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News from around the Ojai Valley

Local medical cannabis dispensaries will mark 420 with special events for customers

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:52

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

April 20, an unofficial cannabis holiday, will be commemorated by Ojai's three medical cannabis dispensaries Friday.

The number 420 has long been associated with cannabis use.

Many believe the association originated from a group of Marin County students who met at 4:20 p.m. to imbibe during the 1970s, said Sespe Creek Collective CEO Chelsea Sutula.

Sespe Creek Collective, 408 Bryant Street Suite C, will host a “Plant Appreciation Day” April 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The event will feature music, live art and “munchies” from Jim & Robs Fresh Grill, according to Sutula.

Just down the street from Sespe Creek, the Shangri La Care Cooperative (SLCC) and Ojai Greens will offer 420 discounts to medical cannabis patients.

Local woman arrested on embezzlement charge

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:50

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

Ojai resident Christina Tracy surrendered to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) officials before dawn April 19 on a felony embezzlement charge.

Tracy, 28, is accused of fraudulently using $19,102.89 of the Montessori School of Ojai’s funds, her former employer, for personal purchases that began in January 2017.

VCSO detective Andrea Regan said one of Tracy’s former colleagues noticed unusual charges on a Montessori School credit card in October 2017.

When the employee confronted Tracy about the charges, Tracy admitted to using the school’s credit card for personal expenses and pledged to repay the funds, Regan said.

After Montessori School staff discovered the magnitude of the alleged charges, they contacted VCSO to file a police report, Regan said.

Regan made contact with Tracy and her attorney, Ryan Blatz, in November 2017.

“They were extremely cooperative from the get go,” she said. “They never disputed her actions.”

Three sisters: Two agencies in proposed water plan expressing reservations

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:06

Photo by Simone Noble Photography

Chautauqua panelists discuss the valley’s water situation during the April 14 event.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Three ideas for solving the area's water shortage were explored at the Ojai Chautauqua's "Panel on Water in the Ojai Valley" April 15.

One of the concepts, the Three Sisters Proposal, was presented by the Ojai Valley Water Advisory Group's (WAG) Richard Hajas.

Under the plan, Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD), Calleguas Municipal Water District and the city of Ventura would work together to create the ability to pipe in water from the State Water Project (SWP).

With Ojai attached to the SWP, Lake Casitas could then recharge and become storage for reduced use and emergencies.

The plan also was discussed at the March 8 meeting of the Upper Ventura River Groundwater Agency (UVRGA).

Police blotter as of April 19, 2018

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 11:38

Crimes

• Vehicle burglary was reported in the 1200 block of Meiners Road April 13.

• Vandalism was reported at Wild Oak Street and Oakcrest Avenue April 14.

Arrests

• A 58-year-old woman was arrested at Ojai Avenue and Boardman Road March 29 for being an accessory after the fact. Bail was set at $10,000.

• A 54-year-old man was arrested at the Ojai Police Station March 29 for assault and for being an accessory after the fact. Bail was set at $10,000.

• A 51-year-old woman was arrested in the 1200 block of Alviria Drive April 8 for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $7,500.

• A 29-year-old man was arrested in the 100 block of South Alvarado Avenue April 9 for resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer or EMT, and for violating a restraining order. Bail was set at $15,000.

Short-term rentals back in the spotlight

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 11:37

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

The debate over short-term rentals in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County continued April 12 during a meeting of the Ventura County Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission voted March 1 to reject a draft ordinance, shaped by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, that would have disallowed whole-house short-term rentals in the Ojai Valley and decided instead to direct county staff to draft a short-term rental ordinance that would apply to the unincorporated county as a whole.

The Commission asked that the draft ordinance include numeric and/or density limits for short-term rentals in residential areas.

Ventura County Resource Management Agency director Chris Stephens informed the Planning Commission April 12 that its action exceeded the advisory authority to the Board of Supervisors.

See also: “STR ban rejected: Commission asks for more options,” Ojai Valley News, March 8, 2018.

Casitas looking to drill deep well as alternative to horizontal plan

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 11:34

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD) officials have announced a new path they will likely take to help mitigate impacts of the current drought.

They're exploring the possibility of drilling a vertical bore (or VerBo) to tap into an aquifer in the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Ojai.

The well would be drilled to a depth of 6,000 to 7,000 feet.

