Growth Spurt

The coming year promises to bring more urban development to Moorpark, the fastest-growing city in Ventura County (B1). . . . By the end of 1997, the hills north of the city will be scraped smooth for more than 500 new homes. And a parade of developers plan to march before the City Council for permission to build even larger projects.

Holiday Tragedy

Blood Alley struck again Thursday as a head-on collision claimed the lives of two Ventura girls (B1). . . . The CHP believes that a man driving on California 126 fell asleep and plowed into Diane Tello’s minivan, hospitalizing her and killing her daughters, Katie, 11, and Andrea, 8. They are the sixth and seventh victims this month, renewing a call for concrete barriers to divide the highway.

New Digs: Unpacking from the big move, Fillmore City Engineer Bert Rapp and two dozen other municipal employees settled into the new City Hall on Thursday (B1). . . . Situated smack in the middle of town, the $2-million neoclassical building becomes the new centerpiece for city leaders who love to promote Fillmore’s small-town image at home and at the movies.

Fleet Feet

With the end of high school cross-country season, The Times has named its All-Region girls team (C8). . . . Elaine Canchola, a junior at Ojai’s Nordhoff High School, made first team honors. Three other local runners made the second team: Amanda Armstrong of Thousand Oaks High School, Terrah Chapin of Nordhoff and Alyson MacIntosh of Ventura High.

Happening Tonight

Classic rock guitarist Dave Mason plays the Ventura Concert Theatre, 8, $15. Tickets: 648-1936.

Weather

Cloudy and breezy with a chance of rain. Highs in upper 50s. B8