State ups unemployment fraud estimate into tens of billions
At least 10% and perhaps as much as 27% of the unemployment benefits paid by the state of California during the pandemic were fraudulent, according to new report from the California Economic Development Department. The department processed 19.5 million claims and paid $114 billion in benefits between March 2020 and Jan. 16, 2021, according to Read More →
California lifts stay-home orders as ICU capacity grows; COVID remains “widespread” in region
California Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted the state’s regional stay-home orders Monday morning, paving the way for the return of outdoor restaurants service and a few other business activities. Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are now back in the “purple” or “widespread” tier of the state’s color-coded pandemic regulations—the most restrictive level, but Read More →
Our View: Ventura County takes a tough stand on pandemic closures
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Unemployment in region, state rose in December as pandemic worsened
The tri-county region’s combined unemployment rate shot up from 6% in November to 7.4% in December as a wave of COVID-19 cases brought the most widespread business closures since the spring. The rest of the state suffered a similar fate, with California’s unemployment rate going from 8.1% in November to 9% in December, according to Read More →
Ventura County sues more gyms, restaurants for defying health order
Mrs. Olson’s Coffee Hut in Oxnard lost its permit to serve food on Dec. 22, but it was open and serving customers both inside and outside as recently as Jan. 20. None of the restaurant’s neighbors at Channel Islands Harbor were serving diners on-site, following the state’s ban against indoor and outdoor dining service in Read More →
Counties scramble to keep up as state shifts vaccine strategy
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Ventura County sues 5 businesses for defying shutdown, could sue 10 more
The county of Ventura has sued five businesses for continuing indoor operations despite local and state health orders, and it has been given permission by the Board of Supervisors to file suits against 10 more. The county is seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against each business, but no monetary damages. Over the Read More →
