Ventura County Animal Services Promotes and Protects the Welfare of Animals

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is a division of Ventura County Public Health and a department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Ventura County Animal Services is committed to promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people and animals living in Ventura County.

VCAS's main animal shelter and administrative offices is located near the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive. The shelter houses up to 400 animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, livestock and exotic animals. The Simi Valley shelter at 670 West Los Angeles Avenue accepts strays from Simi Valley and Moorpark that can be reclaimed by local residents but due to space limitations are photographed and brought to Camarillo usually within 24 hours. Both shelters are currently open seven days a week. Visit www.vcas.us for operating hours.

To reach either shelter, call 805.388.4341 or 888.223.PETS, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday/Sunday 8 am to 4 pm. Field officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be reached through these numbers.

How to Adopt an Animal: Animals become available for adoption over varying periods, depending on if the animal has been given up for adoption or is a stray. All adopted animals must be spayed/neutered. In-county adoption costs $125, including certification of sterilization, preliminary vaccinations, first rabies vaccine, Ventura County license*, Trovan microchip for permanent identification, free obedience classes and a certificate for a free health exam at participating local veterinarians. You must be 18 or older with valid ID and commit to providing a "home" (not just a yard) for the animal.

*State law requires that dogs over four months of age be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. VCAS handles licensing for all of Ventura County except Thousand Oaks and Santa Paula, which have their own licensing programs. The City of Thousand Oaks contracts with the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter located at 29525 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills. The Agoura Hills shelter is open seven days a week and can be reached at 818.991.0071. Visit the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center site at www.santapaulaarc.org for licensing information in that city.

Dog adoption fee for Ventura County residents as of January 2022 (includes license, sterilization and microchip): $115 ($90 fr out of county residents; excludes license). Cats $80, rabbits $50, birds $15.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case Tallies and Deaths in Ventura County, California and the World (2021)

This page will be updated periodically with information on Ventura County area cases from www.venturacountyrecovers.org, U.S. cases from the CDC and global cases from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This post covers statistics in 2021. 2020 case tallies are at THIS LINK.

Note that previously reported case counts are subject to changes and updates. We report initial case counts reported on these sites that in particular in the global stats change over time. For more accurate up to date counts at the global level, visit the WHO website at who.sprinklr.com.

Local area COVID-19 updates and news items are at THIS LINK.

Find Ventura County COVID-19 testing locations at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing.

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Reporting changed from weekdays to weekly to 3 times a week in July.

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Reporting changed from weekdays to weekly to 3 times a week in July.

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Eligibility for California Golden State Stimulus I and II Payments

A friend of mine who is in his 80s called me the other day asking if I knew why he received a check in the mail from the State of California. It was a check for $600 as part of the Golden State Stimulus II program. Here are the details.

Golden State Stimulus I Payments

First off, earlier in the year, many Californians received the Golden State Stimulus 1 payment, which was either $600 or $1200. Qualifications for GSS I were as follows:

• Must have filed your 2020 taxes,

• Must be either a CalEITC recipient or an ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less in California Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2020.

  • A CalEITC (or California Earned Income Tax Credit) recipient is someone who in 2020 had California AGI of $30,000 or less and does not use the married filing separately filing status.

  • An ITIN (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) filer is a taxpayer who is not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number.

• Must have lived in California at least half of 2020 and are a California resident the date the payment is issued.

• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

GSS I recipients received $600 if they were either 1) an CalEITC recipient or 2) were an ITIN filer and made $75,000 or less in 2020 CA AGI (if filing jointly at least one taxpayer must use an ITIN).

GSS I recipients received $1,200 if they 1) were both a CalEITC recipient and an ITIN filer and made $75,000 CA AGI or less in 2020 or 2) filed a joint return, were CalEITC recipients, at least one was an ITIN filer and made $75,000 or less in 2020 CA AGI.

More information about GSS I on the Franchise Tax Board website at www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-i.html.

Golden State Stimulus II

The state expanded the program and started paying out additional stimulus payments in October, continuing through mid-January. The amount of these payments is either $500, $600, $1,000 or $1,100. Qualifications for GSS II are as follows:

• Must have filed your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021.

• Have CA AGI of $1 to $75,000 and wages of $0 to $75,000 in 2020.

• Must have lived in California at least half of 2020 and are a California resident the date the payment is issued.

• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

Here’s what you get if you qualify and have a SSN:

• $500 if you also qualified for GSS I and claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents.

• $600 if you did not qualify for GSS I and did not claim any dependents.

• $1,100 if you did not qualify for GSS I and claimed 1 or more dependents.

• $0 if you qualified for GSS I and did not claim any dependents.

Here’s what you get if you qualify and have an ITIN:

• $1,000 if you did qualify for GSS I and claimed 1 or more dependents.

