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TRI TRICOUNTY COUNTY

ENTRY ENTRY VOL. XXVIII NO. 17

offer hope at all-star event fighting COVID-19 n See page 12

APRIL 24, 2020

CHANNEL ISLANDS

HARBOR FARMERS’ M A R K ET I S AN OASIS AM ID SOCIA L DISTA NCING.

By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard-- As the world continues its lockdown due to COVID-19, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmer’s Market is open for business and provides a welcome respite from the daily struggle residents in Ventura County face because of the pandemic.

Limoń

pushes for resources to help residents

By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com

U

SUALLY, the farmer’s market is a whirlwind of crafts, lotions, soaps, pictures, and jewelry, but since those are non-essential items, shoppers didn’t have access to those treasures.

The market did have a full complement

(Courtesy photo)

Assembly Member Monique Limoń

Oxnard-As the state continues to battle COVID-19, Assembly Member Monique Limoń is hard at work at the statehouse making sure that the district is well represented.

The county continues its battle with the disease, n Limoń, see page 7

n Harbor Farmers’, see page 6

Nguyen and senior staff take pay cut as pandemic rips through Oxnard

By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard-- As residents reel over job and business losses caused by COVID-19, the City of Oxnard faces some difficult times ahead as it loses large amounts of tax revenue due to businesses staying shut down.

The city already faces a budget deficit during the fiscal year 2019-2020 and made significant cuts this year to keep going.

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Riper spoke about the item and said the city’s financial fortunes changed quickly because of COVID-19.

(Courtesy photo)

City Manager Alex Nguyen

He couldn’t believe that the price of oil sat in the negative range, and 60 days ago, things were fine.

He noted that all 26,000 employees who work for AMC Theaters are furloughed indefinitely.

“A dozen years ago, in the depths of the great recession, the worst week for Americans

for unemployment, was a week in 2008 when 660,000 Americans filed for unemployment,” he said.

“That was the all-time record until a month ago. In the last four weeks, initial claims for unemployment benefits have averaged 5.5 million a week.”

That means 22.5 n Nguyen, see page 8

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Frosted Thoughts

Advice for petulant children

By Chris Frost chris@tricoun­tysen­try.com Oxnard-- Okay, I’m sitting here watching a petulant child trying to throw Donald Trump under the bus in the middle of a pandemic.

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HE leader of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, I guess in trying to calm and comfort a pensive nation, scripted an appearance on TV that makes me think she should sell fizzy douches to the public, rather than representing a group of constituents.

First of all, I am on nobody’s side. If I see horse manure, I am going to call B.S. I’ve supported both Democrats and Republicans. I dated a lady who ran for office on the

Green Party ticket. I’m neutral, and that is the end of that story. If Trump did something that needs to be called out, I would do it, no questions asked.

With that said, let’s look at the general thesis of the Democratic Party, as they advertise themselves as the party of the common man, according to a CNN report.

Okay, that is a great thing, if it was true. Additionally, since I am at home way too much, I saw Pelosi on a latenight talk show saying that she’s getting through this shelter at home deal with lots of gourmet ice cream and chocolate.

Here is an excellent chance for me to call B.S., and that is an understatement.

People are unemployed and are facing stress daily about bills, health, and no money coming into the home. They are hungry, waiting in line for help, and she’s eating ice cream and chocolate.

Chris Frost

What kind of politician for the people flaunts what they have, while others look at each other afraid to face their situation? That is the equivalent of someone showing up at my funeral and telling the J-Train that no one liked me anyway.

In my travels, I had one Democrat tell me that Pelosi is more interested in getting Donald Trump than helping

the country get through this pandemic.

I realize that one of the things that will get us through this is a sense of humor, but there is a time and place. I’ll quote Richard Belzer here, who described President Ronald Regan’s philosophy during the Catch a Rising Star’s 10th Anniversary special and said, “I’m a millionaire, FU. I can eat, take an F-ing walk.”

Do you want to own this moment, Speaker Pelosi?

Admit that this joke was in poor taste, apologize, shut up, get back to Washington D. C. People were fast to throw the president under the bus when he said he had the absolute authority to open the states. The Democrats went nuts, and they cried. I hate Donald Trump, and he was wrong.

Then, Trump comes up with a plan with guidelines to let the states handle the opening with the help of the government. Trump was wrong, and he adjusted

quickly.

Guess what? Then the left accused Trump of passing the buck and washing his hands of the problem.

Look, I know the left wants Joe Biden to win, and Republicans want Trump. Can we please make the election about the candidates’ message instead of trying to make the other guy look bad? Let the votes decide instead of trying to coerce them with a chorus of double talk.

The J-Train tells me that I’m watching too much news. Okay, I went to YouTube last night and found a real superhero who can help us. Sing with me, everyone: “When you find yourself in danger, when you’re threatened by a stranger, when it looks like you will take a lickin’, (puk, puk, puk). There is someone waiting, who will hurry up and rescue you, just call for Super Chicken! (puk ack!)

Super Chicken, we need you now more than ever.

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Oxnard approves funds to help Mercy House with increased need

By Chris Frost chris@tricountysentry.com Oxnard--The Oxnard City Council approved additional funds for Mercy House for the homeless community to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak across the county.

T

HAT includes separating beds, as members of the homeless community sleep in bunk beds without social distancing, plus delivering the meal program to the recipients.

The COVID-19 pandemic, emergency orders, and public health recommendations issued in March of 2020 to the present required the City and Mercy House to modify operations to protect the health and safety of staff, residents, and of the entire community.

Specifically, the social distancing requirements have necessitated a dispersal of bunks and a re-deployment of both the sleeping and daily living facilities provided at the shelter.

The Oxnard PAL Community Center has been transferred from a gym to additional space for the city’s homeless community.

The city is working to comply with state guidelines, and that means adding additional facilities for bathrooms and showers that include a “sick shower,” which requires more space.

Housing Director Emilio Ramirez said the Navigation Center on K Street got expanded to the Oxnard PAL headquarters across the street to allow for social distancing, and the city added two sanitation stations at the shelter locations.

“That expansion doesn’t mean we expanded the number of beds, but we expanded the space allowances,” he said. “In order to do that, we needed to operate the navigation center at two different venues. That means we had to increase security, plus the need for security to cross the street, as there is going to be a need to cross the street.”

The city added costs relevant to running the two sites.

“Mercy House added five individuals making $14 an hour, and we added security for the perimeter of the neighborhood at the two venues.”

The enhanced serves added $236,707 to the Mercy House contract through June 30.