“This would be a very deep well, not something like the 300-foot wells people drill around this area,” said Steve Wickstrum, CMWD general manager.

Cell tower changes, Starbucks plan on agenda of Monday’s MAC meeting

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 11:32

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Ojai Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will meet April 23 to discuss changes to a cell-tower project near Oak View.

The project involves the construction of a 34-foot "mono pine" cellular antenna for Verizon Wireless.

The facility is planned on a 539-square-foot lease on a hilltop above 655 Burnham Road, where a 25-foot-tall white cross containing wireless communications equipment has stood since 2001.

According to Verizon, the cross tower no longer provides adequate coverage.

During Monday's meeting, the MAC is set to review a conditional use permit modification application for the project.

According to Senior Planner Kristina Boero, the design and height of the tower have not changed, but a mitigation measure aimed at reducing the project's scenic impacts has been modified.

Tennis tourney set for next week

Details: Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 11:28

Photo by Holly Roberts

Scout Mathews, in action during the New Balance National High School Tennis Championships in July, will compete in the upcoming Ojai Tennis Tournament.

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Ojai Tennis Tournament and its 1,500 players will play on courts throughout the Ojai Valley, Ventura and Oxnard from April 24 to April 29.

The 118th edition of the tournament has become “the year of the woman,” said Ojai Valley Tennis Club president Carolyn Burke.

Tracy Austin, who won the 1977 women's invitational tournament at age 14, will be the 2018 tournament honoree.

The 2018 tournament's $30,200 in prize money will be awarded equally to male and female competitors for the first time in its history.

“Even though the women's draw in the past has been smaller, this will continue to attract good players and keep the level of competition high. Many tournaments are going that way,” Burke said.

The bell tolls on plan for later school start times

Details: Published on Wednesday, 18 April 2018 14:24

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

Ojai Unified School District (OUSD) secondary school students will not, at present, get to sleep a little later in the morning.

The District's study committee on later start times recommended April 17 that the OUSD School Board not mandate later start times for Matilija Junior High School (MJHS) and Nordhoff High School (NHS).

Classes at NHS start at 7:40 a.m. while classes at the junior high begin at 7:44 a.m.

The committee found that sleep deprivation is a serious issue among OUSD students, but members weren't certain that a later start time would meaningfully change student's sleep habits, said OUSD Assistant Superintendent Sherrill Knox.

The Board received the committee's report and took no further action on the item.

The 16-member committee was comprised of OUSD administrators, teachers, students and parents.

The committee surveyed 677 Matilija and Nordhoff students on a range of issues, including the amount of sleep they get each night, their use of electronic devices, consumption of sugar and caffeine and students' assessments of their own health.

See also: “Local students could be waking up to a new reality — later start times,” Ojai Valley News, Sept. 7, 2017.

Students raise money for a new crosswalk

Details: Published on Tuesday, 17 April 2018 15:29

Photo courtesy of Warren Peterson

Oak Grove School's new crosswalk was designed by sixth grader Liliana Kraus.

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

When Oak Grove School students returned to campus April 9, a freshly painted, rainbow-colored, piano-themed crosswalk had been added to the school's parking lot.

The project was conceived by Oak Grove's Elementary Student Council, who noticed the crosswalk in front of the campus had faded. The Council is comprised of 10 Oak Grove elementary schoolers who are elected by their peers.

“They started by putting up handmade signs as (safety) reminders while they made plans for the permanent crosswalk,” said Warren Peterson, Oak Grove's director of outreach.

The new multi-colored crosswalk is in Oak Groves's parking lot, at the top of the school's West Lomita Avenue driveway.

Creek Road/Hwy. 33 changes to be finished in June

Details: Published on Tuesday, 17 April 2018 15:24

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Plans to reconfigure the Highway 33-Creek Road intersection near Oak View are still on track and the project should be completed sometime in June, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

The changes, finalized in 2017, are designed to make it easier for drivers turning left onto southbound Highway 33 from Creek Road.

One of the main problems with the maneuver is that cars trying to enter the target lane from Creek Road must cross three lanes of traffic — two northbound and one southbound.

Making the move even trickier is that traffic there can be heavy and there are visibility issues due to southbound vehicles rounding a nearby curve on the downgrade out of Oak View.

