County fire season comes to a close
      After responding to 28 wildfires in 2006, the Ventura County Fire Department officially closed the fire season Jan. 15. The forecast weather patterns have reduced the potential for major wildland fires in the area. Fire season opened on June 7 last year and normally runs until November.
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Gallegly bill targets dog, cock fights
      U.S.Rep. Elton Gallegly (RThousand Oaks) introduced on the first day of the 110th Congress a bill making violations of federal animal fighting law a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, making it a felony to transport an animal across state or international borders for the...
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What's been your secret to staying warm during this week's cold weather?
     FERNANDO CALDERON, 26 Firefighter "Pretty simple- a space heater. I put it 8 inches from my bed and leave it on all night."
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VC cities reach compromise on housing needs assessment
'We're all equally unhappy' mayor says
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com
      Dubbed The Great Compromiser, 19th century American politician Henry Clay defined a compromise as a situation where "both parties were left unsatisfied." This is exactly how City Manager Mike Sedell and Mayor Paul Miller view the recent agreement reached by all Ventura County cities co...
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Planning commission tells woman her three pet goats must go
By Avi Rutschman avi@theacorn.com
      The Simi Valley Planning Commission played the role of the troll earlier this week when it denied Ethyl Wortman a conditional use permit that would have allowed her to keep three dwarf goats as pets. "We're upset, but I expected this from day one.
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