I’m excited to announce that I’m now the lead reporter for the
#ThousandOaks
Acorn!
I’ve loved covering Camarillo and am so grateful to everyone who has trusted me to tell their stories, but I’m excited for a new challenge.
Please send tips to makena
@theacorn
.com.
As an Acorn employee, I do not stand by the editorial titled "Nothing’s level about this proposed playing field" that was recently published in several editions of the Acorn.
Last month, I graduated summa cum laude from Pepperdine University.
Last week, I started my journalism career as a news reporter for The Acorn Newspapers. I am excited to tell stories that matter to the local community.
@MoorparkAcorn
@acornnewspaper
@theacornonline
I'm excited to announce that I am now the lead reporter for the Acorn's
#Camarillo
edition.
I'm looking forward to the challenge of covering a different city. You can send me story ideas at makena
@theacorn
.com.
Today, the
#VenturaCounty
Office of Education received more than 500,000 N95 masks from the state, according to a press release.
The masks will be distributed to public and private K-12 schools in the county for voluntary use by students and staff.
I’m at Freedom Park in
#Camarillo
for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Miracle League field.
Miracle League of the 805 began fundraising in 2018 for an accessible baseball field for children with disabilities. The nonprofit raised the $1.3 million needed for construction.
The County of
#Ventura
plans to purchase a building in downtown
#Oxnard
for $4.1 million to serve as a second family justice center, according to the district attorney's office.
The center will be named after late supervisor Carmen Ramirez and serve victims of crime.
BREAKING: I’m near Lewis and Las Posas Roads in
#Camarillo
, where an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle.
There are no reported injuries among train passengers, but the driver of the vehicle was airlifted with critical injuries, according to the fire department.
Pepperdine University has identified the four students killed in last night's crash on Pacific Coast Highway as seniors Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams.
I'm honored to have won third place in youth and education coverage for my story on how the substitute teacher shortage impacted
@MoorparkUnified
.
These educators deserve all the recognition.
In April, I wrote about Aria Yau, a 6-year-old
#Camarillo
resident who sold lemonade to raise money for
@kidSTREAM805
children’s museum. Today, my lemonade supported kidSTREAM and the Maui Food Bank. Keep an eye out for Aria!
#localjournalism
A man has been arrested on suspicion of the 1997 bank robbery of Western Financial Bank in
#ThousandOaks
and the murder of bank teller Monica Leech, according to the
#VenturaCounty
Sheriff's Office.
Today I covered the second and final day of the
#VenturaCounty
Fire Department’s Girls with Grit Fire Camp.
Teens from throughout the county trained with women firefighters, learning what it takes to succeed in the male-dominated field.
The families of Pepperdine seniors Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams looked forward to meeting one another at graduation. Instead, they gathered Oct. 22 to grieve the women's deaths.
Learn about their legacies in my latest:
The
@PeppGraphic
special edition I edited with
@RowanToke
last year was just named best special edition by
@collegemedia
. It explores the role of journalism in society, specifically the phrase, "If it bleeds, it leads."
Kyle, you have taught me so much about the power and potential of local journalism. The Thousand Oaks community and the Acorn are better off because of you.
SOME PERSONAL NEWS (hope everyone is sitting down): My last day at my beloved Acorn Newspapers will be March 3rd, just shy of my 19th year with the company. An incredibly difficult decision to make but felt the itch to try something new. Been in journalism since I was 17...
In addition to interviewing many attendees at today’s
@WingsOverCam
air show, I had the opportunity to interview several veterans, including Royce Williams.
The 98-year-old retired naval aviator shot down four Soviet fighter planes in 1952. More in next week’s
@CamarilloAcorn
.
Acorn Newspapers are proud to announce a first-place win in the News Photo Open Division (all papers in the state) for
@Michael_Coons
coverage of the 2022 Iskander family vigil.
Entry Title: Emotional Embrace
Judge Comment: "The impact of this image is everlasting. I am moved."
BREAKING: Cold case homicide investigators arrested Tony Garcia of
#Oxnard
yesterday on suspicion of the murder of
#Camarillo
resident Rachel Zendejas and Oxnard resident Lisa Gondek, according to Ventura County Sheriff's Office records.
Students at Moorpark High School and Mountain Meadows Elementary School are sheltering in place due to law enforcement activity in Moorpark.
"This is out of an abundance of caution, and there is no immediate threat to the campus," spokesperson Dan Wolowicz said.
The
#VenturaCounty
Office of Education has become aware of a TikTok trend threatening violence at schools nationwide Dec. 17.
While no known county schools have been mentioned, some schools may be taking extra safety measures, a VCOE press release states.