During Council comments, Mayor Tim Flynn said running a shelter with 110 beds costs the city $60 per person, per day in two facilities the city owns.

“We don’t pay for the gym or the National Guard Armory,” he said. “One can

(Photo by Chris Frost)

only imagine how much more that would be if we didn’t own the facilities. The extra appropriation adds an additional $20 to that total.

People approach Flynn and ask why the city can’t house all 700 homeless people?

“At this rate, it would be an additional $13 million a year,” he said. “That is approximately 9 percent of our general fund budget. I am happy the city manager and housing director got this situation under control quickly.”

The item passed unanimously.

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

SENIOR Savvy Senior

Social Security Offers Lump Sum Payouts to Retirees Dear Savvy Senior, In light of the stock market crashing, I’ve heard that Social Security offers a lump-sum payment to new retirees who need some extra cash. I have not yet filed for my retirement benefits and would like to investigate this option. What can you tell me?

Seeking Cash Dear Seeking, There is indeed a littleknown Social Security claiming strategy that’s been around for many years that can provide retirees a lumpsum benefit, but you need to be past your full retirement age to be eligible, and there are financial drawbacks you need to be aware of too.

First, let’s review the basics.

Remember that while workers can begin drawing their Social Security retirement benefits anytime between ages 62 and 70, full retirement age is 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, but it rises in two-month increments to 67 for those born in 1960 and later. You can find your full retirement age at SSA.gov/ pubs/ageincrease.htm.

At full retirement age, you are entitled to 100 percent of your benefits. But if you claim earlier, your benefits will be reduced by 5 to 6.66 percent every year you start before your full retirement age. While if you delay taking your benefits beyond your full retirement age, you’ll get 8 percent more each year until age 70.

Lump Sum Option If you are past full

retirement age, and have not yet filed for your benefits, the Social Security Administration offers a retroactive lump-sum payment that’s worth six months of benefits.

Here’s how it works. Let’s say for example that you were planning to delay taking your Social Security benefits past your full retirement age

of 66, but you changed your mind at 66 and six months.

You could then claim a lump-sum payment equal to those six months of benefits.

So, for instance, if your full retirement age benefit was $2,500 per month, you would be entitled to a $15,000 lump sum payment.

If you decided at age 66 and three months that you wanted to file retroactively, you’d get only three months’ worth of benefits in your lump sum, because SSA rules prohibit you from claiming benefits that pre-date your

full retirement age.

Drawbacks The downside to this strategy is that once you accept a lump-sum payment, you’ll lose the delayed retirement credits you’ve accrued, and your future monthly retirement benefit will be reduced to reflect the amount you already received.

It will also affect your future survivor benefit to your spouse or other eligible family members after you die.

You also need to consider Uncle Sam. Depending on

your income, Social Security benefits may be taxable, and a lump-sum payment could boost the amount of benefits that are taxed.

The federal government taxes up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits at ordinary income tax rates if your combined income – defined as adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest income plus half of your Social Security benefits – exceeds $25,000, and up to 85 percent of benefits are taxable if combined n Savvy Senior, see page 5

CORONAVIRUS HEROES | KEEPING AMERICA STOCKED

Grocery and Delivery Workers Among those who are doing their part to keep the economy and Americans afloat are grocers, delivery people, pharmacists and long haul truck drivers. Not only do individuals need these people, but the economy does, too.

GROCERS

Grocery stores have seen unprecedented floods of people coming in to buy essential items to tide them over during mandatory stay-at-home orders or true quarantine.

They also deal with attempted hoarders who try to buy more than their fair share of items in high demand.

Many grocery retailers have decided to close earlier to help keep shelves stocked for the next day’s influx of purchasers.

Checkers, stockers, custodians and managerial staff have to face a nervous clientele each and every day and still manage to do so with a positive attitude.

Grocery workers’ dedication to keeping their shelves stocked and customers safe makes them heroes of the coronavirus pandemic.

DELIVERY PEOPLE

UberEats, DoorDash, Favor, and grocery-store specific deliverers are just a few exam-

© ADOBE STOCK

ples of the workers who are supplying needed items to the home-bound.

Special care is being utilized by many of these services to keep goods contaminant-free.

They’re also playing a key role in keeping small businesses afloat, including many restaurants that are only offering delivery and takeout services.

Many people who can eat at home are ordering in to help keep their favorite restaurants in business during this extremely unusual time when dining rooms are closed and the option to eat out is impossible.

Many of us have that favorite restaurant where the ambiance is perfect, the wait staff is wonderful, and we make some of our happiest memories.

Delivery people allow consumers to help out in the only way they can to keep those businesses operational during this difficult time.

TRUCK DRIVERS

Toilet paper, medical supplies, groceries and pet supplies are just a few of the items that are brought to Americans by truck drivers.

There are so many things long-haul and local drivers

deliver that are necessary during this pandemic. Truck drivers are making things happen, one drive at a time.

People on social media are recognizing how vital this industry is. There’s even been a call for a national long-haul truck driver holiday on Oct. 4, which references the famous radio call “10-4, good buddy.”

We owe much to these men and women who keep our grocery stores shelves stocked and our medical personnel supplied with their protective gear.

PHARMACISTS

Where would we be if phar-

macies shut down? Nowhere good.

Maintaining the availability of necessary medicines Americans need is one of the most important jobs during a pandemic.

Pharmacies and their staff are supplying people with their medications throughout this outbreak and deserve much praise.

Pharmacists are also helping to advise those who are suffering with symptoms to know how best to stay safe at home and when to call their physician or go to the emergency department.

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

SENIOR OUT TO PASTOR

What’s Time Got to Do with It? Dr. James L. Snyder After so many weeks, I haven’t been able to keep track of them, one day seems just like the other day. Today reminds me of yesterday, and yesterday may be the same as tomorrow. I know I am used to being confused, but I have exceeded my limit on this time aspect.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I have been spending all of our time together. We do not go anywhere except sometimes I slip over to the office and come back. Besides that, we are in each other’s company, 24/7. Or is it 7/24? I’m not sure anymore.

For the most part, it has been a wonderful vacation from the rest of the world. I assure you, we surely needed this vacation. Sometimes the world can get rather sticky, if you know what I mean?

After being married for so many years (I cannot really remember how many it has been) I have begun to understand a little more about the other resident in our parsonage.

Just when you think you know everything, then you discover something you did not know before.

I love discovering new things about everything.

I have discovered that the more you learn about your spouse, the more amicable the relationship is. I think it has something to do with expectations.

