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VCCCD College Libraries launch new web capabilities

Students of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges rely on their libraries’ websites for their studies, conducting more than 734,245 searches a year. Now students will have streamlined and improved search options. The libraries at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges recently launched upgraded web pages on each college’s website.

The updated interface connects the VCCCD colleges through one search bar, allowing users to search and request resources from any of the three colleges. The new system is the same type that both the UCs and CSUs currently use and is the culmination of a yearlong state-funded project to provide all California community colleges with a shared library systems solution.

“We have 225,000 print items in our libraries alone,” said Peter H. Sezzi, librarian and library department chair, Evelyn & Howard Boroughs Library, Ventura College, “so this was a large undertaking for us. It is more than worth it, as our current and future students will greatly benefit from the enhanced library resources we can provide.”

Chancellor Greg Gillespie added, “By investing in the services our colleges offer, we are investing further in students’ journeys and providing them with the necessary tools to accomplish their academic goals.”

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit vcccd.edu.

Ventura County Leadership Academy

You’re invited! VCLA’s Cohort XXVI Recruitment & Reconnection Mixer – West County

Join us for our once a year recruitment mixer!

Learn more about VCLA and how the program can connect you to other leaders throughout the county
Meet community leaders and speakers who are a part of the program
Meet or reconnect with alumni and friends from past cohorts
Hear testimonials from VCLA graduates on how this program impacted them
Learn about the application process for Cohort XXVI

A special thank you to Sharon Cromartie, VCLA Board member and
VCLA Cohort XIX for sponsoring this event.
www.VCLeadership.org
[email protected] or (805) 665-3504

West County Mixer, Wednesday, February 12, 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Kids & Families Together
864 E. Santa Clara Street
Ventura

VCTC bus fare and service changes

On Monday, Jan. 20, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) increased fares and made minor schedule modifications to its Intercity bus system.

The Commission approved a fare increase in October 2018 to address the rising costs of operation. The decision followed a public outreach process in the summer and fall of the same year. To minimize impact to customers, VCTC adjusted fares in phases, January 2019 and January 2020.

Reduced prices are available to seniors 65 years or older, Medicare, or ADA/Disabled riders. In addition, Ventura County college students can ride buses free with a valid student ID.

“VCTC’s Intercity bus service carries over 1,000 people every day to their jobs and schools,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Our goal is that our riders have a safe, reliable, and comfortable trip. It’s a hard conversation to have to consider a fare increase but when we posed the question to our riders, they understood that to keep the quality service they have come to expect a small fare increase was worth it. This fare change will allow us to maintain our current level of service to the community while keeping VCTC Intercity Transit financially sound.”

Bus schedule changes, which will also go into effect on Jan. 20, include minor timetable modifications to address traffic congestion and improve on-time performance. In addition, VCTC will be reinstituting two weekday shuttle routes that serve CSU Channel Islands. The routes, which connect the University to Camarillo and Oxnard, were previously combined as a single line. For more information, visit goventura.org.

Route 77, formerly known as the East-West Connector, is also getting an update on Jan. 20. The new Cross County Limited provides the same one-seat service between Simi Valley, Moorpark, and West Ventura County. Many college students and faculty use Route 77 to travel between Ventura College and Moorpark College.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

Workshops help students access funds for college

To help students overcome the challenge of paying for college, the Ventura County Community College District is holding free Cash 4 College workshops at its four campuses. Workshops will be held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. Financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2020-2021 school year FAFSA and the California Dream Act. The workshops are free and open to the community; people may attend workshops at any campus or either date. Advanced registration is preferred. For more information or to register, visit VCCCD.edu/cash4college.

February 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ventura College, Learning Resource Center, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura

February 22, 9 a.m. – noon Ventura College East Campus, 957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

Deadly shooting in Ventura leaving one man dead appears gang related

A deadly shooting occurred in the public parking structure on Harbor Blvd. next to the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel last Saturday resulting in the death of a 21 year old man. This is the first murder to happen in Ventura and police say the motive for this murder does appear to be gang related.

On January 18, at approximately 2:45am, a 911 call was received regarding a shooting victim at the top level of the Harbor Bl parking structure in Ventura. Patrol officers responded and located one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was treated by Ventura City Fire and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police said the crime occurred when one group was outside of their vehicle and the suspect vehicle approached them. The two groups started fighting when one person inside the vehicle shot at the group outside. Witnesses indicated the suspects fled in a vehicle, which CHP located and pursued ending up in Oxnard where the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road.

Ventura police detained three of the occupants from the vehicle, but one fled the scene and was later detained. Murder suspect, 24 year old Raymond Bolanos, was arrested and booked in the Ventura County Jail for murder and gang enhancement. 

Bolanos’ bail has been set at $610,000 and he’s scheduled to appear in Ventura Superior Court on September 22. A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Bolanos has prior convictions for carrying a concealed firearm, gang enhancement and a hit and run.

Of the other detained occupants from the vehicle, 26 year old Julian Nunez was arrested for a parole violation warrant and has prior convictions of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and battery with serious injury, and 23 year old Stephanie Sanchez was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant. She has a prior conviction of possession of a loaded firearm.

Be careful of phone scammers trying to get your information and your money

Don’t give your credit card information to someone pretending to be your grandchild.

