Join the Fillmore Lion's Club for a fun evening to the Red Engine Brewing to hear the talk by Scout Master Sam on Wednesday, August 12th at 6pm. Find out about the Scout program open for youth in Fillmore and Piru, their activities and events. Share your thoughts and ideas as you participate with the Lions in this first of the projected quarterly community meetings about Fillmore/Piru events and programs. Let us know what you would like to have as a topic in the future. Enjoy the fun atmosphere of the Red Engine as you interact with each other and the members of the Lions' Club.

Members of Fillmore FFA came for a visit to Fillmore Rotary last week. They were at VC Fair starting Monday, August 3, and will remain until the Fair ends. The students told Rotary about the animals they are raising and how long they have been in FFA. They all answered questions from Rotarians thoughtfully and confidently. Pictured l to r: President John Garnica, Pam Klittich, Fillmore FFA advisor, Iris Rodriguez (Goat), Ruby Aguilar (Goat), Mariana Avila (Steer), Kristina Budai (Goat), Olivia Nava (Pig), Nicholas Garcia (Pig). Posted August 1, 2026, at 10:14am courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1485198586982996&set=a.475058754663....

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1452558610238040&set=pcb.1452558933571341.
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Posted August 3, 2026, at 2:03pm
Attention Fillmore residents! Please note that the pickleball courts will be temporarily converted to tennis courts from August 4th through October 28th to accommodate the Fillmore High School tennis team’s practice season.
We appreciate your understanding and support of our student-athletes as they prepare for their season.

THOUSAND OAKS Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and California Lutheran University today announced the future home of the East County Family Justice Center will be on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the lease agreement for a building located at 26 Faculty Street on August 4, 2026, paving the way to expand critical services for victims and survivors throughout East Ventura County.
The East County Family Justice Center will provide a safe, welcoming location where victims of violence and abuse can access comprehensive support services under one roof. The center will serve victims of domestic violence, elder and dependent adult abuse, sexual assault, child molestation, human trafficking, child abuse, and hate crimes.
“The Ventura County Family Justice Center is built on the belief that no survivor should have to navigate trauma alone,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “California Lutheran University has been an outstanding community partner for many years, and we are grateful for their commitment to helping bring these vital services closer to the individuals and families who need them most.
This new location reflects what is possible when public institutions and educational partners work together to create safer, stronger communities.”
The Family Justice Center offers free, drop-in services regardless of whether a crime has been reported to law enforcement. In addition to helping victims obtain restraining orders, the center connects survivors with a broad range of wraparound services designed to promote long-term safety, stability, and healing. Services include connections to government and community resources, emergency shelter, as well as the ability to secure essentials such as clothing, grocery assistance, cell phones, and other necessities through the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation. The new location will strengthen access to services by providing a central hub for residents throughout East Ventura County while creating new opportunities to collaborate with California Lutheran University. These opportunities could include student internships and academic partnerships to enhance services. The campus location also offers outdoor and athletic facility space available for youth programming aimed at serving children and families impacted by violence.
“California Lutheran University is honored to welcome the East County Family Justice Center to our campus, a partnership that reflects our deep commitment to serving the most vulnerable in our community and embodies our mission to advance justice, compassion and healing through meaningful collaboration between the center and our students, faculty and academic programs,” California Lutheran University President John A. Nunes said.
The new East County Family Justice Center builds upon a longstanding partnership between the Ventura County Family Justice Center and California Lutheran University. Over the years, California Lutheran University students have volunteered with the Family Justice Center and served as counselors at Camp Hope, a summer camp for children impacted by domestic violence and other crimes. The university has also partnered with the Family Justice Center on research initiatives focused on improving outcomes for victims, and hosted the 2024 Strategic Retreat, a two-day workshop dedicated to creating a center in the east county.
The District Attorney’s Office and California Lutheran University also expressed appreciation to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for its continued investment in programs that improve the lives of victims and families throughout Ventura County.
An opening date for the East County Family Justice Center will be announced at a later time pending completion of necessary refurbishment projects to the existing site.

