r/venturacounty

I walk across the crosswalk on Chrisman Ave and E Thompson across from cafe nouveau often and I have almost been hit probably 4 times in the last 2 months. I’m finding it’s just getting worse and worse. Despite their being flashing beacons, cars just don’t stop. I should also note that,after pushing the button to start the flashing beacons, I always wait on the sidewalk until cars come to a stop, but sometimes there will be a car further down the road that doesn’t come to a stop by the time I’m already walking. I also notice that sometimes when I’m waiting on the sidewalk after pushing the button, cars just don’t see me waiting and keep zooming by for minutes on end. There has been multiple times where cars zoom by maybe 2 feet in front of me while I’m already in the middle of the crosswalk. Last week I had a woman stop her car and roll down her window to apologize on behalf of a driver that nearly hit me. I’ve had cars stop and honk at other cars who didn’t stop and almost hit me. Has anyone else noticed this??

UPDATE: this morning I pushed the flashing button and waited until cars came to a full stop before crossing. One car noticed cars were stopping and instead of going through, he stopped sort of abruptly and the car behind him had to break suddenly and honked at him. The man who stopped smiled and put his hand up to apologize for almost zooming through, I smiled, and then went ahead and started crossing. I was annoyed at the car that honked at him to let a person cross, but understood that he was probably annoyed the person in front of him braked suddenly. I assume the driver who honked thought that I crossed without looking, making the man in front of him break quickly, and he rolled down his window and had the audacity to wave his finger and shake his head at me for crossing the sidewalk?? The entitlement is insane I was so pissed off and yelled at him “for what???”. I will not be crossing this sidewalk anymore and will choose to cross the one with the light further down the street.

What happens?

Has anyone hosted or attended a bridal shower (or any other daytime event for that matter) at Westlake Village Inn? Looking for some general feedback on experience with their management team, food, bar, etc. Any feedback is appreciated!

Flock surveillance cameras are being installed by the Ventura Police Department.

Attend the City Council meeting this Tuesday, 8/18, at 5pm at City Hall to get flock cameras on the discussion agenda.

Instagram - Get The Flock Out of Ventura

My wife and I are new empty nesters (50 & 46 years old) and are ready for a change. We have a large house in Ft Collins (3500+ sq ft) and are convinced that we should downsize, and move to a house within a short drive of the coast.

We are very active and like to bike, hike and be outside quite a bit, and have only lived in states that have all 4 weather seasons, and never in a coastal climate...not really sure what to expect?

We see some nice houses in Camarillo area, for less than $800k with landscaping, 2 car garage, etc. and we plan to be working in either Ventura or Oxnard...but we don't know anything about Camarillo.

Otherwise it looks like there are some small houses, condos and manufactured homes in Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Oxnard still in our price range, but we were hoping for something with a small yard for our dog if possible.

We have always dreamed of living in California and being able to spend time at the beach, and we have come there a lot for vacation & work over the last 20 years. We really think we would enjoy a short drive to Santa Barbara for a date night, or LA for a concert or sporting event.

We hear lots of horror stories about HOA's, utilities, traffic and taxes, but we think we are ready for a change; just wanted to hear from some people who live there.

Thanks for any information / advice / opinions!

Hey guys, long story short I like to get a tattoo whenever I travel somewhere new, but I wasn't able to get one done in Portugal two weeks ago, so I'm looking for a Portuguese artist here to get it done! Could be a current Portugal citizen, an immigrant, or a second/third/fourth generation American with Portuguese heritage, I just like having a tattoo by an artist who has a cultural connection to the place I went. Any and all recommendations appreciated! :)

What’s what the best place to buy raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.? Preferably near the 101 in west county. Thank you!

"A Ventura County man who murdered his mother and threw her dismembered remains in a dumpster was found not guilty of the killing by reason of insanity.

David Hoetzlein, 29, of Camarillo, admitted to strangling and killing his mother, Tomoko Hoetzlein, 62, in their Camarillo home in 2022, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said.

On June 3, 2022, Ventura County deputies responded to the area of Townsite Promenade after a man searching a dumpster for recyclables discovered human remains.

Detectives and the Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the body parts belonged to a woman. She was later identified as Tomoko.

Further investigation revealed that David had strangled and killed Tomoko before dismembering her and tossing her remains in the dumpster outside the apartment they shared, court documents said.

Prosecutors said David had a lengthy, documented history of severe mental illness.

In the days leading up to the killing, David was released from the Vista del Mar psychiatric hospital and his mother was trying to get him readmitted. She had written to the hospital, contacted his caseworker and reported the incident to law enforcement, but David was not readmitted.

