Category: Government

Bilingual report — Public Defender’s Office provides services at pop-up site outside of Hall of Justice

by Community Contributor • June 16, 2020 • Comments Off

The Public Defender’s Office resumed in-person services this week. There is a pop-up site located in the courtyard between the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Justice at the Ventura County Superior Court located at 800 S. Victoria Ave. The pop-up tables will be open weekdays at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open during the morning and afternoon criminal case calendars.

Current clients and new clients that want but cannot afford their own attorney for a criminal matter, are asked to enter the Government Center from Telephone or Hill Roads and park in lots E or F. Then proceed to the courtyard between the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Justice to check in at the Public Defender table.

CSUCI police chief will embrace pledge made with 22 campus police chiefs to change use-of-force policies

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2020 • Comments Off

Effective immediately, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) police officers will not use the carotid control hold to restrain a subject, and no officer will receive or participate in trainings that teach this form of control, which involves putting pressure on a person’s neck to control their movement.

The action is part of a pledge by the police chiefs at all 23 CSU campuses to follow the public safety recommendations made by Obama’s President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 15 — Food Share Pop-up Sites

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2020 • Comments Off

Food Share Pop-up Sites
6/15 3 pm Ventura County Fairgrounds 1- W. Harbor Blvd
6/16 5 pm El Rio, Rio Mesa High School, 545 Central Ave
6/17 3pm Oxnard, College Park, 3250 South Rose Ave
6/18 3 pm Thousand Oaks, Conejo Creek South, 1300 E. Janns Road
6/19 3 pm, Santa Paula, Harding Park, 1330 E. Harvard Blvd
6/20/20 12:30 pm Moorpark, Ruben Castro Charities, 5700 Condor Drive

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Health Department issues modified health order Allows for reopening of additional sectors

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Health Department has issued a modified health order permitting the reopening of additional businesses that were previously closed. This Order will be effective June 11, 2020 11:59 pm and will continue to be in effect until extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Public Health Officer.

Sectors that may reopen on Friday, June 12 with modifications, social distancing protocols, and completion of the attestation process include, but are not limited to:

Guest commentary — Open Letter to Scott Whitney, Chief of the Oxnard Police Department

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Hello Scott,

It has been a while since we last talked or met. I think the last time we talked was at the old Social Security building, a few times in the past two years when you announced to us (CORE) and other community organizations and leaders your intentions to revising the two original Oxnard Civil Gang Injunctions (OCGI). You law enforcement folks saw the adverse decisions being render by courts up and down California that much of the language of the ill-conceived and hastily drafted Civil Gang Injunctions in California were being challenged, and upon judicial review were not passing judicial muster and where in eminent danger of being struck down and rendered unconstitutional. Under your leadership the OPD, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Offices, saw the writing on the wall and decided to drastically rewrite and modify significant language of the original OCGI.

Chiques Organizing for Rights and Equality (CORE) has been fighting for the abolishment of both the Colonia and Southside Oxnard Civil Gang Injunctions since their inception in 2003-2004 on the simple grounds that they are racist, profile a specific class of Oxnard residents (Latino men) and are outright unconstitutional, not to mention horrifically written and ambiguous ordinances. ABOLISH THE TWO OCGI NOW!!!!

Bilingual report — A message from County of Ventura CEO Mike Powers

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

We all watched in horror as Mr. George Floyd was killed by a Minnesota police officer, it is incumbent upon us to recognize the pain and the outrage of this injustice. Each time one of these needless and tragic events happens, it seems we all pledge and hope it will get better. And then this happens again. We have reached a tipping point from which we can never go back. My heart is with the family of Mr. Floyd, with the African American community and with all members of our community who are hurting, feeling hopeless, and afraid.

It is time we seize this moment and work to stop these events from happening. Together, as a community we can and will do it. We must do more. It starts with having an open and honest dialogue with one another. We value our relationships with our community members and community groups. We are stronger together. We stand in solidarity with those who wish to ensure all have a sense of safety, belonging, justice, equity and peace regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality or other identities.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 12 — Farmworker Resource Program

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Farmworker Resource Program: Special thanks to Oak Park High School and community member Olde Thompson for their generosity in donating to our local Farmworkers! Learn more about the Farmworker Resource Program at https://cdn.ventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Flyer_English_web.pdf. Learn about ways to donate at https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/Farmworker_Resource_Program_Donation_Flyer_v3.pdf.

