Ventura County Transportation Commission to Remove Call Boxes Along Ventura County Highways

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) recently announced the end of its emergency call box program, marking a significant shift in how roadside assistance will be provided across the county’s highways. Since 2004, over 58,000 calls have been made from the 427 call boxes maintained by VCTC, but usage has dropped dramatically due to the widespread adoption of personal cell phones. In 2005, the system handled more than 5,800 calls, but by 2024, that number had plummeted to just 849. Faced with declining demand and mounting maintenance challenges, VCTC voted in May to decommission the program and begin removing the call boxes, with full removal expected by September 1, 2025.

The call boxes, which operate on AT&T’s 4G network and connect directly to California Highway Patrol dispatch, have become increasingly difficult to maintain. The state’s only maintenance contractor suspended its regular inspections, and VCTC’s contract for upkeep expired in June 2025. With no viable alternatives that meet state guidelines for call box technology, VCTC decided not to renew the contract. The system’s annual operating costs—between $350,000 and $400,000—are funded by a $1 vehicle registration fee collected from Ventura County residents.

In place of the call box system, VCTC is exploring several alternative motorist aid services. These include expanding the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), which has offered free roadside assistance since 2021 along segments of Highways 101, 118, and 23 during peak hours. Other options under review include increasing signage for the SoCal 511 emergency phone system and enhancing traffic enforcement through extended agreements with the CHP. These initiatives aim to maintain and improve emergency support for motorists while making more efficient use of public funds.

More details about the FSP and SoCal 511 programs can be found at goventura.org/fsp and go511.com, respectively.

Mountain Fire in Ventura County - Updates and Recovery Information

Smoke from the Mountain Fire seen from Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

The Mountain Fire was first reported at just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th, near Somis, in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Due to the extremely high Santa Ana winds, it quickly jumped across Highway 118 towards Camarillo and as of Thursday night grew to 20,484 acres burned at 5% containment. The fire has destroyed at least 132 structures and damaged another 88 structures as of Thursday evening. Visit vcemergency.com for details regarding evacuation orders, emergency shelters, road closures, and more. Information hotline is 805-465-6650. Or call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Fire Updates

• As of 8:50 a.m. Saturday, November 9th, the fire is at 20,630 acres with 17% containment.

• As the night of Monday, November 11th, fire at 42% contained. Out of 894 inspections to date, 82 structures damaged and 192 destroyed.

• As of 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, fire is 54% contained at 20,630 acres. 90 structures damaged, 207 destroyed.

• As of the morning of Thursday, November 14, acreage unchanged, 82% contained, 25 structures damaged, 240 structures destroyed.

Recovery Efforts

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

If you were impacted by the fire, the Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD) asks that you complete a needs assessment at https://icfs.communityos.org/gethelpventuracounty to get help.

Ventura County Recovers website covers recovery information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Fox Fine Jewelry is offering a free diamond necklace to anyone whose home was damaged or destroyed by the Mountain Fire. Necklaces also available for sale, with 50% of proceeds donated to the VC Community Foundation. www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/mountain-fire-free-necklace

Individual GoFundMe Pages

If you are seeking to donate directly to individuals impacted by the Mountain Fire, there are over 50 GoFundMe fundraisers established over the last 7 days (as of November 9th) at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=%22mountain+fire%22&time-period=7 (NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT VETTED EACH FUNDRAISER. USE YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE.)

City of Camarillo Provides Trolley Bus Service Seven Days a Week

The City of Camarillo provides trolley bus service Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.

The fare price is $.50 for seniors (65+) and ADA riders and $1 for adults and students.

The service provides convenient, air-conditioned, nostalgic transportation to Camarillo retail and dining destinations. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are provided.

The trolley bus route starts at the Metrolink train station, runs west on Daily Drive, south down Las Posas Road, and then east on Ventura Boulevard back to the Metrolink station. Here are the stops and the minutes the trolley reaches each stop after each hour and half hour:

• Metrolink (Camarillo Train Station) (0 min)

• Ponderosa Center (next to 99 Cent Store) (4 min)

• Camarillo Plaza (Daily Dr west of Murray Ave) (7 min)

• Carmen Plaza (Daily and Carmen) (9 min)

• Las Posas Plaza (Daily and Calle La Roda) (11 min)

• Camarillo Town Center (between Ross and Walmart) (17 min)

• Premium Outlets Promenade (Ventura Blvd) (20 min)

• Premium Outlets Main Court (Ventura Blvd and Camarillo Center Dr) (22 min)

• Old Town (Ventura Blvd and Fir St) (25 min)

• Dizdar Park and Camarillo Chamber (27 min)

• Metrolink (30 min)

The trolley stops at shopping centers all along the route on a 30 minute schedule. Riders can also flag down the trolley to board anywhere along the route.

Where IS the trolley at any given point in time!? Well you can get that answer on the Trolley Tracker at www.camarillotrolley.com.

www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/residents/public_transportation/camarillo_trolley.php

Cal Lutheran President Resigns; Interim President Announced

The California Lutheran University Board of Regents announced today that President Lori Varlotta will step down from her role effective May 31, 2024. Dr. John Nunes, most recently pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, and former president of Concordia College New York, will serve as interim president for a two-year term beginning on June 1, 2024.

