How to resolve AdBlock issue? News from around the Ojai Valley
City of Ojai has plans for Measure C (on March 3 ballot) funds for expenditures such as fire protection and street repair
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 16:19
Ojai Valley News photo by
Laura Rearwin Ward
Laura Rearwin Ward
Measure C on the March 3 ballot would increase the city’s transient occupancy tax 5%. This tax would apply to those staying at hotels, motels or inns within Ojai city limits and would add approximately $1.5 million a year to the city’s budget for capital improvements. Among these improvements are wildfire prevention and street maintenance. The measure requires two-thirds’ voter approval to pass.
Video of Feb. 20 East Ventura Community Council meeting where water litigation discussed by Matt LaVere, county supervisor candidate and Ventura mayor, and Ventura Councilman Erik Nasarenko
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 15:59
Screenshot of Matt LaVere, candidate for Ventura County supervisor and city of Ventura mayor, from video of Feb. 20 East Ventura Community Council meeting.
Trevor Quirk, write-in candidate for Ventura County supervisor to represent District 1, attended the East Ventura Community Council meeting on Feb. 20 at a church in Ventura.
The meeting was livestreamed on Quirk’s Facebook page.
View the video of the meeting at:
https://www.facebook.com/trevor.quirk.7/videos/10157266032599755/
The meeting featured supervisor candidate Matt LaVere, mayor of Ventura, and Ventura Councilman Eric Nasarenko describing why the city of Ventura is pursuing its lawsuit against Ojai and Ventura residents and how the council members did not know that so many people would receive summonses and notices.
Thousands may get extra time to respond to water suit
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 10:02
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
City of Ventura officials are anticipating a reprieve for thousands of Ojai Valley property owners drawn into a contentious water lawsuit.
On Feb. 27, the city will request a six-month extension from the court to give people more time to decide if they want to participate in the legal action over use of the Ventura River watershed.
CMWD backs six-month extension
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 10:01
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Casitas Municipal Water District is backing an extension for local property owners served by the city of Ventura in a lawsuit over use of the Ventura River watershed.
3 vie to represent Ojai in 1st District
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 09:59
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Trevor Quirk, Jeff Ketelsen and Matt LaVere are vying to represent the Ojai Valley on the county Board of Supervisors in the March 3 election.
If one candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, he will be the next supervisor. If any candidate fails to get 50 percent plus one, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters in November.
Application withdrawn for storage yard at Petrochem site
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 09:40
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
The new owner of the Petrochem site south of Casitas Springs has withdrawn an application to build a vehicle storage yard and contractor service yard on the 108-acre site, county officials said Thursday.
Declining enrollment in Ojai public schools focus of Ojai Chautauqua
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- Published: Friday, 21 February 2020 09:36
Graph courtesy OUSD/Ojai Chautauqua
The Ojai Unified School District enrollment has declined every year since peaking during the 1997-1998 school year.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
A panel, organized by Ojai Chautauqua, tackled declining public school enrollment in the Ojai Valley on Feb. 17.
$150 million Matilija Dam removal getting closer; may involve dynamite
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 23:04
File photo
Matilija Dam
By Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Though removal of Matilija Dam is still years away, officials said last week they're making progress on design and planning, and funding the estimated $150 million project.
Dear readers, You write this headline!
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 21:51
Photo by William Weirick
Who ya gonna call?
The Ojai “yarn bombers” apparently struck again this week, festooning a pay phone in front of Joe’s Quick Stop Mini Mart, 201 N. Signal St., in a colorful knitted costume. The phenomenon of “grandma graffiti” began in Ojai several years ago. The anonymous knitters have adorned, in wool, stop signs, lamp posts, the iron horse in Rotary Park, statues in Cluff Vista Park and at the Ojai Library, the condor at the Ojai Valley Museum, and last year decorated Libbey Park on Christmas Eve day. A Facebook poster on Feb. 17 called the creation the “Pres. Millard Fill More Big Gulps Hairy Eyeball Monster.”
