Category: Local

Jeff Gorell elected Chair of Ventura County Board of Supervisors

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I wanted to share a quick update with you. At our first regular Board of Supervisors meeting of 2026, my colleagues on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors elected me to serve as Chair of the Board, and Supervisor Vianey Lopez was elected to serve as Vice Chair.

I am truly honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role. I also want to thank Supervisor Janice Parvin for her leadership as Chair over the past year and for her continued service to our county.

Ventura County is an extraordinary place to call home—defined by breathtaking beauty from the mountains to the coast, recognized as one of the safest large counties in California, and strengthened by a growing and innovative economy, with our life-saving biotech sector at the forefront. Our County’s strong fiscal footing and dedicated public servants allow us to continue delivering essential services while planning responsibly for the future.

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Bilingual report — City of Ventura launches housing workshop series

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is launching Ventura Housing Connections, a free workshop series that helps tenants, property owners, and property managers build informed, successful rental relationships.

The workshops will deliver clear, practical guidance on rental rights and responsibilities, housing standards, communication strategies, and local housing resources. Designed for both new and experienced renters and property owners, the series supports conflict prevention, stronger communication, and housing stability throughout Ventura.

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Community Environmental Council recruits Winter Class of Climate Stewards

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“At a time when federal support for climate action is shrinking, communities are increasingly being asked to lead,” said Kathi King, Course Instructor and CEC’s Director of Outreach and Education. “The Climate Stewards program builds the local capacity needed to meet the climate crisis head-on, empowering people to take meaningful action and drive solutions in their own communities.”

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After 100 years of industrial use, Crooked Palm now permanently protected for recreation, ecological restoration

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“Crooked Palm’s transformation from an abandoned industrial site to protected land is a victory for Ventura and all Californians. Restoring this land protects habitat, strengthens regional climate resilience, and opens healthy access to the outdoors in a community where it’s needed most,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Vice President of the Pacific Region and California State Director for Trust for Public Land. “For the first time in more than a century, this land will increase connection to the Ventura River and provide the public with the physical and mental health benefits that come with close-to-home access to nature.”

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Bilingual report — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles through Jan. 18

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SANTA BARBARA — Join ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) for free community performances by Mariachi Reyna. The performances are part of Viva’s mission to make world-class performing arts accessible to students, families, and underserved communities throughout Santa Barbara County.

FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES 

Friday, January 16 | 7 PM  Isla Vista Elementary

Saturday, January 17 | 7 PM | Guadalupe City Hall

Sunday, January 18 | 6 PM | Marjorie Luke Theatre

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles®, the first all-female mariachi in the United States, is that they have paved the way for other female mariachi groups to exist at the professional level. Reyna, which was formed in 1994, has truly broken the stereotypes surrounding Mariachi music. In a musical landscape of songs that are often written by men, and for men, Reyna has created their own history.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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SBA: HOW TO START A BUSINESS

January 12 @ 10:00 am

Are you interested in starting a business? If you are please join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to learn about SBA’s 10 Step Guide on How to Start a Business. This virtual workshop targeted to new entrepreneurs, covers topics from creating a business plan, finding capital, registering your business, getting necessary permits and/or licenses and getting a business bank account. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you. This webinar will be held online via Microsoft Teams. Please register to obtain the login information. Please note, if you are planning to use a mobile device or tablet to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app to your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance. Price: Free.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Announcing the Music Academy’s 2026 Board Officers and Directors

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SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West proudly announces its 2026 Board officers and welcomes six members of the community to the board. This remarkable group will help grow the Music Academy’s mission to provide musicians and audiences alike with transformative music experiences through public performances and community programs. Board officers and members began their terms on January 1, 2026, and September 16, 2025, respectively.

Welcoming Returning Board Officers

We take great pride in announcing the Music Academy’s 2026 Board officers, now in their second year of service, whose guidance will help the Music Academy’s future. With their deep commitment to music education, they bring a wealth of expertise and a shared passion for the arts:

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Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Grateful for you and the community power we’re building

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As the year comes to a close, we want to pause and say thank you.

