ROOMIER RIDE: Those two new Gold Coast...

ROOMIER RIDE: Those two new Gold Coast ambulances on the streets of Oxnard and Port Hueneme look more like U-Haul trucks than the traditional vans. But along with the new ambulances’ boxy lines comes lots of extra space. . . . “We have room to stand up and walk around,” says paramedic John Higgins. Operations manager Tony Norton said the ambulances will be cheaper in the long run, because only the chassis will need to be replaced.

BLOOD LINES: The parents of the 17-year-old boy burned in a climbing accident Monday have spoken out to thank their son’s friends for their support (B3). But the Newbury Park High students aren’t done yet. . . . They’ll hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for Mike Halsell, who is in extremely critical condition after the accident. Members of the public also are welcome to participate. . . . Call 498-3676 to schedule a time.

SPELL CHECK: During the hurry-scurry political season, it’s common for candidates to take some license in affixing the names of their political allies on campaign material. Usually, though, they spell the names right. Not so for the Assembly campaign of Republican candidate Steve Frank. A recent mailer misspelled the name of his top supporter: state Sen. Cathie Wright (B1). . . . Says the red-faced Frank: “It was a bad, bad mistake.”

HARD HATS: By law, they have to wear a helmet. But many bicyclists under age 18 cannot afford the protective headgear, police say. So today, Ventura police will hand out 75 helmets to disadvantaged youths on the city’s west side. . . . “I have found that most children are not wearing helmets because they don’t have one, not because they disagree with the law,” said Officer Ron Rojo, who will lead the youths through a bicycle safety course before awarding the new helmets.