Light rain forecast for Friday evening, Feb. 21
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 20:24
The Drought Monitor for Feb. 18 shows a large portion of California is abnormally dry.
By Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
February has been bone dry in Southern California, but a cold storm system could bring rain and mountain snow on Saturday.
Luzmaria Espinosa is Ventura County's new poet laureate; to be inaugurated Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m.
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 20:11
Submitted photo
Luzmaria Espinosa of Santa Paula will be inaugurated as Ventura County poet laureate on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, 926 Railroad Ave.
The Ventura County Arts Council will host the inauguration of its recently named Ventura County poet laureate Luzmaria “Luzma” Espinosa on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, 926 Railroad Ave.
Tow truck transports car back onto Dennison Grade
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 14:49
Photo submitted
A tow truck retrieves a car that plunged off the side of Highway 150 on the Dennison Grade early Thursday morning. The California Highway Patrol reported the mishap at 3:19 a.m. The white Honda Accord ended up on its roof after leaving the roadway and coming to rest 200 feet down the embankment. Ventura County Fire Department personnel extricated one occupant with minor injuries. The eastbound lane was blocked and alternating traffic was put in place for 30 to 45 minutes Thursday afternoon while the car was recovered.
Police blotter as of Feb. 19, 2020
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:46
Crimes
• Graffiti vandalism was reported in the 200 block of East Ojai Avenue Feb. 8.
• Shoplifting was reported in the 1100 block of Maricopa Highway Feb. 10.
• Trespassing was reported in the 11500 block of Oakcrest Avenue Feb. 11.
UPDATE: Missing 17-year-old girl last seen in Mira Monte FOUND
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- Published: Tuesday, 18 February 2020 09:19
Photo courtesy VCSO
Zyanya Valora
Thanks to calls received at sheriff’s dispatch, the missing child was located.
Sheriff's deputies were asking for assistance locating Zyanya Valora, a 17-year-old juvenile female who was last seen at her home this morning at 1:00 AM.
Zyanya is 5' 1" tall, black hair, weighs 90lbs and was last seen in the area of North Ventura Avenue and Valley Meadow Drive in Mira Monte.
She was wearing a long sleeve white shirt and white pants, carrying a medium sized bible. Additionally, Zyanya is autistic, is not social and communicates a little bit. If you have seen any person matching this description, you are asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff's Dispatch at 805-654-9511 or 911.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 3-5 p.m.: Ojai Chautauqua panel takes on declining public school enrollment in the Ojai Valley
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- Published: Saturday, 15 February 2020 17:25
By Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
The Ojai Chautauqua will continue its series on education Feb. 16, with a panel addressing declining public school enrollment in the Ojai Valley.
The event is from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Agora Foundation Office, 417 Bryant Circle, Ojai. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered online at https://ojaicivildiscourse.org/about/.
Ventura city officials to ask court on Feb. 27 for 6-month extension for residents to respond to water lawsuit
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 14:16
Photo by Greg A. Cooper
From left, property owners Thomas Carver, Jacqueline Francis and Steve Johnson question Miles Hogan at a city of Ventura community meeting, Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Oak View Community Center, Oak View. Hogan is assistant city attorney for Ventura and was on the panel answering questions from members of the audience who showed up to learn about the adjudication involving the Ventura River Watershed suit.
By Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
City of Ventura officials are anticipating a reprieve for thousands of Ojai Valley property owners drawn into a contentious water lawsuit.
On Feb. 27, the city will request a six-month extension from the court to give people more time to decide if they want to participate in the legal action over use of the Ventura River watershed.
Residents packed the Oak View Community Center’s Kunkle Room on Feb. 13 for the last of three public meetings hosted by the city of Ventura so far to explain the litigation and answer questions.
