Civic Pride volunteers have selected the home at 533 Kensington, belonging to Brett Battles, as the June “Yard of the Month”. Brett moved into the home in September of 2019.
The home needed sprucing up & the yard was sparse with a few old rose bushes, some hedges & grass.
Before I focus on the yard, I want to say that if you volunteer to help select & present the ‘Yard of the Month’, you can be assured to meet very interesting people! Brett could be called “The Stephen King” of Fillmore! He is a well-published author, having been chosen as a New York Times Best Seller multiple times for his Sci-Fi novels & articles. He was even asked to follow deceased author, Stuart Woods, in writing with his style, for some unfinished work (He gave me a book of his work, which I look forward to reading.)
As we talked, who should arrive, but Mark Ortega! I had no idea that Mark is a renter here & moved in only a month after Brett. He asked Brett, if he could do some yard work & was given “free reign.”
Most people in Fillmore know Mark is an amazing gardener, having made the Alumni Garden a show place! He told me his parents started him at five years old working in the garden in Piru & his grandfather, Albert Savala, told him to grow Roses, Dahlias & Zinnias for the hot climate in Piru & Fillmore. He said he wanted an English Cottage style appearance & added garden art from local nurseries to accent the beds with Queen Anne’s Lace in the background & Dahlias, Delphinium, Larkspur, Coleus, Petunias, three colors of Geraniums, “old fashioned Roses” like Chrysler Imperial, First Prize, & Mr. Lincoln, & Zinnias.
Mark said they put in new grass which he keeps perfectly green to showcase the flower beds.
Be sure you take a drive down Kensington, one of the oldest streets in Fillmore with the ancient, large Sycamore that was a meeting place for the local Indian tribes. It is protected by the Historical Society & homeowners must use special care not to injure or disturb it!
Brett was very pleased to receive the Otto & Sons gift card but immediately passed it over to Mark.
Civic Pride volunteers appreciate the long -standing support of Otto & Sons Nursery for this project that continues to improve the beauty of our community.

Last week, the Fillmore Rotary Club was happy to present a Paul Harris Award to Joe Ricards, pictured above left with President Scott Beylik, who always steps up to do whatever is needed. He has built a BBQ for our Casino Night in the past and is working on another one for the future. Pictured above right also with President Beylik is Clark Johnson, a longtime member and someone who steps up and helps whenever needed. He also was awarded a Paul Harris Award. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