• $0 if you did qualify for GSS I but did not claim and dependents.

More information about GSS II on the FTB website at www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-ii.html.

Emergency Response Systems in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

VC Alert is a free service provided by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and participating cities. It launched in January 2012.

All 10 cities in Ventura County utilize the VC Alert system - Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Simi Valley as well as unincorporated areas of Ventura County.

The VC Alert database includes all listed and unlisted landline telephone numbers serviced by AT&T and Verizon.  If you would like to ensure that you will be contacted on your home phone, cellular phone, work phone, TTY device, email, fax or text messaging, you must register that information using the opt in VC Alert portal. All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

VC Alert alerts residents about emergencies and other important community news.  The system enables officials to provide essential information quickly when there is a threat to the health or safety of Ventura County residents. To learn more and to register online, visit www.vcalert.org or call 805.648.9283.

The official Ventura County incident information site is vcemergency.com, which posts up-to-date incident information, public safety power shutoffs, current evacuations, emergency shelters and road closures.

The City of Westlake Village uses Blackboard Connect for telephone emergency response recordings for hazards, warnings, evacuations, updates, etc. Land lines are already in the database but you may register additional lines. westlakevillage.bbcportal.com. More info at www.wlv.org/191/Emergency-Notifications.

The City of Agoura Hills also uses Blackboard Connect for emergency response services at cityofagourahills.bbcportal.com/Entry. More info at www.agourahillscity.org/i-want-to/sign-up/connect-cty. There’s also a call-in emergency information line available at 818.597.7301.

City of Calabasas residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency updates through its Blackboard Connect system at calabasase911.bbcportal.com/Entry. There’s also a call-in emergency info line available at 818.224.1600.

The City of Malibu’s call-in emergency hotline is 310.456.9982. The city's radio station is WPTD AM 1620. The City of Malibu has its own emergency alerts system at member.everbridge.net/index/453003085613099

Los Angeles County residents in Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, etc. can sign up for Alert LA County. a free mass notification system for Los Angeles County residents at www.lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la.

Ready Ventura County is a local emergency response planning and information reporting site that is used extensively during local emergencies. www.readyventuracounty.org

Ventura County emergency alert radio stations: KVTA 1590 AM, KHAY 100.7 FM, KMLA 103.7 FM (SPANISH)

Ventura County Sheriff's Department 805.654.2380

Ventura County Fire Department 805.389.9710

Ventura County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Office 805.981.5331

Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services 805.654.2551

Department of Homeland Security Disaster Response 202.282.8000

California Office of Emergency Services 916.845.8510

And of course, there's 9-1-1 for immediate help.

FEMA Ready.gov Website Provides Emergency Preparedness Tips

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched Ready.gov to educate and prepare Americans for emergencies, both natural and man-made.  Three key sections of the site are maintaining an emergency supply kit, making a plan and being informed.

Here are FEMA's recommendations for a kit of food, water and supplies to last at least 3 days per person should rescue workers not be able to get to you right away after a disaster/emergency.

• At least 3 days of water per person, consisting of at least one gallon of water per person, per day.

• At least 3 days of non-perishable food per person. Things like ready-to-eat canned items, protein or fruit bars, cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, canned juices, high energy foods, food for infants, etc.

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• First aid kit with 2 pairs of gloves, sterile dressings, cleansing agent/soap/towelettes, antibiotic and burn ointments, bandages, eye wash solution, thermometer, prescription items (other items to consider...scissors, tweezers, petroleum jelly, aspirin, anti-diarrheal, antacid, laxative)

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air; plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Manual can opener if you have canned food

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers and backup battery.

Other items to consider:

• Prescription medications and glasses

• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medications, antacids or laxatives.

• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

• Cash and change

• Emergency reference materials, first aid manual, etc.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

• Since Spring 2020: masks, soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes

But don't stop with this list! Visit Ready.gov to learn more about emergency preparedness!

Visit www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/ready_checklist.pdf for an amergency supply list.

The Truck Escape Ramp on Kanan Dume Road at the Intersection of Pacific Coast Highway

From time to time we take Kanan Road in Agoura Hills to Malibu for quick access to Zuma Beach, Westward Beach and Point Dume State Beach as well as Escondido Canyon Park, Paradise Cove and other great outdoor spots in Malibu.

From the 101, Kanan Road is about 12 miles from Pacific Coast Highway and takes roughly 15 minutes without traffic. Something that has always puzzled me is why it is called Kanan Road all the way from its juncture with North Westlake Boulevard in Thousand Oaks to the 101, through Oak Park and Agoura Hills, down to its intersection with Mulholland Highway in Malibu and then becomes Kanan Dume Road.

Runaway Truck Escape Ramp

The southernmost section of Kanan Dume Road is particularly steep, with an 8% grade over three miles.  My kids always ask about the "Escape Ramp" at the bottom of Kanan Dume Road at its intersection with PCH.

