Ventura County
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Latest Ventura County stories — newest first.
CRIME / PROPERTY THEFTDec 22, 20252 minThieves Steal Dirt Bikes and ATV in Simi Valley Storage Facility Heist
Simi Valley Police are investigating a large scale burglary at a storage facility on First Street where a group of suspects stole multiple high value vehicles. The thieves reportedly cut through a perimeter fence under the cover of night to raid private lockers.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / VIOLENCEDec 22, 20252 minTwo Arrested for Attempted Murder Following Oxnard Shooting Investigation
Oxnard Police have apprehended two suspects in connection with a violent shooting that occurred on Holly Avenue earlier this fall. A multi-agency investigation linked a local man and a Fillmore resident to the targeted attack on a motorist.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / NARCOTICSDec 22, 20252 minMajor Drug Bust in Camarillo: Over a Pound of Cocaine and Loaded Gun Seized
Detectives from the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit seized over a pound of cocaine and a loaded firearm during a major investigation into a felonious assault. The operation led to the arrest of two local suspects who now face heavy felony charges after authorities uncovered a significant narcotics sales operation.
Joseph Ladra
IMMIGRATION / GOVERNMENTDec 22, 20252 minSimi Valley Resident Speaks Out in Support of ICE and Border Officers
A Simi Valley resident and mother of a Border Patrol officer spoke out during a recent City Council meeting to offer a vocal defense of federal immigration agents. Challenging the prevailing "anti-ICE" sentiment from recent local protests, the speaker argued that agents deserve protection and anonymity while enforcing the nation's laws.
Joseph Ladra
IMMIGRATION / LEGAL AIDDec 22, 20253 minOxnard City Council Approves $600,000 to Fight for Immigrant Legal Rights
In a 5 to 1 vote, the Oxnard City Council approved a major funding initiative aimed at providing legal representation for residents facing deportation. The plan commits $600,000 over the next three years to fund a dedicated Ventura County Public Defender attorney, a move sparked by large scale immigration raids that have hit Oxnard families hard.
Joseph Ladra
HOUSING / REGULATIONDec 19, 20253 minSimi Valley Moves to Regulate Short Term Vacation Rentals
The Simi Valley City Council is moving forward with an ordinance to regulate short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. While the law is not yet finalized, the proposed rules would require annual permits, limit occupancy to two adults per bedroom, and ban all parties and events in residential neighborhoods.
Joseph Ladra
GOVERNMENT / HOMELESSNESSDec 19, 20252 minThousand Oaks’ Outgoing Mayor Touts Thrive Grove Shelter and Massive Infrastructure Investments
In his final State of the City address, outgoing Mayor David Newman reviewed a year of major infrastructure progress and humanitarian efforts in Thousand Oaks. The centerpiece of the address was the opening of Thrive Grove, an $8 million 30-unit shelter providing housing and on-site support for the local homeless population.
Joseph Ladra
EDUCATION / INDUSTRYDec 19, 20252 minNew Accredited Welding Facility Opens Doors in Camarillo
Ventura County has officially opened its first and only welding facility accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS). Located at the Career Education Center, this state-of-the-art hub is designed to provide high school students and adults with the hands-on training needed to secure high-paying trade careers without leaving the county.
Joseph Ladra
LOCAL NEWS / TRAIN ACCIDENTDec 19, 20252 minMotorist Killed in Violent Collision with Metrolink Train in Ventura County
A tragic accident occurred Thursday afternoon just outside Camarillo when a southbound Metrolink train struck a vehicle at a crossing. The collision resulted in the death of the driver, though fortunately, none of the 14 passengers or two crew members aboard the train reported any injuries.
Joseph Ladra
EDUCATION / SAFETYDec 19, 20253 minVentura Parents Expose High School Staff Tracking and Sleepover Allegations
A high school grooming scandal has rocked Ventura County as families come forward with chilling allegations against a local staff member. During a blistering school board testimony, parent Michelle, detailed how an employee allegedly used GPS technology to track students and extended repeated invitations for teenagers to attend private sleepovers at their residence, all while the district allegedly prioritized its reputation over child safety.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / HIGH SPEED CHASEDec 18, 20252 minHigh Speed Chase Ends in Dramatic Wrong Way Crash in Cajon Pass
A pursuit that began in Ventura County on Tuesday night ended in a violent collision hours later in San Bernardino County. After fleeing through the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles, the suspect drove the wrong way on Interstate 15, eventually smashing into a CHP patrol vehicle and sending it down an embankment.
