VENTURA COUNTY — Michelle Ascencion, the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters, announced the May 4thcommencement of voting activities for the June 2, 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election.
SANTA MARIA — The Allan Hancock College Foundation has appointed two AHC alumni to its board of directors, further strengthening its mission to support student success and expand educational opportunities across the Central Coast.
In addition to being proud Hancock graduates, Claudia Ortiz and Luis Servin also bring a combined wealth of experience in community leadership, workforce development and education advocacy to the Foundation.
In kindergarten, children are taught to respect each other. The youngsters are taught to “be nice” to their classmates, avoid name-calling and, above all, respect them.
But along the way, as children grow older, something goes terribly wrong. We would think that as adults we would have figured out that hostile, demeaning language online and face-to-face do nothing to promote amity and forward progress.
Unfortunately, too many adults with angry schoolyard aggression enter our civic and political spheres, where they have the power to inflict irreparable damage and lasting chaos. This is very much the scenario that we are witnessing in real time. Too often it seems as if the policies that guide our current government’s agenda are cruelty, belligerence, and hate. Disrespect for others is a troubling and pervasive element of executive orders, legislative bills, presidential tweets, and official pronouncements.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura’s Economic Development team is celebrating Small Business Week, May 4-8, with a series of events and opportunities designed to support and connect the local business community.
“Small businesses are a vital part of Ventura’s economy and what makes our community unique,” said Meredith Hart, Economic Development Manager for the City of Ventura. “We’re committed to providing the resources, connections, and tools they need to succeed.”
Earlier this month, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft made history, traveling farther from Earth than any humans before them. It was special to follow Pilot Victor Glover among them, as the fourth Cal Poly SLO fellow alumni who studied in our organization’s headquarters home town, and went on to become an astronaut. Like many others, I had the privilege of listening live to the transmissions between the astronauts 252,760 miles from home and the science team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The technology enabling that achievement was extraordinary of course, but what struck me most was not the machinery – it was the communication.
We often hear of the plight of young people who are despairing of ever owning a home. We can’t blame them. It is not because they “don’t work hard enough.” Many of them, I’m sure, work longer hours than some of us in the boomer generation ever did. But we boomers grew up in very different economic times. We were riding the winds of a post-war boom that formed a very favorable backdrop for our economic lives.
The keys of a first home represent “adulthood” and the ultimate fulfillment of the American Dream. The milestone is celebrated with parties and social media high-fives. But what many younger people may not thoroughly understand is that a home is both a blessing and a burden.
The Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan is a collaborative, countywide effort launched by the County of Ventura in partnership with House Farm Workers!, designed to understand and address the urgent housing needs of the county’s farmworker community – needs shaped by long-standing shortages, rising housing costs, and the essential role farm workers play in sustaining the region’s agricultural economy.
VENTURA — More than six centuries of public service were recognized this week as the County of Ventura honored 24 employees reaching career milestones of 25 to 35 years. Their combined 660 years of service reflect decades of experience supporting essential programs and services across the county. The recognition took place during the April 14 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
VENTURA — Ocean water quality results from samples collected this week indicate that ocean water quality at the following Ventura County beach sampling locations failed to meet State standards for bacteria:
Rincon Beach – South of Creek
Surfer’s Knoll Beach
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Elections Division released its Election Observation Schedule, outlining the dates, times, and descriptions of observable activities, for the upcoming June 2nd election.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is currently considering a massive $460 million proposal (including long-term financing and staffing) to expand the North Branch Jail by 1½ housing units, adding 384 beds. We are calling on the Board to reject this overreach and limit the addition to just one housing unit (256 beds).
The Board’s current plan would more than double the capacity of the Santa Maria jail, locking our County into decades of crushing debt and soaring operational costs. Our County is facing $23 million in cuts to social and safety-net programs next fiscal year and a $66 million deficit over the next 5 years.
The Human Cost: A Devastating Blow to Our Immigrant Community
Beyond the fiscal irresponsibility, this expansion poses a direct threat to our immigrant neighbors. Our jails already hold many non-violent residents, including those struggling with mental health or substance use disorders, who do not need to be incarcerated to ensure public safety.
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.
SANTA PAULA — At a Special Meeting held on April 6, 2026, the Santa Paula City Council convened at the Community Center to consider the feasibility of placing a potential ballot measure before voters related to the regulation of commercial cannabis activities within the City. Ultimately, the City Council voted 4-1 not to place the measure on the upcoming November ballot.
