Category: Government

New Car Graduation Protocol Issued by Ventura County Public Health

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Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) today released a revised protocol regarding vehicle celebrations for graduations and other special observances. The protocol has been modified to allow graduates to briefly exit their vehicles on a timed schedule to receive their diplomas. Diplomas may be distributed using a no-contact pick-up method, maintaining physical distancing of six feet or greater. The protocol allows school personnel to take photos of graduates outside of their vehicles. Family members will be permitted to take photos from inside their vehicles.  

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 27

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Residents who visit Ventura County Harbor Department-managed beaches and parks will have improved recreational opportunities and be able sit and lounge while practicing social distancing guidelines.

Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval said the County is pleased to ease some of the soft closure restrictions –limiting beach and park access to physical activity – put in place in April 2020. The soft closure restrictions will be removed at Kiddie, Silver Strand, and Hollywood beaches and at the Harbor parks, including Peninsula and Harbor View.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 26

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Resources

COVID-19 Testing: Information is attached and included at www.vcemergency.com.
Food: http://foodshare.com/covid19/
Senior Services: https://www.vcaaa.org/covid-19/
Unemployment assistance: https://www.vcemergency.com/resources
Business resources: https://edcollaborative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EDC-COVID19-BUSINESS-RESOURCE-GUIDE.pdf
Wellness: https://www.wellnesseveryday.org/coping-during-coronavirus
Coping with stress: https://habits.vcbh.org/
Support resources: https://www.ventura.org/departments/hsa/community-events/coronavirus-remote-resources/remote-resources-during-coronavirus/
Frequently asked questions about the Stay Well VC Order:https://www.vcemergency.com/staywellvc/faqs-general

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Section 8 Voucher Program Provides Ray of Hope in Bleak Time

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As America battles COVID-19, low-income individuals, families, seniors and those with special needs – people considered our most vulnerable citizens – are bearing the brunt of the ensuing economic fallout. The trickle-down effect of unemployment, standing at more than 14.7 % or 36.5 million workers applying for unemployment benefits over the last two months, directly impacts tenants who can’t pay full rent and landlords, many of which have mortgages on their rental properties. This negative trend is hitting home right now in Santa Barbara and elsewhere.

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Hair Salons and Barbershops Permitted to Reopen

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The Governor announced today that hair salons and barbershops in most California counties can reopen as the state moves forward on the path to reopening. The County of Ventura was approved for a state variance last week allowing the County to move faster through California’s reopening phases. This allows for local hair salons and barbershops to reopen.

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700,000 Masks Being Distributed to Agricultural Community in Ventura County

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 The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, and the California Departments of Food and Agriculture, and Pesticide Regulations together have provided over 700,000 facemasks to help provide protection to farmworkers and other agricultural operations. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has been reaching out to growers, farm labor contractors, packer/shippers and pest control businesses to make arrangement to distribute masks from the Commissioner’s offices in Camarillo and Santa Paula.

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Amid COVID19 Budget Deficit, Jackson Bill to Bring Sunshine and Accountability to Corporate and Other Tax Breaks Advances

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As California lawmakers consider difficult cuts to address the $54 billion budget deficit resulting from the coronavirus, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 956 to bring oversight and accountability to billions of dollars in certain corporate and other tax breaks passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee today on a 4 to 2 vote.

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COVID-19 Case Rate and California’s Diversity — Patterns in Coronavirus Exposure

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Every case of COVID-19 is the result of someone having been exposed to the coronavirus. Here in California, as elsewhere, different people experience different exposures to the virus. Some individuals and families—those with work that can be done remotely, robust health insurance, and relatively easy access to a physician—have been able to reduce their coronavirus exposure by sheltering at home for the past eight weeks.

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

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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.

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Pioneer Valley High School Senior Awards Night (virtual) to be held May 26

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The Pioneer Valley High School Senior Awards Night will be a virtual experience on the school website at 6 p.m. May 26.

Panther staff, club advisors, counselors, and school administrators inside the Performing Arts Center recorded the event. A digital copy of the awards program is also available for downloading as a keepsake memory, according to Assistant Principal Greg Dickinson.

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Bilingual commentary — Don’t Be a Towhee!

