On Sunday, December 14, Fillmore Patrol Deputies, in conjunction with Fillmore Fire Department, had the honor of escorting Santa through the neighborhoods of Fillmore to provide some deserving children with gifts! Thank you to Santa and all his wonderful helpers who were able to make Sunday night so magical! Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
On Sunday, December 14, Fillmore Patrol Deputies, in conjunction with Fillmore Fire Department, had the honor of escorting Santa through the neighborhoods of Fillmore to provide some deserving children with gifts! Thank you to Santa and all his wonderful helpers who were able to make Sunday night so magical! Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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On Sunday, December 14, Santa was escorted by his helpers the Fillmore Patrol Deputies and Fillmore Fire Department through the street of Fillmore spreading Christmas Cheer giving gifts to children in Fillmore who were very good this year. Pictured is some of the fun they had riding through town spreading Christmas cheer. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
On Sunday, December 14, Santa was escorted by his helpers the Fillmore Patrol Deputies and Fillmore Fire Department through the street of Fillmore spreading Christmas Cheer giving gifts to children in Fillmore who were very good this year. Pictured is some of the fun they had riding through town spreading Christmas cheer. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers have selected this year’s Christmas Yard of the Month winner located at 117 Bridlewood Lane, the home of Rosa Linda Rangel, husband Oscar Pacheco and children, Alan and Kayla. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers have selected this year’s Christmas Yard of the Month winner located at 117 Bridlewood Lane, the home of Rosa Linda Rangel, husband Oscar Pacheco and children, Alan and Kayla. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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Civic Pride volunteers found that it was difficult to select the best decorated home this year because there were more beautifully decorated homes than ever before. Nearly every area in the community had lights an creative efforts evident, whereas in the past whole neighborhoods would be dark.
This project began in 2003 with the generous support of Otto & Sons Nursery and has grown steadily through the years.
And so…”ta da!”…this years’ winner is located at 117 Bridlewood Lane, the home of Rosa Linda Rangel, husband Oscar Pachecoand and children, Alan and Kayla. The family moved to Fillmore in 2002 and continue to add to their display. Linda, as she is called, says Oscar and she decorate together, but he does the roof and eaves, which is dangerous, but produces an amazing backdrop for all the lawn figures and blow-ups.
Linda invited me to look inside the living room, where they have a nativity above a snowy village with all the buildings lighted and music playing.
The family begins all this decorating before Thanksgiving to be ready for December. Now they can look forward to using the gift card donated by Otto & Sons Nursery on Guiberson Road.
There were so many honorable mentions that in some cases, I just listed the streets. Some are past winners, so be sure to see them: 910 Taylor Lane was a winner in 2009 with a great display of bears, 360 C Street won in 2011, 406 Robin Court won in 2012, 408 Edgewood Drive won several years before we began keeping track, and 910 Sespe Avenue won in 2020. Other great ones to see are 969 5th Street,305 B Street, 503 Mockingbird Lane, 876 River Street, and 319 River Street. Check out the newer homes in The Bridges, like 282 Azalea Street. Traditions neighborhood on Goodenough Road is well decorated too! Remember, you have another opportunity to win next year.

 


 

Courtesy City of Fillmore
Fillmore City Hall will be closed in observance of our winter closure from December 24, 2025, through January 2, 2026. We will reopen with normal operations on Monday, January 5, 2026.
For immediate assistance during this period, please see the following contacts:
· Public Works or Facilities Emergencies (including water issues): Contact our on-call emergency line at 805-557-8230.
· Safety-Related Issues (fire, police, medical emergencies, noise disturbances): Please call 911.
· Payments: If you wish to make a water payment, you may go online to our website or call 805-524-1500 ext. 1.
· Code Enforcement: To file a complaint, please visit our website and visit Code Enforcement Information.
· Job Applications: For current openings, visit our website at www.fillmoreca.com.
Thank you, and we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!’

