Good morning, Ventura.

On Sept. 29, community members gathered in Westlake Village to honor Mark and Jacob—who were 11 and 8—killed five years ago when a speeding SUV struck them at a crosswalk.

First responders and family members remembered the tragedy and noted the parents’ work to support foster care for underserved children.

October’s full moon is a supermoon that will appear especially large and bright as it nears Earth, with NASA reporting the Harvest moon will peak at 8:47 p.m.—giving Ventura residents time to view one of three planned supermoons.

Astronomers note that this close approach, or perigee, makes the moon’s visual impact uniquely striking.

Federal steel tariffs raised new metal prices by more than 30%—and in some cases up to 50%—which has driven up costs for auto makers, construction firms and appliance manufacturers, while recycled metal prices in Ventura remain low because global benchmarks keep them steady.

Experts say this market disconnect has made local projects more uncertain as businesses wait to move forward.

New USPS rules mean that ballots dropped off on Election Day from post offices over 50 miles from regional hubs might not get a timely postmark and risk being rejected if not postmarked by Nov.

4. State officials advise Californians to vote early, use official vote centers, or ask for a counter postmark—ensuring that every vote counts in the upcoming election.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett introduced AB 367 and AB 1143—measures that would require Ventura County water suppliers to install backup power systems and offer homeowners a voluntary fire-resistant certification.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is urged to sign the bills to help prevent chaos during wildfires and lessen future damage.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced a federal bill called Katie Meyer’s Law to let college students have an adviser during disciplinary proceedings, following a state law passed last fall after Newbury Park native Katie Meyer died by suicide in March 2022.

If approved, the law will cover both public and private schools and require colleges to report on campus suicides—helping ensure students get proper support during investigations.

Gregory Acevedo, a retired fireman, nearly lost his life during shoulder surgery in December 2023 when his heart slowed and he had multiple heart attacks—he now volunteers at Los Robles hospital three days a week, attends cardiac rehab and a support group, and plans to rejoin the Agoura Hills Community Emergency Response Team to share his CPR knowledge.

Adventist Health Simi Valley has introduced Optilume, an FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment for men with urethral strictures, making it the first hospital in Ventura County to offer the procedure.

Dr. Desiree Sanchez said the 20 to 30 minute outpatient treatment stretches scar tissue—reducing the need for repeat surgeries and easing symptoms.

Dignity Health–St. John’s Hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo urge residents to learn about AFib, an irregular heartbeat that may lead to stroke if not treated early.

Medical director Dr. Ali Sovari said early detection is key and the hospital now offers a combined treatment—pulsed field ablation with left atrial appendage occlusion—to reduce stroke risk.

Friday Football Focus Week 6 posted local high school football scores, showing Ventura’s 62 to 13 win over Buena (and Newbury Park’s 31 to 21 win over Santa Barbara along with other regional results).

The scores reflected competitive performances by teams across the area during the week.