Good morning, Ventura.

United Way of Ventura County is calling for donations to its annual Stuff the Bus campaign to give new backpacks filled with school supplies to 1,000 homeless youth across Ventura County.

Collection sites are set up countywide—needed items include pencils, erasers and notebooks that help lower back-to-school costs for low-income families.

Today, community leaders declared solidarity with immigrants at risk of enforcement action — they said the gesture aims to unite the community amid growing enforcement concerns.

Cheri DeKofsky, executive director of the Jewish Federation, said the organization received a $16,667 grant from the Tepper Foundation—funds that will help pay for security upgrades like an 8-foot wall at its new building.

The Federation is asking local donors to raise matching funds—doubling every gift to protect its youngest members.

A man working on Platform Heritage experienced severe chest pains on Friday, June 27, and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescued him around 12:25 p.m., transporting him to Camarillo Airport before he was taken to St. John's Hospital for treatment.

A semi-truck driver died on June 25 when a Metrolink train hit his truck at a private crossing near Montair Drive in Moorpark—emergency responders arrived quickly while one train passenger suffered minor injuries.

Ventura County's history is shown at five sites including Mission Basilica San Buenaventura (open daily except on holidays) and Strathearn Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley where the Simi Adobe dates to 1810.

Additional stops like Heritage Square in Oxnard, the former Camarillo State Hospital now part of CSU Channel Islands, and Anacapa Lighthouse accessible by boat offer more views of the county's rich past.

A Ventura County Civil Grand Jury report said the Animal Services Commission has failed to advise the county well and communicate effectively—issues that have led to overcrowded shelters and outdated facilities.

The report calls for revising bylaws and updating contracts before Dec. 31 to improve animal care.