Construction of the Highway 126 RV storage facility across Fillmore’s El Dorado Mobile Estates is making progress. The facility will offer recreational vehicle sales, service, and storage facility at 245 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore. Like the chicken or the egg, which will be completed first—the storage facility or Sonic? Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with 7-Eleven, Inc. in the 31st consecutive year of “Operation Chill®.” The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and 7-Eleven® want to reward local kids through the company’s community outreach program. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to recognizing the good deeds being done by the youth in our communities.
This summer, as our deputies’ patrol neighborhoods, they will once again be keeping an eye out for youth doing great things. Some acts include; kids wearing safety helmets while riding a bike or skateboard, kids observing safety rules while crossing the street, kids participating in positive activities, kids holding the door open for someone, kids picking up trash, or kids helping someone in need. If observed, our deputies and professional staff, at any of our stations in the county, will make a positive contact with the youth and issue an Operation Chill coupon. The coupons can be redeemed for a free small Slurpee drink at any participating 7-Eleven®, Speedway®, or Stripes® store.
7-Eleven® will issue nearly 640,000 coupons to more than 1,300 participating law enforcement agencies across the country, including the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. “Operation Chill is more than just a free Slurpee drink coupon – it reinforces the power of small gestures to build big relationships,” said Marissa Jarratt, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer at 7-Eleven, Inc.
We have a lot of great kids in our communities, and we have a lot of Slurpee coupons to hand out to keep encouraging them to become great citizens. This program allows us to continue to build trust and relationships with the communities we serve. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.
Prepared by: Sergeant Thomas Miller
News Release Date: 6/1/2026
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
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Nature of Incident: Operation Chill
Report Number: None
Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: Summer of 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Headquarters Station, Camarillo Police Department, Thousand Oaks Police Department, Moorpark Police Department, Ojai Police Department, Fillmore Police Department, 7-Eleven
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Join us for a day of wild discovery at the Condor Country Nature Festival in Fillmore, California! The event is free to the public, and will include many fun activities for children of all ages.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Shiell’s Park, 649 C Street, Fillmore, CA
We will have lots of activities for children such as:
● Nature themed scavenger hunt
● FREE face painting
● Photo booth with a ten foot image of a condor
● Condor plushie operation activity where kids can “save” a condor
● Archery area with certified instructors
● Other arts and crafts
There will be special visits from Smokey Bear, FWS Blue Goose, and SB Zoo California condor puppeteer extraordinaire, Eleanora.
Many local conservation organizations will be present: Boy Scouts Ventura County, CALM,
Conejo Valley Audubon, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Fillmore Fire Dept,
Friends of California Condors Wild & Free, Friends of Island Fox, FWS/Hopper NWR Complex,
Latino Outdoors, Los Angeles Bat Rescue, Los Padres Forest Association, Luzonica, Birds of the World,
Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project, Merito Foundation, Quail Forever habitat conservation, Reel Guppy Outdoors, San Fernando Valley Audubon, Santa Monica NPS, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, SB Zoo, Southern Steelhead Coalition, Sparkle Flower Face and Body Art, The C.R.E.W. (Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers), The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, TreePeople, Turtle Conservancy, and US Forest Service-Ojai Ranger District.
There will also be food trucks where you can buy food or you can bring your own and use the picnic tables on-site!
Friends of California Condors Wild and Free is a nonprofit 501c3 all-volunteer organization that has the mission to enhance public awareness of the endangered California Condor and to ensure that they are protected, healthy, and free.
Come learn about the endangered California Condor, North America’s largest land bird. Learn about the conservation groups in our area and what they are doing to help our environment. Become a volunteer! Be informed!
Thanks for your cooperation in advertising this event. Please, contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Debbie Jasek Parisi, 805-816-5316 cell
publicity@friendsofcondors.org
www.friendsofcondors.org
www.Instagram.com/FriendsOfCondors/
www.Facebook.com/FriendsOfCondors/
www.YouTube.com/@FriendsOfCondors/

May 20, 2026 - After years of coordinated investigative and forensic work, the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) has now tested more than 2,000 sexual assault kits from agencies throughout Ventura County.
To date, 2,038 sexual assault kits have been tested from an inventory of 2,846 kits countywide dating back to the 1970s. While many of these kits were tested using technologies available at the time, they are now being tested using advanced DNA testing. Through the dedicated efforts of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau, the initiative has uploaded 923 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which has generated 329 CODIS hits connected to potential suspects or linked cases. VCSAKI investigators and prosecutors have investigated and closed 125 cases and notified 21 victims that their case was solved due to advancements in DNA testing.
“This milestone represents years of dedicated work focused on victims, accountability, and the pursuit of truth,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “The purpose of VCSAKI has never been simply to prosecute cases. Our mission is to conduct thorough investigations, follow the evidence wherever it leads, and provide victims with answers and, whenever possible, a sense of closure. Even when prosecution is no longer an option due to the statute of limitations or other legal constraints, victims deserve to know that their case mattered and that every available effort was made to uncover the truth.”
Since 2021, VCSAKI has been funded by federal grants awarded by the United States Department of Justice, along with funding from the County of Ventura, to address previously untested sexual assault kits dating back to the 1970s. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Forensic Services Bureau.
“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to victims and to the integrity of the justice system,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. “Every kit represents a person who deserved to be heard, and through the dedication of our Forensic Service Bureau and our partners, we are ensuring those voices are not forgotten. Advancements in DNA technology are giving us the ability to revisit these cases with renewed purpose. Bringing answers, strengthening accountability, and reinforcing our promise to pursue justice, no matter how much time has passed.”
Not only has VCSAKI testing assisted in solving Ventura County cases, but it has also helped solve cases elsewhere. In Arizona, the testing of a 1994 Ventura County sexual assault kit revealed the identity of a previously unknown serial rapist who is currently pending trial for four cold case sexual assaults. Testing also led to the identification of serial rapist Sean Patrick McNulty, who was linked to six rapes across Ventura County, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio dating back to 1982.
VCSAKI has also led to renewed investigations in unsolved sexual assault cases outside of the 2,846 inventoried kits. To date, investigators and prosecutors on the VCSAKI team have made seven arrests and obtained five convictions.
Of the original inventory, 808 kits remain to be tested. The VCSAKI team continues to prioritize testing remaining kits using advanced DNA technology to generate new leads, solve cold cases, and bring closure to victims.
More information on VCSAKI can be found at saki.venturacounty.gov, including regularly updated data on the status of sexual assault kit testing. Victims of past sexual assaults can also utilize this website to access support services including free counseling in some instances, or to get assistance in determining the status of their sexual assault kit.
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Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: DA’s Office Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: BN
Release No.: 26-064

