By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
More than 5,000 students graduate from Ventura County community colleges
More than 5,000 students graduated this week from Ventura County’s three community colleges, marking a major milestone for students who completed degrees and certificates while preparing for transfer, careers and continued service across the region.
The Ventura County Community College District celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies at Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College on May 20, May 21 and May 22.
“Commencement is one of the clearest reminders of why community colleges matter. The Class of 2026 reflects the very best of Ventura County, with graduates who balanced work, family, service and education while pursuing their goals,” said Dr. Rick MacLennan, chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District.
Together, this year’s graduates earned 4,768 certificates and 8,237 degrees, reflecting thousands of hours of classroom study, hands-on training, internships, clinical experience and workforce preparation.
District officials said the graduates will continue serving Ventura County and beyond as educators, health care professionals, first responders, skilled technical workers, business leaders and community advocates.
Gabriela Torres, chair of the VCCCD Board of Trustees, said the ceremonies were a celebration not only of academic achievement, but also of the broader community impact of student success.
“This moment belongs to our students. Their stories reflect the diversity, strength and spirit of Ventura County, and their success is a powerful reminder that when we invest in people, support them with care and lead with equity, entire communities rise together,” Torres said.
For many graduates, community college served as a pathway to four-year universities, technical careers and high-demand fields that support the local economy.
Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu said many graduates were the first in their families to earn a college credential.
“Our graduates reflect the strength, diversity and determination of Ventura County and their success represents not only personal achievement, but expanded opportunity for families and entire communities,” Sokenu said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Cynthia Herrera, president of Oxnard College, said the graduating class showed perseverance and determination throughout its academic journey.
“As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we honor not only our students’ academic achievements, but also their perseverance, resilience and determination,” Herrera said. “Each graduate’s journey reflects the power of education to transform lives, strengthen families, and uplift entire communities.”
Ventura College’s commencement also carried special meaning as the college concludes its centennial year.
“As Ventura College concludes its centennial year, this graduating class serves as a powerful reminder of the institution’s enduring mission to expand opportunity and transform lives,” Luca E. Lewis, President of Ventura College said.
The Ventura County Community College District is part of the 116-campus California Community Colleges system and serves about 30,000 students each year.
Its three colleges offer general education, degrees and certificates, transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and co-curricular campus opportunities.
MTD to restore EV shuttle
Santa Barbara MTD will bring back its all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle for summer 2026, restoring a seasonal service designed to connect residents and visitors with some of the city’s most popular destinations.
The shuttle returns Friday, May 29, and will operate through Monday, Sept. 7, including Labor Day. Service will run Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with shuttles arriving every 20 minutes.
The MTD informed riders will be able to board at any MTD stop along the route, which connects downtown Santa Barbara with the waterfront, the Amtrak station, Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Zoo.
“The seasonal service gives riders a low-cost and zero-emission option for traveling between hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, the historic County Courthouse and other downtown and waterfront attractions,” MTD authorities said.
The return of the service marks the second consecutive summer for the all-electric shuttle, which offers an alternative to driving and parking in busy downtown and waterfront areas during peak visitor season.
The Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle operates as a circulator route and because of the State Street promenade, the downtown portion of the route will continue to use Chapala and Anacapa streets.
The MTD also stated that fares will remain affordable. A one-way ride will cost 50 cents, while seniors and people with disabilities will pay 25 cents. A one-day pass, good for unlimited rides, will cost $1.
Those day passes will be available only at the Transit Center, hotels and participating retail outlets.
They also said passengers with a valid Amtrak ticket may ride the shuttle, or any MTD bus, for free on the date listed on their train ticket.
The shuttle is funded through a partnership between Santa Barbara MTD and the city of Santa Barbara.
According to local authorities, the program is intended to improve access to key local destinations while supporting sustainable transportation options in the community.
Woman arrested for fraud
A woman was arrested in Goleta after detectives linked her to an embezzlement investigation involving alleged financial misconduct at a Camarillo-area equine hospital, authorities said.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) identified the suspect as Colleen Whiting, who was investigated by detectives assigned to the Camarillo Investigation Bureau.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Whiting allegedly embezzled about $67,000 from Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital while working as a bookkeeper between 2022 and 2024, the VCSO stated.
Detectives with the Camarillo Investigations Bureau identified Whiting in April 2026 as part of the ongoing investigation.
On May 20, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Investigations Bureau and the Directed Enforcement Unit located Whiting in Goleta and took her into custody.
Whiting was later booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on suspicion of embezzlement, a violation of California Penal Code 503 and her bail was set at $20,000.
“We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships,” the agency said.
Bakersfield woman to face felony hit-and-run case in PCH crash
Mysti Lee Ary, of Bakersfield, has been held to answer on a felony charge of fleeing the scene of an accident causing permanent, serious injury, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said.
The case stems from a June 15, 2025, crash along Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County. After a one-day preliminary hearing May 11, a judge found sufficient evidence for Ary to face the felony count.
Prosecutors said Ary is accused of being involved in a collision with a runner along PCH.
Authorities allege she struck the pedestrian and left the scene without stopping to render aid or identify herself.
First responders found the injured pedestrian at the scene with significant injuries.
Following an investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Ary was identified as the alleged driver.
She was arrested several days later, and the vehicle believed to have been involved in the collision was located and seized as evidence.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim, whose life was permanently impacted by this incident,” Deputy District Attorney Jordan Pitcher said.
“Drivers have a responsibility to stop, render aid, and take accountability when someone is seriously injured on our roadways,” Pitcher said.
Ary is scheduled for an information arraignment June 3 at 9 a.m. in the Ventura County Superior Court.
Los Angeles man charged in catalytic converter theft series
A Los Angeles man has pleaded not guilty to nine felony counts of grand theft after prosecutors accused him of taking part in a series of catalytic converter thefts in Ventura County.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Efran Esau Flores Alvarez, 20, of Los Angeles, was arraigned May 21 in Ventura County Superior Court.
Alvarez is accused of committing nine separate catalytic converter thefts in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley between March 20 and April 23, prosecutors said.
When Alvarez was arrested May 19, investigators allegedly found a hand saw, impact drills, additional saw blades and a floor jack in his vehicle, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities also said he had more than $5,600 in cash.
Investigators believe Alvarez may be connected to additional catalytic converter thefts throughout Ventura County. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed, prosecutors said.
The case was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Simi Valley Police Department.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Brandon Ross, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Alvarez is scheduled for an early disposition conference June 2 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of Ventura County Superior Court.
He remains in custody with bail set at $75,000.
