VENTURA — Sometimes the small things make a big difference. For many people without a permanent home, a pair of clean, warm socks brings comfort that the more fortunate take for granted. The Ventura County Continuum of Care recently applied…
Category: Health
Jackie Rose selected to run County’s Animal Services Department
VENTURA — Jackie Rose has been selected as the new director of the Animal Services Department. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers following a search which included strong internal and external candidates. Rose will be relocating…
Jackson Bill To Reduce Gun Violence Passes Key Committee
SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s Senate Bill 55, which would restrict gun ownership among Californians with repeated convictions of certain alcohol offenses, passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today on a 5-1 vote. The bill is based on…
Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Partnership Council Members and Intern, Including Lawyer and Financial Expert
Click here for the entire e-newsletter Community Leaders Join CEC to Help Combat Climate Change and Resultant Climate Justice Issues SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce new additions to its Partnership Council and Intern…
Psychiatrist Lindsey Law, M.D. Joins TheraMind Center of Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA — The TheraMind Center of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce that Dr. Lindsey Law, M.D., a resident physician in psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior in Los Angeles, will be joining their…
Oxnard to celebrate César E. Chávez Day on March 24
OXNARD — Join the 26th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Justice, meeting at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 24 at Cesar Chavez School, 224 Juanita Ave., Oxnard. “UFW President Teresa Romero and Ventura County farm workers want to invite you to join…
RISE Implements New Tool to Link Sexual Assault Survivors to Resources
Press Conference Set for March 22 on Superior Court Steps in San Luis Obispo SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – The community is invited to a March 22 press conference to announce Seek Then Speak, a new tool to support sexual…
Pesticide approval process in Ventura, Santa Barbara may have violated state law, UCLA report finds
Permits were granted without considering safe alternatives for hazardous pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, or how pesticides may interact with one another VENTURA COUNTY — California’s County Agricultural Commissioners failed to comply with state law requiring them to not issue permits for…
United Way of Ventura County update for March 21 — Uniting to help those in New Zealand
Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message Dear Friends, Please take a moment to read the following message from United Way New Zealand CEO Teresa Moore regarding the recent shooting in Christchurch. “There are many people who are affected…
Material Interactivo de Educación de Salud Ahora Disponible en la Red
Material Interactivo de Educación de Salud Ahora Disponible en la Red Accesible para Miembros de CenCal Health, Médicos, y la Comunidad en General en los Condados de Santa Barbara y San Luis Obispo SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, el plan…
More than 102,000 Tons of Fire Debris Removed from Los Angeles, Ventura County Properties by State Contractors
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — State contractors have removed more than 102,000 tons of debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from private properties in Los Angeles and Ventura counties since debris removal operations began on February 6, officials with the Debris…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Fire Department Investigators Determine the Cause of the Thomas Fire
CAMARILLO — After a thorough investigation, the Ventura County Fire Department has determined the Thomas Fire, which occurred in December 2017, was started by power lines coming into contact during high winds. The Thomas Fire started on the evening of…
Ventura County Public Health provides Influenza update
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Health on May 12 provided an Influenza update. Click here for the entire media release.