 
Pictured (l-r) are Fillmore Rotary President Scott Beylik and Rotary Speaker Nancy Anderson, Jewelry Consultant. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
Pictured (l-r) are Fillmore Rotary President Scott Beylik and Rotary Speaker Nancy Anderson, Jewelry Consultant. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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The club’s Fillmore Rotary speaker was Nancy Anderson, a jewelry consultant for Parklane Jewelry, which was established in 1955. She got involved with the company when her niece was involved with the Miss America Pageant. Prior to the pageant there is a large convention center and people sell their wares. All the money is donated toward scholarships for the winners. Besides this fundraiser, she also does home parties. Her number is 805-377-2611.

 

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore
Posted December 12, 2025, at 3:00pm courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore
Overnight one-way alternating traffic on SR-118 (Los Angeles Ave.) between Sand Canyon Rd. and Balcom Canyon Rd. Dec Monday 15 through Friday December 19, 7 PM–6 AM for excavation and vegetation clearing.
Daytime work may occur behind barriers with no lane closures.
Nearby residents may notice noise, vibration, and dust.
Schedule may change due to weather or other factors.
Speed limit is 45 mph—please drive with caution and consider alternate routes.

 

CAMARILLO, Calif. – VCTC Intercity bus riders who qualify for reduced fares can now use the new Tap2Ride contactless payment system and receive the fare discount.
VCTC Intercity offers a discount on fixed-route fares to people 65 and older and Medicare card holders. Reduced fares are 80 cents one way for routes within Ventura County and $2 one way for routes outside Ventura County.
Tap2Ride allows riders to pay fares using contactless Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards. Seniors and Medicare cardholders can receive reduced fares on VCTC Intercity buses when paying with a registered debit or credit card. VCTC has partnered with the California Integrated Transit Project (Cal-ITP) to provide the Tap2Ride system and to register credit and debit cards.
Eligible riders have two options to register their contactless debit and credit card:
• Online: Visit goventura.org/pay. Click the link for reduced fares to begin the registration process.
• In-person: Beginning in January 2026.
Riders can also call VCTC’s Regional Transit Information Center at 800-438-1112 for assistance.
***
About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information available at goventura.org.

 
Nearly 300,000 Ventura County voters participated in ballot measure special election

December 3, 2025
(Ventura County) –County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the final certification of Ventura County’s results for the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election. The Secretary of State will announce the certification of statewide results on December 12, 2025.
The November 4 Special Election was called on August 21, 2025. It was one of only five statewide Special Elections held in California since 2000. Two of those were called to consider a gubernatorial recall (in 2003 and 2021), while this November 2025 election was one of three statewide Special Elections that placed ballot measures before voters (along with elections in 2005 and 2009).
The 2025 Statewide Special Election consisted of a single ballot question asking voters whether to approve mid-decade redistricting of California’s Congressional District maps. There are three Congressional Districts that include portions of Ventura County, Districts 24, 26, and 32, which have new boundaries due to the passage of Proposition 50.
Voting began October 6th with the mailing of vote by mail ballots to all active registered voters and the opening of early voting at the Ventura County Government Center. Countywide in-person voting began October 25th with the opening of the first vote centers, and additional locations opened November 1. A total of 290,920 ballots were cast in Ventura County, with 266,852 voters voting by mail and 24,068 voting in person.
Ventura County’s turnout of 55.30% places it in the middle of turnouts for past statewide Special Elections. By comparison, Ventura County turnout was 63.07% in 2021, 31.46% in 2009, 54.18% in 2005, and 65.98% in 2003.
Under California election law, counties must wait 28 days to certify local results, to allow voters ample time to cure signatures on mail ballots, and provide election officials the time to verify registrations for provisional voters. Final Ventura County election results were posted and certified on December 3.
Prior to certification, the legally required One Percent Manual Tally was completed to confirm the accuracy of the automated results. The manual audit involved a precinct-level comparison from randomly selected ballot batches according to the California Elections Code. The audit verified the election results, providing statistical confirmation and serving as the post-election counterpart to the pre-election logic and accuracy testing that work in tandem to ensure accurate performance of the ballot counting equipment.
“As we close out this Special Election, I want to thank our voters and our dedicated election workers,” said Registrar Michelle Ascencion. “Even with a compressed timeline, the community showed its commitment to participating in and supporting the election process. I’m grateful for everyone who took the time to vote, and of course for our election workers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure every legal ballot was validated and counted with care.”
The certified final results are posted on the County Elections website at Vote.venturacounty.gov. The previous and new congressional maps are posted on the California Legislative Analyst’s Office’s website, https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=50&year=2025
New Congressional District map for Ventura County
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters is committed to “Preserving history and protecting democracy for the people of Ventura County, past, present, and future.” More information about the agency’s services is available 24/7 at clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov.