I knew this about my wife, but I was reminded of

All humankind should heed Pope Francis’ call

By Marian Wright Edelman FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT EMERITA

Photo by Fabrizio Verrecchia on Unsplash

this in the last week or so.

She is addicted to a time schedule.

That is not in itself a bad thing. After all, life is based upon some kind of a time schedule. The problem is, I do not have a time schedule, particularly during the days like we are living now. I sorta go with the flow.

In our house, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served on a regular schedule.

Before this vacation from society, we grabbed lunch whenever we could fit it into our schedule. Lunch was not the schedule but what we were doing at the time. It is quite different today.

Now, the schedule is built around our eating. Since our seclusion, I have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a very regular basis.

The problem is, it is going to cost me quite a

bit. After all of these social shenanigans are over, I am going to have to go and buy new shirts and pants because the ones I have now will not fit.

I am thinking of taking it out of my wife’s allowance; after all, she is responsible for the weight gain during these weeks at home. If it was not for her, and if she was not such a marvelous cook, I would not gain any weight whatsoever. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

During these days of social hibernation, time has lost its real significance. It used to be I had a schedule, and I worked to keep that schedule to the very minute.

Now, I have no schedule, and I have been keeping it quite strictly.

Just the other day my wife looked at me and said,

“It’s almost lunchtime. Don’t you think you should get dressed and take off those pajamas?”

My answer was simply, “Why?” My morning schedule is a complete mirror of my afternoon schedule, which is also a mirror of my evening schedule. I never know if it is morning, afternoon, or evening. According to my wife, what you are wearing determines the schedule.

And believe me, she is always on schedule.

Nobody comes to the house anymore, not even the Jehovah’s Witnesses. For whom do I have to dress up?

Very systematically, and you will not believe this, she meticulously sets the alarm clock so she can get up in the morning at the same time. I only said this once; I learned my lesson, “Why are

915 “Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits” at IRS. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p915.pdf, or call 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a copy.

In addition, if the lumpsum payment of retroactive

Social Security benefits boosts your yearly income beyond the $85,000 level, it will increase your future Medicare premiums too.

See Medicare.gov/Pubs/ pdf/11579-medicare-costs. pdf for details.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Savvy Senior continued from page 4

income exceeds $34,000.

For married couples, the comparable income thresholds for taxing benefits are $32,000 and $44,000.

To help you calculate this, see IRS Publication

During this holy season like no other, on Easter Sunday Pope Francis pu­ blished a “Letter to Popular Mo­vements and Organi­za­ tions,” encouraging people strug­ gling for justice for poor and low income people around our world calling for uni­versal access to the “three Ts”: trabajo (work), techo (housing), and tierra (land and food). He said: “If the struggle against COVID-19 is a war, then you are truly an invisible army, fighting in the most dangerous trenches; an army whose only weapons are solidarity, hope, and com­mu­ nity spirit, all revitalizing at a time when no one can save themselves alone…You are looked upon with suspicion when through community organization you try to move beyond philanthropy or when, instead of resigning and hoping to catch some crumbs that fall from the table of economic power, you claim your rights. You often feel rage and powerlessness at the sight of persistent inequalities and when any excuse at all is sufficient for maintaining those privileges. Nevertheless, you do not resign yourselves to complaining: you roll up your sleeves and keep working for your families, your communities, and the common good. Your resilience helps me, challenges me, and teaches me a great deal.

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Harbor Farmers’ continued from page 1

of food, however, and many items were freshly picked and natural that shoppers craved.

Market organizers kept attendees safe and required everyone to wear a facemask before entering the space.

Shoppers got 20 minutes at the market to shop, and organizers enforced strict social distancing limits. The market kept track of how many people attended, as people at the entrance and exit communicated back-andforth about how many people walked and shopped at the market.

People lined up to take advantage of the opportunity to be outside.

All Green Farm has been at the Farmer’s Market each week, providing fresh produce to the community.

“It’s a little slower than usual, but it helps everybody,” Robin Park said. “We can’t go out anyway. We’re out here following the rules. We had a little extra after the first week, but now it’s okay.”

Edrys from Dumbertos Farms had fresh eggs, fruit, and avocadoes for sale and said business has been slow.

“There are not as many people, like before,” he said.

“We try to bring what we need for the week, and the avocadoes will fall to the ground in the next few weeks

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: MOTHER’S DAY

because we are not cutting them. We’ll see what happens.

We have oranges, and a lot of them are rotting on the ground. We’re selling less, so we have less revenue.”

One young lady helped her family sell lots of vegetables and said the pandemic helped her family’s business.

“They (the harbor) is being restrictive, and they’re supposed to be six-feet apart,” she said. “They are not allowed to touch the vegetables. This has benefitted our business because people stores run out.

People come to the farmer’s market to stock up.”

She doesn’t like being distanced from family

members.

“It’s also hard being distanced from my friends,” she said.

Ricky Woodrow and his girlfriend were out shopping and made sure he followed all the rules.

“We come to the farmer’s market, and they have been loyal and true to us for years,” he said. “We’re taking precautions; we’re observing social distancing, and we’re staying behind the lines.

We’ve gotten through this, no problem.”

After being kept up at home and sheltering, he called the event a welcome relief.

“We walk the harbor, as well, when we are out here,” he said. “We’re picking up

ACROSS 1. “Ali Baba and the Forty ____,” sing.

6. Eureka!

9. Schools of thought 13. Sound of artillery 14. Car nut 15. Without illumination 16. Nosey one 17. Kind of trip?

18. Lasso loop 19. *Little Women’s mom 21. *Tracee Ellis Ross on TV 23. ____ o’ shanter 24. Quitter’s word 25. Like a fiddle?

28. Like Charles Dickens’ Tim 30. Quarantine state 35. *Egyptian goddess of fertility 37. Insane, in Spain 39. Mother or daughter, in Italy 40. *Biblical Rebecca’s son

vegetables and some honey.

Brennan Walley likes getting out to enjoy the beautiful weather.

“There are a couple of small businesses out here, and we are trying to support them,” he said. “This is my first time at the farmer’s market. If I see something that I like and need, maybe we’ll whip something up later on for dinner.”

He appreciates the extra precautions taken during the pandemic and said he’s still working.

“It takes a little bit of time during the day,” he said.

“It’s not convenient, but if it contributes to us being able to do things like this, I will take the extra three seconds to put on a facemask.”

