Since Thursday, there are 82 new COVID-19 cases reported and 6,569 new tests performed. There are 57 people hospitalized, 10 in the ICU. There have been 0 additional deaths.
79.9% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
81.5% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
73.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (on Oct. 7) appointed Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (Thousand Oaks – D) to serve on the Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board. Established as part of the 2021-2022 Budget Act, the Cradle-to-Career Data System will link California’s existing education, workforce, financial aid, and social service information. These tools will help students and families more easily navigate the educational pipeline, as well as empower policymakers and educators to address disparities in opportunities and improve outcomes for all students throughout the state.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and associated learning disruptions have made absolutely clear the need for reliable data that spans across educational segments and institutions,” Assemblymember Irwin said. “This data system will be critical in identifying high impact practices, targeting resources where they are most needed to close equity gaps, and ensuring that all students have access to a roadmap for achieving their goals.”
Keith Freitas has been selected to run the County’s airports in Camarillo and Oxnard. The appointment as Director of Airports was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers. The selection included a national search garnering 45 applicants and a hiring panel comprised of community members from the Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Authority, Aviation Advisory Commission, a representative of the California Airports Council as well as the Assistant CEO and Community Liaison.
“Keith brings more than 30 years of combined airport management experience. He also understands the importance of community engagement and building trust with the community,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “His experience in master plan development and in strengthening partnerships and communication with all stakeholders will be a benefit for our airports and our community members.”
The requirement for employers to provide supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) to employees expired on September 30, 2021. Read below to learn more about the recent changes on the federal, state and local levels.
Federal Update
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which was extended through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to allow employers to voluntarily continue to provide COVID-related SPSL and still receive the available tax credits, expired on September 30, regardless of whether an employee is on leave at the time of expiration.
A clinical trial explores how virtual reality can help older adults and their families stay connected.
October 6, 2021 – COVID-19 Update COVID-19 Update Since Tuesday, there are 4 new COVID-19 cases reported and 5,436 new tests performed. There are 61 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 2 additional deaths of a 72…
In response to the ongoing community transmission of COVID-19 and the presence of the Delta variant, the new Los Angeles County Health Officer Order requires certain higher risk businesses to take additional steps to ensure the safety of their customers and employees, including verification of vaccination status prior to entry.
Updated Health Officer Order Requirements
For Los Angeles County Only
TODAY IS CLEAN AIR DAY!
IT’S OCTOBER 6 – Join us in challenging yourself to create clean air in your community. Take the pledge and agree to switch to a greener energy vehicle, tool or cleaner; vow to plant a tree or start a community garden plot; or reduce your vehicle emissions by walking/biking to work or taking public transit!
For calendar year 2020, the number of accidental overdose deaths (203) represented a significant increase from the previous year (128). Data from 2020 indicated that the rise was almost entirely related to the potent opioid drug fentanyl. The data contained in this report indicates that fentanyl overdose deaths rose dramatically during the second half of 2020 and have continued at a similar rate during the first six months of 2021. If overdoses continue at this rate, the number of accidental overdoses in the county could exceed 250 by year end.
The County of Ventura Public Works Agency has been awarded Employer of the Year for 2020-2021 by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Chapter 47. IRWA is a global, member-led organization of dedicated professionals whose purpose is to improve quality of life through excellence in infrastructure development.
In this case, the County of Ventura Public Works Agency provided technology and staff to ensure that Chapter meetings continued virtually during the pandemic with monthly programs continuing to show best practices on public works projects and real estate issues arising in the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County areas.
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the final election results for the September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election with 100% of precincts reporting.
A total of 321,553 ballots were cast in this election. Final results for this election yielded a 63.07% voter turnout. The county had a record-breaking total of 509,797 registered voters.
The County of Santa Barbara Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered through United Way of Santa Barbara County, is now accepting applications.
So many are still facing evictions and but aren’t aware that this assistance is available to them, so please help us spread the word!
The program is open to Santa Barbara County tenant-households with an annual income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), who have experienced a loss of income due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing a risk of homelessness or housing instability.
