Crews were spotted Friday, September 18, working at Fillmore’s 7-Eleven at the corner of B and Ventura Streets. The store remains open during construction. Photo credit Gazette staff.

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BACK STACKS Used Book Sale
119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA
Every suspect has a motive. Every page has a twist. Uncover the alibis, untangle the lies, and crack the case by buying a book at our massive Mystery Book Sale in October. For a limited time, get award-winning whodunits, gripping psychological thrillers, and cozy crime paperbacks starting at 50% off.
The FOL bookstore has hardbacks, paperbacks and even mass market mystery books from all your favorite authors. Or find a new favorite! When you shop at the Back Stacks, the plot may thicken—but your wallet stays full.
BIG SATURDAY SALE October 3, 2026
10AM TO 2PM
50% OFF ALL MYSTERIES
In addition to mysteries, the Back Stacks also has a large collection of books in all genres. Fiction, science fiction, fantasy, classic literature, children’s books and all kinds of non-fiction books as well. Bring your credit card and buy more.
If you miss the Saturday sale, the weekday hours are outlined below.
Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 PM; 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 tapes. 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

UNITED WATER HAS PLACED A $350 MILLION BOND ISSUE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT - INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INEFFECTIVE FISH LADDER AT THEIR FREEMAN DIVERSION DAM ON THE SANTA CLARA RIVER NEAR SATICOY
This November, a UWCD-sponsored bond measure will go to the voters in those areas of Ventura County that receive waters from UWCD - from Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula to the coast, including east Ventura, and Oxnard, Port Hueneme, southwest Camarillo, and the county’s two military bases.
This district is home to a population of about 400,000.
The bond issue will require a two-thirds vote to be implemented.
There are three main capital improvement projects that the $350 million bond intends to fund with public monies:
- seismic retrofits and spillway improvements at Santa Felicia dam on lower Piru Creek,
- improvements to the Vern Freeman diversion dam’s fish passage facilities on the Santa Clara River near Saticoy, and
_ a treatment plant for turning brackish water into drinking and agricultural water, on the coast.
UWCD’s promotional brochure for the bond measure claims that the U.S. Federal District Court’s 2018 ruling in the Wishtoyo v. UWCD case, “requires the District to construct an improved fish passage facility” at the Vern Freeman diversion dam. (p. 8) UWCD’s bond-funded proposal is to improve the current but ineffective denil fish ladder at the Freeman Diversion Dam. (See photo above.)
UWCD’s bond measure identifies fish passage at the Vern Freeman Diversion as its second most important capital improvement, totaling $104 million. However, the proposed modification of the denil fish ladder cannot be completed without permits from both the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The existing denil fish ladder design (dating from the mid-1990s) that UWCD proposes to rehabilitate with the bond funding, has been found to be inadequate for steelhead passage by both NMFS and CDFW, even if modified.
Judge David O. Carter of the U.S. Federal District Court in Los Angeles, has ruled that the preferred fish passage structure at the Freeman Diversion dam is the rock ramp, to be built in the middle of the diversion dam, which will construct a series of rock pools to allow upstream migrating steelhead to jump up one pool at a time to pass over the top of the dam. The rock ramp option has the support of both NMFS and the CDFW - both of the agencies that must approve any new fish passage proposal at the Freeman Diversion dam.
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NMFS letter to UWCD denies the application for modification of the denil fish passage facilities.
The following excerpts from Judge David O. Carter’s court ruling on Sept 10, 2025, requires UWCD
to construct the hardened rock ramp fish passage structure at their Freeman Diversion dam.
This excerpt reaffirms NMFS’ opposition to UWCD’s proposed modification of their denil fish ladder at the Freeman Diversion dam.
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This letter rejects UWCD’s application for the modified denil fish passage facilities at the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam as incomplete.

