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Simi ValleyMayor puts the shine on Simi Valley’s future
Big things are brewing in Simi Valley, and Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh laid it all out at the annual State of the City. From a new office to handle the boom in filming around town, to the possibility of 1,000 fresh Pennymac jobs, to whispers of a professional hockey team calling our city home—there's a lot to keep an eye on. The mayor also highlighted a declining crime rate and nearly $28 million in new infrastructure projects, which means safer streets and smoother roads for all of us. As the Simi Valley Acorn reported, these developments could reshape our community in exciting ways. It's the kind of news that makes you proud to live here. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the 805, these changes touch us all—so stay tuned, neighbors. Simi Valley's future is looking bright.
Simi ValleyPark board plays out new budget for Simi/Oak Park
Big news for our corner of the 805: the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District just approved a $70 million budget, and about $20 million of that is going straight into capital improvements. We're talking nearly $7.5 million for Activity Center Phase III and roughly $2.3 million for a new BMX track—projects that'll give Simi Valley and Oak Park families more places to play, gather, and stay active. If you've spent any weekend circling a packed parking lot or waiting on a field, you know how much our parks carry this community. This kind of investment isn't just concrete and dirt—it's birthday parties, after-school practices, and neighbors actually running into neighbors. Shoutout to the Simi Valley Acorn for keeping us posted on the details. Keep an eye on construction timelines, because these upgrades will shape our weekends for years to come.
Simi ValleyLeaders discuss county’s demographic dilemma
Friends, have you noticed it too? Ventura County is changing. We're getting older, fewer babies are being born, and young families—the ones who'd love to put down roots in Simi Valley—are finding it harder and harder to afford life here. That was the big topic at the Ventura County Civic Alliance's Future of the Region Conference in Camarillo on Sept. 14, as the Simi Valley Acorn reported. Leaders gathered to wrestle with what these demographic shifts mean for our workforce, housing, schools and public services down the road. This isn't just an abstract statistic. It's about whether our kids can afford to stay, whether local businesses can find workers, and whether our neighborhoods keep their vibrancy. Worth paying attention to—these decisions will shape Simi Valley for decades.
Simi ValleyCouncil rejects new fireworks penalties
Simi Valley neighbors, the City Council just decided not to adopt a new ordinance that could have held property owners responsible for illegal fireworks. The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury had recommended it, but city officials say the extra civil penalties aren't needed — and they point to a sharp drop in fireworks complaints since 2023. So what does this mean for your block? If you've been dealing with late-night booms, the city is essentially saying current enforcement is working. But some residents might wonder if that's true in every neighborhood. The council's vote signals they'd rather focus on the progress already made than add new rules. It's a local call that balances community concerns with a lighter regulatory touch. As always, the Simi Valley Acorn has the full story. We'll keep you posted if anything changes — and in the meantime, here's hoping for quieter nights ahead.
Simi ValleySimi youth athletes make history on the diamond
Simi Valley's youth softball and baseball stars gave us all something to cheer about this year, and the City Council made sure they got their flowers in August. The 10U Girls Softball All-Stars wrapped an unforgettable 2025-26 run with a jaw-dropping 119-9-1 record and a second-place district finish — numbers that speak to countless early mornings, late practices, and parents logging serious miles around the 805. What makes this special isn't just the win column. It's watching Simi kids represent our community on some of the biggest stages in youth ball, learning grit and teamwork along the way. Neighbors helping neighbors, dugout snacks and all. Hats off to the players, coaches, and families. The Simi Valley Acorn has the full story — give it a read and show these young athletes some local love.
Simi ValleySimi Valley woman faces murder charge over multifatality Chatsworth collision
Simi Valley neighbors, this one hits close to home. A Simi Valley woman, 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios, now faces murder and DUI charges after authorities say the SUV she was driving at high speed slammed into a Metro bus in Chatsworth on Sept. 15 — a crash that killed two people and injured at least five others, including Rios herself. It's a sobering reminder that the decisions we make behind the wheel don't stay contained to our own zip code. Our community is connected to the rest of the region by the 118 and the roads we share every day, and lives on both ends of that commute can change in an instant. We'll be following this case as it moves through the courts. Thanks to the Simi Valley Acorn for keeping locals informed on a story that reaches right into our neighborhoods.
