Guest commentary — Communities across California call unscientific regulation of Cancer-Causing 1,3-D racist. Demand phaseout of fumigants and 1-mile buffer zones around schools

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805.

OXNARD — At five news conferences (on Nov. 18), farmworker communities across our State were scheduled to speak of their outrage over the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s recent policy regarding California’s third most used synthetic pesticide, the cancer-causing fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; brand name Telone). They are also deeply concerned about the increasing use of not just 1,3-D but other harmful drift-prone fumigants near schools and daycares and call for significant changes to the regulation of fumigants, especially near schoolchildren in California. 

These news conferences, all sponsored by Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), will be held in Watsonville, Fresno, Modesto, and Oxnard, as well as a statewide event online.

Guest commentary — VCTA: Bankruptcy happens gradually, then suddenly

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805.

The Ventura County Taxpayers Association (VCTA) has long supported responsible stewardship of County resources and transparent oversight of the Ventura County Medical System (VCMS). As we prepare to address the Board of Supervisors, it has become increasingly clear that VCMS is facing a financial crisis — one driven not by outside forces, but by management’s persistent failure to address its ongoing structural cash-flow deficit.

The Core Problem: A Structural Cash-Flow Deficit Getting Worse …

Santa Paula Police Dept. participates in ‘No Shave November’ supporting those with cancer

SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department has once again launched “No Shave November” to support local charities that assist with those battling cancer. Police officers are growing their facial hair to help “grow” cancer awareness. The Santa Paula Police Officers Association (SPPOA) is coordinating this campaign, receiving donations from all Police Department employees in order to participate. The fundraising campaign will finish at the end of the month. Employees will be allowed to grow their facial hair fully and neatly trimmed over the next few months.

Bilingual report — City of Ventura searches for next Fire Chief to lead an all-hazards department

VENTURA —  The City of Ventura has opened recruitment for its next Fire Chief, seeking a progressive and collaborative leader to guide one of California’s oldest fire departments. 

Ventura’s Fire Department responds to more than 18,000 calls each year from six stations serving a diverse coastal community of over 110,000 residents. Rooted in a legacy dating back to 1875, the department has evolved into a modern, all-hazards agency known for its commitment to preparedness, prevention, and professional service. 

Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Ventura County students are making gains! A chat with Trudy Arriaga, logo contest winners, and more

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to report that local students are making improvements in attendance, graduation rates, and academic performance according to new data from the 2025 California School Dashboard.

Ventura County’s graduation rate of 90.5% for 2025 has improved by 7.2 percentage points since 2021 and is 3.0 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County’s chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7% for 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improvement and is 1.7 percentage points better than the statewide rate. Ventura County students have also improved their performance in both Math and English on the state CAASPP assessment. Click here for more local highlights.

‘Smile Bus Grand Reveal’ — New Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics’ Mobile Dental Bus Brings Additional Dental Care to Greater Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) successfully unveiled its new “Smile Bus” Mobile Dental vehicle on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Santa Barbara City lot at Leadbetter Beach. The event brought together local officials, SBNC supporters and friends, and SBNC leadership and staff to celebrate the expansion of mobile dental care in the Greater Santa Barbara community.

Smile Bus Interior.
Dental care is important for kids to maintain good teeth and gum health, ensure that they can chew and speak properly, and establish lifelong healthy habits. Dental care is important for overall healthcare because oral health is directly linked to general health. Dental decay is the leading disease in children worldwide. Nationally, over 34 million school hours are missed each year due to dental-related treatment.

Health Care Foundation for Ventura County is an Action for Women’s Health Awardee  

VENTURA — Health Care Foundation for Ventura County has been announced as one of 80+ organizations that were awarded funding through Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million global open call, launched in 2024 to support organizations working to improve women’s mental and physical health around the world.  

Although women make up half of the world’s population, they face inequities in nearly every aspect of their health. Women’s health is chronically underfunded and under-researched, and even when resources and solutions do exist, they often aren’t reaching the women who need them.  

Ventura County Fire Dept. awarded grant to enhance child passenger safety

THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has received a $95,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to expand its child passenger safety initiatives. The grant runs through September 2026 and funding supports programs that reduce injuries and fatalities among children in motor vehicle crashes by promoting proper car seat use throughout Ventura County.

The grant will allow VCFD to continue its collaboration with Safe Kids Ventura County, led by Ventura County Public Health, to educate parents and caregivers, distribute child safety seats to families in need, and train new Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Historic permitting reform package passes unanimously

I’m pleased to share that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a major initiative to strengthen and modernize our planning, zoning, and permitting systems. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the thoughtful input I received from many of you—your experiences and feedback were instrumental in shaping this effort.

The package that I brought forward with Supervisor Matt LaVere, is designed to make our permitting processes more efficient, transparent, and customer-focused for residents, homeowners, and local businesses.