The Truck Escape Ramp was built in 1987 after a series of crashes and resulting deaths due to runaway trucks. The escape ramp, or arrester bed, is an 800 foot long, pit in the middle lane of the road filled 2 1/2 feet deep with gravel. The allowable weight limit for trucks on Kanan Dume was also dropped in 1987 from 14,000 to 8,000 lbs.

The arrester bed was renovated in 2014 to make it wider and improve signage. Thankfully we have never seen the escape ramp used, but it is there if it is ever needed.

Tunnel Vision

There are three tunnels on Kanan Dume Road between Latigo Canyon Road and PCH built in the late 1960s to early 1980s. They are affectionately referred to as T-1, T-2 and T-3. T-3 is two-lane tunnel located at approximately 1142-1208 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, roughly five miles from Highway 101. A short distance later, you will drive through T-2, located just northeast of Rocky Oaks Park. About 2 1/2 miles from T-2 is the T-1 tunnel, just south of the Newton Canyon Backbone Trail trailhead.

One of three tunnels on Kanan Dume Road in Malibu. This one is called T-3. (Clever, eh?)

Signage indicating approach of the truck escape ramp on Kanan Dume Road.

A closer view of the escape ramp gravel pit. My son asked if we could drive in it (in my minivan). I said, "um, no" although if our brakes gave out, sure, I would use it.

All About the Advance Child Tax Credits That Commenced Today, July 15, 2021

Today, the IRS started sending out “Advance Child Tax Credits” to eligible taxpayers for 2021 that were voted into law as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in March.

The law did a number of things for the 2021 tax year only:

• It increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 for dependents under age 17 to $3,600 for ages 5 and under and $3,000 for ages 17 and under.

  • Dependents age 18 and up continue to generate a $500 tax credit, with no advance credit.

  • Note that in prior years, the credit dropped from $2,000 to $500 at age 17, not age 18. So effectively the Child Tax Credit for dependents age 17 increased from $500 to $3,000 for year 2021, which is quite substantial.

  • The ages are determined as of 12/31/21.

• The law allows for Advance Child Tax Credit payments to taxpayers over a 6 month period beginning July 15 through December 15, 2021. The advance payments are as follows:

  • Up to $1,800 of the $3,600 tax credit for ages 5 and under at a rate of $300 per month, beginning July 15th.

  • Up to $1,500 of the $3,000 tax credit for ages 6 to 17 at a rate of $250 per month, beginning July 15th.

  • The remaining 50% of the tax credit will be applied as usual when you file your 2021 tax return in 2022.

• However, there is a “first phaseout” of the increased Child Tax Credit in 2021 once your 2021 modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reaches $150,000 for married filing joint, $112,500 for head of household and $75,000 for single filers.

  • This first phaseout begins to reduce the Child Tax Credit from $3,000 or $3,600 down to $2,000.

  • The reduction is $50 of tax credit for each $1,000 in AGI in excess of the limits shown above. That means the Child Tax Credit drops to $2,000 if your income is $30,000 (ages 6 to 17) or $36,000 (ages 5 and under) greater than the limits.

• There’s also a “second phaseout” if your income reaches $400,000 married filing joint or $200,000 for other filing statuses as there has been in prior years.

Isn’t this great how uncomplicated the rules are? <sarcasm>

How do they determine if you will be receiving the Advance Child Tax Credit? Based on your 2020, or if not filed yet, your 2019 tax return.

The IRS will be sending out “Letter 6419” next January to show the total amount of Advance Child Tax Credits paid. They will need to be included in your 2021 tax returns to derive any remaining Child Tax Credit.

The Advance Child Tax Credits are not taxable income. HOWEVER, if your tax situation changes significantly in 2021 and as a result you are not eligible for the full Child Tax Credit, but you receive the Advance Child Tax Credits, you may have to pay back some of the money when you file the return. For example:

• Your income increased in 2021 and you are no longer eligible for the increased tax credit.

• You no longer claim the dependent for whatever reason.

If you think you are in this situation, you can OPT OUT of receiving the Advance Child Tax Credits at https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021.

• You cannot opt out of payments already received, but you can opt out of future payments.

Inversely, your tax situation may have changed in 2021 that would allow you to receive more Advance Child Tax Credits:

• You had a baby in 2021 or otherwise have additional dependents under age 18.

• Your AGI dropped in 2021 and as a result you are now eligible for Child Tax Credits based on your reduced income.

• Your tax filing status changed in 2021 (single to married, or vice versa) and that changes your eligibility for Child Tax Credits.

Goldstein Weiss, CPAs www.goldsteinweiss.com 818-876-8380

Go to the link above to update your information with the IRS to start receiving Advance Child Tax Credits.