Good morning, Oxnard.

Local groups in Ventura County are hosting free events this week, starting with the Ready—Set—Grow small business workshop today at Ventura City Hall along with storytimes, language sessions, and a community altar opening in Oxnard.

Later events include live music, wellness classes, and cultural celebrations such as Taste of Santa Paula and Oktoberfest for all ages.

The Oxnard Police Department released its first Spanish podcast episode on September 27, featuring a Q&A session with community members and officers to discuss immigration enforcement, DUI checkpoints, and community policing.

The series, launched in July, will address future topics such as cold cases and the SWAT team’s history — enhancing transparency in police work.

At a forum held Sept.

30, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said he would continue to share information with ICE as allowed by law + he insisted that targeting repeat offenders keeps the community safe despite 70 local residents protesting. Critics argued that his cooperation with ICE erodes trust in local law enforcement.

Ventura’s Denice Lombard, 71, received her father’s left kidney in a transplant when she was 13 in 1967 and has lived 58 years thanks to his gift; tests now show the 97‑year‑old kidney is weakening—raising the chance she may need a new transplant soon while she remains active in community causes.