41. Online reviews 43. Research facil.

44. Fisherman’s decoys 46. Daytime entertainment 47. Furniture wood 48. End of the road, pl.

50. Blatant promotion 52. Swedish shag rug 53. Yours and mine 55. Little squirt 57. *Mother’s mom 61. *She fought for Mother’s Day, then against it 64. In advance 65. *Bambi’s mom 67. Fancy tie 69. Less than fernier 70. I have 71. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host 72. Fairies 73. Galley equipment 74. Feed the fire

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

DOWN 1. Kitchen meas.

2. Stay out of its way!

3. Pelvic parts 4. Tennis great Chris ____ 5. Particular arrangement 6. Away from wind 7. *Mother’s favorite gift?

8. Ancient marketplace 9. Part of a scheme 10. No neatnik 11. Sushi restaurant soup 12. One-pot meal 15. Like the States 20. *One of the Gilmore girls 22. Hill dweller 24. One-eyed giants 25. *She played Forrest Gump’s mother 26. May edition, e.g.

27. *Worn atop the Queen Mother 29. Denials 31. Nike’s “Just ____ ____” 32. Private 33. “Take it back!”

34. *Mother in Kraków 36. Lard cousin 38. October birthstone 42. Plural of sputum 45. Rundown 49. Bottom line 51. Kind of ungulate, pl.

54. Where you’ll find AM 56. Living room centerpiece?

57. Gamecock’s spur 58. *Greek goddess of fertility 59. Bald eagle’s nest 60. *Mums’ mums 61. Opposite of cheer 62. International Civil Aviation Org. 63. Puppet precursor, possibly 66. *Female gametes 68. Café alternative

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Limoń continued from page 1

as the data on April 20, shows 428 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 121 cases reported from personto-person contact, 218 cases that are communityacquired, and another 70 cases under investigation.

There are 19 travel-related cases.

Oxnard has 90 cases of COVID-19.

Limoń said, like other places in the United States, Calif. is also meeting the challenge to provide personal protective equipment in these challenging times.

“I know that some alcohol, wine and spirit companies have transitioned to making hand sanitizer,” she said. “I know that people are using 3D printing to make more masks that are compliant. There is a public/private partnership push to create our own and build more. We could do more if there was that alignment at the federal level.

People have talked about the federal government using businesses they used in past crisis times to produce some of these items here in the United States.”

She credits Ventura County residents for acting diligently, using masks, and keeping the county below the nation when it comes to the outbreak.

“It’s because of what the government, the State of California, and local counties have put in place that we have been able to provide medical care for those who most need it,” she said. “That doesn’t mean there is no more concern; we’re not completely in the clear. When you look at the 1918 pandemic, the first wave had a negative impact and killed people, but it was the second wave of that pandemic that came in and did more harm.”

When it’s time to move

back to normal life, Limoń said it will be a slow transition.

“We are not ready to have mass gatherings,” she said. “Knowing that we still see COVID-19 increases on a daily basis, and Los Angeles County, neighbor to Ventura County, in the last seven days, they’ve had the highest numbers of people who have passed away from COVID-19.”

Although some counties and states are doing a better job with the stay at home order, medical experts say there will be medical guidelines for the order until there is a treatment or vaccine.

“We need treatment, vaccine, or testing at a broad level to make sure we can take care of anyone in the state who gets sick,” he said.

“That’s what it comes down to. The approach is going to be phased in, but there needs to be treatment and testing that needs to be widely available.”

She pointed out that there is not an automatic moratorium for tenants paying rent or property owners paying their mortgage, but there is a procedural moratorium, and people have to go through a process.

“Anyone who pays rent still has to pay rent,” she said.

“The moratorium that was passed gave a timeline for when you needed to contact your landlord and tell them that you wouldn’t be able to pay that rent. That is not relief or forgiveness. That rent will be due within 90

days after the stay at home order is lifted. It’s important that tenants should be in touch with their landlords and work out what a payment plan will look like over time.”

She knows that some landlords and tenants have agreed to pay part of the rent, rather than going fully in debt and not paying at all.

“For property owners, the mortgage payment is not automatic,” she said.

“You have to talk to your mortgage holder or financial institution and make that agreement. You can make it for up to 90 days; they don’t have to grant it, but they can grant it.”

The process for a mortgage holder will be a little different, Limoń said, and the months you miss gets added to the back end of your loan.

“Every single bank and financial institution is doing it differently,” she said.

“This should be worked out between the tenant and the property owner, or the property owner and the banks. There is not a universal policy or exemption for any of this.”

Limoń believes, and economists project the entire country is in a recession, and because of that, cities and counties are not the only ones with less cash flow.

“You see that across the board at the city, county, and state level,” she said. “The stimulus package is what we asked for at the federal level, and I think that has helped significantly. As congress looks at the second stimulus supplemental package, that helps, but it won’t take away the fact that we’re predicted to be in a recession at this moment. We’ve heard from the cities and counties that we represent, and we are doing everything we can to try and find resources to backfill some of these millions of dollars of cuts

they are going to make.”

Los Angeles and Santa Barbara have laid off a lot of people.

“The average number of cases we are used to seeing over the last three years for California’s Unemployment Department, the EDD, has been at about 6,000 per month,” she said. “We’re at 2.7 million claims since March 13. That is more claims than we had combined in all of 2019.”

Limoń said the EDD is overwhelmed with claims for new benefits.

“We increased the number of staff there, not by hiring more people, but by moving people from one department to another,” she said. “They’re working right now from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., seven days a week, to process all the unemployment claims. We know people are concerned and have challenges getting though on the phone and email. Our office is working with constituents directly to try and help them.”

As the bottom of the oil industry drops through the floor, she said, the oil in the Middle East is the most significant driver of that problem.

“The recession and less people driving has an impact, as well,” she said.

“For us on the central coast, and for me as a legislator, I ran an important bill to try and make sure that taxpayers aren’t left with the bill for cleaning up oil companies (California Resources Corporation) messes. I care a lot about this, and I think when you see oil companies become bankrupt, that financial responsibility gets transferred over the taxpayers.”

The state has thousands of unused oil wells, she said, and the cost to maintain them is significant.

Since the March 5, primary, Limoń has done n Limoń, see page 8

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Nguyen continued from page 1

million Americans filed for unemployment in the last month.

“That’s the picture we’re looking at,” he said.

The statewide outlook for sales and usage tax, he said, looks grim at best as the current quarter shows a 30-37 percent reduction.