Police blotter as of April 12

Details: Published on Thursday, 12 April 2018 14:13

Crimes

• Grand theft was reported at Highway 33 and Nye Road April 4.

• Battery was reported in the 600 block of Heather Street April 5.

• Identity theft was reported in the 200 block of North Padre Juan Avenue April 5.

• Vehicle burglary was reported at Casitas Vista Road and Highway 33 April 8.

• Burglary was reported in the 12900 block of Blue Heron Circle April 9.

• Burglary and vandalism were reported in the 1200 block of Loma Drive April 9.

• Petty theft and identity theft were reported on Creek Lane April 9.

Arrests

• A 42-year-old man was arrested in the 500 block of La Luna Avenue April 4 for misdemeanor warrants. Bail was set at $30,000.

Hey sediment, it’s curtains for you!

Details: Published on Thursday, 12 April 2018 14:09

Photo courtesy of Casitas Municipal Water District

A turbidity curtain in action at Santa Ana Creek March 23.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Think of them as immense underwater strainers designed to keep the muck out of Lake Casitas.

Flotation devices called turbidity curtains — permeable barriers used to keep post-Thomas Fire debris and sediment from spreading — have been installed at inflow locations around the lake.

"The curtains allow water to pass through, and contain the silt and sediment behind them, which will then settle out," explained Julia Aranda, engineering manager for Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD).

Each turbidity curtain is 100-feet long with a skirt depth of 20 feet.

A weight is attached to the bottom of the curtain to provide ballast, keeping the curtain vertical in the water.

In December, Casitas purchased 20 turbidity curtains from ABASCO, LLC of Texas, which also manufactures oil-spill-recovery products.

The price of each curtain was $2,417.

The total purchase price, including tow bridles, sales tax and shipping, was $55,310.45.

Council votes to finally adopt cultural resources protection resolution

Details: Published on Thursday, 12 April 2018 14:07

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

After three years of work, the Ojai City Council voted three to two April 10 to adopt a cultural resources protection resolution.

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie and Pat Tumamait, local representatives of the Chumash tribe, expressed frustration with the city's proposed resolution during the April 10 meeting, arguing they had not been consulted about changes made to the final document.

“I don't know how you guys sleep at night,” said Tumamait.“To reject the preservation of this city and the cultural resources is a big mistake because it's going to be here long after we're gone.”

See also: “Work continues on effort to develop a cultural resources ordinance,” Ojai Valley News, Oct. 5, 2017.

It’s official: Nukes are no longer allowed in the city of Ojai

Details: Published on Thursday, 12 April 2018 14:05

Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter

“While a seemingly small step in Ojai this evening, this is an historic event both locally, nationally and globally, and indeed, the eyes of the world are upon Ojai this evening,” proclaimed Robert Dodge as the Ojai City Council prepared to adopt a resolution declaring Ojai a nuclear-free zone.

The resolution, approved by way of the Council’s consent calendar, states that no nuclear weapon may be produced, transported, stored, processed, disposed of or used within city limits.

See also: “City goes nuclear in talks about appointees and weapons,” Ojai Valley News, Feb. 15, 2018.Further, the resolution states that the city will grant no contract to a person or business who “knowingly engages” in work related to nuclear weapons, unless no reasonable alternative exists.

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Latest sports

Ojai Valley’s baseball teams still hope to finish strong

041918 ym thacher vondriska nordhoff baseball img 6581

Photo by Tom Moore

Thacher freshman Tyler Vondriska, of Ojai, slides safely into home against Nordhoff High School in a non-league contest.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

With high school baseball teams entering the second half of their seasons, Ojai’s programs are looking to finish strong so they can make a run at the playoffs.

At Nordhoff High School (NHS), the Rangers are still looking for their first league-win of the season. NHS currently sits at 1-14 overall and 0-4 in the Tri-Valley League standings.

The Rangers will host St. Bonaventure April 20 at 3:30 p.m. in a Tri-Valley League contest.

The Thacher School Toads improved to 4-5 on the season after defeating Nordhoff, 3-2, April 6.

The Toads also are winless in league, having posted an 0-3 record against their Frontier League foes.

