Category: News

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA 26th District) — Are You Aware of the Statewide Special Election (On Nov. 4)?

I am reaching out to make sure you’re aware that California is having a statewide special
election on Nov. 4, 2025 to vote on Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw Congressional district maps in response to redistricting by other states. 

The last day to register to vote for this election is October 20, 2025. According to California’s Secretary of State, all registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot in October. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, drop-off locations, or at your county elections office.

100 artists unite for OPAC’s 2025 Día de los Muertos with El Velorio. Opening reception Oct. 2

OXNARD — This year’s altar is inspired by the monarch butterfly, a powerful symbol of the soul, transformation, and migration. In a city shaped by immigrant stories, the theme highlights the beauty and resilience of movement across borders. In Mexican tradition, the monarchs’ annual arrival in central Mexico each fall is believed to carry the spirits of departed loved ones back to earth, making them a cherished emblem of Día de los Muertos. Community members are invited to submit a photo of a departed loved one to be lovingly displayed. The Opening Reception will feature a ceremonial Aztec blessing and dance and a performance by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College. 

Bilingual commentary — AI: My Expert Helper

In the ancient past, up to around the end of 2022, I used to grapple with complex technical issues (for me, anyway) as I pursued some of my projects. When I first started building websites, for example, I often found myself stumped by some of the technical barriers that kept emerging in front of me. 

When confronted with an intractable problem that appeared insurmountable, I found myself hunting for web pages that would illuminate me and provide the answers I was looking for. Sometimes I succeeded in ferreting out a solution to a dilemma that would sometimes take days to resolve because I often didn’t even know quite what to search for.

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula announces transition of Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula today announced that Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas will be leaving the City to assume the role of Assistant City Manager for the City of Moorpark. Royas’s last day with Santa Paula will be October 3, 2025.

“Jonathan has served Santa Paula with dedication and skill,” said City Manager Dan Singer. “His leadership on Measure R, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, trail connectivity grants, and community engagement work has made a lasting impact. We thank him for his service and wish him well in Moorpark. The City will maintain continuity of operations as we begin the process to fill this role.”

Port of Hueneme — Bunches of Fun — The Banana Festival (Sept. 27) is Back!

The Port of Hueneme invites the community to the 12th Annual Banana Festival (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, a free family-friendly celebration of the Port’s famous bananas and the other global goods like blueberries and automobiles that cross its docks each day.

This unique event honors international trade and the hardworking local workforce that makes it all possible. Guests can enjoy banana-themed bites, blueberry-inspired concoctions, behind-the-scenes Port tours, local vendors, arts & crafts, and more.

Pre-sale tickets (ending Oct. 1) now available for Panteón Fest in Oxnard

This year, with the help of Allee and Sue, we’re excited to present Vuelo de las Almas—an art gallery showcasing works by over 20 artists, each created on a wooden monarch butterfly canvas. The gallery will be held inside the Chapel, with a meet-and-greet hosted by Allee and Sue at 5 PM.

SBCC’s Dr. Melissa Menendez selected for national HACU Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program

SANTA BARBARA — The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and SBCC are pleased to announce that the third cohort of its Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program includes Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) professor Dr. Melissa Menendez, who was selected along with 39 participants across the nation to begin this fall, 2025. 

The six-month leadership development program for mid-level college and university professionals is designed to increase the number, variety and quality of talent in leadership positions at Hispanic-serving Institutions and in higher education overall. 

Seas the Day: Port of Hueneme celebrates World Oceans Day with ‘Sustaining the Seas Summit’ to spotlight ocean conservation

To mark World Oceans Day, the Port of Hueneme convened its third-annual “Sustaining the Seas Summit” on Tuesday, August 19 at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

IN-PERSON EVENT: CITY OF OXNARD: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES

September 30 @ 9:00 am

Join the City of Oxnard and Economic Development Collaborative for a 3-part series to help business owners improve legal compliance, financial planning and marketing. Participants will receive hands-on, practical training to achieve real results, such as official registration, funding readiness, and customer growth. This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both languages. Address: Oxnard Main Library, 251 S A St., Oxnard, CA, 93030.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — Child Passenger Safety Week: Protect your child with the right car seat

“Every child deserves to travel safely,” Sergeant Mark Knackstedt said. “We urge all parents and caregivers to know for sure that their children are in the right seats and that those seats are installed correctly. Keeping a child in the right seat for their age and size can make all the difference in a crash.”

VCCCD swears in Robert Davidson as new Chief of Police

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) swore in Robert Davidson as its new chief of police September 22, bringing nearly 35 years of county law enforcement experience to guide and strengthen the District’s police department.

Davidson began his career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 where he rose up through the ranks to Assistant Sheriff. Over more than three decades, he successfully led major investigations, directed Internal Affairs and training programs, and oversaw the Sheriff’s largest division with a $120 million budget.

Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers appointed to Santa Maria Fairpark Board

The board oversees the Santa Maria Fairpark, which serves as the premier event center in the Santa Maria Valley. As a subdivision of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the board is tasked with supporting the community by providing venues for education, recreation, entertainment, and by promoting agriculture, industry, commerce, and tourism.

13th Annual Ventura County Farm Day moves to Spring 2026

“We looked at planting schedules and weather and felt that a move to spring offered many benefits. It means the public can visit farms during the heart of the growing season,” says Caitlin Paulus Case, executive director of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), the nonprofit that puts on Ventura County Farm Day each year. “We are expecting more farms to participate with new hands-on experiences and activities.”

Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation — Bill Wilson Award Winner: Laurie Bennett!

Join us for the Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation’s Taxpayer Celebration Luncheon on October 9th, where we proudly announce Laurie Bennett, Vice President of ARBEE, Inc. (Fence Factory and C&W Construction Specialties), as the 2025 recipient of the Bill Wilson Award for Taxpayer Excellence!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Join us for a NO-COST workshop series for businesses!

Join the City of Oxnard and EDC for this workshop series, which has been developed to help advance business formalization, financial resilience and strategic visibility among small businesses in Ventura County. It addresses core areas where entrepreneurs often face barriers—legal compliance, financial planning, and marketing execution—offering hands-on, actionable training that leads to real outcomes: formal registration, funding readiness and customer growth.

14 cadets graduate from Allan Hancock College’s CORE Custody Academy

All 14 graduates of CORE Academy Class #20 completed a comprehensive California Standards and Training for Corrections course consisting of 260 hours of instruction. The six-week academy is designed to prepare students mentally, morally, emotionally and physically to work as correctional officers. Some of the academy instruction included emergency planning in a custody facility, report writing, ethics, investigation procedures, contraband, arrest and control, physical fitness training, CPR/First Aid and emergency vehicle operations.  

Santa Paula Art Museum — Come Hang Out With Us!

Creative Hang with

The One Oh One

?
Wednesday, September 24, from 6 PM to 9 PM

Free for everyone (food not included)

We’re excited to host The One Oh One’s September Creative Hang inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center! Mingle with fellow creatives while you enjoy live music by Matterform band. Anna’s Cider and brewLab Craft will keep you hydrated, and Chavas Tacos will be serving up yummy bites. The event is free for everyone (food is not included).

MORE INFO

Cabrillo Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) IN-PERSON EVENT: Executive Talent Management Forum on Sept. 25

Join California Lutheran University for their 10th Annual Executive Talent Management Forum on Talent Mobility & Workforce Agility. In today’s volatile business environment, organizations must develop workforce agility and talent mobility strategies to remain competitive. Economic uncertainties, geopolitical shifts, technological and environmental disruptions, and evolving employee expectations require companies to rethink how they deploy, develop and retain talent. This forum topic would explore how businesses can build a resilient workforce capable of adapting to rapid change.

Thursday, September 25, at 8:00 am

Address: Lundring Events Center, 60 W. Olsen Rd., California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Bilingual report — Ventura County residents are highly encouraged to take action to prevent mosquito breeding after recent rainfall

VENTURA — Mosquito activity is expected to increase following the rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario. It is important now to prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes by emptying objects that collected water during the rain event. 

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency Welcomes Paul Chan  as New Water & Sanitation Director

announce the appointment of Paul Chan, PE, CEM, as the new Director of Water & Sanitation. Chan brings more than 30 years of distinguished leadership in engineering, construction, and facilities management, with an extensive career of service in the U.S. military.

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Oak Park MAC Meeting 9/25, 7 pm

The next Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council meeting will take place on Thursday, September 25 at 7 pm at Oak Park High School in room G9.

Ventura County Public Works and the new landscape company will be providing a presentation on their progress in addressing concerns in the area. They will be available to answer questions.

Bilingual report — September News from People’s Self-Help Housing

  Lea en español | Received this from a friend? Subscribe! eNewsletter September 2025 It’s back-to-school season for our Camino Scholars! With a gift of $55/month, students will have the tools and support to build their confidence, stay engaged with their studies, and succeed all year long.…

Heather Sumagaysay named PRSA CA Gold Coast Chapter 2025 PR Professional of the Year

VENTURA — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) California Gold Coast Chapter has named Heather Sumagaysay as its 2025 PR Professional of the Year, recognizing her two decades of leadership, innovation, and service in public sector communications.

With a career spanning government affairs, civic engagement, emergency response, public safety, and community relations, Sumagaysay has established herself as a trusted leader and advocate for transparent, inclusive, and strategic communications. Her work has guided county and city organizations through high-profile incidents and campaigns, including the Thomas and Hill/Woolsey Fires, response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the X Games.

Ventura County Superintendent of School — Hispanic Heritage Month, Logo Contest, College Readiness, and more…

VENTURA COUNTY — Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities.

