Ventura County and the county's top public safety officials (the sheriff and district attorney) announced this morning they have settled their lawsuit over the funding formula for those offices. The settlement ends lengthy and costly litigation over the divisive issue. Staff writer Charles Levin (clevin@VenturaCountyStar.com) who has covered the story from the beginning will explain what the settlement means, and how it came about.

In Santa Babara, word is expected later this morning from a bankruptcy court approving the plan to reopen Santa Paula Hospital. Once the judge gives his approval, we'll get the news up on our website. Staff writer Kathleen Wilson (kwilson@VenturaCountyStar.com) who has covered this long-running story will give all the details, and what it means for Santa Paula, in her coverage for tomorrow's Page One.

We're continuing our coverage of the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II. In addition to wire stories about what is going on in Rome, staff writer Erinn Hutkin (ehutkin@VenturaCountyStar.com) will have a story on how Catholic schools in Ventura County are teaching the death of the pope.

Another wire story that is possible for Page One tomorrow is the election of a Kurdish leader as the new president of Iraq.