In July 2023, David’s sister, Mao Cardenas, filed a federal lawsuit against the hospital, alleging wrongful death, civil rights violations and neglect, the Ventura County Star reported.

The suit alleged that despite objections from family members and David’s primary psychiatrist, the facility released David on May 31, 2022, with an incorrect diagnosis and prescription which put his mother’s life at risk.

According to the complaint, Tomoko had requested the sheriff’s office place David on a mental health hold after he allegedly stole her car and battered her, but deputies determined he did not meet the requirements.

In May 2024, after Hoetzlein was found incompetent to stand trial due to mental health issues, a judge eventually determined that he was capable of understanding court proceedings and assisting in his own defense, the VC Star reported.

On Jan. 22, 2026, he admitted to strangling and killing his mother, but pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to one count of second-degree murder.

On Aug. 13, 2026, the DA’s Office announced that David was found not guilty by reason of insanity." - KTLA 5 News

Going on Sunday and added the Gooney Bird Lounge. Since its a new add on this year, did anyone go today and access the lounge?

What are things you wish you would have known before hand? Tips and tricks to the lounge?

I am wondering if I should still bring chairs or shade? Is there a shuttle that takes you around the the area?

"A sexual assault case involving a former Los Angeles police detective has been reopened in Ventura County, with the victim waiting more than three decades for justice.

She only wants to be identified by the initials SW and said that in 1994 she was 'brutalized by a man I didn't know.'

SW says that 77-year-old Michael Brambles, a former LAPD detective, sexually assaulted her in 1994 when she ran a gift shop in Thousand Oaks -- that's where the alleged rape and armed robbery happened.

'On April 19, 1994, Brambles is accused of entering Arabella Boutique...as SW was closing the business. Brambles allegedly pointed a handgun at SW, forced her into a backroom, tied her hands behind her back and sexually assaulted her,' said the Ventura County District Attorney's Office in a statement. 'Brambles then allegedly stole property from the business.'

Brambles was a star detective for the LAPD for 23 years and retired in 1994. Shortly after, in 1996, he was sentenced to 102 years in state prison on more than 2 dozen counts that included rape and robbery in L.A. County.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, not long after retiring from the LAPD, Brambles allegedly kidnapped and raped SW But her case was dropped after L.A. County's conviction.

However, in 2020 Brambles was released from prison.

'It was discovered that Brambles had been released from custody approximately 6 years under elder parole laws,' said Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff.

So SW's case was reopened. DNA evidence connected Brambles to her case.

'The criminal complaint alleges that Brambles kidnapped SW for the purpose of committing a robbery. While personally using a firearm during the commission of that alleged offense,' said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.

The complaint also alleges several aggravating circumstances, including that the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated 'planning, sophistication or professionalism, and that Brambles engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society.'

Brambles was initially considered a suspect in SW's case. However, after his 1996 conviction, SW agreed to drop her case. Now, she is pleased that the case is finally progressing.

'I am thankful to have this opportunity to seek justice for myself and for his other victims. I am here for the other victims of sexual assault to let them know they are not alone,' she said.

Brambles was arrested at his home in Santa Maria on Wednesday. He remains in custody in Santa Barbara County Jail with his bail set at $2 million. If convicted of all counts, he faces 12 years to life in prison.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Brambles in a previously unreported crime is urged to call D.A. Investigator Mike McManama at 805-477-1652." - ABC7 Los Angeles

I just saw a rental listing.

>Rural Country horse property, 15 miles to shopping. well >water. 2 miles to bus stop for school.
>Unpaved Access road. Must have 4x4 Winter access.

I am really interested how is the living like this?
How do you interact with neighbors?
Do you carry?
Are you afraid if you leave the house that someone would break in?
Do your kids walk from the school bus home?
Do you drink well water?

With Camino real closed does anyone know of a place open to the public with a good amount of courts?

I'm having an EXTREMELY difficult time finding anyone who can cut my hair. Any other blonde men out here got a go to that wont botch my head to the point that it looks like when I was giving myself a haircut during covid? I'm willing to drop whatever it costs to find someone. I don't care if I gotta spend money on someone who's hundreds of dollars an hour or if they're in LA or SB counties. I'm sick of paying someone to fuck my hair up. I go up to 6months or more between haircuts over it. Y'all my hair is friggin luxurious and voluminous, but I'm walking around lookin chopped up. I am not trolling. I'm in dire need of help. Please please PLEASE help....

First date and if you’d also like to share your 2nd, 3rd date spots too that would be awesome as well.

Primarily looking for ideas in the T.O., Simi and Moorpark area. But the rest of VC would be fine too!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Vctechies/s/ddb57YiVhV