Home Care In Santa Paula, CA

California officials confirmed the discovery of an insect carrying the bacteria linked to huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus in a residential tree in Santa Paula, Calif. This is the first confirmed discovery of an infected Asian citrus psyllid in Ventura County.

“This really is a devastating find,” said Ben Faber, UC Cooperative Extension subtropical crops adviser for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. “It means that Asian citrus psyllid that is infected with the HLB bacteria is present in the middle of a citrus-growing area that is currently and historically important for lemon production.”

As of Sept. 20, HLB had not been detected in any Ventura County citrus trees.

The discovery marks a northward progression of infected ACP, which are well-established across southern California from San Diego to Los Angeles. The tiny insects can fly short distances and are known to hitchhike on citrus plants and fruit that is moved around the state by consumers and in commercial trucks.

“Not all ACP carry the bacteria, but if one is found, it means either that an infected insect has flown or hitchhiked in,” Faber said.

Neil McRoberts, UC Davis professor of plant pathology, urged vigilance, but not panic.

“We have long suspected that ACP infected with the pathogen are present in Ventura, the results simply confirm that suspicion.”

Infected psyllids spread the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) bacterium by feeding on citrus plant material. The insects are known to feed and reproduce only on citrus. Once the insects acquire the bacteria, they can spread it from tree to tree, simply by feeding on the fresh leaves.

Commercial citrus

The Santa Paula discovery comes after University of California officials conducting research in Ventura and San Diego counties thought they discovered the state’s first infected commercial citrus trees during their studies.

State officials followed up with official tests based on regulatory protocols and determined that the trees in question were not infected with HLB.

There is no known cure for HLB, which has managed to be kept out of California’s multi-billion-dollar citrus industry. First discovered in a residential tree in Hacienda Heights, Calif., about 10 years ago, HLB began to spread rapidly across southern California several years later.

The disease eventually kills citrus trees and is worrisome to the commercial citrus industry because as it kills the trees, it renders fruit unmarketable.

About the Author(s)

Todd Fitchette

Associate Editor, Western Farm Press

Todd Fitchette, associate editor with Western Farm Press, spent much of his journalism career covering agriculture in California and the western United States. Aside from reporting about issues related to farm production, environmental regulations and legislative matters, he has extensive experience covering the dairy industry, western water issues and politics. His journalistic experience includes local daily and weekly newspapers, where he was recognized early in his career as an award-winning news photographer.

Fitchette is US Army veteran and a graduate of California State University, Chico.

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January 31, 2023 SANTA PAULA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Limoneira Company BB #:168478, a diversified citrus growing, packing, selling and marketing company with related agribusiness activities and real estate development operations, today announced the closing of the sale of its Northern Properties to PGIM Agricultural Investments (“PAI”), a business unit of PGIM Real Estate Finance, LLC (“PGIM”).

The property consists of 3,537 acres in Tulare County, CA, comprised of a total of 2,700 planted acres, 231 acres of plantable ground and 606 acres of open space. The Company received approximately $99 million in net cash proceeds.

As part of the transaction, Limoneira and PAI entered into a Farm Management Agreement for Limoneira to provide farming services related to the property for an initial term of one year. Additionally, Limoneira and PAI entered into a Grower Packing & Marketing Agreement for Limoneira to provide packing, marketing and selling services for lemons harvested on the property for a minimum five-year period.

This transaction aligns with the Company’s Strategic Plan as established by its Board of Directors at the beginning of 2022. Within the next 12 to 18 months, the Company expects to further realize the following goals of its Strategic Plan:

Harold Edwards, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We expect the $100 million Northern Properties transaction will be accretive to EBITDA and earnings on a pro forma basis. In addition, it is a great example of the planned expansion of our asset-light supply chain as we pivot towards being a service provider as a farm manager and packer, marketer and seller of the lemons harvested from these properties. The proceeds from the sale will significantly reduce our overall debt and allow us greater flexibility to consider a broad range of strategic opportunities and then selectively pursue those that will maximize value for our stockholders.”

Mr. Edwards, continued, “During the past three months, we have sold approximately $130 million of the $150 million of non-strategic assets identified for sale and are exceeding our internal timeline and valuation projections. Moving forward, we will continue to advance our asset-light model as we focus on the best use of our valuable portfolio of agricultural lands, real estate properties and water rights, along with utilizing our expertise in packing, marketing and distributing to increase our grower partners.”