Jackson and Stern Bill to Expand Emergency Alerts Passes State Senate Floor

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

jointly authored by State Senators Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) and Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), to expand and improve the state’s emergency alert systems and ensure local governments reach their most vulnerable residents passed off the Senate floor yesterday with unanimous support. The bill now moves to the Assembly.

SB 794 would allow cities and universities to automatically enroll residents in their emergency alert systems, while allowing them to opt out of receiving the notifications. The bill expands upon Jackson’s Senate Bill 821, which was signed into law in 2018 to allow counties to automatically enroll residents in emergency notifications, while preserving their ability to opt out.

Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley weekly ‘ZOOM CONEJO DEMS COFFEE’ on Saturdays

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

CONEJO DEMS COFFEE
RSVP Here
Link to Zoom Meeting will be sent by bed time on Friday (or very early Saturday morning).
Sign ups taken until 10:30 a.m. day of. Hope you can join us.

Join your fellow Conejo Valley Dems
for some friendly conversation.
Every Saturday
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A DCCV ZOOM!
Hosted by Henry Montalvo

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 11 — COVID-19 drive through testing sites

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

COVID-19 drive through testing sites are located at:
Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Rd., Ventura CA 93003
Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021
Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Dr., Santa Paula, CA 93060
NEW LOCATION: Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard, CA 93033 (Fri-Tue)
No appointment or insurance is needed.
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 10 am to 7 pm.
No cost.
You simply drive up and get tested while seated in your vehicle.
www.vcemergency.com

Meet the 2020 Ventura County Teacher of the Year

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

Eva Cherrie from Elmhurst Elementary School in Ventura VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) is pleased to announce that Eva Cherrie from Elmhurst Elementary School in the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is the 2020 Ventura County…

Peoples Self Help Housing — Join us as we build stronger communities, together

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

Dear Friend,
The past weeks have been difficult for so many reasons. COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily life and the justified civil unrest around our country has left our communities searching for solutions. We are committed to building inclusive neighborhoods where everyone is welcome and everyone thrives, and we stand united with all those promoting peaceful pathways to social justice.

Being part of the NeighborWorks America network, an affiliation of nearly 250 nonprofit organizations across the country, helps us creates opportunities for people to improve lives and strengthen their communities. Each year in June, we take a week to celebrate the achievements of the network and highlight the power of safe and stable housing.

This unprecedented year of 2020 sees us “Building Together’ and asking our community to submit their thoughts on “What Home Means to Me”. You can share and enjoy those inspiring thoughts at pshhc.org/buildingtogether.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Fire Department — 8:00 AM Status Updates for Elizabeth & Lime Fires

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

** LIME FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE **

Size: 450 acres
Containment: 20%
Expected Containment: Unknown
Total Personnel on Fire: 250

Current Situation:
Firefighters continue to build and improve containment lines around the fire,

Acres/Tamaño: 450
Contención: 20%
Fecha esperada de contención total: Desconocido
Personal total: 250

Situación actual: Los bomberos continúan contruyendo y mejorando las líneas de contención alrededor del incendio.

Ventura County Civil Grand Jury Announces Release of Report on Cybersecurity Strategies for Cities in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2020 • Comments Off

The 2019-2020 Ventura County Civil Grand Jury investigated cybersecurity strategies of the Cities in Ventura County to assess each City’s preparedness to defend against data breaches and ransomware and identify opportunities to implement improvements.

Cyberattacks on local governments increased across the nation during 2019. Half resulted in ransomware demands. As the reports of these attacks on cities unfolded, it became clear that better preparation could have assisted those cities to avoid major and costly data breaches.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Black Lives Matter

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2020 • Comments Off

This has been an especially difficult last couple of weeks as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic while being forced to confront the reality of systemic racism with the murders of several Black lives over the last few months – George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade. This isn’t the first time there have been protests in the streets over the taking of Black lives and a lot of the anger and pain you see is because of the reality for Black Americans knowing this won’t be the last time they have to protest in the streets to get justice and make change – and knowing that the next time the protest might be for them. We must take this time where we are already being forced out of the norm and out of our routine to look within our collective soul as a country and address the pain and discomfort of racism that has existed since the founding of our country.

County waives fees for various services to help businesses with impacts of COVID-19

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — To help address the financial impact on businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County Board voted unanimously to waive service rates and fees for many County services. The Resource Management Agency and Fire Protection District will be…

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 10 — Ventura County Pandemic Rental Assistance Program

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Pandemic Rental Assistance (VCPRA) program may provide temporary rental assistance for Ventura County residents with very low incomes who owe past-due rent because of a hardship due to COVID-19. Online applications will be accepted June 17 – July 1, 2020. Learn more at www.vcemergency.com/rent.