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Dear Community Members,
The Cruising Fillmore team is hosting a Back-to-School Backpack and School Supplies Drive on August 1st from 6:30pm to 9pm. Donation drop off will be at the Diamond Realty building located at 316 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA.
Ahead of our upcoming Back-to-School Backpack and School Supplies Drive on Saturday, August 1st, the Cruising Fillmore team wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Fillmore community. Your continued support, generosity, and engagement across Facebook, Instagram, and other social media channels have been incredible.
Whether you have shared our posts, donated supplies, volunteered your time, or helped spread the word, your contribution makes a direct difference for local children as they prepare for a successful school year. This drive aims to provide students with essential educational tools, easing the financial burden on families and ensuring children start the year ready to learn.
As the event approaches, we encourage you to continue sharing information and participating in any way you can to help make the event a success. Every donated backpack, notebook, and pencil helps support students throughout our community.
For updates and more information, please follow Cruising Fillmore / cruisingfillmore805 on social media. Together, we continue to show that when a community comes together, great things happen!
Best regards,
Cruising Fillmore Team

By Molly Corbett, President & CEO of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association
Not long ago, a Ventura County family called Livingston for help. Their loved one was enrolled with another hospice but had not received a visit from one of its nurses in more than three weeks.
Consider what those weeks must have felt like. The family had made one of the most difficult decisions it would ever face. Instead of focusing on their loved one, they were left wondering when help would come and whether anyone was paying attention.
That’s the human cost of hospice fraud and neglect. It’s not only money improperly billed to Medicare. It’s pain that may go unmanaged, calls that go unanswered and precious time consumed by fear and frustration.
For most families, hospice is unfamiliar territory they may navigate only once or twice. The decision often comes amid fear, exhaustion and anticipatory grief. People at that moment should be met with honesty and compassion, not treated as billing opportunities.
At its best, hospice can be a gift. It provides comfort, dignity and symptom management while helping patients live as fully as possible. It supports families, too, giving them more time and space to be present with the person they love.
I believe that’s what makes the growing evidence of hospice fraud particularly heartbreaking.
Federal officials recently suspended payments to approximately 800 hospices and home health agencies suspected of fraud in Los Angeles alone. Those providers accounted for $1.4 billion in Medicare spending last year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In May, the agency also temporarily paused new Medicare enrollment for hospices and home health agencies nationwide while it investigates suspicious providers and removes bad actors.
The moratorium does not prevent established hospices from accepting eligible patients, and families should not delay needed care because of it. But the scale of the enforcement action should prompt every family to ask questions before choosing a provider.
This is not a distant problem. Agencies based outside Ventura County solicit patients here, and dishonest operators can evade detection by shifting their operations across county lines. They do not limit themselves to one community or demographic. They exploit people at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
Fraud can take several forms. A provider may enroll someone who is not terminally ill, bill for services never delivered or accept a patient and then provide little or no care. Some people do not realize they have been enrolled in hospice until they seek other medical treatment.
No family should be pressured to sign hospice paperwork. If you’re uncertain whether your loved one qualifies, pause and speak with a trusted physician. Ask where the hospice’s office and clinicians are located. Find out who its medical director is, how quickly a nurse can reach your home and what support is available at night and on weekends. A trustworthy hospice will answer those questions without hesitation.
Use Medicare’s Care Compare https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=Hospice to confirm that the hospice participates in Medicare and review its available quality information. A lack of public data does not automatically indicate wrongdoing, but it should prompt more questions.
Families also have rights. Patients may change hospice providers or end hospice care. Review Medicare statements to ensure every listed service was received. Report unfamiliar charges or an enrollment you did not authorize to Medicare.
I’ve seen how deeply fraud harms people who are already vulnerable. One man told a clinician on our palliative care team that he felt bullied into enrolling with a hospice he did not want and he was not even eligible for hospice per Medicare’s guidelines. We also hear from families whose hospice stopped answering calls, disconnected its telephone or simply disappeared.
The harm extends beyond those directly affected. These experiences can erode trust in hospice altogether, causing families to miss care that could bring comfort, dignity and support.
At Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, we’ve served this community since 1947, and we believe quality care and careful compliance are inseparably linked. As a nonprofit, we answer to our community, not shareholders.
*Putting patients before profits is not a slogan, it’s an obligation to our neighbors, friends and families. Our history is more than a point of pride. It’s a promise that we’ll be here when families call.
We’re not alone. Ventura County has several established hospices providing trusted, compassionate care. Ask questions. Take your time. Expect transparency. Choose a provider with qualified local clinicians and demonstrated commitment to patients and families.
Hospice fraud is real, and we must confront it. So is the extraordinary good that trustworthy hospice teams provide every day. With stronger oversight and families who have good information, we can protect that care and ensure hospice remains what it was always meant to be: comfort, dignity and help when people need it most.

