Simi Valley Acorn

11/17/2024

Due to a high influx of animals arriving at Ventura County Animal Services, the shelter at both their Simi Valley and Camarillo locations is offering fee-waived adoptions for all available animals in their care through November 30th. Their hope is to create space for incoming critical cases.

Can’t Adopt? Help Reunite! VCAS is encouraging the community to assist in reuniting lost pets with their families. Check the animals currently in their care to see if they match any you’ve found. Additionally, report lost and found pets through PetcoLove Lost at www.vcas.us/lostandfound. Their facial recognition technology helps pets get back to their owners faster than ever!

Preview animals at www.vcas.us/pets.
View the full adoption process at www.vcas.us/adopt.

*Please note: Promotions do not guarantee the adoption of a shelter pet. All interested parties must participate in the full adoption process to ensure best matches are made. A small licensing fee may apply for Ventura County residents. Promotions do not apply to animals housed at partnered pet store locations.

11/17/2024

Two years after a destructive fire swept through Aquarium Connection, killing fish and causing severe damage to the beloved Simi Valley shop, owner Andrew Bunya’s dream of reopening has come true.
The fire left Bunya uncertain if his vibrant aquarium store at 1663 E. Los Angeles Avenue would ever welcome customers again.
On Nov. 8, local dignitaries and representatives from the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce joined Bunya and his wife, Liz, and their two daughters, as well as his parents Luz and Peter Bunya, who originally started the business more than 30 years ago, for a grand reopening ceremony.

Two years after a destructive fire swept through Aquarium Connection, killing fish and causing severe damage to the beloved Simi Valley shop, owner Andrew Bunya

11/17/2024

Flames.

It’s what Somis resident Jessica Graham dreams of now.

The dream always depicts the 26-year-old running back inside her home to grab her most precious belongings.

“You wake up and realize that you didn’t get certain things out of the home. It breaks your heart all over again,” said Graham, whose family home was lost in the Mountain Fire last week in Camarillo.

Flames. It’s what Somis resident Jessica Graham dreams of now. The dream always depicts the 26-year-old running back inside her home to grab her most pr

11/16/2024

“This fire could’ve been an absolute disaster for our community,” said VCFD Chief Dustin Gardner said of the Mountain Fire. “I’m grateful for the number of lives saved and the fact that we have zero reported fatalities. Thousands of homes were saved.”

The Mountain Fire still burned roughly 32 square miles, destroying more than 240 structures — many of them homes — and damaging 125 between Moorpark and Camarillo. Gardner said there’s also still a concern after he surveyed the damage. Camarillo Heights was hit especially hard.

“I’m fearful for the winter, with rain a powerful thing in post-fire conditions,” he said. “We stand a huge danger.”

The Mountain fire, sparked Nov. 6 in dry, windy conditions, raised concerns of another major blaze similar to fires in recent years in the area. However, thank

11/16/2024

UPDATE: Missing Juvenile Located

From the Simi Valley Police Department:

On 11/15/24, at approximately 8:00 PM, Phoenix Flowers was safely located. SVPD Detectives were able to determine the juvenile ran away from home and was intentionally hiding from her family and the police at a friend's house. She has been returned to her family.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who assisted in locating Phoenix. The outpouring of support from community members, local businesses, and partner agencies was instrumental in this positive outcome.

While this case has come to a positive conclusion, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly. Together, we can continue to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

11/16/2024

Community members of all ages gathered at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley on Monday for a heartfelt Veterans Day tribute honoring current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Community members of all ages gathered at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on Monday for a heartfelt Veterans Day tribute honoring current and for

11/15/2024

🔥 Simi Valley homeowners: Elevate your home with exceptional plumbing craftsmanship! 🔥

Say goodbye to plumbing hassles! Discover how Pacific Standard Plumbing brings unmatched expertise and exclusive savings right to you at ThePacStandard.com. Your home deserves the best — don’t miss out on this limited-time opportunity.

11/15/2024

UPDATE. Per SVPD Phoenix has been located at a friend's house.
The Simi Valley Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing juvenile last seen at approximately 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in the area of Emory Ave and Los Angeles Ave. The juvenile's name is Phoenix, she is 11 years old, 5'2" 115Lbs and has Brown hair and Blue eyes. If you locate Phoenix or have any information on her whereabouts please contact the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6950.

11/13/2024

As of Nov. 12, the overall voter turnout in Ventura County stood at 62% (326,925 out of 516,989 total voters), with an estimated 53,297 ballots yet to be counted. The next election update is scheduled for Thursday with updates continuing biweekly until the certification of results on Dec. 13.

School Board The race for three open seats on the Simi Valley Unified School District board saw a competitive field of six candidates.  In SVUSD Area

11/12/2024

The man awaiting trial in the 1981 killings of Camarillo resident Rachel Zendejas and Oxnard resident Lisa Gondek died Saturday—seven months after another inmate attacked him in jail, according to prosecutors.
Tony Garcia, a 70-year-old Oxnard man who pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, experienced four attacks in Santa Paula’s Todd Road Jail since his Feb. 7, 2023 arrest.

The man awaiting trial in the 1981 killings of Camarillo resident Rachel Zendejas and Oxnard resident Lisa Gondek died Saturday—seven months after another inm

11/11/2024

Honoring our veterans today and everyday.
Flyover by the Condor Squadron today at the Reagan Library, where events being held all day to honor those who served.

(Photo by Michele Willer-Allred)

11/11/2024

Calabasas High School Theater presents “Clue,” a hilarious murder mystery based on the iconic 1985 movie and inspired by the classic board game. Tickets available now at chstheater.com.

11/10/2024

A local couple wanted no souls to be left alone on All Soul's Day last week so they decided to adorn the graves of hundreds at a Simi Valley cemetery with flowers in remembrance.

Carlos and Beatriz Cortes visit Simi Valley’s Assumption Cemetery daily to mourn their son, leaving flowers in his memory. But last year, on All Souls’ D

11/10/2024

Police Nixle Alert sent at 10:21 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10:

The Simi Valley Police Department is advising the public to avoid Los Angeles Avenue between Angus Avenue and Ralston Street for road closure due to railroad arms malfunction.
Los Angeles Avenue in this area is closed to eastbound and westbound traffic and will require a detour of traffic for the next two hours for repairs. Please use Cocrhan St. for east / west traffic through the city.

11/09/2024

The Simi Valley Bulldogs youth football team of 10- and 11-year-olds notched a perfect 11-0 record and recently won its second straight Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, home field of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. The Bulldogs defeated the Calabasas Rams 22-0 for the title.

Who let the Dogs out? The Simi Valley Bulldogs youth football team of 10- and 11-year-olds notched a perfect 11-0 record and won its second straight Super Bowl

11/09/2024

In the face of potential widespread toxic exposures and threats to public health and the environment due to the Mountain Fire, on Nov. 8 county Public Health Officer Rigoberto Vargas declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances.

As crews from around the state work to contain the Mountain fire, Ventura County’s top public health official is warning of the dangers that ash from a major

11/09/2024

Jacqui Irwin appeared set to make a return to Sacramento representing California’s 42nd Assembly District for a sixth and final term based on election results showing her with a commanding but not yet finalized lead in the Nov. 5 election.

Jacqui Irwin appeared set to make a return to Sacramento representing California’s 42nd Assembly District for a sixth and final term based on election results

11/08/2024

The overall voter turnout in Ventura County stood at 54% (278,636 out of 516,989 total voters) as of Nov. 7, with an estimated 93,960 ballots yet to be counted.

With votes still being counted, early results in the 2024 elections provided a preview of the leading candidates in key local races. Voters in Simi Valley have