Ventura News

File photo: Photo by Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff Ventura 07/21/2007: Ryan Hajek , 10, Ventura, reads "Driver's Ed" to Bailey , a two-and-a-half year old Newfoundland during the Paws for Reading program.

KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Susan B. Smith, of Ventura, presents her pumpkin bread that she makes from a recipe given to her in the 1970s from a woman on her former husband's U.S. Postal Service route.

Lisa McKinnon/Star staff Staves from old wine barrels cover the walls at Grapes & Hops, a wine-and-beer bar now under construction in downtown Ventura.

This story is contributed by a member of the Ventura community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Ventura County Star Rear Adm.

The Ventura Fire Department responded to a Dumpster fire along the 1200 block of North Ventura Avenue on Friday night.

This story is contributed by a member of the Ventura community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Ventura County Star Extraordinary/Ordinary, the work of local Ventura County artists Julia Chambers and Debbie Prince, presents photographs of parents who are preserving in their own ways, their creative souls.

Bella Maggiore Inn says its neighbor across the street, Cafe Fiore, is playing its music too loud, and Ventura officials aren't doing anything to address it.

The band debuted 'Do I Wanna Know?' at a show in California Wednesday night, marking the band's first live performance since the London Olympics Arctic Monkeys fans may get to hear something new from the band if they happen to be in George, Washington this weekend.

This story is contributed by a member of the Ventura community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Ventura County Star Fairy Tales in the Park, presented by Children's Dental Group with Gypsies in a Trunk, continues their season of free Fairy Tales in the Park in June with, Hansel and Gretel.

Earlier this week, Smart Growth America released an important study that illustrates how walkable development results in huge savings and significantly better returns for municipalities compared to car-centric development.

This story is contributed by a member of the Ventura community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Ventura County Star The concert was held at Besant Hill High on May 17.

ROB VARELA/THE STAR Supervising Juvenile Court Judge Manuel Covarrubias congratulates Juan as fellow graduates look on during the drug courts graduation Thursday in Ventura.

Thomas Pecel, 30, admitted the misdemeanor charge Wednesday in Ventura County Superior Court .

Juan Carlo/The Star About 40 white doves are released at the end of the annual Ventura County Peace Officers Memorial ceremony Thursday at the Government Center in Ventura.

And they're off! The Amgen Tour of California, aka "America's Greatest Race," blasted through downtown Ojai on Wednesday, May 15.

Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara/Ventura, co-sponsored a House resolution suggesting there may be a link between prostitution and climate change, and Paul Coyne, Jr., a 2014 candidate for Capps' congressional seat, has pounced on her for making such a claim.

Downtown Ventura is going through somewhat of a renaissance. Over the past year, we've seen craft beer and wine enter into the scene with stunning results - options! As far as the eye can see.

Arctic Monkeys played a brand new song called 'Do I Wanna Know?' at their first live show in almost a year, which took place at the Majestic Ventura Theater in Ventura, California last night .

OAKS CAMP: Boys and girls ages 5-14 are welcome at Oaks Christian School . Dates are June 24-28, July 15-19, July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2. This is a top camp with quality coaching.

In an effort to fix the flooded campgrounds at McGrath State Beach, county supervisors have directed managers to convene a meeting with state and local agencies.