Ventura County
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Latest Ventura County stories — newest first.
CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETYDec 16, 20253 minCreep on the Trail: Cops Search for Man Following Lewd Act in Camarillo
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public assistance to identify a suspect who exposed himself and committed a lewd act on a popular bike path in Camarillo. While the victim was not physically approached or harmed, authorities have increased patrols in the area and are urging residents to remain vigilant while using local trails and recreation paths.
Joseph Ladra
NATURAL DISASTERS / SEISMIC ACTIVITYDec 16, 20252 minMorning Wakeup Call: Earthquake Rattles Ojai and the Coast
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck early Tuesday morning just four miles south of Ojai, sending noticeable tremors across the coastal regions of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The seismic event was followed by multiple smaller quakes in the same area, prompting the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor the fault line for further activity or potential foreshocks.
Joseph Ladra
HEALTHCARE / INSURANCEDec 16, 20253 minInsurance Costs Skyrocket for Thousands in Ventura County
A recent U.S. Senate vote against extending federal insurance subsidies is expected to cause Covered California premiums to skyrocket by an average of 94% for over 43,000 Ventura County residents. Health officials warn that these expiring tax credits will likely force thousands of people to drop their coverage, leading to a dangerous spike in emergency room visits and uncompensated care costs for local hospitals.
Joseph Ladra
HEALTHCARE / EDUCATIONDec 16, 20251 minLos Robles Gets a $4.8 Million Boost to Help Nurses
HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital system in the nation, has committed $4.8 million to address the critical nursing shortage in Ventura County. This significant investment helped private Pepperdine University launch a new nursing school at its Calabasas campus, creating a direct pathway for students to transition into professional roles at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
Joseph Ladra
CULTURE / COMMUNITY EVENTSDec 15, 20252 min"Merry Gothmas" Event Causes Uproar in Ventura
The spooky Christmas-themed “Merry Gothmas” festival returned to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Dec. 13 for a weekend of eerie holiday fun, drawing both costumed fans and faith-based critics.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / EMBEZZLEMENTDec 15, 20252 minDentist's Office Rocked: Employee Arrested for Stealing $87,000
Stephanie Gonzales, 35, of Oxnard, was arrested Dec. 4 after a months-long investigation into missing funds from Rose Dental Group. Police say the former employee embezzled nearly $90,000 over the course of a year.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / HIGH-SPEED CHASEDec 15, 20252 minStreet Racer Nabbed: Motorcyclist Clocked at 90 MPH in Ventura Police Chase
A 21-year-old Ventura resident was taken into custody Dec. 14 after fleeing police on a motorcycle with a female passenger aboard. The rider allegedly reached speeds of 90 mph, driving recklessly and without a license plate before being stopped and arrested by the Ventura Police Department.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / ORGANIZED MAIL FRAUDDec 15, 20253 minMontebello Duo Busted in Huge Mail Theft Ring
Two Montebello men, ages 20 and 27, were arrested for running a months-long organized mail theft operation targeting U.S. Postal Service collection boxes in affluent areas of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Authorities say the suspects stole checks and cashed them using stolen or fake IDs.
Joseph Ladra
IMMIGRATION / ICE ACTIVITYDec 15, 20253 minMoorpark Fights Back: Residents Blast City Council Over Scary ICE Activity
Residents packed the Dec. 3 Moorpark City Council meeting to denounce an early morning immigration enforcement action the day before Thanksgiving. According to multiple witnesses, masked ICE agents surrounded a Hispanic man near a library without identifying themselves.
Joseph Ladra
INFRASTRUCTURE / TRAFFICDec 12, 20252 minSlow Down: Big Roadwork is Messing Up Ventura County Traffic
Drivers should prepare for lane closures and detours due to long-term roadwork by Caltrans and county crews. The projects span from Moorpark to El Rio and Oxnard, with nighttime and daytime disruptions.
