Category: News

Ventura County Fire Dept. — Hot tire debris dislodged by extreme winds determined as cause of the Mountain Fire

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THOUSAND OAKS — Arson investigators determined the likely cause of the Mountain Fire was extreme wind dislodging a pocket of covered, hot tire debris from an earlier fire, the Ventura County Fire Department announced Nov. 7.

“The Mountain Fire was devastating to our community,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “To everyone affected by the fire, you have our continuing support. Neighbors to all of us here in Ventura County lost homes and possessions, including irreplaceable photos and keepsakes. Others were forced to flee, not knowing whether they would have homes to come back to. It was heartbreaking and the emotional scars of this fire will last long after the homes are rebuilt.”

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Project Commencement of the Adaptive Reuse Affordable Housing Project at 3055 De La Vina Street

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SANTA BARBARA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) marked a major milestone with the commencement of its latest affordable housing development — an adaptive reuse project that will transform the former Quality Inn at 3055 De La Vina Street into permanent supportive housing.

The redevelopment exemplified HACSB’s creative approach to addressing Santa Barbara’s critical housing shortage by repurposing existing properties into high-quality, service-enriched affordable housing. Neighbors, local officials, community partners, and housing advocates gathered to celebrate this milestone achievement.

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Bilingual report — Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network to hold rally, procession on Nov. 22 for Transgender Day of Remembrance

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SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network (SBTAN) invites the community to come together in solidarity for Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. at De La Guerra Plaza in downtown Santa Barbara.

Participants will gather at the plaza and then march down State Street carrying signs bearing the names of transgender individuals lost to violence this year. This annual observance honors their memory and calls attention to the urgent need for equality, safety, and dignity for all transgender people.

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County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Borderline Day of Remembrance

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(Nov. 7), we honored the precious lives of the twelve Borderline victims, along with the survivors and first responders whose courage and compassion continue to inspire our community.

These names represent incredible people. Each left behind a legacy of kindness, love, and friendship that continues to live on in the hearts of all who knew them — and in the spirit of unity that has strengthened our community ever since.

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Lumina Alliance’s Fatima Cervantes honored with statewide award for teen dating violence prevention

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Cervantes recognized for innovative, effective healthy relationship strategies among justice-impacted youth in San Luis Obispo 

GARDEN GROVE — The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership), a coalition representing over 1,000 survivors, advocates, organizations, and allied individuals, today honored Lumina Alliance’s Bilingual Client & Justice Systems Relations Advocate Fatima Cervantes with the Planting the Seeds Award. The award celebrates people who have engaged in intergenerational domestic violence prevention education, contributing to healthy relationships and communities. The Partnership recognized Cervantes for building strong relationships with justice-impacted youth in San Luis Obispo County, as well as providing innovative lessons for discussing healthy communication and setting boundaries.

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Bilingual commentary— Learning French

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French is in my blood.

No, not in the form of French family origins, if 23andMe has anything to say about it, but rather the French language courses through my veins. As far as I’m concerned, French is an undeniable part of my linguistic DNA.

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Central Coast Climate Leaders Meet with Rep. Carbajal

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On Monday, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) co-hosted an urgent listening session with Congressman Salud Carbajal, bringing together more than 20 environmental non-profit leaders from across the Central Coast.

The discussion — “The Impact of Federal Disinvestment and Anti-Climate Policies” — explored the real impacts of federal rollbacks, anti-climate policies, and abrupt funding losses that have put millions of dollars in regional climate projects at risk, threatening years of progress across the Central Coast.

Concerns were also raised over new offshore drilling threats, weakened environmental safeguards, and a growing erosion of public trust and morale as communities struggle to plan amid shifting federal priorities.

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Dr. Thomas K. Duncan admitted into American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators®

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Dr. Duncan was inducted as Member of this highly coveted Academy. He is the current Trauma Medical Director of Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Medical Co-Director of Anacapa Surgical Associates.  He is a surgeon educator with experience in contributing to the development of the trauma system in Ventura County and has received several awards for his work in surgeon education, community outreach injury prevention, as well as multiple peer reviewed publications on trauma and general surgery.

