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Ag, business groups sue over general plan
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:40
Image courtesy County of Ventura
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Local agriculture and business interests are suing Ventura County over its adoption of the 2040 General Plan.
Ojai gets closer to requiring new buildings to be all electric
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:37
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Ojai City Council unanimously approved a motion Oct. 13 directing staff to draft an ordinance for reach codes, which are local building energy codes that reach beyond the state minimum requirements.
Council juggles roller-coaster budget hijacked by pandemic
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:35
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
Ojai City Manager James Vega gave a first-quarter review of the city’s budget at the City Council meeting Oct. 14, and highlighted how the city has had to dip into its reserves since the onset of the pandemic.
As a result, the city is looking to make up the approximately $1.5 million used out of its reserves over the last seven months.
Love and community blossom over laundry in Ojai
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:28
Photo provided
Laundry Love Ojai coordinator George Bohrer (left) and founder Rev. Greg Kimura.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
For the third year, an Ojai church is helping people who may have trouble coming up with money to do their laundry.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church launched its Laundry Love intitiative in June of 2017, after the Rev. Greg Kimura saw how successful it was in other parts of California, including Ventura, where the initiative began in 2003.
OVWC packs backpacks with love
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:24
Photo provided
In September, members of the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club delivered 20 backpacks filled with “goodies,” for teen girls affected by abuse, to the nonprofit 4 Kids 2 Kids in Ventura. The group provides counseling and safe homes for abused children. Delivering the backpacks to the group’s administrator, Kelly Kennedy (right) are Ellen Ansok, president of the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club (left) and treasurer Carina Solecki.
Ojai Leather subscription boxes filled with creativity
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:22
Photo submitted
Ojai Leather has released a quarterly subscription box packed with handmade items from Ojai makers. Ojai Time supports Ojai makers and businesses and shares handcrafted goods made right here in the valley.
Hakane Sushi gets approval to move across the street
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:18
Photo submitted
Hakane Sushi's current location at 967 E Ojai Ave.
Austin Widger, Ojai Valley News reporter
After about two hours of deliberation, the Ojai Planning Commission approved a design review permit, conditional use permit and conditions of approval as amended for the conversion of an existing commercial building from an office use to a restaurant use.
Ask Dr. Halverson: New study: Risk of catching coronavirus on airplanes very low
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:15
By Dr. Jim Halverson
Travelers concerned about contracting the coronavirus on a flight can breathe at least a small sigh of relief following new evidence that there is a very low risk of catching COVID-19 onboard an airplane.
Read more: Ask Dr. Halverson: New study: Risk of catching coronavirus on airplanes very low
Police blotter as of Oct. 14, 2020
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- Published: Friday, 16 October 2020 10:10
Crimes
• Battery was reported in the 100 block of Verde Oak Drive Sept. 10.
• Vandalism was reported in the 100 block of West Ojai Avenue Oct. 2.
• Burglary and receiving stolen property were reported in the 100 block of East Ojai Avenue Oct. 7.
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder receives reports of unofficial ballot drop boxes
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- Published: Tuesday, 13 October 2020 08:56
There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with Ventura County Elections. In some instances, they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as "official" or "secure." The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law.
Ojai heating up again this week
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- Published: Monday, 12 October 2020 13:31
Forecast map courtesy NWS
Map showing the high temperature outlook for Tuesday across Southern California.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Summer ended three weeks ago, but another heat wave is set to bake the Ojai Valley this week, bringing triple-digit temperatures and an elevated risk of fire.
The hot, dry conditions follow a brief respite over the weekend, which saw maximum temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s in Ojai.
Drop off ballots at these Ventura County Elections Division locations
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- Published: Monday, 12 October 2020 11:04
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
The official ballot drop box located at Ojai City Hall.
One of the three ways registered voters can participate in the Nov. 3 General Election is by dropping their ballot off at an official Ventura County Elections Division ballot drop box between now and Nov. 3.
There are two ballot drop boxes in the Ojai Valley:
- Ojai City Hall, 401 S Ventura St., Ojai. This box is outdoors and open 24/7.
- County of Ventura Fire Station #23, 15 Kunkle Street, Oak View. This box is outdoors and open daily from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Read more: Drop off ballots at these Ventura County Elections Division locations
OUSD board to discuss goals at Wednesday, Oct. 14, videoconference at 5:30 p.m.
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- Published: Sunday, 11 October 2020 16:29
Ojai Unified School District’s proposed goals for 2020-21 will be on the Wednesday, Oct. 14 school board agenda.
The public portion of the meeting starts at 5:30 and the closed session portion of the meeting starts at 4 p.m.
On the closed session agenda are the:
— “discipline / dismissal / release / resignation /appointment/ reassignment / employment” of two employees.
— evaluation of the superintendent.
— Litigation regarding the Channelkeeper v. State Water Resources Control Board, city of Ventura, et al.
The full agenda can be viewed here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/959940/1_October_14__2020_Agenda.pdf
The meeting can be viewed live on the district YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/adminojaiusdorg
Or the district Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/ojaiusd.org
The public may make public comments before or during the meeting at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CCfKeZXXuRb167DjQXSDjggyD9OS3u9wFDiOcg1ESec/viewform?edit_requested=true
Read more: OUSD board to discuss goals at Wednesday, Oct. 14, videoconference at 5:30 p.m.
Breaking news: Ojai Playhouse sold, to remain entertainment and arts venue
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- Published: Saturday, 10 October 2020 16:57
Ojai Valley News file photo by Perry Van Houten
The Ojai Playhouse undergoing repairs in November 2014.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Ojai's downtown movie theater, the Ojai Playhouse, has new owners.
"Somebody came out of the blue and made us an offer on the theater, and he's just the absolute perfect buyer," said Tania Parker, speaking for the Al-Awar family, which has owned the venue for 37 years.
Maricopa man arrested on suspicion of illegal cultivating of pot and possession of assault weapon
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- Published: Friday, 09 October 2020 15:30
Photo by Ventura County Sheriff's Office
A Maricopa man was arrested Oct. 8 on suspicion of illegally cultivating marijuana, illegally possessing marijuana for sale, and possession of an illegal assault weapon.