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News from around the Ojai Valley

Casitas talks Stage 4

Details: Published on Monday, 10 December 2018 14:30

web pvh Lake Casitas Sign

Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

File photo of Lake Casitas, taken from the dam Sept. 26.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Casitas Municipal Water District board of directors will be talking about the possibility of a Stage 4 drought declaration at its regular meeting Dec. 12.

The hearing at 6 p.m. in the Casitas board room will give the public the chance to learn what Stage 4 could mean and then voice their concerns.

Changes could include reducing customers' current water allocation by an additional 10 percent and increasing the over-allocation penalty, which is currently $5 per unit of water used over allocation.

Stage 4 could change the restriction on landscape irrigation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It could also increase the water waste fine, which is currently $250.

In addition, the declaration could place a moratorium on the sale of new water allocations and the possible continuation of all Stage 1, 2 and 3 measures currently in place. The measures include the mandatory use of hose nozzles, a ban on hosing off sidewalks and driveways, and no landscape irrigation during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.

According to CMWD officials, many of its customers are already operating at Stage 5 levels.

Directors can make the decision to declare Stage 4 when the lake level drops to 30 percent, according to CMWD's Water Efficiency and Allocation Plan. As of Dec. 7, the water level stood at 30.5 percent.

Following the Dec. 12 hearing, Casitas directors will meet again and could decide to declare Stage 4.

Wednesday's meeting was moved from its usual 3 p.m. time slot to accommodate an anticipated increase in public interest.

Thomas wake-up: What did we learn?

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 15:45

web Stephen Adams Thomas Fire Remembrance Charles Law

Photo by Stephen Adams

Upper Ojai resident Charles Law performs at the Thomas Fire Remembrance concert Dec. 1 at Libbey Bowl. Law lives near where the Thomas Fire started and fought the fire to save his house with a 36-pack of 12-ounce water bottles as embers rained on him, his wife, Christine, and their horses, dogs and cats.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire was marked by remembrance events and discussions of what went right and what needs improvement in response and recovery efforts.

A Thomas Fire remembrance event Dec. 1 drew several hundred people to Libbey Park and featured a concert headlined by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, along with approximately 70 food, art and information booths. Proceeds went to Help of Ojai’s fire relief fund and the Local Love Project’s fire relief fund.

A vigil on the steps of Ventura City Hall the evening of Dec. 3 was attended by hundreds and included a moment of silence and the playing of “Amazing Grace.”

An event hosted by the Upper Ojai Neighborhood Council Dec. 4 at Summit School featured live music and food.

Town talk Dec. 9 all about fire

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 15:42

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Fire-preparedness strategies for individuals and the community will be the focus of the next Town Talk at the Ojai Valley Museum on Dec. 9 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Elizabeth Rose, co-author of the new book, "From The Fire: Ojai Reflects on the Thomas Fire," will moderate a discussion by experts from a number of different fields.

Panelists will include Ojai Fire Chief John McNeil, Ojai Police Chief James Fryhoff, The Thacher School’s Ed Bennett, retired Cal Fire firefighter Charlie Whitman, Will Castagna from the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, Ojai Planning Commissioner Ray Powers and Connor Jones, East End Eden, Ojai Permaculture.

From simple tips to what the community can do to help lessen the effects of climate change and the resulting wildfires, the wide-ranging discussion will also include questions from the audience.

The Town Talk is in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition, “Trial by Fire: Ojai Ablaze 1917-2017.”

Admission to the Town Talk is $5; free for museum members.

The Ojai Valley Museum is at 130 W. Ojai Ave.

For more information, visit www.ojaivalleymuseum.org or call 805-640-1390.

Museum tells Ojai's fire stories through history

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 15:40

Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

A tricycle, pulled from the ashes of the Thomas Fire, on display at the Ojai Valley Museum’s new exhibit, “Trial by Fire.”

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

One year after the Thomas Fire, the new exhibit at the Ojai Valley Museum takes a look back at Ojai's most recent blaze and several others over the past century.

“Trial by Fire: Ojai Ablaze 1917-2017,” is getting a good response from both locals and visitors, according to Wendy Barker, OVM executive director.

