Hospital ExpansionCounty supervisors approved a $28.7-million expansion...

Hospital Expansion

County supervisors approved a $28.7-million expansion of Ventura County Medical Center (B1). . . . The unanimous vote came despite objections from officials at private, nonprofit Community Memorial Hospital, who argued that voters stated their position on expansion when they rejected a $56-million county outpatient center project last March.

Getting the Boot

Ventura County agreed to pay $211,000 to help build a boot camp for teenagers who commit nonviolent crimes (B1). . . . The camp will be run by Santa Barbara County in Los Padres National Forest, 30 miles north of Santa Barbara.

Changing Debate

Presidential debates must lose the flash, the makeup and the sound bites and get real, according to a panel of experts who debated the issue at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (B1). . . . The lineup included CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, former Reagan press aide Lyn Nofziger and USC law professor Susan Estrich, who ran Michael Dukakis’ presidential campaign.

Suspects Nailed

Moorpark police detectives have an incriminating piece of evidence in a robbery case--part of a finger that allegedly belongs to one of the suspects (B1). . . . The digit was severed when two men tried to rob Michael McDonald, 38, of Moorpark. He fought back, and bit off the fingertip--prints included. Police arrested the suspects at a hospital.

Happening Today

The Ventura Jaycees will present the Factory of Terror and the Maze of Massacre from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Ventura County high school students will perform skits in rooms throughout the factory. $7. The program is appropriate for those age 10 and older, with younger children welcome at their parent’s discretion.

Weather

Sunny skies. Highs from upper 60s to mid-80s. B7