Thacher’s next opponent will be Foothill Tech April 27 on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Ramirez setting the pace for NHS track

041918 ch ramirez carp rangers dual meet 1000960

Photo by Carl Huffman

The Nordhoff High School (NHS) track and field team traveled to Fillmore April 11 to take part in the Fillmore Cluster Meet, facing a number of area track and field programs. NHS had several highlights, but none bigger than Jasmine Ramirez (above) who won the 3200-meter run in a time of 11:58.44. Ramirez then doubled up and won the 1,600-meter run in 5:25.14. Other top performers for the Rangers included Korey Stevens who won the 110-meter high hurdles and Angelo Sorrentino who took first place in the boys’ varsity 400-meter dash in a time of 53:51. NHS then took part in the 99th annual Russell Cup in Carpinteria where Ramirez took third place in the 3,200 with a time of 11:42.33. The girls’ varsity 4-by-100-meter relay team also took third in the competition.

Medals plentiful for Casitas Rowers

Photo by Wendy Gillett

The Casitas Rowing squads saw success at a new racing venue in Lake Perris April 14 and April 15. Each squad took home a medal and the freshmen girls’ coxed quad (from left) Kristi Shinn, Mia Monsour, Audrey Taylor, Vivian Gaggia and coxswain Siena Hager, earned the silver medal. Next up for the Casitas Rowers will be the regional championships in Sacramento.

Thacher track crew earns a trip to historic Penn Relays

041218 ps thacher track arcadia invitational 0412 full

Photo submitted

Thacher’s Jesse Van Newkirk smokes his leg of the distance medley relay at the Arcadia Invitational.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

For the second time in three years, the Ojai Valley will send a boys’ relay team to the storied Penn Relays.

In 2015, the “Nordhoff Express,” comprised of Cameron Kunde, Varian Wilson, Elijah Balderas and Landis Meyer, went to Philadelphia and competed in front of 40,000 die-hard track-and-field fans. The foursome finished as the top USA team in the 4-by-800-meter relay to capture the Championship of America title.

Fast-forward three years and local middle-distance coach Ed Italo is at it again, this time at The Thacher School.

Italo currently has only six male distance runners in his training group, but that is apparently all he needs. The team of Colin Kirkpatrick, Ford Shaper, Edison Chadwick and Jesse Van Newkirk have managed to go from a group of runners with only a few weeks of training together to the 11th-ranked distance medley relay (DMR) team in the U.S.

“It’s crazy. I’m blown away by these kids and their determination,” proclamed Italo.

Root signs letter of intent: Hoopster will play for Pacific Union College

Photo submitted

Elissa Root signs her name to a national letter of intent and will play basketball at Pacific Union College in Napa Valley.

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent

Elissa Root, who graduated from Villanova Preparatory School in 2015, signed a letter of intent last weekend to play basketball for Pacific Union College.

Pacific Union College is a private liberal arts college in Angwin, Calif., 8 miles north of St. Helena in Napa Valley.

Root played basketball all four years at Villanova and was a member of the school’s 2011-2012 team that advanced to the CIF-Southern Section championship game and state regional semifinals.

Coach Ray Pierson’s Lady Wildcats also won the Nordhoff and Avalon basketball tournaments that year.

Peterson hammers competition in the pool

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

Villanova Preparatory School senior Luke Peterson crushed the competition in the 1,500-meter event against neighboring Nordhoff High School. Peterson figures to make a run at a CIF title in his final year of high school competition.

Ranger Gridiron Club hosting annual golf outing

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

The Ranger Gridiron Club will host its annual golf tournament May 12 at the Soule Park Golf Course. This year’s event will feature a shamble format and will tee off at noon. The event serves as one of Nordhoff High School’s main football fundraisers. For more details on the event or to register, interested golfers can contact Mike Dawkins at 340-1057.

Underdog Nordhoff tennis program stuns powerhouse Cate

Ojai Valley News photo by Ted Cotti

Nordhoff’s Mikel Elizalde uses a backhand to return a shot in a match earlier this season.

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent

Nordhoff High School’s (NHS) boys’ tennis team rallied from an 8-5 deficit to defeat defending Tri-Valley League champions Cate, 10-5, in Carpinteria March 29.

“This was absolutely a huge victory for our boys,” said NHS head coach Todd Dickey, whose squad improved to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in league. “Cate is a perennial top-10 team and a CIF power, but today we were absolutely solid, top to bottom, and showed great equanimity in a difficult environment.”