The exhibit includes maps that show six previous fires, including the 1917 blaze that destroyed the original St. Thomas Aquinas Church, which once stood where the museum does today, and newspaper clippings about the fires. “We wanted to give the Thomas Fire some historical context,” Barker said.

Steady soaking welcomed

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 15:37

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

A slow-moving storm brought 1 to 2 inches of rain to the Ojai Valley Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, prompting flooding and winter weather advisories, but causing only minor issues.

The second day of the storm delivered a steady soaking, following light showers the day before. “We expected the storm to become a little more active,” said Keily Delerme, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Much of the rain fell over the ocean the first day, due to offshore winds. “On Day One, we had some east winds drying the lower levels, but on Thursday that was not the case, as we had the low pressure slowly moving across the area. That’s why it was a little more intense,” Delerme said.

While the Ojai Valley received approximately 1 inch of rainfall, the foothills and mountains recorded 1.5 to 2 inches, with higher elevations receiving upwards of 3 inches.

Upper Ojai: Catching dreams, blessings in the ashes

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 15:35

Photo by Marianne Ratcliff

Lola Hill, 10, of Ojai, Lilly Hancock, 10, of Ojai, and Sofia Berberea, 10, of Thousand Oaks, dance to the music of Brother Earl and the Cousins at an Upper Ojai gathering Tuesday.

Marianne Ratcliff, Ojai Valley News editor

Daniel Vazquez leaned against a post listening to the band at Summit School in Upper Ojai one year after the Thomas Fire destroyed everything he owned.

He now lives on a nearby property, not sure of what the future holds, except for one thing: “I expect something good to happen to me all my life,” he said. “I just feel like I have been very lucky.”

Lucky to be alive, for one, after he drove his truck from Tree Ranch Road down the Dennison Grade to Ojai at 10:10 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2017. “I could see fire everywhere around,” he recalled. He spent nights in his truck parked in Ojai before learning four days later that his home had “melted.”

Police blotter as of Dec. 6, 2018

Details: Published on Thursday, 06 December 2018 14:12

Crimes

• Embezzlement and possession of a controlled substance were reported in the 1100 block of Maricopa Highway Nov. 30.

• Battery was reported in the 100 block of Feliz Drive Dec. 1.

• Trespassing was reported in the 900 block of Country Club Road Dec. 2.

Official Final Ojai Valley Election Results

Details: Published on Tuesday, 04 December 2018 08:35

All results are final and have been verified by the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder's office.

Ojai City Mayor

John F. "Johnny" Johnston.....51.87% 1,911 votes

Severo Lara.................................47.39% 1,746 votes

Ojai City Council (top three vote getters are elected)

Randy Haney....................30.10% 2,174 votes

Ryan Blatz.........................28.16% 2,034 votes

William "Bill" Weirick....25.74% 1,859 votes

Denise Steurer....................15.34% 1,108 votes

Ojai Unified School District Governing Board Member (top three vote getters are elected)

Jane Weil.......................30.68% 5,477 votes

Kevin Ruf.......................29.42% 5,252 votes

Michael W. Shanahan...25.11% 4,482 votes

Jeff Ketelsen...................14.53% 2,594 votes

Casitas Municipal Water District Division 4

Angelo Spandrio.......54.20% 2,660 votes

Mary Bergen...............45.13% 2,215 votes

Measure J

NO........65.49% 2,232 votes

YES.......34.51% 1,176 votes

Measure K

NO.......67.00% 2,347 votes

YES......33.00% 1,156 votes

Rain cascades into forecast again

Details: Published on Monday, 03 December 2018 15:08

web Craig R. Carey Pine Mountain Snow 120218

Photo by Craig R. Carey

Last week’s storm brought a dusting of snow to 7,000-foot Pine Mountain, north of Ojai, as pictured Dec. 2.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Another round of rain and mountain snow is due in Southern California this week, but forecasters don’t expect the storm to match last week’s storm, which brought two inches of rain to the Ojai Valley, and more than four inches of rain to the mountains.

