSHOP
November 24 @ 8:00 am
In three hours, you will learn how to research, prepare, write and apply for grants. At the end of this webinar, you will be able to target and learn how to organize grants to further your mission. Don’t worry if you don’t have access to the various fancy (and expensive) grant databases. SCORE will show you how to access grant information (for FREE), filter through 990 returns, uncover names and get around the “invite only” issue when determining fit. SCORE will also work on systematizing the process of grants, so you don’t have to redo it every time. Price: $10.00.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department is reaching out with helpful tips to make our community safer during the upcoming holidays especially for shoppers, retailers, and travelers.
6th Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive Happening Dec. 6th!
The Ventura County Harbor Department and Harbor & Beach Community Alliance (HBCA) are teaming up to spread holiday cheer this season by hosting the 6th Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 6, 2025 at the Harbor Landing parking lot off Harbor Blvd.
The Holiday Food & Toy Drive will benefit Food Share of Ventura County and the Spark of Love Toy Drive, an annual effort coordinated by local fire departments which provide toys to thousands of children each year.
On the day of the event, donations will be accepted at a drop-off location at the Harbor Landing parking lot, located at the Channel Islands Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard intersection. Volunteers will be there to safely accept the donations and provide them to Food Share and the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” said Traffic Sergeant Mark Knackstedt. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) currently has over 200 dogs in their care, including 50 who have been at the shelter for more than 100 days and 6 who have been waiting over a year.
To help these long-stay dogs find homes, VCAS has launched the #LongStayChallenge, encouraging shelter volunteers to take dogs “on the town” and create fun, engaging promotional videos to showcase their personalities.
VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has received a $500,000 investment from Brokaw Ranch Company, a multi-generational family farm that has been part of Ventura County’s agricultural heritage for more than six decades. This community impact investment towards Housing Trust Fund VC’s Everyone Deserves a Home Revolving Loan Fund will help the organization continue to support the development of affordable housing for those who contribute to the fabric of Ventura County’s economy and community.
“Our family sees this as a win-win proposition. This investment contributes to the health and vitality of Ventura County and nets us some interest income. We have long admired the work of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County and hope others will join us in supporting their efforts,” said Deborah Brokaw Jackson, President, Brokaw Ranch Company.
VENTURA — On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a new local ordinance that will ban overnight parking and camping on certain roads next to farmland in County unincorporated areas. The goal is to protect local agriculture and the environment, while also ensuring public safety. The new ordinance, which was approved during the regular meeting for the Board of Supervisors, goes into effect January 1, 2026.
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local 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.
OXNARD — At five news conferences (on Nov. 18), farmworker communities across our State were scheduled to speak of their outrage over the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s recent policy regarding California’s third most used synthetic pesticide, the cancer-causing fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; brand name Telone). They are also deeply concerned about the increasing use of not just 1,3-D but other harmful drift-prone fumigants near schools and daycares and call for significant changes to the regulation of fumigants, especially near schoolchildren in California.
These news conferences, all sponsored by Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), will be held in Watsonville, Fresno, Modesto, and Oxnard, as well as a statewide event online.
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local 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.
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) has long supported responsible stewardship of County resources and transparent oversight of the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS). As we prepare to address the Board of Supervisors, it has become increasingly clear that VCMS is facing a financial crisis — one driven not by outside forces, but by management’s persistent failure to address its ongoing structural cash-flow deficit.
The Core Problem: A Structural Cash-Flow Deficit Getting Worse …
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department has once again launched “No Shave November” to support local charities that assist with those battling cancer. Police officers are growing their facial hair to help “grow” cancer awareness. The Santa Paula Police Officers Association (SPPOA) is coordinating this campaign, receiving donations from all Police Department employees in order to participate. The fundraising campaign will finish at the end of the month. Employees will be allowed to grow their facial hair fully and neatly trimmed over the next few months.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura has opened recruitment for its next Fire Chief, seeking a progressive and collaborative leader to guide one of California’s oldest fire departments.
Ventura’s Fire Department responds to more than 18,000 calls each year from six stations serving a diverse coastal community of over 110,000 residents. Rooted in a legacy dating back to 1875, the department has evolved into a modern, all-hazards agency known for its commitment to preparedness, prevention, and professional service.
Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to report that local students are making improvements in attendance, graduation rates, and academic performance according to new data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.
Ventura County’s graduation rate of 90.5% for 2025 has improved by 7.2 percentage points since 2021 and is 3.0 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County’s chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7% for 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improvement and is 1.7 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County students have also improved their performance in both Math and English on the state CAASPP assessment. Click here for more local highlights.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has received a $95,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to expand its child passenger safety initiatives. The grant runs through September 2026 and funding supports programs that reduce injuries and fatalities among children in motor vehicle crashes by promoting proper car seat use throughout Ventura County.
The grant will allow VCFD to continue its collaboration with Safe Kids Ventura County, led by Ventura County Public Health, to educate parents and caregivers, distribute child safety seats to families in need, and train new Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).
I’m pleased to share that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a major initiative to strengthen and modernize our planning, zoning, and permitting systems. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the thoughtful input I received from many of you—your experiences and feedback were instrumental in shaping this effort.
The package that I brought forward with Supervisor Matt LaVere, is designed to make our permitting processes more efficient, transparent, and customer-focused for residents, homeowners, and local businesses.
We are excited to welcome Mark Stadler, alum of VCLA Cohort XXVII to the VCLA Board. With over 37 years of dedicated service in law enforcement, Mark has been a vital part of community safety and crisis intervention efforts. He has served as the Senior Program Administrator of the Ventura County Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for the past 10 years, following his retirement as a Commander of the Ventura Police Department. A founding member of the CIT program 25 years ago, Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne. He is also an instructor at the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center, a senior adjunct professor at the University of La Verne, and serves on the Advisory Board of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CACITA).
Assembly and Senate leaders heard directly from farmers in Ventura County who are innovating and succeeding, and discussed ways to support workers and deliver solutions that continue to uplift the agricultural sector
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmeralda Soria, Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Avelino Valencia, and Senator Henry Stern and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Melissa Hurtado at a Ventura County avocado farm, discussing how the state can continue to support farmers and agricultural innovation as federal policies threaten farmworkers and grocery costs.
Economic growth is positive in the County but there is concern because the general economy is contributing less to the broader Southern California economy. Over the last 15 years, Ventura County’s contribution to gross regional economic activity for the aggregate of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties has been in a continuous decline.
The percentage of gross county product contributed by Ventura County as a percent of total Southern California gross product has declined from 5.5 percent in 2007 to 4.0 percent in 2024. The rate of growth remains positive, but it has consistently lagged the aggregate growth of the other four counties.
This is largely due to much lower employment and population growth, and less new development of residential and non-residential structures. SOAR has been a principal impediment to growth in the region. It has largely limited organic growth and discouraged new in-migrating business growth.
SCORE: STARTING A NONPROFIT: A STEP-BY-STEP
November 18 @ 1:00 pm
Ready to turn your vision into reality? Join SCORE for a practical workshop that offers step-by-step guidance on establishing a nonprofit public charity. Ideal for those who have already decided to form a nonprofit, this session covers the essential stages from conception to achieving tax-exempt status and beyond. Price: $10.00.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
With the significant rain we have received and more on the way, the USDA is investigating whether damage has occurred to agricultural operators in our County.
If you have suffered damage to your agricultural crops, structures, land, or equipment due to excessive rain this month please complete the form linked below and return it to the agricultural commissioner’s office:
PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme, California, proudly hosted its annual Drive Out Hunger Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway today, providing 450 frozen turkeys and full holiday meal kits to active-duty military members and veterans from across Ventura County. The drive-thru event reflects the Port’s deep commitment to serving those who serve the nation.
SAN RAFAEL — On behalf of nonprofit community organization Buen Vecino (in Simi Valley), the First Amendment Coalition, with attorneys Gregory Pleasants and Shaffy Moeel, filed a Public Records Act lawsuit against Ventura County and its sheriff to compel disclosure of video footage showing what deputy sheriffs did at a controversial immigration enforcement operation.
This year’s State of the Region event was an overview of the report by Tony Basotti, and panel with District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Amgen Executive Director of Global Government Affairs Chad Petit, Port District CEO & Director Kristin Decas, and Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen, who gave their perspectives on issues in the report.