Now that summer is almost here, we see more children enjoying the outdoors by riding their E-bikes, bicycles, and scooters. The Fillmore Police Department hosting host a “Bicycle Safety Rodeo Community Event.” Our goal is to inform members of our community about the rules, regulations and safe use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters.
In many cases, these events are the only opportunities to educate parents and children about the safety aspects of riding E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters on streets. Our goal is to empower young children on bikes with a minimal set of skills for street and road riding. In addition, they will be taught a small subset of the rules of the road to keep them safe. A Bicycle Safety Rodeo is a safety clinic where young riders can learn about proper safety and the rules of the road. There will be a bicycle safety course chalked out for basic riding skills. Guests will also have the opportunity to obtain free helmet adjustments and bicycle tune-ups thanks to the Santa Paula Bike Shop.
Community members are encouraged to stop by, enjoy a cup of locally brewed coffee provided by our very own El Abuelo Coffee and Bakery and other sweet treats! Come out and engage in friendly discussions with the first responders who serve their community every day and discuss the importance of bicycle safety. Raffle prizes will be handed out, so don’t miss out!
The event will feature first responders from the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore Fire Department, The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, Off-Road team, Fillmore Search and Rescue, and Fillmore Fire Department. Community members can even expect a special fly-by appearance by the Ventura County Air Unit. In addition, guests with a sweet tooth can expect a special appearance from Mr. Softee and Kona Ice.
Please come and join us for this free community event.
Prepared by: Sergeant J. Scott Horswill
News Release Date: May 26, 2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon, Fillmore Chief of Police
***
Nature of Incident: Bicycle Rodeo Community Event
Location: Rio Vista School, 250 Edgewood Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: Saturday, May 30, 2026 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM)
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Station and Fillmore Explorers Post # 2958

Posted May 21, 2026, courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore
Big news for Heritage Valley riders! Valley Express has officially replaced its entire fleet with new buses to better serve our community. In addition to a more modern and comfortable ride, the new buses feature bright, updated vehicle wraps that make them easier to spot throughout the Heritage Valley. We’re proud to continue connecting Fillmore, Santa Paula, Piru, and Moorpark with safe, reliable, and visible public transportation.

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BACK STACKS Used Book Sale
119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA
BIG SATURDAY SALE June 6th, 2026
10AM TO 2PM
JUNE SALE ITEM
All SPORTS AND TRAVEL BOOKS 50% OFF
It’s Summer and time for outdoor activities, sports and summer vacations. Begin your adventures by browsing the large selection of books at the Back Stacks. Hone your skills in your favorite sport, read about an athlete you admire or learn the basics of a new sport.
Planning a vacation? The Back Stacks has travel guides to practically anywhere you might want to go, plus a special section on places of local interest around Ventura County or California. Some of these are rare finds!
Stop by the Back Stacks and pick up a gently used book that is new to you!
If you miss the Saturday sale, the weekday hours are outlined below.
Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 PM (except January 1st)
Thursdays from 12pm to 2pm
Fridays from 12 pm to 2pm
We accept cash, checks and credit cards.
We have a large inventory of Fiction and Non-fiction, as well as children’s books. Our collection features 1,000’s of used books from 50 cents to $2, as well as collectible books from $4 and up. 100% of book sale proceeds goes to support the Blanchard Community Library. PLEASE NOTE: We love receiving donations, and accept everything EXCEPT VHS, magazines or cassette taps. Also, we accept donations ONLY on days when the Library is open for business to ensure that your generous donation is not damaged or stolen.
Located at the Blanchard Community Library, 119 North 8th Street, Santa Paula,
LOOK FOR our BOOK SALE SIGNS on 8th Street

