2023-02-10
Post-Powers audit to be released soon
COUNTY OF VENTURAAn independent audit of the county’s human resources practices called for after CEO Mike Powers’ resignation last March is now complete and will be presented to the board in the coming months. Ventura County Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh told the Acorn this week the audit is in draft form and due to be delivered to the Board of Supervisors in March […]
Group appeals no-kill decision
LA County still has leeway over when to euthanizeAnimal rights activists filed an appeal in a case challenging a practice by the L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control of killing certain shelter instead of releasing them to animal rescue groups. Last year at this time, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that the department has a duty to release a stray dog to an animal […]
Days are numbered for COVID emergency order
County will drop 3-year-old order Feb. 28Three years after public health officials first uttered the words “COVID-19,” Ventura County authorities are preparing to lift the emergency declaration that gave government the power to shutter businesses, mandate masks and vaccines, and enforce social distancing measures. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to lift its order Feb. 28, the date the state is scheduled to do […]
Lunar New Year Rises
Conejo celebrates Year of the RabbitPAGEANTRY—Above, the Los Angeles Yue Opera Troupe performs “Yue Opera Charm” during the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association’s Lunar New Year Celebration in the Kavli Theatre on Feb. 4 in Thousand Oaks. Below, students and teachers from the Thousand Oaks Chinese School present a dance called “Chasing Dreams” at the annual celebration.
Stern targets gas companies with proposed legislation
Lawmaker acts on outrage over spikeRecent calls by Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Senate Energy Utilities and Communications chair Steve Bradford to protect ratepayers and investigate large price hikes by the natural gas industry are gaining support. State Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) of the local 27th District announced that he has proposed legislation in Sacramento that could strengthen the hand of state regulators to avert […]
Adventurous T.O. outdoorsman, 22, ‘celebrated life in everything he did’
For Zack Zernik, hiking, climbing and exploring were second nature. From the moment he joined the Cub Scouts, Zack exuded an adventurous passion. When he got older, he could scarcely stand being indoors. “I was just supportive, so I set him free to go on the adventures he would go on, and I never wanted to hold him back,” his […]
Scout’s tragic death is a cautionary tale
EDITORIALZack Zernik wasn’t afraid of anything, be it an opponent on the wrestling mat, a difficult piece of sheet music or a high-elevation climb. Such fearlessness enabled the 22-year-old Thousand Oaks native to excel in so many facets of life. Sadly, it may have also contributed to his death. An experienced outdoorsman, Zack was out for a solo hike up […]
FOR THE RECORD
There were some incorrect dates in last week’s notice about the upcoming Conejo Players Youth Theatre Intensive program. The program gets underway Feb. 18 (not Feb. 25) and there is also a March 25 date on the schedule. —KJ
Safety should be main concern
I’m concerned that eight schools will lose crossing guards if City Council approves the proposed changes on Feb. 14. The schools at risk are Aspen, Banyan, Glenwood, Ladera, Madron~a, Lang Ranch, Weathersfield and Westlake Hills. I’m concerned that Thousand Oaks city staff have glossed over this likely outcome. In last week’s Acorn article, “Crossing guard program at crossroads,” several points […]