Pictured is Rotarian Scott Beylik, Fillmore Junior Fair Board members Mia Urbano, Myla Puebla and Marissa Calderon, and Rotary President John Garnica. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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Fillmore Rotarian Scott Beylik presented the Rotary program about the Junior Fair Board. Scott is the advisor for the board and stated that he had been the first student from Fillmore to participate. The organization is made up of young adults, high school age throughout Ventura County. This year there are eight members from Fillmore, out of 20, currently serving on the junior Fair Board. The students put on contests throughout the Ventura County Fair like pie contests, lemon bobbing, watermelon eating and adult showmanship. They also assist the fair in volunteering during special events like Fair Entry Weekend and helping at the Strawberry Festival. The girls also added they learn to speak in public, shake hands and be able to get out of their comfort zone. The program’s goal is to develop leadership skills and learn more about the workings of the Ventura County Fair. The members who attended Fillmore Rotary were Mia Urbano, Myla Puebla and Marissa Calderon, pictured above.

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Posted on July 16, 2026, courtesy
https://fillmoreca.gov/m/news
flash/Home/Detail/285
The City of Fillmore is now accepting nomination papers for City Council seats in the following districts:
• District 1 – Short Term
• District 3 – Full Term
• District 4 – Full Term
The nomination period began Monday, July 13, 2026, and will close on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Individuals interested in becoming a candidate are encouraged to review the election information available on the City’s website and contact the City Clerk’s Office with any questions regarding the nomination process.
For additional information, please visit https://fillmoreca.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/285.

On 07/15/2026, (S) Andre Varnado was arrested for domestic violence and firearm offenses.
At about 10:07 AM, patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded to the 7900 block of Pine Grove Road in unincorporated Santa Paula reference a domestic dispute in progress. As deputies arrived, they contacted an adult female and (S) Andre Varnado at a campsite. As the patrol investigation unfolded, deputies developed probable cause to arrest Varnado for a domestic violence offense. He was arrested for Penal Code § 243(e)(1) – [Domestic Battery].
Additionally, the investigation revealed Varnado was a convicted felon out of New Mexico and was in possession of an illegal firearm that had a threaded barrel. The firearm’s threaded barrel classifies it as an assault weapon, and it is prohibited under California law. Varnado was subsequently arrested for violations of Penal Code § 29800(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of a Firearm], Penal Code § 30605 – [Possession of an Assault Weapon], and Penal Code § 30305(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of Ammunition].
Varnado was transported to the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked for the above offenses pending court proceedings.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
News Release Date: 07/16/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
***
Nature of Incident: Subject Arrested for Firearm & Domestic Violence Offenses
Report Number: 26-90948 & 26-91053
Location: 7400 Pine Grove Rd, unincorporated Santa Paula
Date & Time: 07/15/2026 @ 10:07 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
City of Residence; Age
(V) Adult Female, Pecos, NM
(S) Andre Varnado, Pecos, NM, 39
***
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).

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY BACK STACKS Used Book Sale
119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA
You can’t buy happiness. But, you CAN buy books….and that’s kind of the same thing!
Drop by the Friends of the Blanchard Community Library big Saturday sale on August 1st and buy some happiness.
BIG SATURDAY SALE August 1, 2026
10AM TO 2PM
All FICTION books are 50% off! That includes Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Westerns, Classics, Mysteries and all mass market fiction books. The Back Stacks has tons of hardback and paperback fiction books, waiting to bring you happiness. 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 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

