Simi Valley Acorn

05/17/2019

CalPERS liability under review | Simi Valley Acorn

The city now owes CalPERS a total of $147 million for all currently employed workers, including public safety personnel, according to a staff report.

With pension liability payments continuing to rise, officials looked at three options this week to decrease the amount of money the city will have to pay into the state retirement fund in coming years. At the City Council meeting on Monday, Julio Morales of Tustin, Calif.-based financial planning fi...

05/17/2019

Draw Dad for Father's Day 2019 | The Acorn Newspapers Portal

Father's Day is just around the corner: Kids: Download your template here and complete your drawing!

Let's Draw Dad! To celebrate Father's Day, the Acorn Newspapers invite kids to draw pictures of their dads. These funny, but heartfelt drawings depicting Dad through the eyes of a child will be published in the Acorn newspapers and online the Thursday and Friday before Father's Day, which is June 16...

05/17/2019

Fire ready | Simi Valley Acorn

“We know you’re aware of wildfires, so now we want to make sure everybody turns to being prepared for wildfires."

Pamplona, Spain, has the running of the bulls. Ventura County has the running of the goats. A herd of goats was released on the grounds of the Reagan Library last week to demonstrate brush clearance methods as part of Wildfire Preparedness Week. Agencies from across the region, including Cal Fire, C...

05/16/2019

Good Times | Simi Valley Acorn

The 30th annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Fest returns Memorial Day weekend at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave. Are you planning on going to the music fest?

The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival is home away from home for Dwayne Dopsie, a Grammy-nominated singer and accordion player whose group, Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers, will be lighting up the Cajun stage at the 2019 event. "Simi has really got it down," the Louisiana native said. Once a smal...

05/15/2019

POLICE BLOTTER | Simi Valley Acorn

Check out the crime from April 21 to April 28.

April 21 In the 3200 block of Royal Avenue, a 59-year-old woman was arrested for driving under the influence. A man, 42, was arrested for violating parole at E. Los Angeles Avenue and N. Stow Street. On the 118 Freeway at Madera Road, a 27-year-old man was arrested for driving under the influence. A...

05/15/2019

Love is the reason for Day of Prayer | Simi Valley Acorn

"The message was really focused on unconditional love and unity regardless of race, religion or background, and . . . it brought so many different kinds of people together just to send out love."

When she was woken by a phone call near midnight six months ago, Claudia Bill-de la Peña says, she turned on the television and stood in disbelief as she watched chaotic footage of young people fleeing Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. During her invocation at a May 2 National Day of Praye...

05/14/2019

Congresswoman talks rising cost of insulin, impact on community | Simi Valley Acorn

"There’s no excuse for the price of lifesaving drugs bankrupting families."

The rising cost of diabetes medication has forced many Americans with the disease to make life-or-death decisions. For Santa Clarita resident Hilary Schardein, it was the difference between having the wedding of her dreams or making sure her husband-to-be had the drugs he needed to manage his diabet...

05/14/2019

Safety first | Simi Valley Acorn

Crosswalks near schools are set to receive some upgrades. The council approved $72K worth of improvements, including new ladder-striping, lighted Stop signs and reflective cones.

Twelve crosswalks located near school campuses around town will soon have a new look. The City Council on Monday unanimously voted to approve $72,000 worth of safety upgrades to the crosswalks, including the addition of painted ladder stripes on the road, new reflective cones and LED-lit stop sign p...

05/13/2019

Legal leverage | Simi Valley Acorn

Proposed bill aims to create additional monitoring of potentially contaminated runoff from SSFL.

Environmental conditions at the Santa Susana Field Lab may be subject to additional oversight by next year if a proposed bill becomes law. Proposed by Sen. Henry Stern (D-Agoura Hills) and co-sponsored by Assemblymember Christy Smith (D-Santa Clarita), Senate Bill 633 seeks to have the California Of...

05/12/2019

Single mom finds creative ways to make ends meet | Simi Valley Acorn

"We get to spend some extra time together in the car and make adventures out of finding the clients’ houses.”

Mothers are selfless, love unconditionally and sacrifice their own wants and needs to care for their children. For Jenny Horn, a 34-year-old Moorpark resident, taking care of her daughters, Lily, 8, and Jasmine, 4, has sometimes meant working seven days a week at three different jobs. Horn started L...

05/12/2019

'Superhero' mom and friend, pillar of strength | Simi Valley Acorn

"Having five different little humans tell you they love you is something I wouldn’t trade for anything."

Lauren Hammersley's style is unlike anyone else's: The 32-year-old mother of five can often be seen sporting vintage sweaters, 1930s-era dresses and signature fire engine-red lipstick. "I love to dress in vintage; that's the way I express myself," said the Simi Valley resident and Moorpark High Scho...

05/11/2019

Ventura County Fire Department

Goats get the job done.

05/11/2019

Team America, for the win | Simi Valley Acorn

Making his first world championship appearance, Bill Weiss joins 21 Americans in a competition against nearly 200 athletes from 20 countries.