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We are summoned to “fly with the eagles” or “watch like a hawk,” but few of us have ever heard of a “towhee” (pronounced “toe-hee”), although the California variety is prevalent throughout the west coast, from the very northern part of California to the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico.  We’ll never hear anyone urge us to “be a towhee,” nor to act like one. 

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Guadalupe Union School District — Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School Promotion

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About 150 Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School students will take their GUSD educational careers to the next level after they are promoted to high school on Tuesday, June 2.

There will be no physical graduation. Instead, a graduation video will include pictures of students and activities as well as encouraging words from current and former teachers. This video will be shared via email, ParentSquare, Social Media, and the school website.

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Late Stage 2 Businesses Can Now Open; State Just Approved Our County Attestation

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I am very pleased to announce the State Department of Public Health approved Santa Barbara County’s attestation to move further into Stage 2, which allows in-dining restaurants and retail stores to open as long as they follow safety guidance provided by the state and complete a self-certification of safe practices. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued this Health Officer Order, which provides local guidance.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 21

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VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your COVID-19 Update from the County of Ventura. 25 new cases 883 total cases 680 recovered cases 21 hospitalized 12 ICU 174 under quarantine 29 deaths 18,673 people tested   www.vcemergency.com   Business Information: www.vcreopens.com…

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Two Santa Maria public high schools will celebrate academic excellence during separate drive-thru events

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Two Santa Maria public high schools will celebrate academic excellence during separate drive-thru events today (Thursday, May 21).

Righetti High School’s senior awards are scheduled to be given out from 10 a.m. to noon in the bus-loading zone. About 190 students are involved, according to Daniel Solis, College and Career Specialist.

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Fifteen global shipping companies slowed cargo ships for 99,000 nautical miles in 2019 program off California coast to protect blue whales and blue skies

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The partners in an initiative to cut air pollution and protect endangered whales announced results from the 2019 program and recognized the 15 shipping companies that participated, reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Barbara Channel region. The voluntary incentive program ran May 15, 2019 through November 15, 2019. Partners hope to further recognize the companies at a ceremony at the Port of Hueneme later this year, depending on public health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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EDC NEWS- New Funding Opportunity for Laid Off or Furloughed Workers

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In partnership with America’s Jobs Center, the Human Services Agency is offering supportive services funds for individuals up to $800 if your hours have been reduced or eliminated due to the economic impact of covid-19. Additional eligibility requirements apply. Priority will be given to English language learners, low income individuals and those with barriers to employment. 

Please see flyer below for more detail or call 805.204.5186 for more information. Due to a high volume of calls, please allow up to 48 hours for staff to contact you.

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United Way of Ventura County Rapid Response Kits

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We have 12 more days for the Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

We need 250 more care kits to reach our goal!

Join United Way of Ventura County in honoring the homeless veterans in Ventura County this Memorial Day by joining our COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits campaign, which aims to provide essential hygiene supplies for our unsheltered veterans and individuals. These vital kits will be distributed by our county’s Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine team.

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UCSB — The Current — (COVID-19) Sewage Surveillance

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May 21, 2020 Top News Sewage Surveillance Researchers are developing methods to monitor the COVID-19 virus through the community’s wastewater. Read More ? A Boon to Research Four graduate students have been awarded Fulbright Fellowships to pursue projects abroad. Read…

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Port of Hueneme — Local Innovation Center Vaults to National Stage

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Harnessing the power of partnership, Department of Navy’s workforce “super-connector” NavalX announced an expansion of its Tech Bridge initiative to Ventura County. Joining five other new Tech Bridge locations around the nation, the Ventura location will be housed at the Port of Hueneme.

“I applaud our Federal partners for joining with us and the innovative ecosystem taking shape here in Ventura County,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess Ramirez. “This new designation will bolster the abilities of our community to develop cutting-edge technology right here at the Port.”

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EDC BUSINESS ALERT-Preparing for and Reopening Ventura County Businesses

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Ventura County has moved into Phase 2 of California’s reopening plan. Businesses that have been identified as eligible to reopen, must meet county and state health and safety compliance protocols.

At this time, we encourage all retail and restaurants that are interested in moving towards in store shopping and dine in service to read the safety protocols and compliance measures necessary to do so. Be prepared to reopen.