Ventura County awarded highest credit ratings despite impacts of COVID-19 Refinancing results in major savings

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2020 • Comments Off

The nation’s two top credit ratings firms – Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s – have awarded the County with their highest short-term rating and reaffirmed its triple A long-term credit rating – the highest possible rating. These ratings will enable the County to refinance and borrow funds at lower interest rates to fund critical needs, saving substantial taxpayer resources over time.

The high credit rating allowed for the County to refinance the Ventura County Medical Center Hospital Replacement Wing Bond on June 3 at a lower rate. This will save approximately $2 million annually in debt service payments resulting in $34 million net present value savings.

Un mensaje de los doctores de las salas de emergencias del Centro Médico del Condado de Ventura y el Hospital de Santa Paula

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2020 • Comments Off

Las comunidades de California continúan enfocándose en detener la propagación de COVID-19 a través del distanciamiento social. Estos esfuerzos son prometedores, pero una consecuencia involuntaria ha sido una brecha cada vez mayor entre las personas con padecimientos y los proveedores de atención médica. El departamento de emergencias del Hospital de Santa Paula ha visto una disminución en el número total de visitas a la sala de emergencias. “Esto es de esperar, cuando las personas no están saliendo fuera de casa”, explica el Dr. Richard Rutherford, médico de emergencias y director de calidad y seguridad de Seaside Emergency Associates. “Pero también nos preocupa que algunos miembros de nuestra comunidad se queden en casa cuando realmente tienen una emergencia médica”. A algunas personas les preocupa ser una carga al hospital durante una pandemia. Otros temen que puedan infectarse con el virus COVID. “Hemos visto pacientes con ataques cardíacos, derrames cerebrales y otras enfermedades críticas que han esperado demasiado para visitar el hospital”, lamenta el Dr. Rutherford. Demorar la atención médica de estos eventos potencialmente mortales puede dificultar que el equipo del departamento de emergencias recupere la salud de los pacientes.

EDC on June 10 to present Zoom webinar ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Building Your Business Through Instagram’

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2020 • Comments Off

EDC on June 10 to present Zoom webinar ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Building Your Business Through Instagram’

Melissa Livingston named Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2020 • Comments Off

By a unanimous vote on June 8, the Board of Supervisors concurred with the recommendation of County Executive Officer Mike Powers to appoint Melissa Livingston as the Director of the Human Services Agency.

“Melissa has been an influential County leader during her 40 years of service,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “She has been a great partner and an integral member of our County leadership team in supporting the mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate services for our diverse communities. Dedicated, bright and compassionate, she has dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable. She is exceptionally well qualified, and this is critical, especially as our community recovers from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Guest commentary — No Justice! No Peace!

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2020 • 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. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor Just…

Ventura County Library system is preparing to implement curbside services

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2020 • Comments Off

OXNARD — State guidelines for retail curbside pick-up were modified last week to allow libraries to provide curbside pick-up of materials, and libraries across the county have begun to reopen these limited services. The largest library system in the county, the…

Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley weekly ‘ZOOM CONEJO DEMS COFFEE’ on Saturdays

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2020 • Comments Off

CONEJO DEMS COFFEE SPECIAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING GEORGE FLOYD We will welcome special guests… Michelle Grue, PhD candidate in Education and local mom Gregory K. Freeland, PhD, Associate Dean, Inclusion & Research/Creative Works and Professor of Political Science RSVP Here Link…

County prepares $20 million grant program to assist businesses and renters

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

In an effort to assist businesses and residents, the County of Ventura’s CEO’s Office is finalizing a $20 million Economic Stabilization and Recovery Program aimed at providing relief to businesses and families by utilizing funding from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. These programs will launch on June 17. Residents and business owners can subscribe for updates at www.vcreopens.com to be informed when applications become available.

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District prepares for June 5 drive-by graduation ceremonies. See other district news here

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Righetti High School officials is advising students, motorists and area residents to expect traffic delays and road closures during the June 5 graduation parade.

The California Highway Patrol and the SB Sheriff’s Office will be strictly enforcing all traffic laws.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 4

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

26 new cases

1,216 total cases

884 new tests

30,025 total tests

952 recovered cases

21 hospitalized

8 in the ICU

35 deaths

Delta High School had its drive-through graduation/parade on June 4

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Delta High School had its drive-through graduation/parade on June 4

DHS – About 300 grads

Johnny Arguijo – Valedictorian

Nancy Elias Lopez – Salutatorian?