Bill Weiss has never been out of the country. On May 11, the 58-year-old Newbury Park resident will represent the United States at the Armlifting Professional League World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia. But first, he had to ask his mother, Marilyn Guild, for permission to be away during Mo...

05/10/2019

Assembly bill steps up war against rat poison | Simi Valley Acorn

“To die from something we could have prevented is tragic to me.”
A 3-year-old male puma known as P-47 was found dead March 21 in the Santa Monica Mountains. An examination indicated the cougar died due to rodenticide poisoning. How do you control the rat population around your home?

A new bill that expands the prohibition of pesticide poisons in California passed the Assembly on Monday, days after the National Park Service announced a local mountain lion died in March due to ingestion of rat poison. Assembly Bill 1788, introduced by Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica)...

05/06/2019

Trauma nurses lead Stop the Bleed classes | Simi Valley Acorn

May is National Stop the Bleed month. Free training will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m. Wed., May 8 at the Simi Valley Public Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Rd. RSVP required

Millions have learned to perform the Heimlich maneuver and CPR since training in the lifesaving measures became widely available in the 1970s. Now two trauma nurses at Los Robles Regional Medical Center want to make mastering the tourniquet just as popular. Cynthia Marin, Los Robles' trauma program....

05/04/2019

Paying it forward | Simi Valley Acorn

“The feeling you get when someone does something like this is an unexplainable gratitude and appreciation.”

You never know what someone is going through. Be kind. That simple, poignant reminder seems to be at the heart of a nationwide pay-it-forward movement. Stories of someone paying for another person's drink in line at Starbucks or for a meal at a drive-through restaurant and even covering a grocery bi...

05/03/2019

Hiring practices under scrutiny | Simi Valley Acorn

“My whole thing is the lack of communication and at budget time.”
The council unanimously decided to make two changes to the city's hiring procedures: Two council members will participate in final interviews for top-level executive positions, and recruitment for all top-level positions must be approved by the council before recruitment efforts begin.

The City Council is asking the city to change its practice for hiring top-level executives in the wake of the selection of a new environmental services director. Interim City Manager Brian Gabler chose Kathleen Mallory last month to lead the department, which oversees planning, housing, building and...

05/01/2019

The newest issue of our lifestyle magazine, Beyond the Acorn, is out today! Find a pickup location near you: http://bit.ly/BeyondPickupLocations

04/29/2019

Gun shows under fire | Simi Valley Acorn

“The uninformed anti-gun activists perpetuate the idea that gun shows are some sort of free for all where anyone can buy anything. Nothing could be further from the truth...”
In December, at the urging of Supervisor Steve Bennett, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to ask the fairgrounds board to stop allowing gun shows. Supervisors Peter Foy—since retired—and Kelly Long dissented.

The Ventura County Fairgrounds has been home to occasional gun shows for decades, but in the last year the practice has come under fire—so much so the fairgrounds board is considering banning the shows. Some heavy hitters have weighed in. In December, at the urging of Supervisor Steve Bennett, the...

04/26/2019

Mother's Day Love Notes 2019 | The Acorn Newspapers Portal

Mother’s Day is Sun., May 12, and the Simi Acorn wants your mom to receive the recognition she so deserves. Dear Mom submissions must be received no later than noon, Fri., May 3 and will appear in the Simi Valley Acorn and online in our May 10 issue. No cost, click on link for details.

04/26/2019

The pay it forward movement is sweeping through Simi and we'd like to write about it. If you've been the recipient of someone paying it forward, whether in line at a drive-thru or at a restaurant, I'd love to hear your story. If you're interested in being quoted for the story, please feel free to share your story in a comment below, in a PM or email me at [email protected]. -Melissa

04/25/2019

Yes, there is good in this world. The Pay it Forward movement is alive and well in Simi Valley. SVPD decided to take part in the fun.

McDonald’s takeover is complete. This afternoon, SVPD Officers wanted to Pay it Forward to our citizens.

Officers used their own money, which was matched by McDonald’s, and worked the windows. Worth every penny spent!

It is important, even with community support, to reciprocate and nurture the love we receive in return. We are thankful to work here! Big thanks to McDonald’s for helping us in this venture. The Honor Network #grateful #payitforward #believethereisgood #bekind #randomactsofkindness #community #svpd #simivalleypd #simivalley

04/24/2019

Does this beach weather have you dreaming of summertime? The Summer/Outdoors issue of our lifestyle magazine, Beyond the Acorn, hits newsstands next week! Subscribe to get it delivered to your home: bit.ly/2I88cZB

04/23/2019

Photos from Simi Valley Acorn's post

The positive energy was palpable inside the 3,000–square-foot For The Troops headquarters on Cochran Street yesterday as Chad Lunbeck, a C-130 pilot with the California Air National Guard, stopped by to thank volunteers for what they do—sending care packages to service men and women deployed overseas. Lunbeck is set to leave for his sixth tour of duty in the Middle East. During his visit at For The Troops, he packed one box for a fellow service person. Sylvie B.

