County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark A. Lunn announced that signatures-in-lieu of the filing fee petitions for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election may be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division beginning Thursday, September 12, 2019, for the following offices:

Voter-Nominated Offices:

President of the United States

United States Representative in Congress: 24th, 25th, 26th, and 30th Congressional Districts

Member of the State Senate: 19th and 27th Senate Districts

Member of the State Assembly: 37th, 38th, 44th, and 45th Assembly Districts

Nonpartisan Offices:

Judge of the Superior Court

County of Ventura Supervisor: 1st, 3rd and 5th Supervisorial Districts

Lunn stated, “This is an important election and will have a significant future impact on our cities, county and state.” Lunn added, “Every registered voter in Ventura County is encouraged to take part in our democracy and ensure they cast their ballot in the March 3, 2020 election.”

Petitions for Signatures-In-Lieu of filing fee for all offices, including the office of Judge of the Superior Court, must be filed at the Ventura County Elections Division by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Information regarding filing for these offices and the filing fee amounts may be obtained by calling the Ventura County Elections Division at (805) 654-2664, or by visiting the Ventura County Elections Division website: http://www.venturavote.org.

On Wednesday morning, September 11, 2019, all Ventura City Fire Department stations held a special remembrance ceremony for the first responders and civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Fire Chief David Endaya stated, “It is hard to believe that it has been 18 years since September 11, 2001. Whenever we see the images and hear the sounds, it evokes painful emotions that are as strong as they were when, as an on-duty Firefighter/Paramedic, I watched everything unfolding on the news that fateful morning. We will never forget the heroic efforts of everyone – the firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of our U.S. Armed Forces, and the brave civilians – who gave their all to help others, many losing their lives that day.”

City officials, law enforcement personnel, and civilians attended Ventura City Fire Department stations to participate in the brief ceremony. All stations participated in the ceremony to ensure that all who perished that day are never forgotten.

Fire apparatus rolled out of the stations and was positioned on the station ramps as firefighters stood at attention and raised the U.S. flag ceremoniously to half-staff as silence was maintained.

A special tone was broadcast over the fire radio followed by four sets of five bells. The time coincides with the collapse of the World Trade Center South Tower, and the bells are traditionally used by the fire service to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Fire Officers then shared a brief narrative on the events of September 11, 2001.

Ventura County Public Works Agency Announces Ojai Valley Bike Trail closure for Fresno Canyon Diversion Project

The Fresno Canyon Diversion Project will start construction at the Ojai Valley Bike Trail in August 2019

Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) Watershed Protection District (WPD) is working to reduce repeated flooding in the Casitas Spring community and State Route (SR) 33 with the Fresno Canyon Diversion Project.

The new Fresno Canyon Diversion, which will take nine months to complete, constructs a new storm drain facility, approximately 1,500 feet in length. The project includes installing a 9-foot in diameter, reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) from Fresno Canyon to the Ventura River for conveying stormwater, debris and sediment.

Project construction began in April 2019, and due to the project’s connection to the Ventura River and proximity to the Ojai Valley Bike Trail, the pathway will be closed between the Arroyo Mobile Home Park and Foster Park for five months beginning August 15, 2019. For the Ojai Valley Bike Trial closure period, there will be an alternate bike route for trail goers from Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana Road and Casitas Vista Road.

“The implementation of this project will assist in improving the safety of our communities that are highly susceptible to storm damage,” said Glenn Shephard, director of VCPWA Watershed Protection District. “Our goal is to help reduce the amount of flooding and debris flow these communities face during rainstorms.”

As summer comes to a close, the Ventura Police Department is asking drivers to not get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs that impact your ability to drive safely.

The Ventura Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across the country in the national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. During this period, which ends September. 2 (Labor Day), the Ventura Police Department will have additional officers on the road looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Labor Day Weekend remains one of the deadliest times of year for alcohol-involved crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 376 deadly crashes nationwide during the 2017 Labor Day holiday period (Sept. 1 to Sept. 5). Among those crashes, more than one-third (36%) involved a drunk driver. Last year, two people were killed, and 31 others injured in California on Labor Day alone.

“There are so many ways to get home safely without driving,” said Sergeant Michael Brown. “Driving while drunk or high is dangerous, irresponsible and causes too many senseless tragedies. We hope that drivers get the message that driving impaired will never be tolerated.”

Driving while impaired is illegal, whether it is alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications or marijuana.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your driving ability, designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service. If you see someone driving impaired, call 911.

Funding for DUI enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

by Joe Morelli, Fire Marshal

As residents, you serve a critical role in emergency response operations whether it is preserving lives, protecting property, or providing other essential services to the community. The Ventura City Fire Department would like to invite you to join their Community Emergency Response Training Program (CERT)beginning Tuesday, October 1, 2019. The training sessions provide an excellent opportunity to meet and work with other city staff and members of the community.