Ventura County Leadership Academy welcomes new board members

We are excited to welcome Mark Stadler, alum of VCLA Cohort XXVII to the VCLA Board. With over 37 years of dedicated service in law enforcement, Mark has been a vital part of community safety and crisis intervention efforts. He has served as the Senior Program Administrator of the Ventura County Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for the past 10 years, following his retirement as a Commander of the Ventura Police Department. A founding member of the CIT program 25 years ago, Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne. He is also an instructor at the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center, a senior adjunct professor at the University of La Verne, and serves on the Advisory Board of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CACITA). 

Speaker Rivas, Pro Tem Limón, Asm. Bennett, lawmakers visit Ventura County farm

Assembly and Senate leaders heard directly from farmers in Ventura County who are innovating and succeeding, and discussed ways to support workers and deliver solutions that continue to uplift the agricultural sector

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmeralda Soria, Assemblymembers Steve Bennett and Avelino Valencia, and Senator Henry Stern and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Melissa Hurtado at a Ventura County avocado farm, discussing how the state can continue to support farmers and agricultural innovation as federal policies threaten farmworkers and grocery costs.

Ventura Music Festival — Thankful for Music in Ventura!

As we enter Thanksgiving week, all of us at Ventura Music Festival are filled with gratitude. Because of you—our growing community of followers, audiences, ticket buyers, and donors—we achieved something extraordinary this year: tripling our concerts from 10 to 30 and bringing more music to more people in more ways than ever before. Your support is the engine behind every performance, every new partnership, and every moment of connection we create for our county.

Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation — Fall Economic Report for 2025

Economic growth is positive in the County but there is concern because the general economy is contributing less to the broader Southern California economy. Over the last 15 years, Ventura County’s contribution to gross regional economic activity for the aggregate of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties has been in a continuous decline.

The percentage of gross county product contributed by Ventura County as a percent of total Southern California gross product has declined from 5.5 percent in 2007 to 4.0 percent in 2024. The rate of growth remains positive, but it has consistently lagged the aggregate growth of the other four counties.

This is largely due to much lower employment and population growth, and less new development of residential and non-residential structures. SOAR has been a principal impediment to growth in the region. It has largely limited organic growth and discouraged new in-migrating business growth.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

SCORE: STARTING A NONPROFIT: A STEP-BY-STEP

November 18 @ 1:00 pm

Ready to turn your vision into reality? Join SCORE for a practical workshop that offers step-by-step guidance on establishing a nonprofit public charity. Ideal for those who have already decided to form a nonprofit, this session covers the essential stages from conception to achieving tax-exempt status and beyond. Price: $10.00.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Farm Bureau of Ventura County — USDA Damage Survery and FSA Resources

With the significant rain we have received and more on the way, the USDA is investigating whether damage has occurred to agricultural operators in our County.

If you have suffered damage to your agricultural crops, structures, land, or equipment due to excessive rain this month please complete the form linked below and return it to the agricultural commissioner’s office:

Drive Out Hunger – Port of Hueneme hosts Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway for Active Military & Veterans

PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme, California, proudly hosted its annual Drive Out Hunger Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway today, providing 450 frozen turkeys and full holiday meal kits to active-duty military members and veterans from across Ventura County. The drive-thru event reflects the Port’s deep commitment to serving those who serve the nation.

First Amendment Coalition represents Buen Vecino in lawsuit for public records about high-profile immigration raids in Ventura County

SAN RAFAEL — On behalf of nonprofit community organization Buen Vecino (in Simi Valley), the First Amendment Coalition, with attorneys Gregory Pleasants and Shaffy Moeel, filed a Public Records Act lawsuit against Ventura County and its sheriff to compel disclosure of video footage showing what deputy sheriffs did at a controversial immigration enforcement operation.

Cash for College 2-day event (Nov. 19-20) travels to Paso Robles High School to assist students with financial air applications

The event will provide seniors from Paso Robles, Liberty and Independence high schools with hands-on support to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act applications before the upcoming priority deadline.

Ventura County Civic Alliance Nov. 15, 2025 Livable Communities Newsletter

This year’s State of the Region event was an overview of the report by Tony Basotti, and panel with District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Amgen Executive Director of Global Government Affairs Chad Petit, Port District CEO & Director Kristin Decas, and Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen, who gave their perspectives on issues in the report.

This venture is crucial to the dissemination of information to the community and leaders in business, education, and government, who are instrumental in planning the county’s future. We are grateful to our sponsors whose support is integral to this important project.

As always, let us know what you think.?
Stacy Roscoe

More Ways to Give with VCCF: Stock Donations

VENTURA COUNTY — As we enter the season of giving, there’s a wonderful way to make your generosity go even further: donating appreciated stock to the Ventura County Community Foundation.
 