To apply, the income of a household (all individuals on lease agreement, related or unrelated) must be at or below 80% AMI (area median income).
Rounds 8 and 9 of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program will be closing September 30th! At this time, there are no other additional rounds planned, so do not miss your last opportunity to submit a completed application.
The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury is a panel of 19 local citizen volunteers established to investigate complaints about government mismanagement, verify that public funds are properly accounted for and legally spent, and investigate the policies, practices and processes of county or city departments in order to improve the efficiencies and effectiveness of our government.
Civil Grand Jury investigations can be generated from public complaints. If you have a complaint about county government, cities and special districts (school and water districts, etc.), you are encouraged to file a complaint any time. All complaints are kept confidential.
Since Monday, there are 234 (140 today) new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,704 new tests performed. There are 63 people hospitalized, 13 in the ICU. There have been 6 additional deaths of a 53 year old male, 68 year old male, 46 year old male, 51 year old male, 50 year old male, and an 87 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
79.3% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
80.9% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
72.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
96% of total reported COVID-19 deaths in Ventura County were among individuals with comorbidities.
Booster shot information.
COVID test information.
Get your flu shot.
www.vcrecovers.org
Following the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health endorsements, eligible County of Ventura residents can begin receiving their booster doses at any sites offering the Pfizer vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccine is recommended six months or later following the primary vaccination series for certain individuals.
People previously vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech whoSHOULD receive a booster include:
Age 65 years and older;
Long term care residents; and
Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities (including communities of color and others at risk of inequities).
On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, Mayor John Zaragoza issued a proclamation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Oxnard during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, cities nationwide recognize the cultures and contributions of the Hispanic community while also celebrating the independence days of several Latin American countries.
“In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage all residents to come together and celebrate through song, dance, and food, and to embrace and understand the customs, traditions and cultures of our friends, family and neighbors,” said Mayor Zaragoza.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Sept. 22 to establish a state-wide program for counties to create farmworker resource centers. Jointly authored by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Robert Rivas, and State Sen. Monique Limón, the bill establishes a grant program, funded in the 2021-2022 Budget, which allows counties to apply for funds to establish centers similar to the one created by Ventura County in 2017.
“I appreciate the work and support of my colleagues on this important issue, and I’m gratified by the Governor’s support.” Said Assemblymember Bennett, “The agriculture industry and the State of California need farmworkers who feel valued respected and supported; and this program will enable counties to access funding to support these critical members of our agricultural community.”
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Day two of the open house of the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) and Coastal Trident programs was a success with over 300 people representing partner organizations attending today’s event at the FATHOMWERX Lab located inside the Port of Hueneme.
Through a competitive process based on merit, eligibility, and the availability of funds, the Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District was selected to receive a grant award totaling $5.1 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This Department of Commerce’s EDA investment will provide long-term infrastructure enhancements to maximize facility utilization through dredging in Ventura County — a designated Opportunity Zone.
“This grant award and berth improvement project demonstrate our steadfast commitment to jobs and the environment, once again showing our ability to collectively foster economic growth and environmental stewardship,” said Oxnard Harbor District President, Jason T. Hodge.
We are so grateful for our amazing Respiratory Therapists! Ramiro Mares, Anait Serobyan, Jessica Rodriguez, and Scott Riegman (left to right) are among the many RTs helping COVID patients with breathing complications. Our daily actions help them. Thank you VC for continuing to do your part!
Celebrate National Drive Electric Week by attending an Electric Vehicle 101 webinar, e-biking webinar, Goleta or Oxnard EV showcase, or other virtual or live event. As a long-time electric vehicle driver, I can attest to the many benefits of owning an electric vehicle: significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs, various rebates, incentives, and tax credits, and of course reducing your greenhouse gas emissions! See below for some ways to engage and learn more about electric vehicles:
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Electric Drive 805 coalition partners are proud to sponsor a variety of free, in-person and virtual events leading up to and throughout National Drive Electric Week through October 2, 2021. The public is invited to learn about the wide range of electric vehicles (EVs) that can fit most every lifestyle and budget.
