Ventura County
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Latest Ventura County stories — newest first.
EventsNov 28, 20251 minOxnard Tree Lighting Celebration and Holiday Market Set for December 4
Join the Oxnard Tree Lighting Celebration on December 4 for a festive evening with live music, food trucks, and the tallest Christmas tree in the county.
Kind Joe
Crime NewsNov 28, 20252 minMultiple Ventura County Teens Arrested After Gunfire at Nyeland Acres Party
An 18-year-old and four juveniles were arrested after gunfire at a Nyeland Acres party. A loaded rifle was recovered, but no injuries occurred.
Kind Joe
Community EventsNov 28, 20252 minThousand Oaks Christmas Tree Farm Reopens Under Former Employee’s Leadership
The Christmas Ranch Tree Farm in Thousand Oaks reopens under new management, reviving a cherished local holiday tradition for families.
Kind Joe
Employment LawNov 28, 20252 minCamarillo Pays Former Worker $175,000 in Age Discrimination Settlement
Camarillo has settled a lawsuit with a former employee for $175,000 over allegations of age discrimination and retaliation by city management.
Kind Joe
Community SupportNov 27, 20252 minBank of America Names Mesa as 2025 Neighborhood Builder for Ventura‑Santa Barbara Region
Mesa has been awarded a grant and leadership support from Bank of America to enhance services for young adults facing homelessness in Ventura County.
Kind Joe
Civil RightsNov 27, 20252 minCalifornia and Other States Challenge Federal Use of Force Against Protesters and Press
Several states, including California, are opposing the federal deployment of troops during protests, raising concerns over civil rights and state sovereignty.
Kind Joe
Traffic SafetyNov 27, 20252 minFatal Motorcycle Crash in Simi Valley Claims One Life on Thanksgiving Morning
A motorcycle crash in Simi Valley on Thanksgiving morning resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man, highlighting traffic safety concerns.
Kind Joe
Retail CrimeNov 27, 20252 minSeven Arrested in Camarillo Retail Theft Operation Ahead of Black Friday
A retail theft operation in Camarillo led to seven arrests and the recovery of nearly $1,500 in stolen merchandise just before Black Friday.
Kind Joe
Water SafetyNov 27, 20252 minCity of Ventura Retracts Water Contamination Alert After False Positive Triggers Economic Losses in Pierpont
The city of Ventura lifted a water contamination alert in Pierpont after false positive tests, impacting local residents and businesses economically.
Kind Joe
TRAFFIC / FATALITYNov 26, 20252 minOxnard Man Killed by Truck While Standing in Street
A man standing in the roadway on Victoria Avenue was fatally struck by a Ford F-150 on the evening of November 25th. The driver, a 41-year-old Oxnard resident, remained at the scene and called police. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say neither speed nor impairment appears to have played a role in the crash. The incident disrupted traffic during the investigation.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / HISTORYNov 26, 20252 minProsecutor’s New Book Reveals How Ventura Helped Crack the Golden State Killer Case
A newly released book by Sacramento DA Thien Ho sheds light on the investigation and trial of Joseph DeAngelo, the Golden State Killer. The 1980 double murder in Ventura of Lyman and Charlene Smith provided crucial DNA evidence decades later. Investigators discovered that preserved evidence from the Ventura crime scene led to the creation of a DNA profile that ultimately identified DeAngelo through genealogy research.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / THEFT (OJAI)Nov 26, 20252 minEmployee Arrested for Stealing Over $100,000 from Ojai Business
A 54-year-old woman from Port Hueneme has been arrested for grand theft following an investigation into unauthorized charges made against her former employer in Ojai. The theft occurred over several years and totaled more than $100,000. Detectives obtained a warrant after reviewing financial statements and arrested the suspect at her residence. She was booked with bail set at $20,000.
Joseph Ladra
MISSING PERSON / ALERTNov 26, 20252 minSearch Underway for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl Last Seen in Oxnard
Authorities in Oxnard are searching for Emiliana “Emi” Casarez, a 13-year-old girl last seen on November 21st in the River Park area. She was wearing a black jacket, black tank top, blue jeans, and black Vans shoes. Emiliana is described as 5’1”, 100–110 lbs, with brown eyes and pink hair. She may have had a Jansport backpack, a blanket, and a stuffed animal. Community members are urged to contact Oxnard police with any information.
Joseph Ladra
PUBLIC HEALTH / WATERNov 26, 20252 minVentura Lifts Tap‑Water Ban for Pierpont Area After False Gasoline Contamination Alarm
The city has officially lifted a tap water restriction that had impacted around 900 customers in the Pierpont neighborhood. The initial order was issued after trace amounts of gasoline were believed to have been detected in the city’s water supply during routine testing. Further analysis revealed that the result was a false positive.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / ASSAULT (SIMI VALLEY)Nov 25, 20252 minSimi Valley Man Arrested After Hours‑Long Barricade Following Alleged Assault
A 39-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and barricading himself in their home on Royal Avenue for eight hours. The woman was treated at the emergency room with visible injuries. Police negotiated with the suspect, who eventually surrendered late that night. He now faces felony charges, including domestic violence and attempted murder.
Joseph Ladra
FOOD / COMMUNITY (OXNARD)Nov 25, 20251 minDrive Thru Food Distribution Serves Over 300 Families at Oxnard College Amid Surging Need
A food distribution event at Oxnard College helped over 300 families but had to turn away around 50 due to limited supplies. Volunteers said the need for food has surged, especially since recent policy changes and economic hardships. While the drive-thru format improved efficiency, demand continues to overwhelm available resources.
Joseph Ladra
PUBLIC SAFETY / RADIO (SIMI VALLEY)Nov 25, 20251 minSimi Valley Commits Nearly $9 Million to Upgrade Aging Citywide Radio System
Simi Valley has approved a nearly $9 million plan to overhaul its outdated emergency radio system, which has been in use since 2006. The upgrade will take place over seven years and replace more than 500 radios used by city departments, including police, fire, and sanitation. City officials say the system modernization is vital for ensuring public safety.
Joseph Ladra
HISTORY / IDENTIFICATION (OJAI)Nov 25, 20252 minSkeletal Remains Found Near Ojai in 1981 Identified as Vietnam Veteran Thomas Cooney
After more than 40 years, skeletal remains discovered by hikers near Highway 33 in 1981 have been identified as Thomas Aquinas Cooney, a Vietnam War veteran from Pennsylvania. At the time, only a partial DNA profile could be created from the remains. Thanks to new DNA technology and genetic genealogy, law enforcement identified a match through relatives. The details surrounding his death remain unknown, and investigators are seeking more information.
Joseph Ladra
CRIME / VANDALISM (SIMI VALLEY)Nov 25, 20252 minMan Arrested After Slashing Tires of Nearly a Dozen Cars on Simi Valley Street
A man allegedly slashed the tires of nearly a dozen vehicles parked along Cochran Street in Simi Valley late Thursday night. Surveillance footage captured a figure walking up to the cars and appearing to stab their tires. The suspect, 32-year-old Russell Myers, had already been arrested earlier that night for carrying a dagger but was released. When video evidence surfaced showing the vandalism, he was re-arrested and charged in connection with the damage.
Joseph Ladra
Dining NewsNov 24, 20252 minMichelin-Recognized Italian Restaurant in Newbury Park to Relocate to L.A.
Cedro Italian Restaurant in Thousand Oaks is closing its doors and plans to reopen in East Los Angeles, marking a significant change in the local dining scene.
Kind Joe