(2025) brought real challenges – and even in just the last few days, ICE has once again caused real fear and harm in our communities. Neighbors are showing up for one another with care, courage, and solidarity, reminding us that safety and resilience come from deep community organizing and connection.

This year you and your CAUSE staff, leaders, and coalition partners were able to meet this moment – showing up alongside families, tenants, farmworkers, and youth when it mattered most, while continuing to strengthen our organizing and shared values.

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Bilingual commentary — A Shift in Vocabulary to Diffuse Tensions

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Several weeks ago, I had the chance to practice a skill that has greatly benefited me several times throughout my life: choosing nonconfrontational language over words that bring out the knives. 

I was doubting the fairness of a bill sent to me by a home service provider. I didn’t think it was justified, given the circumstances, but I was willing to talk with the billing department and hear their perspective. After all, I reasoned, it was entirely possible that they deserved to be paid every cent they were charging me

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Guest commentary — Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Rest in Power Renee Nicole Good

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Dear Community,

We mourn the loss of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis. Our thoughts are with her children and family. In her, we see the countless legal observers and rapid responders here in our own hometowns who have selflessly volunteered and courageously risked their own lives to defend our immigrant community from the inhumane raids of this administration.

There is no justification for federal agents killing a woman exercising her legal right to observe their actions. This is the horrific result of a widespread pattern of ICE agents threatening, arresting, and using physical force against concerned community members, regardless of citizenship status. It is clear from our own experience in the Central Coast of California, and across the country, that this is not an isolated incident or the bad behavior of one officer. Excessive use of violent force, disrespect for due process and civil liberties, and aggressive militarized tactics are rooted in ICE’s training and culture. This entire agency, “Border Czar” Tom Homan, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and President Donald Trump must be held accountable for turning cities and towns across the United States into war zones for political theater.

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Southeast Ventura County YMCA served over 34,000 people and provided $439,797 in financial assistance In 2025

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“Our financial assistance program ensures everyone has access to after-school care, swim lessons, youth programming and facility memberships regardless of income status,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA president and CEO. “From these foundational YMCA programs to our community outreach, we remain dedicated to changing lives and fostering growth in every generation we serve.”

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Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula welcomes new deputy city manager

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SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is pleased to announce the appointment of Aminah Mears, DPA, as the City’s new Deputy City Manager, effective Monday, January 12, 2026.

“Aminah’s experience, professionalism, and dedication to public service will be a tremendous asset to the City of Santa Paula,” said City Manager Dan Singer. “We are excited to welcome her to our leadership team and look forward to the positive contributions she will make working for the City and for our community.”

Following her appointment, Aminah will service in a key leadership role supporting city operations and strategic initiatives. In her role as Deputy City Manager, Aminah will support City Manager Singer, oversee the City’s successful fellowship program, and will join the City’s Executive Management Team. She will assist with the implementation of City Council policies and programs that serve the Santa Paula community.  

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Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara January 13 Board of Supervisors Meeting

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The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026
County Administration Building, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room
in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.

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Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Host your 2026 event at a venue driving climate progress

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The new year welcomes new goals, fresh momentum, and the chance to plan out your events with intention. At CEC’s Environmental Hub (1219 State St., Santa Barbara), you can host your 2026 gatherings in a space that’s both memorable and meaningful, while simultaneously supporting a climate-safe future for the Central Coast. Every booking powers CEC’s critical work to protect our region from climate impacts.

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Ventura County Taxpayers Association — 2026 New CA Laws

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Affordability for Ventura County residents will be the focus of most people’s attention this year. Although we have identified no new countywide taxes or major local sales tax changes for 2026, many of the new laws impose mandates that raise living costs without direct taxpayer approval.

Several new state laws and adjustments take effect in 2026 that will impact your wallet—through higher costs, increased business expenses (often passed to consumers), or direct taxpayer-funded programs. 

