Simi Valley Acorn

09/17/2026

Who’s running for local and county office in Simi Valley this November? Candidates will take part in a Sept. 30 forum hosted by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a forum Sept. 30 featuring candidates running for local and county offices in the Nov. 3 general election. The eve

09/16/2026

A baby has died after Ventura County emergency responders were called to Westlake Elementary School in Westlake Village Tuesday afternoon for a report of cardiac arrest.

The child was not a student at the school. Authorities say there is no foul play suspected.

Read the latest details from the Acorn.

  A young child died Tuesday after Ventura County emergency responders were called to Westlake Elementary School on Potrero Road in Westlake Village for a

09/16/2026

Breaking News:
A Simi Valley woman has been arrested and booked for murder after police say the SUV she was driving crashed into a Metro bus in Chatsworth Tuesday, killing at least two people and injuring six others.

The crash occurred hours before a news helicopter covering the collision crashed in nearby Chatsworth, killing three people and adding to an already deadly day in the San Fernando Valley.

LAPD arrested 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios on suspicion of murder following the bus crash.

Police say Rios was driving a 2004 Ford Expedition south in the northbound lanes of De Soto Avenue when she allegedly ran a red light and collided with an eastbound Metro Line 166 bus near Nordhoff Street.

The SUV ended up partially inside the bus, and one passenger was ejected. Rios was among those injured in the crash, police said.

She was booked into custody and is being held on $4 million bail, according to LAPD booking information obtained by the Acorn.

The two people killed in the bus crash were identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Later Tuesday evening, a news helicopter covering the bus crash went down in Chatsworth, killing three people, including NBC4 journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw. A third person on the ground also was killed. He was identified as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia.

The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation.

09/16/2026

Homeowners in California’s highest wildfire-risk areas could soon face inspections — and the bill for bringing their properties into compliance.

The new Zone 0 rules would require existing homeowners to meet all requirements within five years, with local fire departments handling inspections and enforcement.

What homeowners need to know about the rules, potential costs and controversy:

California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has approved final “Zone 0” defensible-space regulations, intended to reduce potential fuels within five fe

09/15/2026

“Two or three feet of separation, a Jersey barrier, and my daughter would likely be here today.”

Those were the tearful words of Myles Standish, whose daughter, Kellie Standish, 33, was killed alongside William “Colby” Tucker, 39, while cycling on a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura that draws visitors from Ventura County and beyond.

Now, their friends and the sole survivor of the June crash near Solimar Beach are pushing for changes they say could prevent another tragedy.

Read the story about the growing call to make PCH safer.

The coastal stretch of Pacific Coast Highway from Ventura north to Santa Barbara draws visitors from throughout Ventura County and beyond for beach trips and ot

09/15/2026

Work is beginning on a nearly $2 million project to rehabilitate a heavily traveled stretch of Los Angeles Avenue between First Street and Erringer Road.
Read what’s being changed and how construction will affect traffic and pedestrians.

A heavily traveled stretch of Los Angeles Avenue is getting a much-needed makeover with work to begin soon in the area between First Street and Erringer Road.

09/12/2026

One lone bouquet of pink roses was quietly placed by 11 am. at the Metrolink Station in Simi Valley, where a memorial honors those who lost their lives in the Sept. 12, 2008, Chatsworth train crash.
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the collision, which claimed 25 lives and injured 135 others, many critically. The crash left a lasting impact on the community and the families of those who died.
Those who lost their lives that day will always be remembered.
They are:
Christopher Aiken, 38, Thousand Oaks
Dennis Arnold, 75, Camarillo
Dean Brower, 51, Ventura
Alan Buckley, 59, Simi Valley
Yi Chao, 71, Simi Valley
Spree DeSha, 35, Simi Valley
Walter Fuller, 54, Simi Valley
Ronald Grace, 55, Simi Valley
Michael Hammersley, 45, Simi Valley
Jacob Hefter, 18, Palmdale
Chen-Wyuan Kari Hsieh, 18, Newhall
Ernest “Pete” Kish, 47, Thousand Oaks
Gregory Lintner, 48, Simi Valley
Paul Long, 54, Moorpark
Manuel Acosta Macias Jr., 31, Santa Paula
Aida Magdaleno, 19, Camarillo
Beverly Mosley, 57, Moorpark
Charles Peck, 49, Salt Lake City
Howard Pompel, 69, Moorpark
Donna Remata, 49, Simi Valley
Robert Sanchez, 46, La Crescenta
Doyle Souser, 56, Camarillo
Roger Spacey, 60, Simi Valley
Maria Villalobos, 18, Moorpark
Atul Vyas, 20, Simi Valley.

