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News from around the Ojai Valley

New fires test Ojai community again

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:25

web Humane Society Ventura County Rooster

Photo courtesy Humane Society of Ventura County

At the Humane Society of Ventura County Nov. 12, Dr. Karen Moore (left) and shelter director Jolene Hoffman clean and bandage burns on the feet of a rooster rescued in Malibu.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

As wildfires consumed more than 102,000 acres in eastern Ventura County and Los Angeles County, Capt. Tony McHale from Ventura County Fire Department Station 21 in Ojai worked to help fire victims in the community of Oak Park, where multiple homes burned in the Woolsey Fire.

McHale said the devastation and loss he saw were reminiscent of the Thomas Fire nearly one year ago. “At first it’s just soul-crushing shock and pain — stuff that we saw plenty of in Upper Ojai and the East End,” he said.

VCFD sent firefighters from all four Ojai Valley fire stations, plus a back-up engine and brush rig, to the Woolsey Fire, which broke out Nov. 8 in Simi Valley, jumped the 101 Freeway in the Calabasas area and raced to the ocean, pushed by fierce Santa Ana winds.

Tower gets face lift

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:21

Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

A crew sets up scaffolding around the Ojai post office tower Nov. 13, to get it ready for a fresh coat of paint. The project got under way in 2017 when the main building was painted, but painting the tower had to wait for a permit to set up the scaffolding, according to Dean Vadnais, president of the Ojai Civic Association. The project is expected to take 10 days to complete. The tower was last painted in 2013, Vadnais said.

Council excludes volatile solvents in cannabis rules

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:17

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

Cannabis manufacturing was debated at Tuesday’s council meeting as council members tussled over whether the so-called “Type 7” manufacturing license — which allows for extraction using volatile solvents such as butane, propane and hexane — should be permitted within city limits.

The council voted Tuesday to permit up to three state cannabis-manufacturing licenses, excluding Type 7, and a microbusiness cannabis license, called Type 12. However, Council members Suza Francina and Bill Weirick asked the city manager to bring the issue back on a future council agenda.

The ordinance approved Tuesday must now be reintroduced as a new ordinance at the next council meeting and must have a second reading at a subsequent council meeting.

Tuesday’s cannabis-manufacturing agenda item was initially on the consent calendar, but was pulled out by Mayor Johnny Johnston for further discussion.

Weirick added a condition to the ordinance that whichever types of cannabis-manufacturing licenses are allowed, the owners of the businesses must be Ventura County residents for at least five years.

Weirick and Francina supported Type 7 manufacturing, while Johnston and Council members Paul Blatz and Randy Haney did not.

Election outcome same so far

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:12

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

No local races have had any shift in the leading candidates as of the Nov. 13 county Elections Division update.

Incumbent Mayor Johnny Johnston led challenger Severo Lara by 171 votes. This was still the closest race.

Angelo Spandrio held a 55.06 percent to 44.38 percent lead over Mary Bergen in the race for Casitas Municipal Water District Division 4 director.

Cal Fire knocks down fire hazards in Stewart Canyon

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 16:09

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Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

Cal Fire firefighters Nohemy Venegas (left) and Estevan Chavez, and Capt. Randy Ibay work on removing hazardous brush and trees behind Ojai City Hall Nov. 7.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The distinct whine of chainsaws could be heard behind Ojai City Hall Nov. 7 as firefighters worked to clear dead trees and overgrowth in the Stewart Canyon area.

“Stewart Canyon had been identified as an area of concern that needed some attention, and we were trying to find a way that we could get that done, both quickly and in a cost-effective manner,” said Ojai City Manager Steve McClary.

For the fire hazard reduction project, which began Nov. 1, the city contracted with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

A Cal Fire crew out of Camarillo cleared hazardous brush and trees along a 1,000-foot-long section of Stewart Creek and at Pat Weinberger Memorial Park, at the “Y” intersection.

Traffic, water on MAC agenda

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 15:59

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council will hear about water and traffic issues at its Nov. 19 meeting.

