MAKING THE GRADE: Some parents are upset...

MAKING THE GRADE: Some parents are upset over a plan to switch Simi Valley ninth-graders from middle to high school, converting Sequoia Middle School to a magnet high school in the process (B1). . . . But the move makes sense academically, Deputy Supt. Susan Parks says. “Ninth grade is high school. Middle schools don’t have the full range of opportunities that a high school can offer,” she said.

OUT WITH THE OLD: A year ago, the federal Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission inspired fear among county residents afraid of losing the two Navy bases here. Today it dies, after closing 243 domestic military bases in the last five years. . . . But Carolyn Leavens, who served on a task force trying to keep local bases open, says the county isn’t safe yet: “We’re almost more scared now.” The threat now, she said, comes from Department of Defense plans to consolidate bases. Her task force will continue to wage war against cutbacks, while trying to expand operations at the bases.

HEADS UP: A year-old law requiring helmets for youthful bicyclists isn’t an unqualified success, but it’s helping to improve safety (B1). That’s just for the kids, though: Many adults, who don’t legally have to sport the hard hats, still aren’t. . . . Ginger Frandsen says she’s never worn a helmet, and it’s hard to start. But daughter Dana Koster, whose friend was hit by a car, always does. “Especially when you live around here with all the busy streets,” said Dana, 12.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS: The holiday travel season wasn’t too bad for the folks at Oxnard Airport, in part because of the weather--and lack of it. Outgoing passengers left throughout the week before Christmas, with no one day especially hectic at the facility, which houses United Express and American Eagle. . . . And believe it or not, rain Friday night helped expedite flights. “That first rain knocked out the fog,” said Pam Adams, station manager of United Express.