Category Archives: News and Notes

St John’s Regional Medical Center employees to be honored

Two of Dignity Health St John’s Regional Medical Center employees will be recognized

by the West Ventura County Business Alliance as part of their annual Oxnard Community & Business Awards. The awards will be presented at a luncheon next week.

Patty Paumier

Distinguished Citizen of the Year – Patty Paumier

For decades, Patty Paumier has played a significant role in Oxnard, particularly at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. She is the manager of the gift shop at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and a longtime hospital and community volunteer. Her passion for helping others and her dedication and service to St. John’s hospitals are evident in the more than 40 years of service she has contributed to St. John’s. Thanks to her leadership, the SJRMC gift shop donates a portion of its funds to support the purchase of lifesaving equipment at SJRMC.

Patty’s contributions to St. John’s hospitals are immeasurable. She is loved and appreciated by all hospital staff and the community alike. If Patty sees a hungry person, she will buy them a meal. If she sees someone feeling blue, she hears them out. If someone is celebrating a win, she cheers them on. Patty has truly dedicated herself to serving others, which has helped promote a healing environment at St. John’s and has had a remarkable impact in our community.

Emma Grossman

Young Professional of the Year – Emma Grossman

Emma Grossman’s work at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo goes far beyond her role as Chief Financial Officer. As a Ventura County native, Emma approaches every project and initiative with one common goal–caring for the community.

Emma is thoughtful, diligent, and a natural-born leader. She joined St. John’s at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic has presented some of the most significant challenges for health care and society, Emma has handled it gracefully. From day one, she rolled up her sleeves to lead the hospital’s financial efforts while also being essential to resource management. At a time when resources were not abundant, she and her team consistently went above and beyond to ensure the hospital and community were more than equipped to navigate a surge in patients. Whether lending a hand in other departments or offering advice, Emma leads with kindness.

Emma began her public accounting career working in audit and taxation for national Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms. She has held positions of increasing responsibility ranging from financial analyst to Controller. Emma holds a Masters in Accounting from the University of Southern California Leventhal School Of Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies from Drew University. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California.

Crop and Livestock Report presented to supervisors

The County of Ventura’s Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures presented the 2021 Crop and Livestock Report to the Board of Supervisors at recent meeting. Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer Ed Williams reported the value of crops for the county for 2021 was $2,085,999,000, an increase of 5% from 2020. Strawberries, lemons, and nursery stock remained the highest valued crops, followed by raspberries, avocados, and celery. For the second consecutive year, the report has been published in Spanish.

“It is good to see the gross values for Ventura County’s crops rising again compared to the bit of a slump in 2020 due to the pandemic,” said Williams. “Production costs have increased, and growers must receive a good return on their investments for farming to continue. The impact of farming and ranching goes far beyond the farm gate by providing jobs for processors, marketers, transporters, farm supply companies, and restaurants, to name a few, and especially the tens of thousands of farmworkers who provide the skill and foundation to make it all possible. I deeply appreciate the many people who play a key role in keeping Ventura County’s agriculture thriving.”
Seafood, including fish and squid, was included in the report for the first time, with a value of over $31 million. The Organic Farming Program saw an increase of 27% from prior years, with 217 registered growers in 2021. Almost 12% of the total crop in 2021 was produced organically. Vegetable crops struggled in 2021. Of note, the tomato crop dropped out of the top ten for the first time in 22 years.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our community and drives not only our local economy but also contributes to feeding the world,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Carmen Ramirez. “We are proud of the irreplaceable contributions of the entire agricultural community in helping provide food and products for us all, especially our growers, providers, farmworkers, suppliers, the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures, among many other partners.”

Since 1895, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the Department has worked in cooperation with the California Departments of Food and Agriculture and Pesticide Regulation, agricultural community partners, residents, and others to protect and promote Ventura County’s agriculture in the areas of pesticide use enforcement, permitting, quality control, certification of exports, among others.

View the 2021 Crop and Livestock Report in English and Spanish at https://www.ventura.org/agricultural-commissioner/crop-reports/. For more information about the Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures, visit https://www.ventura.org/agricultural-commissioner/.

Ventura County Fire responds to person trapped in large machine at manufacturing plant

On August 1, the Ventura County Fire Communication Center received a 911 call to report a person trapped in a large machine at a manufacturing plant in the 6200 block of Ventura Rd. Fire personnel arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and found a large piece of manufacturing equipment with a victim trapped inside of a section of the machinery. Two regional Urban Search and Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene and were able to extricate the victim by utilizing specialized tools, equipment, and techniques.

