Business, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — California Competes Tax Credit Program

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The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.

Application Period Timeline: For fiscal year 2025-2026, GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during:

July 21, 2025 – August 11, 2025
January 5, 2026 – January 26, 2026
March 2, 2026 – March 16, 2026

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Business, Cultural, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — City of Ventura begins new fiscal year with balanced $637.3 million budget

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura kicked off its new fiscal year this month with a balanced operating and capital budget of $637.3 million for Fiscal Year 2025-26 (FY26). Spanning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the adopted budget reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, and delivery of high-quality public services. 

The General Fund, the City’s largest operating fund, is balanced at $157.3 million and is primarily supported by local property and sales taxes. It funds daily operations for most departments, including police, fire, parks and recreation, public works, and administrative services. 

The City continues to prioritize environmental stewardship through major infrastructure projects, including the Olivas Park Drive Extension and key water and wastewater initiatives such as the State Water Project Interconnection, the Advanced Water Purification Facility, and the Membrane Bioreactor and UV Disinfection system. Public safety also remains a central focus, with ongoing funding for Fire Station 7. 

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Cultural, Education, Local, News, Youth

CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute lineup for Fall includes topics ranging from brain health to the solar system

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CAMARILLO — Did you know your brain craves certain types of exercise? And music? And play! Gerontologist Kelsey Uyeda will explore the science of brain health with “The Brain And…,” one of 13 courses offered during the Fall I session of CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

Registration for the Fall I Session begins Aug. 4, with three and six-week courses running from Aug. 18 through Sept. 26. Discover timely topics ranging from mind and body to current events, as well as a selection of art, history and topics just for fun.

Included in the realm of mind and body is “Qigong Breathwork” by BJ Fan, Ph.D., who will familiarize participants with the ancient Chinese practice that combines stretching, meditation and breathwork to support overall health.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Save thousands to go electric while incentives last!

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It’s never been easier or more affordable to get an electric vehicle. Federal EV tax credits are still up for grabs (but not for long) and state incentives are full steam ahead. In other words, now is the time to claim your savings on an EV.

Explore available programs designed to help you make the switch to electric for less:

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Health, Local, News, Youth

Ventura College Foundation launches awareness campaign for student Basic Needs Center Program

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VENTURA — Ventura College Foundation is launching an awareness and philanthropic giving campaign to support Ventura College’s Basic Needs Center. The foundation provides support to the on-campus centers in Ventura and at East Campus in Santa Paula, which help alleviate food and housing insecurity and assist with overall student wellness.

The need for the center among students is growing. Ventura College data indicate that in 2024-25, two out of three students report experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity. Specifically, 47 percent of students are food insecure, 58 percent face housing insecurity, and 24 percent have experienced homelessness.

“These numbers demonstrate a critical and ongoing need for support services on campus,” says Maria Crisosto Calderon, Basic Needs Center Specialist. “Philanthropic support is essential to the work we do. Even with financial aid and part-time jobs, many students struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living. When students are unsure where their next meal will come from or how they’ll pay rent, their education often takes a back seat. Charitable giving enables the centers to provide immediate, life-stabilizing support, allowing students to focus on their academics and long-term goals.”

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Business, Education, Events, Finance, Government, Local, News

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

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IN-PERSON EVENT: INSURANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

August 13 @ 8:30 am

Join  SCORE Ventura County, City of Thousand Oaks and Economic Development Collaborative to learn about insurance from somebody who is not trying to sell you something! Insurance contracts are written by attorneys, but not all insurance agents can explain them in simple terms. In layman’s terms, this workshop will briefly overview the types of coverages available and what most businesses need. Address: Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Business, Cultural, Education, Events, Local, News

Announcing our 2025 El Concilio Awardees! Event sponsorship available

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Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate El Concilio Family Services’ 50th Anniversary—a legacy of empowering families, bridging communities, and building brighter futures through citizenship, immigration services, and youth leadership development. This special night will also honor the outstanding 2025 Latino Leadership Awardees who exemplify the spirit of service and leadership in our community. Good news! We’ve extended the Promotional Individual Ticket Price through August 18th—don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this milestone celebration.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

United Way of Ventura County — An inspirational evening celebrating the caring power of our community

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United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 20th Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also present our President’s Award. The awards and awardees are listed below:

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Business, Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Visit local farms during 7th annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day on Sept. 6

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SANTA BARBARA — City folks will get a taste of how the food they eat is grown during the 7th Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day, Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hosted by Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), this free event consists of over 20 farms, ranches, wineries and agricultural organizations across Santa Barbara County. All will open their doors so the public can learn how food is grown, meet the hands that feed them, and enjoy a fun-filled day of agricultural activities for the entire family. 