Treat yourself to a Shirley Valentine's Day
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:55
Photo submittedThis is the last weekend to catch Anna Kotula in "Shirley Valentine," which will be performed Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m., at the Ojai Art Center, 113. S. Montgomery St., Ojai.
By Lisa Angle, Special to the Ojai Valley News
Looking for the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Head over to the Ojai Art Center Theater Friday, Feb. 14, to fall in love with Shirley Valentine’s journey of self-discovery. Shannon Penrith hosts a special Valentine’s reception during intermission and after the show, complete with Valentine confections, champagne and roses.
Don’t miss your last three opportunities to meet “Shirley Valentine” this weekend. This witty play, written by the brilliantly funny Willy Russell, runs Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.
Love springs eternal
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 10:29
Longtime Ojai resident and columnist Mel Bloom passed away on Dec. 20 at his Ojai home at age 92. His beloved wife, Andrea, passed away in 2015. In the Ojai Valley News article about Mel by Andra Belknap, she quoted Mel and Andrea’s daughter, Marsha “Tink” Anderson: “As he was passing away, he was seeing things and hearing things that we didn’t experience,” Tink said. “He said: ‘Andi’s here. Oh, she’s beautiful.’”
On Valentine’s Day, we share a love poem Mel Bloom wrote to his wife, Andrea:
All those words that blossom in my heart
I’ll fling to you. Arms full of loose bloom, love.
I love beyond breadth, beyond reason,
beyond love’s own power of loving.
And your name is like a golden bell hung
in my heart. And when I think of you, I tremble;
and the bell swings and rings
Andrea! Andrea! Andrea!
MRB
Protecting Ojai from fire part of Measure C backers' goals
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:44
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
The Ojai Valley has long been working toward wildfire mitigation, as fires are an ever-present danger in the Ojai Valley.
One local organization, the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, has joined with the city of Ojai to address the issue of increased risk of fire from climate change with the Wildfire Mitigation Strategy, Fire Safe Council Executive Director Chris Danch told the Ojai Valley News.
Water lawsuit advice: Get meter
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:43
Photo by Greg A. Cooper
Trevor Quirk of Upper Ojai, candidate for Ventura County supervisor, District 1, speaks at a water litigation meeting he organized on Feb. 11 at the Oak View Community Center.
Marianne Ratcliff, Ojai Valley News editor
A meeting for community members to learn more about Ventura's water lawsuit against thousands of water users in the Ojai Valley and Ventura was held Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Oak View Community Center.
Ojai business owners bid adieu
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:36
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Gem Quest Jewelers, one of four stores in the Arcade closing or changing owners.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
With one store in downtown Ojai's Arcade already shuttered in 2020, three more are set either to close or change hands soon.
Council urges putting brakes on suit
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:34
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Ojai Mayor Johnny Johnston, Councilman William Weirick and Ojai city attorney Matthew Summer updated the public on the Ventura River Watershed adjudication lawsuit for the second time at the Feb. 11 Ojai City Council meeting.
Valentine's Day a day to celebrate Ojai lovers
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:34
Photo provided
John and Kathy Broesamle on a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park in June 2019. In the distance are Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
It's Valentine's Day, so the Ojai Valley News asked a few of Ojai's most enduring couples about their love stories and what keeps them together.
Marion and Betty Earnest are today celebrating 64 years as a couple. They were married on Valentine's Day in 1956.
Matilija principal to head Topa Topa
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:32
Changes abound at Ojai Unified School District following its Feb. 12 board meeting.
Matilija Middle School Principal Javier Ramirez will become principal at Topa Topa Elementary. He will lead the development of a Spanish-language acquisition pilot program during the 2020-2021 school year.
Ventura man pleads guilty to 2016 attempted murder
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- Published: Friday, 14 February 2020 09:31
Photo courtesy VCSO
Colin Meyer
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
A Ventura man charged with the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend during a 2016 attack in Oak View pleaded guilty on Wednesday.