At the MAC’s request, county planning staff will give a presentation on the Ojai Valley Area Plan’s water use offset policy, according to a spokesman for Supervisor Steve Bennett’s office.

The policy requires that new discretionary development retrofit existing plumbing fixtures or find other ways to avoid adding any net increased demand on the water supply. Recently, county planners have encouraged developers to offset water use by retrofitting plumbing fixtures at public facilities such as schools. An assisted-living facility under construction in Meiners Oaks offset its water use by installing low-flow, low-water use fixtures at Meiners Oaks Elementary and Nordhoff High schools.

Police blotter as of Nov. 15, 2018

Details: Published on Thursday, 15 November 2018 08:57

Crimes

• Grand theft was reported in the 100 block of Ojai Drive Nov. 8.

• Shoplifting was reported in the 300 block of East Ojai Avenue Nov. 9.

• Vandalism was reported in the 300 block of El Conejo Drive Nov. 9.

• Burglary was reported in the 900 block of Moreno Drive Nov. 12.

• Vehicle theft was reported at Fox Street and Ojai Avenue Nov. 12.

• Identity theft was reported in the 1100 block of Del Prado Court Nov. 12.

Wh'Y' Protest?

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 15:40

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Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

Dozens of protesters gathered at the Y intersection in Ojai Nov. 8 to show support for special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, following the resignation Nov. 7 of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The rally, backed by the Ojai Valley Democratic Club, was one of hundreds of protests nationwide. “We’re here because we support Mueller and we want to see this investigation carried through,” organizer Chris Bentz told the Ojai Valley News.

Day of the Dead comes to life at Mira Monte

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 10:46

Ojai Valley News photo by Austin Widger

Mira Monte parent Erika Cruz stands next to the ceremonial altar she helped assemble at Mira Monte Elementary Nov. 2.

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

Mira Monte Elementary School’s Día de los Muertos celebration was led by Principal Katherine White, with help from some of the students’ parents. All of them were adorned with the traditional clothing and face paint. The parents also helped set up the ceremonial altar the night before the celebration, and completed it the morning of.

Students had the opportunity to honor their loved ones who have passed by bringing some of their favorite food, drink and photos of them.

This school year, Mira Monte Elementary has made an effort to celebrate Latino cultural holidays, recognizing that the school has a sizable Latino population, White said. This Day of the Dead celebration was part of that, in an effort to allow those students, in particular, the opportunity to learn more about their heritage.

Sheriff sergeant saluted as 12 shooting victims mourned

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 10:26

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

A Ventura County Sheriff’s sergeant is being hailed a hero after he gave his life responding to a mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks bar Nov. 7.

Sgt. Ron Helus, 54, was one of 12 people killed in the massacre at the Borderline Bar and Grill, 99 Rolling Oaks Drive.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Helus and a CHP officer were first to arrive at the bar at around 11:20 p.m. after reports of an active shooter flooded 9-1-1 dispatch. Helus was hit multiple times as he entered the building and died at the hospital shortly thereafter.

The VCSO identified the suspect in the shooting as Ian David Long, 28, of Newbury Park.

Council to review cannabis manufacturing ordinance

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 10:23

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Ojai cannabis chronicles will continue at the Nov. 13 Ojai City Council meeting, where the second reading of an ordinance allowing cannabis manufacturing will be discussed.

If the second reading passes, the ordinance will become an amendment to the city’s current cannabis ordinance, allowing manufacturing. The proposed ordinance would allow up to two manufacturing facilities and three microbusiness facilities.

One of the biggest concerns with permitting cannabis manufacturing is whether or not to allow Type 7 licenses, which allow extraction using volatile substances. Microbusinesses are a Type 12 license and do not allow Type 7 extraction, only Type 6.

County extends deadline for rebuilding after fire

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 10:13

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

People who lost homes in the Thomas Fire got a reprieve from county supervisors Oct. 30 when the board voted to approve rules changes that will give property owners more time to rebuild and increased flexibility on temporary housing.