With the use of grant monies, the department was fortunate to hire an experienced outside trainer who makes the classes fun and informative. The topics covered include:

        Disaster/emergency preparedness

        Fire safety and suppression

        Disaster medical (treatment and triage evaluation)

        Light search and rescue

        Organizing/managing a CERT team

        Disaster psychology

        Terrorism and CERT

Training is limited to 60 people and will be held on 6 consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and all classes will be held at Police/Fire Headquarters, 1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura. A final exercise will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019, providing students the opportunity to work in multiple groups on common disaster problems.

Please submit your application online at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CERT and contact Kris Edwards at 805-658-4717 or [email protected] with any questions. Hope to see you there!

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) hosted its eighth annual educational and donor recognition fundraising event at the picturesque Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo. The $100,000 raised during the event will grow to $200,000 thanks to a 1:1 fund matching program provided by California State Proposition 1. HTF Ventura County is now halfway to its year-end goal of raising $5 million in support of developing affordable housing for Ventura County. During the evening celebration, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County also debuted its fresh new logo and color palette.

Keynote State Treasurer Fiona Ma addressed a crowd of over 200 housing advocates, business, and community leaders speaking to this year’s topic, Your Business Depends on Housing: We’re all in this together. “My vision for the State Treasurer’s Office is a proactive, solution-oriented agency that understands the dire importance of creating partnerships with the private sector,” said Treasurer Ma, who noted that she has conducted two statewide housing listening tours seeking to revamp regulations under her purview and to “ensure we help increase the production of homes in California.” Inadequate, unaffordable, and a general lack of housing for Ventura County employees, especially those in the middle- and lower-income level, is a leading factor hindering business expansion and economic growth in our community.

With increased community and business donations, HTF Ventura County can exponentially grow its revolving loan fund by leveraging State Proposition 1, the Housing Programs and Veterans’ Loans Bond, which provides a 1:1 fund matching program, up to $10 million. “Our goal is to hit $5 million by December 31st and then raise the additional $5 million in 2020,” commented Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. “We were thrilled to raise $200,000 between donations and Prop 1’s matching fund at this event. Paired with previous donations and funding, we are now halfway to our 2019 goal.”

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of HTF Ventura County’s new logo. “We went through a well-crafted decision-making process to arrive at this logo,” stated Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Board Chair, Jennie Buckingham.

The Museum of Ventura County, at 100 E. Main Street is closed for renovation until September 20, 2019. There will be a re-opening on September 20th with a massive party to launch the latest exhibit, California Cool. The opening reception, California Club, will be an exciting trip back to an era of Mid-century modernism. The era-immersive experience will feature craft cocktails, live entertainment, 1950’s inspired cuisine, period costumed actors, and much more! Tickets are available now at the early-bird rate.

Free Figure Drawing at the Museum is back in full swing. The Museum’s Artist in Resident, Ryan Carr, leads this class every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pavilion. All skill levels are welcome and some instruction is provided. This is a dry medium drawing class, so we ask that attendees refrain from watercolors or paints. Although the Museum’s Research Library and Galleries are currently closed, many events/community activities are still scheduled in the Museum’s Pavilion.

The Free 7th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair is taking place at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on September 2, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Performing at the Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair is Salty Suites. Their songbook of original and traditional songs will cover bluegrass, old country, swing, and classical music with a current edge. Also performing is the Museum’s very own Haul & Oaks, featuring members of the Education department. Other family-friendly activities include pie-eating contests, bouncy houses, tractor crafts, and so much more. Many educational and preservation groups will be in attendance, including the UC Master Gardeners, The Santa Paula Bee Club, the Boys and Girls Club, etc. with a slate of free activities.

Residents are advised that phone scammers have been targeting residents impersonating Ventura Police Employees. The scammers are using the real names of 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 non-emergency number of 805-650-8010. The scammer is telling residents that there is a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena that requires the victim to provide personal information. 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 so as 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. 

“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 American Red Cross of Central California has named Tony Briggs its Chief Executive Officer – a role in which he will oversee all Red Cross service delivery for 10 counties and nearly 4.5 million residents.

A native of Philadelphia, Briggs completed a successful 24-year career in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His career highlights include leading 80 Sailors deployed throughout the Western Pacific in support of humanitarian actions. He was an integral member of a team who brought a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Los Angeles, showing off the Navy’s finest to more than two million individual media impressions over a four-day period.

“I am truly honored to serve this region and have seen first-hand how resilient this community is,” Briggs said. “Through the work of our staff and volunteers, the Red Cross has been there for the community at its most trying times to provide essential comfort and care. We’re more focused than ever to help our neighbors become better prepared for disaster and I’m looking forward to leading this team of compassionate humanitarians.”

Briggs joined the Red Cross as a communications manager for blood services in Southern California where he was responsible all communications, public affairs and marketing from Santa Barbara to San Diego. In September 2015, he accepted a position as the communications director for the Desert to the Sea Region and served as a national spokesman for the Red Cross at some of its largest disaster responses including Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Camp Fire in California.

He earned his degree in Communications from the University of Maryland University College and holds certificates in six sigma quality improvement. He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for nearly 30 years and they are the proud parents of five and enjoy spoiling their four grandchildren.

The Red Cross Central California Region serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties and in the last year provided relief to nearly 900 families affected by disaster.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/centralcalifornia or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCCR.