Brian Dennert News Today

RAD GRADS—Makayla Rooks jumps for joy in the company of Keira Vecchi as they await the start of Royal High School’s commencement ceremony June 1. Rooks plans to study criminal justice at Moorpark College while Vecchi will study to be a writer at California Lutheran University. Photos by KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/Acorn Newspapers For its collective

As Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board members work to hammer out a budget for fiscal year 2023-24, they’re faced with tough decisions. Should park district money be used to build a new BMX track? Or should upgrades at Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center take priority? What about requests for more pickleball courts and

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District was awarded grant funds for two new Bobcat skid-steer loaders, which were were unveiled prior to the Jan. 18 board of directors meeting. Aptly named Digger and Scoop, the new equipment was funded by grants from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 2022 in support of the district’s

A SAFER WAY TO TRAVEL ACROSS TOWN—This entrance to the Arroyo Simi Greenway on Erringer Road next to Rancho Simi Community Park leads residents to a segment that has already been improved. In addition to serving a growing number of walkers, joggers and cyclists, the arroyo greenbelt attracts birds and other wildlife. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF—Above, volunteer Ivana Mayer receives the Golden Trash Grabber from Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Director Brian Dennert during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16. Mayer will use the tool to pick up trash for a month and then hand it over to

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board has authorized its rangers to use Tasers to subdue potentially violent individuals.

Tasers have been added to the list of tools that Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District rangers can use on the job. The district’s board of directors unanimously voted last week to allow park rangers to use Tasers, in addition to pepper spray and firearms, to protect themselves and others during situations in which verbal

Early returns show Fred Thomas leading in the Simi Valley mayoral race while Janice Parvin is ahead in the contest for Ventura County Supervisor District 4. Ventura County Supervisor District 4 As ballots continue to be counted, unofficial results as of 10:09 p.m., Tuesday from the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder’s office showed Parvin had

FINISH LINES—From left, park board candidates Ed Abele, Daniel Cooper, Brian Dennert and Mark Johnson. Courtesy photos Two incumbents running to keep their seats on the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board of directors hope voters believe as they do that the current members work well together, progress is being made and the forward

A second round of final semi-official election results released Thursday solidified the lead all prevailing local candidates had on election night. Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin is set to replace Bob Huber on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to represent District 4. Huber, a former Simi mayor who served one term on the board,