In this video message, Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, reflects on the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month and shares some of his favorite family traditions. Keep an eye on VCOE’s social media throughout the month for special messages about Hispanic Heritage Month from our students and staff.

Bilingual report — Church Goals and the Canonization of Saints

The canonization of a saint is the culmination of a process that, in the eyes of the Catholic Church, creates a bridge between human and divine realms. The formal process of canonization has evolved over the centuries from a local affair to an intricate, institutionalized undertaking that is overseen by the pope himself.

Bilingual report — City of Ventura announces Spanish-language Community Emergency Response Team training coming this fall

VENTURA — To expand accessibility and ensure all residents have the opportunity to be prepared for emergencies, the City of Ventura, in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the City of Santa Paula, is offering a full Spanish-language Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training beginning this October. 

The free, hands-on program is open to 40 participants from Ventura and Santa Paula and will run from October 9 through November 15, 2025. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis with the application open through Wednesday, October 8, 2025. 

Ventura County District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Zone 0 Town Hall Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined last night’s Zone 0 Town Hall—both in person and online. I’m especially grateful to our expert panelists for sharing their knowledge and to the Ventura County Fire Department for their hospitality in hosting the event.

If you weren’t able to attend, you can watch the full recording here. You’ll also find links to the panelists’ slides next to their bios below.

The Board of Forestry updated their Frequently Asked Questions Document yesterday, click here to review. I also want to thank those who submitted thoughtful questions during the meeting. My team and I are gathering responses, and I’ll be sharing updates with you soon.

Explore Lompoc — Where the vibe stays chill, even after dark

LOMPOC — Here in Lompoc, nightlife is about easy going good times. A relaxed drink with friends. A late bite after a day of wine tasting or hiking. Maybe some live music or a laid-back DJ set. You won’t find velvet ropes or booming nightclubs, but you will find a few friendly places to hang out and unwind when the sun goes down.

Ready for a mellow night out? These local spots keep the lights on just a little longer.

Bilingual report — Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Report: Potential storm water runoff contamination

VENTURA — As part of the Ventura County Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program, the Environmental Health Division (Division) is providing the following precautionary information to the public. Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County. In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions. 

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors to meeting on Sept. 23

Reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores en español
(Board of Supervisors’ Meetings in Spanish)
El Condado de Santa Bárbara está ofreciendo interpretación en español de las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores. Véalo en vivo en nuestro canal de YouTube en español, o las personas suscritas a la televisión por cable pueden acceder a la programación secundaria de audio (SAP) en los ajustes de idioma.

Aún se requiere pedir con anticipación l

McCarthy Companies completes development and construction management on build-to-rent community in Liberty Hill, Texas

VENTURA COUNTY — McCarthy Companies has successfully completed Twelve Oaks, a 218-unit single-family build-to-rent community in Liberty Hill, Texas. The development spans 20.7 acres and was completed in July of 2025. The project was in collaboration with Montgomery Street Partners, New Growth Living, and BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc. with McCarthy Companies providing development and construction management services. The community features a mix of cottage-style, townhome, and single-family detached homes designed to offer renters the living experience of homeownership with the benefits of professional property management and amenity and maintenance-free living.

Bilingual report — Santa Paula Aims to Strengthen Community Protections Through Legal and Local Action

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula wishes to update the community on recent City Council actions concerning immigration-related issues and federal litigation. Last month, the City issued a statement clarifying that it had not been invited to join…

SEEAG adds Santa Barbara County Office, student and community agriculture learning programs during 2024-25 School Year

VENTURA — Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) expanded its reach by opening a new Santa Barbara County office and adding student and community learning programs during the 2024-25 school year.

SEEAG is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect youth and communities to the farm origins of their food and inspire the next generations of agricultural ambassadors.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Join us for a NO-COST workshop series for businesses!

Join the City of Oxnard and EDC for this workshop series, which has been developed to help advance business formalization, financial resilience and strategic visibility among small businesses in Ventura County. It addresses core areas where entrepreneurs often face barriers—legal compliance, financial planning, and marketing execution—offering hands-on, actionable training that leads to real outcomes: formal registration, funding readiness and customer growth.

This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both English and Spanish.

Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2026-27 School Year

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-27 school year.

November 25 is the application deadline for scholarship applications for the Paramedic and Career Education programs. Scholarship recipients will be notified by mid-December. The application deadline for all other scholarships is January 22, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by mid-April 2026. Scholarship award distributions will begin August 1.

Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2025-2026 academic year and who have completed or are on track to complete at least six units in the semester are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.

CSUCI earns prestigious ABET accreditation for Mechatronics Engineering Program

“Receiving ABET accreditation is a significant milestone for our institution and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Interim Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences Philip Hampton. “It validates the strength of our Mechatronics Engineering curriculum and enhances the value of a CSUCI degree for employers and graduate schools alike.”