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Women’s Economic Ventures names Amgen’s DeAnna Steiger, Ph.D. as Board Chair

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CENTRAL COAST — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has named DeAnna Steiger, Ph.D. as its Board Chair, effective January 1, 2026, as the non-profit enters its 35thyear of serving women and entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Steiger will serve a two-year term and succeeds Melissa Livingston, retired Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and a longtime WEV Board member. Livingston will remain on the Board for one additional year.

Steiger has served on WEV’s Board since 2022 and most recently chaired the organization’s Development Committee. During that time, WEV strengthened its fundraising strategy and grew participation in the League of Extraordinary Women, the organization’s annual giving circle. The organization also expanded donor engagement and stewardship through major fundraising efforts tied to International Women’s Day and National Give to Women and Girls Day.

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Friendship Center Adult Day Care Center— The Friendly Finch: January 2026

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It’s 2026! I don’t know about you, but I was ready for 2025 to come to a close. Something about the end of the year always makes me a little antsy; and this year especially, as we step into something monumental here at Friendship Center: 2026 is our 50th anniversary year.

It’s incredible, and honestly a wee bit impossible, to imagine the thousands of people who have been reconnected to our community through our programs, the families who have found relief, and the moments of pure joy that mattered more than anyone could have known at the time. We aren’t taking this anniversary year as an opportunity to only look back, but rather as a chance to honor the love and care that built something lasting, something that continues to endure.

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HRCC graduation video “Your Future Starts Here” receives major award on behalf of the Tri-Counties HRCC program

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The video celebrates the accomplishments of graduates from the High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) program — a pre-apprenticeship pathway supported and funded by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) through annual state fund allocations. HRCC is a three-county program uniting local building and construction trades councils, workforce development boards, educational partners, and community-based organizations across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties to deliver structured training, a standard core curriculum, and direct pathways into state-certified apprenticeships.

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Cottage Health’s Grotenhuis Pediatric Clinics move to New Santa Barbara location

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“With all specialties under one roof and expanded space, this new clinic strengthens collaboration among our teams,” said Chief Pediatric Medical Officer Dr. Miriam Parsa. “Being right across from the hospital also supports smoother coordination when children require other services.”

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Museum of Ventura County — Free Admission for All in January

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The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for something new! Throughout January, enjoy FREE admission for all at the Museum of Ventura County. Join us to explore, reflect, and connect.

Open Thursday to Sunday

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

100 East Main Street, Ventura

Free admission is made possible by the generous support of Bill and Elise Kearney.

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces free event and webinar schedule

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SBA: HOW TO START A BUSINESS

January 12 @ 10:00 am

Are you interested in starting a business? If you are please join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to learn about SBA’s 10 Step Guide on How to Start a Business. This virtual workshop targeted to new entrepreneurs, covers topics from creating a business plan, finding capital, registering your business, getting necessary permits and/or licenses and getting a business bank account. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you. This webinar will be held online via Microsoft Teams. Please register to obtain the login information. Please note, if you are planning to use a mobile device or tablet to access this webinar, you must first download the Teams app to your device. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance. Price: Free.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Cottage Health welcomes its first baby of 2026

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SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital welcomed its first baby of the new year.

New parents, Jessica and Laurence welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Isla, at 4:41 am on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH).

Weighing 8 pounds and 16 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches, Baby Isla’s arrival marked an exciting start to the new year.

As the family begins this new chapter, a sentiment they shared felt especially fitting: “A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care.” — Frank Herbert, Dune

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Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) — Celebrations, Transitions, Holiday Wishes

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Justice in Motion – Celebrating Our Fellows: Part 1

Thanks to everyone who attended “Celebrate on November 8” at Studio Channel Islands Camarillo!

New 2025 Social Justice Fellows Julio Alcala, Shantel Ortiz, and Jon Cesario shared their inspirational messages of fairness, equity, human rights, and hope, including an impassioned call to action for justice for at-risk youth from Jon, who went off script.

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Ventura Music Festival — When was the last time…?