“Lastly, as previously mentioned on our fourth quarter 2022 earnings call, we still expect to receive $115 million over seven fiscal years from Harvest at Limoneira and the addition of the Harvest Medical Pavilion with proceeds of $8 million received in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. Over the next 12 to 18 months we expect to achieve the goals set out in our Strategic Plan, to include streamlining operations, improving consistency of earnings, and increasing EBITDA and dividends per share.”

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the Northern Properties sale transaction on February 1, 2023, at 7:00 am Pacific Time (10:00 am Eastern Time). Investors interested in participating in the live call from the U.S. can dial (877) 407-0789. International callers can dial (201) 689-8562. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and will be available through February 15, 2023, by dialing (844) 512-2921 from the U.S., or (412) 317-6671 from international locations; passcode is 13735815.

There also will be a simultaneous, live webcast available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site at www.limoneira.com. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

About Limoneira Company

Limoneira Company, a 130-year-old international agribusiness headquartered in Santa Paula, California, has grown to become one of the premier integrated agribusinesses in the world. Limoneira (le moñ âra) is a dedicated sustainability company with 11,900 acres of rich agricultural lands, real estate properties, and water rights in California, Arizona, Chile and Argentina. The Company is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus and other crops that are enjoyed throughout the world. For more about Limoneira Company, visit www.limoneira.com.

PICTURED: Sierra Northern locomotive makes a stop in Santa Paula. Photo by Dave Lustig

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Santa Paula city officials are hoping the July 1 move into town by a Northern California railroad company will propel the city’s image as a destination for tourists who may one day board excursion trains from the city’s historic train depot.

“We’re looking forward to being able to share the beauty and charm of Santa Paula,” said Santa Paula public information officer Jonathan Royas, even though it’s not yet confirmed where passengers would board excursion trains in the future.

Sierra Northern Railway has leased the former Santa Paula Hay and Grain building for a base of operations after contract negotiations reached the end of the line for city-owned property in Fillmore.

The major shift for local railroad operations came after Sierra Northern signed a 30-year lease for use of the Santa Paula Branch Line tracks and right-of-way which is owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission and stretches from Ventura to Piru.

The building leased by the company in Santa Paula is only expected to be used for a year or two, but Royas said it’s a positive development that Sierra Northern Railway now has their base of operations in Santa Paula.

“We’re happy to welcome Sierra Northern to Santa Paula and we look forward to working with them,” Royas said.

Railroad officials are also happy with the move.

“We are pleased to partner with Santa Paula Hay and Grain and the city of Santa Paula to develop our new base of operations,” said Kennan Beard, president of Sierra Northern, about the facility at 212 North 12th Street. “We are looking forward to integrating ourselves into the community.”

Railroad officials are still looking to purchase a location for their permanent base of operations. They are also looking for a separate location to serve passengers, company officials said. They’re considering any locations along the rail line outside the city of Fillmore.

One obvious site for excursion train boarding and ticket sales would be Santa Paula’s historic train depot which is owned by the city and houses the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Royas said.

“We’re ready with open arms to help facilitate that process. We want to be able to drive tourism into Santa Paula,” he said. “I think it would be a great opportunity to partner with them to make that happen. What that looks like in terms of where they would set up the operations for the tourism aspect of it remains to be seen.”

Santa Paula city officials said while they’re excited about the prospect of the possibility of using the city-owned depot for excursion train ticket sales and boarding, they are less interested in having freight train operations within the city limits due to potential impacts on residents.

“We’re really not interested in the freight operation that they plan to bring,” Royas said.

Sierra Northern Ventura Division Manager Matt Blackburn said the building leased as a temporary base of operations will be used for things like offices and storing trucks, but not ticket sales and boarding for excursion trains. The 1.5-acre property has a 4,000-square-foot building. While there are train tracks next to the property, for the long term, company officials are looking for a property where they can build new rails for their base of operations, Blackburn explained.

While it’s still unclear where the excursion trains will board, Blackburn said they hope to have them running by the end of the year. The tourist trains will be operated by a sister company, Mendocino Railroad, which runs the popular Skunk Train in Fort Bragg that takes passengers through scenic forested mountains.

Blackburn said railbike tours are offered along the Skunk Train line as well as a route near Sacramento where the River Fox Train also carries sightseers. The railbike rentals on those lines are a big hit with people who’ve tried them out, he said. Railbikes have pedals as well as an electric motor for an added boost.

“They like it because it’s something fun and different. It’s a different way to get out and explore. It’s a very nice and relaxing ride. You get to see different things you don’t get to see. For example you may be able to see a little more wildlife because they’re not as loud as a train,” he said.

Blackburn said they also want to bring back holiday-themed excursions trains like ones that took people to a Christmas tree farm to cut down trees when the branch line was previously leased by Fillmore and Western Railway.

