Simi Valley Acorn · Oxnard, CA
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records identify 15 death-row inmates sentenced in Ventura County—14 men and one woman. They are: • Michael Angelo Morales — Convicted of raping and murdering 17-year-old Terri Winchell in San Joaquin County in 1981. His trial was transferred to Ventura County, where he was sentenced to death in 1983. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1989. • Tracy Dearl Cain — Convicted of murdering William and Modena Galloway in Oxnard in 1986. Sentenced to death in 1988. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1995. • Curtis Lynn Fauber — Convicted of murdering Thomas Urell during a robbery and burglary in Oxnard in 1986. Sentenced to death in 1988. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1992. • Gregory Scott Smith — Convicted of murdering 8-year-old Paul Bailly in 1990.
Moorpark Acorn · Oxnard, CA
Nearly two dozen dogs found at an encampment in Oxnard are now available for adoption through Ventura County Animal Services. The dogs, including several puppies, were moved to the Camarillo Animal Shelter on Nov. 2 following a coordinated response by VCAS, Oxnard Animal Control and Oxnard police. Despite living outdoors, the 22 animals appeared well-fed and in generally good health, with no apparent signs of mistreatment or neglect, according to animal services officials. The agency first received a report about the dogs just before 10 a.m. Oct. 23. An animal control officer patrolled the neighborhood that day but did not locate any dogs. On Nov. 2, Oxnard Animal Control requested assistance from the county in securing the animals. Responders arrived at approximately 7:30 a.m. and were directed by Oxnard police to the area where the dogs’ caretaker was living. Several puppies emerged from bushes and approached the officers, while the caretaker brought the adult dogs out to meet them.
Camarillo Acorn · Oxnard, CA
Nearly two dozen dogs found at an encampment in Oxnard are now available for adoption through Ventura County Animal Services. The dogs, including several puppies, were moved to the Camarillo Animal Shelter on Nov. 2 following a coordinated response by VCAS, Oxnard Animal Control and Oxnard police. Despite living outdoors, the 22 animals appeared well-fed and in generally good health, with no apparent signs of mistreatment or neglect, according to animal services officials. The agency first received a report about the dogs just before 10 a.m. Oct. 23. An animal control officer patrolled the neighborhood that day but did not locate any dogs. On Nov. 2, Oxnard Animal Control requested assistance from the county in securing the animals. Responders arrived at approximately 7:30 a.m. and were directed by Oxnard police to the area where the dogs’ caretaker was living.
Camarillo Acorn · Oxnard, CA
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records identify 15 death-row inmates sentenced in Ventura County—14 men and one woman. They are: •Michael Angelo Morales — Convicted of raping and murdering 17-year-old Terri Winchell in San Joaquin County in 1981. His trial was transferred to Ventura County, where he was sentenced to death in 1983. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1989. •Tracy Dearl Cain — Convicted of murdering William and Modena Galloway in Oxnard in 1986. Sentenced to death in 1988. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1995. •Curtis Lynn Fauber — Convicted of murdering Thomas Urell during a robbery and burglary in Oxnard in 1986. Sentenced to death in 1988. The California Supreme Court affirmed the judgment in 1992. •Gregory Scott Smith — Convicted of murdering 8-year-old Paul Bailly in 1990.
Ojai Valley News · Ventura, CA
Nearby: Ventura, CAscreenshotRendering of VenturaWaterPure at the corner of Olivas Park Drive and Harbor Boulevard across from the entrance to Ventura Harbor. Ventura’s Planning Commission unanimously approved numerous permits for the VenturaWaterPure advanced purification facility during a special meeting held Nov. 5.
Moorpark Acorn · Camarillo, CA
Nearby: Camarillo, CAREBUILDING—Leo Paulo is among the few homeowners rebuilding after the Mountain fire. His new home outside Camarillo –features concrete sprayed over foam core panels, making it safer against fire than wood-frame construction. Acorn file photo Two years after the Mountain Fire swept through neighborhoods around Camarillo and Somis, destroying hundreds of structures and upending lives, California’s incoming insurance commissioner is proposing a fundamental change in how homeowners are protected against natural disasters. Jane Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor elected Nov. 3 to oversee California’s insurance industry, wants to establish a publicly operated, nonprofit insurance system that would guarantee disaster coverage for every homeowner in the state. Her proposal, called Natural Disaster Insurance for All, would remove wildfire coverage from traditional homeowners policies and place it under a state-administered program funded by premiums paid into a common pool.
