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Ventura County, CA · County edition

Ventura County local news

Each morning we send a short email about what happened in Ventura County the day before. Most editions take a few minutes to read. It's free.

Latest edition

Monday, October 19, 2026

Local Politics · Ventura County

Ventura River Watershed Adjudication Info Sessions Oct. 19; Trial Begins Oct. 26

The City of Ventura, Casitas Municipal Water District, Ventura River Water District, Meiners Oaks Water District, and the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation (Taylor Ranch) have developed a proposed Watershed-Wide Physical Solution as part of the Ventura River Adjudication, which will be considered by the court in a trial scheduled to begin October 26, 2026. Two community information sessions are set for Monday, October 19: a 10:00 a.m. session at Oak View Park & Resource Center Auditorium (555 Mahoney Ave., Oak View) and a 5:00 p.m. in-person/Zoom session at Kent Hall (111 W. Santa Ana St., Ojai), moderated by City of Ojai Mayor Andy Gilman. Each session includes a presentation followed by public comments and questions. Additional details, documents, and Zoom links are available at VenturaRiverWatershedAdjudication.com.

Source: The Ventura Breeze Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Ventura County

City Breaks Ground on Interim Fire Station 7 at Alessandro Drive

The City of Ventura and Ventura Fire Department held a groundbreaking ceremony for Interim Fire Station 7 at 2269 Alessandro Drive, which will house Medic Engine 7 and serve the Pierpont, Ventura Keys, and Ventura Harbor neighborhoods. The modular facility—featuring a 5,800-square-foot apparatus bay, approximately 2,880 square feet of living quarters, and a multipurpose room—is expected to be completed in fall 2027. The project represents a $12 million-plus investment, including $7 million in Measure O funding, with the construction contract valued at approximately $6.5 million. City officials cited decades-long planning efforts and rising call volume—from roughly 5,000 annually when Station 6 opened in 1988 to nearly 19,000 today—as drivers for the new station. The interim facility will operate while long-term planning continues for a permanent Fire Station 7.

Source: The Ventura Breeze Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Los Angeles County

Beach Hazards Statement for Southern California Through Tuesday 9 a.m.

The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a beach hazards statement at 12:05 p.m. Saturday, valid from Sunday 9 a.m. through Tuesday 9 a.m. for Ventura County Beaches, Malibu Coast, and Los Angeles. The alert warns of dangerous rip currents, breaking waves from elevated surf, minor beach erosion, and tidal overflows especially in the Long Beach area. Residents are urged to stay out of the water or remain near occupied lifeguard towers, and to avoid rock jetties.

Source: The Modesto Bee Read the full story ↗

Local Politics · Oxnard, CA

Oxnard Council Places Measure O Sales Tax Renewal on Nov. 3, 2026 Ballot

The Oxnard City Council voted June 16, 2026 to place the "City of Oxnard Public Safety, Financial Stability Measure (No Tax Rate Increase)" on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Measure O is a ½ cent sales tax approved by 65% of voters in 2008 that funds police and fire protection, 911 response, street maintenance, youth and senior programs, and homelessness services; it expires March 2029 unless renewed. If approved, the city's 9.25% sales tax rate remains unchanged and existing accountability provisions including independent audits and citizen oversight continue. Expiration would reduce Oxnard's annual revenues by approximately $20 million beginning in early 2029. Election materials are available for public examination through June 29, 2026 at the City Clerk's Office and oxnard.gov/ballotmeasures.

Source: Vida Newspaper Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Ventura County

Ventura El Niño Winter Shelter Active Oct. 15–April 15 for Flood-Prone Areas

The city of Ventura has activated its El Niño Winter Shelter at the National Guard Armory, 1270 Arundell Ave., offering up to 120 emergency beds from Oct. 15 through April 15 during extreme rainfall events such as flash flooding or rain exceeding half an inch per hour. The shelter targets unsheltered individuals living in riverbeds and other flood-prone areas, with activation determined by the city's Emergency Services manager monitoring weather forecasts. Ventura is coordinating operations with Ventura County and the Ventura Police Department Emergency Services. The new shelter supplements the city's existing Foul Weather Shelter program, which provides up to 40 motel rooms for seniors ages 62 and older and individuals with chronic health conditions during cold or rainy nights from December through March.

Source: Noozhawk Read the full story ↗

Local Politics · Ventura County

Ventura City Council Nominations Close Ahead of Nov. 3, 2026 Election

The City of Ventura concluded the candidate nomination period for City Council Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 ahead of the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. The initial deadline closed August 7 at 5 p.m., with District 6 receiving a five-day extension to August 12 because the incumbent did not file for re-election. City Clerk Michael MacDonald confirmed that all nomination documents have been reviewed and qualified candidates are set for the ballot. Eligible individuals may still register as write-in candidates by filing with the City Clerk's Office between September 7 and October 20, 2026.

Source: The Ventura Breeze Read the full story ↗
Read the full Monday, October 19, 2026 edition (+2 more stories) →

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About Your Local News in Ventura County

Every night we go through the news sites and public notices that cover Ventura County, CA. When several outlets report the same council vote, you read about it once.

The email goes out before 6am. Where the original article is free to read, we link to it.

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