While Sierra Northern is in the process of moving off property owned by the city of Fillmore, the company will continue to have a presence in Fillmore. Tracks the company is leasing from the VCTC in Fillmore will continue to be used for storing trains, Blackburn said.

The VCReporter asked Fillmore City Manager David Rowlands if Fillmore residents are disappointed that negotiations to keep the excursion train operation in Fillmore did not pan out with Sierra Northern.

“I think the residents trusted the city and did what was best for the city,” Rowlands said. “We wish them well in Santa Paula.”

UPDATED with latest: The flash flood warnings announced earlier for Northwestern Los Angeles Country and Ventura County have been extended to all of L.A. County, per the National Weather Service just before 7 p.m.

Some flash flooding already has been reported, the NES said, in areas of Fillmore, Ojai and Santa Paula, Santa Clarita, especially in the burn scar areas from recent-ish fires like the Thomas Fire.

In Chatsworth, two cars fell into a sinkhole tonight, trapping two people, authorities said. The incident was reported about 7:20 p.m. at 11414 Iverson Road, where one car toppled on top of the other in the hole, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Because the roadway was completely compromised, authorities said it could not support emergency vehicles, so firefighters slid ladders down to help the two trapped motorists. Both people were taken to a hospital with minor, non-life threatening injuries, the LAFD reported.

The incident comes as total rainfall tonight through tomorrow morning across Los Angeles is expected to be between two and five inches. Some areas, like Ojai, Fillmore and Pasadena are expected to get even more.

PREVIOUSLY at 4:15 PM: Santa Barbara emergency response officials updated the situation in the region north of Los Angeles this afternoon and it is not good. Among the issues — beyond heavy rain and flooding — is that the 101 is now closed at multiple points, effectively cutting off traffic going northbound into Santa Barbara and also traffic going Northbound out of the county.

“The CHP is in the process of closing 101 at state route 33 in Ventura in order to stop traffic from coming into the county,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Several lanes that have been closed in Carpenteria [south of Santa Barbara]. The highway has also been closed at Cabrillo, according to the sheriff.

North of the seaside city, the 101 is closed at Mariposa because “significant rockfall at Gaviota,” said the sheriff, who also indicated that it will remain closed “until some time tomorrow.

“There are big boulders blocking that,” he added.

Another official indicated that a declaration of a state of emergency is likely soon, with a “signed declaration of emergency being presented to supervisors” shortly.

Montecito Resident Ellen DeGeneres Posts Video Of Raging Water Beside her Home

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles also warned of (caps theirs), “DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING across southern Santa Barbara county and central Ventura county through this evening as additional heavy rain moves into the area. Follow orders from emergency officials.”

In L.A., the NWS also updated its flash-flood watches to warnings for Northwestern Los Angeles Country and Ventura County.

The potentially-affected areas include Fillmore, Ojai, Santa Clarita, Santa Paula, Lockwood Valley, Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake, especially the burn scar areas from recent-ish fires like the Thomas Fire. Some flash flooding already has been reported, the NES said. The warning will remain in effect until 9 p.m.

PREVIOUSLY, 1:44 PM: The latest in a series of storm systems hit Southern California this morning prompting high winds, flood watches and evacuation orders for some residents.

Santa Barbara issued an evacuation order for all of Montecito, a leafy locale popular with showbiz types that was hit hard five years ago as debris flows inundated houses, overwashed the 101 Freeway and took 23 lives. Creeks there were already swollen by midday Monday.

The evcuation order “includes all 15 zones of the Montecito Community, all Toro Canyon & Padaro Lane residents in the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District & all residents of Sycamore Canyon in the City of SB and Montecito,” according to SB County.

Flash flood warnings were in effect for inland Santa Barbara and Ojai through 4:45 this afternoon, reported KTLA5. The outlet also indicated “significant rainfall” is expected in Los Angeles after 8 p.m. as the brunt of the storm system is expected to arrive. There is another band moving in Tuesday morning. As that weather moves out, high winds are expected.

Flood watches are in effect from late Monday through Tuesday evening for the Los Angeles County coast, mountains, downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and Antelope valleys, specifically Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Palmdale, Santa Monica, Northridge, Universal City, Zuma Beach, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Valencia, Santa Clarita, East Los Angeles, Newhall, Acton, Redondo Beach, Hollywood, Mount Wilson, Compton, San Gabriel, Woodland Hills, Downey, Palos Verdes, Culver City, Malibu, Norwalk, Long Beach, Castaic Lake, El Monte, Torrance, Pomona, Lakewood, LAX, and Lancaster.