Residents are advised that phone scammers have been targeting residents impersonating Ventura Police Employees. The scammers are using a device that makes it appear to the victim that the phone call is coming from the Ventura Police business line of 805-339-4400. The scammer is telling residents that they have an out of county warrant and need to pay a fee or face arrest. Please be advised that the Ventura Police Department does not request personal information over the phone and would not solicit this type of information.

The community is urged to be vigilant and aware of these scams to avoid falling victim. Never follow directions from someone on the phone that requests personal information or money.  If you believe you have been the victim of a scam in which you have suffered financial loss, contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4400. If you have not suffered financial loss and you have not provided any personal information by phone, please report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/complaint.

The community is also advised to be aware of additional phone scams that have impacted residents:

IRS Scam: The scammer says money is owed and must be paid immediately by phone.

Edison/Gas Scam: The scammer says money is owed and if not paid immediately the service will be turned off.

Jury Duty Scam: The scammer says money is owed for not showing up to jury duty and if not paid jail time will occur.

Social Security/Medicare Scam: The scammer says they are an officer with the social security office or with Medicare. They say your account has been hacked and then they proceed to ask for personal information.

“Can You Hear Me” Scam: Scammers are calling victims hoping to get them to say the word “yes” during the conversation that’s being recorded. The scammer will later use the recording of the victim saying yes to authorize unwanted charges on the victim’s utility or credit card account.

Text Message Phishing Scam: Scammers are using a new texting scam and spoofing banks’ phone numbers and sending text messages to customers. A spoofed phone number hides the actual number the text is coming from and displays a number from a trusted source, like your bank. The text claims that your debit card has been used to make a purchase and if you do not recognize the transaction, you need to call their fraud prevention helpline. A phone number is provided for you to call. Because the incoming text looks like it’s from your bank, people are falling for this. If you do call the number provided in the text, the fraudster will answer the phone. They will then ask you to confirm your sensitive banking details. This would allow the scammer to steal money from your account.

Grandparent Scam: A scammer poses as a grandchild and claims to be in jail and in need of money for bail. These imposters claim they are in another state or out of the country and need money wired to help bail them out of jail.

The donated vehicle features a mobility lift.

Ventura dignitaries were on hand to pick up the bus.

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) has donated a paratransit vehicle to the City of Ventura homeless shelter, operated by Mercy House, to facilitate mobility options for its residents.

The District retired a few cutaway-style vehicles that had reached the end of their fleet service life. They kept a few vehicles to refurbish and donate. Ventura City worked through a few details of owning one and gladly accepted the gift.

The donated vehicle features a mobility lift that serves riders with mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. It is also environmentally friendly, as it is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

James Brook, the Orange County Programs Director of Emergency Services for Mercy House picked up the vehicle. He was joined by City of Ventura Councilmember and GCTD Board Chair, Cheryl Heitmann, Ventura City Manager Alex McIntyre, and Deputy City Manager Barry Fisher.

Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors has added two new board members: Harald Wulff and Abra Flores.

Harald Wulff and Abra Flores

Wulff is a retired chemical industry executive. He served on the management board of Henkel KGaA headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany. As the business was spun off into a self-standing entity called Cognis GmbH, he served as CEO of the new company, and became chairman of the board after it was sold to Goldman Sachs and Permira.

“Industry needs young people with technical skills and young people need well-paying, challenging jobs,” says Wulff. “I hope to see Ventura College expand its STEM and STEAM programs, particularly in vocational training.”

Flores retired in 2018 after a decades-long career as the resident costume designer at Ventura College. She initiated and developed costume design and makeup programs at the college where she currently teaches classes in these subjects part-time.

As a child, Flores was in and out of the foster care system. She understands how difficult learning can be. It was a simple $50 scholarship, given by her undergraduate university, which made a huge impact on her education. That small grant created a feeling that success was possible, and that her dreams had validity.Flores instituted and funded a scholarship program at Ventura College known as the “Excellence in Volunteering in Costume Design.” It is awarded each year to performing arts students who show excellence in production work.

“I’d like to do more outreach to high schoolers about the college’s theatre department and the available funding and resources through the foundation and the VC Promise paid tuition program,” says Flores. “The more we can help students access educational funding, the better chances for success in their career path.”

“Harald and Abra bring different skills and experiences to the board,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “What unites them is their love of learning and their desire to share the value of education to our students. We look forward to their contributions and insight.”

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or [email protected] or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.

The Ventura County Family Justice Center is a welcoming community

Ribbon cutting held for Family Justice Center. Photo by Michael Gordon

A Ventura Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was held for the Ventura County Family Justice Center, located at 3170 Loma Vista Rd. in Ventura. All too often, those facing violence or abuse suffer in silence as fear, confusion and lack of access discourage them from getting much-needed help and support.

Ventura County FJC simplifies this overwhelming process by providing a caring, safe environment where victims and their families can access the comprehensive resources they need to recover, heal and break the cycle of violence. All Ventura County FJC services are offered free of charge.

The mission of the Center is to support and improve the lives of those impacted by family violence and trauma. Together, as a team of more than 35 agencies and 120 volunteers dedicated to a shared, vital cause, they help to reduce trauma, eliminate repeat victimization, mitigate future risks and make a lasting, positive difference in countless lives. Through their welcoming community and comprehensive, holistic services that focus on the whole person, Ventura County FJC empowers and supports survivors of all ages and their families.

Their collaborative approach creates a safe space where the use of strength-based practices are used to end abuse and exploitation, pursue justice, and create pathways to hope.