Perry Van Houten

Pocatello

Senior Reporter at Ojai Valley News

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Articles

San Antonio Creek Bridge work on SR-33 on hold due to permitting issues

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

The overhaul of a bridge on SR-33 between Casitas Springs and Oak View is on hold due to permitting issues, according to a spokesman for the California Department of Transportation. In summer 2021, Caltrans began bridge and shoulder work to rehabilitate and widen the bridge over San Antonio Creek, with a targeted completion date of spring 2024. K-rails were placed along the highway shoulders in anticipation of repairs, resurfacing, widening of the shoulders and upgrading bridge railings.
Tico Mutual Water Co. to consolidate with Ventura River Water District

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

A small Ojai Valley water company that’s been unable to meet current drinking water standards or provide adequate fire-flow capacity is getting out of the water business. Tico Mutual Water Company, which provides potable water to about 40 connections in the Mira Monte area, will consolidate with the much larger Ventura River Water District. VRWD currently serves approximately 2,100 customers.
Mediator aims for ‘win-win’ in water lawsuit

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

The Ventura River Watershed Adjudication lawsuit could become a model for finding mutually beneficial solutions in groundwater litigations, according to the mediator in the case. Mediator David Ceppos updated the current status of mediation in the 10-year-old case during a June 5 online meeting of the Ventura River Watershed Council.
Los Padres fire restrictions implemented

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

Los Padres National Forest officials have implemented fire restrictions throughout the Forest, effective Wednesday, June 18. The fire restrictions are in response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, officials said in a news release. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines, the release stated, and will stay in effect until Jan. 31.
Fire destroys camper trailer in Oak View

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

Firefighters made quick work of a camper fire in the backyard of an Oak View home on June 18. The fire, dubbed the “Burnham Incident,” was reported at 11:56 a.m. as a structure fire in the 200 block of Burnham Road. “We saw the smoke coming up from Ventura Avenue, on way down Santa Ana Boulevard,” said Ventura County Fire Capt. Tony McHale from Fire Station 23 in Oak View. “We called a full structure response,” McHale told the Ojai Valley News at the scene.
Independence Day holiday delays trash pickup for Friday Ojai customers

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

Employees of E.J. Harrison & Sons will be taking the day off on Friday, July 4, to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. Due to the observance of the Fourth of July, all Friday customers will have their trash, recycling and yard/organic waste collected one day later than usual, on Saturday, July 5. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday customers will not be impacted. The regular collection schedule will be in place the week of July 7.
104 bird species eyed in Ojai Valley spring bird count

1 week ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

A spring bird count in the Ojai Valley recorded the lowest species total since its inception but wasn’t short on the wonders of migration, organizers said. The eighth Ojai Big Day counted birds at 13 different locations April 24, observing 104 species across the Ojai Valley. “That was our lowest total for the Big Day since we started,” said bird count organizer Peter Larramendy, who was joined by Ojai birders Tom Maloney and Rick Ridgeway.
Prescribed burn at Casitas Springs doubles as research project

2 weeks ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

A prescribed burn near Casitas Springs on June 6 met nearly all of its objectives, according to local land managers. Objectives of the 25-acre burn at Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Steelhead Preserve were to reduce invasive species and hazardous wildland fuels, foster collaboration between partnering agencies, provide opportunities to conduct research and, first and foremost, keep personnel and the public safe at all times.
21 dogs and cats find ‘fur-ever’ homes on free adoption day

2 weeks ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

(Scroll through photos above. See scroll arrow at top right of photo.)The Ojai-based Humane Society of Ventura County hosted California Adopt-a-Pet Day on June 7. The annual statewide event is a partnership between CalAnimals, the ASPCA and the San Francisco SPCA. Dog and cat adoptions were free, with most covered by grants from the ASPCA. All dogs and cats were spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. The day included free ice cream and face-painting.
Casitas Municipal Water District adopts $36.1M 2025-26 budget

2 weeks ago | ojaivalleynews.com | Perry Van Houten

Casitas Municipal Water District last week adopted a balanced budget for fiscal year 2025-26. At its regular May 28 meeting, the CMWD board voted 5-0 to adopt the $36.1 million spending plan, following a public hearing on the draft budget. The budget includes a shortfall of $1.06 million that will be covered with capital reserve funds, according to Casitas General Manager Michael Flood. Total projected revenues are $35.0 million, Flood said.