WATER WORRIES: As Ventura officials issued warnings...

WATER WORRIES: As Ventura officials issued warnings that the city’s water supply may have been contaminated by bacteria-laden water from flood-swollen rivers (A1, B1), authorities elsewhere in Ventura County assured consumers that water outside the affected area is safe to drink--despite an erroneous television broadcast that caused phones at city halls across the county to ring off the hook. . . . “We had not even a hint of problems,” said Don Nelson, public works director in Thousand Oaks. . . . Ron Coons, Simi Valley’s public works chief, also said his city has had “no problems whatsoever.”

CLEAN-AIR PLAN: Government and business leaders in Ventura County have been girding to implement a new federal clean-air plan, but now the Clinton Administration has agreed to allow the state to retain control over combatting smog (A1). . . . The EPA will delay implementation of the plan in the Los Angeles Basin and Sacramento and Ventura counties until 1997--though Ventura had until 2005 to clean up its air.

DOG RESCUE: Storms were raging earlier this week when workers freed dozens of disabled animals from the muddy debris of a shelter near Fillmore. Now, the animals need new homes (B1). . . . The Humane Animal Rescue Team’s shelter is one of several organizations that help displaced animals. Many of those remaining are animals whose owners lost their homes in the floods. “We’ve got a lot of displaced animals,” said county official Kathy Jenks.

UNLUCKY DAY? Hang tough, those of you who suffer from triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13. . . . It’s Friday the 13th, but not everyone buys into the superstition that it’s a bad-luck day. . . . Among those looking on the bright side is Sharon Davidson, manager of Journey Home, a Ventura bookstore that offers psychic and Tarot card readings. “The crowd that hangs out here doesn’t give a whole lot of energy to the negative aspects of the number,” she said.