 
Sonshine Preschool was blessed to be part of this year’s annual Fillmore Christmas Parade, offering a Christian environment for kids 2 to 5 years. Photo credit FCCFillmore.com.
Sonshine Preschool was blessed to be part of this year’s annual Fillmore Christmas Parade, offering a Christian environment for kids 2 to 5 years. Photo credit FCCFillmore.com.
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Fillmore Lions invites you to another “Community Speaker” engagement series. Anyone interested is invited to attend on Monday, Dec 15th at 7pm to hear Maya Lazos, a local independent consultant who will speak on suicide prevention. It will be held at the Lions Club House, 128 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore. You’re also encouraged to bring a dish to share, as this will be a potluck. The suicide prevention presentation will highlight the warning signs of suicide, ways to offer hope to those who are struggling, and how to connect individuals with resources. Please come and bring a friend! For questions, send your email to fillmorecalionsclub@gmail.com. Credit Jaclyn Ibarra, President, Fillmore Lions Club.

 
State Route 118 between Sand Canyon Road and Balcom Canyon Road. Photo credit Caltrans District 7.
State Route 118 between Sand Canyon Road and Balcom Canyon Road. Photo credit Caltrans District 7.

Ventura County - Caltrans announces overnight one-way alternating traffic control on State Route 118 (Los Angeles Avenue/SR-118) between Sand Canyon Road and Balcom Canyon Road near the unincorporated Ventura County area of Somis is postponed until next week.
One-way traffic control will be in effect Monday, Dec. 8 through Friday, Dec. 12 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for roadway excavation and to clear vegetation. Day work may occur behind k-rail on the south shoulder of the highway from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., without lane closures.
Residents and businesses located near construction may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with demolition activities. Closures are subject to change due to weather, material, or other factors. Motorists can view current traffic conditions on the Caltrans QuickMap.
The speed limit through the construction zone is posted at 45 m.p.h. Please obey the speed limit and drive with caution. Caltrans urges motorists to use alternate routes.
The work is part of the State Route 118 Slope Repair Project, which will construct two retaining walls on the south side of the highway, among other improvements. The total project cost is $30.8 million and is anticipated to be completed in winter of 2026/2027. The contractor on this project is CA Rasmussen, Inc.
***
Date: Dec. 10, 2025
District: District 7
Contact: Marc Bischoff
Email: marc.bischoff@dot.ca.gov
Ventura County Again Ranked Safest Large County in California

 

Christmas is coming! So here is a friendly reminder to get your Christmas/Holiday decorating done EARLY. With upcoming travels, Civic Pride Volunteers must select the winning decorated home on December 13, 2025, in order to post the article in the “Fillmore Gazette” & on “What’s Happening…” for everyone to see & be able to tour the Honorable Mention homes. The winner of the 2024 Christmas/Holiday Yard of the Month was Amber Clendening, 700 block of A Street. Photo credit Linda Nunes.

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Fillmore Piru Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“Agency”) Board of Directors meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 4:00 pm., has been CANCELLED
The next Agency Regular Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm., at the City of Fillmore, City Hall, Council Chambers 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Posted: (date) November 25, 2025 (time) 2:00 p.m. At: https://www.FPBGSA.org (attest) Eva Ibarra
Posted: (date) November 25, 2025 (time) 2:05 p.m. At: https://www.facebook.com/FPBGSA (attest) Eva Ibarra
Posted: (date) November 25, 2025 (time) 2: 10 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra UWCD, 1701 N. Lombard Street, Oxnard, CA 93030
Posted: (date) November 25, 2025 (time) 2: 15 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra At: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA, 93015