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If you are a Ventura Music Festival family member, some of our 2025 concerts are surely on your list. 

While tradition says, “celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary with pearls,” the Ventura Music Festival presented or cosponsored its most ambitious ever 30th season in 2025 — with a string of 30 treasured performances over eight months for audiences of every music taste in a dazzling array of music styles.

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My Way Home (Doing business as Ventura County Community Development Corp.) — Thank you for an impactful 2025!

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As we come to the close of 2025, I want to begin by saying thank you for being part of our community.

We were able to accomplish a lot of great things in 2025, including:
Assisting 265+ families in achieving or preserving homeownership
Providing 1,130+ individuals with free homeownership and financial education
Providing 515+ families with access to free financial coaching
Financing $15M+ in first mortgages for low- and moderate- income families for the purchase of safe and affordable homes
Awarding or facilitating $1.4M+ in down payment and closing cost assistance for low- and moderate- income families

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Casa De Vida Inc. — Looking ahead with gratitude

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As we near the end of another year, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement have meant more to us than we can fully express.

This year brought its share of challenges for Casa De Vida. There were moments of uncertainty that tested our faith and endurance. Yet through it all, God remained faithful, and our community continued to stand with us.

As we reach the end of this final quarter, we are grateful to share that things are beginning to improve. Support has increased, stability is returning, and we are entering the new year with renewed hope. Your belief in this mission has helped us make that progress.

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House Farm Workers congratulates local advocate and attorney Barbara Macri-Ortiz

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VENTURA COUNTY — Nov. 15, 2025, was a rainy, dark night, especially since the power at the Four Points by Sheraton in Ventura was out. Guests arrived unaware of the power outage and ran from their cars into the hotel lobby to shelter from the rain, ready to warm up and enjoy the Ventura County Bar Association’s Awards Dinner, only to find a dark room with a small table staffed by a kind VCBA member and a tiny battery-operated light. 

Attendees did not scare away, and spirits did not fall; everyone embraced the low-lit event, as it was still a grand celebration of Barbara Macri-Ortiz, who would be honored with the Ben E. Nordman Public Service Award.

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805UNDOCUFund — Impacts of ICE Raids in the Past 4 Days

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In the past 4 days, nearly 3 out of every 4 kidnappings occurred in Santa Maria.This level of concentration cannot be explained away as “targeted enforcement.” It reflects systemic racial profiling, particularly against Latino and Indigenous migrant communities, including Mixtec and other Indigenous peoples.

This terror is not incidental — it is the intended outcome.

These actions undermine constitutional protections, violate due process, and impose collective punishment on entire communities. The psychological toll, trauma, chronic stress, fear, will last long after these raids end.

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Community Alert: Escalating ICE raids across the Central Coast 805. UndocuFund issues urgent call for Community and Financial Support

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CENTRAL COAST —  805UndocuFund is urgently alerting the community to a devastating escalation in immigration enforcement activity across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties over the past several days. These actions are causing profound harm to immigrant families, workers, and entire communities, with lasting consequences for public health, safety, and the regional economy.

Over the weekend alone, 805UndocuFund’s 805 Rapid Response Network alongside autonomous community patrol and defense groups SBResiste, and Carpinteria Sin Fronteras, documented 58 ICE kidnappings across the Central Coast:

• Saturday, December 27, 2025:

35 total — 33 in Santa Maria and 2 in San Luis Obispo

• Sunday, December 28, 2025:

23 total — 13 in Lompoc, 8 in Santa Maria, and 2 in Santa Barbara

• Monday, December 29, 2025, ICE continues operations in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, terrorizing residents, destabilizing workplaces, and leaving families in crisis.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) reminder applications deadlines for California Competes Tax Credit Program

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The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.

Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:

January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026

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Copyright Notice

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Amigos805 does not accept any illustrations, photos or other images and written material that are in violation of copyright law. Individuals and organizations may be required to provide proof of such copyright authorization. Otherwise, please provide only website links to your upcoming events.

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