Varlotta was appointed president in September 2020 and successfully steered the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, leading efforts to bring Cal Lutheran students back to campus and to face-to-face learning ahead of many other California institutions. She made difficult but necessary changes to mitigate a potential financial crisis; implemented changes to align shared governance structures with university bylaws; and designed a Talent, Culture and Diversity division.

Nunes has served since 2020 on the Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The Task Force’s recommendations about how to foster a campus culture of robust intellectual exchange during the current period of national polarization have been adopted by many universities, both public and private.

Nunes is a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy and was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1991. He was also president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief and held an endowed professorship at Valparaiso University. He is the author of five books and numerous articles, and holds degrees from Concordia College, Ann Arbor (BA), Concordia Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario (MDiv), and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (ThM and PhD). He and his wife, Monique, are the parents of six children and 13 grandchildren.

Dr. Nunes’ appointment comes with the support of the Region 1 bishops and Region 2 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

California Lutheran University

Founded in 1959 and formally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to 2,377 undergraduate and 1,033 graduate students. Our students come from 59 countries and represent a wide spectrum of faiths and spirituality. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their community. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu.

Hundreds of Sea Lions Continue to Occupy Kiddie Beach at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard

Hundreds of sea lions continue to reside at the Kiddie Beach at the southeast end of Channel Islands Harbor, south end of Victoria Ave near Silver Strand Beach.

The migration started last month. Here are some photos at the scene from local resident D. Platt. While they are an amazing spectacle to see, be sure to keep your distance - at least 50 feet. No selfies with seals and sea lions. Marine mammals are federally protected; disturbing them can result in significant civil and criminal penalties. If you get too close, mother sea lions may abandon their pups. If you do see an injured or distressed marine mammal, call the NOAA hotline at 866-767-6114. bit.ly/SharetheShore

Petco Westlake Village to Close December 24; Daiso Japan Store Coming Soon

UPDATE: Daiso Westlake Village opened its doors on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Photo Credit to and partial view of inside of car of lucas C.

CVG Instagram follower Lucas C let us know today that Petco Westlake Village is closing. A store representative indicated that December 24 will be their final day. Petco is, soon to be was, located next to Trader Joe's at 3835 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the North Ranch Shopping Center.

There was some discussion via Instagram and Facebook as to what is coming next to this spot. Could Trader Joe’s be expanding? Well, according to a current North Ranch Shopping Center site leasing brochure, what looks to be happening is that the Trek Bike Shop will be moving from its existing spot to the larger Petco spot, freeing up its current space for Daiso Japan. Daiso is a Japanese variety and value store offering a wide range of household items. There are Daiso stores in West Hills and Northridge.  Learn more at daisojapan.com.

We have not independently confirmed these future plans, so stay tuned for updates.

(Excerpt from site plan)

Sunset Terrace Restaurant & Lounge in Thousand Oaks Looks to Open Four Lane Bowling Alley

Snippet of architectural plans for the planned 4-lane addition to Sunset Terrace.

The last time a bowling alley operated in Thousand Oaks was 1995, when the 40 lane Conejo Village Bowl closed its doors. There has been talk of other alleys from time to time, but nothing has transpired.

Sunset Terrace Restaurant & Lounge at Janss Marketplace may change that, as they are in process of building a four-lane bowling alley in the 4,200 sq ft adjacent space previously occupied by Edible Arrangements and a karate studio. Let’s see if they can make this happen…stay tuned.

In other local area bowling news, as mentioned in August, Bowlero is looking to develop an alley in the former Dick's Sporting Goods in Moorpark - subject to city council approval.

For existing local area bowling alleys, visit THIS PAGE.

Learn more about Sunset Terrace at sunsetterracerestaurant.com. They offer California cuisine, a large bar with 40 seat capacity, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, dance floor, plenty of TV with live sports and more. Daily food and drink specials include Mat Tai Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Waffle & Wing Wednesdays, Sushi Thursdays, NFL Game Specials and more at sunsetterracerestaurant.com/daily-specials.

The space where the alley is being planned for.

Paige Lane Neighborhood Park in Thousand Oaks Anticipated to Open in Early September

In September 2021, the City of Thousand Oaks approved a $1.5 million grant to partially fund development of Conejo Creek Southwest Park, which as the name indicates, is southwest of Conejo Creek Park South. The 14 acre property, acquired in 1972, is bisected by Paige Lane as it travels beneath State Route 23.

The park has been renamed Paige Lane Neighborhood Park and is anticipated by CRPD to open in early September 2022. The new park will feature a Chumash-themed playground, parking lot, restroom, multi-use court/sand volleyball, shaded picnic area, drought-tolerant landscaping, water-efficient irrigation and walking/equestrian paths. The park is also adjacent to the Conejo Creek Bike Path.

Due to the current drought and CRPD’s efforts towards water conservation, the planned three acres of turf area will not be installed at the current time. We will initially see mulch cover and underground irrigation infrastructure for possible turf implementation at a later date, depending on future drought conditions.

Learn more at www.crpd.org/park/paige-lane-neighborhood-park.

Sneak Peak of the Ventura Harbor Carousel Relocated to the Pacific View Mall

Here’s a sneak peak of the vintage Ventura Harbor Carousel that has been relocated to the 2nd floor of the Pacific View shopping mall in Ventura, next to the food court. It's looking pretty good in its new surroundings. Grand opening TBA. Stay tuned for updates at shoppacificview.com.