09/11/2026

A Simi Valley resident saw 9/11 from 23,000 feet.

Twenty-five years later, Derek Hartman still remembers the peaceful morning over New York City before everything changed.

The former Simi Valley student and Air Force flight engineer was on a routine training mission when his crew spotted a plume of smoke. Minutes later, his KC-10 tanker became part of the emergency response.

Hartman is one of several Ventura County residents sharing their memories of Sept. 11, 2001, in this week’s Simi Valley Acorn.

Twenty-five years later, the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 remains vivid for local residents who watched the attacks unfold from homes, classrooms and offices, even

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Our community has several opportunities to pause, reflect and honor their memories.

--At 8 a.m. on Sept. 11, the Simi Valley Police Department will hold a remembrance ceremony in front of the Police Department, 3901 Alamo St. The public is invited to join police personnel, city staff, elected officials, retirees and Ventura County firefighters in remembering those lost and those who served.

--At 10 a.m. on Sept. 11, Moorpark College will hold its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the campus flagpole, 7075 Campus Road. The ceremony will include a flag ceremony, speakers, music and a moment of silence.
The college's remembrance will continue Sept. 16 with a Student Day of Service at 10 a.m., when more than 100 volunteers will assemble care packages for U.S. military members serving overseas. At 11 a.m., a commemorative 1.1-mile Tribute Walk will begin in front of the Campus Center. The self-guided route will remain available for about a week, with markers and signs reflecting on the events of Sept. 11 and the courage and unity that followed.

--At 6 p.m. on Sept. 11, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, will host a free outdoor commemoration featuring retired U.S. Army Sgt. Neil Duncan, retired NYPD Officer Marc Manfro and Brian Montgomery.
Duncan was 17 on 9/11 and later joined the Army, losing both legs to an IED in Afghanistan. Manfro is a retired New York police officer and first responder. Montgomery was with President George W. Bush in Florida on 9/11 and helped manage the logistics surrounding the president's safety. The program also will include live music and a tribute to fallen heroes. Walk-ins are welcome.

09/08/2026

✈️ Hearing more military aircraft over Ventura County?
Residents across Ventura County may notice increased aircraft activity and occasional noise this week as Naval Base Ventura County hosts large-force test events at Point Mugu.
The exercises are expected to begin Sept. 9 and last about two weeks and will involve military aircraft, surface vessels and unmanned systems. Most activity will occur during regular airfield hours, with some testing requiring extended hours.
Noise may be most noticeable in Camarillo, Oxnard and Port Hueneme, particularly between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
For noise concerns, email [email protected] with the subject line “Noise Complaints.”

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE
September 3, 2026

Aircraft activity to increase at Naval Base Ventura County

POINT MUGU, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2026) - Residents of Ventura County will notice increased aircraft activity and noise beginning Sept. 9 as Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) hosts large force test events.

Multi-service aircraft, surface vessels and unmanned systems will be participating, staging and launching from Point Mugu. Aircraft participating in the event will operate largely during regular airfield hours, but extended airfield hours will be required to support some test events. Operations are expected to last approximately two weeks.

Residents in Camarillo, Oxnard and Port Hueneme may experience increased noise levels during peak times (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

About Naval Base Ventura County
NBVC is a major shore warfighting platform that provides sustained, ready forces to deploy, fight, and win. It consists of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is home to the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, three warfare centers and more than 100 tenant commands.

Media Contact:
Nichole M. Went, Public Affairs Officer,
Naval Base Ventura County
805-989-9234, [email protected]
For noise concerns: [email protected], subject line "Noise Complaints”

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Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
Commander, Navy Installations Command
U.S. Naval Air Forces
Hawkeye-Greyhound Wing
AIRTEVRON NINE (VX-9)
VX - 30
VX-31 Dust Devils
Ventura County Airports
Ventura County Star
County of Ventura - Government
City of Oxnard Government
City of Camarillo Government
City of Port Hueneme - Government