Arguijo received the Minerva Scholarship, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Scholarship and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Honor Student Award. Lopez earned the Breanna Nicole Rodriguez Scholarship, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Scholarship and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Honor Student Award.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency and Southern California Edison Enhance Safety by Upgrading Streetlights

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

In an effort to make unincorporated streets safer, Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) and Southern California Edison (SCE) are working together to begin work on May 26 to replace existing high pressure sodium vapor fixtures with energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights.

UCSB — The Current — The Fishy Future of Oil Platforms

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Marine biologists forecast the effects of oil platform decommissioning on fish communities.
Read More ?

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 3

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Evening, Here’s Your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

26 new cases

774 new tests

1,190 total cases

924 recovered cases

19 currently hospitalized

11 in the ICU

29, 141 total people tested

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Significant Testing Capacity Available & Business Reopening Webinar

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Yesterday, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department provided an update to the Board of Supervisors on COVID-19. Despite the reopening of more businesses and people out and about at the beach and downtown, our indicators have remained well within the guidelines set by the State. In fact, we have seen a 27% reduction of active cases. However, we need more people to take advantage of our increased testing capability. Many of you emailed me about procuring a greater amount of testing and now we ask that you please use it! I know many of you were not utilizing our local testing sites because you wanted to make sure they were available for healthcare workers, and other essential workers, but now there seems to be testing capacity for everyone who is interested. Please see more information on testing below:

Online appointment registration: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

La ciudad de Santa Maria, California, ha emitido una orden de toque de queda de emergencia

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2020 • Comments Off

La ciudad de Santa Maria, California, ha emitido una orden de toque de queda de emergencia • The City of Santa Maria, California has issued an emergency curfew order.

In an Unsettled World, the Ventura County Class of 2020 is Ready to Lead

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

It’s safe to say there has never been a senior year quite like this one. In March, the coronavirus crisis abruptly forced students from their schools and into a strange new world of distance learning. Then at the end of May, the death of George Floyd and resulting protests threw important and difficult issues of racism and equity into the spotlight in a way most students have never experienced.

This is the time of year when graduating seniors are usually celebrating with friends, attending proms and receiving their hard-earned diplomas in front of crowds of beaming family and friends. Instead, they are participating in car caravans, watching virtual graduations and contemplating an unsettled world where our economy, our social fabric, even our basic health and safety seem far from secure.

Against this backdrop, I am proud to introduce you to some remarkable Ventura County graduates who aren’t letting the difficulties of our current moment extinguish their spirit or stop them from pursuing their dreams. Among them are students who have personally felt the sting of social inequity and found the inner strength to rise above.

Firefighters to conduct live fire training on Thursday, June 4 at the Water Recycling Plant in Fillmore

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Fire Department, in cooperation with Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) and the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE) is proceeding with a live fire training burn in Fillmore on Thursday, June 04, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Fillmore residents may notice smoke and helicopter traffic in the area.

Conejo Democratic Club Meeting on Monday, June 8

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING!
Monday, June 8, 2020
6:30 pm – Arrival & Mingling
7:00pm – Meeting Starts
A DCCV ZOOM!
Register Here

Guest Speakers include…
Tim Allison
CSUCI Political Science Adjunct Professor
Educating Activists: The 5 things everyone should know to understand CA politics
&
Speaker(s) – TBD
Social Justice Update & Actions
around George Floyd

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for June 2

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

Good Morning, Here’s your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura.

12 new cases

401 new tests

886 recovered

1,164 total cases

28,367 total tests

19 hospitalized

11 current ICU

244 active quarantine

34 deaths

Increased Financial Help Arrives for Thousands of Vulnerable Individuals and Families in Santa Barbara County through COVID-19 Joint Response Effort

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

United Way of Santa Barbara County announced on June 1 that thanks to their generous supporters, the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County, has secured more than $1.2 million to provide ongoing support for individuals and families in need through Individual Assistance Grants. To date, more than 800 households (representing 2,600 individuals) have received much-needed relief funds. Hundreds more households will receive support in the coming weeks. Paying rent and covering basic needs remain the top concerns for the thousands of residents who have lost employment. In addition, 94 local nonprofit organizations have received grants totaling more than $1.3 million to also help them meet immediate and near-term community needs.

United Way of Ventura County’s Stuff The Bus Campaign

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2020 • Comments Off

Join United Way of Ventura County’s

2020 Stuff the Bus campaign!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families.