Chuck Madson Named Substance Abuse Treatment Program Manager
Program Focuses on Teens and Young Adults SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Family Service Agency– Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center (FSA-SMVYFC) are pleased to announce that Chuck Madson has been hired as Program Manager of its Substance Abuse Treatment program.…
Bilingual report: Ventura County Sheriff breaks ground on jail facility for inmates with health issues
SANTA PAULA — Ventura County officials and contractors held a groundbreaking ceremony at Todd Road Jail on March 6 to begin the expansion project that will result in a 64-bed unit designed to house inmates with medical and mental health issues.…
Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office 2018 Overdose Report
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office this week released its 2018 Overdose Report: 1,563 deaths were reported to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office during calendar year 2018. Jurisdiction was accepted for 806 of these deaths, requiring further…
CSUCI Nursing program ranked 8th best in the state
CAMARILLO — RegisteredNursing.Org has named CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Nursing program 8th in its 2019 Best RN Programs in California. CSUCI’s program rose from its 12th place rating in 2018. The Third Annual RN Program Rankings placed CSUCI’s program in…
Author and Buddhist Teacher Roshi Joan Halifax Draws Capacity Crowd for Talk on Life and Death
SANTA BARBARA — On Wednesday, February 27th, Roshi Joan Halifax, a renowned Buddhist teacher, author, Zen priest, and anthropologist, talked about her perspectives on death and dying before a packed house at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara. “Courage,…
Pioneer Valley High School students donating to Good Samaritan Shelter
SANTA MARIA — Students at PVHS will bring a touch of home to the Good Samaritan Shelter on Thursday, March 7th. Carrying 75 hand-made pillows and containers of chicken tortilla soup, the students from PV’s Culinary Arts and Apparel Construction and…
Bill introduced to prevent unauthorized sale of consumer geo-location information
SACRAMENTO – AB 523 was introduced by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) in response to the continued misuse of geo-location data of mobile phone subscribers. Investigations and media reports over the last year have chronicled how large mobile…
Nearly 100 Properties Cleared of Woolsey, Hill Fire Debris
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Nearly 100 residential properties affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires have been cleared by state contractors of burned metal, concrete, chimneys, ash and other debris, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas reported today.…
Progress Continues in State’s Woolsey, Hill Fire Recovery Effort
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Efforts to remove debris generated by the Woolsey and Hill fires from private properties in Los Angeles and Ventura whose owners have opted into the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program continue to progress, officials with the Debris Removal…
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill to reduce firearm related suicides
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) on Feb. 15 introduced Assembly Bill 645, a bill to reduce firearm related suicides. “There has been a startling increase in firearm suicides throughout California and the nation,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin.…
Ventura County Health Care Agency Hires Chief Financial Officer
VENTURA — The Ventura County Health Care Agency has hired Karla Valle as its chief financial officer after a lengthy national search. Valle has been the Area Chief Financial Officer for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan in Antelope Valley…
Jackson Introduces Bill to Protect Older and Disabled Adults From Falling
SACRAMENTO –Recognizing that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among older adults, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to assist older and disabled adults with home modifications to help reduce the risk of falling and allow more…
Valentine’s Day Challenge for Families; A Plan for the Other 364 Days of the Year
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Every February, red roses and heart-shaped boxes of sweets everywhere are a constant reminder that we should be showing our love for our spouse or partner – on just one day each year. With Valentine’s Week…
Ventura County Public Health reports on influenza-related deaths this flu season
VENTURA COUNTY — As of February 7, 2019, Ventura County has seen 5 influenza-related deaths this flu season, which started in October 2018, the Ventura County Public Health, a department of Ventura County Health Care Agency reported Feb. 11. Click here…
Family Service Agency Names New Board Members
SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Joining its Board and representing communities throughout Santa Barbara County are Marisol Alarcon (Carpinteria), Robert Janeway (Santa Barbara), Sandra Underwood…
The Mary Kay Foundation? Awards RISE $20,000 Grant
The Mary Kay Foundation Supports Victims of Domestic Violence by Issuing $3 Million in Grants to 150 Domestic Violence Shelters Across the Country SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — In support of survivors of domestic violence, The Mary Kay FoundationSM announced…
Bilingual commentary: When Diet Is Our Religion
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. By David Magallanes •…
Jackson Calls for Master Plan on Aging Californians
Introduces legislation to develop senior master plan and appoint an “Aging Czar” SACRAMENTO — As California’s aging population continues to grow with significant numbers struggling to access essential care, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation Feb. 7 to develop a master…
Bilingual report: County Fire receives grant funding for Child Passenger Safety Education and Training Program
