Simi Valley Acorn

01/17/2026

Work has restarted on a long-awaited su***de deterrent fence along the Arroyo Simi Bridge in Moorpark.

Construction kicked off in November after a contractor delay, and sections of the fence were already visible before holiday and weather setbacks temporarily halted progress. Drivers can expect overnight closures again tonight as crews continue the installation.

Pictured is the start of the fence that is being erected on the bridge.

Work has restarted on a long-awaited su***de deterrent fence along the Arroyo Simi Bridge in Moorpark. Construction kicked off in November after a contractor delay, and sections of the fence were already visible before holiday and weather setbacks temporarily halted progress. Drivers can expect over...

01/17/2026

More than three years after Rachel Castillo was killed in her Simi Valley apartment, Zarbab Ali has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her murder.
A jury in November convicted Ali of first-degree murder with lying in wait.
Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell, who prosecuted the case, said Ali showed no remorse.
“His actions place him among the very worst offenders this court will ever see," Russell said. "He deserved no leniency, and today’s sentence ensures he will never again be free to endanger another person or inflict further harm on society.”

More than three years after Rachel Castillo was killed in her Simi Valley apartment, the man convicted of her murder has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. Zarbab Ali, 29, of Hawthorne, was sentenced Jan. 12 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degre...

01/16/2026

A Ventura County Superior Court judge ruled Jan. 8 in favor of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Boeing, rejecting a lawsuit brought by community and environmental groups challenging a cleanup agreement at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The groups allege that under the agreement, Boeing will be allowed to leave between 90% to 95% of the contaminants untouched on the site.

A Ventura County Superior Court judge ruled Jan. 8 in favor of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Boeing, rejecting a lawsuit brought by community and environmental groups challenging a cleanup agreement at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The groups—Parents Against Santa ...

01/10/2026

Construction activity is reshaping large portions of the Moorpark College campus as officials work to modernize aging facilities while navigating limited funding and rising construction costs.
The college is advancing Campus Center upgrades, with Phase 1 under construction and set to finish in 2026.
Improvements include dining hall renovations, new study and dining areas, updated restrooms, better internet, plumbing upgrades, a student patio, and exterior shade structures.

Construction activity is reshaping large portions of the Moorpark College campus as officials work to modernize aging facilities while navigating limited funding and rising construction costs. Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu presented an update on the college’s facilities plan during the ...

01/10/2026

A long-awaited BMX track in Simi Valley is moving closer to reality — though construction is still several years away.

At the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board’s Dec. 3 meeting, District Manager Dan Paranick outlined the approval process still ahead for the proposed track near the Sinaloa Golf Course. The update offered the clearest timeline yet for a project that has been stalled since the city’s original BMX track closed nearly seven years ago.

After years of false starts and stalled plans, a long-awaited BMX track in Simi Valley is inching closer to reality— though construction remains several years away. At the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board’s Dec. 3 meeting, District Manager Dan Paranick outlined the lengthy approval...

01/09/2026

NOW ACCEPTING 4-YEAR-OLDS! Manzanita challenges educational paradigms and nurtures each child through its unique K-12 indoor-outdoor curriculum on its 21-acre campus. Join an upcoming orientation to see how special Manzanita really is! Go to manzanitaschool.org/inquiry-application.

01/09/2026

Safe Document Shredding Event

Protect your personal information at the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Safe Document Shredding event.

The Chamber will host secure, on-site document shredding on Friday, January 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Chamber parking lot. Attendees should follow directional signage upon arrival.

Boxes to be shredded should be placed in the trunk or backseat, clearly labeled “SHRED,” with an envelope containing payment on top. The cost is $10 per box. Cash or check only; checks should be made payable to Paper Cuts Document Shredding.

For more information, call the Chamber at 805-526-3900.

01/08/2026

Community: Public Assistance Requested – Hit-and-Run Collision Investigation

The Simi Valley Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian that left the pedestrian in critical condition.

The collision occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Stearns Street near Birchcroft Street.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision, observed a vehicle driving in the area at that time, or has any information that could assist in this investigation to contact Senior Traffic Officer Bryan Sarfaty at 805-583-6189 or by email at [email protected].

Anonymous tips are welcome. Your assistance could be critical in helping bring justice to the victim and their family.

01/08/2026

An important message from Ventura County Animal Services about the Simi Valley Animal Shelter:

The Simi Valley Animal Shelter will be closed Tuesday, January 13, 2026 to repair a leak in the water main. During repairs, the parking lot will be under construction and water service will be significantly reduced. While low-pressure water will be provided to ensure animals have continuous access to drinking water, public restrooms will not be available. This closure is necessary to ensure public and staff safety during construction. All stray animals are to be brought to the Camarillo Animal Shelter at 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Ventura County Animal Services

El Refugio de Animales de Simi Valley estará cerrado el martes 13 de enero de 2026 para realizar reparaciones por una fuga en la tubería principal de agua. Durante las reparaciones, el estacionamiento estará en construcción y el servicio de agua se verá significativamente reducido. Si bien se proporcionará agua de baja presión para garantizar que los animales tengan acceso continuo a agua potable, los baños públicos no estarán disponibles. Este cierre es necesario para garantizar la seguridad del público y del personal durante la construcción. Todos los animales callejeros deberán ser llevados al Refugio de Animales de Camarillo, ubicado en 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010. Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.

Ventura County Animal Services

01/07/2026

Carden Conejo students consistently perform years above grade level. This parent education event examines how brain science and the Carden Method support deep learning and long-term academic success. RSVP at https://forms.gle/4kh9thMCeDEb3TReA.

01/07/2026

In what is being called the wettest Christmas period in Southern California in more than 50 years, a significant “atmospheric river” event made its way through the region during the last full week of 2025. More on this at simivalleyacorn.com/articles/atmospheric-river-makes-for-wet-christmas-week.

📸: Michael C***s

01/06/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW—Relive 2025 through the pages of The Acorn.

1. Graduates take selfies as confetti rains down at the conclusion of Santa Susana High’s commencement ceremony on June 5.

2. A Ventura County Fire Department firehawk drops water on the Cottonwood fire Sept. 5 in Simi Valley.

3. Arlo Fravien, 13, of Garden Grove, reacts after winning the inaugural California State Finals of the National Civics Bee June 21 at the Reagan Library.

4. Greg Julius of Simi Valley touches the wall as he visits The Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall - AV Wall on Memorial Day at Rancho Tapo Community Park in Simi Valley.

5. Victor Munoz, 8, fishes from a rock during the annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby May 3 at Rancho Simi Community Park in Simi Valley. Judges awarded prizes to children for catching the biggest and longest fish, and the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise provided a free breakfast for the anglers.

6. Reagan Schoen, 9, of Girl Scout Troop 7182 reacts to the homemade slime she made during the 113th anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts at the Simi Valley Public Library on March 15. The Simi Valley Girl Scouts organized the event which featured arts and crafts and information for girls interested in joining scouts.

7. Nolan Lendzion, center, collides with his Space Cowboy teammates while trying to catch a pop fly during their opening day game against the pinto division Flying Squirrels at Santa Susana Baseball Feb. 22 in Simi Valley.

8. Kids listen to A Faery Hunt’s “The Missing Faery Light” show at Corriganville Park on March 29 in Simi Valley.

9. Simi Valley’s Hanna Chang is tripped up by a Royal defender during a flag football game at Simi Valley High School on Sept. 4. Royal High School won in overtime, 12-6. A penalty was called on Royal from the play.

📸: Michael C***s