04/20/2019

Long live the King | Simi Valley Acorn

“If everyone does the best job they can, the community wins. Whatever you choose to do, do it to the best of your ability. You’re serving your community in that way.” Legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Kings shares a message of empathy, kindness and community service with students at Royal High School.

Bob Miller hasn't finished unpacking boxes in his new Simi Valley home. The legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Kings still made time to speak to students at Royal High earlier this week. Miller, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000, was the 153rd speaker of Royal's Brown Bag....

04/19/2019

Hope Walk

LACE 'EM UP!
Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara will hold its inaugural HOPE WALK at 9 a.m. Sat., June 15. in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.
Cancer Support Community programs support cancer patients, caregivers, loved ones and children at no cost to participants so that no one faces cancer alone.
To sign up and participate visit https://cscvvsbhopewalk.rallybound.org

Help support Cancer Support Community Valley Ventura Santa Barb today!

04/19/2019

A passion for riding | Simi Valley Acorn

When Allyn and Denise Rice heard about 'Operation: Ride for the Red' two years ago, they decided to volunteer for the cycling event put on in Camarillo by the Ventura County branch of the American Red Cross.

In 2012, a group of 40 cyclists set out on a nine-week, 4,200-mile journey from one side of the United States to the other. But for Allyn and Denise Rice, the trip was about more than cycling; it was the fulfillment of a nearly decade-old "dare" between the couple. "We should do something that reall...

04/14/2019

The real bros of Simi Valley | Simi Valley Acorn

The real bros of Simi Valley: The boys' volleyball showdown between the DeCamp siblings was inevitable.
On April 4, Matthew and Joel DeCamp went head-to-head during the @[email protected] clash.

The showdown between the DeCamp brothers was inevitable. On April 4, Matthew and Joel DeCamp played against each other during the Simi Valley- Royal boys' volleyball clash. Matthew DeCamp, a Simi Valley High senior, managed to keep it semi-cordial during a postgame interview after younger brother Jo...

04/13/2019

New 5G ordinance in place | Simi Valley Acorn

“I feel like artificial intelligence doesn’t have what human intelligence has, and that’s common sense. For me, common sense is not to put these towers in our residential areas.” Despite opposition from about two dozen speakers, the council reaffirmed its approval of an ordinance which specifies how applications for 5G equipment must be handled and spells out aesthetic guidelines for cell towers and related equipment in Simi.

Two weeks after the City Council approved an urgency ordinance addressing the deployment of fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless communication equipment in town, nearly two dozen residents reiterated their concerns over the new technology. During the council meeting Monday, speakers urged officials to....

04/12/2019

Council takes neutral stance on gun shows at fairgrounds | Simi Valley Acorn

“There are no absolute rights because everybody’s rights are limited by everybody else’s.” After listening to about two dozen public speakers Monday, the council engaged in a heated conversation over whether Simi should support a ban on gun shows at the county fairgrounds, oppose them, or stay neutral.

Two City Council members were determined to stick to their guns this week regarding annual gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. After listening to about two dozen public speakers Monday, the council engaged in a heated conversation over whether Simi Valley should support a ban on the gun sho...

04/12/2019

No safe place | Simi Valley Acorn

“She was scared to meet with him; that’s why they went to the police station." The family of Brenda Renteria, 28, a mother of three who was killed during a custody exchange in Hawthorne on April 7, said the tragedy could have been prevented if the courts had listened to their loved-one's pleas to suspend the custodial visits of the father of her youngest child.

A custody exchange turned deadly for a Simi Valley mother of three last Sunday when she was shot and killed in front of the Hawthorne police station. The family of the victim said the tragedy could have been prevented if the courts had listened to the mother's pleas to suspend the custodial visits o...

04/10/2019

Firefighters are on scene of a high-pressure gas line rupture on Los Angeles Avenue that occurred around 10 a.m. today. The rupture caused 12 businesses to be evacuated, which included 50 to 75 employees. Eastbound lanes on LA between Patricia and Hubbard are closed while fire officials wait for the gas company to fix the line. Drivers should find an alternate route. The cause of the rupture has not yet been determined. No injuries were reported.

04/08/2019

Tragic news: A 28-year-old woman from Simi Valley was killed by her child's father during a custody exchange in front of the Hawthorne Police station, authorities said. The incident occurred at about 6 p.m. Sun., April 7. The victim identified as, Brenda Renteria, died at the scene. The child’s father, who authorities have identified as Jacob Munn, 30, of Hawthorne, fled but was arrested later that night following a manhunt. The couple’s 19-month-old child was inside the station when the gunfire occurred. According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, the victim was approaching the front door of the station to enter and take custody of her child when, “the father appeared from the parking lot, produced a shotgun and shot the victim.” An officer exited the station and fired a shot at Munn who was able to get away in a vehicle. Authorities located and arrested Munn at about three hours without further incident.