 
Courtesy Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Courtesy Ventura County Sheriff's Office
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November 25, 2025
VENTURA, Calif.– Ventura County law enforcement agencies are proud to highlight new findings from the State of the Region Report 2025, published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance, which once again identifies Ventura County as the safest large county in California.
According to the report, Ventura County recorded 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, the lowest overall crime rate among California’s 16 largest counties. Although crime increased slightly from the record low of 2022, Ventura County continues to outperform every other large county in the state, an achievement the Civic Alliance notes is consistent with long-standing trends.
“Once again, these numbers reflect the positive outcomes of community partnered policing,” said Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. “We are all lucky to live in a county where public safety is a priority and low crime rates can be counted on by the communities served by our brave men and women in law enforcement.”
The report observes that while many regions nationwide saw crime rise sharply during the early 2020s, Ventura County did not experience that pattern. Crime reached its lowest level in recent history in 2022, and although several cities experienced a slight increase in violent crime in 2023 and 2024, the county remains extraordinarily safe by comparison.
Long-term data included in the report shows:
• Ventura County’s overall crime rate in 2024 was the lowest among large counties, slightly better than San Diego County.
• The county had the third lowest violent crime rate and the second lowest property crime rate statewide among large counties.
• Overall crime in Ventura County today is less than half of what it was 30 years ago.
• Crime remains far below levels seen a decade ago.
• Moorpark and Thousand Oaks remain among the safest cities of their size in California. “These data points reflect years of strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies and a shared commitment to proactive, community-focused policing,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The long-term trend is clear, Ventura County remains one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family.”
The State of the Region Report 2025 uses crime statistics from the California Department of Justice, analyzing violent and property crimes reported per 1,000 residents across the state’s largest counties and within Ventura County’s individual jurisdictions.
David Dickey – Ventura Police Chief
“With crime rates down in Ventura, an 8% decline in vagrancy-related complaints, and officers engaging with thousands of residents through more than 150 community events last year, Ventura PD’s efforts continue to strengthen public safety. Our long-term crime trends reflect years of strong partnership between our officers and the community. Even as we continue to address theft, reckless e-bike behavior, and quality-of-life issues in public spaces, our crime rates remain far below where they were a decade ago. That progress comes from evidence-based policing and officers who respond with professionalism. We’ll keep working with our regional partners to maintain the safety Ventura is known for.”
Jason Benites – Oxnard Police Chief
“It is good to pause and celebrate that Ventura County had the lowest rates of reported crimes amongst California’s largest counties. We are proud, and we are thankful. A lot of work goes into this, and we must commit to continue with this work to ensure that this trend continues.”
Steve Shorts – Simi Valley Police Chief
“I am pleased to report that crime has continued to trend downward in Simi Valley over the past few years. The low crime rates within our community reflect the strong partnership between the members of the Simi Valley Police Department and our residents, which helps make Simi Valley a great place to live and work. To maintain these low crime levels, we encourage residents to continue practicing crime-prevention strategies and to promptly notify the police department of any suspicious activity. Our goals remain to provide superior police services, strengthen community partnerships, promote active community engagement and outreach, and collaborate with our regional law-enforcement partners on crime-suppression efforts.”
Don Aguilar – Santa Paula Police Chief
“The City of Santa Paula continues its collaborations with our law enforcement partners throughout Ventura County, continuing to make our communities safer.”
More information about Ventura County’s crime rates can be found in the State of the Region Report 2025, published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance.

 

This year’s annual Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway will be held Saturday, December 12th, from 9 AM – 12 PM at the City of Fillmore Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane. If a child has a disability, they may register to participate on Friday evening, pre-registration is required for Friday evening. The Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway is the annual event where holiday commodities are given to the children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries. Commodities given will be age-appropriate toys, new jackets/coats, reading books and socks. As is customary, a holiday bag of groceries will also be available for each family while supply last. Santa Claus will be available for a picture with each child. As a reminder, this event is only for children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries, you must provide proof of residency within the School District such as a utility bill, report card or driver’s license.
This year’s sponsors of the event include our local Fillmore Police and Fire Departments, Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, One Step A La Vez, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, Rotary International of Fillmore, Fillmore Lions Club, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Fillmore Citizen’s Patrol, Fillmore Friends of the Library, Super A Grocery, Estrella Market, Salvation Army, the Fillmore Fire Foundation and numerous other generous individual and business donors. Our sponsor list will be updated week to week.
If you would like to help donate to the Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway, you may give new toys, socks, coats, reading books or canned food; drop boxes are located at the Fillmore Police Station, Fillmore City Fire Station, Bank of the Sierra and Diamond Realty. Monetary donations are preferred; checks may be made out to “The Fillmore Fire Foundation” with a notation of “Holiday Giveaway”. Donations may be mailed to Fillmore Fire Foundation, PO Box 331, Fillmore, CA 93016 or for drop off, stop by the Fillmore City Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane. To arrange a pick-up of new donated items/checks or to answer questions, contact 805-815-0328

