Law targets the fentanyl crisis with groundbreaking measures to save lives and ensure accountability. Image by Freepik

Pioneering Legislation Combats Fentanyl Crisis, Empowering Prosecutors and Saving Lives

After seven attempts in the state legislature, Alexandra’s Law has finally become a reality, passing overwhelmingly by a vote of the people through Prop 36. On December 18, following certification of the election results by the California Secretary of State, this groundbreaking legislation will officially go into effect, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against the fentanyl crisis.

This milestone comes five years to the week after the tragic death of 20-year-old Alexandra Capelouto, whose life was claimed by a counterfeit pill containing a lethal dose of fentanyl two days before Christmas in 2019. Alexandra’s father, Matt, is available to speak with the media about Alexandra’s Law and how it will make Californians safer.

This is the nation’s first Drug Dealer Admonishment law. Under Alexandra’s Law, individuals convicted of a drug-related offense will receive a formal legal admonishment, ensuring they are fully aware of the potential life-ending consequences of their actions if they continue dealing drugs.

“This law aims to prevent a drug dealer from becoming a death dealer and save lives,” said Matt Capelouto. “However, if a death tragically occurs as a result of their actions, this law provides prosecutors the necessary tools to pursue murder charges, ensuring justice for victims and accountability for offenders. We hope this will serve as a model for other states and begin to turn the tide in this devastating epidemic.”

Alexandra’s Law faced seven legislative hearings before reaching the voters, demonstrating the persistence of advocates and lawmakers to see it through. First introduced in the legislature by Republican Senator Melissa Melendez and later championed by Democratic Senator Tom Umberg, this law gained traction through bipartisan efforts, grassroots advocacy, and public support. Matt Capelouto’s compelling story was featured on Fox News when the bill was introduced. You can view the segment here: Fox News Segment.

Rep. Carbajal secured language in annual defense policy bill pushing the Department of Defense to allocate resources to communities impacted by space launch noise, the first Congressional language approved highlighting the issue

Rep. Carbajal pushed Congress to approve language formally acknowledging the disruption that space launch noise can cause for nearby communities

This week, Congress is advancing for the first time federal legislation that acknowledges the disruption that space launch noise has on nearby communities, as well as outlining steps it believes the Department of Defense should take to mitigate the impact of sonic booms and other disturbances.

The language was secured by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and the federal representative for the communities surrounding the Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base. 

“Residents of the Central Coast in Lompoc and other communities nearby Vandenberg have shared their growing concerns as increased space launch cadence makes launch noise a larger burden on their routines and quality of life,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This language makes it clear to the Department of Defense that these are not concerns they can plug their ears and ignore. Congress will take these impacts seriously.”

“I will continue working with the leadership at Vandenberg, the Department of the Air Force, and my region’s residents to pursue the win-win solutions that protect both national security and the serenity of the Central Coast.”

This will mark the first time Congress has approved language formally acknowledging the disruption that space launch noise can cause for nearby communities, a first step in improving federal response to the noise impacts.

Congressman Carbajal intends to build on this language in his next term with additional measures to better address the impact of increased launches, including but not limited to launch noise.

The language was included in the House report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill crafted by the Armed Services Committees of both chambers.

“The cadence of national security space launches is increasing. While vital, the noise associated with launch, particularly sonic booms, can be disruptive to nearby communities. Facilities such as hospitals, daycares, schools, senior-living facilities, and private residences can all be impacted by noise disturbances,” the language reads in part. “The Department [of Defense] already has a Community Noise Mitigation Program for fixed wing aircraft…it could be beneficial to stand up a similar program to make grants to communities impacted by national security space launches for the purpose of installing noise mitigating insulation at nearby facilities.”

This year’s bill passed the House this week, putting the language on track to be signed by President Joe Biden by the end of the month.

Vouchers available for replacing gas-powered tools with electric garden equipment. Image by serhii_bobyk on Freepik

County Air Pollution Control District program is replacing polluting tools  

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is paying for residents and organizations to swap their polluting gasoline- and diesel-powered landscaping equipment with new zero-emission cordless electric tools.

The Lawn & Garden Equipment Exchange Program will provide a total of $937,500 in vouchers to Ventura County residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and public schools. Landscaping businesses and nonprofits can be based outside of Ventura County in California but must derive at least half of their revenue from within the county.

Lawn and garden equipment is a significant source of air pollution in Ventura County that negatively impacts public health. Gas- and diesel-powered tools emit nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and reactive organic compounds, all of which Ventura County needs to reduce to meet state and federal air quality standards. Gas- and diesel-powered landscape equipment also is a source of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Operating a gas-powered commercial leaf blower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving a new gas-powered passenger car about 1,100 miles, according to the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Gas and diesel equipment also causes more noise pollution than electric.