Civic Pride Volunteers have selected the home of Gil & Maria Chavez at 164 Serra in the El Dorado Mobile Home Estates Park, as the July “Yard of the Month” winner.
They moved from Sylmar in 2022 & Gil added stairs into the side yard for easier access, covered the porch columns with a stone looking tile, & added planter borders across the front yard.
Maria said Gil loves plants, especially unusual ones & added a Fuji apple tree as a focal point in the front. They had an Asian Pear, Avocado & Orange tree on the side, but were told they had to remove them. The front yard contains white & red Geraniums, purple Lantana, yellow Yarrow, drought tolerant white Guara, purple & white Daisies, a large pink Rose bush, with an even larger Fuchsia plant behind it. In the front border are blue “Mystic Spires” Salvia, Lavender, Vinca & “Hot Lips “Salvia plants. Tucked in amidst these flowers are thriving, Pumpkin plants that are already sporting good sized Pumpkins. These were planted for the grandchildren to have small sized Pumpkins for Halloween.
Gil & Maria have been to Otto & Sons Nursery & were very pleased to receive the gift card, so “Gil can purchase more plants”, said Maria.
Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto and Sons Nursery for their generous participation in this project (providing gift cards). This project has encouraged beautification in all neighborhoods, within city limits, since 2003.

Bardsdale United Methodist Church’s new pastor, Laura Perez
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Bardsdale United Methodist Church welcomes Pastor Laura Perez to lead its congregation into a new season of ministry for the Bardsdale and Fillmore communities.
She is a bilingual pastor serving in the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. She said she is honored to serve the historic 134-year-old church as of July 1, 2026.
Laura has served congregations in Westmont, La Mirada, Montclair and North Hills, focusing on preaching, pastoral care, discipleship, and community outreach. She is passionate about helping people grow in faith, share God’s love, and discover that God calls people of every generation to meaningful ministry.

Pictured (l-r) are Rotary President John Garnica and guest speaker Laura Asenas. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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The guest speaker for Fillmore Rotary last week was Laura Asenas. She grew up in Fillmore and music was important in her family. She plays the violin and later received her master’s degree in conducting. She has conducted several well-known orchestras in California. Her main program was on bookkeeping and nonprofits. As far as bookkeeping is concerned the job consists of organizing expenses, receipts, and income into proper accounts, creating financial statements and assisting in tax preparation. Records were kept in books and manually entered. Bookkeeping has changed over the years with programs such as Excel and QuickBooks and now AI. It is important for bookkeepers to be monitored.
Bookkeeping for non-profit is different. The bookkeeper must monitor cash contributions, internal controls and protect against theft. There must be a donor/member list which is frequently updated. They still have to balance the books and financial statements, but there are no owners. There is a Statement of Activities, Statement of Financial Position, Cash Flow Statement and Statement of Functional Expense which must be kept up to date. Fundraisers are important and the IRS needs to know how the money is being used. The organization must stay in compliance with the government or lose its non-profit status.

Ventura County, California – This July and beyond, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers who are speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
Speeding remains a leading factor in deadly crashes and is consistently the top safety concern among surveyed California drivers, according to the 2025 California Traffic Safety Survey. Even small increases in speed reduce the time drivers must react and significantly increases the force of a crash. Slowing down is a simple, effective way to prevent tragedies on our roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,288 people died from speeding-related crashes in the U.S. in 2024, accounting for 29% of all traffic fatalities that year. In California alone, 1,139 people were killed in speeding-related crashes in 2024.
“Speeding is dangerous and puts everyone at risk,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Captain Sullivan said. “Your daily choice to drive within the speed limit protects everyone in our community. Risky driving behaviors like speeding continue to cause preventable tragedies on California roads.”
Drivers can take simple steps to prevent speeding:
• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially in school and work zones.
• Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions around you. Adjust your speed for changing weather, traffic and road conditions.
• Avoid aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or weaving through traffic.
Crashes have severe and lasting consequences, and slowing down is one of the most important actions you can take to keep everyone using roads safe. By taking precautions and driving at safe speeds, we can make sure everyone in the community reaches their destination safely.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Prepared by: Sergeant Jason Christmann
News Release Date: July 8th, 2026
Approved by: Captain John Hajducko
***
Nature of Incident: Speeding Catches Up With You: Slow the Fast Down
Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: July 8th, 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