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Food Share’s mission since 1978 is dedicated to leading the fight against hunger in Ventura County. Their vision? No one should go hungry. They offer emergency food boxes, summer meal programs, senior programs and more.
Today, staff and volunteers distribute nearly 20 million pounds of food, providing over 16 million meals annually to people in Ventura County through its hunger programs and 175 pantry and program partners. As Ventura County’s regional food bank, Food Share provides food for over 250,000 hungry friends and neighbors annually.
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Food Share is a member of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, as well as the California Association of Food Banks.
Looking to volunteer? Volunteer opportunities for individuals (12 yrs & older only) and groups are available Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, with some evening and weekend shifts also available. Shift times and locations vary depending on the opportunity.
Volunteer roles include packing food boxes, rescue food sorting, bread sorting, gleaning, boxing fresh produce, and working our College Park drive-thru distribution. Specific details can be found in our Volunteer Brochure and in the Volunteer Handbook below.
Questions about volunteering? Want to book a group? Contact: Lupita Rodriguez, Assistant Manager of Community Engagement at (805) 983-7100 or at grodriguez@foodshare.com.
Download the Food Share app to locate a giveaway event, volunteer, contact, find help, or donate: https://foodshare.com/findhelp/#findapantry.

Martha Richardson, the RYLA Co-Ordinator, introduced the students who attended camp; Isabel Arredondo, Valentin Garcia, Olivia Nava, Valente Garcia (twin), Samantha Resendez. The three who also attended but didn’t come to the meeting were Nevaeh Quesada, Mia Urbano and Madelynn Gonzalez. Our alternate student was Kristina Budai who was on standby to attend but didn’t get to go. The Rotary Youth Leadership camp was held at Camp Ramah in Ojai. The camp is designed to teach and promote leadership skills. They have indoor and outdoor activities and invite talented speakers to teach, motivate and inspire the students. The students have an opportunity to meet many new friends as our District 5240 spans from San Luis Obispo to Agoura Hills and Inland to China Lake. There are 72 clubs and each has the opportunity to send students. Our club members enjoyed hearing each students’ thoughts about camp including the challenging ropes course, the speakers and setting goals and always striving for more even after you reach your goals, communication skills be courageous and not afraid. They also found that not being allowed to have cell phones was really great, they saw more, heard more and learned a lot.

As part of our wildfire prevention and mitigation program, over the next few weeks, SCE will be conducting inspections in your neighborhood using drones and/or helicopters.
• Our inspectors are using drones and helicopters to inspect equipment from difficult angles, and top-down angles for a 360-degree view.
• The focus of these operations is to keep our communities safe by inspecting electrical equipment on poles and towers and to identify any damage or potential hazard that may need immediate repair. See the video below for details.
• The amount of time it takes to conduct inspections varies depending on how much equipment is on each pole or tower (approximately 30 to 60 minutes).
We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support.
Impacted Address(es):
1ST STREET
FILLMORE, CA 93015
For more information on these efforts please visit https://energized.edison.com/stories/a-birds-eye-view-helps-protect-agai.... Additionally, please visit www.sce.com/outagealerts and update your contact information today.
Sincerely,
SCE Outage Communications