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Educación, Education, En español, familia, Family, Government, Local, Locales, News, Noticias

Bilingual report — Ventura Police Dept. warns drivers: Speeding catches up with you

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VENTURA — Focused on eliminating driving behaviors that contribute to traffic-related fatalities on our nation’s roads, the Ventura Police Department and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calls on drivers to recognize speeding as an aggressive driving behavior that endangers all road users and to put an end to it because Speeding Catches up with You.  

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Business, Cultural, Education, Finance, Government, Local, News, Youth

California Lutheran University — California Latino GDP surges past $1 trillion

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THOUSAND OAKS — If California Latinos were an independent state, their GDP would be the nation’s sixth-largest state GDP, larger than the economy of Pennsylvania or Ohio, according to the 2025 California Latino GDP Report by researchers at California Lutheran University and UCLA.

“Latinos’ participation in the California economy is more active, more intense than that of Non-Latinos,” said Matthew Fienup, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at Cal Lutheran and coauthor of the report with David Hayes-Bautista, Ph.D., distinguished professor of medicine at UCLA. “The importance of rapid Latino growth rates, and the intensity of economic activity they represent, cannot be overstated. The vitality of the overall California economy depends on the intensity of the economic activity of Latinos.”

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Cultural, Education, En español, Family, Local, Women

Bilingual commentary — Los Muxes, The Third Gender

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We are all aware of the demonization and persecution of LGBTQ-oriented people in the United States today. There has always been some measure of animosity toward this sector of our society, but the hostility has accelerated over the past few years and especially over the past months. 

Granted, those who live with alternative gender orientations in the U.S. are not tyrannized to the extent that they are in other countries. Here, they are not tortured and murdered with the tacit blessing of the government under which they live. But this in no way justifies the popularity of the irrational hatred emanating toward them in American society.

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Cultural, Education, En español, Entertainment, Events, Family, Immigration, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Mixteco / Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to present ‘Night in Oaxaca’ — Light of Resistance: Night of United Peoples

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SANTA BARBARA — Since the start of the year, members of our indigenous community across the Central Coast, our relatives, friends, and neighbors, have been taken by ICE. The joy and vibrancy of community life were replaced by fear and silence. However, as indigenous people, we know that our simple act of existence is resistance.

At MICOP, we remain rooted in our mission to organize, support, and empower our indigenous migrant community. Night in Oaxaca will continue to honor the beauty of indigenous existence, and of our resilient communities. We are descendants of warriors, healers, and protectors. We speak the languages of the rain and the clouds. Our spirits carry the songs of the mountains and rivers, and the courage of ancestors who never surrendered, and neither will we.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Women

Bilingual report — WEV selected for Natonal Childcare Accelerator Program to support homebased childcare providers in Ventura County

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SANTA BARBARA — Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) is proud to announce its selection as one of only seven Women’s Business Centers nationwide to participate in the newly launched AWBC x Stearns Childcare Accelerator Program. This honor highlights WEV’s role as a regional leader in addressing the childcare crisis and advancing economic equity for underserved entrepreneurs.

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Business, Cultural, En español, familia, Family, Government, Health, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Gold Coast Health Plan appoints acting Chief Medical Officer to permanent role

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“Dr. Cruz has devoted his career to caring for low-income and vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP’s chief executive officer. “He is a mission-driven leader with extensive experience in health education, health care administration, and care systems transformation who is committed to improving the health outcomes and reducing the health care inequities experienced by our most vulnerable members. I am confident that he will help lead us into the next phase of our work as we continue to find new ways to connect our members with care.”

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Business, Cultural, Health, Local, News

Cottage Health welcomes Ganesh Persad as new Chief Information Officer

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Cottage Health appoints Ganesh Persad, MSBI, CHCIO, as Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). His first day will be Sept. 8, 2025.

Ganesh brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare information management, with expertise in digital transformation, clinical systems, enterprise technology rollouts and initiatives aimed at improving patient and workforce experience.

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Business, Cultural, Educación, Education, En español, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Youth

Allan Hancock College invites new students to ‘Hancock Hello’ orientation events on Aug. 5, 12

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SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is inviting new students and their families to kick off the academic year with fun and informative Hancock Hello orientation events held this August at the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center. 

