Simi Valley Acorn

10/28/2025

The Simi Valley City Council has approved tentative two-year labor agreements with police employee groups that include 5% annual raises in 2025 and 2026. The deals aim to boost recruitment and retention as the city works to close pay gaps with nearby departments. Final approval is set for Nov. 3.

The Simi Valley City Council has approved two tentative labor agreements with police employee groups that would grant raises and benefit increases over the next two years while aiming to improve recruitment and retention amid ongoing staffing challenges. The previous contract expired June 30. The ne...

10/24/2025

FAST-TRACKERS—Girls and boys varsity teams took part in the Ventura County Cross Country Championships at Lake Casitas last Saturday. Oak Park won with 40 points, followed by Westlake with 81 and Simi Valley with 115. Foothill Technology won the boys’ team title with 26 points, followed by Oak Park with 52, Westlake with 112, Thousand Oaks with 142, and Agoura with 145. 📸: Michael C***s

10/23/2025

If you like to vote in person but don't want to wait until Nov. 4, you can visit a voting center beginning Saturday.

 In-person voting for the Nov. 4 statewide special election is set to begin this weekend in Ventura County.  Nine vote centers will open Oct. 25, across Ventura County for the Nov. 4 statewide special election, with additional centers opening Nov. 1.   Vote center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily...

10/21/2025

Carrying candles and dressed in black, Simi Valley residents gathered at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center earlier this month to mourn what they called “the death of a full cleanup” at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

Details at https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/frustrated-residents-hold-mock-funeral-for-field-lab-cleanup.

📸: Michael C***s

10/20/2025

One of Simi Valley’s most haunting cases is back in the spotlight. Nearly 47 years after Rhonda Wicht and her 4-year-old son were murdered, journalist Alicia Doyle’s new book The Forsaken revisits the tragedy, the conviction of Craig Coley and the controversy over his subsequent pardon and release, and the enduring question that still divides the community—if not Coley, then who?

It was one of the most horrific crimes in Simi Valley history—a young mother and her 4-year-old son found slain in their apartment in 1978. Decades later, the case continues to divide the community and haunt those connected to it. Nearly 47 years have passed since 24-year-old Rhonda Wicht was beat...

10/20/2025

Chaminade unlocks the unique gifts in every child. Explore offerings and find out how at the open house on Nov. 2. Go to chaminade.org/admissions/admissions-center.

10/17/2025

Carrying candles and dressed in black, Simi Valley residents held a vigil Oct. 7 at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center to mourn what they called “the death of a full cleanup” at the Santa Susana Field Lab.

The mock funeral came just hours before state regulators unveiled Boeing’s proposed soil cleanup plan—one oppoents say leaves 90% of contamination in place and breaks decades of promises for full restoration.

At the same night’s public meeting, officials from the Department of Toxic Substances Control outlined Boeing’s proposal to remove toxic soil from 78 acres of the site while leaving other areas untouched to protect wildlife and cultural resources.

Environmental advocates and residents say the plan abandons the community after years of illness and loss.

Carrying candles and dressed in black, Simi Valley residents gathered at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center on Oct. 7 to mourn what they called “the death of a full cleanup” at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The vigil and mock funeral, complete with tombstones, came shortly before Cali...

10/17/2025

Three of the five Simi Valley teens charged in an Aug. 1 fight outside the Regal theater have been ordered into custody at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility.
The 16- and 17-year-olds pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including hate crimes, stemming from the attack on 18-year-old Michael Robinson and two others.

Three of five Simi Valley teens facing charges stemming from an Aug. 1 fight have been remanded to the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility following detention hearings earlier this week. The teens, who had been cited and released by the Simi Valley Police Department following the incident, firs...

10/17/2025

Fall in the air means it’s time for the Simi Valley Street Fair, and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce promises there will be something for everyone. Fair is scheduled Oct. 25 from The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Simi Town Center Way in front of the Simi Town Center Mall.
More than 350 vendor booths will feature arts, crafts and information from community groups, local businesses and commercial vendors. Food will also be available for purchase.

Fall in the air means it’s time for the Simi Valley Street Fair, and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce promises there will be something for everyone. More than 350 vendor booths will feature arts, crafts and information from community groups, local businesses and commercial vendors. Food will al...

10/15/2025

PROST!—Simi Valley welcomed October during the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise’s annual “Oktoberfest” festivities on Oct. 4 at Rancho Tapo Community Park. 📸: Michael C***s

10/13/2025

Some treasures aren’t meant to stay lost. For Bob O’Bryant, a longtime Simi Valley resident, that treasure was a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster, his dream car, sold nearly a decade ago and finally returned to his home on Oct. 4, ready to be admired once again and to rekindle memories of family, friends and a lifetime of hot-rod artistry.

Some treasures aren’t meant to stay lost. For Bob O’Bryant, a longtime Simi Valley resident, that treasure was a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster, his dream car, sold nearly a decade ago and finally returned to his home on Oct. 4, ready to be admired once again and to rekindle memories of family, frie...

10/13/2025

At 91, most people are content to sit back and watch the ballgame. But Moorpark resident Ralph Mauriello isn’t most people.

A former Dodgers pitcher turned professional tenor, Mauriello stepped onto the field at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 20 to sing the national anthem—proving that some dreams never age.

At 91, most people are content to sit back and watch the ballgame. But Moorpark resident Ralph Mauriello isn’t most people. A former Dodgers pitcher turned professional tenor, Mauriello stepped onto the field at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 20 to sing the national anthem—proving that some dreams neve...