Joseph Ladra
ENVIRONMENT / GOVERNMENTDec 18, 20253 minVentura County Pushes Back Against Offshore Oil Drilling
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors has taken a firm stand against federal plans to expand oil and gas leasing off the local coastline. Citing the catastrophic risks of past oil spills, officials expressed deep concern over the potential impact on the county's 43 mile coastline, the local fishing industry, and vital operations at Naval Base Ventura County.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / ANIMAL CRUELTYDec 18, 20252 minJustice for Two Dogs and Injured Driver in Violent Ventura Hit and Run
A Ventura County jury has found 37 year old Leonardo Palafox guilty of multiple felonies following a violent hit and run incident that occurred in February. Palafox was convicted of animal cruelty and fleeing the scene after he ran a red light, narrowly missed a pedestrian, and killed two dogs before colliding head on with another vehicle.
Joseph Ladra
ECONOMY / TAX DISPUTEDec 18, 20252 minMassive Tax War Erupts Over California's Largest Weed Farm
Glass House Brands is locked in a high stakes legal battle with the Ventura County Assessor’s Office over the valuation of the state’s largest legal cannabis farm. The company is appealing an assessment that valued their 160 acre Camarillo property at $183 million, claiming the figure should be nearly $84 million lower based on its original use as a vegetable farm.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETYDec 18, 20253 minSimi Valley Police Chief Says No to ICE Cooperation
During a Dec. 15 City Council presentation, Simi Valley Police Chief Steve Shorts sought to reassure the community that his department does not engage in federal immigration enforcement. The Chief emphasized that maintaining local trust is critical for public safety and that officers adhere to the California Values Act by refusing to honor immigration holds or use federal agents as interpreters.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / HIGH SPEED CHASEDec 17, 20252 minHigh Speed Pursuit: Police Chase Speeding SUV into Los Angeles
California Highway Patrol took over a high speed pursuit Tuesday night after a suspect in a blue SUV fled Ventura County authorities at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The chase began when deputies attempted to stop the vehicle for driving with blacked out headlights and no license plates, leading to a dangerous trek into Los Angeles County.
Joseph Ladra
LOCAL NEWS / FATAL ACCIDENTDec 17, 20252 minKentucky Motorcyclist Identified in Fatal Oxnard Plain Collision
The Ventura County Medical Examiner has identified the motorcyclist who died following a violent two vehicle collision in the Oxnard Plain area earlier this week. The victim, who was visiting from out of state, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering traumatic injuries during the mid day accident.
Joseph Ladra
PUBLIC SAFETY / UNDERAGE DRINKINGDec 17, 20253 minBusted at the Bar: Camarillo Servers Caught in Underage Drinking Sting
A joint operation between the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Camarillo Police resulted in multiple citations for businesses serving alcohol to minors. During the sting, a minor decoy successfully purchased alcohol at several local establishments, leading to a reminder from law enforcement about the high risks of fatal crashes associated with underage drinking.
Joseph Ladra
LOCAL NEWS / FATAL ACCIDENTDec 17, 20252 minSanta Paula Man Identified Following Fatal Roadside Tragedy
Authorities have confirmed the identity of a 66 year old Santa Paula resident who passed away several days after being involved in a serious traffic collision. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled the death an accident following a week long period where the victim was treated for severe injuries.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETYDec 17, 20252 minRideshare Nightmare: Driver Arrested for Alleged Rape of Unconscious Passenger
A 35 year old rideshare driver, Simranjit Singh Sekhon, has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a 21 year old passenger during a trip from Thousand Oaks to Camarillo. Investigators reveal that although the ride was officially marked as completed in the app, the driver continued to transport the unconscious victim to a different location where the assault took place.
Joseph Ladra