Hancock Hello is designed to help first-time students and their families get connected, feel confident and prepare for a successful college experience. The Lompoc Valley Center will host its Hancock Hello event on Aug. 5, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., and the Santa Maria campus event will be held on Aug. 12 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.  

“Hancock Hello is a great opportunity for incoming students and their families to get familiar with campus life,” said Hancock Outreach Coordinator Patricia Prado-Rios. “It’s a fun and informative way to feel prepared and excited for the year ahead.” 

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Business, Education, En español, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — The latest news from the County of Ventura

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Mark your calendars for the Career & Resource Expo!

You’re invited to the County of Ventura’s Annual Career & Resource Expo on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ventura County Government Center (Main Courtyard between the Hall of Administration and Hall of Justice).

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Business, Education, Events, Local, News

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County’s 6th Annual Compassion Campaign invites guests to RAISE THE ROOF for affordable housing

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VENTURA COUNTY — Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announced that its 6th Annual Compassion Campaign will feature two guest speakers Dr. John Nunes, President of California Lutheran University and Giorgio Angelini, Director of OWNED: A Tale of Two Americas. Angelini is currently developing a documentary adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Evicted, produced by actor Chris Pine. The event will be held at Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms in Moorpark on September 4th, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities please visit, www.housingtrustfundvc.org

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Family, Finance, Government, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

Ventura Port District set to Implement Phase 2 of Parking Management Plan

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VENTURA — The Ventura Port District announces the launch of Phase 2 of its Parking Management Plan, introducing paid parking at Ventura Harbor Village, Harbor Cove Beach, and Surfers Knoll Beach this weekend. Paid parking will be in effect from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, while remaining free Monday through Thursday (excluding major holidays).

The Parking Management Plan is intended to improve access and enhance the visitor experience by encouraging greater parking turnover and availability during peak times. This effort supports the Ventura Port District’s mission to provide exceptional amenities, infrastructure, and services for the community and its guests.

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Business, Cultural, En español, Entertainment, Events, Family, Local, Locales, News, Noticias, Seniors, Women, Youth

Bilingual report — Find fall favorites in the Ventura Activity Guide

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VENTURA — The City of Ventura is excited to announce the release of its Fall Parks and Recreation Activity Guide! Registration begins Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. and will be available online, over the phone, or in person at City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street in Room 226. Registration information and policies are on page 43. Discover hundreds of upcoming classes, programs, and events scheduled from September through January at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActivityGuide

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Business, Family, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Public Safety

Ventura County Fire Dept. to conduct prescribed burn in Adams Canyon on July 24

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THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) plans to conduct a prescribed burn in Adams Canyon, north of Santa Paula, on Thursday, July 24, weather permitting. This controlled burn is part of ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.

Adams Canyon is located north of Santa Paula, south of Thomas Aquinas College, and west of Steckel Park. Firefighters will utilize hand-ignition techniques to carefully burn 20-50 acres. A small test burn will be conducted beforehand to confirm optimal conditions before proceeding with the burn.

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Local

Museum of Ventura County — Your everyday moments are part of our county’s history

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As we watch events in Ventura County unfold on the covers of national newspapers, we are reminded that every day we are living through history.

The Museum of Ventura County is committed to preserving the history of our region. Local events, personal experiences, and everyday moments all contribute to the broader story of our community.

You can be part of this effort. Whether you’re taking photos, recording video, or using your phone’s voice memo feature to share your thoughts, your contributions can help us build a more complete record of life in Ventura County today.

SUBMIT your stories, videos, and photographs through our online archive and help us ensure that future generations have access to the stories that shape our county!

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Business, Education, Family, Health, Local, News, Women, Youth

Partnership brings relief to families in crisis through diaper distribution in North County

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SANTA MARIA — Caring for a critically ill child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and for too many families, navigating this unimaginable crisis is made even harder by financial strain. No parent should have to choose between paying medical bills and buying diapers. That’s why LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner and Hearts Aligned are strengthening their partnership to make life a little less stressful for such families in the Santa Maria area.

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Business, Cultural, Education, Family, Finance, Government, Health, Home, Local, News, Seniors, Women, Youth

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

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Our Camino Scholars summer program is in full swing! From touring the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and feeding animals at Ostrichland to dolphin watching on a Santa Barbara Harbor boat and a visit to the Maritime Museum, our students have been busy having fun in the sun! Learn more about this impactful program below.

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