“Oxnard’s sales tax forecast for both base tax and Measure O are not quite at a 30 percent decline yet, but after a sales tax forecasting call with HDO, our sales tax consultant, tomorrow (Apr. 22), we might be there,” Riper said. “Michael Coleman (an expert on local government revenues in the state) is suggesting that the city reduce its transient occupancy tax (TOT) by 80-90 percent in the current quarter. The finance department and the city manager’s forecast is an 83 percent reduction.”

Additionally, the business tax has less impact, Riper said, because the city collects it on a rolling one-year basis and gets delayed, so that won’t hit Oxnard all at once.

“Still, the League of California Cities suggests we reduce our forecast by 10-15 percent,” he said. “All of those support the general fund right here in Oxnard.”

Property tax generates 40 percent of the general fund revenue, and that revenue stream is not so gloomy.

“There would only be a property tax decline if folks can’t pay, although eventually, they would, because the property would be liened, or if there is a decline in property values,” he said. “The next property assessment date isn’t until Jan. 2021, so there is time for the national, regional, and local economies to recover, at least in real estate terms,

and not suffer a big decline in assessed valuations, which would lead to a decline in property tax.”

City Manager Alex Nguyen outlined actions the city must take and started by the census, and this crisis directly relates to how well the city does with the census.

“A lot of the resources coming to us via the county come to us from the feds, and the resources coming to us, in the near future, is going to be based on our population count,” he said. “There is no better way for us to emphasize how important it is that we complete the census, as best we can, in this community.”

Anna Maria Lugo from the U.S. Census Bureau told the audience watching there is a paper questionnaire on its way to residents.

“Up until this point, it has been an internet response or a response over the telephone,” she said. “When you receive yours, please fill it out and send it back. Or, you can continue to respond online at 2020census.gov.”

So far, 50 percent of the households in the nation have responded, while in California, 52.2 percent have responded.

“In Ventura County, we are in the top five counties in the State of California,” she said.

“For Ventura County, we are at 59.2 percent in self-response.

In Oxnard, we are at 50 percent in self-response. There are 8-9 tracks that will require a little more attention and require a little bit more outreach.”

The Census Bureau has made operational adjustments because of the COVID-19 outbreak, she said, and they are adapting to protect the health and safety of the public and its census takers.

Currently all census field activities have been postponed and the self-response phase is extended until Oct. 31.

“People can still respond online, over the phone, and fill out their questionnaires as they receive them,” she said.

“Census takers will go out to interview people we haven’t received their self-response from Aug, 11 until Oct. 31.”

Nguyen said it’s obvious that the economy is decaying rapidly, and there is a lot of debate about how long the recovery will take.

“We have a budget that we have to plan for,” he said.

“Given the circumstances, the way we have to approach this is that everything is on the table. There is no scenario that I believe is possible coming through this pandemic that public employees will get through this unscathed. It’s not possible in any universe.”

Nguyen said the executive staff would take pay cuts related to medical increases, step increases, deferred compensation increases, and their health club membership perk.

“That should yield approximately $130,000 in savings,” he said. “While that isn’t nearly enough to impact the budget, it’s important that we, as leaders, do this.”

That does not include Nguyen.

“My share of those cuts adds up to $12,500,” he said.

“I am going to, in addition to that, take a salary reduction for the next fiscal year, so my cuts will total $25,000 for the next year. If by some miracle we get a bonafide bailout from the feds, we can undo some of these.”

Going forward, he doesn’t want to plan and budget

around any such federal bailout.

“I’ll put that in writing for you in the near future,” he said.

“That, of course, doesn’t begin to take care of our financial problems.”

Nguyen hoped to establish a status quo budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021, after making cuts to eliminate $6 million from a $9 million structural budget in the fiscal year 2019-2020, he said, and due to the pandemic, that is “out the window.”

“We have also been, over the years in this city, subject to consistent reductions to our staff, budget programming, and staffing,” he said. “Our organization, coming into this, is already extremely lean.

There is nothing left to cut or trim, in terms of what a healthy organization can look to do. Unless we are willing to eject entire programs and entire batches of services, there is not much left to trim.”

The city is working to present a balanced method to get through the pandemic, he said, starting with using the general fund reserve.

“There is no moment better defined as a reason why anyone has a rainy-day fund,” he said.

“This is exactly the time, crisis, and circumstances to use our general fund reserve. I have asked the leaders of our labor groups to forego all future increases for the next fiscal year. I’m in the process of having that discussion with the labor leaders, and I am happy to say the leaders of IUOE (The International Union of Operating Engineers) and the mid-managers association have been supportive, so far.

I’m still working with the other labor groups.”

The city also needs to

freeze hiring, although some positions are urgent, and they must add to the staff.

“We’re going to scrub our various contracts and membership, and this is something we do year-afteryear here,” he said. “I don’t think this will yield a whole lot of savings, but we must continue to look at them. We’ve already cut the part-time help, the fire academy, in large part, because given the physical distance requirements, there was no way to run the academy. That was 14 firefighter cadets we had to cut loose. We worked with the police department to cut police vacancy positions to save money.”

Nguyen looks to examine ways not to use furloughs and layoffs to save money.

“We have the ability to borrow from our enterprise funds for the purpose of floating our cash flow,” he said. “We’re going to have to do that. Especially since when you look at our revenue, that is decreasing significantly.

What’s left, the governor has passed an order allowing payment of sales tax to the government to be deferred.

The large categories are for 90 days, and the other categories for up to 12 months. What left from our sales tax revenue that we were expecting, we won’t be getting in this fiscal year, or the next fiscal year.”

He reminded everyone that it’s a loan the city has to pay back with interest.

“We’ll be discussing that in more detail when we get the sales tax and revenue projections next week,” he said.

Nguyen hopes a federal bailout will happen after the current stimulus bill gets through the house and senate.

and make sure that I am a state assembly member that can provide resources to the district,” she said. “You have to

be flexible to respond to what the community needs, and right now, the community needs an assembly member

who is active and looking for policies and is in contact with cities and counties and looking to advocate for our

communities here. There will be a time for that, but the focus, right now, is on COVID-19.”

Limoń continued from page 7

zero campaign work for her campaign to be elected state senator. “My job is focused on helping the community

9

TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

LEGAL File No.: 20200219-10003296-0 1/1 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. VLS NATAL ALLURE 486 WEST WOOLEY ROAD OXNARD, CA 93030 VENTURA COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. VERONICA GUTIERREZ 486 WOOLEY ROAD OXNARD, CA 93030 This Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 04/03/2020.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/VERONICA GUTIERREZ NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF VENTURA ON 2/19/2020.