 

On Friday, November 21, at 9:30am, the Fillmore Fire Department cleared out debris that collected along the embankment at the bottom of the hill at A Street, south of 3rd Street, caused by last week’s rain. Photo credit Gazette staff.

 

November 21, 2025
Local police agencies are reaching out with helpful tips to make our community safer during the upcoming holidays especially for shoppers, retailers, and travelers.
SHOPPERS
• Beware of package thieves, also known as “porch pirates” who follow postal and delivery vehicles when they drop off packages on porches that are ordered online. You can set a shipping delivery time or have a message notification when your packages are delivered to reduce from becoming a porch pirate theft victim. Also, inexpensive surveillance cameras can be installed on your doorbell and other exterior areas of the front of your house.
• Be vigilant in crowded stores and shops for pickpockets that work in teams. In a common method, one suspect distracts the victim while the other suspect intentionally bumps the victim and removes a wallet from a back pants pocket simultaneously. Keep wallets in a bag snug close to your body or in a front pants pocket to avoid this.
• When shopping at malls or downtown areas, please observe all parking signs and park in well lighted areas at night. Make sure to lock your vehicle. Do not leave valuables in plain view in your vehicle and they become prime targets for thieves. It only takes a few seconds to smash a car door window to reach in and steal. Place your valuables in a secured trunk or take a break and make trips to drop off some of those gifts at home before continuing to shop.
• Online scams are growing. You may receive a text message, email, or phone call requesting your personal information to register an account or make a payment that is identified as unusual to a consumer. Do not provide any of your personal/accounts information and ask for verification of the requestor companies contact information and email.
• If possible, use the credit card “tap” option as opposed to the “swipe” or “insert” option. The “tap” option is faster and more secure due to modern chip technology, while “swipe” or “insert” options are less secure methods. If your card is lost or cared information is compromised, most credit cards provide protection for any fraudulent purchases over $50. With a debit card, if you don’t report the loss right away, you may lose all the contents of the bank account associated with the debit card.
• Please be cautious in observance of holiday traffic and allow for extra travel time to reach your destinations. If necessary, plan alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion to reach your destination safely.
RETAILERS
• Retailers look out for those using large amounts of cash for purchases. Make sure to thoroughly inspect large bills to prevent counterfeit fraud. Visit: https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2020-12/KnowYo...
• Make sure all surveillance video cameras are in operational order and are recording continuously. This is helpful to provide law enforcement in the event of a store burglary or theft at your establishment. Surveillance footage oftentimes leads to the identity of the suspect(s) and provide details so other technology can be used to apprehend offenders.
• To deter crime, consider hiring extra loss prevention staff or uniformed security officers during peak shopping hours.
TRAVELERS
• If you are traveling and will be away from your home, set some indoor lights on timers to show the appearance you are home. Also notify trusted neighbors to be vigilant for suspicious activity on the street while you are away.
• Do not post pictures on social media of you and your family/friends at travel destinations while you are out of town. Delay posting travel pictures until after you return home. Posting travel pictures gives the impression you are out of town and burglars will focus on that time to break in to houses.
** FOR ANY CRIMES IN PROGRESS OR TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, IMMEDIATELY DIAL 911 **
Police Officers will be conducting saturation patrols during the holidays looking for those driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol/drugs. Please use rideshare or designate a during the holidays. Taking drunk/drugged drivers off the street saves lives and reduces traffic collisions.
The men and women of the Police Department encourage our residents and business owners to prepare and be vigilant while enjoying the holidays. We wish everyone a safe holiday season.
Press Release Prepared by: Don Aguilar, Chief of Police
***
Join us on Twitter @SP_Police, Instagram @SantaPaulaPoliceDepartment, FaceBook – Santa Paula Police Department.