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SBCC selected for a partnership to provide immigration legal services to students

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Santa Barbara City College has been selected to participate in a pilot project through a partnership with the California Department of Social Services, the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to provide free immigration legal services. Through this partnership, The United Farm Workers (UFW) Foundation was selected to provide immigration legal services at SBCC starting May 2020. Over the course of the next year and a half the Community College Immigration Legal Services Project will provide free immigration legal services, including education and outreach services, to students, staff and faculty on California community college campuses statewide.

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Somis Union School District Selects Dr. Jesus Vaca as District Superintendent/Principal

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After an extensive search, the Somis Union School District Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Jesus Vaca as their new district Superintendent/Principal. 

Dr. Vaca has 29 years of experience in education. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels, and as an administrator in multicultural and bilingual programs. Most recently, Dr. Vaca served as the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, for the Oxnard School District. As a leader, Dr. Vaca has focused on increasing academic performance, student engagement and attendance. 

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Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Biggest Educational Event of the Year Goes Virtual

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While Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) most exciting and educational event of the year, Public Works Day, is no longer able to conduct in-person tours, students and the community can look forward to an interactive virtual tour and activities right at their fingertips. 

VCPWA will be providing a virtual tour of its favorite experiences, demonstrations, and materials to be utilized as an educational or social connection piece for students to learn more about the latest innovations in technology, careers, and science at VCPWA while also making it available to the whole community.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 19 — COVID-19 Response Information: Testing

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Testing:  The County of Ventura has expanded testing throughout the county for residents who have the slightest suspicion of having COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with it. You will not be charged for the test, and you don’t need to have health insurance. You may be asked for insurance information if you have it. Three new drive up testing sites will be open Wednesday. 1) Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura 2) Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. Moorpark 3) Ford Dealership 128 S. Hallock Drive, Santa Paula. More information about the state testing sites and county clinics can be found in the attached pdf and at www.vcemergency.com.

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COVID-19 Notice — Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office Open by Appointment Only

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The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office is committed to public service and even during this challenging time, for complicated cases, we want to offer taxpayers the opportunity to speak directly to our staff while our office is closed.

Beginning Tuesday, May 19th, 2020, our office will be available by appointment only for cases requiring in-person assistance. In order to keep both the public and our staff safe during this COVID-19 Pandemic, we are able to provide appointments under the following requirements:

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Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — More Testing and a Guide for Reopening

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Despite a large increase in the amount of testing, COVID-19 infections continue to be modest. During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors hearing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Director presented the above graph, which indicates that new cases have continued to decline if you exclude the cases from the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. At the Board of Supervisors meeting this coming Tuesday, the Board will receive a presentation on the Reopening In Safe Environment (RISE) Guide, which builds off of the guidance from the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap but also provides local guidance and best practices for industry sectors as developed by an expert panel.

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Ventura County Public Health Dental Guidance

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Dental health care personnel (DHCP) are in the “very high-risk category” for exposure to SARS- CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC recommends postponing elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) put out guidance on May 7, 2020 for resuming selected dental services. This guidance relies on low community transmission rates and ample supplies of PPE at the county level.

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State Sen. Sen. Jackson Releases Statement on Governor’s Revised Budget Proposal

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State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara) issued the following statement today on Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revise, his revised budget proposal:

“California is facing a very tough budget year as the result of the pandemic, and this revised budget proposal reflects this new and painful reality.

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Bilingual report — SMJUHSD Distance Learning Survey (English, Spanish and Mixteco)

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Parents and students will receive a survey tomorrow from Panorama via email.

We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. SMJUHSD values input from our community – and we need to hear from your student.  Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program, and overall experience for everyone.

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Ventura County Civic Alliance — Livable Communities Newsletter – May 15, 2020

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What we define as “livable” has now changed, of necessity, but what does this hold for the future?  In our first article, Kerry Roscoe takes a moment to think about the positives and negatives ahead of us.

Our next article takes a new look at the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) movement.  Each of us may have our own definition of what we think a NIMBY is or is not, but I would bet that few, if any, would define a NYMBY as Alan Durning has in his February 2020 article entitled KNOW THINE NIMBY.  Because the negative impact of NIMBY entrenchment is so strong, housing advocates need to better understand who we are addressing during debates regarding new housing. 