“It’s particularly sweet because they’re two divisions above us,” said senior Ian Perkins, “and because they’ve destroyed us and the rest of the league for so many years.”

Cate is Division 2 school while Nordhoff is Division 4.

The Rangers were paced by senior co-captain Victor Becker and his doubles partner, sophomore Dakota Martin, who improved their season mark to 13-5 with a three-set sweep that included Nordhoff’s only win of the day over Cate’s previously unbeaten No. 1 team.

Deason continues breakout season for U of A

Photo courtesy of University of Arizona Athletics

Former Nordhoff High School (NHS) baseball star Cody Deason started the 2018 NCAA baseball season as one of the top major league baseball (MLB) prospects in the country. Through the first half of his junior season at the University of Arizona, Deason has done nothing but help his draft position. So far this season, Deason is 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA. Through 39 innings pitched, the former Ranger has allowed 24 hits, seven earned runs and 41 strikeouts. Arizona’s opponents are hitting only .183 when he is on the mound. In his last game against the Washington State Cougars, Deason went 7.1 innings and struck out 10 batters in route to his third win of the season. The MLB draft will take place June 4 through June 6.

Besant Hill School makes history by fielding its very own golf team

Photo submitted

The Besant Hill School golf team includes (from left) Eli Myer, Clayton Weisberg, Nicolas Rosen, David Yan, Kadutoshi Saito and coach Kevin Henschel.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

When Besant Hill athletic director Mike Biermann noticed he had a core group of students who enjoyed golf and who were rapidly improving, he decided it was time to start a golf team.

“This is my third year at the school and starting a golf team has always been in the back of my mind. Besant Hill has always had golf as a fitness program, but never an official team. Our kids play at the Ojai Valley Inn and Soule Park and they take lessons. When I saw that some of our kids were getting pretty good, I talked to them about starting a team and they were very interested right away,” said Biermann.

After Biermann created the CIF team, the Coyotes made school history when they competed for the first time, facing off against Villanova Preparatory School.

VPS wins first baseball game this season

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

The Villanova Preparatory School (VPS) baseball team notched its first win of the season, defeating Newbury Park Adventist, 17-1, in a March 28 non-league contest.

According to head coach Carson Brown, the Wildcats played well and managed to get their freshmen players lots of valuable game experience.

Impact players were junior Ryan Melsness who struck out nine batters in four innings and senior Jimmy Schmitt who had an inside-the-park home run.

The story of the game, however, was freshman Mackenzie Hicks — featured in the March 23 Ojai Valley News — who entered the game as a pitcher and threw a perfect inning using her underhand-softball motion.

Matilija Lady Eagles qualify for postseason

Photo submitted

The Matilija Junior High School Lady Eagles made another playoff appearance this year thanks to a strong second half of the season. The Lady Eagles lost in the playoffs to Anacapa Middle School in a close contest, but the coaching staff was pleased with their performance. This year’s team included (front row from left) Maggie Caputo, Sophia Fitch, Willow Williams, Alessandra Lucchesi, Juliet Ruiz, Stephanie Perez, Hannah Ignacio, Vanessa Ramirez, and (back row from left) coach Jeff Wells, Jasmine Umschied, Ella Ruf, Maple Umschied, Noelle Brown, Katie McArthur, Alexis Kehoe, Jennifer Donohue, and coach Mike Donohue.

Youth tennis players treated to clinic

Photo by Jill Cox

Ojai’s Mary O’Reilly participates in a recent youth tennis clinic.

Jill Cox,Ojai Valley News contributor

As a lead-up to the 118th Ojai Tennis Tournament, set for April 25 through April 29, the Ojai Valley Tennis Club (OVTC) organized and sponsored a tennis clinic for young, Ojai-area players March 31 at Libbey Park.

The 40 players were selected by Ojai Valley tennis coaches for their ability and enthusiasm for the sport. They were mostly from the Ojai Valley, with a few Rio Mesa and Santa Barbara students sprinkled in.

The tennis professionals donated their time and expertise to demonstrate and encourage technical skills on the court. They included Mike Burke, Ron Edwards, Ryan Gaston, Jim Kasser, Scott Burton, Katya Welborn, Stacy Potter and Fabio Lauretta. They provided three hours of instruction, rotating the players through a variety of drills.