The Thomas Fire damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 structures, including 250 homes in the unincorporated area. Approximately 100 homes in Upper Ojai were lost.

Since the fire, supervisors have heard from property owners who face insurance challenges or lost multiple homes on one parcel and need more time to rebuild.

“We were hearing that people were having a hard time getting things together within a year period to reconstruct after the fire,” planner Winston Wright told the board.

Land donation to benefit OV Land Conservancy

Details: Published on Friday, 09 November 2018 10:07

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

A recent land donation could have a major impact on open space preservation in the Ojai Valley, according to officials with a local nonprofit, land protection organization.

In August, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy was gifted an undeveloped one-acre parcel in the city of Ojai appraised at $515,000, its largest asset gift ever.

The land was donated with the intention that it be sold to raise funds to support local land conservation.

“It's a significant gift for us," said Brian Stark, OVLC executive director. "We're humbled by it and very appreciative.”

Ojai Valley election results in, mayor still up in the air

Details: Published on Wednesday, 07 November 2018 12:51

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

The 2018 Ojai Valley elections are in the books, but with the mayoral race currently separated by just 155 votes, Severo Lara is not ready to call the race until the provisional ballots are counted.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, incumbent Johnny Johnston has 52.84 percent of the vote, compared to Severo Lara’s 46.31 percent. This 155 vote separation could change after the provisional ballots are counted. The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder’s office received so many provisional ballots they will not have all of them counted until Nov. 8, the office said.

The other races had plenty of separation to make the results official, though.

Oxnard motorcyclist dies in Highway 33 crash

Details: Published on Monday, 05 November 2018 11:04

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

A head-on crash between a car and a motorcycle north of Ojai Nov. 3 claimed the life of the motorcyclist, authorities said.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash was reported at 10:40 a.m. on Highway 33 at Camino Cielo Road, approximately three miles north of the city.

The collision involved a Toyota Prius with two occupants and a motorcycle being ridden by an Oxnard man, said CHP officer James Miconi.

The motorcyclist, identified by the Ventura County Medical Examiner as 36-year-old Noli Ocampo, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The occupants of the Prius, licensed to an owner out of New Jersey, were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

Highway 33 was shut down in both directions between Fairview Road and Matilija Canyon Road for a couple of hours while the crash was cleared, Miconi said.

The cause is under investigation, he added.

Latest sports

Epic run comes to an end for Nordhoff spikers

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

The Nordhoff Lady Rangers wrapped up a long season with an overall record of 27-5 and are poised to make another run at a CIF title in 2019.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

After qualifying for the CIF Southern Section Division 7 finals, the Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball received an invite to the 2018 CIF State Division 4 tournament featuring some of the best teams in the state. NHS entered the tournament as the No. 4-seeded team.

In round one, the Lady Rangers hosted Immanuel Nov. 6 and made quick work of the visitors, sweeping them in three sets 25-19, 25-22 and 25-18. In round two, Nordhoff hosted 12th seeded Chatsworth and battled its way to a 3-2 victory to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, NHS traveled to take on the top-ranked San Luis Obispo Tigers and despite their best efforts, the Lady Rangers’ state tournament run came to an end with a 3-1 loss. The Tigers won the first set 25-22, then NHS claimed the second 25-22 before San Luis Obispo won the next two 25-23 and 25-16.

Nordhoff girls' golf takes second in league

Photo submitted

This year’s Nordhoff High School golf team placed second in the Citrus Coast League. The team was made up of (left to right): Arianna Alonso, Hannah Ignacio, Molly Coker, Ella Giuliani, Alexis Kehoe and Willow Williams.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

This fall season was a productive one for the Nordhoff High School girls’ golf team that finished 14-6 against Citrus Coast League opponents. The Lady Rangers fought their way to a second-place finish and six players earned all-league honors.