Beneficios de Conducir Vehículos Eléctricos Celebrados en el Evento de Exposición de Vehículos Eléctricos en Oxnard (National Drive Electric Week)
ssemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) announced that 6 bills that she authored have passed the State Legislature and have been sent to the Governor for his signature or veto. The six bills cover a wide range of issues impacting her constituents in the 44th Assembly District and across California. They are as follows:
Ventura County Public Health has extended the indoor mask order, requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. The order will continue to be in effect until October 19, 2021 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by the Health Officer. “Our current case rate of 19.3 is still considered widespread community transmission by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “We need to see a continued decrease in the case rate and hospitalizations before safely lifting indoor masking requirements to help prevent future surges.”
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its August 2021 report earlier today, showing moderate improvement to our unemployment rate but some surprising, even disturbing volatility in the labor force and employment data.
On the upside, the Ventura County unemployment rate improved from 6.4% in July to 6.2% in August, somewhat encouraging news since we’re still dealing with the slowdown caused by the Delta variant.
On the downside, that improvement owes less to new job creation than to the month’s dropout of 4,000 workers from the labor force, meaning they’re neither working nor even looking for work. That’s a big reduction to the County’s productivity and earnings, even worse for us that it’s on top of the roughly 9,000 workers we were already down from pre-pandemic levels.
Since Wednesday, there are 328 (184 today) new COVID-19 cases reported and 13,116 new tests performed. There are 96 people hospitalized, 31 in the ICU. There have been 9 additional deaths of a 23 year old male, 47 year old male, 51 year old female, 71 year old female, 84 year old female, 95 year old female, 66 year old male, 83 year old male, and an 81 year old male.
All deaths were among individuals that were unvaccinated.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
78.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
79.9% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
70.9% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Find vaccine and testing information at www.vcrecovers.org.
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture and contributions of Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. The observance was born in 1968 when Congress authorized the president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a monthlong celebration, stretching from September 15 to October 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month — like its shorter precursor — always starts on September 15, a historically significant day marking the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence September 16 and September 18, respectively.
United Way of Ventura County has hired two new team members to support its United to End Homelessness Ventura County initiative. Carie Bristow is now serving as housing navigation and retention case manager for the nonprofit, and Stefany Gonzalez has joined the team as housing navigator.
Michael Tripp has been named as the new Channel Islands Harbor Director. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers and follows a nationwide recruitment.
“As Director, Michael will be working with his talented team at the Harbor to collaborate with our business partners to create a robust harbor economy, work with the residents and community to enhance the Harbor’s recreational value, and champion enrichment projects to keep the Harbor vibrant and flourishing,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “The Harbor provides jobs and revenue, brings in tourism dollars and serves as a destination for people looking for restaurants, hotels, activities and events. Recently retired Harbor Director Mark Sandoval did an excellent job in positioning the harbor for success with the recent cooperation agreement and visioning process. We look forward to having Michael continue the momentum on this path.”
The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously supported more than $70 million in Business Assistance Grants for small businesses throughout the County of Ventura since the summer of 2020. The Board received a report at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting of the latest status and the impact those funds are having on local businesses. More than 7,000 businesses are in the final review to receive $10,000 in grant funding.
“In the midst of such difficult times it’s been extraordinary to stand up for our community and small businesses and allocate funds to address multiple health, social and economic impacts. I am grateful that the County’s strong financial position allows us to support our local economy through supportive programs like Business Assistance,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Linda Parks. “This funding has helped many small businesses keep their doors open.”
Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has named retired U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps’ Chris Kurgan, to the position of Director of Roads & Transportation. In his new role Chris will oversee the building, operating and maintaining of the public’s billion-dollar investment in the county road system. He will also be responsible for the public transit needs for the county’s unincorporated areas.
“I am very excited to join the Ventura County Public Works Agency as the Director of Roads and Transportation. After serving 31 years in the U.S. Navy and being assigned here four times, I look forward to serving the citizens of the county and those who serve to make our community a better place to live,” said Kurgan.