According to the National Weather Service, the rain will start Tuesday night in San Luis Obispo County. “Then, as we go through the day Wednesday and Thursday, we’re expecting a chance of rain in Ventura County,” said Keily Delerme, a NWS meteorologist. “We have preliminary rainfall totals of 0.25 inches to maybe 1.5 inches.”

Delerme said there is a potential for limited burn scar impacts such as rockslides, but no major debris flows are expected. “Right now we have a low probability of rainfall rates exceeding 0.5 inches an hour,” she said.

District voting in Ojai advances as deadline looms

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 16:13

Proposed districts in one of two preliminary maps reviewed by City Council at Nov. 27 meeting.

Proposed districts in one of two preliminary maps reviewed by City Council at Nov. 27 meeting.

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

The Ojai City Council held a public hearing Nov. 27 about switching to district-based City Council elections, in response to a lawsuit filed against the city in September by the law offices of Shenkman and Hughes of Malibu, representing the Southwest Voter Registration Project.

The SVREP is challenging the city of Ojai and many other California elected bodies over at-large voting systems that it claims prevent Latinos from electing their preferred candidates.

'I don't like this, but we shouldn't waste the taxpayers' dollars in quixotic endeavors.'

-Ojai City Councilman William "Bill" Weirick

Two preliminary district maps for the city of Ojai were drawn by the National Demographics Corporation and reflect the current City Council members’ residences. There will be new maps drawn by the NDC prior to the final public hearing at the Dec. 11 meeting to reflect the new council members’ residences. The districts would be redrawn a third time in 2021, following the results of the 2020 U.S. Census.

Council tweaks cannabis law

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 16:04

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

“How you vote tonight may change the personality of the entire valley.”

Bill Miley, longtime resident and opponent of cannabis manufacturing in Ojai, shared that cautionary advice at the Nov. 27 Ojai City Council meeting at which an amendment to the city’s cannabis-manufacturing ordinance was again pulled from the consent agenda of the meeting.

A consent item is generally a routine item placed on the agenda that does not require discussion.

Mayor Johnny Johnston pulled the item from the consent calendar. After lengthy debate, the council voted again to “amend and introduce the ordinance with the deletion of the separate standalone two manufacturing facilities,” City Attorney Matthew Summers said.

The motion was made by Councilman Paul Blatz and approved 3-2. Council members William “Bill” Weirick and Suza Francina dissented.

Johnston holds 167-vote lead for now

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 15:58

Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter

With just one update to go before the 2018 Ojai Valley election results are official, it appears that Mayor Johnny Johnston may squeeze out a narrow victory over former Councilman Severo Laura in the mayoral race.

After the latest update Nov. 27, Johnston held a 167-vote lead over Lara.

Still, with the vote so close, the race cannot be called until the final vote update Dec. 3, ahead of the Dec. 7 deadline for results to be verified by the county.

The newly elected City Council members will take office during the Dec. 11 council meeting. The only newcomer will be Ryan Blatz replacing his father Paul. Blatz and incumbents Randy Haney and Bill Weirick ran unopposed.

Ojai Unified School District Board members Jane Weil, Kevin Ruf and Michael Shanahan will remain on the board for another four years.

Angelo Spandrio will be the next Casitas Municipal Water District Division 4 Board member after beating out incumbent Mary Bergen. Brian Brennan, assistant to Ventura County District 1 Supervisor Steve Bennett, will be the new Division 1 director. He will replace Bill Hicks, who has served on the board for the past 28 years.

John Broesamle inspires community

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 15:57

Photo by Misty Hall

At a recent Ojai Valley Defense Fund event, OVDF founding president, John Broesamle, was given the James D. Loebl Award. In attendance were OVDF president Peter Cantle (pictured from left), Ojai Mayor Johnny Johnston, Broesamle, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, and former OVDF president Dennis Rice.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

An Ojai man who for three decades has fought to preserve the environmental quality of the Ojai Valley was honored at a Nov. 18 event attended by many of the valley's environmental leaders.

Peter Cantle, president of the Ojai Valley Defense Fund, presented to civic leader John Broesamle the James D. Loebl Award for sustained environmental excellence. “He’s one of a few people that have profoundly influenced the valley for the better," Cantle said.

