News from around the Ojai Valley
June bloom in the Sespe
- Details
- Published: Monday, 24 June 2019 11:49
Ojai Valley News photos by Perry Van Houten
Matilija poppies in bloom June 22 in the Sespe Wilderness, north of Rose Valley. The “Queen of California Flowers,” was abundant along the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Trail, between Twin Forks and Pine Mountain Lodge. (Also plentiful along the trail was poison oak, especially near the creek crossings. Remember — “leaves of three, let it be.”)
Rangers gallop into future
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:53
Ojai Valley News photo by Austin Widger
Giovanni Torres high-fives a classmate as he walks down the aisle after receiving his diploma at the Nordhoff High School graduation June 13.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
“I think some people think public education is sort of the second option, or the Plan B. But in my eyes, public education is not that at all. It is actually the goal. It’s exactly where I want to be.”
Hunters told to get the lead out
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:48
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
Beginning July 1, Californians will be prohibited from using lead ammunition for hunting wildlife in the state.
In 2013, Assembly Bill 711 was signed into law, making California the first state to go exclusively non-lead.
Federal agents clean up illegal marijuana sites in forest
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:47
Photos courtesy U.S. Forest Service
Federal officers take part in marijuana grow site cleanup efforts on Tuesday in the Sespe Wilderness.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
Federal agents “dropped in” this week on an illegal marijuana grow site in the Sespe Wilderness, but this time there were no suspects to arrest and no plants to destroy.
The Arc clients ready to roll
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:44
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Rodger Embury, board member of The ARC, gets a hand from Christina Sanchez as he cuts the ribbon on the nonprofit’s new wheelchair-accessible van.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
Officials with The Arc of Ventura County cut the ribbon June 14 on a new wheelchair-accessible van, purchased with the help of a grant from the Ojai Women's Fund.
Free concert June 29: 1930 Casavant pipe organ returned to its former glory
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:41
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Church organist Beverly Broadbent plays Ojai Presbyterian Church’s newly restored pipe organ.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
“It’s fun, now that everything is working like it should,” said Ojai Presbyterian Church organist Beverly Broadbent, about playing the church’s newly refurbished 1930 Casavant pipe organ.
Fourth of July chair invasion begins
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:34
Ojai Valley News photo by Georgia Schreiner
The chairs have been placed by Ojai Avenue with care, in hopes that the Fourth of July parade soon will be there. With nearly two weeks to go until Ojai’s annual Fourth of July Celebration and parade, residents have already begun lining the streets near the former Oaks property with their camping chairs in anticipation of the big day. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4, and run from Country Club Drive, along Ojai Avenue down to Park Road.
Fences, hedges and walls — how high?
- Details
- Published: Friday, 21 June 2019 08:30
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Fences, hedges and walls again took up two hours at the June 5 Ojai Planning Commission meeting as commissioners work on short-term policy changes and long-term recommendations for the Ojai City Council.
Community Development Director Luke Connelly presented variations for each type of neighborhood.
Police blotter as of June 19, 2019
- Details
- Published: Thursday, 20 June 2019 14:06
Crimes
• Identity theft was reported in the 1100 block of Sunset Place June 7.
• Petty theft was reported in the 900 block of East Ojai Avenue June 11.
• Vandalism was reported in the 11400 block of North Ventura Avenue June 12.
• Assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats were reported in the 200 block of East Ojai Avenue June 12.
Deputies investigate razor wire on Casitas Springs bike path
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 04:01
Photo courtesy Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
A strand of razor wire from the fence around the old Petrochem site was reportedly stretched across the Ventura to Ojai bike path, presenting a danger to trail users, authorities said.
Perry Van Houten,Ojai Valley News reporter
Sheriff’s deputies are investigating reports of razor-sharp wire that was apparently strung across a bike path near Casitas Springs.
Caltrans removes hazardous trees in front of high school
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 18 June 2019 10:33
Ojai Valley News photo by Georgia Schreiner
California Department of Transportation crews worked June 17 and 18 to remove two old eucalyptus trees on Maricopa Highway, in front of Nordhoff High School. The trees were being taken out due to potential hazards to pedestrian safety, according to Bob Kilpatrick, Caltrans Ojai area supervisor, who said there have been two recent incidents of limbs falling, including one in which a tree dropped a limb on the tile roof of the bus and trolley stop, damaging it. Kilpatrick expected the work to be completed on Tuesday.
Oak View man arrested June 12 on suspicion of negligently discharging a firearm
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 15 June 2019 10:27
Photo by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Nineteen firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition were confiscated by Ojai police on June 12 from an Oak View resident after he was arrested on suspicion of negligently discharging a firearm.
A report of a person shooting a firearm in an Oak View residence May 28 led to the June 12 arrest of Oak View resident Steven Dobbins, 59, and confiscation of 19 firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition from him, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department stated in a press release June 14.
Matilija Junior High Eagles ready to soar
- Details
- Published: Friday, 14 June 2019 08:48
Ojai Valley News photo by Austin Widger
Matilija Junior High School teachers form a tunnel for the promoted students to go through as they cross over to high school. From left, Ida Tully-Giles, Sophie Vanderwyk and Caitlin Roddick celebrate their achievement as they emerge from the tunnel.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
On a warm June 12 evening, the Matilija Junior High School eighth-grade class of 2019 promoted to high school at the Nordhoff High School stadium.
Cannabis taxes headed for ballot
- Details
- Published: Friday, 14 June 2019 08:45
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
In hopes of increasing revenue for the city, the Ojai City Council adopted a resolution setting cannabis tax rates and licensing fees for a 2020 election ballot measure.
The motion was made by Councilman Ryan Blatz and approved 4 to 1. Councilman Randy Haney was the lone no vote.
Santa Ana Bridge expansion will help with dam removal
- Details
- Published: Friday, 14 June 2019 08:44
Photo courtesy VCPWA
The Santa Ana Bridge in Oak View.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
The effort to remove the obsolete Matilija Dam got one step closer last month, with the award of a $13.4 million grant to replace the Santa Ana Bridge in Oak View.
