Retailers, especially momandpop shops, are bracing for a lean fourth quarter due to the layoffs at two of Ventura County's largest employers, Countrywide and Amgen. The downturn may lead to higher vacancy rates in shopping centers throughout the county, said real estate experts fro... More...

Trauma in everyday life As fires continue to burn throughout Southern California, we are reminded of how suddenly we can be impacted by something beyond our control. All it takes is an abrupt wind change, a single ember, and years of home life and treasured possessions can be swept away... More...

SAT., NOV. 3 Church Benefit Christmas Boutique Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St Paul's Episcopal and Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 117 N. 7th St., Santa Paula. Christmas crafts, gifts for all occasions. Proceeds go to roof renovation, church choir. More...

Selling a home can be a daunting task for any owner, and in a "buyer's market" the process can feel overwhelming. While many sellers think that homebuyers have the upper hand, with a little patience and a few helpful tips, a homeowner can successfully sell a house. More...

Early sign-ups are under way for the Simi Valley Family YMCA's "Raider Rookies" flag football league. The 10-week season runs from Jan. 10 through March 2, 2008. Practices and games will be at the Simi Valley Family YMCA, 3200 Cochran St. Practices will be once a week, with games o... More...

Six area teams from the Marmonte and Tri-Valley leagues entered Monday's CIF-Southern Section Girls' Golf Northern Team Divisional at River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard. Only one survived. More...

A 44-year-old man was arrested on the 1700 block of Spence Street on Oct. 23 and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. A total of $10,000 cash was reported stolen Oct. 23 from a home on the 6400 block of Menlo Street. More...

Grief is inevitable when a family member dies, but for children the overwhelming sadness, helplessness and fear they experience when a parent or sibling dies can shade their lives for years to come, according to experts. More...

Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers POSITIVE ATTITUDE- Hollow Hills Elementary School students perform a cheer and dance before charging through a banner during a short Red Ribbon Week rally on Monday morning in Simi Valley. Students broke through a paper banner (top right), tied red ribbons on th... More...

I'm somewhat amazed at the kind of pre-release negativity "Dan in Real Life" is generating in certain circles. Steve Carell is Hollywood's current poster boy of choice. Juliette Binoche is, well, Juliette Binoche. More...

In response to Mr. Kostos' letter regarding traffic enforcement in The Bluffs, I say . . . don't hold your breath for any change. Yosemite Avenue north of the 118 is the speedway of Simi. As a resident of this area, I, along with many other people, use Yosemite to take daily walks. Many cyclists ... More...

And so go the best laid plans of mice and men. After spending two years churning through the city's painstaking land-use approval process- tweaking, twisting and tightening to address the concerns of the City Council, planning commission and residents- it appears the Larwin Co. More...

ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE- Simi Valley residents Jerry and Kerry Park check out the ruins of the Parthenon overlooking Athens during a recent cruise to Greece. More...

Pulling into his driveway with his wife, Karalyn, Jim Faulkner noticed his cement mixer sitting on the front lawn. He thought to himself, "What's that doing there?" Seconds later, Jim took notice of the rest of his house . . . and quickly forgot about the mixer he called "an eyesore. More...

This custom 1-story house has stunning architecture design, with 4bedroom plus office, or make five bedrooms. There is a large, flat private backyard. More...