The award is named for five-time Ojai Mayor Jim Loebl, who opposed rampant development, a freeway through the Ojai Valley, gypsum and uranium mines in the Los Padres National Forest and the Weldon Canyon Landfill. Loebl passed away in 2003.

City weathers first storm, more rain on its way

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 15:53

Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten

The Ventura River, looking south from the Baldwin Road bridge, was flowing in between storms Nov. 29.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

The second Pacific storm to impact Southern California in as many weeks packed more of a punch than the first, but caused no major problems in the Ojai Valley.

The cold front and the main, steady rain band moved through the area overnight into the early-morning hours Nov. 29, making way for showery weather the rest of the day.

More rain is on the way, according to the National Weather Service. “There’s a weak system on Saturday, but it’s not going to amount to much,” said NWS meteorologist Eric Boldt. Weekend temperatures will be below normal, he added, with overnight lows in the mid-30s. Another storm is due midweek, Boldt said. “That one may be a little more significant because it has a little more south flow ahead of it, so it could get interesting.”

Cold-weather shelter opens in Ojai on Dec. 1

Details: Published on Thursday, 29 November 2018 15:45

web Ally Mills Ojai Valley Family Shelter Randy Roth

Photo by Ally Mills

OVFS volunteer Randy Roth, one of four team leaders at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ojai, shows off his baked chicken.

Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter

Marking its 27th season, the Ojai Valley Family Shelter is poised to open its doors to the homeless Dec. 1, just in time for a cold snap forecast for the weekend.

The nonprofit, cold-weather shelter operates from Dec. 1 to the end of March, in coordination with local churches, to provide the homeless community hot meals and a warm, safe place to spend the night.

The shelters rotate between six sites that open their doors at 6 p.m. Opening night will take place at First Baptist Church of Ojai at 930 Grand Ave.

Last winter, OVFS had more than 100 registered participants, about the same as the year before. It averaged 17 people a night for overnight stays.

Latest sports

Villanova Prep basketball balling early on in 2018-19 season

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

Villanova Prep senior Madison Fabbian (left) goes up for a lay-in against Channel Islands in the opening round of the Nordhoff High School Tournament.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

The Villanova Preparatory School girls’ basketball team is off to a 4-1 start and head coach Dan Mercer likes what he sees from his squad. “We set up our schedule with the hope of getting some early victories and confidence and it has worked. The girls are playing well and gelling as a team,” he said.

VPS opened its season with blowout wins over Dunn (55-16), Carpinteria (63-21) and de Toledo (71-20). They then defeated Santa Clarita Christian, 54-40. In the first round of the Nordhoff High School Tournament, VPS faced Channel Islands and suffered its first loss of the season, 55-32.

“As I expected, we’re being led by our senior co-captains Madison Fabbian and Sunny Zhou. Early in the season our strength offensively seems to be our balance, something that resulted when we saw a box-in-one defense employed by Santa Clarita Christian,” said Mercer.

Buena victorious at Nordhoff Tournament

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

Nordhoff junior Korey Stevens drives the lane against Sanger High School in the 76th Annual Nordhoff Varsity Tournament.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

The Buena Bulldogs powered past a tough field at the 76th Annual Nordhoff Varsity Basketball Tournament to win the coveted title. Buena had to defeat Sanger High School in the finals to claim first place.

The host Rangers had a rough time against some much bigger schools, but head coach Scott Hannah and crew knew the tournament would be a growth opportunity going in. Nordhoff opened the tournament against Pacifica and lost a heartbreaker in overtime 73-66. NHS took a 6 point lead into the half but then Pacfica fought their way back and pulled away late in the overtime for the victory.

In game two, NHS lost to a talented Sanger team 79-49 and then followed that with a 72-52 loss to the Santa Clara Saints. So far this season, the Rangers are 0-6 and will be looking for their first win of the season when they take part in the Thacher Tournament.

VPS athletes earn postseason honors

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

Kyla Lenehan (No. 44), shown here in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, was recently named to the All-Frontier League first team.