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Civic Pride volunteers have selected the beautiful yard at 303 Blaine Avenue, belonging to Tim Klittich, for the May “Yard of the Month “award. When Tim purchased this home in 2022, it was a brown house with slippery tile steps to the front porch & mostly weeds & dirt with 3 Cypress bushes & a Bird of Paradise plant.
He has turned this yard into his own personal “’test” garden since he oversees growing the perennials at Otto & Sons Nursery. The home has been painted & new sidewalk & steps allow a safe approach to the porch.
The side yard shows off his shade loving plants, with a Japanese Maple, Camelias, Coral Bells, several types of Hydrangea-one a newer hybrid that is a repeat bloomer, Azaleas, Mandevilla Vine in red, Hellebore or Lenton Rose, Clivia & Greater Forget Me Nots. All the flower beds are mulched with a 3-inch-thick layer of bark.
The front yard is edged with vibrant, lush blooming yellow roses, while a purple Buddleia or Butterfly plant draws your eye to the left side of the yard; he has other colored Buddleia, not in bloom right now. As you walk into the yard, there are many different colored Alstroemeria, more Rose bushes in bloom, Gaura (a drought tolerant plant), & different varieties of Salvias, with an unusual, tiny Geranium ground cover. The Purple Red Bud tree stands as a focal point in the front, on the right side & provides color into the fall season before leaves drop.
His parking strip is awaiting an irrigation system & then he will probably plant it with a Creeping Thyme.
Be sure to drive past & enjoy this blooming paradise!
Civic Pride volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for supporting this “Yard of the Month” project & the way we see it, inspiring neighborhoods to keep yards neat & beautiful.

Heads up, Fillmore! SoCal Edison will be conducting work to replace utility poles, resulting in overnight road closures on A Street: May 12 (8:00 PM – 5:00 AM) Closed between Sespe Ave & Old Telegraph Rd and May 13 (8:00 PM – 5:00 AM) Closed between 1st St & Sespe Ave. Posted April 30 at 5:13pm courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore.

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, May 25. As a result, Fillmore residential customers will have their trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collected on Saturday, May 30, one day later than usual. Residents of the surrounding unincorporated areas will have their trash collected one day later than usual as well by E.J. Harrison & Sons. The regular collection schedule will resume the following week.
Remember that residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as all waste is collected weekly – including food waste, which is recyclable. All food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and the bags should be tossed in the organics waste cart. This prevents food waste contamination because food waste and yard waste are processed separately. Even if you only have food waste bags and no yard waste, you can still put the food waste bags in your organics waste cart and take it to the curb every week for pickup.
Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, as well as California State University Channel Islands and the city of Carpinteria, as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and the city of Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.
For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

Above are some of Fillmore’s Troop 406 competing in the archery event held at the Valley Trails Ranch in Castaic for the annual Ventura County Council Camporee Troop 406 Attends Annual County Camporee. Photo credit Brett Chandler and Samford Sam.
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Pictured is Fillmore Troop 406 enjoying the annual Ventura County Council Camporee in Castaic this past weekend. The troop participated in many events as well as enjoying the outdoors, learning lifelong skills while also competing against over 300 youths from other troops. Photo credit Brett Chandler and Samford Sam.
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By April Sam, Committee Member Troop 406
From Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, our local Scouting America Troop 406 attended the annual Ventura County Council Camporee. This year’s event was held at Valley Trails Ranch in Castaic. This was Troop 406’s first time attending Camporee in seven years.
Troop 406 participated in various scored events, highlighting their scouting skills in topics such as two-person bucksaw, a knots relay, canoe carry, archery, and cooking competition just to name few. There was a time allotted for unscored events, just to have fun and build camaraderie amongst the more than 300 youth attendees.
Attending this year’s Camporee representing Troop 406 were:
Tenderfoot Treysen Matthews, Senior Patrol Leader
Second Class Owen Sam, Patrol Leader
Tenderfoot Jairo Huato, Quartermaster
Scout Jace Ashbrook, Scribe
Adult Leaders:
Scoutmaster Samford Sam
Assistant Scoutmaster Brett Chandler
Committee Member Jason Ashbrook
Additionally, the Scouts of Troop 406 had the opportunity to debut their newest patrol, The Ka-Bobs, and can now be called an award winning patrol with the following awards earned:
First Place in Campsite Inspection
Second Place in Canoe Carry
Second Place in Knots Relay
Second Place in Patrol Flag Design
We are so proud of The Ka-Bobs of Troop 406, who continue to represent the scouting legacy and ideals in our long-standing small but mighty troop.
Troop 406 welcomes all youth ages 11-17 years to attend a meeting held every Tuesday from 6:30 pm-8 pm at the Scout House at the east end of Sespe Avenue.