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Protection District has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to expand the department’s Child Passenger Safety Program. Together with Safe Kids Ventura County and Ventura County Public Health,…
Yarrow Family YMCA—Final Fundraising Push Before Spring Opening
THOUSAND OAKS — The Yarrow Family YMCA is $375,000 away from reaching its $12 million fundraising goal needed to complete construction before its opening this spring. Construction recently resumed in May 2018 with the building slated to open very soon.…
Assemblymember Irwin introduces bill package addressing gun violence
SACRAMENTO – On the same week that the State Assembly adjourned in the memory of the Borderline shooting victims, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D – Thousand Oaks) introduced a package of bills that will help keep firearms out of the hands…
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams: Evacuation Warning issued for Friday evening
Greetings! , The weather advisory issued for FRIDAY night through SATURDAY morning has been upgraded to an evacuation warning. A storm is coming in that is expected to be exceed thresholds to require evacuation. This means that we are in the…
Local high school teacher learns new lessons from foster student
VENTURA COUNTY — Karen Blackwell has dedicated 40 years of her life to teaching middle school and high school students. For the last 25 years she taught at Ventura High School where, in August 2017, she first met Keanna, a…
Das Williams: Weather Advisory for Friday Evening
Greetings! , Our County Office of Emergency Management has issued a weather advisory for FRIDAY night through SATURDAY morning. A storm is coming in that is expected to be exceed thresholds to require evacuation. This means that we are in the…
Jackson Introduces Bill to Ensure Emergency Plans Address Diverse Population Needs
SB 160 directs emergency planners to consider linguistic and cultural needs of all residents SACRAMENTO –Following the deadliest and most destructive fire season in California history, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to ensure local governments address the diverse…
National Sexual Assault Experts to Train Local Law Enforcement on Feb. 22
SLO County Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Victim Service Professionals to Receive Training from National Experts on Sexual Assault Response SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Over 200 law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, victim service providers and others are expected to attend a…
Livingston Memorial announces upcoming Grief Support Groups
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. No two people grieve alike, even when experiencing the same loss. **Free**Bereavement Support Groups Livingston Memorial VNA and Hospice OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HELD WEEKLY / DROP INs WELCOME…
After 16 years RISE retires Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
Mark your calendars for ‘RISE Up & Rock’! SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — For sixteen years RISE has hosted Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence and empowering SLO County to take…
Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 26th Annual David Fainer/Leo Tauber, MD Awards. The nomination deadline is Feb. 15
VENTURA — Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 26th Annual David Fainer/Leo Tauber, MD Awards, to be held Aug. 8, 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15. These awards recognize outstanding community contributions by…
SoCalGas’ Smart Therm Program Wins Award at 29th Annual Association of Energy Services Professionals Conference
Demand response program recognized for outstanding achievement in innovation LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that its Smart Therm Program received the Energy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Demand Response and Pricing from the Association of Energy…
Focus of State’s Southern California Debris Removal Program Turns to Site Assessments, Debris Clearance as Removal of Household Hazardous Waste Nears Completion
VENTURA COUNTY — As work crews from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) finish clearing the few private properties destroyed by the Woolsey and Hill fires still containing household hazardous waste (HHW),…
SoCalGas ‘Dial It Down’ Alert Has Ended
LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that effective as of 8 a.m., the “Dial It Down” Alert, urging customers to conserve natural gas, has ended. The “Dial It Down” Alert was initiated on Monday, January 14 in…
Jackson Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Paid Family Leave
Legislation follows Governor Newsom’s promise to expand paid family leave SACRAMENTO –Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he is committed to expanding paid family leave, State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation today to strengthen California’s family leave laws and create…
Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 16 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month
OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on…
First Responders Honored at Fire Hose Flag Ceremony on Anniversary of Debris Flow
SANTA BARBARA — A flag dedication ceremony was held at the Santa Barbara Courthouse the morning of January 9th, 2019, the one-year anniversary of the Montecito Debris Flow. Elected officials and first responders joined the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF)…
CenCal Health Recognizes Top Physicians, Health Centers for Quality Care, Cost Management
SANTA BARBARA — CenCal Health, the regional health plan for Medi-Cal, recognized the work of local network physicians and healthcare centers through their Primary Care Providers (PCP) Incentive Top Performer awards. The awards acknowledge PCPs across San Luis Obispo and…
State Sen. Jackson Applauds Governor’s Bold First Budget Proposal
Budget commits to robust emergency preparedness and paid family leave SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal released today. “I applaud Governor Newsom’s visionary yet prudent approach to addressing some…