How Joel Burchfield Bridge Came To Be (Sept. 13, 2021): Reporter Makena Huey makes her Branching Out debut to discuss her latest stories for the Moorpark Acorn, including one detailing how a pedestrian bridge came to be named for an 11-year-old drowning victim. Plus, a profile of a local interfaith group working to provide much-needed goods to refugees arriving from Afghanistan.
Golden Touch – Local Olympian Visits with Branching Out (Oct. 18, 2021): Amanda Longan, a goalie for the US women’s national water polo team, stops by to share her memories of winning gold in the 2020 Tokyo Games. A graduate of Oaks Christian High School and USC, the Moorpark resident discusses her drive to succeed and why she’s so interested in the mental health aspect of competitive sports, plus her love for God and helping others.
Brother of Fallen Deputy at War in Ukraine (April 4, 2021): Moorpark Acorn reporter Makena Huey connected with Ukrainian Oleksander Kostiuchenko via Zoom, who stayed back in Ukraine to fight for his country. Kostiuchenko’s brother, Eugene Kostiuchenko, was a sheriff’s deputy with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver in 2014. The VCSO has been sending supplies and donations to Ukraine in his honor.
Reclaiming the Ventureño Chumash Language (April 11, 2021): Moorpark Acorn reporter Makena Huey and Thousand Oaks Acorn reporter Dawn Megli are joined via Zoom by Salvador Tumamait Ambriz and Alanna Cronk, two Ventureño Chumash who are part of a movement to revitalize the mitsqanaqan language of their ancestors.
Hilton Hotel Inferno (April 18, 2021): Host Kyle Jorrey sits down with Camarillo Acorn reporter Makena Huey and Acorn photographer Michael Coons, who were both at the destructive Camarillo blaze that burned down a Hilton that was being built across from the Camarillo Outlets. The trio discuss what happened, how reporters and photographers safely document fires and what’s next for the charred structure.
A Conversation with Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Mark Lunn (May 23, 2021): With Election Day quickly approaching, Camarillo Acorn reporter Makena Huey chats with Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Mark Lunn via Zoom. Lunn, who plans to retire after 12 years in his role, shared a behind-the-scenes look into the office of County Clerk-Recorder and how elections have changed in the past decade.
Makena Huey 