A flood watch was also issued for Orange County locales including Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton and Mission Viejo and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.

Rainfall amounts were on track for 2-4 inches for the coast and valleys, and up to 4-8 inches in the mountains, forecasters said.

“Biggest concern continues to be near the recent burn scars, though all areas will be susceptible to at least minor flooding issues through early Tuesday,” according to the NWS.

Due to the threat of flooding and debris flows in recent burn areas, Los Angeles County officials issued an evacuation warning for residents in the Lake Hughes and Kings Canyon area that will be in effect through Tuesday. Residents were warned to prepare to evacuate by gathering important materials and being ready to leave quickly.

The National Weather Service also warned of gales and high surf through Tuesday.

A series of powerful storms are expected to pass through Northern California this week, moving into Southern California thereafter. An atmospheric river event pounded Northern California last week causing flooding, power outages and heavy snowfall in the mountain areas.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the entire state of California on Sunday and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide emergency resources, the White House said in a statement.

In a move likely to snarl traffic between Beverly Hills-West Hollywood and the Valley, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation implemented a road closure of Mulholland Drive between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Drive in anticipation of the storm activity.

Partly sunny skies will return Wednesday and Thursday, but more rain is possible next weekend, possibly as early as Friday night, according to the NWS.

City News Service contributed to this report.

ONTARIO — The trio that played a big part in Blair’s incredible turnaround season, freshman Timmy Anderson, sophomore Keshrey Smith Jr. and senior Shakour Sidney, were not going to let an opportunity to make history get away like other Vikings teams have done in the past.

After falling short in CIF-SS title games in 1983 and 2017, and after going 9-17 last season and 18-71 over the past four years, Blair’s resurrection is complete.

Top-seeded Blair won the school’s first CIF-SS boys basketball championship by beating No. 3 seed Santa Paula 84-59 for the Division 5A title Saturday night at Colony High School.

Blair High School’s Varsity Basketball team pose for a photo after winning the CIF-SS Division 5A basketball championship game against Santa Paula High School at Colony High School on Saturday night. (Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)

Blair improved to 23-10 while dropping Santa Paula to 13-10. Both teams will be in the CIF State regional playoffs that begin Tuesday. The pairings will be released Sunday afternoon.

Blair coach Devon Richardson said few believed the team would win a title when he took over a few years ago.

“I’m kind of speechless right now,” Richardson said. “You talk about it all year long, you set out for it, plan for it, and it’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears. That was the goal, to win a championship and we refused to settle for anything less.”

Blair’s big trio made sure the title didn’t get away this time.

Anderson, one of the top freshman scorers in the state, finished with a game-high 29 points and Sidney dominated on both ends, finishing with 28 points and 15 rebounds.

Smith, who leads the CIF-SS in assists, filled out the stat sheet with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

“Absolutely, I wasn’t expecting anything less,” Richardson said when asked about the trio’s performance. “They’re great basketball players. Just because you go to a small school doesn’t mean you can’t get in the gym and do the work. I don’t think anyone puts in as much work as these guys. Inside the circle, we expected this. If you’re outside the circle, you wouldn’t know.”

Blair coach Devon Richardson after an 84-59 win over Santa Paula for their first championship pic.twitter.com/yC07mL7DCl

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) February 26, 2023

The Vikings and Cardinals went back and forth most of the first quarter, but Sidney’s back-to-back baskets in the opening minutes of the second quarter gave the Vikings a 20-13 lead.

And they kept it going. Anderson hit a floater in the lane and then a spinning lay-up to finish a 10-2 run for a 28-15 lead.

The Vikings kept adding to their advantage. Anderson nailed a corner 3-pointer and Sidney dropped in a pull-up jumper in the final minute of the half for their biggest lead, 17 points.

The Cardinals got within nine points in the second half, but the Vikings built their lead back to 18 points with five minutes left, and that was that.

Blair freshman Timmy Anderson with 28 points, Shakour Sidney with 28 points, 15 rebounds and Keshrey Smith Jr. with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. They talk about winning school’s first title pic.twitter.com/tPUdpV51BC

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) February 26, 2023

“It’s nice knowing the history of Blair and coming out here and scoring 29 points and winning the championship,” Anderson said. “This is what we came here for.”

Sidney is a senior who had been through all the tough times.

“This final run meant a lot to me,” Sidney said. “I wanted to put in my best work and do my best out there. And I did.”

Smith, a sophomore, said they know and trust each other so well that they were ready for their big moment.

“I love getting them the ball, they make me look good,” Smith said of Anderson and Sidney. “They’re hoopers, I’ve known that my whole life.”