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

This fall the Villanova Preparatory School had a number of student-athletes earn post season honors for their stellar performances. In girls’ volleyball, senior Kyla Lenehan and sophomore Grace Wells both earned All-Frontier League first team honors. Teammates Eliana Denham and Elsa Tam both made the second team.

The VPS squad finished its season 14-7 overall, and made it to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 8 tournament. From there, the Lady Wildcats were invited to take part in the CIF State Volleyball Championship Tournament.

In boys’ water polo action, senior Bryant Hawks was named to the Frontier League’s first team list and senior Baylor Stotko earned a spot on the All-Frontier League second team.

On the tennis courts, the doubles team of senior Grace Moses and Alzen Dekakibo claimed the Frontier League’s top prize for doubles as they were named the league’s Most Valuable Players. Villanova’s other top doubles team of Analiese Terrazas and Susy Munoz earned first team all-league honors.

Ninth annual Holiday Tennis Challenge on tap

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

The 2017 Holiday Tennis Challenge winners show off their hardware. From left to right are: Craig Fugle, Dave Jones, Jakob Vos, Mikel Elizalde, Fabio Lauretta and Jeff Jenkins.

The 9th annual Ojai Holiday Adult/Child Tennis Tournament fundraiser will take place at the Libbey Park tennis courts on Dec. 29-30.

Tournament Co-Directors, Craig Fugle and Jakob Vos, along with Ojai Recreation Department Tennis Professional Scott Burton, will pair adult and junior players to compete in eight-game No-Add pro sets of doubles to raise funds for the Ojai Valley Tennis Club Youth Tennis Programs. Players register in either the "In to Win" division for more competitive tennis or the "In for Fun" division for recreational play.

Toppers Pizza will once again donate a delicious pizza and salad lunch, while the OVTC offers prizes such as t-shirts and tennis gear to participants Everyone enjoys an exciting weekend of good family fun.

All proceeds directly benefit the Ojai Valley Junior Tennis programs.

To register, please contact the Youth Tennis Hotline 805-646-0052 or email Craig Fugle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nordhoff girls' basketball team starts 2018-19 season 1-3

Nordhoff High School's girls' varsity basketball team earned its first victory of the young season Dec. 1 at the Bird Cage Classic Tournament at Bishop Diego in Santa Barbara, defeating Coastal Christian 58-32.

After dropping its first three games in the tournament, head coach Ted Cotti's squad turned up its defensive pressure to get into the win column.

The Rangers jumped out to an 18-4 first quarter lead behind early steals on the press. They led 29-12 at half, but Coastal cut that to 10 early in the fourth quarter before NHS regrouped to pull away.

Sophomore Cameron Jones led all scorers in the win with 14 points. Haleigh Loomis had a career high 11. Stella Moore had 5 to go with her 5 assists and 5 steals.

Senior co-captain Courtney Abraham was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 6.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game for the weekend.

Nordhoff is hosting the 42nd annual varsity tournament this weekend with 12 teams coming to the Ojai Valley to compete in the event.

The Lady Rangers played Dec. 6 against Dos Pueblos and will take on Thacher at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. On Dec. 8 they will host Villanova Preparatory School at 10 a.m.

Nordhoff High boys' hoopers drop home opener to Channel Islands

Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown

Nordhoff’s Kaden Gard works his way down the court despite pressure from Channel Islands defender Malik Patton. Gard scored a team-high 22 points in the game.

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent

Nordhoff High School’s boys’ basketball team played its first home game of the 2018-19 season Nov. 20, falling 69-54 to Channel Islands.

New head coach Scott Hannah’s Rangers jumped out to a 12-5 first quarter lead but struggled through the next period as the Raiders ramped up the pressure using a 2-2-1 full-court press, forcing a dozen turnovers during a 33-11 run.

Kaiser performs well at NAIA Nationals

Photo submitted

Ojai Valley native Andy Kaiser enjoyed a successful fall, along with the Benedictine College cross-country team. Kaiser and his teammates won the Heart of America Athletic Conference title in Atchison, Kansas, which earned the team a berth to the NAIA National Championships that were held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 16.

According to Benedictine College head coach Henry Brun, every runner on the team turned in a lifetime best in what was their biggest meet of the season. Kaiser covered the 8,000-meter course in 26:45, averaging 5:18 per mile along the way.

