Bumper CropVentura County ranked fourth among the...

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Ventura County ranked fourth among the top marijuana-producing counties in California in 1996, according to authorities (B1). . . . Raids on half a dozen marijuana farms around the county netted roughly 23,000 pot plants worth an estimated $93 million. Methamphetamine seizures jumped more than 50%.

Cheesy Politics

Forget those expensive campaign mailers. If you want to get voters’ attention, you have to hit them right where it counts: in the stomach (B1). . . . A Thousand Oaks pizza eatery has been doing just that by slapping fliers on pizza boxes urging the recall of embattled Councilwoman Elois Zeanah. . . . But a spokeswoman for Domino’s pizza described the politicking as being in bad taste: “It’s not good business to say negative things about people.�

Niche Market

When it comes to building housing tracts, small is better (D7B). . . . At least that is the philosophy of Colmer Development, which specializes in building subdivisions of no more than 25 homes around Ventura County. . . . “We had a very good year and, going into next year, we are more than 50% sold out in homes we are just breaking ground on today,� owner Wayne Colmer said.

Year Ahead

The new year promises to be a busy one for Ventura (B1). . . . Four City Council seats are up for reelection, a new downtown parking garage is planned and the Buenaventura Mall will break ground on a $50-million expansion.