Category Archives: Featured News

Community shows strong support for 8th Annual Women’s Rally & March

The public is encouraged to be a part of the solution.

by Tracy Marcynzsyn

Braving hecklers and stormy weather, hundreds turned out to support women’s rights at the 8th annual Women’s Rally & March on Saturday, January 20th at Plaza Park.

Presented by Justice For All Ventura County and Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund, the event featured speakers and information booths by community organizations aimed to foster social justice.

Rabiah Rahman

“Women’s rights are human rights,” declared speaker Rabiah Rahman “Women’s rights are indistinguishable from environmental justice, from social justice, and racial justice. They can’t silence us, no matter how hard they try! They cannot take away our vote and they cannot take away our right to march.”

A spirited crowd comprising all genders and ages clapped and cheered as they gathered in solidarity to support women’s rights.

“Roe versus Wade and the banning of books” were the main reasons 24-year Ventura resident Kerry O’Connell named for coming to the march. “Some things just really matter,” says O’Connell, who forwent her cribbage tournament in San Diego to attend this year’s march for the 8th year running. “I can’t vote,” says the Australian citizen, “but I can show up in other ways.”

Noting that 2024 is a watershed year for the nation when voters will make decisions on critical issues about leadership, access to health care and social justice, local organizations like the League of Women Voters helmed information booths at the event in an effort to help attendees learn more about how they can participate in ongoing efforts to help the community.

“The state of women’s rights and reproductive rights may seem secure in California, but with national politics and politicians making decisions across the country looming, we can’t be content with the status quo,” says president of Justice for All Ventura County Shane Meserve. “Our progressive beliefs may mean nothing without the right people in office.” JFAVC’s mission is to “motivate, educate, connect and mobilize people to actively engage in their government and future in support of social justice” and the rally and march represents its first large community event of the year.

The public is encouraged to be a part of the solution by attending events, sharing information, donating to offset expenses and volunteering to further the cause. Learn more at www.JusticeForAllVC.org.

 

Ventura High School CIF Champions

Mayor Joe Schroeder presenting the Ventura High School Girls Cross Country team.

On January 9, the City Council recognized the Ventura High School Girls Cross Country team for their recent State Championship victory.

City Council also recognized their coach, Josh Spiker, and Sadie Engelhardt who won the individual title as well as breaking the Division ll course record with a time of 16:40.7.

After 19 years, the state titles are back in the hands of VHS Girls Cross Country

On Saturday, Nov. 25 in Fresno, VHS Girls Cross Country crossed the finish line with the new title of Division ll CIF State Cross Country Championship winners.

Ventura won its third state championship that day in Woodward Park, Fresno. The team won with a score of 85 points by a 29-point margin over Whitney High School, who placed second.

Huge waves crashed in Ventura

From the Ventura Fire Department

“On December 28, at 10:50am, fire units were dispatched to a reported ocean rescue with multiple victims in the water. Firefighters arrived and located two surfers in distress with State Lifeguards initiating a rescue.”

“While on scene a large wave approached the brick wall at the end of Seaward Avenue, overtopping the wall and injuring multiple people on scene.”

“Firefighters quickly conducted an assessment and found nine victims needing treatment and transportation to the emergency room. Due to the number of injured individuals, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was declared. While responding to the MCI, a state lifeguard went missing with a victim in the water, and a “mayday” was declared to rescue the swimmer and victim.”

“As firefighters were handling the rescue, they also received a report of smoke from a commercial building on Seaward. Other units on scene worked to address that incident simultaneously. that was also handled with units on scene. “

“The Ventura Fire Department urges the public to head warnings from public safety officials, obey posted signage, and stay out of coastal areas if possible.”

The incident happened as locals were being warned about a massive swell pounding the Southern California coastline.

The rogue waves submerged bystanders at Pierpont Beach on Seaward Ave. That area has been hit the hardest with what the National Weather Service called “tremendous wave energy.”

Beachgoers were seen frantically running for their lives. The raging waters destroyed the windows of nearby beachfront buildings and hotels on its destructive path.

Nine people were rescued by San Pedro St. and Seaward Ave . with no life-threatening injuries reported. The injured were taken to hospitals in Ventura and Santa Barbara.

Pylons were knocked loose from under the pier. The pier has been closed for nearly a year from damage sustained in storms but had been to set to reopen as early as March, The city will now have to survey damage done by the high surf and reassess the timetable.