Joseph Ladra
TECH / SELF-DRIVING CARSDec 12, 20253 minSelf-Driving Cars Are Coming: East Ventura County is Getting Ready for Waymo
The self-driving car revolution is hitting Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Camarillo but local law enforcement says they’ve had zero contact from Waymo and no training on how to manage incidents. A state bill mandates direct communication lines between Waymo and first responders by July.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / DRUG TRAFFICKINGDec 12, 20252 minTeenage Drug Dealer Busted: $35,000 Cash Found in "Uber Eats" for Kids
Benjamin Marcus of Ventura was arrested after detectives accused him of using social media to sell and deliver drugs to minors across the county. A raid on his residence revealed a stash of drugs, vape devices, and over $35,000 in cash.
Joseph Ladra
JUSTICE / DNA EXONERATIONDec 12, 20253 minFree at Last: DNA Clears Man of 1983 Simi Valley Rape Conviction
Richard Luna, now a free man, was exonerated in Ventura County Superior Court after DNA evidence proved he was not the man who raped a woman in Simi Valley in 1982. The breakthrough came from a federal grant-backed effort to test all sexual assault kits in the county, even those from closed cases.
Joseph Ladra
PUBLIC SAFETY / STUDENT SAFETYDec 12, 20253 minSchool Safety Nightmare: Mom Goes Off at Simi Valley Council Meeting
At a Simi Valley City Council meeting, homeowner LaRonda Warner expressed urgent concerns about her daughter’s safety at Sinaloa Middle School. Warner said she moved to the city for its quiet, family-friendly reputation but claims her daughter has been targeted and threatened by large groups of students on at least two occasions.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / CARGO THEFDec 11, 20251 minFive L.A. County Residents Arrested in $70K UPS Cargo Theft Spree Across Ventura County
Authorities busted five suspects tied to a months-long string of UPS package thefts across Ventura County. The crimes spanned April to October 2025 and involved coordinated hits on delivery vehicles.
Joseph Ladra
CULTURE / LOCAL ARTS Dec 11, 20251 minVentura Music Studio Nurtures Local Talent, Says No Impact from AI Boom
Burch Studio is hosting a multi-band concert on Dec. 12 at the Majestic Theater, spotlighting amateur musicians it has mentored. Despite the rise of generative AI, the studio focuses on building music communities, not chasing tech trends.
Joseph Ladra
HUMAN INTEREST / MEDICAL MIRACLEDec 11, 20251 minRetired Firefighter Survives 84 Defibrillator Jolts at Thousand Oaks Hospital
Gregory Acevedo, 71, of Agoura Hills, flatlined repeatedly at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Dec. 2023. Emergency personnel brought him back to life using an automated CPR device and relentless resuscitation efforts.
Joseph Ladra
NATURAL EVENTS / EARTHQUAKES (FILLMORE)Dec 11, 20252 minSeven Earthquakes Rattle Ventura County Mountains, Largest at Magnitude 3.3
A cluster of earthquakes, the strongest at magnitude 3.3, shook northwest of Fillmore on Dec. 11. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded all seven within 40 minutes, the first striking at 10:21 a.m. and the last just before 11 a.m.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / GANG VIOLENCE (OXNARD)Dec 11, 20252 min19‑Year‑Old Convicted of Violent Attack Targeting Juvenile in Ventura County
Sergio Contreras, 19, of Oxnard, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and street terrorism after a violent ambush on a juvenile in El Rio. Surveillance footage showed Contreras and three fellow gang members confronting the victim in a parking lot before beating and stabbing him.
Joseph Ladra
INFRASTRUCTURE / UTILITIES (THOUSAND OAKS)Dec 10, 20251 minThousand Oaks Approves Millions for Water and Sewer System Upgrades
Thousand Oaks approved millions in new water and wastewater upgrades, including major sewage filter construction and maintenance projects. The work is part of the city’s $160 million 2026–27 capital plan focused on modernizing aging systems and meeting future demand. Officials say the investment is key to keeping utilities reliable, safe, and sustainable as the community grows.
Kind Joe