MARK A. LUNN SchId:79619 AdId:26586 CustId:1307 -----------File No.: 20200313100051550 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. RELEAF ON VINE 5153 Bluebell Ave Valley Village, CA 91607 VENTURA COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. Yuma Way CA LLC 5153 Bluebell Ave Valley Village, CA 91607 This Business is conducted by: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/Jessica Reuven NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF VENTURA ON 3/13/2020.

MARK A. LUNN

SchId:79628 AdId:26590 CustId:1308 -----------File No.: 20200317100052790 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. CLEANPRO BUILDING MAINTENANCE 4769 PENROSE AVE MOORPARK , CA 93021 VENTURA COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. JORGE & MARIBEL LOPEZ 4769 PENROSE AVE MOORPARK , CA 93021 This Business is conducted by: MARRIED COUPLE. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 03/01/2005.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/JORGE LOPEZ NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF VENTURA ON 3/17/2020.

MARK A. LUNN SchId:79635 AdId:26593 CustId:1309 -----------File No.: 20200331-10005551-0 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. Lakeside Community Healthcare 912 E Janss Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 VENTURA COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. Lakeside Medical Organization, A Medical Group, Inc. 8510 Balboa Blvd., Suite 150, Attn: Karyn Nicholson Northridge, CA 91325-5810 This Business is conducted by: CORPORATION. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 11/01/2012.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/Lakeside Medical Organization, A Medical Group, Inc. NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Fed-

eral, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF VENTURA ON 3/31/2020.

MARK A. LUNN SchId:79639 AdId:26594 CustId:1310 -----------File No.: 20200316-10005232-0 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. TOWN AND COUNTRY MARKET 611 W. FIRST ST OXNARD, CA 93030 Ventura COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. MESAIEL KIRLOS 172 WILLOWBROOK DR PORT HUENEME, CA 93041 2. HANY KIROLES, 1240 ISLETON PL. APT. 3, OXNARD, CA 93030 This Business is conducted by: CO-PARTNERS. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/MESAIEL KIRLOS NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF Ventura ON 3/16/2020.

MARK A. LUNN SchId:79649 AdId:26597 CustId:693 -----------NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE Case No. 17STPB02317 Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.

In the matter of the Estate of DONALD LEE EBELL, conservatee Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell at private sale, on or after April 27, 2020, at the office of DIAMOND REALTY, THERESA ROBLEDO, BRE 01483023, 460 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, CA 93015, to the highest and best bidder, and subject to confirmation by said Superior Court, all right, title and interest of said conservatee, in and to all the certain real property situated in the County of Ventura, State of California, described as follows: Lot 42, Sparr Terrace, in the City of Fillmore, County of Ventura, State of California, as per Map recorded in Book 11, Page 5 of Maps, in the office of the County Recorder of said County.

APN: 053-043-050 Commonly known as: 548 Kensington Dr., Fillmore, CA 93015.

Terms of sale are cash in lawful money of the United States on confirmation of sale, or part cash and balance upon such terms and conditions as are agreeable to the personal representative. 10,000 of amount bid to be deposited with bid.

Bids or offers to be in writing and will be received at the aforesaid office at any time after the first publication hereof and before date of sale.

Dated: March 24, 2020 MARIA VASSEUR, Personal Representative of the estate of said conservatee THE WERNER LAW FIRM RANDY D GRUEN ESQ 27433 TOURNEY RD STE 200 SANTA CLARITA CA 91355 (661) 252-9022 CN969325 EBELL Apr 10,17,24, 2020 SchId:79659 AdId:26602 CustId:65 -----------File No.: 20200316-10005200-0 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: 1. Kim Digital Electronics 3331 Wolf Creek Court Simi Valley, CA 93063 Ventura COUNTY Full Name of Registrant: 1. Meesun Sandra Kim 3331 Wolf Creek Court Simi Valley, CA 93063 This Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 6/18/2018.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).) /S/Kristi Hamlet NOTICE - In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

THIS STATEMENT WAS FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF Ventura ON 3/16/2020.

MARK A. LUNN SchId:79674 AdId:26609 CustId:1311 -----------Title Order No. 05940776 Trustee Sale No. 84354 Loan No. 399137076 APN: 700-0-260-065 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11/23/2016. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 5/13/2020 at 11:00 AM, CALIFORNIA TD SPECIALISTS as the duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 12/1/2016 as Instrument No. 2016120100178192-0 in book N/A, page N/A of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Ventura County, California, executed by: BRIGHAM FIELD AND COLETTE PELISSIER, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS , as Trustor GENOVA CAPITAL, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION , as Beneficiary WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). At: At the Main front entrance to the County Government Center Hall of Justice located at

800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003, NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE – continued all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County, California described the land therein: As more fully described on said Deed of Trust. The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 11802 ELLICE STREET MALIBU, CA 90265. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of trusts created by said Deed of Trust, towit $3,330,218.98 (Estimated). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election of Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. DATE: 4/16/2020 CALIFORNIA TD SPECIALIST, as Trustee 8190 EAST KAISER BLVD., ANAHEIM HILLS, CA 92808 PHONE: 714-2832180 FOR TRUSTEE SALE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: www.stoxposting. com CALL: 844-477-7869 PATRICIO S. INCE’, VICE PRESIDENT CALIFORNIA TD SPECIALIST IS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. “NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property.

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information.

If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed or trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 844477-7869, or visit this internet Web site www.stoxposting.com, using the file number assigned to this case T.S.# 84354.

Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site.

The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.”

CALIFORNIA TD SPECIALISTS Attn: Teri Snyder 8190 East Kaiser Blvd. Anaheim Hills, CA 92808 SchId:79685 AdId:26614 CustId:670

10

TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

NEWS Community newspapers feel the COVID pinch Managing Editor John grant ads, and Mother’s Day credibility, he said, and stick

By Chris Frost Loesing from the Simi Valley and Father’s Day love notes to to their guns. chris@tricountysentry.com Courtesy photo

Martin Ipatzi arrested by the Oxnard Police Oxnard-- On April 17, 2020, @oxnardpolice_seu (gang unit), along with @ oxnardpolice k9 Leo and patrol officers, arrested Martin Ipatzi on a felony warrant.

Ipatzi is a documented criminal street gang member and also a “non-violent” Post Release Offender (AB 109) with several prior felony convictions, which prohibit him from owning/possessing firearms. During a probation search of his residence, officers located a 12-gauge “sawed-off” shotgun, approximately 400 rounds of ammunition, and a controlled substance. Ipatzi was arrested on numerous weapons violations.

Ventura County-Some of the victims in Ventura County are community newspapers, the central hub of news and information across Ventura County.