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County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — One Year After the Mountain Fire

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As I reflect on one year since the November 6, 2024 Mountain Fire, my heart is with the many residents who lost so much. Time has passed, but the weight of the fire still impacts many. The pain and loss remain real and are a heavy burden each day for those still rebuilding their lives.

Over the past year, I have witnessed incredible resilience. Neighbors have lifted each other up, volunteers have given their time and hearts, and local organizations continue to help families recover. The strength, kindness, and determination shown across this community are what make Ventura County such a special place to call home.

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Bilingual report — County Registrar of Voters announces semifinal official Nov. 4 election night results

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VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Semifinal Official Election Night Results for the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election were posted on Vote.VenturaCounty.gov at 1:15 a.m. the morning of November 5. Statewide results are available on the Secretary of State’s website, sos.ca.gov/elections.

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Bilingual report — Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo accepting applications for two bachelor’s degree programs at Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus

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SANTA MARIA — Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is now accepting applications for two bachelor’s degree programs offered on Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus. Applications for both programs — Business Administration and Sociology — are open through Dec. 1, with classes beginning in fall 2026. 

The degree pathways are part of a broader Cal Poly at Hancock initiative, announced earlier this year, which allows Central Coast students to earn a Cal Poly degree without commuting to San Luis Obispo. The programs bring Cal Poly faculty and coursework directly to Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, providing students with a flexible, affordable, and high-quality educational experience close to home. 

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Bilingual report — Donate gifts to Ventura’s Santa to a Senior program

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura invites residents to help spread holiday cheer by participating in the annual Santa to a Senior program. Beginning Thursday, November 13, through Wednesday, December 10, 2025, community members can donate gifts to help brighten the season for local seniors aged 60 and above who are connected to the Ventura Avenue Adult Center’s Senior Nutrition Program.

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SEEAG’s “Christmas On The Ranch” fundraiser offers fresh-cut Christmas trees from Northern California to support youth agriculture programs

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“We know it’s a financially difficult time for many families,” said Caitlin Paulus Case, SEEAG executive director. “While the costs of Christmas trees are going up everywhere, we wanted to offer trees at a lower price, so they are more affordable.”

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Bilingual report — City of Ventura adopts Climate Action and Resilience Plan

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is proud to announce the adoption of its Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), approved by the City Council on October 21, 2025. The plan outlines the City’s strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate-related hazards, and strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Developed by the City’s Community Development and Public Works Environmental Sustainability staff, the CARP was prepared in conjunction with the General Plan Update to ensure that climate action is integrated into all aspects of City planning and decision-making.

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Bilingual report — City of Ventura freezes water and sewer collection fees for customers impacted by federal government shutdown

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“Ventura is a community that looks out for one another,” said Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios. “This action reflects our shared commitment to compassion, service, and ensuring that no one goes without essential water service during a time of hardship.”

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Friendship Adult Day Services — The Friendly Finch: November

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Sitting down to write about what I’m most grateful for during this month of gratitude, I can’t help but feel unbelievably lucky that my “daily place of being” is Friendship Center, a beautiful space filled with laughter, compassion, and purpose. Every day, I get to be around the people you love and care about most, which fills me and my team with so much honor and pride.

This past month has been one for the books and, yes, I know I say that a lot…. Earlier in October I had the honor of speaking on a national panel as one of seven organizations in the country recognized for innovative dementia care. This experience was great to learn even more about the dementia care landscape and solidified how truly unique we are. Did you know there are fewer than a thousand day programs in the U.S. that offer dementia care, let alone specialize in it?!

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The Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union awards $100,000 in grants at 3rd Annual Celebrating Our Community event

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VENTURA COUNTY — The Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) hosted its 3rd Annual Celebrating Our Community event on Thursday, Oct. 9, at VCCU’s corporate headquarters in Ventura, recognizing the remarkable efforts of local nonprofits and distributing a total of $100,000 in community grants.

This year’s celebration brought together community leaders, nonprofit representatives and credit union members to honor 14 grant recipients, selected from a competitive pool of 94 applications. Each recipient exemplifies The Foundation’s mission to support programs that strengthen health, education and financial well-being across Ventura County.

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San Luis Obispo County releases Assessor’s Annual Report

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SAN LUIS OBISPO — It is my pleasure to present the 2025-26 Assessor’s Office Annual Report. This report contains information based upon the assessment roll produced by my office each year in accordance with state law and regulations. All properties identified and valued as part of the assessment roll serve as the basis for local property taxes.

