Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
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.
Sentinel Colorado · North Hollywood, CA
Nearby: North Hollywood, CALOS ANGELES | The driver of a minivan that crashed outside a Los Angeles metro station, killing three women and critically injuring two more, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and three counts of murder, police said Wednesday. Authorities said the driver was able to talk but appeared to be in shock after Tuesday’s crash, which hit pedestrians and food vendors at a busy intersection in the North Hollywood neighborhood during the height of the evening commute. Police identified the driver as Ihor Demianenko, 61, who lives in the Valley Village neighborhood. Demianenko was booked early Wednesday and his bail was set at a little over $6 million, records show. He was treated for minor injuries at a hospital, police said. It wasn’t immediately clear if Demianenko had a lawyer who might speak on his behalf. In California, drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be charged with murder under certain circumstances.
California · North Hollywood, CA
Nearby: North Hollywood, CAThree women were killed and two others were injured when a van plowed into a crowd of pedestrians in North Hollywood on Tuesday evening, authorities said.
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.
Honolulu Civil Beat · Santa Monica, CA
Nearby: Santa Monica, CANick Nikhilananda has been a member of the Green Party of Hawaiʻi for nearly 35 years. His history is so deep that he played a role in getting the party on Hawaiʻi’s ballot for the first time, way back in 1992. That was accomplished along with people like the late Ira Rohter, a University of Hawaiʻi political science professor who helped found and co-chair the group. The Green Party has fielded dozens of candidates over the years, including Nikhilananda himself. It saw a couple of them elected in the 1990s to the Hawaiʻi County Council, which today is nonpartisan like all county offices. But Greens have not succeeded in getting more members elected since. The state is too dominated by Democrats with Republicans comprising a weak yet vocal minority. On Nov. 3, that all changed, at least for one seat in the 76-member Legislature. Pāʻele Kiakona, a Green, defeated Democrat Sne Patel and Republican Elle Cochran in House District 14 representing the Lahaina area.
Burbank Leader · Burbank, CA
Nearby: Burbank, CAElection Day saw a reflection of national trends in Burbank, with preliminary numbers showing the country's first municipal majority of members of the Democratic Socialist of America party on a city council. Newcomers Mike Van Gorder and Nolan Southerland join…
