Local Politics · Oxnard, CA
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.
Public Safety · Los Angeles County
Elevated fire weather from Santa Ana winds is expected across Southern and Northern California from Thursday through Saturday, with gusts of 50–70 mph forecast in the San Gabriel Mountains (Los Angeles County) and Santa Susana Mountains (Ventura County). The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of central and Northern California through Friday morning. Pacific Gas & Electric notified 88,000 customers in 29 counties of potential public-safety power shutoffs that began Wednesday night and could last through Saturday afternoon. Southern California Edison's dashboard indicated possible shutoffs affecting up to 245,000 customers across Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura counties, with 124,000 in Ventura County. LA Mayor Karen Bass directed the fire department to pre-deploy personnel and equipment, while Fire Chief Jaime Moore urged residents to clear streets and have evacuation plans ready.
Public Safety · Ventura County
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a red flag warning effective Thursday at 1:16 p.m. through Saturday at 8 p.m. for Lake Casitas and Ojai Valley in Ventura County, California. East winds of 15–25 mph with gusts to 40 mph and relative humidity minimums of 8–15% are expected, with Santa Ana winds peaking Friday before weakening through the weekend. The warning also extends across most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Saturday and interior Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for Friday. Officials warn conditions favor extreme fire behavior threatening life and property.
Local Politics · Ventura County
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.
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Public Safety · Ventura County
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.
Public Safety · Ventura County
A wildfire named the Frey Fire was first discovered at 2:59 p.m. on October 15, 2026, burning on private land in Ventura County, California. No containment status data was available at the time of reporting, and the cause had not been determined. The report is sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Public Safety · Ventura County
A new wildfire named the Cornell Fire was discovered at 1:09 p.m. on October 15, 2026, burning on private land in Ventura County, California. As of publication, no containment data was available and the cause had not been determined. The report is sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Public Safety · Ventura County
Ventura police and the Ventura County Environmental Health Division have stepped up enforcement against unpermitted street food vendors and pop-up kitchens along major corridors including Ventura Avenue. Officials cite food safety risks from operations lacking refrigeration, handwashing facilities, and temperature controls, referencing California's SB 972 permitting framework. Licensed restaurants and food truck operators say unregulated vendors create unfair competition by avoiding permit fees, taxes, and health inspections. Residents can identify permitted vendors by checking for a current Ventura County identifying sticker and report suspected violations to Environmental Health at 805-654-2813 or via the county's online portal.
Local Politics · Ventura County
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.
Local Politics
The City of Ventura is hosting community meetings to inform residents about a proposed permanent Tree Protection Ordinance ahead of its October 27, 2026 consideration by the City Council. The ordinance would establish standards for tree preservation, removal, and replacement to protect Ventura's urban forest. Specific meeting dates, times, and locations were not provided in the announcement.