Some recruitment credit goes to
@ReporterDawn
, whose work covering Borderline aftermath has inspired a new legion of Acorn followers
@pepperdine
and, more importantly, a new group of budding journalists. Excited to see
@MakenaHuey
’s work.
1) My grandma doesn’t have a computer, so I printed
@PeppCurrents
for her.
2) She’s not fast enough for Boomerangs, so I had to edit my own.
3) She wants you to read all of Currents right now! She’s so adorable, you can’t say no to her!
One of my friends, also a Pepperdine alum and journalist, is searching for her aunt.
Please share this post and report any information to police, especially if you are near Los Angeles!
#missingperson
25 years after the parade that welcomed them back from the 1996 World Series, the Moorpark Little League team reunited at the Country Days parade.
They cannot help but remember Joel Burchfield: the teammate and friend they lost too soon.
Southern California Edison customers in
#VenturaCounty
received the following information tonight regarding
#HurricaneHilary
.
Power outages may occur. Visit and tips for more information.
A Guiness World Records judge will visit Adolfo
#Camarillo
High School's football stadium tonight at 6 p.m. to determine whether students set the record for the world's longest charcuterie board.
I spoke with two students today who helped build the 205-foot board.
Around 1 p.m. today, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a car in the 4900 block of Buttercreek Road and the subject fled their vehicle, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
The incident is still ongoing, causing the shelter in place.
Tonight's City Council will be an extremely important one. Yeah, yeah ... there's this little general plan vote, of course, but you'll also get the opportunity to meet T.O. Acorn's new reporter, Makena Huey. Makena's been reporting for the Camarillo Acorn. This is her CC meeting
Today, dozens of healthcare workers at St. John’s Hospital
#Camarillo
protested staff shortages that they say negatively impact themselves and, more importantly, their patients.
Family members of Alaina Housley said she and eight other people killed during the
#Borderline
shooting were revictimized last month when three media outlets filed a motion for an award of attorneys’ fees from the families.
#VenturaCounty
imagine if everyone had as much confidence as pepp:
“The value of a Pepperdine University education, regardless of its mode of delivery, far exceeds the price of tuition. For these reasons, Seaver College’s fall semester tuition remains unchanged.”
If you read one of my articles from this week's
@CamarilloAcorn
, please make it this one.
Thank you to Rachel Rodriguez Zendejas' loved ones for trusting me with her story.
#Camarillo
#VenturaCounty
P.S. Instead of immediately throwing away your local newspaper, at least pretend to read it. Because maybe your nextdoor neighbor is the one who wrote the stories.
@ReporterDawn
@vcstar
Thank you for exemplifying journalism with empathy above all else. I’ll miss reading your stories but am so happy for you. I know you’ll continue to do amazing things in the community.
Friends and family of Chad O’Melia—who was stabbed to death May 28, 2018—protest outside the
#VenturaCounty
Superior Court ahead of tomorrow’s sentencing.
Convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Bryn Spejcher faces up to four years in prison.
As an alumna, I am heartbroken for my Pepperdine community.
@EamonPMurphy
and I are reporting on this tragedy for the
@acornnewspaper
. If any family members or friends of the four victims would like to share memories with me, I would be honored to honor them.
Earlier this month, I got a sneak peek of M on High, the new High Street restaurant expected to open Oct. 28.
“It’s a little unexpected for Moorpark,” owner Danny Margolis said.
Two years ago today... Covering the Borderline shooting and Wolsey fire while sheltering in place was difficult and emotional, but
@PeppGraphic
will forever be my family.
Chief of Police Victor Fazio announced that the Ventura County Sheriff's Office accidentally sent out a shelter in place order to the entire city of
#Moorpark
tonight rather than one neighborhood.
Earlier today, I was in the 4500 block of El Capitan Place in
#Camarillo
, where the
#OrangeCounty
Sheriff’s Department issued a search warrant for a house connected to the shooter in last night’s Trabuco Canyon mass shooting.
I admired your stories when I was a student journalist at Pepperdine and admired them even more as an Acorn colleague once I truly saw how hard you worked and how much you cared. Thank you
@ReporterDawn
for being a mentor and an inspiration. Can't wait to see what's next for you.
Bittersweet announcement: This next week will be my last week at
@TOAcornNews
. I’ll announce my new job in the weeks to come but for now I’d just like to reflect on the impact working here has had on me for the past five and a half years. In short, it’s changed my life.
The 2023 Pigskin Preview has arrived.
Twenty pages of team stories, schedules, action photos, players to watch and more for local Acorn Newspapers high school football teams.
This is the best special project the paper puts out every year. Enjoy:
I will never forget this experience — yes, it was horrifying, but people should also know that the Pepperdine community is stronger than ever. There were so many acts of unconditional love and kindness these last few days. Thank you.