THE lifeblood of each paper is advertising revenue.

The stay-at-home-order has harmed Main Street in all communities and the first casualty of a revenue loss is advertising dollars.

At the Tri County Sentry, the paper has limited delivery of its weekly edition. It is focused on paid subscriptions in the interim as many locations in the county the where paper gets dropped are closed. Readers who enjoy the paper but don’t have a subscription can view the paper online at tricountysentry.com.

Acorn said his paper has been hit hard, like the rest of the industry.

He didn’t believe the industry would end up in such a situation when the outbreak first hit.

“We are fortunate that as the Acorn, we have a 45year publication, and we have a lot of branding in the community,” he said. “People look to us, reach out, and they appreciate the paper.

The challenge right now is transferring all that love and affection into dollars and cents.”

Everybody is hurting, he said, and mom and pop shops that are not open will stop advertising.

“We’re trying to look for other revenue streams and appealing for online subscriptions,” he said. “We’ve always been a free publication at your doorstep every week for more than 40 years. We are transitioning to online content and submissions,

augment that revenue from the display ad. It’s a challenge and we’re trying to hang in there like everybody else.”

Another challenge, Loesing said, is the explosion of social media postings on sites like Facebook.

“We do a lot of social media posting with the intent of linking back to our web page,” he said. “We’re ultimately trying to get eyeballs back to our web page.

The problem is that people will post something as an unverified and un-journalistic post in Next Door and will say they saw two cars speeding last night, and we think two people were robbed, but we’re not sure. There is a lot of unverified stuff that people try to pass as journalism. That undercuts us, but we both know the difference between community blogging and community journalism.”

Good community jour­ na­ lists cover the stories that give the organization

“It’s not what we do; it’s how you get paid for it,” he said.

Both papers celebrate life and activities in Ventura County, Loesing said, and at the Acorn, what the Boy Scouts do with their Eagle Project is just as crucial as a late-night city council meeting.

“The schoolyard play­ grounds are just as important as what the county board of supervisors announces,” he said. “We’re trying to translate that storytelling into what’s happening with the Coronavirus. How are families in quarantine doing, and how is virtual education doing? How is your special needs child doing with the stay at home order? It’s depressing, but journalism has never been a total bed of roses.”

The Santa Paula Times, Vita Newspaper, and Filmore Gazette did not respond to requests for comment.

DMV Extends All Expiring Driver Licenses Customers eligible to renew license online encouraged to do so Commercial licenses extended through June 30; drivers under 70 extended through May 31 Drivers can request an optional paper extension online Drivers 70 and older will automatically receive temporary paper extension valid for 120 days Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending driver licenses expiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Licenses for drivers you­ng­ er than 70 that expire between Mar­ch and May 2020 are now valid through May 31, 2020.

All commercial driver

licenses, endorsements and cer­ tificates expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020, aligning with a recent emer­ gency declaration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The ex­ ten­ sion does not inclu­de medical certificates for com­mer­cial drivers, whi­ch requires ad­di­ tional adminis­tra­tive ac­ti­ons scheduled in the near future.

The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the extensions. Californians with a suspended license are not eligible.

The DMV continues to review and process online renewals, and encourages drivers who are eligible to renew their license online to do so.

The extensions require no individual action on the part of drivers. These drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail. As an option, these drivers can request a free temporary paper extension online through DMV’s Virtual Field Office to document their extension.

The Virtual Field Office, virtual.dmv.ca.gov, builds on the other online services already available to DMV customers at dmv.ca.gov, including driver license renewals. The temporary extensions are in addition to other steps the DMV announced earlier this month to help Californians with expiring licenses, including: • A 120-day extension for drivers age 70 and older.

Drivers age 70 and older with expiring noncommercial licenses are receiving an extension in the mail automatically.

• Temporarily waiving required in-person renewals for eligible driver license and identification cardholders with expirations in March, April, and May 2020. Individuals who meet the criteria are able to renew online or by mail.

The DMV continues to provide essential services via mail, online, kiosks, its call center, available business partners and now virtually to process critical transactions, including eligible driver license and vehicle registration renewals, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customers can use the

Services Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

The measures to help Californians with expiring driver licenses are the latest DMV actions during the coro­ navirus pandemic, including: • Temporarily closing field offices. Following deep cleaning, expansion of virtual services and development of new protocols, the DMV soon will offer in-person services in each region. Information on office openings will be announced by DMV in the near future.

• Canceling all behindthe-wheel drive tests to honor social distancing guidelines.

• Suspending extended office hours and Saturday service.

11

TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

HEALTH Virus exposes U.S. inequality.

Will it spur lasting remedies?

By Paul Wiseman

Nursing home workers, owners describe heavy toll of virus

WASHINGTON (AP)—The sick who still go to work because they have no paid leave.

F

AMILIES who face ruin from even a temporary

layoff.

Front-line workers risking infection as they drive buses, bag takeout meals and mop hospital floors.

For years, financial inequality has widened in the United States and elsewhere as wealth and income have become increasingly concentrated among the most affluent while millions struggle to get by. Now, the coronavirus outbreak has laid bear the human cost of that inequality, making it more visible and potentially worse.

Congress, the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve have mounted the largest financial intervention in history—a full-scale drive that includes mandating sick leave for some, distributing $1,200 checks to individuals, allocating rescue aid to employers and expanding unemployment benefits to try to help America survive the crisis.

Yet those measures are only temporary. And for millions of newly unemployed, they may not be enough.

The disaster that is igniting what’s likely to be a deep recession also raises the question of what happens once life begins to edge back to normal.

Will the U.S. remain an outlier among wealthy countries in providing limited protections for the financially vulnerable? Or

By Dave Collins

will it expand the social safety net, as it did after the Great Depression of the 1930s but largely did not after the Great Recession that ended in 2009?

“Maybe there will be a cultural shift,” said Elise Gould, senior economist at the progressive Economic Policy Institute. “I see it as a great opening to try to (provide) those labor protections that low-wage workers didn’t have before.”

Gould notes that the government’s suddenly expanded role now in distributing relief checks, expanding health benefits and sick leave and supplementing state unemployment aid would make it easier to extend such programs even after a recession has ended. Doing so could have the longerterm effect of reducing financial inequalities.

Whether the government ends up adopting any longlasting policy reforms will depend in part on which party controls the White House and Congress beginning in January. In the meantime, the topic is sure to drive much of the

campaign rhetoric as the presidential race moves toward the November election.

