By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
The City of Ventura has officially appointed Kris McDonald as its next Fire Chief, following the retirement of former Chief David Endaya in December 2025. McDonald, who has served as Interim Chief since Endaya’s departure, stepped into the permanent role beginning last Friday.
McDonald’s appointment comes after a nationwide search and reflects both his extensive experience and long-standing service to the Ventura community.
As Assistant Fire Chief, McDonald has led core operational divisions, with a focus on training, personnel development, and emergency readiness.
“Kris brings deep operational expertise, a commitment to training and safety, and a steady leadership style,” said City Manager Bill Ayub.
“He is well prepared to lead the Ventura Fire Department into its next chapter.”
The Ventura Fire Department, which responds to over 18,000 incidents annually, handles a broad range of emergencies — from structure and brush fires to medical aid, hazardous materials calls, rescues, and regional mutual aid.
Born and raised in Northern California, McDonald launched his fire service journey as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in 1994, becoming a paramedic three years later.
His professional career began at the Eureka Fire Department before he joined the Ventura force in 2002 as a Lateral Firefighter-Paramedic. Over the past two decades, he has progressed steadily through the ranks: Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, and ultimately Assistant Chief.
Throughout his career, McDonald has earned several advanced qualifications within California’s Incident Command System, positioning him as a critical asset during large-scale emergency events.
“I am profoundly honored and humbled to assume the role of Fire Chief for the City of Ventura. I remain committed to guiding the department toward enhanced public safety, innovation, and service excellence,” McDonald said.
As Fire Chief, McDonald will lead a department of nearly 100 sworn and professional staff and oversee operations across six fire stations. His annual base salary will be $270,922.
For more on the Ventura Fire Department, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Fire
TAXES MADE FREE
As the 2026 tax season gets underway, Santa Barbara County is once again offering free tax assistance to qualifying residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Designed to help individuals and families who earn $67,000 or less annually, VITA provides essential tax services at no cost, with the goal of making the filing process easier, more accurate, and more accessible for low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
The program will officially run from February 2 through April 15, 2026, coinciding with the federal tax filing deadline. Services are provided by IRS-certified volunteers trained to handle a wide range of tax-related needs.
This includes basic tax return preparation and electronic filing, assistance with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications and renewals, and guidance on important tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).
“VITA is more than just free tax help — it’s an opportunity for working individuals and families to claim every dollar they’ve earned,” said a representative from United Way of Santa Barbara County, one of the program’s local partners. “For many, that refund can make a real difference.”
In addition to maximizing refunds, the VITA program is also a critical tool in reducing errors and preventing costly delays. With services available in both English and Spanish, the program is designed to be inclusive and culturally responsive.
Appointments are required at most VITA sites, and residents are encouraged to book early, as demand for the service is typically high.
Those interested in finding out more about their eligibility or scheduling an appointment can visit local community centers, libraries, or go online to www.UnitedwaySB.org/vita
TROUT RETURN TO CACHUMA LAKE
Anglers and outdoor lovers have reason to celebrate this week as Cachuma Lake Recreation Area launched its second trout stocking of the season, releasing 5,000 pounds of Rainbow Trout into the lake’s pristine waters.
The stocking comes just days after the lake reached full capacity, buoyed by recent winter storms and an atmospheric river that swept through Santa Barbara County during the holidays.
With the lake now 100% full and surrounded by vibrant green landscapes under spring-like temperatures hovering in the high 60s, visitors are being welcomed into a nearly ideal setting for fishing, boating, and camping.
The new trout plant, coordinated in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, was sourced from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms.
The stocked trout range from half-pound “catchables” to trophy-sized specimens up to eight pounds, providing a wide range of opportunities for beginner and seasoned anglers alike.
Fishing is permitted year-round at Cachuma Lake for those with a valid California fishing license.
Anglers can cast from the shore within the recreation area or take advantage of boat rentals and personal vessel launching, both of which are currently available.
Local officials also stated that visitors planning to bring their own boats should be aware of the lake’s 30-day Quagga Mussel prevention policy, which requires vessels to be inspected and tagged at least a month in advance.
However, kayaks, canoes, and simple watercraft are eligible for same-day launch, making them a flexible option for spontaneous trips.
Beyond fishing, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area continues to serve as one of the county’s top year-round destinations for outdoor recreation.
The park offers cabins, yurts, RV and tent camping, as well as guided nature programs, hiking, and wildlife observation for guests of all ages.
With the campground in full swing and the lake brimming with fish and natural beauty, now is the perfect time to plan a visit.
For boat inspection requirements and camping reservations, visitors are encouraged to visit the County Parks website for the latest updates and booking information.
SB CUSTODY SERGEANT ARRESTED
A Custody Sergeant with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested following an extensive criminal investigation into timecard fraud that resulted in more than $175,000 in unearned public funds.
Detectives arrested 34-year-old Segun Ogunleye at his Ventura residence on Thursday, January 29, 2026, executing a felony warrant tied to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, forgery, and grand theft, all enhanced by a white-collar crime designation.
The case began in October 2025, when internal Sheriff’s Office staff flagged inconsistencies in Ogunleye’s submitted timecards.
The investigation revealed that over a period beginning in 2023, Ogunleye allegedly recorded and collected payments for numerous shifts he did not work.
At the time of the offenses, Ogunleye held a supervisory position, responsible not only for managing correctional staff but also for reviewing and approving overtime requests — a role that, according to Sheriff Bill Brown, made the misconduct especially egregious.
“This arrest is deeply troubling and disappointing. The theft of public funds is a serious violation of the trust our community places in its peace officers. Conduct like this undermines the integrity of our organization and will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Bill Brown said in a statement.
Detectives emphasized that no other employees were implicated in the scheme, and no evidence of broader fraud within the department has been uncovered.
It was also informed that a parallel internal investigation is ongoing.
Ogunleye was booked into Ventura County Jail and is currently held on $150,000 bail. It remains unclear if he has retained legal representation, and no court date has yet been announced.