This venture is crucial to the dissemination of information to the community and leaders in business, education, and government, who are instrumental in planning the county’s future. We are grateful to our sponsors whose support is integral to this important project.
As always, let us know what you think.?
Stacy Roscoe
Dear Neighbors,
The National Weather Service is forecasting a series of storms heading toward Ventura County beginning late Thursday and continuing through Sunday. With significant rainfall expected, I want to ensure you have the latest information to stay prepared and safe. Read a full update about the weather event at VCEmergency.com.
Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas 6:00 pm Thursday, November 13 ? 6:00 pm Sunday, November 16, 2025:
Mountain Fire Burn Area – Upgraded from Advisory to Evacuation Warning
Matilija Canyon / North Fork, Camino Cielo
Storm Update
A series of storms is moving through Santa Barbara County. The first storm has passed, and a second storm is expected late Friday, November 14, into Saturday, November 15.
During the first storm, the South County received about 2–4 inches of rain, with some areas in the Santa Ynez Mountains getting over 5 inches overnight. North County saw about 1–2 inches. The storm caused localized flooding, downed trees, and rocks and debris on roads.
The second storm is expected to bring 2–3 inches of rain to South County and 3–6 inches to the Santa Ynez Mountains. North County will likely receive less rain than other parts of the county. According to the National Weather Service, this storm will produce heavier bursts of rain over short periods, unlike the steady rain from the first storm. A Flood Watch will be in effect for most of Santa Barbara County from 1AM – 10PM on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Ventura County schools are continuing to make improvements in attendance, graduation rates, academic performance, and other measures, according to new data from the 2025 California School Dashboard released today by the California Department of Education.
On Tuesday, November 18th, the Oxnard City Council faces a defining choice: will they stand with our community or take a bad deal from a polluting corporation that has spent decades deceiving and putting profit before people? Join us at City Council on Tuesday at 6:00 PM to make your voice heard and stand up for environmental justice in Oxnard.
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building
Board Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
VENTURA — As part of the Ventura County Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Environmental Health Division (Division) is providing the following precautionary information to the public.?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.?
VENTURA — The City of Ventura has released a new episode of Ventura Voices titled “All Things Sustainability: Ventura’s Community Programs in Action.” Hosted by Communications Specialist Alejandra Belalcázar, the episode explores how Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division has evolved from its early recycling initiatives in the 1990s into a multifaceted team leading communitywide efforts in waste reduction, clean energy, and long-term climate planning.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura has been recognized with a 2025 Information Technology Excellence Award by Info-Tech Research Group, a national organization that highlights advancements in information technology governance, operations and service delivery across the public and private sectors.
OXNARD — A news conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Plaza Park in Oxnard about the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s new 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) regulation and new data showing large increases in highly hazardous fumigant use near schools and daycares.
VENTURA — The Ventura Superior Court announces the launch of the Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program.
Beginning November 10, 2025, civil lawsuits with amounts in controversy of $50,000 or less per plaintiff may be ordered to mediation at the Court’s discretion. Subject to the Court’s approval, parties may also voluntarily agree to participate in court-ordered mediation regardless of the amount in controversy.
On this day and every day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our veterans and their families for their extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and service to our country.
More than 40,000 veterans and their loved ones call Ventura County and the Conejo Valley home, and I am proud to work on their behalf in Congress. Honoring our veterans is a responsibility that never ends, and neither does the work to ensure they receive the care, benefits, and support they have earned.
As Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, one of my top priorities is to identify disparities in care for veterans and to introduce, advocate for, and pass legislation that closes those gaps.
As a third-generation U.S. Navy Veteran, I’m filled with deep gratitude today for all who have worn the uniform in defense of our nation and the freedoms we hold dear.
My grandfather fought in World War II, my father served in Vietnam, and my own service was during the War on Terror — with two tours in Afghanistan.
Through those experiences, I had the honor of serving alongside remarkable people whose courage, sacrifice, and strength continue to inspire me every day. Their example reminds me that true leadership is rooted in service — in putting others before oneself and standing together for something greater.
Here in Ventura County, our Veteran Services Office carries that same spirit forward, helping veterans, their dependents, and survivors navigate federal, state, and local benefits.
If you are a veteran in need of support, please visit Ventura County Veterans Services.