Waves crashed in Ventura at heights between 9 and 15 feet with sets up to 18 feet, said Carol Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. ‘There’s pretty big surf coming through the (Santa Barbara) channel,’ she said. “The swells are churning up because of a storm system over the Pacific.”

Lifeguards had been on rescues much of the day and that work continued Thursday afternoon, she said. The agency had made a decision to close some of its beachside campgrounds ahead of the storm surge.

Despite the warnings, visitors kept hanging out at the beach and entering the ocean, authorities said. When emergency personnel weren’t dealing with people on land, they were rescuing surfers and swimmers who had unsuccessfully tried to challenge the dangerous waves.

Huge waves crashed in Ventura

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A new partnership will help curb bullying and threats of violence

Gaggle creates a safer school environment.

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) announced an impactful collaboration with the school safety technology company Gaggle. This partnership aims to launch a SpeakUp for Safety tipline, enabling students to report threats of violence, instances of bullying, peers in crisis, and other imminent concerns affecting students’ well-being and security in a simple and confidential manner.

Gaggle’s team of safety professionals will diligently monitor the SpeakUp for Safety tipline 24/7 during the regular school year and summer school sessions. Non-life-threatening tips will be swiftly directed to designated school or district staff members. In more severe situations, district-appointed contacts will be promptly notified to take necessary action. In cases of immediate danger to a student when Gaggle cannot reach a district-appointed contact, law enforcement will be alerted for immediate intervention.

“Our district chose to implement Gaggle SpeakUp as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students. By partnering with Gaggle, we aim to enhance and cultivate a culture where students feel empowered to speak up and feel heard, supported, and protected within our school community,” stated Maria Elizarraras, Director of Student Support Services.

For further information about VUSD’s Gaggle implementation, please contact Marieanne Quiroz, Public Information Officer at VUSD, via email at [email protected].

Since 1999, Gaggle has been the leader in helping K-12 districts manage student safety on school-provided technology. Using an effective combination of artificial intelligence and trained safety experts, the solution proactively assists districts 24/7/365 in the prevention of student suicide, bullying, inappropriate behaviors, school violence, and other harmful situations. Most importantly, Gaggle continues to help hundreds of districts across the country avoid tragedies and save lives, while also protecting their liability. For more information, visit www.gaggle.net and follow Gaggle on Twitter at @Gaggle_K12.

The District is made up of an early childhood education program, 26 elementary, middle, and high schools, with more than 16,000 school-age students, an adult education center, 2,000 staff, and a wealth of parents and community members who all strive to help our children find their passion—academically and personally.

For more information, visit www.venturausd.org or call 805-641-5000.

“The British are coming! The British are coming!”

That was the warning the brave and legendary Paul Revere announced as he galloped through the streets of Concord over three hundred years ago warning the populace about the threat of a British invasion.

Now the Brits have had their sweet revenge. Sixty years ago an unlikely quartet from England—Liverpool to be precise—invaded America—and conquered the nation in what turned out to be a bloodless revolution.

We are talking, of course, about 1964, the historic year that John Paul George and Ringo showed up in America—and without spilling a drop of blood were triumphant as they re-wrote rock and roll history. And in doing so, thousands of young women—from sea to shining sea– fell at their feet as the Beatles offered to hold their hand!

Ventura “historian” and author Ivor Davis had an exclusive front row seat as this Invasion exploded. Embedded with the raiders, he will reveal behind the scenes details of this astonishing coup at the Museum of Ventura County, on Thursday Jan 25 at 6 pm.

Davis will introduce his new 60th anniversary “Beatles and Me On Tour” book—and promises to reveal all– despite the consequences. The true story behind the story.

How the USA surrendered to these four lads from Britain, without a single shot being fired!
For full details go to the Museum of Ventura County website

Flak jackets will not be required at the Museum.

For more museum events go to https://venturamuseum.org.

Carbajal-Bice bill calls for military aid to combat Fentanyl crisis

Erik Nasarenko, James Fryhoff, Salud Carabajal, Dr. Sevet Johnson, John Savrnoch and Bill Brown addressed the Fentanyl epidemic. Photos by Richard Lieberman

by Richard Lieberman

Headed to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed the Carabajal-Bice bill part of defense policy legislation contains a measure affirming illicit drug trafficking as a national security threat which will increase federal attention on this deadly opioid. Passage of this bill will provide more resources and aid to help in fighting this out-of-control epidemic.