Camarillo Acorn · Camarillo, CA
Nearby: Camarillo, CAThe sounds of the season will fill the air Dec. 6 when the Camarillo Community Band strikes up a festive afternoon of holiday favorites, singalongs and perhaps a little Christmas magic. Presented by Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, the band’s annual Christmas Concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Community Center Auditorium, at the corner of Carmen Drive and Burnley Street in Camarillo. Admission is free. From the jingle of sleigh bells to the familiar melodies of Christmas classics, the concert promises an afternoon of music designed to get audiences humming, tapping their toes and singing along. And don’t be surprised if a certain jolly fellow in a red suit makes an appearance. Santa Claus has been known to stop by the band’s concerts, taking Christmas wishes from audience members young and old. Leading the musicians will be conductor Zachary Borquez, an instrumental music educator at Oak Park High School since 2013.
Moorpark Acorn · Camarillo, CA
Nearby: Camarillo, CABIRD’S-EYE VIEW—Frank DeMartino, president of the Conejo Valley Audubon Society, scans the treetops for birds during an outing at Valle Lindo Park in Camarillo. SCOTT STEEPLETON/Acorn Newspapers Frank DeMartino is trying to have a conversation. Birds keep getting in the way. Strolling through Valle Lindo Park in Camarillo, the 46-year-old keeps eyes trained on the trees and an ear tuned to the chirps and calls coming from their branches. Yellow-rumped warblers, bluebirds and dark-eyed juncos are moving through the park. Somewhere in the distance, a persistent peep catches his attention. That’s a red-breasted nuthatch, he explains. For DeMartino, president of the Conejo Valley Audubon Society and compiler of the Ventura Christmas Bird Count, identifying birds is almost involuntary. “Once you get into this and do it enough, you can’t stop it, really. You can’t turn it off,” he said. That can make conversations outdoors a bit challenging.
Camarillo Acorn · Camarillo, CA
Nearby: Camarillo, CAThe opening of Camarillo’s new Costco on Oct. 30 marks a milestone for the city, but for local businesses, it need not be a moment of apprehension. After all, Costco is hardly a newcomer to the neighborhood. For decades, Camarillo residents have shopped at the Costco in neighboring Oxnard, a location that began life as a Price Club. Oxnard also has a Sam’s Club. In 2022, Camarillo estimated that 36,650 city residents had made nearly 387,000 visits to the Oxnard Costco during the preceding year. The new warehouse, less than five miles from its Oxnard counterpart, brings something residents already know and patronize closer to home. That distinction matters. When Walmart expanded into smaller American communities, independent merchants faced a difficult question: How could they compete against a retailer with enormous purchasing power and seemingly endless inventory? Some couldn’t. Others discovered that competing didn’t necessarily mean matching prices.
Camarillo Acorn · Camarillo, CA
Nearby: Camarillo, CAA closely contested City Council race remained unresolved this week as Ventura County election officials continued counting ballots from the Nov. 3 general election. At press time, challenger David Schlangen held a narrow lead over incumbent Martha “Martita” Martinez-Bravo in the District 5 contest, with just 43 votes separating the candidates in the first semifinal official results. According to the Ventura County Elections Division’s 4:39 a.m. Nov. 4 report, Schlangen received 1,886 votes, or 50.6%, compared with 1,843 votes, or 49.4%, for Martinez-Bravo. The margin could change as additional ballots are processed. Elsewhere, City Council incumbents David Tennessen and Susan Santangelo held leads in their reelection bids. Camarillo voters also selected representatives for the Pleasant Valley School District, Camarillo Health Care District and Ventura County Community College District.
Moorpark Acorn · Moorpark, CA
Nearby: Moorpark, CAHONORING THE BEST—Recipients of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce 2026 Community Awards gather for a group photo Oct. 20 at M on High. The annual event celebrates contributions to the community. Isabel Lawrence Photographers The Moorpark Chamber of Commerce recognized 20 individuals, businesses and organizations for their contributions to the community during its annual Community Awards luncheon Oct. 20 at M on High. The 2026 awards honored people making a difference in Moorpark through business, education, public service, volunteer work, athletics and community involvement. This year’s winners included David Pollock, Local Legend; Michelle Barrett, Woman of the Year; and Scott Mosher, Man of the Year. Other honorees included Hearth Restaurant & Coffee, Business of the Year; Moorpark Pantry Plus, Nonprofit of the Year; Golden Plumbing, Professional Business of the Year; and the 100 Group, Best Place to Work.