Chris served in the U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps for 31 years, and before retiring as Captain he served as the Commanding Officer of the Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps Officer’s school and Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering where he was responsible for the technical, character, and leadership development training for nearly 30,000 Facilities Engineer professionals and tradesmen. During his Navy career, he was responsible for the public works, transportation, environmental, capital improvements, and real estate responsibilities of the Navy across 11 northwest states.
The last email update was sent on Monday, September 13, 2021.
Since Monday, there are 371 new COVID-19 cases reported and 11,050 new tests performed. There are 97 people hospitalized, 32 in the ICU. There have been 4 additional deaths of a 55 year old female (not vaccinated), 67 year old female (not vaccinated), 93 year old female (not vaccinated), 79 year old male (vaccinated). Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
78.2% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
79.9% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
70.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
www.vcrecovers.org
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce the addition of two bottle filling hydration stations in Alameda and Shoreline parks. CEC is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Alameda Park hydration station, located near the Kids World playground.
City of Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo will speak, in addition to representatives from CEC and project partners El Gato Channel Foundation, and City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department. Commenting on the impact these new hydration stations will have on residents and tourists enjoying the parks, Mayor Murillo observed, “They will encourage everyone to use refillable bottles and embrace a sustainable lifestyle.”
Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) and AmericasHealth Plan (AHP) announced their collaboration on a pilot program to serve Ventura County’s Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
The three-year program would give up to 10,000 of GCHP’s more than 200,000 members the option of choosing AHP, a subsidiary of Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. (Clinicas), as the administrator of their health care benefits in the first year. As members of AHP, Medi-Cal beneficiaries will have access to Clinicas’ network of medical, dental, optical, preventive, specialty, ancillary, and institutional providers and will benefit from having their care coordinated by one entity. Members will maintain their access to GCHP’s providers for pharmacy, transportation, and mental health services, and to its 24-hour advice nurse line.
The last email update was sent on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Since Thursday, there are 1,146 new COVID-19 cases reported and 33,781 new tests performed. There are 111 people hospitalized, 34 in the ICU. There have been 6 additional deaths of a 79 year old female, 67 year old male, 75 year old male, 71 year old female, 35 year old male and a 87 year old male. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
78.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
79.7% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
70.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Testing information: www.vcrecovers.org/testing
Vaccine information: www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine
The Ventura County Office of Education is presenting two free, virtual conferences to help address the emotional toll the COVID-19 pandemic is taking on parents, caregivers and school employees. Entitled “Living Well: Healthy Children Need Healthy Adults,” the conferences will give attendees strategies and tools to use every day to increase resiliency, manage stress and improve overall wellness.
“Over the past year and a half, there’s been much well-deserved attention to the emotional impact the pandemic is having on children,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s also vital that we recognize the ways it’s affecting us as adults. When we take the time to improve our own wellbeing, we’re better able to meet the needs of our kids as educators and parents.”
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, with support from the Port of Hueneme and the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC), will celebrate numerous historical commemorations, including Mexican Independence Day, with the opening of two art exhibitions.
Twenty twenty-one marks the Bicentennial of the Consummation of Mexican Independence and 500 years of the historical Memory of Tenochtitlan, the fall of the Aztec empire. On September 15, 2021, the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard presents two exhibitions of Mexican art that celebrate the past and connect us to the present with contemporary work. One exhibit brings visitors closer to the giants of mid-20th century Mexican Art, including Leopoldo Mendez, Rufino Tamayo, Clemente Orozco, Francisco Toledo, Jose luis Cuevas, Fanny Rabel, and others through the incredible Mexican Print Collection of Gil García and Marti Correa de García from Santa Barbara, CA.
Sometimes we reach for an artifact, a bauble, a seashell, or a book because something—we don’t know what—attracts us to the object. It’s almost as if the object chooses us.
I’ve often randomly reached for books or watched a movie or documentary. For reasons unknown to me, they caught my attention and ended up giving me a new perspective that helped me understand more about the world around me. These sources of information have pulled my life into different orbits, and at times even changed the course of my existence completely and irrevocably. One of my latest book choices certainly had me reconsidering some of the things that I had observed and learned throughout my life.
Fifty-one vote centers will be open throughout Ventura County beginning Saturday, September 11. Voters can vote at any location; they are not assigned a specific location. Vote centers will offer same day voter registration and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant touchscreen devices and voting assistance.
The last email update was sent on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Since Tuesday, there are 233 new COVID-19 cases reported and 9,719 new tests performed. There are 143 people hospitalized, 37 in the ICU. There have been 8 additional deaths of a 44 year old male, 78 year old female, 82 year old male, 79 year old male, 83 year old female, 85 year old male, 74 year old female, and an 83 year old female. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
6 of the 8 deaths reported since Tuesday were among unvaccinated people.
77.7% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
79.4% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
69.6% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Testing information: www.vcrecovers.org/testing
Vaccine information: www.vcrecovers.org/vaccine
Mayor John Zaragoza announced the creation of the Mayor’s Gateways Task Force, a group of five everyday residents that the Mayor has appointed to lead the effort to create gateways into the City of Oxnard.
As part of the City Council’s 5-year priorities, the Council committed to restoring proper maintenance of parkways and medians, tree trimming cycle, and cleaning up the gateways to the City. Thanks to the voters’ approval of Measure E, residents are starting to see the landscaping restoration efforts throughout Oxnard over the past two months.
The Mayor’s Gateways Task Force will work collaboratively with City staff, community members and the Mayor to identify and create gateways to Oxnard that complement the City’s restored landscaping efforts.
Due to extreme heat throughout the state, the California Independent Systems Operator (which manages the flow of electricity throughout the state) has issued a statewide Flex Alert from 4-9pm TODAY. Due to the extreme heat, energy demand is expected to be high, and if demand exceeds supply, they will implement rolling power outages. To avoid outages, residents are being asked to conserve energy from 4-9pm today to reduce strain on the energy grid.
Please avoid using major appliances between 4-9pm today!
Before 4pm:
Pre-cool your home if you use air conditioning
Close window coverings to keep home or apartment cool
Use major appliances
Charge electric devices and electric vehicles
Between 4-9pm:
Set your thermostat to 78 or higher, health permitting
Avoid using major appliances like dish washers and clothes washers and dryers
Turn off unnecessary lights
Sign up for Flex Alert notifications here.
Round 8- Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Only
Application Window is still OPEN until Thursday, September 30th!
Round 8 supports California eligible nonprofit cultural institutions of any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5 or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to reapply. Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds. Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.
We encourage you to sign up for our partner’s no-cost webinars. Space is limited. Register today!
There has always been a certain degree of distrust toward science in this country—sometimes justifiably so. But over the past year and a half, that distrust has been amplified to literally dangerous levels, mostly via social media (many people’s only source for “news”) and extreme right-wing hysteria on the news channels.
The severe lack of science education in this country has fomented the massive paranoia that brings many of our fellow citizens to misunderstand, misinterpret, despise, and deny scientific information. National and state leadership that plays into the hands of an insidious disinformation campaign are decimating conservative bastions throughout the country with completely preventable illness and death.
Since Wednesday, there are 93 new COVID-19 cases reported and 5,794 new tests performed. There are 123 people hospitalized, 29 in the ICU. There have been 3 additional deaths of a 64 year old male, 91 year old female, and a 64 year old female. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have passed away.
77.1% of Ventura County’s population 12+ has received the first dose.
78.8% of Ventura County’s population 18+ has received the first dose.
68.8% of Ventura County’s population 12+ are fully vaccinated.
Anyone age 12 and older can get vaccinated for free in Ventura County. Anyone who is immunocompromised 12 or older can get a booster at any vaccine location.
How do I get a copy of my vaccine record?
Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine record portal to get a digital copy in minutes.
Find information about COVID-19 vaccines and testing at www.vcrecovers.org
September 1, 2021 – COVID-19 Update COVID-19 Update Since Tuesday, there are 183 new COVID-19 cases reported and 5,585 new tests performed. There are 124 people hospitalized, 24 in the ICU. There have been 5 additional deaths of a 58…