Families and mentors can really make a life-changing decision to help

Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC program needs additional families to step up and support older youth during their transition into independence.

Homes with Heart VC, a program of Ventura County Children and Family Services, is very actively seeking families in Ventura County that can open their hearts and homes to older youth in care. With over 250 older youth in care in Ventura County, Resource Families for older youth between the ages of 16-25 are in higher demand than ever before.

“We need our older youth to go out into the world with that key to success — knowing that they are loved and supported to lead healthy and productive lives,” said Jaci Johnson, Program Coordinator III at Ventura County Children and Family Services.

Ventura County Children & Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC was developed to increase the amount of loving resource families who are ready to take in children in need in Ventura County.

To learn more about how you can get involved and help older youth in Ventura County, visit www.homeswithheartvc.org/tay. Learn how Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.homeswithheartvc.org.

Son of Ventura Councilwoman Lorrie Brown dies in carjacking and homicide

The 22-year-old son of Ventura Councilwoman Lorrie Brown died on Thursday, July 22, in Florida. Jeremiah Emmanuel Jordan Brown died of an apparent carjacking and homicide. The exact facts of his murder are still being investigated as Osceola County detectives continue to work on the case.

Jeremiah Brown was born and raised in Ventura and went to Montalvo Elementary, Anacapa Middle and Buena High schools. He was on vacation with his family, staying in an Airbnb in Davenport, Florida. They were celebrating an important time in his girlfriend’s nursing program.

His death was reported to Lorrie by Ventura police officers that evening.
who had been contacted by detectives from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Lorrie Brown was elected to the Ventura City Council in November, 2018.

Vehicle collides into tree on Harbor Blvd

On July 22,at 7:16am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a vehicle into a tree on Harbor Blvd. near the intersection of Schooner Drive. The driver and sole occupant was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ventura Fire Department.

At this time, traffic collision investigators believe the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and swerved to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of it. The vehicle lost control and collided with a tree, fatally injuring the driver.

This investigation is ongoing and there was nothing at the scene that would indicate the driver was impaired. The name of the driver is being withheld pending next of kin notification by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Traffic Collision Investigator Mercado at 805-3394306.

The City Center is a bridge between homelessness and success for families with children

The City Center’s Year 2 fundraising drive is about to kick off. They must continue raising funds for The City Center to purchase their own home. Historically, 53% of their monthly costs were for rent, so buying the converted motel in downtown Ventura has been a big priority. Board member and longtime supporter of The City Center, John Exell, said, “The City Center program has proven success – we have seven years of not one graduate of our program returning to homelessness, a testament to our unique program. Our program is difficult, with many tough goals set, but we provide mentoring and counseling to help our residents become self-sufficient and thrive”.

The requirements for graduation from The City Center are:
– Be completely off government subsistence programs
– Have a full-time income-generating job
– Have a savings account
– Reliable transportation
– Be 100% debt free

Jim Duran, Executive Director of The City Center says, “The City Center goal-based program keeps our residents and children on track. They all have a “tiny home” or room just for them and their children, which allows the family to stay together. Being unhoused is a difficult path for anyone to take, but for homeless moms, dads, with children, it is horrible. No child should be homeless. The residents in our bridge program, which transitions folks to a healthy, supportive lifestyle, often go on to be counselors and help others. We are so proud of all of them.”

They recently held  The CAKE event which was a day of photos, filming residents and their children, and discussing The City Center’s impact on their lives. In addition, there was a giant cake for the families to celebrate Year One’s fundraising result and gratitude for the Ventura County community stepping up to help.

Coming up on August 18, at 5:30pm, is a rare opportunity to see The City Center, meet families and talk with them at a “sponsor a room” event, which asks community members, faith-based organizations, and businesses to help.    To help house more homeless families and children please  donate by visiting  https://www.gofundme.com/f/TheCityCenter

California Congresswoman Brownley visits Ventura Port District to celebrate the Federal appropriation

Harbormaster John Higgins, Board Chairman Chris Stephens, California Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Sr. Business Operations Manager Todd Mitchell and Board Vice-Chairman Mike Blumenberg at the presentation.