Kaiser’s best work has been done in the classroom at Benedictine. Prior to the National Championships, he was named to the 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete team. In order to earn that honor, student athletes must hold a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Kaiser is a senior and is majoring in marketing and international business.

Soule Park Golf Course Pounders edge Ojai Valley Inn to win Ojai Cup

Photo submitted

Team Soule Park celebrates after keeping Ojai Cup for another year.

Ted Cotti, Ojai Valley News correspondent

In the closest finish yet in the event’s five-year history, the Soule Park Golf Course Pounders golf club defeated the Ojai Valley Inn men’s club by 1 point to win the coveted Ojai Cup for a fifth consecutive year.

“It was clear from looking at the rosters that this would likely be a much closer match than in the previous four years where the Soule Park Pounders won with comfortable margins,” said Soule Park co-captain Alan Kirby, who, along with co-captain Jim Berube, could not play because of an injury. “I witnessed a great deal of camaraderie on the course and heard from several guys on both sides how much they enjoyed the contest and the two courses.”

The two groups played the Ryder Cup-style competition over two days last week. The first day foreshadowed the parity as the two teams split the eight, four-ball matches at Soule Park.

Lady Rangers prepare for season against Nordhoff alumni

After making playoffs for the first time in four years and winning its first round game, Nordhoff High School’s girls’ basketball team is excited about the 2018-19 season.

The squad had its first competitive foray Nov. 20, defeating an alumni team 43-34.

Seniors Stella Moore and Courtney Abraham led the way for the young Rangers with 12 and 8 points, respectively. Sophomore transfer Cameron Jones added 7 and 6 assists. Juniors Haleigh Loomis and Ana Gutierrez each had four as did sophomore Miranda Inman. Angela Zirpolo added 2 as every Ranger in uniform scored.

Lady Rangers wrestle into 2018-19 season

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

Nordhoff High School has become a hotbed for girls’ wrestling in recent years. This season, NHS got its 2018-19 season underway with a Nov. 17 tournament at the James Monroe High School Rumble Invitational.

“Both girls we took to compete are rookies. Freshman Naomi Rogers (121 pounds) and senior Isabel Guzman (143 pounds) wrestled well for their first time out on the mat,” said NHS coach Robert Hastie.

According to Hastie, Rogers quickly learned in her first match that her stance needed to be better because she found herself fighting off her back from a take down early in the first period. She escaped but was taken down again and pinned at the end of the first period.

Nordhoff soccer crew thumps Villanova Prep

Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts

The Nordhoff High School (NHS) boys’ soccer team hosted crosstown rival Villanova Preparatory School (VPS) Nov. 13 in a nonleague contest. The Rangers got out to a 3-0 lead in the first half and then went on to win the match 5-0 for their first victory of the year. Nordhoff then followed that up with another 5-0 victory against Heritage Christian. NHS will play again Nov. 28 when they host Foothill Tech at 5:30 p.m. while Villanova Prep will return to the pitch Nov. 26, that match will also be against Foothill Tech.

76th Annual Nordhoff Varsity Tournament tips Nov. 28

Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor

Nordhoff High School is home to the oldest varsity boys’ basketball tournament in Ventura County. The 76th Annual Nordhoff Varsity Tournament will get underway Nov. 28 and will conclude Dec. 1 with the championship game tipping off at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s field will include Buena, Rio Mesa, Grace Brethren, and Cabrillo in Pool A. Pool B will be comprised of Nordhoff, Sanger, Pacifica and Santa Clara. Fans hoping to see the new look Rangers under first year head coach Scott Hannah can catch them in action Nov. 28 when they take on Pacifica at 7:30 p.m. in their first game of the tournament.

Casitas rowers grab gold in San Diego

Photo submitted

The Casitas Rowing team had an excellent showing at the San Diego Fall Classic Regatta Nov. 11. Among the results was a gold medal for the second year in a row for the freshmen girls 8. Any student-athletes interested in joining the team are invited to come check out the free open house events in January for boys and girls grades 6-12. For more information, visit casitasrowing.org.