Freshman Ella Giuliani was the team’s top performer this fall. She earned first team all-league honors and qualified for the CIF Individual Tournament and was voted team Most Valuable Player. She finished her season with a 47.4 average and carded an impressive 37 at Soule Park this season.

Nordhoff star signs with Purdue Boilermakers

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Nordhoff High School softball star Sydney Wimpee held a signing ceremony Nov. 15 where she inked her name to a national letter of intent to play for the Purdue Boilermakers. Wimpee has been a star for the Lady Rangers since her freshman year. She caught the attention of the Purdue coaching staff a couple of years ago and had verbally committed to play for the Big 10 school. In three years of action, Wimpee has won 19 games and has struck out a mind-boggling 393 batters in those three seasons. Nordhoff fans will have the pleasure of watching Wimpee for one more season, as she leads NHS once again this spring.

Big second half from Chadwick ends Villanova Prep's season

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Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

The Villanova Preparatory School football team hosted the undefeated Chadwick Dolphins in a second-round playoff game Nov. 9 in front of an enthusiastic Ojai crowd. Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats fell to the Dolphins 70-39. VPS managed to build a 31-27 lead after the first half of play but then Chadwick turned it on the second half and outscored VPS 43-8 as they cruised to victory. A big factor in the game was a shoulder injury suffered by Anthony Martinez (No. 28). With Martinez on the sideline, the Dolphins went on their big second-half run. The Wildcats finished the season 7-4 overall. They will only lose five seniors from this year’s squad, so the program is expected to continue to its successful run next fall.

Kirkland honored by Rotary Club of Ojai

Photo submitted

Rotary Club of Ojai presented its Physical Education Project Student of the Month award for November to Jesse Kirkland, a fifth-grader at Topa Topa Elementary. Rotarian Ren Adam did the honors of presenting the award.

Topa Topa teacher Caroline Stubbs nominated Kirkland for the award and said: “Jesse was selected as the Topa Topa Elementary PE student of the month for many reasons. The PE teachers describe Jesse as a bright shining star. He approaches each activity with enthusiasm and a positive attitude and is a model of good sportsmanship – he regularly provides words of encouragement to his peers. He is kind and compassionate, and his smile and sense of humor help create a fun environment during PE and in the classroom. He is a positive leader and excellent role model, and always does his best in everything he attempts.”

Nordhoff football stars earn top awards

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Nordhoff stars Brayden Rogers (No. 33) and Manny Bautista celebrate after a touchdown against the Carpinteria Warriors earlier this season. Rogers was recently named the Citrus Coast League offensive player of the year while Bautista earned lineman of the year honors.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

Eighteen Nordhoff High School football players were recently named to the All Citrus Coast League teams. Topping the list for the Rangers was senior running back Brayden Rogers who earned offensive player of the year honors. This season, Rogers carried the ball 247 times for 1,756 yards and he scored 21 rushing touchdowns. He also threw for three scores and caught two touchdowns on the year.

Also gaining player of the year honors was senior lineman Manny Bautista who cleared the way for Rogers much of the season. For his efforts, Bautista was named lineman of the year for the newly formed league.

Nordhoff playoff run ends one-and-done

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Nordhoff senior Nick Cansler (left) does all he can to wrap up a Simi Valley ball carrier. The Ranger defense gave up 467 yards in total offense in the playoff loss.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

Playing in the postseason for the first time since 2014, the Nordhoff High School football team hoped to make a run deep in the CIF Southern Section Division 10 playoffs; but despite their best efforts, the Rangers fell to the visiting Simi Valley Pioneers, 41-27.

Nordhoff got off to a rough start when on its first possession of the game, sophomore quarterback Leeram Stoneman left the pocket and was stripped of the ball. Simi Valley’s Ian Roca was in the right place at the right time and he scooped up the fumble and returned it 15 yards for the score. After a failed conversion, the Pioneers had an early 6-0 lead before the home crowd was settled in their seats.

