RESTAURANT HOLDUP: Patrons and employees of the...

RESTAURANT HOLDUP: Patrons and employees of the Hiyama Japanese Restaurant in Thousand Oaks suffered a scare late Thursday when bandits stormed the popular sushi bar (B1). . . . One robber fired a shot into a wall of the eatery. The holdup men then herded everyone into a walk-in freezer and robbed the place. . . . Owner Michi Sawada has been in business 14 years and has earned a loyal clientele, including Thousand Oaks Councilman Mike Markey. “He has a lot of return customers,” Markey said.

PITCHING IN: The barrio Boy Scouts of La Colonia became a little better prepared Friday. . . . Two Camarillo companies--Technicolor and United Staffing Services--handed over nearly $1,000 to members of Oxnard Troop 229 to help them buy backpacks. The companies came up with the money after learning that troop members didn’t even have sleeping bags. . . . “These boys are overwhelmed by this generosity,” troop leader Jaime Becerra said. “They have already been fitted for their backpacks. This is wonderful.”

SUPER SERVER: A longtime commitment to feeding Ventura’s poor has earned Pat McLean the papal honor Benemerenti, which means serving with distinction. . . . The Faria Beach resident is set to receive the honor Sunday at the San Buenaventura Mission. McLean has volunteered with Family to Family for nearly 14 years and now serves as president. . . . “This came as a complete surprise,” she said. “I told my monsignor, ‘Whatever it is, don’t make a big deal out of it.’ ”