July 13, 2026
(Ventura County) – Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the opening of the Nomination Period for local offices for the upcoming November 3, 2026, Statewide Gubernatorial General Election.
The local offices on the November General Election ballot include municipal, special district, and school district contests. The nomination period for these local races is from July 13 through August 7, 2026. If an eligible incumbent in one of these offices has not filed by close of business on August 7, the nomination period for that race will be extended an additional five days ending August 12, 2026. It should be noted that offices in newly-formed districts (from previously at-large seats) do not have an incumbent and therefore will not have an extension period.
The November 3rd election also includes the run-off contests for the top-two federal, state and county finishers from the June 2, 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election.
“Besides the high-profile state and federal offices on the November ballot, voters will also find ‘down ballot’ local contests - the races that most directly affect their own Ventura County community: city, school, and special district offices. The candidate nomination period is now open, and we encourage anyone interested in running for an eligible office to watch filing deadlines closely, so they don’t miss the opportunity to enter the race,” said Clerk-Recorder Ascencion.
City Elections in the 2026 Gubernatorial General Election
Elections for all ten cities in the County are included on the November ballot. Candidates for city offices must obtain information regarding candidate qualifications, nomination papers, and filing procedures from their city clerk’s office.
- City of Camarillo: Three City Council Members (Districts 1, 2, and 5)
- City of Fillmore: Three City Council Members (Districts 3 and 4, District 1 Short Term)
- City of Moorpark: Mayor, Two City Council Members (Districts 1 and 3)
- City of Ojai: Mayor, Three City Council Members (Districts 1, 2, and 3
- City of Oxnard: Three City Council Members (Districts 1, 2, and 5)
- City of Port Hueneme: Three City Council Members (At Large)
- City of San Buenaventura (Ventura): Four City Council Members (Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6)
- City of Santa Paula: Three City Council Members (Districts 2, 3, and 4)
- City of Simi Valley: Mayor, Three City Council Members (Districts 2 and 4, District 1 Short Term)
- City of Thousand Oaks: Three City Council Members (Districts 1, 2, and 3)
School Districts Elections in the 2026 Gubernatorial General Election
Official nomination documents for school district offices listed below must be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division, 800 S. Victoria Ave. (Hall of Administration - Lower Plaza), Ventura, EXCEPT for districts marked by asterisks (*), where candidates may obtain nomination documents at the District office listed. Please contact your District office or the Ventura County Elections Division for more information or to make an appointment.
- Kern County Board of Education: One Governing Board Member (Area 7)
- Ventura County Board of Education: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 2, and 4)
- Ventura County Community College District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 2, and 5)
- Allan Hancock Joint Community College District: One Governing Board Member (Area 5)
- Conejo Valley Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 2, 3, and 4)
- Cuyama Joint Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Two Full Term and One Short Term)
- Fillmore Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 2, and 5)
- Las Virgenes Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members
- Moorpark Unified School District: Two Governing Board Members (Areas 1 and 3)
- Oak Park Unified School District: Four Governing Board Members (Three Full Term and One Short Term)
- Ojai Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 3, and 5)
- Santa Paula Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 3, and Area 5 Short Term)
- Simi Valley Unified School District: Two Governing Board Members (Areas D and E)
- Ventura Unified School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 4, and 5)
- Oxnard Union High School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 2, 3, and 4)
- Briggs School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 2, 3, and 5)
- Hueneme Elementary School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 3, and 5)
- Mesa Union School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 2, and 3)
- Mupu School District: Two Governing Board Members (Areas 2 and 3)
- *Ocean View School District: Four Governing Board Members (Three Full Term and One Short Term)*
- Oxnard School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 2, 3, and 5)
- *Pleasant Valley School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 2, and 3)*
- Rio School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 3, and 4)
- Santa Clara School District: Two Governing Board Members (Areas 1 and 2)
- Somis Union School District: Three Governing Board Members (Areas 1, 3, and 4)
Special District Elections in the 2026 Gubernatorial General Election
Official nomination documents for special district offices listed below must be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division, 800 S. Victoria Ave. (Hall of Administration - Lower Plaza), Ventura, EXCEPT for districts marked by asterisks (*), where candidates may obtain nomination documents at the District office listed. Please contact your District office or the Ventura County Elections Division for more information or to make an appointment.
- Bell Canyon Community Services District: Two Directors
- Channel Islands Beach Community Services District: Four Directors (Three Full Term and One Short Term)
- Oxnard Harbor District: Three Harbor Commissioners
- Camarillo Health Care District: Three Directors (Zones 4, 5, and Zone 1 Short Term)
- Fillmore-Piru Memorial District: Three Directors (Two Full Term and One Short Term)
- Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council: Three Council Members
- Santa Rosa Valley Municipal Advisory Council: Two Council Members
- Blanchard/Santa Paula Public Library District: Two Library Trustees (One Full Term and One Short Term)
- Conejo Recreation and Park District: Three Directors (Divisions 2, 3, and 4)
- Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District: Two Directors (Divisions 2 and 4)
- Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: Three Directors (Divisions 1, 2, and Division 3 Short Term)
- Ojai Valley Sanitary District: Four Directors (Divisions 2, 4, 6, and Division 1 Short Term)
- Carpinteria Sanitary District: One Director (Division 5)
- Saticoy Sanitary District: Four Directors (Three Full Term and One Short Term)
- Triunfo Water and Sanitation District: Three Directors (Two Full Term and One Short Term)
- Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency: One Director (Division 1)
- Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency: Two Directors (Division 3)
- United Water Conservation District: Three Directors (Divisions 1, 2, and 3)
- Camrosa Water District: Three Directors (Divisions 1, 2, and 5)
- Meiners Oaks Water District: Four Directors (Three Full Term and One Short Term)
- Calleguas Municipal Water District: Two Directors (Divisions 4 and 5)
- Casitas Municipal Water District: Two Directors (Divisions 1 and 4)
- *Hidden Valley Municipal Water District: Five Directors (Two Full Term and Three Short Term)*
- Ventura River Water District: Two Directors
Candidates can visit vote.venturacounty.gov to download the Candidate Filing Guide, and to make an appointment with the Candidate Filing team, or contact 805-654-2664 or elections@venturacounty.gov.
Run-off Contests
The candidates for the Federal, State, and County run-off contests on the November ballot are the top-two finishers from the June 2, 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election; there will be no new candidates for these contests.
Federal
- United States Representative: Three Congressional Districts (24th, 26th, and 32nd Districts)
State
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Controller
- Treasurer
- Attorney General
- Insurance Commissioner
- State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- State Board of Equalization - District 2
- Members of the State Assembly: Three Assembly Districts (38th, 42nd, and 46th Districts)
County
County Superintendent of Schools
Visit the Ventura County Registrar of Voters website at vote.venturacounty.gov for more information about the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election. To contact the Elections Office for assistance, call 805-654-2664 or email elections@venturacounty.gov.
Stay up to date on the latest election info by following @VCClerkRecorder on various social media channels.
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.