The annual assessment roll captures the changes in value for all properties during the prior year. For 2025-26, San Luis Obispo County experienced a moderate increase in values of 4.74%.

This increase is fairly consistent with the average increase of 4.62% across the 58 California counties.

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UCSB — The Current — “In ‘Digital Exhaustion,’ Paul Leonardi shares how to make technology work for you” and more news, events

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Leonardi’s new book focuses on how people use innovative tools to organize more effectively, increase efficiency and improve knowledge sharing within organizations.

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WVCBA announces winners of the Inaugural Business Award

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“We’re bringing together the Camarillo Top 10 Community Awards and the Oxnard Community & Business Awards into one celebratory evening,” says WVCBA President and CEO Andy Conli. “We are so excited to celebrate the phenomenal businesses, organizations, and individuals who contribute to our community’s economic strength and success!”

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: AI UNLOCKED: SHAPING THE FUTURE

November 7 @ 12:30 pm

Join the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about how Santa Barbara County businesses are expanding the AI frontier, creating both challenges and opportunities for the workforce.

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Bilingual report — Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya announces retirement

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Since becoming an emergency first responder in 1994 and joining Ventura Fire in 1996 as an Emergency Paramedic, Endaya has advanced through every rank in the department before being selected as Fire Chief in 2014.

“Serving the City of Ventura as Fire Chief has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Chief Endaya. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and deeply grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and heart of the men and women of the Ventura Fire Department.”

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Bilingual report — Annual Mussel Quarantine Lifted for Ventura County; Advisory Remains in Place for Humboldt County and Northern Channel Islands

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VENTURA — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the annual quarantine on mussels gathered by sport harvesters from California’s coastal waters ended on midnight on Friday, October 31, 2025, for the California coast, including Ventura County. Shellfish advisories remain in place for sport-harvested razor clams from Humboldt County and for sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters from the Northern Channel Islands.

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Friendship Center Adult Day Services — Halloween Disco was a success because of YOU!

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success! With nearly 120 guests, Halloween Disco was a night to remember, filled with incredible dance moves, tasty treats, fun company, and the best costumes around. Because of your generosity we were SO close to reaching our goal, in the end raising $56,239 to directly support our programs.

Know that it is not to late to donate during our Fall Fundraising campaign! It could be YOU who closes our gap to goal, ensuring our compassionate and engaging care for seniors living with dementia continues strong! If you did not get a chance to donate yet this season, or had a blast booging the night away at Halloween Disco DONATE HERE.

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Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA 26th District) — Important Voter Information for California’s Special Election on Nov. 4

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Election Day is right around the corner! With just five days until California’s statewide special election on Tuesday, November 4, I want to make sure you have the information you need about what’s on the ballot and how you can vote.

Proposition 50 is a legislative Constitutional Amendment that authorizes temporary changes to Congressional District maps in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting. It was placed on the ballot by the California State Legislature.

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Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — NO-COST Webinar: Immigrant Rights in California Child Care Settings webinars on Nov. 4, 6 and 14

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Immigrant Rights in California Child Care Settings – for families with children in child care and child care providers working in various California child care programs:

This training will provide:

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Time is running out to get your tickets for Port Hueneme’s Casa De Vida 20th anniversary fundraising dinner on Nov. 8

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Just Days Away — Celebrate 20 Years of Hope!” Time is running out to be part of this special evening! Join us Saturday for Casa De Vida’s 20th Anniversary Dinner & Silent Auction at Ventura Missionary Church. Your support helps…

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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — National Veterans Small Business Week

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The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Veteran’s Small Business Week. The EDC is dedicated to providing equal access to resources, advising and capital to all business owners.

The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:

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Santa Paula Art Museum — Free Family Day: Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2

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Sunday, November 2, from 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages

Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate Día de los Muertos at three locations in downtown Santa Paula on Sunday, November 2! Visit the Santa Paula Art Museum, Santa Paula Cemetery, and the Agriculture Museum and enjoy hands-on crafts, altar and art displays, face painting, and much more. Admission is free and all materials are provided. Hours and activities vary by location. Follow the link below for full details.