September 16, 2026
VENTURA, California – The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Advisory Council has an opening for a veterans’ representative. The Advisory Council is a volunteer-based body of advocates who share a mission to create and sustain programs that positively impact the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in Ventura County.
Applications for the veterans’ representative must be received by November 1. There are additional openings for city representatives. Each city in Ventura County appoints two individuals to the Advisory Council. The following cities currently have vacancies: Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai and Oxnard.
For more information about the Advisory Council and to access instructions for applying, visit VCAAA.VenturaCounty.gov/ACvacancy.

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule in the city of Fillmore for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The holiday falls on Monday, Oct. 12, this year and is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October.
Remember that Santa Clara Valley Disposal residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as Santa Clara Valley Disposal 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.

The week’s Fillmore Rotary speaker was Jacqui Irwin, California State Assembly Representative. She assumed office on December 1, 2014, and over the years has presented several bills to improve her represented areas. She is married and lives in Thousand Oaks with their three sons. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

Riders on seven public transit systems can easily pay fares using mobile devices and contactless debit and credit cards – no bus pass or cash required
Tap2Ride, a contactless system that allows riders to pay fares with mobile devices and contactless debit and credit cards, is now available on seven public transit systems across Ventura County.
Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit District, Moorpark City Transit, Simi Valley Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Valley Express and VCTC Intercity fixed-route buses now offer the Tap2Ride fare payment option, making bus travel easier and faster. There’s no need to carry exact change or purchase a bus pass before riding. Passengers can simply tap their contactless debit or credit card, mobile wallet or smart watch on the yellow payment reader as they board.
Tap2Ride offers additional advantages, including:
• A regionwide “fare capping” discount for riders who use two or more systems. When paying through Tap2Ride, the Tap2Ride system “caps” the amount a passenger pays when riding during a set period. The cap mirrors the same discount as a 31-day pass without the upfront cost of purchasing a pass.
• Regional transfers. Passengers can transfer to any bus for free within two hours when using Tap2Ride. The transfer is automatically applied to the card used to pay the fare on the first bus. No need to request a transfer slip from the bus driver.
• Reduced fare benefits. Medicare card holders, people age 65 and older, and U.S. military veterans can register a debit or credit card to receive reduced fares on any bus in the county. Registration is available at the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) website, benefits.calitp.org.
Riders without access to a bank-provided contactless card or access to a bank account are encouraged to seek assistance through the Bank On national platform, which is led by the nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund). Bank On has partnered with more than 100 bank branches across Ventura County.
More information about Bank On and a full list of Ventura County partner banks can be found on the Tap2Ride page on VCTC’s website at goventura.org/affordable-banking-options.
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the regional transportation planning agency for Ventura County, introduced Tap2Ride on the VCTC Intercity service in June 2025 and has been collaborating with transit operators and Cal-ITP to bring the system to buses countywide.
Funding for the Tap2Ride expansion was provided by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) through the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 program.
“As the agency responsible for coordinating transportation across Ventura County, VCTC is proud to help our transit agency partners implement the Tap2Ride system,” said VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson. “Tap2Ride provides passengers a way to pay fares that is simple and consistent, regardless of which bus they are riding. For new and infrequent riders, Tap2Ride is an easy way to try their local public transit systems.”
“We’re excited to make riding the bus even easier and faster. With Tap2Ride, riders can simply tap their card and go, just like paying for a cup of coffee,” said Vanessa Rauschenberger, General Manager at Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD).
“This regional launch is a huge achievement for VCTC and a major milestone for Cal-ITP,” said Gillian Gillett, Chief of Data & Digital Services and California Integrated Mobility Program Manager at Caltrans. “Ventura County transit operators have worked together to leverage the State of California’s master service agreements and Cal-ITP’s technology offerings to deliver a more cohesive experience for their customers. This work demonstrates Cal-ITP’s vision for the future of transit in California – a simpler, more connected transit network that makes it easier for transit operators to provide high quality, affordable service for their customers.”
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About Cal-ITP and Cal-ITP Benefits
The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) partners with state transportation agencies and transit providers to make it easier to use public transportation Though Cal-ITP Benefits, transit riders can quickly and securely verify their eligibility online for discounted fares and link that discount benefit to a contactless debit or credit card to automatically receive reduced fares whenever they tap to pay with the card. Ventura County is the largest regional deployment of open-loop payments and transit benefit enrollment through Cal-ITP Benefits to date.

