Category: Government

Bilingual report: Ventura County Continues to Seek Public Input on Analysis of Environmental Impacts for Draft 2040 General Plan

VENTURA — The County’s Planning Division continues to seek public input on the environmental analysis completed for the draft 2040 General Plan.  Through notification to community stakeholders, agencies, newspaper noticing, and over 1,400 individuals on the General Plan Update interested…

Bilingual report: Update from Ventura County Public Health — Test Results Are Negative for Pending Novel Coronavirus Case in Ventura County

VENTURA — The Ventura County Public Health Department has received negative results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding a possible case of the novel coronavirus in Ventura County. There are no confirmed cases or pending cases of the…

Bilingual commentary: The Real ID Experience

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. David Magallanes By David…

Jackson Announces a Ban on Facial Recognition Technology

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara),chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced plans today to introduce legislation to impose a five year ban on the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement and other public entities. The…

Applications for new PSHH affordable housing now available

Guadalupe Court waiting list opens February 28 Architectural rendering of Guadalupe Court CENTRAL COAST — Applications are now available for Guadalupe Court, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing’s (PSHH) newest affordable housing for farmworkers in Guadalupe, CA. Primary applicants must earn a substantial…

Bilingual report: Update from Ventura County Public Health on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

VENTURA — The Ventura County Public Health Department continues to take steps to prevent the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus. The health and wellbeing of the community remains Public Health’s top priority. In Ventura County, as in counties across the…

Bilingual report: Barry Zimmerman named Chief Deputy Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency

VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency is proud to announce that Barry Zimmerman has been selected as the new Chief Deputy Director. “Zimmerman has been an influential County leader with nearly 24 years of service spanning both the…

Bilingual report: What you need to know about the flu and the Novel Coronavirus

OXNARD — The City of Oxnard understands that some residents may be concerned about the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The novel coronavirus is a newly discovered virus that causes respiratory illness and is believed to have originated in Wuhan,…

Bilingual report: No ‘Forever Chemicals’ detected in Oxnard’s drinking water

OXNARD — Oxnard’s commitment to protecting local drinking water sources continues as the City’s tap water remains safe, clean and reliable.  Water quality testing shows there are no per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) contaminants in any of Oxnard’s water sources. PFAS…

Oxnard Harbor District Commission Appoints Celina Zacarias to Harbor Commission

PORT OF HUENEME — In a special meeting held on Monday, February 3, 2020, the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners appointed Celina Zacarias as Harbor Commissioner. Commissioner Zacarias will be filling the vacancy left by the passing of Commissioner Dr.…

As Valentine’s Day Approaches, Sen Jackson Introduces Bill to Create a Marriage Fact Sheet

SACRAMENTO –As one of the most popular days for marriage proposals approaches, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara)  introduced legislation today to ensure newlyweds are aware of the legal and financial commitments they agree to when they say “I do.” Senate…

2020 Ventura County Academic Decathlon Winners

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Ventura County Academic Decathlon, which was held in Oxnard over the past two Saturdays. Calabasas High School won both first and second place…

VITA tax assistance sites offer free bi-lingual tax return prep and filing for individuals/families earning less than $56,000

SANTA BARBARA —  As we head into tax season, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) will be providing  free income tax return preparation and E-Filing to help residents receive their tax refunds at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations…

Bilingual report: Ventura County Public Health Department Safety Alert – Novel Coronavirus

VENTURA — The Ventura County Public Health Department (VCPH) is working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to prepare for and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. There have been reports of two possible cases in Ventura…

Bilingual report: Vote By Mail Ballots for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election Available Next Week

VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today that Vote By Mail ballots for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election will be available beginning Monday, February 3, 2020. All voters have the option to vote by…

Guest commentary: Remembrances, Race, and Role Models: The Renaming of a Middle School

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 Frank P. Barajas / Guest contributor…

Port of Hueneme Leads Ventura County’s Green Economy

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme kicked off 2020 drawing the attention of Ventura County’s business leaders and environmental advocates earning the California Green Business Network Certification and the 2020 Outstanding Business…

Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Employees Continue to Strive Further in Helping Community

Ventura County Real Estate Services Employees Recognized inInternational Right of Way Association VENTURA COUNTY — Three employees from Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Real Estate Services (RES) have been recognized by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) for their commitment…

Guest commentary: When a country is perpetually at war and it views everyone as perpetual enemies