The discussion was aligned with the City Council’s Strategic Goal of Economic Development, as permitting commercial cannabis activities, specifically retail storefronts, would provide opportunities to increase the City’s revenue base, create local jobs, and activate vacant commercial spaces.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura has issued the first certificate of occupancy for a home rebuilt following the Mountain Fire, marking a significant step forward in the community’s recovery. The fire, which started November 6, 2024, burned through unincorporated Camarillo and surrounding areas, destroying 182 homes and damaging additional structures. The disaster displaced hundreds of residents and launched a long-term recovery effort involving multiple county agencies and community partners.
SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) has announced its 2026 Environmental Heroes, honoring Megan Birney Rudert and Assemblymember Gregg Hart for their leadership and innovation in advancing climate solutions. The awards will be presented at the 56th annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, returning to Alameda Park April 25–26, 2026.
One of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country—and among the largest on the West Coast—the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is a beloved community tradition that brings together thousands of attendees for a weekend of environmental action, education, and celebration. The free, two-day event will take place Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Do you know a farmworker looking for housing?
Take a look at our sites available for immediate move-ins!
***
¿Conoce a algún trabajador agrícola que esté buscando vivienda?
¡Dale un vistazo a nuestras propiedades disponibles para mudanza inmediata!
VENTURA COUNTY — Even though the June 2nd Gubernatorial Primary election is two months away, active registered voters in Ventura County can expect to begin receiving important election-related mail from the County Elections office in the next few weeks.
It starts with the 60-day voter information postcard, which will arrive in early April, approximately 60 days before Election Day. The postcard provides information about receiving and returning your vote by mail ballot, and the vote center daily schedule for those who prefer to vote in person.
SOMIS — AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. in partnership with the County of Ventura will be performing off-site roadway improvements to the recently completed Somis Ranch Apartments to enhance safety for future residents, as well as the general public. The improvements, which will take placealong State Route 34 (SR-34) will include two new bus stops, new right and left-turn lanes, and a new traffic signal at the entrance of the housing development. Additionally, minor roadway widening, drainage upgrades, updated signage and striping, and the addition of a bike lane will occur.
VENTURA COUNTY — Ahead of every major election cycle, the Ventura County Elections Division hires hundreds of local community members to serve as the temporary elections workers that play a key role in ensuring elections are executed in a safe, secure, and efficient manner. From working at a vote center, verifying signatures, transporting mail ballots, and providing information on the voter assistance hotline, there are many opportunities to get involved with the upcoming June 2, 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election.
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.
There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura will resume hosting City Council meetings in Council Chambers beginning Tuesday, April 14, following the completion of accessibility upgrades.
Council Chambers had been temporarily closed to allow for improvements that enhance access and usability for all participants. Since August 2025, meetings have been held at the Wright Event Center at Ventura College.
Why Equity Matters in Our Schools
Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
Despite what you may have heard, equity in education is a straightforward, commonsense idea. It’s simply acknowledging that some students face more challenges than others. These can range from poverty and disabilities to language barriers or trauma at home.
Whatever their struggles, all students deserve the chance to succeed in school – and that’s what equity is all about. As you can see in this graphic, equity and equality are not the same thing.
County of Ventura appoints new Director of the Health Care Agency
Dr. John Fankhauser has been appointed Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Fankhauser has served as the Interim Director for the Health Care Agency since January 2026. Prior to his role as Interim Director for the Health Care Agency, Fankhauser served as Chief Executive Officer for the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital since 2019, a role he continued to hold while also serving as the Interim Director.
“Dr. Fankhauser has consistently shown a deep commitment to public service, paired with the depth of expertise needed to lead complex medical systems,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His leadership in managing large-scale health care operations and his deep commitment to addressing community needs positions Dr. Fankhauser to make a meaningful and continued positive impact on our health care system. His record of strong health care leadership and experience make him exceptionally well-prepared to serve as the Director for the Health Care Agency.”
About 10 years ago, we were promised a hands-free existence in our interactions with technology. No longer would we have to use our nimble fingers to laboriously type text into keyboards, either digital or physical, they told us. Now, the tech bros assured us, we would be able to use our voices to provide input to the vast network of devices in our homes, at work, or on the road.
