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Brush clearance assistance to reduce fire hazards; clearance deadline June 1
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- Published: Saturday, 30 May 2020 13:11
By David Goldstein and Elaine Himelfarb, Special to the Ojai Valley News
During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are self-isolating, social distancing, and staying home whenever possible. With wildfire season quickly approaching and a June 1 deadline for brush clearance in Ventura County, now is a good time to do some work at home to reduce fire dangers.
Read more: Brush clearance assistance to reduce fire hazards; clearance deadline June 1
Second suspect — 18-year-old Ventura man — arrested in Matilija Hot Springs shooting
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- Published: Saturday, 30 May 2020 12:55
Photo by Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Juvenal Hernandez, 22, of Oxnard is one of two suspects arrested as a suspect in a shooting Sunday at Matilija Hot Springs. A second suspect was arrested Thursday, May 28.
Three people were apprehended by law enforcement May 24 after a shooting and vehicle pursuit that started at Matilija Hot Springs on Maricopa Highway near Matilija Hot Springs Road. A second suspect was arrested May 28 after being released from a hospital.
COVID-19 numbers in VC; county to provide rent assistance, business grants
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- Published: Saturday, 30 May 2020 12:25
The Ventura County Public Health Officer reported the following report on local COVID-19:
16 new cases from the day before.
33 deaths - 1 additional death (a male in his 90s with a comorbidity)
1,078 total positive cases
21 in the hospital
11 in the ICU
817 recovered
23,389 tested
Read more: COVID-19 numbers in VC; county to provide rent assistance, business grants
New Ventura County Public Health order in place through June 14
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- Published: Saturday, 30 May 2020 10:30
To read the new Ventura County "Stay Well VC" Public Health order — which goes to June 14 — may be viewed at:
Read more: New Ventura County Public Health order in place through June 14
Suspects in Nordhoff High School vandalism caught on camera
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- Published: Saturday, 30 May 2020 09:36
Ventura County Sheriff's Office released two photographs of suspects in the Thursday early-morning vandalism of Nordhoff High School in Ojai.
During the early morning hours of Thursday, May 28, two young males entered Nordhoff High School in Ojai, starting a fire and vandalizing school property, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects caused “significant property damage,” according to the sheriff’s agency. It estimated the suspects’ ages to be between 16 and 19.
Read more: Suspects in Nordhoff High School vandalism caught on camera
No fireworks or parade on 4th
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 11:04
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
This year’s Ojai Independence Day Parade and Fourth of July fireworks are canceled.
This decision was announced at the May 26 Ojai City Council meeting in response to ongoing restrictions on large gatherings due to COVID-19.
Taps heard around the world
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 11:01
Photo by Stephen AdamsOn Memorial Day, Nordhoff High School music director Bill Wagner performs taps at Nordhoff Cemetery.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
The cancellation of this year's Memorial Day events due to coronavirus didn't stop the Ojai Valley from honoring its fallen heroes.
An observance May 25 at Nordhoff Cemetery brought together local veterans, their families, elected officials and others for a nationwide playing of taps at 3 p.m.
Ojai care homes hold line on virus
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:48
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Despite the fact that more than 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths in California have occurred from people infected in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, Ventura County is in good shape with few infected in its more than 400 long-term-care facilities.
Property owners have till June 1 to clear brush
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:45
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Ventura County Fire Station 22 in Meiners Oaks. The county’s annual deadline for property owners to clear brush away from structures is June 1.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Firefighters say it’s not a matter of if, but when, the next wildfire will happen.
That’s why the most important person protecting your home is not a firefighter, it’s you.
Cannabis compassionate care program gets legislative boost
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:39
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
A program to help people who need but can't afford medicinal cannabis may expand, due to new legislation.
Sespe Creek Collective's Compassionate Care program was launched when the dispensary was nonprofit and delivery-only, offering discounts to qualifying patients and free product donated by member cultivators.
Nordhoff-Thacher leadership program inspires students
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:36
Image submitted
The Greater Good Leadership Program visits UCSB for a field trip to the immunology lab and research aquarium in early March.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
As Nordhoff High School wraps up its school year via distance learning, the Greater Good Leadership Program’s first year concludes as well — and was a resounding success.
The class is a unique public-private school partnership between Nordhoff and The Thacher School, and is made possible by a grant from a parent of a Thacher alum.
Outdoor restaurant seating is in, but not yet in streets
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:06
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
At its May 26 meeting, the Ojai city Council discussed the latest COVID-19 reopening efforts in the city, including the possibility of expanding outdoor dining onto Ojai Avenue or Matilija Street.
Ojai City Manager James Vega said the city of Ventura has allowed restaurants on Main Street to expand their outdoor dining, even blocking off a few blocks of the street to add seating outdoors.
Ojai man a suspect in 2 sexual assault cases
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 10:05
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
An Ojai man being held on $1.5 million bail for an alleged sexual assault in March could also be facing charges in a separate sexual assault case, authorities said this week.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ojai deputies responded March 5 to a report of a sexual assault in Matilija Canyon.
Ask Dr. Halverson: Understanding people's different responses to the pandemic
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 09:41
One of the biggest personal challenges I have had many times over the last several months has been trying to understand the extremely varied and often surprisingly angry responses by others to what I firmly believe is the greatest infectious disease threat our country has faced since polio in the 1940s and 1950s.
Read more: Ask Dr. Halverson: Understanding people's different responses to the pandemic
OUSD eyes cuts to make up for shortfall of more than $3 million
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- Published: Friday, 29 May 2020 09:37
Chart by OUSD
The rankings by the budget committee of proposed cuts.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
On May 26, the Ojai Unified School District Board met to discuss the $3.2 million to $3.6 million budget deficit it is staring down for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
OUSD Superintendent Tiffany Morse and Director of Fiscal Services Taiwo Madison presented the board with various potential cuts that to make up for that deficit.