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 The…

Bilingual report: Oxnard Wastewater Plant to conduct required odor control maintenance

OXNARD — The Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant (OWTP) will be conducting required maintenance on the odor control system at the OWTP headworks facility building beginning February 3, 2020.  The work will require a temporary shutdown of the odor control system…

EDC January 2020 NEWS- EDC Welcomes Nan Drake as Board Chair

EDC WELCOMES NAN DRAKE AS 2020 BOARD CHAIR Nan Drake of E.J. Harrison & Sons was recently installed as 2020 chair of the Economic Development Collaborative’s board of directors at the organization’s 23rd Annual Meeting. “Nan Drake brings extensive experience…

Latino Issues Forum Candidates Town Hall for election for Supervisor to 5th District to be held Jan. 23 in Oxnard

OXNARD — The Latino Issues Forum will be holding its second Town Hall Candidates Forum for the 5th Supervisorial District for the County of Ventura from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Ventura…

Bilingual report: Sign up today for Oxnard’s Project Assist Utility Rate Assistance Program for income-qualified customers

OXNARD — The City of Oxnard is offering two more sign-up opportunities on January 22 and 23 for the Project Assist Utility Rate Assistance Program for income-qualified customers. Eligible residents will receive a $15 monthly discount toward their trash, sewer,…

Bilingual report: Robby to the Rescue! Ventura County Fire Department launches new educational video series

VENTURA COUNTY — Firefighter Robby, Ventura County’s favorite mascot, just launched his own video series in partnership with the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD). The premiere of the new “Robby to the Rescue” video series can be viewed by visiting…

Jackson Applauds Governor for Strengthening Family Leave in Budget Proposal

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement about Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to strengthen job protection for California’s paid family leave program in his January budget released today. “Having worked on this issue for over seven…

Bilingual commentary: Are We Listening to the Lessons of History?

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. David Magallanes By David…

Following State Audit, Jackson Introduces Bill to Improve Emergency Alerts for Vulnerable Residents and Students

SB 794 expands and improves California’s emergency alerts following deadly wildfires SACRAMENTO – Following the California State Auditor’s Decemberreport, which found that some California counties, including Ventura County, did not adequately alert their most vulnerable residents during recent wildfires, State…

Bilingual report: Poll Workers Needed for March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election

VENTURA — The Ventura County Elections Division seeks volunteers to staff and manage 390 polling places throughout the county for the upcoming March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election. Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn stated, “Being a poll worker is a…

Ventura County selects new Public Information Officer

VENTURA — Following a nationwide recruitment that garnered over 130 applicants, the County of Ventura has selected Ashley Bautista as their new Public Information Officer following the retirement of Bill Nash. The position reports to County Executive Officer Mike Powers.…

Bilingual report: Three Political Parties to Permit No Party Preference Voters to Participate in Presidential Primary Election

VENTURA — The American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties adopted a party rule allowing No Party Preference voters to participate in their March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election. The Republican, Green, and Peace and Freedom parties did not adopt this rule.…

Bilingual report — Ventura County Veterans Services Office Helps Veterans Reclaim Their Lives

VENTURA — For Tom, joining the Navy at barely eighteen brought him a deep sense of pride and community. For the first time he truly felt part of something and even today, he still smiles when he recalls handling radio communications…

Carnegie Art Cornerstones — Closing Reception Trabaj/Ho / Upcoming Exhibition Retrograde at Carnegie Studio Gallery

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Carnegie Studio Gallery will be CLOSED for installation of the upcoming exhibition January 5 – Jan 31, 2020. RETROGRADE  Retrograde simultaneously showcases rapidly progressing information technology and media interactivity as well as thoughtfully…

Bilingual poetry of Santa Maria High School Spanish Teacher Enedina Castañeda selected for display at the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico City

Courtesy photos. Photo credits: Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior SRE) Binational Congress Dic 5, 2019, ClaryArts – Clara Victoria Martínez Rojas SANTA MARIA — The bilingual poetry of Santa Maria High School Spanish Teacher Enedina Castañeda was recently selected and…

Ventura County Board of Supervisors approve extension of contract for County Executive Officer

VENTURA — On Tuesday, December 17, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to extend the contract for County Executive Officer, Mike Powers, through December 2024.  Each of the five Board members commented on the excellent work of Powers, citing…

City of Oxnard announces closures, reminders for Christmas, New Year’s Day Holidays