California Congresswoman Julia Brownley, U.S. representative of California 26th District, recently visited the Ventura Port District to celebrate the federal appropriation of $5,516,000 for the maintenance dredging of Ventura Harbor. This is one of the Congresswoman’s ten Community Funded Projects which was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus and was supported by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla. The Community Project Funding supplements the funding made available for the project in the President’s Budget and ensures that the entrance to Ventura Harbor will be well cared for through the next dredging cycle in early 2023. The check was presented to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ventura Board of Port Commissioners, Chris Stephens and Michael Blumenberg.

“Since first being elected to Congress, I have been tireless in my work to secure funding for the dredging and maintenance of Ventura County’s harbors. The dredging of Ventura Harbor is essential to ensuring continued operations of this critical West Coast fishing hub,” stated Congresswoman Brownley. “The annual funding is vital to ensuring that the harbor’s federally authorized channel remains open to those who rely upon the harbor, including the commercial fishing industry and supply chain businesses.

Brownley stated. “This funding will support operations at the harbor, support local businesses that rely on these waterways, and ensure the preservation of our coastline and beaches. The dredging efforts also help keep our local tourism and recreation industries thriving to provide recreational opportunities for everyone throughout the region. This is a real win-win-win!”

Ventura Port District General Manager Brian Pendleton stated, “The ongoing support of Congresswoman Brownley at the federal level has been exceptionally important to our region. Ventura Harbor has benefited from her support since her first year in office and we cannot thank her enough.

The dredging of the entrance channel is performed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Congresswoman’s efforts ensure that sufficient funding is provided to the agency to complete the project. Maintaining this deep draft navigation channel ensures that the nearly 1,500 harbor vessels, including the Channel Islands National Park ferries, commercial fishing vessels, and private boaters have unrestricted access between the open ocean, Ventura Harbor, and the Ventura Keys.

In addition to keeping the entrance safe and navigable, the high-quality sand is redistributed onto adjacent beaches. This beneficial reuse of the sand renourishes the beaches after the winter season erosion, providing a secondary benefit. This in turn helps to provide an accessible and safe beach going experience for the public, while defending protected species habitat.

 

 Channel Islands National Park receives funding to rehabilitate and improve safety on trails

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland visits Ventura. Photos by Michael Gordon

During a visit to Channel Islands National Park today, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland celebrated the Department of the Interior’s commitment of close to $100,000 in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The park’s ecosystem restoration project will rehabilitate and improve safety on trails, as well as protect archeological and natural resources on Santa Cruz Island. The project will be carried out in partnership with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

“Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are advancing partnerships between the federal government and Tribes to support access to clean air, clean water and a better environment for future generations,” said Assistant Secretary Newland. “As we make essential investments through this transformative law to conserve ecosystems, mitigate the risk of wildland fire and maintain our national parks, the support and ingenuity of local partners and Tribes who know these natural treasures best is critical.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $1.4 billion for ecosystem restoration efforts over the next five years, building on proven projects, programs and partnerships that conserve our cherished wildlife and natural resources critical to supporting local economies, creating jobs and strengthening communities.

The project funding announced today will be carried out under a Task Agreement with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, engaging their Fire Department in trail construction and their Cultural department in resources protection. The project will work to protect natural and archeological areas and enhance visitor experience and public safety by improving corridors and trail conditions on three miles of the park’s most heavily used trails as well close and restore approximately 1,000 feet of unapproved trails. The project will also protect native plant communities and areas with archaeological resources while adapting existing historic routes for accessible and safe public access.

Daily lifeguard service will be provided

As the summer season approaches, daily lifeguard service will be provided at Ventura Harbor beaches along Spinnaker Drive.

In a unanimous vote the Board of Port Commissioners authorized Brian Pendleton, General Manager of Ventura Harbor, to contract with State Parks to provide the lifeguard service from May through September 2022 at Harbor Cove, South Beach, and Surfers Knoll beaches. The approved 2022 lifeguard contract of $140,131.07 will provide adequate coverage to each of the three Ventura Harbor beach areas over a five-month period.

“The Port District has taken great pride in supporting enhanced beach safety by way of seasonal lifeguards on the Harbors beaches,” said Pendleton.

For over 60 years, State Parks has provided professional lifeguarding services along California’s coastline. The Ventura Port District took the lead in securing summer lifeguards at the Harbor in 2011.

For questions on lifeguard times, call the State Lifeguards Dispatch at 805-648-3321 and for Ventura Harbor beach details visit VenuraHarborVillage.com.