S VOL. XXIII
The Tri County’s Only Multicultural Newspaper
TRI COUNTY
ENTRY NO. 22
SENATOR RUNNER
Demands
Transparency from
Corrections Department
Senator Sharon Runner
SACRAMENTO – Senator Sharon Runner (RLancaster) has called upon the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide insight into its decision to terminate enforcement of the uniform sex offender residency restrictions under Jessica’s Law.
In This Issue
“I was alarmed by CDCR’s sweeping decision to stop enforcing the people’s will as expressed in Jessica’s Law,” said Runner. “The residency restrictions in Jessica’s Law provide important peace of mind for California’s families.” Runner specifically demanded the release of an unpublished opinion from Attorney General Harris used by CDCR to justify the policy change. In a letter to CDCR Secretary Jeffrey Beard, Runner writes: “The public, the press and the Legislature have a right to a transparent explanation of the Department’s position. For the sake of transparency, it is imperative that you release the opinion of the Attorney General without delay!” RUNNER, See page 12A
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley Name Youth of the Year Winners
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015
South Carolina Cop Charged With Murder See page 15A
Fashion Pageant Features Styles
for the Over 40 Crowd
Pictured from (l. to r.): Beverly Nelson, Panache Model; E.J. Lindsey, Executive Director/Producer; Dr. Irene Pinkard, former Oxnard Mayor Pro-Tem; and Triana Y. Hill, Panache Model.
By Tim Pompey In a culture obsessed with youth, there is something to be said for beauty that reflects the wisdom and style of growing older. To demonstrate this and to support student scholarships, the group SSAFE (Students Securing and Achieving their Future through Education) and its president Dr. Irene Pinkard, in collaboration with Mrs. Linda Ryles, president of the local Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.—Xi Kappa Omega Chapter of Ventura County, present the first “Fashion Pearls by the Sea” pageant. The
pageant is a fundraiser in support of Ventura County student scholarships and the sorority’s internationally themed programs that focus on education, health, families, environment and global impact issues. The models themselves will all be over 40 and will demonstrate that fashion for an older audience can be both stylish and beautiful. “Our goal,” said SSAFE president Irene Pinkard, “is to raise funds for scholarships and present an unforgettable fashion show to the community.” The show will feature Panache Images, which is
noted as a distinctive, innovative group characterized by their unique style, class, finesse, and flamboyance. As Ryles points out: “They’re hot, a little naughty, but they’re over forty. They’re Panache.” Under the direction of E. J. Lindsey, their performances have been dubbed ‘Fashion Drama,’ a tribute that combines choreography and dance with European flamboyance, New York flair and Los Angeles attitude. The troupe’s mission is to promote the beauty of aging. For over 15 years, Panache has been dazzling audiences from across the
country at venues that include Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Their motto is, “We’re not counting the years. We’re making the years count!” Ryles believes that fabulous style really can come from growing older. “Proving FASHION, See page 12A
State Juvenile Facility is Focused on Rehab
(Photo Credit: Peloso Photography) Aaron Chapman, 17, Youth of the Year winner for the 14 and up category receives his award as past winner, Liam Lecka looks on.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley held their 12th Annual Superstars of the Year Celebration on Sunday afternoon, March 22 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre. The event recognized excellence in Club members and volunteers and also presented the 2015 Youth of the Year winners. Boys & Girls Club members performed music and dance numbers and were joined by celebrity hosts, Alyson Stoner and Dexter Darden. The annual celebration was co-sponsored by Morton Capital Man-
Gigi Fierro accepts the Youth of the Year award for the 13 and under category. Gigi, 13 is a resident of Newbury Park.
agement and Regency Theatres.
By Tim Pompey The Division of Juvenile Justice in Ventura County, commonly known as The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF), has been housing inmates at its current site on Wright Road in Camarillo for more than a century. Today, it’s a state facility that houses juvenile youth offenders whom public information officer Karette Fussell classifies as “707bs.” Their convictions include violent felonies such as murder, arson, robbery, and rape. Daryl Lee, who was employed at the VYCF for twenty-four years and now serves on the executive council of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) as the vice president for the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), notes how times have changed at the VYCF. Because of a successful lawsuit filed in 2005, the VYCF has been forced to develop more specialized treatment for their young population. “For the last 10 years we’ve had court intervention that has transformed
The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility is located at 3100 Wright Road. It’s a correctional facility intended for juvenile offenders who have committed violent felonies. (Photo Credit: Tim Pompey)
us from warehousing kids to providing the most cutting edge treatment services in the U.S.,” said Lee. This means that not only has the total juvenile population been reduced significantly (VYCF is the last state juvenile facility
left in Southern California), but that staff have been added to include a large team of clinical psychologists, onsite counselors who serve as caseworkers, and teachers. The facility also includes a high school, vocational
training, and onsite medical and dental services. “The distinction for our facility here,” said Fussell, “is that it provides extensive treatment and support that youth can take advantage of so that rehabilitation JUVENILE, See page 14A