OXNARD — Residents and businesses are reminded that City Hall and many City departments will be closed for the upcoming holidays. The holiday office hours are listed below. HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS AND CLOSURES Tuesday, Dec. 24:     City Hall and…

Clean Air Grants Reduce Smog and Focus on Environmental Justice

VENTURA COUNTY — On November 12, 2019, the Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board approved $3.5 million in emission reduction grants for Ventura County businesses. This year’s grants will help pay for new, lower-emission equipment to replace 54 older, higher-pollution…

Jackson Bills, Including Women on Corporate Boards Requirement, In Effect Jan 1

SACRAMENTO –California’s publicly held corporations have until January 1, 2020 to add at least one woman to their boards as a result of legislation authored by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) . SB 826, signed into law by Governor…

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Receives Significant Donation from Gene Haas Foundation

AGOURA HILLS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) is pleased to announce a $10,000 donation from the Gene Haas Foundation to benefit the BGCGCV’s TechGen STEM Program. Through the TechGen STEM program the BGCGCV is: Expanding…

Ventura County reaches agreement on new three-year contract with Service Employees International Union

VENTURA — The Ventura County Executive Office is pleased to announce a new three-year labor contract with the Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents 4,500 of the County’s approximate 9,000 employees. SEIU Local 721 informed County management on December…

Clean Air Grant Helps Ojai Reduce Smog, Toxic Air Contaminants and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

VENTURA — On December 12, 2019, the City of Ojai celebrated the successful conversion of its gasoline-powered landscaping equipment to zero-emissions, electric-powered alternatives.  This conversion was supported in part by a $60,000 Clean Air Fund grant approved by the Ventura County…

Port of Hueneme Shatters Record: Closes Out 2019 with 1.65 Million Cargo Tons & 2,201 New Jobs

PORT OF HUENEME — Santa’s sleigh has been doubling as a boat this year, helping bring record cargo into the Port of Hueneme. The Port delivers another record breaking year for cargo, jobs, tax revenues, and economic impact. Cargo grew by…

Ventura County School Data Available in 2019 Dashboard

VENTURA COUNTY — A wealth of data about the performance of Ventura County schools and districts is now available in the 2019 California School Dashboard, which was released today by the California Department of Education (CDE). In addition to reporting on…

Member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley is a Recipient of the Ventura County Transportation Commission Art Contest

Artwork Takes to the Road CONEJO VALLEY — Tariq Ali, age 13 and member of the Rocky & Lon Morton Boys & Girls Club in Newbury Park was one of the winners of the Ventura County Transportation Commission’s (VCTC) Art…

Visit Oxnard Launches New Holiday Ad

OXNARD — Visit Oxnard is putting a unique spin on the holiday season with a new ad recently launched on its social media channels. The 30-second ad, filmed by local cinematographers, Steel Cut Productions, features a cast of familiar Oxnard faces…

Bilingual report: Volunteers needed to assist in annual homeless count in Ventura County

VENTURA —  Community volunteers are needed for the annual count and survey of homeless persons in Ventura County. The 2020 Ventura County Homeless Count has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2019. The annual Homeless Count is coordinated by the…

Established in 1969, HACSB blossomed from 27 Monteria family apartments to 1,369 owned and managed housing units and two new projects slated to open in 2020

SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) is pleased to announce that 2019 marks the agency’s 50th anniversary. Established in 1969, HACSB is at the forefront of solving our local housing crisis by working to…

Período de Nominación para la Elección Primaria Presidencial del 3 de marzo de 2020 se Extiende para Dos Cargos

VENTURA – – El Secretario-Registrador, Registrador de Votantes Mark A. Lunn anunció la extensión del período de nominación hasta las 5:00 p.m. el miércoles, 11 de diciembre de 2019, para dos cargos que están programados a ser votados en la Elección…

Catch the ‘ELF on the GO’ Holiday Bus at a Stop Near You

Ride Gold Coast Transit District’s decorated holiday bus, December 4th – January 4th~ OXNARD — Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), with support from Montecito Bank and Trust and Rubberneck Signs, is excited to announce the fourth annual appearance of its…

Bilingual report: Free Sand and Sandbags Available for Oxnard Residents at City’s Corporate Yard

OXNARD — In advance of the rainy weather being forecast for this week, the City of Oxnard would like to remind residents that free sand and unfilled sandbags are available at the City’s Corporate Yard. Residents will be able to come…