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California Office of Emergency Services Awards Coalition For Family Harmony $150,000 Grant

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The California Office of Emergency Services awarded the Coalition for Family Harmony a $150,000 grant to provide empirically-based domestic violence prevention support programming to couples from Latinx/Spanish-speaking populations in Ventura County.

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Coronavirus Pandemic Hits Hard at Oxnard’s Tourism Industry Following Strong 2019

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The coronavirus pandemic has hit hard at Oxnard’s tourism industry, which, according to Visit California’s latest economic impact report, was thriving in 2019.

The “California Travel Impacts” report, prepared for Visit California by Dean Runyan Associates, shows visitor spending reached $1.8 billion, a $33.8 million boost from 2018, and supported 17,050 jobs in Ventura County. Continued growth highlights how important tourism is to the region and California’s economy.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 13 — No cost covid-19 testing is offered for all community members at two state locations

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

25 new cases

725 total cases

477 recovered cases

23 hospitalized

12 in the ICU

24 deaths (2 ages 25-44, 5 ages 45-64, 17 ages 65+) all patients had comorbidities

14,384 people tested

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More Business Permitted to Reopen in County of Ventura

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The County of Ventura announces that more businesses are permitted to reopen on the State’s Roadmap to reopening. Governor Newsom announced modifications to the State-wide stay-at-home order today. The State has added more businesses to Early Stage 2. The Governor announced that Counties, under the guidance of the Public Health Officer, can move forward in reopening office-based businesses, car washes, pet groomers, outdoor museums and other public spaces.

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Jackson Bill to Require Backup Power for Nursing Homes Passes Health Committee

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As California faces another wildfire season and potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 1207 to require California nursing homes to have backup power for at least 96 hours during an emergency passed unanimously out of Senate Health Committee today on a 7 to 0 vote.

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Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Biggest Educational Event of the Year Goes Virtual

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 While Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) most exciting and educational event of the year, Public Works Day, is no longer able to conduct in-person tours, students and the community can look forward to an interactive virtual tour and activities right at their fingertips.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 12 — Register your business to reopen at www.vcreopens.com

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

22 new cases
700 total cases
475
Recovered cases
25 hospitalized
13 in the ICU
204 under quarantine
21 deaths
Tune in at 1 pm on 5/13/20 at www.vcemergency.com for a video update.

Register your business to reopen at www.vcreopens.com.

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Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Education approves Steve Campbell as principal of Santa Maria High School

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 The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Education on Tuesday night approved Steve Campbell as the principal of Santa Maria High School.

Superintendent Antonio Garcia made the announcement during the regular board meeting. Campbell has served as interim principal since April 2018 when former principal Joe Domingues retired.

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County of Ventura COVID-19 update for May 11 — No cost COVID-19 testing is available for all community members at two state testing sites

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Good Evening, Here is your COVID-19 update for May 11, 2020. Moving forward stats will be provided Monday through Friday. Stats from Saturday and Sunday will be included in the Monday report.

12 new cases

678 total cases

458 recovered cases

19 deaths

28 hospitalized

11 ICU patients

13, 715 tested

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Sen Jackson and Victim Advocates Decry Trump Administration’s New Title IX Regulations, Urge Bill to Ensure CA Schools Respond Appropriately to Reports of Sexual Assault

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As Trump Administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rolls back Title IX protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment on college campuses in federal regulations released on May 7, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s (D-Santa Barbara), victim advocates, and civil rights lawyers urge California lawmakers to pass pending Senate Bill 493, which will ensure California schools provide a transparent and fair process for all students involved in sexual misconduct investigations.

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Calls for New Approach to Agriculture: ‘Transitioning Away From Harmful Chemicals’

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Ventura County residents grateful for approval of restrictions

SAN FRANCISCO – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed all counties to tighten restrictions on pesticide spraying near homes, to protect children from toxic chemicals drifting from crop fields while they are homebound during the coronavirus pandemic. Newsome’s order signals a new approach to California agriculture regulation, calling for “transitioning away from harmful chemicals.”

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