Eligible applicants will receive vouchers that they can submit to participating retailers with their old operable equipment, which will be destroyed. The retailers will discount the cost of new equipment with the same function, a charger and additional batteries by the value of the voucher. Voucher amounts range from $200 to $2,000 for each piece of residential equipment and from $700 to $15,000 for commercial models. Total voucher amounts are limited to $4,000 for residential per address and $50,000 for commercial per company.

The vouchers can be used for electric chainsaws, trimmers, edgers, brush cutters, blowers/vacuums, and push and ride-on mowers.

The current retailers are Mac’s Lawnmowers in Newbury Park, Cal-Coast Machinery and Pacific Equipment in Oxnard and Ace Hardware in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. People should visit one of the retailers to select replacement equipment and then submit an application and required photos to the retailer or the district. The district will mail vouchers to qualifying applicants.

The equipment exchange is part of the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program operated by the district in partnership with CARB. The Moyer program has been funding cleaner-than-required replacements for high-polluting engines and equipment since 1998. The list of eligible projects expanded in 2023 to include electric landscaping equipment.

For more information and applications, visit vcapcd.org/Lawn-Garden-EP.htm or contact Heidy Yupe at [email protected] or 805-303-3655. Retailers interested in joining the program should contact Yupe.

Box-Off

Up to $12K in Grants Available for EV Charging Stations: Apply by Jan. 31

Property and business owners, government entities and building managers can receive up to $12,000 in incentive grants to install level 2 EV charging stations through Communities in Charge. Apartment buildings, offices and other locations with shared parking are eligible. Applications are due by Jan. 31. Visit https://thecommunitiesincharge.org/. The Community Environmental Council will help people in Ventura County identify their needs and eligibility and complete the application process if they submit a request at https://cecsb.org/electrify-your-life.

Connecting care, community, and the courts. The Ventura Superior Court’s CARE Act Program helps those with severe mental health challenges access vital support.

The Ventura Superior Court proudly announces the launch of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act Program. Established under Senate Bill 1338, the CARE Act empowers a wide range of individuals—including family members, behavioral health professionals, licensed clinicians, first responders, public guardians, and conservators – to petition the court on behalf of someone struggling with severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders.

This program provides a structured legal pathway to connect eligible individuals, referred to as “respondents,” with tailored treatment and support services. The focus is on fostering long-term recovery through a collaborative court process.

Key components of CARE Act proceedings include mental health assessments and court hearings to determine eligibility. Ventura County Behavioral Health oversees the evaluation process, coordinates treatment plans, and ensures compliance with program standards. For respondents unable to afford legal representation, the Ventura County Public Defender offers free legal support to safeguard their rights throughout the process. If a respondent qualifies, the court may approve and enforce a CARE agreement or plan.

Starting December 1, 2024, CARE Act petitions can be filed at the Ventura Hall of Justice and the Oxnard Juvenile Courthouse. Filing is free, and hearings will be held weekly on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 22 at the Ventura Hall of Justice, located at 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009. To improve accessibility, participants can opt for remote appearances if unable to attend in person. All CARE Act proceedings are confidential and closed to the public.

The court’s Self-Help Legal Access Center is available to assist petitioners, respondents, and their families through every step of the program. Services include guidance on filing petitions, preparing for hearings and connecting with community resources.

For more information, including forms and additional resources, visit the Ventura Superior Court’s CARE Act webpage at https://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/care.html.

Ben Medina, Buena High School, CTE Woodworking Program and downtown Ventura partner, Michele Foster from Visit Ventura

Ventura Unified School District has partnered with local businesses to teach entrepreneurship to students.

Several Downtown Ventura businesses have partnered with Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) in the fourth year of the Vision to Marketplace program, which matches local merchants with Career Technical Education (CTE) students from throughout the school district.

This program introduces and teaches students about entrepreneurship, product design, development, and delivering products to market. Career Technical Education students go through the process of evaluating market demand, visioning, prototyping, manufacturing, marketing, and selling wholesale products to participating Downtown businesses for December holiday sales. Funds from the wholesale purchases go back into the participating CTE programs.

Dr. Rene Rickard, VUSD’s Chief Innovation Officer, explained, “Keeping with the tenets of Career Technical Education, Vision to Marketplace allows students to tap into their own creativity, build on existing skills, and learn how to become innovative entrepreneurs. Ventura’s business owners have been extremely generous with their time and expertise, mentoring our students throughout the process and providing them with valuable feedback. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with local businesses and expanding Vision to Marketplace to engage more students.”

Students met with Downtown business owners in September to determine viable products for sale in their shops. Participating businesses provided mentoring and feedback on prototyped manufactured products throughout October and placed orders. Then, students produced and delivered products to the stores in late November for holiday sales.

To help facilitate production, participating students were provided with access to the IDEA Center manufacturing lab in the heart of Ventura’s Westside. The IDEA center is a dedicated community center for Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship and Art, and was created by the non-profit organization STEMbassadors. The center provides training and access to industry-standard equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers, direct-to-garment printers, 3D printers, and other advanced machinery.

Donna von Hoesslin Pu’u, Founder and Designer of Betty Belts and Ocean Ohana is an annual partner engaging with Vision to Marketplace. “This is our fourth year participating in this outstanding program. We just love working with the students on product development, entrepreneurship and manufacturing!”

Student-made products created through the Vision to Marketplace program are available for purchase at several downtown businesses, including Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery, Betty Belts, Ventura Visitor Center / Visit Ventura, Ecugreen, and Sea Things Ventura.

Businesses that are interested in participating in Vision to Marketplace in the future may contact Sarah Ayala, VUSD’s CTE Work-Based Learning Liaison at [email protected].

Rep. Carbajal and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the construction of VenturaWaterPure.

The City of Ventura has been awarded an additional $60.4 million in federal grant funding under the Department of the Interior’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program. This new award brings total federal investments in Ventura Water’s projects to $108 million.

The funding will support critical Ventura Water projects, including the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Project at the City’s decades-old wastewater treatment plant and the development of the VenturaWaterPure advanced water purification facility. Once operational, these combined efforts will provide up to 20% of Ventura’s total water supply—equivalent to approximately 3,600 acre-feet annually—by recycling and purifying treated wastewater.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is protecting the Central Coast’s access to clean water for generations to come through investments like the ones announced this week. I’m proud of my work delivering this landmark law for communities like Ventura, and I am grateful for the dedication of the Biden-Harris Administration to continue rolling out these overdue investments in our infrastructure,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I will keep working in Congress to protect this law’s programs in the next Administration.”

“This funding is a game-changer for Ventura,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder. “With federal support, we’re upgrading critical infrastructure and creating a sustainable, high-quality water supply that will serve our community for generations.”

“This critical funding underscores the importance of local and federal collaboration in addressing the challenges of water scarcity,” said Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. “Ventura Water’s innovative solutions help meet legal mandates, protect the environment, and ensure long-term water reliability for our city.”

The Membrane Bioreactor Project is a key component of the upgrades at Ventura’s wastewater treatment plant, enhancing its ability to process wastewater efficiently while meeting stringent environmental standards. The VenturaWaterPure advanced purification facility will take this treated wastewater and further purify it to create a new, sustainable and drought-resilient water source for the city.

For more information about Ventura Water’s initiatives and benefits, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/venturawater.

Ventura Unified’s clean energy program delivers solar, sports LED lighting, and STEM internships, setting a precedent for schools across the Central Coast.

Comprehensive energy program will leverage Federal funding to implement integrated solutions at all 27 school sites and capture an expected $106 million in net energy savings.

Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) approved a contract with ENGIE North America (ENGIE) for comprehensive solar, LED building lighting, customized sports facility LED lighting, and an integrated STEM internship and student engagement program. As the first K-12 school district along the Central Coast to leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, VUSD will also utilize bond funding to help pay for the project and expand its technical scope which will positively improve sustainability outcomes across the District.

Serving approximately 15,000 students across 27 school and campus facility sites, VUSD leadership and the supporting community have long prioritized the design of a financially-viable energy program to capture energy savings and align with local and state climate action goals. ENGIE worked with the District to lock in favorable Net Energy Metering 2.0 rates for the next 20 years. VUSD is also committed to delivering sustainable solutions across all school sites – many of which are located in economically underserved parts of the city.

This project is financially attractive for the District and will reduce its overall electricity costs by 70 percent over 30 years. This work will be done across schools with a Southern California-based team of ENGIE project engineers. The combined project scope will include:

• 4,708 kW solar PV scope across 25 sites and parking canopy solar structures;

• Interior/exterior LED lighting and occupancy sensor controls at nine sites;

• Sports Field LED lighting at Buena High School and Ventura High School, reusing existing lighting infrastructure poles to minimize extended construction impact on the fields; and

• Integrated STEM offerings aligned with real-time project data production, including professional development for teachers, hands-on engineering design learning for students, and six dedicated summer intern opportunities for local students.

The VUSD program is expected to save $133 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the project. The District should be eligible for $14 million in IRA federal funding dollars that will go directly to it after the project is completely constructed.

“As thoughtful stewards of our community’s resources, Ventura Unified has been interested in solar energy and high-efficiency LED lighting systems for many years. Unfortunately, making those changes was cost-prohibitive until recently,” stated Board President, Sabrena Rodriguez. “Thanks to the generosity of our community by passing Measure E, a general obligation bond to update our schools, we can now make these changes a reality. These changes are not only a positive step towards sustainability and resilience for the District, but they will also provide opportunities for our students and staff to learn about how green technologies can be good for the financial bottom line — creating a win-win for the community and our schools.”

“The IRA is a true gamechanger for our ENGIE customers – now that we are seeing local leaders like VUSD start to directly build out projects that leverage potential IRA funding, it is clear what a win-win this is for energy communities across the U.S.,” said Jean-Francois Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “We are excited to help VUSD expedite their plan for long-term sustainability that will enhance and elevate the District’s financial and environmental impact through our range of comprehensive solutions.”