BREAKING: I’m near Lewis and Las Posas Roads in
#Camarillo
, where an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle.
There are no reported injuries among train passengers, but the driver of the vehicle was airlifted with critical injuries, according to the fire department.
"Each departed student brought a unique gift and spirit to the university, and we deeply grieve the unfulfilled hopes and aspirations of our precious community members," Connie Horton, vice president for student affairs, wrote in a statement.
A Nov. 25 fire at Lalo's restaurant in
#Moorpark
left co-owner Orlando Orozco in critical condition, his friend said.
Orozco is MUSD's child nutrition director. He and his wife have three, soon to be four, children.
More details to follow on .
John Ondrasik, better known as Five for Fighting, has sung for the public countless times during his career, but next month will mark the first time the singer-songwriter performs for two Bengal tigers.
@johnondrasik
@ATZatMC
@MoorparkCollege
Garrett Sutton dreamed of one day owning a Hellcat. But now the red sports car is painted on his urn, which sits atop the mantel in his parents’
#Camarillo
home.
The 19-year-old died May 6 as the result of a homicide, yet no arrests have been made.
Heather Abbott Gonzalez is a founding member of Voices of Ventura County, a group of about a dozen survivors of violence who volunteer their time to share their stories with and support for others. It is her daughter who inspires her to speak out.
In August, Moorpark's Amanda Longan took home gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In this week's episode, the US women’s national water polo team goalie talks mental health, family and competition with hosts
@MakenaHuey
and
@KyleBJorrey
.
Listen:
Introducing our fall 2021 special edition: Everybody Has One.
This edition covers a wide range of opinions and voices in the Pepperdine community.
Read the full edition here:
Pick up a copy on newsstands today.
#VenturaCounty
residents understand that the devastation of fire is felt long after the flames are extinguished. The fire that ignited in Maui on Aug. 8 is no exception.
Want to work for
@PeppGraphic
next year? Want to take photos, create art, design layout, report, edit, produce or sell ads? Not sure, but think factual, entertaining, up-to-the-minute information for the
@pepperdine
community is important. Apply here:
Malibu’s been hot. My roommates and I have been complaining about how hot our dorm is. Tonight, it finally got so hot we called public safety. Even they were shocked at how hot it was. They called maintenance. Apparently THE HEATER HAS BEEN ON THIS WHOLE TIME!
#FailedAtAdulting
Today,
#Moorpark
's Arroyo Vista Community Park Pedestrian Bridge will be officially named after Joel Burchfield.
You can read more about Joel here, and stay tuned for additional coverage from
@ReporterMichele
.
Pepperdine College Republicans posted an anti-abortion display Sept. 28 on the Freedom Wall.
Shortly after PCR’s anti-abortion statement, students who disagreed covered the display with abortion-rights messages:
I am at the
#VenturaCounty
Superior Court for the arraignment of David Hoetzlein.
Hoetzlein was arrested on suspicion of killing his mother after her remains were discovered June 3 inside a dumpster at the
#Camarillo
apartment complex where they shared a home, police said.
The Acorn is reporting on
#VenturaCounty
Animal Services' decision to euthanize a dog named Boston and prohibit euthanasia discussion on the volunteer Facebook page.
If you are a volunteer and would like to speak about either of these topics, please email makena
@theacorn
.com
René Corado has worked for the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology for four decades.
Today, he gave me a tour of the
#Camarillo
facility, which is home to the largest collection of birds nests and eggs in the country.
Read more in the
@CamarilloAcorn
soon.
I am so grateful for and proud of my
@PeppGraphic
team. Countless hours of hard work went into this special edition, and these numbers and the stories behind them are so important.
The Fall 2020 Special Edition “By the Numbers” is online now!
This edition explores Pepperdine, Malibu and the world by the numbers, as well as the deeper meaning behind them.
Check out the full issue here:
The school’s culinary students are assembling the board.
Peter Wachtel, ACHS’s product innovation and design teacher, estimates the school purchased around 600 pounds of food for the board. The community will enjoy it later tonight and extra will be be donated to FoodShare.
I sat down with California Lutheran University President Lori Varlotta earlier this week to discuss the faculty assembly's vote of no confidence in her leadership.
Read her response in my latest for
@TOAcornNews
.
Starting at 6 p.m. tonight, there will be special joint
#Moorpark
City Council meetings with the arts commission, parks and recreation commission, library board and planning commission.
Last week, I visited Ana Lucia Pozza at her Moorpark ranch.
Pozza and her two mini cows can be seen in parking lots across Moorpark. What began as a way to help children struggling with their mental health during the pandemic became a way to cope with the loss of her own child.