If you’re an income eligible renter who has experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have past due rent, or you’re a landlord who has experienced a loss in income because of unpaid rent, you may be eligible to get financial assistance now through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.
The program is not first come first served, rather priority will be given to those households with the greatest risk of being evicted.
Who Can Apply?:
Recuerde el sábado abierto solo para la asistencia a la solicitud de ciudadanía.
Recientemente anunciado, USCIS está volviendo a la prueba cívica de 2008. No espere en comenzar su solicitud de ciudadanía.
The Ventura County Fire Department honored five people for their lifesaving actions, a volunteer of the year and the outstanding achievements of employees with its 25th Annual Awards, announced today.
Each year, the department recognizes firefighters, dispatchers and members of the public who go above and beyond in the service of others. This year’s awards ceremony is being held virtually to maintain safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic. A video of the event is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/itSkWxrHE0o. Additionally, it will be broadcast on CAPS Channel 6, starting March 28 at 8 p.m.
A groundbreaking study is the first to map ocean areas that, if strongly protected, would help solve climate, food and biodiversity crises.
The Pioneer Valley High School FFA recently hosted all six of the California State FFA Officer Team
This team was made up Dean Hill, State President from Templeton FFA, Emma Thorpe, State Vice President from Lakeside-El Capitan FFA, Mia Arisman, State Secretary from Galt FFA, Reese Golsalves, State Treasurer from Modesto FFA, Taylor Sollecito, State Reporter from Salinas FFA, and Maico Ortiz, State Sentinel from Galt FFA.
County Executive Officer Mike Powers has appointed Terry Theobald as the County’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO). “It is an honor and privilege to be appointed to the role of CIO. I am deeply committed to improving the lives of Ventura County residents and workers through technology. I’m looking forward to working with the IT Services organization, County agencies and all of IT’s customers to implement critical projects and continue the efforts to bring innovative solutions forward in our County,” said Terry Theobald.
Race to Justice Spring 2021 virtual events include: Olympian Allyson Felix; Gullah musicians Ranky Tanky; Father of the Environmental Justice Movement Dr. Robert Bullard; Urban Planner, Artist and Activist Theaster Gates; Author of the bestselling memoir Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson; Advocate and Public Policy Expert Heather McGhee; and UCSB Reads Author Patrisse Cullors
Throughout Ventura County, businesses and individuals are celebrating our community’s transition into the red tier. For those eager to join in the excitement, The Collection at RiverPark is now offering both indoor and outdoor dining, several newly reopened businesses, and the comfort of socially distanced experiences at an open-air shopping center.
24 Hour Fitness Super Sport welcomes guests back indoors while continuing to keep their outdoor gym open for members to enjoy while taking a GX Studio class such as body pump or Zumba. In addition, on Friday, March 19, Century RiverPark 16 & XD will reopen to the community to show exciting new releases and classic movies. Private Watch Parties will also be available for up to 20 guests. Please visit http://www.thecollectionrp.com for ticket purchase options.
California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program/Programa de ayuda para el pago de renta debido al COVID
There are 97 new COVID-19 cases. There have been 6,016 new tests performed.
There have been 3 additional deaths: 66 year old male, 68 year old male and 75 year old male.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have passed away.
Nine representatives of the Pioneer Valley FFA will move on to the Regional Speaking Finals later this month to compete and qualify for the State Finals competition after a strong and successful showing at the Sectional Public Speaking Virtual Competition.
Sophomore Jasmin Olivera was named 4th high in the speaking competition labeled Impromptu. Only four individuals get to move on and Pioneer Valley FFA will have one of them from our school district. Jasmin was able to take an unknown question, quotation, and agriculture related word and instantly give a two-minute speech on its importance and application to agriculture and her life.
We are thrilled to release our limited edition collaboration with Santa Barbara-based artist and designer, DJ Javier.
This limited edition was created to communicate a sense of diversity and inclusion within the surf community. The design features a group of characters with varying skin tones, genders, and styles, all of whom carry surfboards, as they walk together in the same direction.
Welcome the arrival of springtime, with summer soon to follow, by purchasing your own DJ Javier x MCASB beach towel before they’re gone! Visit our web store to get yours today!
The Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to dismiss 5 remaining COVID-19 lawsuits against non-compliant businesses.
In a joint statement on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, Chair Linda Parks stated, “The lawsuits were never meant to be punitive but rather to gain compliance with Public Health Orders. This act of good will is in concert with the loosening of indoor restrictions accompanying the county’s move into the red tier. We extend our deep appreciation and thanks to all businesses that have worked so hard and continue to work hard to keep their employees and customers safe from COVID by following public health guidelines. It’s crucial that all businesses follow the state issued guidance so that we can all continue to move forward. We want to make sure we all work together to protect lives and to continue reopening our County.”
As we turn a seasonal corner, and start to shed the pandemic gloom, spring fever is in the air throughout all the communities we serve along the Central Coast. Spirits are lifting, economic relief is hitting mail boxes, and nature is blossoming all around.
This past week was dominated by the American Rescue Plan Act – there is much good news there, and multiple benefits will accrue to many of our residents. Direct stimulus checks will help make up for reduced incomes, lost jobs, and to assist those raising families. An upside of living through this past year has been seeing our existing, and new stakeholders, all stepping up their support to meet these increased needs. What a testament to people helping people!
The County of Ventura will move to the State’s Red Tier beginning 12:01 am Wednesday, March 17, 2021.“This is great news for our community and an opportunity to work together to support our local businesses as we move forward in reopening our economy,” said County Executive Officer, Michael Powers.
In alignment with the state’s reopening framework, masking, distancing and infection control practices remain in place.