Gifting stock is not only a powerful way to support the causes you care about, it may also offer meaningful tax advantages. By donating appreciated securities, you may be able to avoid capital-gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of your gift. It’s a true win-win for you and for our Ventura County community.

Bilingual commentary — The Mysterious Realm of Mushrooms

Many of us don’t think too much about mushrooms, except in terms of how they mysteriously appear in the fall, or how they might enhance a meal that we are preparing. 

I believe most of us see mushrooms as a curiosity. They seem to emerge enigmatically from out of nowhere for a season before disappearing into that mysterious realm from whence they came. 

County of Ventura District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell — Storm update

Dear Neighbors,

The National Weather Service is forecasting a series of storms heading toward Ventura County beginning late Thursday and continuing through Sunday. With significant rainfall expected, I want to ensure you have the latest information to stay prepared and safe. Read a full update about the weather event at VCEmergency.com.

Evacuation Warnings are in effect for the following areas 6:00 pm Thursday, November 13 ? 6:00 pm Sunday, November 16, 2025:

Mountain Fire Burn Area – Upgraded from Advisory to Evacuation Warning
Matilija Canyon / North Fork, Camino Cielo

Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara — Second wave of storm arrives late Friday (Nov. 14). Heavier rain anticipated for south Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Mountains

Storm Update
A series of storms is moving through Santa Barbara County. The first storm has passed, and a second storm is expected late Friday, November 14, into Saturday, November 15.

During the first storm, the South County received about 2–4 inches of rain, with some areas in the Santa Ynez Mountains getting over 5 inches overnight. North County saw about 1–2 inches. The storm caused localized flooding, downed trees, and rocks and debris on roads.

The second storm is expected to bring 2–3 inches of rain to South County and 3–6 inches to the Santa Ynez Mountains. North County will likely receive less rain than other parts of the county. According to the National Weather Service, this storm will produce heavier bursts of rain over short periods, unlike the steady rain from the first storm. A Flood Watch will be in effect for most of Santa Barbara County from 1AM – 10PM on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Guest commentary — CAUSE — A bad deal for Oxnard

On Tuesday, November 18th, the Oxnard City Council faces a defining choice: will they stand with our community or take a bad deal from a polluting corporation that has spent decades deceiving and putting profit before people? Join us at City Council on Tuesday at 6:00 PM to make your voice heard and stand up for environmental justice in Oxnard.

Santa Paula Art Museum — “Art About Agriculture” Premieres Saturday, Nov. 15, more events

Saturday, November 15, from 4 PM to 6 PM

SPAM Members $5 • Non-members $10

Feast your eyes on 48 fresh works of art by contemporary California artists during the premiere of Art About Agriculture on Saturday, November 15! This popular biennial exhibit explores the many facets of agriculture through art—from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that fills our plates. Mingle with the artists, and enjoy beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres during the premiere party. All of the artworks will be available for purchase.

The 16th Art About Agriculture Exhibition will be on view from November 15, 2025, to March 8, 2026. This exhibition is sponsored by Brokaw Ranch Company.

MORE INFO

Nyeland Promise Noticias

It’s been a little while since our last newsletter, but we’re so happy to reconnect with you! So much has been happening in our beloved Nyeland Acres from new programs to inspiring community moments that continue to remind us why we do what we do.

At Nyeland Promise, our mission remains the same: to build a healthier, stronger, and more united community through compassion, empowerment, and opportunity. Whether it’s through our Cafecito con los Vecinos senior gatherings, Comadres Unidas women’s empowerment group or our continued outreach for families, every effort is made possible because of you — our dedicated neighbors, volunteers, and partners.

Coalition for Family Harmony in Oxnard marks 50 years of service to survivors

OXNARD — This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Coalition for Family Harmony marks its 50th anniversary — a milestone in its long-standing commitment to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Ventura County.

The organization traces its roots back to 1975, when it was founded as a crisis phone hotline by Roz McGrath, a pioneering social justice advocate known for her tireless work defending human rights and supporting underserved communities. What began as a grassroots effort from McGrath’s vision and activism has since grown into a robust, multilingual agency offering comprehensive services including shelter, legal advocacy, trauma counseling, prevention education, and 24/7 crisis intervention.

Ventura County Credit Union celebrates 75 years of service with $75,000 gift to Moorpark College Foundation

VENTURA COUNTY  — In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) continues its “Year of Giving” with a $75,000 donation to the Moorpark College Foundation, presented during VCCU Employee Development Day at the credit union’s corporate headquarters on Oct. 13, 2025.

Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College, and Debi Klein, executive director of the Moorpark College Foundation, accepted the donation on behalf of the college. The funds will directly support student success initiatives, scholarships and innovative academic programs that continue to make Moorpark College one of the top community colleges in California.