Beach Closures

People are urged to keep out of the water this weekend at two Ventura County beaches that failed to meet minimum health standards for bacterial pollution, the County Environmental Health Division announced Thursday.

Warning signs have been posted at Hobie Beach and Channel Islands Harbor Beach Park in Oxnard. Tests conducted this week revealed excessive amounts of disease-causing bacteria at those locations. Those beaches have a chronic problem with pollution and the origin is uncertain.

Swimmers, waders and surfers should stay at least 50 yards away from each of the signs, officials advise. Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 locations in Ventura County, and results can be obtained by calling the county ocean water quality hotline at 662-6555 or visiting the Web site at www.ventura.org/env_hlth/ocean.htm.