Ventura County Star Stories: Local News

Gunfire at range sparks blaze in Piru

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Firefighters on Friday gained the upper hand on a brush fire that officials said was sparked by gunshots at the Piru Rifle Range near the eastern edge of Ventura County. Fire officials said they expected to have the blaze fully contained during the night.

Teens see firsthand the importance of leadership

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

It's not always easy being a leader. Leadership often takes the willingness to go against peer pressure, making tough decisions and sacrificing immediate desires to succeed in the future.

Strawberry Festival Info

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Strawberry Festival

Third arrest made in fatal hit-and-run case

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Santa Paula police arrested a third person in connection with the hit-and-run death of a 2-year-old boy this week but later released her, authorities said Friday.

zipping through 93004

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Throughout the year, staff photographers from The Star will be exploring and visually documenting the diverse lifestyles and landscapes of Ventura County, one ZIP code at a time.

Farmworkers say proposed bill offers them hope

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Regino Navarrete was one of a handful of people looking for answers Friday at the United Farm Workers of America office in Oxnard, a day after Sen. Dianne Feinstein helped to move forward legislation allowing undocumented agricultural workers to keep working until more permanent legislation is passed.

A doggie dilemma

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Brinkley is "on the nutty side," but likes to cuddle. While he can almost run with the pack, Romeo's banged-up knees require expensive surgery. Maggie, a blind and deaf 17-year-old schnauzer can't do much but follow around her owner, Deborah Bass.

Rincon Point voters accept sewage service

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Santa Barbara County election officials confirmed Friday that Rincon Point residents have voted to replace their septic tanks with sewage service, capping a divisive election and nearly a decade of pleas by surfers and environmentalists.

L.A. professor shares her story of living with schizophrenia

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Elyn Saks says she stopped hiding her struggle with schizophrenia for two reasons: to give hope to people who suffer from the disorder and understanding to those who don't.

Bob Florence, jazz composer, Big Band leader, dies at 75

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Legendary jazz composer, arranger and Big Band leader Bob Florence, who won a Grammy and two Emmy awards during his long career, died Thursday at his home in Thousand Oaks.

Chemicals found at Hells Angels site

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Detectives conducting a search of a Hells Angels clubhouse Friday uncovered a large quantity of hazardous chemicals in a pit under a false floor, authorities said.

2 county lawyers selected for bench

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Two Ventura County court commissioners have been selected to be judges in the Superior Court by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor's office announced Friday.

Agoura seeks to offer housing perk

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Agoura Hills is taking steps to revise the city's policies that encourage developers to include affordable units in their new housing proposals.

Interesting strawberry facts

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Strawberry facts n To maximize flavor, eat strawberries after letting them sit at room temperature for 20-25 minutes. n Eight medium-sized strawberries have more vitamin C than an orange. n A three-pint container of strawberries is called a boat and a 9-pound container is called a flat. n In Ventura County, the peak of the strawberry harvest is March through May. n There were 11,936 acres planted with strawberries in Ventura County in 2006. n Strawberries are not true berries, which have a seed in the center. The strawberry, which has small yellow seeds on its skin, belongs to the ...

Couples ready to take vows

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

If the experts are right and this week's historic California Supreme Court ruling triggers thousands of same-sex marriages starting as soon as mid-June, Suzanne Salinas of Oxnard knows where she wants to be:

Overnight work to close some Highway 101 lanes

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Up to three northbound lanes of Highway 101 from Hampshire Road to Highway 23 will be closed beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Serious message with humor

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Brian Cohen, above left, is dressed up as an oversize smoke alarm by Spanner the clown, played by Fire Engineer John Foy, in the Ventura County Fire Department's "Adventures in Safety" assembly at Weathersfield Elementary School in Thousand Oaks on Friday. Foy started the safety program in 1990 to teach kids important fire safety lessons. Students, right, enjoy the final performance of Foy and his teaching clown.

Social workers OK deal for new raises

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Workers aiding people with developmental disabilities have approved a new wage pact that gives them a 3 percent raise, their first cost-of-living increase in six years.

'Magic' fruit is the center of attention this weekend at Oxnard's 25th annual festival

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

Almost every Friday for the past six years, Nancy Bannon has stopped by the same strawberry stand north of Oxnard to pick up a half-crate of strawberries.

Local Briefs: May 17

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 -0000

The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law have received a five-year reaccreditation.