Photo credit Ventura County District Attorney Office.
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Photo credit Ventura County District Attorney Office.
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VENTURA Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has filed a juvenile petition alleging eight counts against a minor who allegedly led Ventura Police officers on a dangerous pursuit through city streets, onto State Route 126, and across the Buena High School campus while riding a e-motorcycle. The petition charges the juvenile with two felony counts of evading a peace officer and evading a peace officer while driving the wrong way, two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and operating a motorcycle without a valid license, and four infractions for driving the wrong way on a divided roadway, failing to wear a helmet, operating an unregistered vehicle, and driving without insurance.
On June 10, 2026, the Ventura Police Department conducted an organized e-bike enforcement operation at Ventura Community Park after receiving over 100 calls for service in 2026 involving juveniles riding electric bikes and electric motorcycles in an unsafe manner.
Unlike electric bicycles, electric motorcycles are subject to the same laws as traditional motorcycles, including licensing, registration, insurance, and helmet requirements. They are not permitted to be ridden on park property or other areas where off-highway vehicle use is prohibited.
During the operation, officers observed the juvenile riding an e-motorcycle on the park grass. When an officer attempted to conduct an enforcement stop, the juvenile allegedly fled northbound on Kimball Road.
The juvenile is accused of driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Kimball Road while weaving through traffic before riding the wrong way onto the northbound State Route 126 off-ramp. The juvenile then allegedly entered the westbound State Route 126 on-ramp and traveled at freeway speeds before exiting at Victoria Avenue.
The juvenile allegedly failed to stop at the Victoria Avenue off-ramp stop sign, drove northbound in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue, and entered the Buena High School campus. Officers later located the abandoned e-motorcycle in the alley of a nearby neighborhood.
As officers investigated, the juvenile and the juvenile’s stepfather arrived at the scene. The juvenile was cited and released pending juvenile court proceedings. The e-motorcycle was impounded.
The minor is scheduled to be arraigned at the Juvenile Justice Center on July 20, 2026.
***
Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: SW
Date: July 7, 2026
Release No.: 26-089

Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

In May 2026, patrol deputies from the Camarillo Police Station responded to a theft report in Camarillo. The investigation revealed that a 70-year-old man had been scammed out of $84,000.
The victim received a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to work for “McAfee Security.” The caller alleged that the victim’s bank account information may have been compromised and provided enough specific details including accurate bank information to appear legitimate. Over the following days, the suspect convinced the victim to withdraw $84,000 in cash and meet with a supposed “McAfee Security” employee. The victim was also instructed to provide a verbal security code before handing over the money.
The victim later met with the suspect, identified as (S) Binchao Cen, and turned over the funds. Several days afterward, the victim realized he had been scammed and reported the incident to the Camarillo Police Department.
On June 30, 2026, detectives from the Camarillo Police Department contacted Cen while he was driving to meet with what they believed was another potential victim. Detectives intervened and took him into custody. Cen was found in possession of a large amount of cash and a modified air-soft handgun. Detectives later executed a search warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Muscatel Avenue in Rosemead.
Cen was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges of: PC 532-Theft by False Pretenses, PC 487-Grand Theft, and PC 368(d)(1)-Theft from an Elder Adult. Bail was set at $500,000.
Advances in technology have led to a sharp rise in sophisticated financial scams across Ventura County and the nation. These scams often involve emails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to come from trusted sources such as the IRS, law enforcement agencies, banks, or well-known companies. Scammers frequently pressure victims to send money, either in cash or via wire transfer, or claim that a loved one has been arrested or injured and urgently needs financial help. If you suspect a scam, do not send money or provide personal information. Instead, contact the Camarillo Police Station at (805) 388-5100, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, or visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Ernan Jauregui
News Release Date: 07/01/2026
Approved by: Captain John Hajducko
Booking Photo Release: NO
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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).

Walls are going up at the Creekside Housing Development in north Fillmore. The 134 single-family homes market rate pricing could range from the high $600,000s to mid-$800,000s. The development is on vacant land west of Goodenough Road and north of B Street. The property was bought in 2019 and Williams Homes partnered with Fillmore city staff, Planning Commission and City Council on design and an agreeable plan. In 2024 plans and tentative maps were approved. Photo credit Gazette staff.