In partnership with the City of Camarillo, the Economic Development Collaborative has launched the City of Camarillo Business Assistance Loan Fund. This low-interest program is specifically designed to prioritize the vibrant business community in the City of Camarillo. Start-ups can get the necessary capital to launch their ventures and established businesses can secure funds to fuel their growth. With abundant opportunities for collaboration, a diverse customer base and an environment of innovation, Camarillo is a perfect place to start or grow your business.
Click here for the entire media release en español SANTA MARIA — An Allan Hancock College piano faculty member is taking her talents to one of the world’s most prestigious stages after winning an international music competition with a fellow…
“As a safeguard to homeowner’s records, in 2013, the Ventura County Recorder’s office worked with the District Attorney’s office to identify the document types criminals typically use in committing real estate fraud. We began mailing out Fraud Prevention Advisory Notices to property owners immediately after one of those documents was recorded in our office, and we were one of the first counties in the entire state to do so,” said Michelle Ascencion, County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters. “We now mail on average over 4,000 notices a year.”
We are thrilled to announce that Arte del Pueblo is returning to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara for its third year and this summer, we are going bigger than ever.
Estamos emocionados de anunciar que Arte del Pueblo regresa al Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Santa Barbara para su tercer año ¡y este verano lo haremos más grande que nunca!
VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, on Tuesday, March 24, received an update from County agencies on a series of measures to improve customer service, modernize policies, and streamline the County’s permitting process. The goal of the improvements is to make it easier for residents and businesses to complete building projects while reducing delays and confusion. The report to the Board reflects an ongoing commitment to improving how the County delivers services that directly affect daily life.
One of the great privileges of my work is the chance to speak with service members and military families. Each conversation reminds me just how often they are asked to uproot their lives: moving from base to base, state to state, sometimes across the world. Beyond the logistics of finding a new home, packing and unpacking boxes, the real disruptions run deeper. Every move means enrolling children in new schools, locating the nearest grocery store, finding a dentist who is taking new patients, discovering a new congregation, meeting new neighbors, finding where to get a haircut, identifying a reliable plumber, even deciding, once again, where to put the Christmas tree. Individually, these tasks may seem small, but repeatedly layered together, they can create isolation, instability, and lost opportunities. But these moves, at least, come with the support structures of the military.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Continuum of Care (VC CoC) has reported preliminary results for the 2026 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count. Conducted on January 28, 2026, the count identified 1,755 individuals experiencing homelessness – a decrease of 235 people or 11.8% from 2024. Since 2023, homelessness in Ventura County has decreased by 28%.
The results reflect positive outcomes based on investments in permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention programs, and encampment response efforts. The Ventura County Homelessness Plan (Plan) presented to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in December 2023 provides detailed action areas, goals, and objectives that support this continued progress in reducing homelessness.
Imagine a government that insists that we make America great again by driving updated, fancy versions of 1950s vehicles. By sabotaging the push to convert our transportation to electric-powered vehicles, the current administration in Washington, D.C., has, in effect, handed the keys of a prosperous kingdom to international competitors.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not just a “green fad” dreamt up by radical liberals. While the U.S. demurs, the rest of the world realizes that the future of the planet, and of industry, rests on its ability to advance in the production of reasonably priced EVs for the masses.
VENTURA — Ventura County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson has been honored as the 2026 Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. She was recognized by the 42nd District Assemblymember for being part of “Women Making History”.
OXNARD — The Oxnard arts community will launch Arts, Culture & Creativity Month this April with a vibrant celebration of the newly designated Downtown Oxnard Cultural District, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, and community stakeholders for a dynamic public kickoff event.
Hosted by the City of Oxnard, the Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association (DOIA), and the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit (OPAC), the event will take place at the John C. Zaragoza Transit Center is an inspired and accessible venue that reflects the district’s creativity through large-scale murals, interactive pop-up art experiences, and locally crafted offerings, including bespoke coffee from Dolce Vita.
OXNARD — On Sunday, May 3, 2026, OPAC (the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit) in partnership with Raising Mami Alchemy, Inc., will host Rooted: A Wellness Summit, a first-of-its-kind immersive gathering designed to bridge indigenous culture, mental health, and somatic healing. The summit is co-led by Ana Maria Lugo, a wellness educator and holistic practitioner whose personal journey from 9/11 survivor to community healer has transformed wellness access for thousands in Ventura County.
VENTURA — The Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is available online at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide. Registration begins Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and will be available online, over the phone, or in person at City Hall, Room 226, 501 Poli Street. Registration information and policies are on page 7.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Probation Agency and the Ventura County Library have launched an innovative partnership to bring tailored library services directly into the County’s Juvenile Facilities through the new Next Chapter Library. This pilot initiative marks a significant step toward expanding educational access and literacy opportunities for youth under custodial supervision.
