BRIEFLY : HOT, WINDY WEATHER CLOSES MAIZE MAZE.

CAMARILLO - High winds and dry weather shortened the inaugural season for the four-acre Amazing Maize Maze, which closed Thursday after playing host to more than 50,000 participants since opening July 29.

Owner Pacific Earth Resources had hoped to keep the two-mile corn maze open until Nov. 1. To lengthen next year's season, farm experts have planted different varieties of corn to test for endurance.

From overhead, viewers can see the depiction of a California mission carved into the maze, which was opened for 10 weeks. Pacific Earth Resources will re-open the maze next year with a new theme.

- Daily News

Ventura's homeless may receive services

VENTURA - Hoping to obtain $20 million in federal funding, officials have begun to develop plans for helping thousands of homeless and other needy people in Ventura County.

Nearly 100 officials from the county, its 10 cities and several advocacy groups met Wednesday to discuss priorities in helping the estimated 3,000 to 4,000 homeless, mentally ill, drug abusers, elderly and others who wind up in shelters each year.

Needs cited included more housing and better transportation, job training and education for the homeless.

The list will be ``a road map for homeless services,'' said Rick Pearson of the nonprofit charity Project Understanding. It will be used to help craft a plan the county is required to submit every five years in order to obtain federal Housing and Urban Development funds, which it distributes to local agencies and charities.

Public hearings will be held in December. The plan must be submitted to HUD by May. If approved, the first grant installment is expected to be received late next year.

- Associated Press 

Plaques to be pulled from Indian grounds

CARPINTERIA - A local beautification committee will remove memorial plaques at an oceanfront park because they were placed over an ancient Chumash Indian burial ground.

``We're very sorry. I personally was not aware that we had infringed on sacred ground,'' said Donnie Nair, president of Carpinteria Beautiful.

There is no sign warning that the area contains remains, and a fence that stood there has been torn down.

Diane Napoleone, a Chumash descendant who monitors the grounds, said the area is fragile.

``Some buried remains are now only inches below ground because of erosion,'' she said.

A handful of brushed aluminum plaques were placed within Tar Pits Park, near Carpinteria State Beach. Families donated $100 to the organization to plant trees and include plaques in memory of relatives.

- Associated Press

Santa Barbara bans liquor from beaches

SANTA BARBARA - The beach should be dry, a City Council committee argued.

Alcohol should be banned at all waterfront parks and city beaches, except during special events and at local cafes and restaurants that already serve booze, the council's Ordinance Committee recommended Tuesday. The measure still faces a vote by the full council.

The prohibition is aimed at curbing problems from rowdy drunks. Residents still would be allowed to drink at 15 other city parks.

- Associated Press