Simi ValleyL.A. Avenue to receive $2-million overhaul
Good news for anyone who regularly braves Los Angeles Avenue between First Street and Erringer Road — that bumpy, heavily trafficked stretch is finally getting the overhaul it's needed for years. The City Council awarded a nearly $2 million contract to Toro Enterprises Inc. of Oxnard on Aug. 24, with construction expected to kick off soon as part of Simi Valley's 2026-27 Major Streets Rehabilitation program. If you drive, bike, or walk this corridor, you know the drill: dodging potholes, rattling your suspension, and white-knuckling it through rush hour. This stretch connects neighborhoods, shopping centers, and schools, so smoother pavement isn't just a comfort upgrade — it's a safety and quality-of-life win for thousands of us every day. As the Simi Valley Acorn first reported, this is one of those unglamorous but genuinely important investments in our city. Expect some construction delays ahead, but the payoff should be worth it. Keep an eye out for work crews and plan a little extra time on your commute.
Simi ValleySimi Valley Police release footage of second officer-involved shooting
Neighbors, this one's heavy. Simi Valley police have released body-camera footage from the July 21 shooting on Dusan Street that took the life of a 37-year-old man. It started, according to the department, with a domestic violence call around 8:15 that morning — a reminder that these calls are among the most volatile officers respond to. I know transparency around officer-involved shootings is something our community has been asking for, and releasing footage is one step in a long, painful process. Whatever your feelings about what happened, a family in our city is grieving, and officers involved are living with it too. The Simi Valley Acorn has the full details, and I'd encourage you to read their coverage rather than rely on snippets. If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, local resources are available — you don't have to handle it alone.
Simi ValleyA morning that changed everything: Local residents remember 9/11 25 years later
Twenty-five years ago this morning, our corner of the 805 woke up to the same blue sky as everyone else — and then watched it change. Neighbors here remember gathering around TVs in Simi Valley living rooms, quiet classrooms, and offices, trying to make sense of what was unfolding in New York, at the Pentagon, and in that Pennsylvania field. Some locals even witnessed it from the skies themselves. The Simi Valley Acorn's piece reminds us that 9/11 wasn't just a national story — it was a morning etched into our own community's memory. As we mark this solemn anniversary, take a moment to check in with the people who lived through it beside you. Whether you lost someone, knew a first responder, or simply remember where you stood that day, your story matters here. If you have a memory to share, we'd love to hear it.
Simi ValleySimi Valley man killed in hit-and-run
A Simi Valley family is grieving after a loved one was killed in a hit-and-run outside a 7-Eleven parking lot last month, and the man accused in the crash is now facing felony charges. Alvaro Abel Has Gomez, 40, appeared in Ventura County Superior Court on Sept. 2 and pleaded not guilty to felony hit-and-run resulting in death, according to the Simi Valley Acorn. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change on our own streets—and how important it is for drivers to stop and take responsibility. For neighbors in Simi Valley, this isn’t just a court date—it’s a loss that ripples through our community. The victim was someone’s family member, someone’s friend, someone who was just going about their day. As this case moves forward, we’ll be following it closely and hoping for justice. If you have any information about the incident, please reach out to the Simi Valley Police Department. Let’s look out for one another out there, especially near busy shopping centers like that 7-Eleven.
Simi ValleyWoman gets 15 to life in first county fentanyl murder case
This week, Ventura County saw a legal first that hits close to home. Charity Faith Wiley, 40, of Reseda, was sentenced to 15 years to life for selling the fentanyl-laced pills that killed a county resident. It’s the first fentanyl murder conviction in our county, and it sends a clear message: dealing this poison here won’t be treated as just another drug offense. For Simi Valley families, this case is a stark reminder of how fentanyl has crept into our communities—often disguised as prescription pills. Our local news partners at the Simi Valley Acorn reported Wiley also pleaded guilty to five other felonies tied to a trafficking operation. As we head into fall, let this be a moment to talk to our kids, check in on loved ones, and remember that every pill purchased on the street could be a death sentence. This conviction won’t bring back the victim, but it’s a step toward accountability.
Simi Valley‘Putrid odor” descends on Simi neighborhood
If you've lived in Simi Valley long enough, you know our hills and open spaces are usually a blessing—until they're not. This week, folks in the Big Sky neighborhood got a rude awakening when a rotten smell, strong enough to make some think wildlife had perished nearby, settled over the area. The culprit? A shipment of decomposing food waste trucked in from a fire-damaged Los Angeles warehouse, dumped at a local facility, and left to stew in the heat. It's a strange and unsettling reminder that even our quiet corner of the 805 isn't immune to the ripple effects of disasters elsewhere. For those affected, the stench is more than an inconvenience—it's a quality-of-life issue that raises questions about how waste from outside our community is handled here. As the Simi Valley Acorn first reported, residents are understandably frustrated, and they deserve answers. Let's hope the responsible parties address this quickly, before the next hot day makes things even harder to stomach.
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