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula marked an important milestone on March 3 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Paula Creek Bridge, a project that will improve access, connectivity, and safety while establishing a connection over the Santa Paula Creek.
Mayor Carlos Juarez, Vice Mayor Jenny Crosswhite, Councilmember Pedro Chavez, City Manager Dan Singer, and Deputy City Manager Aminah Mears were in attendance to celebrate the start of construction, along with City of Santa Paula department directors, staff members, project partners, and community members.
I used to enjoy most of my classes in college. But I also found myself sitting through some agonizingly dull 50-minute lectures on obscure topics. John von Neumann, a Hungarian and American mathematician of prodigious talent and insight, coined a name for that measure of time. He stated that the average college lecture lasted 52.6 minutes, which is a millionth of a century—that is, a “microcentury.”
No boring minutes and seconds for us (except for math and physics homework)! This comical chronometry allowed my nerdy engineering classmates and I to go around saying things such as, “I saw a movie that lasted four and a half microcenturies.” After all, we were used to doing time conversions in our head. But students in other majors who overheard us would just shake their heads and roll their eyes.
Help increase opportunities and remove obstacles for students by attending the 6th annual Equity Conference at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to register today for this free event, which will feature a variety of speakers and workshops in English and Spanish. Food, drinks, and language interpretation will be provided.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura and the Ventura County Continuum of Care have been awarded $5.6 million through Round 6 of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, a statewide effort to support regional strategies that prevent and end homelessness. The award was announced on March 2 by Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The County of Ventura was among 20 regions statewide included in this latest round of awards.
VENTURA COUNTY — Rain didn’t dampen the spirits in Camarillo this past Thursday as the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) officially cut the ribbon on its most ambitious project yet: Workforce on Wheels (WOW). This state-of-the-art mobile career training lab represents a pivotal shift in how our community tackles the healthcare labor shortage—by bringing the workforce services directly to the neighborhood.
VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the extension of the nomination period for the following County offices that are scheduled to be voted on in the June 2, 2026 Statewide Primary Election.
Seventy years ago, my father invited me to sit down with him to assemble a simple jigsaw puzzle of maybe about 50 pieces. It was the first of many. He eventually graduated me up to the 500- and then 1000-piece puzzles. The images on the boxes for these puzzles consisted of things like people, houses, skies, forests, farms, waterfalls, plants, and animals.
He was very logical when it came to puzzles. He taught me that the first thing we had to do when starting a puzzle was to spread out the pieces and ensure that they were all face-up. Once that was accomplished, our mission was to establish the frame—that is, fit all the pieces that make up the perimeter of the puzzle. This was serious business. We finished the frame together with the gravity of two men diffusing a bomb.
“This investment by the Cloverlane Foundation will make a real difference in how we prepare students for the field,” said Fire Academy Coordinator Leonard Champion. “Access to professional-grade equipment like this elevates the quality of our program and gives our students a meaningful advantage when they enter the workforce.”
VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, during their regular meeting on March 3, adopted a resolution establishing overnight parking restrictions along a portion of Santa Susana Pass Road in the unincorporated Simi Valley area. The new regulation prohibits parking between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on both sides of Santa Susana Pass Road from 220 feet northwest of Katherine Road to 75 feet east of Lilac Lane.
VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, during their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3, unanimously approved the acceptance of a $250,000 donation from the Ventura Friends of the Library (VFOL) to support the E.P. Foster Library Building Forward Grant Project. The donation will help meet required local matching funds for the state-funded renovation project at the E.P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura. As part of the action, the Board also authorized the necessary budget adjustments to formally receive and allocate the funds, with no additional cost to the County’s General Fund.
Emprendedoras de Guardería is Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) NO-COST 8-week Spanish business training program designed for licensed, home-based child care providers in Ventura County. The program supports providers in growing and strengthening their businesses through culturally responsive training, coaching and peer support.
Participants will also have the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 stipend to invest in their child care business.
WEV is currently inviting interested providers to complete their Spanish interest form HERE.
CAMARILLO — Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced that applications are now open for the second year of its Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) Grant Program. GCHP will award one-year grants of up to $400,000 to help providers and community-based organizations support Medi-Cal members in navigating federal changes to coverage requirements.