Alone among advanced economies, the United States doesn’t require employers to grant sick leave and paid time off. America’s system for providing unemployment aid, a patchwork of state programs, isn’t as generous or efficient as European government programs that subsidize wages or provide safeguards to limit layoffs.

America’s minimum wages also lag far behind those in most of Europe, though many states have raised their minimums in recent years. In 2018, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that the U.S. national minimum wage paid 33 cents for every $1 earned by workers in the middle of the earnings spectrum. That contrasted with 46 cents in Germany, 54 cents in the United Kingdom and 62 cents in France.

The coronavirus has struck at the most vulnerable.

African-Americans account for 42% of the nearly

3,300 COVID-19 deaths that The Associated Press reviewed—twice their share of the population in the areas covered by the analysis. Blacks as a group earn less, endure higher rates of unemployment and have less access to health care than other Americans. They also suffer disproportionately from the underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19: Diabetes, obesity, asthma.

The financial pain, too, has landed hardest on the neediest as the economy locks down to fight the outbreak. The United States last month lost 713,000 private sector jobs. Jobs in leisure and hospitality (mostly restaurants and hotels) accounted for 64% of the losses. And those workers earn an average of just $16.83 an hour, 41% less than the average American.

They are people like Alexi Ajoste, who worked at a Panera Bread shop for three years before being furloughed late last month.

Ajoste, a 20-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, has filed for unemployment benefits.

HARTFORD, Conn.

(AP)—Cambar Edwards says the coronavirus has taken a heavy toll at the Connecticut nursing home where she has worked for the past 24 years, as more than 30 residents have died and many employees are home ill or scared to go to work.

She is a certified nursing assistant at Kimberly Hall North in Windsor.

Representatives of the 150bed home told The Associated Press Friday night that 33 residents there have died from COVID-19, 16 residents have tested positive for the virus and another 66 are presumed positive.

“We really are grieving right now,” said Edwards, 52.

“And we know our facility will never be the same with all these residents that we lost. We feel like we lost family members.”

The coronavirus has spread quickly through nursing homes around the country and world.

On Thursday, Connecticut officials released data showing nursing home residents accounted for about a third of the 971 state residents to die from the virus. But labor unions and nursing home owners say the death total is likely higher because the state only counted people who tested positive for the virus and not those suspected of having it. They blame a shortage of testing kits and materials.

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TRI-COUNTY SENTRY, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Elba and wife, recovering from coronavirus, to help others

By Louise Dixon

Broadway star Nick Cordero has leg amputation due to virus

By Mark Kennedy NEW YORK (AP)— Tony Award-nominated actor Nick Cordero has had his right leg amputated after suffering complications from the coronavirus, his wife says.

Amanda Kloots on Instagram wrote late Saturday that Cordero “made it out of surgery alive and is headed to his room to rest and recover.”

Cordero had been treated with blood thinners to help with clotting in his leg, but his doctors had to stop the treatment because it was causing internal bleeding.

“We took him off blood thinners but that again was going to cause some clotting in the right leg, so the right leg will be amputated today,” she said earlier Saturday.

Cordero entered the intensive care unit at CedarsSinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on March 31 and has been on a ventilator and unconscious after contracting COVID-19.

Cordero played a mob soldier with a flair for the dramatic in 2014 in Broadway’s Woody Allen 1994 film adaptation of “Bullets Over Broadway,” for which he received a Tony nomination for best featured actor in a musical. He moved to Los Angeles to star in “Rock of Ages.”

LONDON, UK—Even though they only had mild symptoms, Idris Elba says he and his wife had their lives “turned around” after contracting the coronavirus, calling the experience “definitely scary and unsettling The British actor and his launch the new $40 million and nervous.” model wife, Sabrina Dhowre fund. IFAD hopes to raise up

“

YOU know, everyone’s sort of feeling the way we have been feeling, but it has definitely been sort of just a complete upheaval,” he told The Associated Press late last week.

But the British actor feels that there are life lessons to be learned, and the pandemic serves as a reminder that “the world doesn’t tick on your time.”

“I think that the world should take a week of quarantine every year just to remember this time.

Remember each other. I really do,” he said.

Elba, spoke to the AP as they began a push with the United Nations to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and food producers in rural areas.

“People forget that 80 percent of the poor population live in these rural areas.” Dhowre Elba said.

“What we are really worried about at the moment, and why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten.”

In their new roles as U.N. Goodwill Ambassadors, Elba and his wife, have joined forces with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to

to $200 million more from governments worldwide.

The actor believes people in rural and poor areas are likely to suffer more in the pandemic.

“If you imagine being in a village where no one even knows the name of your village or your population, and that you live in a slum where there is one room and six of you live in it,” he said.

“Social distancing is almost laughable.”

“What we are really worried about at the moment, and why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten,” Dhowre Elba

said. “While health, you know, is so important at the moment ... we don’t want people to forget about what comes after that.”

Both Elba and his wife have roots in Africa; Elba’s parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana, while Dhowre Elba is of Somali descent. The pair went to Sierra Leone in December with the United Nations to see how IFAD has assisted people there.

Elba said he was particularly concerned as to what the coronavirus pandemic could do on the continent in countries already suffering economically.

“We have to think about the forward planning.

What’s what’s the fallout going to be?” he said.

The couple have been recovering in New Mexico, where the actor was filming when he became sick, but plan to return to London as soon as they can get a flight.

Elba said he had to miss his 6-year-old son’s birthday because of the lockdown but he’s “hoping to see him as soon as I can.”

Beyoncé, Gaga offer hope at all-star event fighting COVID-19

By Mesfin Fekadu NEW YORK (AP)—Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, Shawn Mendes and others sang classic songs brimmed with messages of hope and change during a TV special aimed at fighting the coronavirus, while Beyoncé and Alicia Keys spoke passionately about how the virus has disproportionately affected Black Americans.

Beyoncé made a surprise appearance on Saturday’s TV special “One World:

Together At Home,” thanking “delivery workers, mail carriers and sanitation employees” for their hard work during the pandemic.

“Black Americans disproportionately belong

to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home. And African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis. Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk.

This virus is killing Black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America,” Beyoncé said.

African Americans account for more than onethird of COVID-19 deaths in the United States where the

race of victims has been made public. Data from states, cities and counties show Black people are regularly overrepresented compared to their share of the population.

“Please protect your­ selves,” Beyoncé continued.

“We are one family. We need you. We need your voices, your abilities and your strength all over this word. I know it’s very hard but please be patient, stay encouraged, keep the faith, stay positive and continue to pray for our heroes.”