OVS girls claim Condor championship

Photo submitted

Members of Ojai Valley School’s Condor League championship team celebrate after their victory. From left to right: Caspian Ellis, Avery Colborn, Angela Qu, Jolene Fan, Stephany Nostrant, Paige Muller and Bella Slosberg.

Avery Colborn, Ojai Valley News contributor

For the second time in the past four years, the Ojai Valley School girls’ cross-country team has been crowned Condor League champion, putting together a dominating performance in the final league meet.

After a long season of hard work, the OVS girls demonstrated their toughness on the flat, fast Dunn School course, earning seven of the top 10 places at the league final. Each of the girls took home a Top 10 medal and the team finished first overall, qualifying for CIF preliminaries for the second year in a row.

Freshman Paige Muller ran her best race of the season. She led the three-mile race from start to finish, earning a gold medal and the title of Condor League champion. Muller is the fourth Condor League champion from Ojai Valley School in the past eight years.

Local tennis youths compete

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Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

Luca Falvo continued his winning streak of five tournaments in the United States Tennis Association Boys’ 12 Open Division Oct. 27 at the Ojai Valley Inn Tennis Center. He dominated play over seven other county players. Another Ojai native, Eric Schmidt, finished third in the tournament when he lost in a playoff tiebreaker, 7-5, for the finalist trophy. This photograph was taken in early 2018 during the annual Ojai Valley Tennis Club Holiday Tennis Challenge fundraiser.

Lady Rangers fall in CIF Southern Section Finals

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent

The Nordhoff High School’s girls’ volleyball team returned to the CIF Southern Section Finals for the first time in 26 years Saturday — only to lose three games-to-one to No. 1-ranked Linfield Christian of Temecula in an entertaining and spirited match in front of a big crowd in the NHS gym.

The visiting Lions (the second-place team from the Ambassador League, entering with a record of 32-4), prevailed in an intense, two-hour battle 31-29, 23-25, 25-19, and 25-21 to garner the program’s first CIF Southern Section title in 32 years. Nordhoff has won four titles, its last in 1992.

“I’m disappointed we lost, but I am so proud of this team,” said Nordhoff head coach Rene Nakao-Mauch, whose squad has garnered an invitation to the CIF State Tournament, which began this week.

“These were two evenly matched teams, and that Nordhoff bunch fought like no one we’ve ever seen,” said Linfield head coach Eric Hous. “We really tried to serve them tough because their passing is just so good.”

Nordhoff, now 24-3, came into the match not only unbeaten in the last two months, but also having not even surrendered a single game since August.

Nordhoff girls' volleyball wins state opener

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News Correspondent

The Nordhoff High School girls’ volleyball team rebounded from its loss in the CIF Southern Section Division 7 Finals to win its CIF State Division 4 playoff opener Tuesday, defeating visiting Immanuel Christian from Reedley three-games-to-none.

Head coach Rene Nakao-Mauch’s Lady Rangers, the No. 4-ranked team in the division, improved to 26-3 on the year, rallying from early deficits in each of the three games.

“I think we were a little off because of the 6 o’clock start,” said Nakao-Mauch. “But our passing was good, and when it counted, we got to balls, and that’s what saved us.”

Villanova football advances to second round

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

The Villanova Preparatory School football team is getting hot at just the right time. The Wildcats are riding a three-game win streak after defeating crosstown rival Thacher on Nov. 2 in the opening round of the playoffs. The 41-14 win over the Toads improved Villanova’s record to 7-3 on the season and they will now take on the undefeated Chadwick Dolphins Nov. 9 on the road.

Former Ranger standout hits game winner for Minutemen

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Photo courtesy of UMass Athletics

Former Nordhoff High School football star Cooper Garcia helped the University of Massachusetts (UMass) football team to a triple-overtime victory over Liberty University Nov. 3. The game ended when Garcia kicked a 22-yard field goal, giving his team the 62-59 victory. The former Ranger is having a stellar season for the Minutemen and is the team’s second-leading scorer. This season, he has made six of seven field goals and is a perfect 34 of 34 on extra point conversions.