Bill Brown

Eric Nasarenko, Ventura County District Attorney and Santa Barbara District Attorney John Savrnoch, along with Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, and Ventura County CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson joined forces to address the epidemic and slow down the flow of fentanyl from Mexico to the U.S. The bill is currently awaiting signature from President Joe Biden and is titled the “Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act” the legislation leverages the tools of the Department of Defense and involves Mexico as an active partner in disrupting drug cartel and trafficking activities.

Top law enforcement officials of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties emphasized the impact that fentanyl has had on the central coast. “This fentanyl scourge that we are facing requires a full court press,” said Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff. The bipartisan measure, co authored by Congressman Salud Carbajai D-Santa Barbara is part of a $886 billion defense policy plan that has been approved by the House and Senate and is waiting to be signed by President Joe Biden. The bill emphasizes the fentanyl crisis as a national security threat and calls on the U.S Department of Defense to produce strategies to target and disrupt trafficking of synthetic opioids. “The details of the plan are not formulated, and there will be limits,” Carbajal said. The first draft of the bill concentrated on surveillance and efforts to interrupt the flow of fentanyl from Mexico to the U.S. The bill in its final form calls for more coordination and cooperation between the U.S. military and Mexico in disrupting criminal organizations involved in the illicit import of the opioid into the United States.

John Savrnoch

“The Central Coast of California has been devastated by the scourge of Fentanyl on our streets, with some areas seeing a 700% spike in overdose deaths in recent years”. Said Carbajal. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans Aged 18-45 and an estimated 196 Americans are dying every day due to the opioid. This new act will strengthen efforts by law enforcement to combat the problem. Specifically, the act will declare fentanyl trafficking a national security threat stemming from cartels and smugglers, directing the pentagon to develop a fentanyl specific counter-drug strategy, requiring the secretary of defense to increase security cooperation with the Mexican military and address coordination efforts between the military and federal law enforcement agencies.

In a press briefing with Carbajal on Wednesday December 20th law enforcement leaders from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties conveyed hope for the plan to slow down the flow of the drug from China and Mexico into the central coast.

Dr. Sevet Johnson

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “More than three individuals die each and every week in Ventura County.” He added Fentanyl crime has exploded too with 676 filings by prosecutors this year.” He also noted that in 2019 there were eighteen incidents involving fentanyl.”

The press briefing also stressed that dosage levels vary dramatically from pill to pill in the same supply becoming a lethal dose quickly. Other drugs are frequently spiked with fentanyl, and drug users often are unaware that their drug of choice has been spiked with fentanyl and could be lethal.

“The days when people could convince themselves that a recreational drug is safe are long gone,” said Fryhoff. Anything can contain fentanyl, he added “One pill can kill.”

 

Happy Holidays Ventura!

This year has underscored our shared strength.

Mayor Joe Schroeder

In this season of joy, as we share precious moments with our loved ones and unite as a community to embrace beloved traditions and extend a helping hand, I am reminded of our collective journey throughout 2023. This year has underscored our shared strength and unwavering community spirit, marked by significant milestones and a profound sense of pride for Ventura.

Throughout the year, our community has joined hands in celebrating moments of joy, unity, and cultural richness, propelling us forward. Whether at local events, community workshops, or city programs, these shared experiences have fortified the bonds that make Ventura an extraordinary place to live, work, and play.

In 2023, Ventura celebrated notable achievements through collaborative efforts with outstanding community partners. This collective engagement extended beyond thriving tourism and attracting world-class events like the X Games. It also encompassed the development of programs and services aimed at addressing homelessness and affordable housing, promoting increased environmental sustainability, bolstering economic vitality, enhancing community resilience, and spearheading initiatives for active transportation and future development.

Additionally, the City increased funding allocated for roadway improvements and public infrastructure projects while achieving its lowest overall crime rate in over three decades. This collaborative approach underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing diverse aspects of community well-being and strengthening Ventura’s future with a unified vision.

As we approach the New Year, I am deeply moved by your kindness, dedication, and engagement. Your voices remain essential in guiding decisions, shaping goals, and charting the course for Ventura.

Thank you once again, and I eagerly anticipate the continued collaboration that will further enhance the vibrancy of our city in the coming year.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous and festive holiday season!

Event held for retiring Executive Director Susan Scott

Ventura Music Festival has new Executive Director Laĺe Welsh.

by Shirley Lorraine

The Ventura Music Festival is now entering its 29th season of providing high quality concerts of all types to the Ventura community. Following a rousing holiday concert by We Four Kings, held at the Ventura Missionary Church on December 10, a heartfelt thank you soirée for retiring Executive Director Susan Scott was held.

Ms. Scott was introduced by board member Betsy Chess who presented a crystal trophy as a thank you in recognition of Scott’s considerable contributions to the festival.

Acting President Richard Reisman, who stepped into the leadership role after the recent passing of Festival President Randall Hinton, spoke of Scott’s support and unfailing assistance. Scott was similarly lavish in her praise of the cadre of volunteers and staff members who have been a solid support to her and to the organization over the years.

Scott was lauded for her nine years of outstanding commitment to the festival, stating “Ventura audiences are the best in the world.” During her tenure, Scott led the organization through the challenge of the Covid years, keeping the music alive and available. She cited numerous collaborations made with the New West Symphony, Camarata Pacifica, the Rubicon theater, and more. She recounted the successes and learning curves of the Concerts in Cars at the Fairgrounds, among other efforts. All of these, Scott said, required creative thinking, which Scott embraced. “They kept us a family through troubling times” she recounted.

As she introduced and passed the baton to the newly selected Executive Director, Laĺe Welsh, (pronounced La Lay) she praised the search process which began with 40 applicants from throughout the United States. From the final two, Welsh, a native of Ojai, was chosen. In addition to her considerable experience with non-profit organizations, Welsh has the advantage of familiarity with the Ventura County musical community.

The Music Festival has moved to new offices in the Executive Suites at 701 E. Santa Clara Street, across the stress from the downtown Post Office. Keep an eye on the website at VenturaMusicFestival.org for updates and upcoming concerts.

Providing gentle background music on guitar was Blake Kasting, 2016 winner of the VMF student jazz competition, accompanied by Olivia Rodriguez on vocals.

Ventura Police spread holiday cheer with”Shop with a Cop” event

At the end of the event, each child left with every item gift-wrapped for them.

The Ventura Police Department partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation to host its annual Shop with a Cop event on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Walmart in Ventura. Thirty local children from low-income families and those fighting childhood cancer connected with Ventura Police officers and received $150.00 to shop for gifts for their families.

“Shop with a Cop is not just about shopping; it’s about making an impact, building connections, and creating positive memories between our officers and the youngest members of our community,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “It’s heartening to see the smiles on the faces of officers and children as they share this special experience and leave with gifts they might not have received otherwise.”

Thanks to donations from the Ventura Police Community Foundation, Walmart, Ventura Downtown Lions Club, Ventura Police Officers’ Association, Starbucks, and Costco, the Ventura Police Department was also able to provide each child with a pizza dinner, hot cocoa, festive desserts, an event t-shirt, custom tree ornament, and a $50 grocery store gift card.

At the end of the event, each child left with every item gift-wrapped for them to enjoy opening with their families.

“The holiday season can be a trying time for many families, and the need for assistance is greater than ever,” said Maria Martinez, Community Services Manager for the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura. “We are so thankful for our strong partnership with Ventura PD and the opportunity for the families we serve to maintain autonomy and choose specific items they may need or want, which means a lot to them.”

To learn more about Shop with a Cop or the Ventura Police Department’s outreach efforts, please contact Ventura Police Communications Specialist Emily Ayala at [email protected].

Participants put on Santa Claus or elf costumes

Santa Paddle is a whimsical tradition of the holiday season.

by Patricia Schallert

Santa Paddle in Ventura Harbor is a yearly whimsical tradition that brings a unique twist to the holiday season. In this charming event, participants put on Santa Claus or elf costumes and take to the waters of Ventura Harbor on stand-up paddle boards or in kayaks.

The sight of paddling Santas gliding across the harbor creates a joyful spectacle that captures the spirit of the holidays in the coastal Ventura setting. Against the backdrop of boats and the ocean, the event combines holiday cheer with the laid-back atmosphere of Ventura.

Families and onlookers gather along the harbor to witness this merry gathering of Santas, creating a lighthearted experience that adds a touch of magic to the local holiday celebrations. Santa Paddles not only showcases the community’s festive spirit but also highlights the creativity and sense of fun that make Ventura Harbor a unique destination during the holiday season.