Free Family Day at the Santa Paula Art Museum is sponsored by Gold Coast Health Plan and The Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund.

MORE INFO?

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Graduate student Geraldine Montoya overcomes adversity to inspire others and earns CSU Trustees’ Award

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CAMARILLO — When Geraldine Montoya earns her master’s degree in School Counseling from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), she will become the first in her family to earn a graduate degree — a milestone that represents years of perseverance and determination.

A first-generation immigrant from Colombia, Montoya faced significant challenges growing up, including homelessness and the loss of her father at a young age. Yet through resilience and an unwavering belief in education, she turned those obstacles into motivation to help others succeed.

Today, Montoya maintains a 4.0 GPA in CSUCI’s School Counseling program while also serving as Coordinator for the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP). In that role, she leads more than 50 Cash4College workshops each year to help students and families access financial aid and pursue higher education.

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Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund matching opportunity announced

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CAMARILLO — Momentum is building with the announcement of a new matching opportunity for the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund, a community-wide effort to support local families and small businesses experiencing sudden hardship and disruption. Through the generosity of the Brokaw Family Fund, donations up to a total of $50,000 will be matched, doubling impact for this vital humanitarian effort that offers a coordinated and trusted way for residents to step up and support one another.

“The Brokaw Family Fund normally focuses on bettering the lives of farm workers but now all our immigrant neighbors are threatened,” said Ellen Brokaw. “Non-profits are overwhelmed with requests from families for life-sustaining help. We hope this challenge will inspire others to contribute whatever they can to help all our neighbors in need.”

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Bilingual commentary — Waiting For a Bus

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This morning I confidently strolled out to catch a bus not far from my home. Yes, I own a car, but I often take a bus to my destination, regardless. It’s free for people my age, and it gives me an excuse to get in some walking for the day. 

I’ve been riding the bus in my area for several years, so I know the system well. To my credit, and to that of the bus system, I never missed a medical or other important appointment whenever I took the bus. Part of that is sheer good fortune, but I also build in “time cushions” to my more crucial itineraries by allowing extra time.

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Port of Hueneme Dock Talk October 2025

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The Port of Hueneme was proud to support the Farmworker Health and Wellness Fair at Oxnard College on October 10th, connecting our local farmworker community with essential health resources, wellness services, and support programs.

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Gold Coast Health Plan appoints new chief operating officer

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CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Suma Simcoe as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Oct. 15.

“Suma brings a wealth of operational expertise, deep understanding of managed care, and a proven record of turning complex challenges into sustainable results,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “Her leadership will help strengthen our infrastructure and ensure we continue to deliver high-quality, member-centered care for Ventura County. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

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Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Nov. 4 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, November 4, 2025
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, 4th 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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Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula launches fall pavement improvement plan

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SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula will launch its Fall 2025 Pavement Improvement Project on Friday, October 31, 2025, continuing the City’s commitment to maintaining safe, accessible, and well-maintained streets. The project will enhance roadway safety, extend pavement life, and improve accessibility throughout the community. Work is expected to continue through Wednesday, November 26, 2025, lasting approximately four weeks.

The Fall 2025 Pavement Improvement Project will include resurfacing, striping, and accessibility upgrades along several key corridors — Main Street, McKevett Road, Teague Drive, Teracina Drive, Loma Vista Drive, Vuelta Place, and Mill Street. These coordinated efforts will provide smoother, safer travel for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout Santa Paula, with Main Street serving as the project’s primary focus area.

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PODS® teams up with Cumulus Radio and Ventura County Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary for 2025 Radiothon & 10,000 Toy Drive

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VENTURA — This November, PODS® Local Moving and Storage is proud to partner with Cumulus Media and Ventura County Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary?(VCMC) as a Sponsor for the 2025 Cumulus Radiothon & Toy Drive, supporting the only dedicated pediatric hospital unit in Ventura County. 

Running from November 5–30, this heartwarming campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for pediatric patients and their families receiving care at both Ventura and Santa Paula hospital campuses. With nearly 10,000 toys distributed by VCMC each year, the toy drive is a crucial effort to bring joy and comfort to children during what can be a difficult time. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm to the Cumulus Media studios at 1376 Walter St. Ventura.

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