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16th Annual Phoenix Scholarship Ceremony

by Victoria Usher

On Thursday April 16th there was a truly inspiring event that took place at Ventura College in the school’s Wright Event Center.This event was the 16th Annual Phoenix Scholarship Ceremony where 28 re-entry students who have chosen to return to Ventura College to finish their education were not only congratulated but they were also given a $1,000 Phoenix Scholarship from the Ventura College Foundation. These 28 adult re-entry students were all individually picked to receive this specific scholarship because of their future goals, because of their financial need, but above all else because each and every one of them have learned to overcome their own difficult circumstances in order to be able to pursue their studies at Ventura College. During the ceremony each of the students had an opportunity to share their stories about how these scholarships have truly helped them to face their own personal challenges and be able to pursue their education.

 

When the Ventura College Foundation’s board of directors learned about the special needs of Ventura College re-entry students that’s when they established this scholarship in 1999. The Foundation’s staff and board of directors also hosted the scholarship ceremony on April 16th.

Stan Weisel sponsored the event this year. Weisel is a Ventura resident and founder of the Stan Weisel Endowed Scholarships; he has also pledged to sponsor this specific event for the rest of his life.

The students that received awards at this ceremony are from many different areas of Ventura.

The Ventura College Foundation has created something truly wonderful with this scholarship, they have discovered a way to truly help re-entry students have the kind of success that they deserve to have.

Vol. 8, No. 15 – April 29–May 12, 2015 – Police Reports

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On Wednesday, April 15th, at 10:30 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the area of Victoria Avenue and Telephone Road. Prior to stopping the vehicle, a records check indicated that it had been reported stolen earlier in the day from Oxnard. As the officer continued to follow the vehicle and wait for additional resources, the driver, Scott Hernandez, parked in the area of Chalmette Avenue and Telephone Road. Hernandez then exited the vehicle and ran into a residential area.

Hernandez was found hiding in some bushes in the 5000 Block of Basie Street. Hernandez was taken into custody and booked at the VC Jail. The vehicle was later returned undamaged to the registered owner.

Residential Burglary Arrest

On Wednesday, April 15th, at 6:36 p.m., the VPD received a call from a witness reporting a possible burglary in progress to a neighbor’s residence in the 100 block of S. Santa Rosa Street. The caller reported seeing a subject, later identified as Nhuom Le, loitering outside the residence before entering through an unlocked rear door.

When officers confirmed Le was still inside, they began giving him announcements requesting that he exit the residence. Initially, Le was uncooperative and refused to come outside. After 10 minutes, and additional announcements by officers, Le exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers learned during the investigation that prior to entering the victim’s residence, Le was seen prowling around the yard and trying doors and windows of a neighboring residence.

Stabbing Arrest

On Friday, April 17th, at 9:40 p.m., the VPD received a call of a male subject refusing to leave the Total Life Christian Church located in the 600 block of North Ventura Avenue. As patrol officers arrived, the suspect, Camron Johnson, charged at Joseph Brown and stabbed him multiple times. Officers immediately intervened and took Johnson into custody without further incident.

Brown was transported to VCMC with non-life threatening injuries. Johnson was booked at VC Jail.

Armed Robbery

On Sunday, April 19th, at 9:30 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Arco Am/Pm located at 5669 Valentine Road.

Officers learned that a Hispanic male suspect in his mid-twenties had entered the store and confronted the clerk. The suspect demanded money from the register while brandishing a handgun. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and surrendered an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the area and was last seen traveling west on Valentine Road.

Ventura Police officers searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The clerk was not injured during the commission of this crime.

Possession of a Loaded Firearm

On Monday, April 20th, at 10:45 p.m., The VPD received a call of subjects trespassing on the property of a Motel 6 on 3075 Johnson Drive. Officers responded and contacted 3 male subjects in one of the motel rooms.

During the contact, officers conducted a pat down search for weapons. One of the male juvenile suspects, who was acting suspicious, wouldn’t comply with the officer’s orders. During the search a loaded handgun was found concealed in his waistband.

The male juvenile was found to be on probation with weapon and gang terms. The juvenile is known to associate with Oxnard gangs. The juvenile was arrested and lodged at Juvenile Hall.

Vandalism

On Wednesday, April 22nd, at 9:48 p.m., officers responded to a call regarding a vandalism at the Ralphs on 1776 S. Victoria Avenue. As officers arrived, they found the suspect, Nathan Journigan, leaving the area and he was detained. During the investigation, Journigan violently resisted arrest. While being taken into custody, his pit bull attacked one of the officers. The dog did not release his bite on the officer, and the dog was shot by another officer.

The injured officer was taken to VCMC, treated and later released. The dog was taken from the scene by VC Animal Control. Read Professor Scamp for his comments regarding this incident.

Prowling

On Thursday, April 23rd, at 4:00 p.m., the VPD received a call from a citizen reporting a subject prowling in the area of Bonita Circuit and Seaview Avenue. The subject, Jovanny Hernandez, was said to be looking over fences and into yards of residences.

Officers located Hernandez riding a bicycle on Seahorse Avenue. He was detained and positively identified as the suspect. When officers tried to arrest him, Hernandez resisted arrest. After a brief struggle with officers, he was taken into custody without further incident.

During a search of his property, officers located items in his backpack commonly used for committing burglaries to vehicles. Hernandez was transported to the VC Jail and booked.

Possession of a Firearm

 On Friday, April 24th, at 5:10 a.m., the VPD received a call of gunshots heard in the parking lot of the Ventura Isle Marina. Responding officers contacted Robert Souza walking in that general area. While searching Souza, officers found a loaded handgun concealed in his front jacket pocket along with a loaded spare magazine. Further investigation revealed that Souza had fired several rounds in the air prior to being contacted by the officers.

Officers searched the area for gun shot victims but did not locate any. Souza was booked at the VC Jail.

Quiet Zone – No Cell Phones Allowed in 13,000 square miles in West Virginia

The Quiet Zone – No Cell Phones Allowed in 13,000 square miles in West Virginia
National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) – Wikipedia