Pacific Coast Business Times · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAIn this line of work, I meet a lot of interesting people every day and I am particularly excited to share some of the highlights from my conversation with Connor Abrams, a marketing executive from Thousand Oaks who has worked with some big brands — including Kelley Blue Book, Warner Bros. and Amgen — and to share his thoughts on how and why small businesses should be incorporating AI where they can. He said it is “a huge advantage” for small businesses today, starting from scratch, that they have access to AI. “I know how to run campaigns on programmatic platforms and Meta. But with the right instructions, I can use AI to build tools that automate parts of that work,” Abrams said. He gave the example of an automotive business trying to figure out its competition. He said a bot could do research to find potential customers, build a plan for society, hire a third-party videographer, all while the owner of the shop keeps his focus on taking care of the cars.
Simi Valley Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAVoiced memories and reflections mingled with the quiet activity around the Conejo Creek Park North Lakeside Pavilion Nov. 7 as friends and family honored those who were lost at the 2018 Borderline Bar and Grill shooting. Ducks on the nearby pond paddled past the 12 water jets dedicated to those lost, while a child hopped from rock to rock nearby. It was an ordinary scene unfolding alongside remembrance of an extraordinary loss—and an unintended reminder of a message shared by speakers at the eighth anniversary memorial: Life goes on, and what we do with it matters. About 100 people gathered at Conejo Creek Park North to remember the 12 people killed in the Nov. 7, 2018 mass shooting in Thousand Oaks. A dozen candles, each placed beside a single rose, were lit as the names of the victims—Sean Adler, Cody Coffman, Blake Dingman, Jake Dunham, Alaina Housley, Daniel Manrique, Justin Meek, Mark Meza, Kristina Morisette, Telemachus Orfanos, Noel Sparks and Ventura County Sheriff ’s Sgt.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAOSCAR-WORTHY—Moderator Scott Tallal with actors Jafaar Jackson and Colman Domingo at Malibu Film Society’s showing of “Michael” Nov. 2 at the AMC in T.O. Courtesy Jimy Tallal For Conejo Valley moviegoers, awards season is arriving with more than trailers, red carpets and Oscar predictions. At the AMC 14 in Thousand Oaks, audiences are getting the chance to see some of Hollywood’s most anticipated films—often before they open in theaters —and, in some cases, hear directly from the actors and filmmakers behind them. That is the niche carved out by the Malibu Film Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit now presenting its 18th annual Awards Season Screening Series, and the second year AMC is host. “Expanding into the Conejo Valley has really helped us serve a much wider audience, especially among the hundreds of industry professionals who live here.” said Scott Tallal, Malibu Film Society president. The latest example came Mon., Nov.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CANonprofit organizations and school groups in Thousand Oaks can apply for grants of up to $4,500 to help fund community beautification and environmental projects. The city is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Program through Dec. 10. Grants range from $2,000 to $4,500 and can be used for projects such as water conservation, litter collection, recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, composting and public education. Examples include installing rain barrels, drip irrigation systems and water bottle refill stations, or replacing grass with wood chips. Projects must be located within Thousand Oaks and completed within one year of receiving the grant. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. The application and program guidelines are available at www.toaks.gov/grants. For more information, email TOgrants@ toaks.gov or call Sarah Mailes at 805-381- 7362.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CATWO TEENS ARRESTED—The 40-acre Jamie Foxx property, including a 17,000-square-foot villa, is where the Nov. 7 violence erupted. Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx’s annual Halloween party near Thousand Oaks turned truly scary over the weekend—though not quite as frightening as initially reported. The Ventura County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating three alleged assaults at the Nov. 7 event in the unincorporated county territory, including an incident first said to have been a stabbing but later characterized as a fight, with the possible involvement of a weapon still unclear. Called Skvlk Fest, the party drew an estimated 3,000 or more revelers to a residence in the 1300 block of West Potrero Road in Hidden Valley, according to a VCSO news release, with numerous private security personnel and emergency medical technicians on hand.