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.
Public Safety · Ventura County
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.
Public Safety · Los Angeles County
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.
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.
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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.
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 Business · Ventura County
Round1 Bowling & Arcade and YUU Japanese Food Hall opened on Oct. 10 in the former Sears space at Pacific View Mall in Ventura. The venue features bowling, arcade games, billiards, and karaoke alongside 14 Japanese dining concepts including ramen, curry, and udon. This location marks the first U.S. site for YUU Japanese Food Hall. Both establishments operate daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., with food orders closing at 1 a.m.
Community News · Ventura County
Ventura resident and wellness coach Jill Covell leads monthly CALM Art sessions at the Cancer Center at Community Memorial Hospital, held on the second Thursday of each month and open to cancer patients. Sessions last one to two hours and include breathing exercises, guided drawing with watercolor pencils, clay projects, calming music, and reflective journaling; no prior artistic experience is required. Covell, who earned an MFA in installation art from Claremont Graduate School, developed the program after her own breast cancer treatment revealed art's therapeutic potential for managing stress and processing difficult emotions. Information about upcoming sessions is available at CALM-ART.net or by emailing info@calm-art.net.