 
Pictured are Fillmore Rotary Club President Scott Beylick with guest speaker Martha Gentry, from the Fillmore Historical Museum. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
Pictured are Fillmore Rotary Club President Scott Beylick with guest speaker Martha Gentry, from the Fillmore Historical Museum. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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Martha Gentry, from the Fillmore Historical Museum, was the speaker last week at Fillmore Rotary. She gave a brief history of the museum. Edith Jarrett, a world traveler and author of the Spanish book El Camino Real, which was used at Fillmore High School for many years, started the museum in 1970. It has moved several times over the years but is now in its permanent site at 350 Main Street. The entire museum is made up of the Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse, the original Fillmore Train Depot, the Hinckley House, and a garage housing the 1930 Model A pickup truck built by FHS teacher Lin Thomas. He taught his class how to build it, and all worked on it. When it was finished it was driven in The Great Race (1999) across the United States. You will also find the old Bardsdale Post Office. All of the buildings are open for tours. Martha also talked about the historic videos that can be viewed on Zoom. Some examples are Early Fillmore Schools, and Early Search and Rescue. To register for these and more go to Fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org. The museum has been given the 1925 Fillmore Fire Truck and they want to build a firehouse to display it, but there is a large Pepper tree in the area and the city doesn’t want to cut it down, halting plans for the construction.

 

Nov. 6, 2025
In observance of Thanksgiving, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal are taking the day off on Thursday, Nov. 27. As a result, during Thanksgiving week, Fillmore residential customers will have their trash, recyclables and yard/organics waste collected on Saturday, Nov. 29, one day later than usual. The regular Friday schedule will resume the following week.
Remember that Santa Clara Valley Disposal residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as the company collects all waste 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.

 

Does the name Joel Roberts Poinsett mean anything to you? It’s a pretty good guess that he had something to do with what is now a Christmas season staple – the poinsettia. Poinsett was from South Carolina and could definitely be considered a polymath - a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning. He had traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and South America and was the confidant of many of the world’s leaders. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, as well as being a diplomat, he was also a physician and a botanist.
It was as a botanist where he became aware of and championed the plant with red and green leaves he saw growing in the wild in Mexico where it was called Flor de Nochebuena, Christmas Eve flower, or Catarina. Poinsett sent samples of the plant to his greenhouses in South Carolina and their popularity soon spread.
In the wild Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees. We see that here in Fillmore with the shrubbery gracing the Wayfarer’s Chapel on Central and 3rd Street.
Now you can share a bit of history with your own Poinsettia purchased from the Fillmore Historical Museum. The museum has been selling Poinsettias as a fundraiser for over a decade; this year is no exception. You can order beautiful red Poinsettias for $15 each and pick them up at the museum on Saturday, December 6. Use the form below and mail or drop off at the museum or order on their website at https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/poinsettia-sale.

 

Nov. 20, 2025
CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is hosting four public workshops in December to hear from Ventura County residents about what improvements they would like to see at bus stops in the county.
The workshops are part of VCTC’s ongoing assessment of the nearly 1,200 bus stops used by the nine transit operators across the county. The assessment will evaluate amenities provided at each of the stops, such as shelters and benches, and will analyze barriers to getting to bus stops, such as the lack of crosswalks.
The study will also develop a prioritization system to help direct funding towards future stop improvements, such as new shelters, real-time arrival displays, and better accessibility for people with disabilities.
The meetings are scheduled for:
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, virtual. Meeting link at
https://www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/ventura-county-bus-stop-assessmen...
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, virtual. Meeting link at
https://www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/ventura-county-bus-stop-assessmen...
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Thousand Oaks Library Community Room, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks;
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Oxnard Public Library Meeting Room A, 300 W. Third St., Oxnard.
VCTC conducted an inventory of bus stops in September and October. The prioritization system is scheduled to be developed in January 2026, with a final assessment report to be released in April 2026.
More information about the assessment project can be found at https://www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/ventura-county-bus-stop-assessmen...
Questions may be directed to VCTC transit planner Dolores Lopez by email at dlopez@goventura.org or by phone at 805-642-1591, ext. 117.
***
About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.