At last week’s meeting, Fillmore Rotary welcomed two new members to the club. Pictured (l-r) are President John Garnica, Rotary member Barbara Filkins and Dale Filkins, their newest member. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

Pictured are Fillmore Rotary Club President John Garnica and guest speaker Jim Lewis of the Moorpark Rotary Club. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

Our Rotary speaker was Jim Lewis, from Moorpark Rotary. He is a Polio Survivor. When he was young he and his brother would swim in a nearby stream. His brother got sick first and when both boys were in the hospital it was determined they had Polio. The stream carried the polio virus and swimming there they were exposed. Jim had to stay in the hospital, but his brother went home because he was only three.
Dr. Jonas Salk an American Virologist and Medical researcher developed the polio vaccine in the early 50’s. This was giving to children. Some of us remember lining up at school to receive the vaccine given in a sugar cube.
Back to Jim, he couldn’t walk, but he could swim and in High School he competed and was successful. Jim has been encouraging others for many years. In 1979 a Rotary Grant was given and many children in the Philippines were the first to receive the vaccine. Since then whenever there is a case in the world Rotarians are there going door to door to save the children. Sometimes the women of that country go door to door also. To keep track of who has received it they mark the little finger with ink. Polio survivors may need surgery, braces and may even be in an Iron Lung for years. Donations to Rotary’s Polio Plus can help many children.

Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers have selected Mig Hernandez as the recipient of the September 2026 “Yard of the Month” award for her beautiful yard in the 600 block of Chaparral Street in Fillmore. Hernandez’s well-maintained yard is pictured above. Photo by Linda Nunez.
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Civic Pride volunteers have selected the yard at 627 Chaparral St., belonging to Mig Hernandez, for the September “Yard of the Month” award. The Hernandez family moved to Fillmore from Santa Paula 25 years ago and the yard was mainly just grass. Mig said his wife wanted a tropical look, so he began planting Plumeria in rainbow, white, pink and yellow, Crown of Thornz, in bright red, Pygmy Date Palms, Fountain Grass, Aeonium in dark purple, African Iris, yellow Cannas, a deep purple Rubber tree, and bright purple Hawaiian, Cordyline Fruticosa, plants in pots.
Mig gathered rocks from a friend’s ranch to make planter areas with pathways in between. A Palo Verde tree stands as a focal point in the front and roses border the steps to the doorway.
Mig is the one who does all the planting and maintenance on the yard, and he and his wife were very appreciative of receiving the Otto & Sons Nursery gift card award. He said some of their roses and plants were purchased there.
Civic Pride volunteers are thankful for Otto & Sons generous support of the “Yard of the Month” project.

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum
On September 17, 2026, at 7 pm the fall series of Fillmore Historical Museum’s virtual presentations will begin.
All sessions are virtual and there is no charge, but you must register in advance to receive the link to the presentation.
The September 17 session will be by members of the History Department at California State University at Channel Islands: Alec McCutchen, Kyle Tiemeyer, and Professor Jacqueline Reynoso. They have spent many hours at the Museum researching the 1927 effort to build a monorail from Fillmore to Sespe Hot Springs, turning the Hot Springs into a tourist destination. “Combing the Records: P.S. Combs and the Fillmore Monorail Project.” will focus on the promoter of the project, P. S. Combs of Chicago. Registration is now open at our website. https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/event-details/combing-the-recor....
The October 15 presentation will be “There’s no ‘There’ There” about buildings, businesses, and other things, bad or good, which were once in our area but no longer exist. Registration for this session will start approximately on September 18.
The final presentation on November 19, will close out our series on grammar schools with “Grammer Schools of the Piru Area.” Michele McKinley and Melissa Cervantez will be presenting this. Registration will open approximately October 16.