The County of Ventura will move to the State’s Red Tier beginning 12:01 am Wednesday, March 17, 2021.“This is great news for our community and an opportunity to work together to support our local businesses as we move forward in reopening our economy,” said County Executive Officer, Michael Powers.
In alignment with the state’s reopening framework, masking, distancing and infection control practices remain in place.
At (March 16)’s Board of Supervisors hearing, we received a COVID-19 update from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Some very positive news was shared, which is cause for celebration. However, while the winter surge we experienced is now over, we have to stay vigilant collectively as a county so we can continue to see a decline in cases and other metrics, especially with spring break on the horizon.
Our adjusted case rate is 7.7 and positivity rate is 3.3. Effective at 8:00 am tomorrow, Wednesday, 3/17, Santa Barbara County is now in the Red Tier. As a reminder, the following sector changes apply in the Red Tier according to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The state has reached its first health equity vaccine goal of vaccinating 2 million persons in the hardest hit communities in our state and our cases fall between 4-10 cases per 100,000 population.
More public schools will be reopening to in-person instruction now that Ventura County is moving to the less restrictive red tier in the State’s coronavirus monitoring system. The move from the purple to the red tier will take effect this Wednesday as COVID-19 rates decline in Ventura County and after the State eased the threshold to switch tiers because of increasing vaccination levels.
The change opens the door for schools that had not reopened the last time the County was in the red tier to do so at all grade levels, including middle and high school. Most schools that open to in-person instruction use hybrid schedules that include some time on distance learning. This is necessary because social distancing requirements prevent many schools from bringing all students back to class in-person full time.
For more than 40 years, attorney Frederick “Rick” Montgomery has been a fixture in Santa Barbara legal circles. As co-founder in January of 1977 of one of the city’s most esteemed law firms, Fell, Marking, Abkin, Montgomery, Granet & Raney, LLP, he has helped generations of Santa Barbara families and businesses work through their legal challenges.
This month, the preeminent local attorney launched a new chapter in his career. On March 1, he opened a new practice in downtown Santa Barbara across the street from his old firm.
VCCDC is celebrating the success of its first From Here Forward program recipient! Last month, Mia Martinez, a long-time Ventura County resident, closed on her first home with the help of $100,000 in down payment assistance from VCCDC. The From Here Forward Program is made possible with CalHome home buying assistance funds from the State of California and it provides gap funding for homebuyers who were physically or economically displaced by the Thomas or Woolsey Fires in Ventura County. Like many Ventura County residents, after the Thomas and Woolsey Fires, Mia’s rent went through the roof with 10% increases every year as housing supply shortages were exacerbated in Ventura County and landlords raised rents. With over 50% of her income going towards her rent, she had no other choice but to move in with family into a 10×10 bedroom for her and her granddaughter. Read more about Mia’s story and watch an orientation about the From Here Forward Program to learn how this program can help you buy a home!
Congress has approved a new $1.9 trillion federal relief package, more commonly known as the American Rescue Plan. The stimulus legislation, the largest of its kind, includes several measures to help stabilize small businesses and the economy.
The details of these programs are still being determined. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) annual Fun in the Sun (FITS) summer learning program returns June 21st through July 30th and is now accepting applications for staff and local students to participate. The free six week program will address summer learning loss and COVID-19 learning loss through academic and social emotional programming.
UWSBC is anticipating an in-person program at all six sites depending on COVID-19 mandates. Students will engage in academic rotations focused on literacy and STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, arts and math) as well as participate in social, emotional and mental wellness activities. Should COVID-19 conditions worsen, UWSBC will provide a virtual program.
Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has been providing financial support to over 100 COVID-19 positive lower income patients and their families in a special partnership with Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
It has been particularly difficult for these families as they experience the multi-pronged impacts of a life-threatening virus including losing work and income while quarantining to protect the rest of us by remaining home. Imagine complying with CDC guidelines by staying at home while, at the same time, being unable to pay for groceries and other essentials for your family. These are families that have been hardest hit by the pandemic and they’re trying their best to be safe under difficult conditions that none of us could have predicted.
With support from the Moore and Simons foundations, scientists advance their study of the origins of eukaryotic cells.
Round 4- Nonprofit Arts & Cultural Program
Application Window Now Open!
PLEASE NOTE: Eligible nonprofit arts and cultural institutions interested in being considered in this new program MUST complete a NEW APPLICATION at https://careliefgrant.com/arts-and-culture/ even if they have previously applied to the CA Relief Grant Program during Rounds 1 or 2. Waitlisted applications from Round 1 or 2 do not automatically roll over to Round 4.
NEW VACCINE PHASE OPENED TODAY: Individuals aged 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 because they have the following severe health conditions are now eligible:
Cancer, current with weakened immune system
Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
Down syndrome
Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ? 40 kg/m2)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
A new company, Cold Again Refrigeration Services, a Commercial Refrigeration Services Company, launched March 2021 in response to demand for more specialized services from the commercial refrigeration equipment services sector.
Cold Again Refrigeration Services will help customers to feel at ease about the continued performance of their vital refrigeration equipment. Cold Again knows that their customers want functional, reliable and long-lasting equipment and already works with markets, restaurants and hotels, to name just a few.
The Foundation of VCCU, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), gave a total of $31,000 in grants to eight local nonprofit organizations.
The grant recipients included the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, El Concilio Family Services, People’s Self-Help Housing, Project Bicycle Love, Ventura College Foundation, Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic. The nonprofits will use the grant money to support a wide variety of programs and services that benefit the Ventura County community.
On Mar. 4, KCLU’s Caroline Feraday interviewed Luz Reyes-Martín, SBCC’s Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications, about the back to work courses offered by the School of Extended Learning for those affected by coronavirus job cuts. Listen to the interview here…
Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Through April 30, 2021, trained VITA volunteer tax preparers will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $57,000 in 2020 are eligible to use the free services.
