ROADWORK: You’ve seen them on the road,...

ROADWORK: You’ve seen them on the road, those poor little critters who never made it to the other side. . . . Somebody’s got to clean them up, but Oak Park residents say they’re unhappy with Ventura County’s handling of the task (B5). . . . So the tiny community is considering a plan to take its business south. Bruce Richards, director of Los Angeles County’s Agoura office, says that’s fine with him. The agency also picks up stray and unlicensed dogs. “The last thing you want to see is a bunch of untagged animals running loose,” he said. “We pick up five a day.”

SLIP-SLIDING AWAY: Malibu officials who hoped to get a $20-million federal grant to shore up a landslide were stunned when their request was rejected (B11). . . . In Ventura County, residents of the slide-plagued La Conchita community have just begun applying for a similar grant. County worker Marty Robinson, who’s been helping with the La Conchita application, said the Malibu news does not bode well for the tightknit seaside town north of Ventura. . . . “But we’ll keep our chins up,” she said.

RAIN REDUX: The unseasonably wet weather Thursday failed to put a damper on graduations throughout Ventura County (B1). . . . The soggy conditions were caused by an aggressive Alaskan storm that charged down the coast, said Steve Maneikis of WeatherData Inc., which does forecasts for The Times. . . . “It’s a one-shot deal,” he said. “For the weekend, the weather should return to more typical sunny conditions.”

AEROBIC OLDIES: Exercise guru Richard Simmons brings his message of fun-loving fitness to senior citizens at the Ventura Fairgrounds today. . . . The event, which is expected to draw upward of 1,000 participants, is sponsored by Secure Horizons, an HMO for seniors. Simmons’ image will also appear on two large screens, so all who attend can follow his exercise moves, Horizons spokeswoman Sheryl Seapy said. . . . “Richard is so well-loved among the seniors,” she said. “It’s amazing.”