Fillmore Rotary Club President John Garnica inducts new member Laura Asenas into the Rotary Club. A longtime resident of Fillmore, Asenas also serves as the club’s bookkeeper. Photo credit Martha Richarson.

Williams Homes is hosting Front Porch Fest at Creekside on Saturday, August 29 from 12–5 p.m., celebrating the grand opening of its newest neighborhood, but the event is really about inviting the Fillmore community out for a laid-back afternoon together.
Guests can enjoy free root beer floats and BBQ, tour the new model homes, and spend the afternoon getting to know the neighborhood. The event is open to the public and could be a nice fit for any weekend community event coverage.
Front Porch Fest at Creekside
Saturday, August 29 | 12–5 p.m.
1066 Dry Creek Way, Fillmore, CA 93015

Pictured above are District Governor Margarida Eidson, new members Cinda Francis and Luca Lewis, and Fillmore Rotary President John Garnica.
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Assistant District Governor Jack Pollock introduced District Governor Margarida Eidson. She inducted two new members into the club: Fillmore High School Principal Cinda Francis and Ventura College President Luca Lewis. Eidson gave a brief history of each new member. Cinda has been at FHS for 25 years, holding various positions, and Luca has also held many different positions throughout his career. They will each be great members.
DG Margarida discussed several topics, especially membership—how to attract new members and keep them involved. She also talked about the Rotary Foundation and how it helps people around the world. The money donated each year is invested when it is not in use, and three years later, we receive it back for our club projects.
There are 10 clubs in our district, along with sister districts in Mexico and South Korea. All of the clubs are busy with projects in their communities and around the world.
The main thing Eidson encouraged us to do is have fun, promote Rotary in our community, on Facebook, and wherever we can.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026, 7:30 PM AT CITY HALL
Final from last week’s Special Meeting Held August 19, 2026:
4. Approval of Agenda Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by John Garnica to approve of Agenda Motion carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None.
6.a. Carrie Broggie motioned, seconded by John Garnica to approve Resolution 26-4127 appointing the nominated candidates to the offices of: Councilmember, District 1 (Short Term), Councilmember, District 3, Councilmember, District 4 and canceling the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Motion carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None.
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AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Public Comments
Special Meeting Public Comment: Pursuant to California Government Code § 54954.3(a), members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to address the legislative body concerning any item described in the notice for this special meeting before or during the legislative body’s consideration of that item. Public comment at this special meeting is therefore limited to matters concerning items described in the special-meeting notice.
6. New Business
6.A CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING NOMINEES TO THE OFFICES OF COUNCILMEMBER FOR DISTRICT 1 (SHORT TERM), DISTRICT 3, AND DISTRICT 4 AND CANCELING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229 DUE TO NOT HAVING MORE CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED.
SR - CANCELLING THE 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AS AUTHORIZED IN CALIFORNIA ELECTION CODE SECTION 10229(2179196.1)
7. City Council Reports, Recommendations and Comments
8. City Manager
9. Adjournment

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY

BACK STACKS Used Book Sale

119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA

Vintage defined - Something old, high-quality, and characteristic of a specific past era.

The Back Stacks has a large inventory of Collectible Vintage (old) books that we would like to share with all book lovers and book collectors. The beauty of an old book is holding a piece of someone else's journey. Drop by the Friends of the Blanchard Community Library big Saturday sale on September 5th and check out our 50% sale of all VINTAGE BOOKS.

BIG SATURDAY SALE September 5, 2026

10AM TO 2PM

All Vintage books are half priced! These collector’s items are set aside in special sections and are specially marked. Browse our stacks and a vintage book might call your name!

The Back Stacks also has a large collection of much newer, but used, books in all genres. Fiction, science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, and all kinds of non-fiction books as well. Bring your credit card and buy more.

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 tapes. 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 Stree

Pictured (l-r) are Fillmore Rotary Club President John Garnica and speaker Luca Lewis. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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The speaker at Fillmore Rotary last week was Luca Lewis. He is the President of Ventura College and has an extended history that brought him here. He began his higher education career in 1996 as a Physical Education Instructor at Washington State University. Not only did he teach PE but also Sociology. Later his teaching career led him to the University of Idaho, Bellevue College, Highland Community College, Green River Community College and Puget Sound Early College. He began his administrative leadership career at the University of Idaho as Program Manager/Education Specialist in the office of Dean of Students from 2002-2006. He later joined the University of Washington, Tacoma, as Interim Student Affairs Specialist from 2006-2007. In 2008 he became Program Supervisor at Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction with many responsibilities for the 295 school districts. His career led him on to Bellevue College as Director of High School Programs in 2010. He was overseeing Running Start and other K-12 initiatives to expand enrollment opportunities in the region. In 2012 he became Dean for Student Success and Retention at Edmonds Community College. After all of that experience Dr. Lewis became Vice President of Student Affairs at Ventura College. In 2025 he was appointed Interim President of Ventura College and subsequently became President of the College.

Photo courtesy Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
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CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Coastal Express, a commuter bus route that each year transports thousands of passengers between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, is proudly marking its 25th year of service.
The Coastal Express Route is provided through a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). The service, which launched on Aug. 6, 2001, is operated by VCTC Intercity and is funded in part by Santa Barbara County’s Measure A half-cent transportation sales tax. It has long been one of VCTC’s most utilized routes, with a ridership of 105,578 in 2025.
“This milestone marks 25 years of partnership between VCTC and SBCAG, providing thousands of trips for students, employees and general travelers, reducing congestion on Highway 101 and improving air quality in our region,” said VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson.
“The Coastal Express is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together across county lines,” said SBCAG Executive Director Marjie KIRN. “For 25 years, this service has connected our communities and given people more choices for how they travel. We are proud of what this partnership has built and excited about what the next 25 years will bring.”
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About the Coastal Express Route
The Coastal Express Route provides 27 round trips daily Monday through Friday and five round trips daily Saturday and Sunday. The route extends from Camarillo to Goleta, helping workers get to employment centers such as the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Cottage Hospital sites. Service to UC Santa Barbara means university students, faculty and staff have convenient access to campus. Leisure travelers can ride the Coastal Express to destinations including Downtown Ventura, Carpinteria State Beach and Santa Barbara Airport. The Camarillo train station is also a connection to local bus service, as well as Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner rail services.
In 2026, SBCAG and VCTC added five zero-emission electric buses to the Coastal Express fleet. To represent the agencies’ commitment to improving air quality and protecting the environment, the buses feature artwork of marine life found in the ocean along the route, including starfish, purple urchin and Garibaldi. Learn more about the electric buses at goventura.org/electric.
Tap2Ride, a contactless fare payment system, makes it even easier for riders to take the bus. All VCTC Intercity buses feature the Tap2Ride system, allowing passengers to pay fares using contactless debit and credit cards, mobile wallets and devices. Passengers may still use VCbuspass and cash to pay fares.
To ride the Coastal Express, visit https://www.goventura.org/routes/coastal-express/. Fare information is available at https://www.goventura.org/ride-vctc/fares/.
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About Santa Barbara County’s Measure A
Santa Barbara County’s voter-approved Measure A half-cent transportation sales tax helps support the Coastal Express as part of Santa Barbara County’s efforts to reduce congestion on Highway 101. The service will see additional benefits when the Highway 101 improvements between Carpinteria and Santa Barbara are complete in 2028 with new peak-period high occupancy vehicle lanes between Ventura County and the City of Santa Barbara.
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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.