Your Voice. Our Community. Our Healthcare.
Community Comes Together to Discuss the Future of Healthcare in the Santa Clara Valley
Introduction
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the Santa Paula Latino Town Hall hosted the Santa Paula Hospital Forum at the historic Casa Del Mexicano in Santa Paula. The forum brought together community members, healthcare professionals, business leaders, elected officials, and civic organizations to engage in an open and respectful dialogue about the future of Santa Paula Hospital and access to quality healthcare throughout the Santa Clara Valley.
The evening provided residents with a unique opportunity to hear directly from Dr. Fankhauser, Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, regarding the current status of Santa Paula Hospital, the challenges facing the Ventura County Health Care Agency, and the County’s vision for the future of healthcare services in our region.
Dr. Fankhauser was joined by a distinguished panel of community leaders who shared their perspectives and helped facilitate community discussion:
• Pshyra Jones, Executive Director, Health Equity, Gold Coast Health Plan
• Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, Limoneira Company
• Daisy Rojas, B.S., Public Health with a Concentration in Epidemiology and Member, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall
• Laura Espinosa, Chair, Gold Coast Health Plan Commission, Founding Member, and Past President, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall
• Mary Ann Krause, Chair, Santa Clara Valley Together and Member, Santa Clara Valley Hospital Blue Ribbon Committee
• Dr. Gabino Aguirre, Chair, Isabella Project and Member, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall
Throughout the evening, attendees demonstrated a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community by asking thoughtful and substantive questions regarding emergency medical services, hospital operations, financial sustainability, seismic retrofit requirements, long-term planning, behavioral health services, healthcare access, and the future of Santa Paula Hospital.
During the forum, the Santa Paula Latino Town Hall collected the written questions submitted by participants and forwarded them to the Ventura County Health Care Agency with a request for written responses. The Agency graciously agreed to continue the dialogue by providing the responses contained in this document.
The questions and answers that follow are presented in the interest of transparency, public education, and community engagement. They are intended to ensure that everyone—including those who were unable to attend the forum—has access to the information provided by the Ventura County Health Care Agency. We encourage all residents to review these responses carefully and remain actively engaged as important decisions continue to shape the future of healthcare in the Santa Clara Valley.
The Santa Paula Latino Town Hall extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Fankhauser, the Ventura County Health Care Agency, our distinguished panelists, community partners, volunteers, and the many residents who participated in this important public forum. Together, we remain committed to advocating for equitable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare while working collaboratively to preserve essential healthcare services close to home for current and future generations.
Service Continuity & Access
I live in District 4 with a medically fragile child (trach/ventilator). How will Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru access emergency and outreach services? What is the plan to protect vulnerable residents?
We recognize the overwhelming worry and fear that comes with securing life-saving care for a vulnerable family member.
We want to reassure you that the County and Health Care Agency will continue to provide services in the Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru communities. Serious emergencies, like major breathing crises, trauma, or strokes, will continue to be sent directly by ambulances to specialized centers like VCMC or CMH to keep patients safe. SPH will stay open until 2030.
Why would Santa Paula Hospital close or reduce services before a new location to replace it is finalized and ready for the community? We live in Piru and already travel very far for care.
We hear you, and we know that traveling from Piru or Fillmore makes getting care harder. California’s 2030 earthquake laws require hospitals to meet updated building standards. To prepare, we are actively designing a new care system to ensure uninterrupted medical services. Our goal is to maintain a strong healthcare presence along the Highway 126 corridor, keeping emergency and family services easily accessible for residents in Piru and Fillmore.
Inpatient volume is down 23%, and key units like the ICU and OB closed in 2024. Why has use gone down? Do ambulances bypass us, or is the data biased?
The numbers are real and reflect how modern healthcare works. Most people in the valley who need to stay overnight in a hospital, about 77% already choose or are sent to larger hospitals outside the valley. Real ambulance data shows that 80% of the trips to SPH are for lower-intensity needs, and less than half of one percent are major, life-threatening cases. Ambulances take critical cases to larger centers because that is where the advanced specialists are located.
Can you give data on the ER census and transfers? Are sick patients transferred mostly because specialty services were cut?
SPH has about 17,000 ER visits a year, but only 5.5% of those patients actually need to be admitted to a hospital bed. This low number shows that the ER mostly treats less-serious issues, like minor injuries or common illnesses. When patients are transferred out, it is not because of recent budget cuts. Patients continue to be transferred to ensure that they receive the best medical care for serious conditions like major trauma or heart attack that require specialized doctors and equipment.
What specific reforms are being implemented immediately? How are you going to recruit and retain physicians?
While the new modern health hub plan is in development, we are actively streamlining our current clinic workflows to improve your experience and reduce wait. Recruiting excellent physicians to small, rural hospitals is a challenge nationwide, as many physicians prefer to work in modern spaces with the latest advanced tools rather than in older buildings. This new project may help us attract top quality doctors to serve your families.
Fiscal Accountability & Use of Funds
The County bought SPH for $2.7M, which included land sold for $10M. The money made on that sale HAS to go back into 24-hour care in Santa Paula. How will you ensure citizens are not robbed?
The County purchased the hospital building and 13.5 acres for $2.75 million. The remaining 15.5 acres of the surrounding campus were sold by a court-appointed bankruptcy committee. This sale was used strictly to clear the past debts of the old hospital before the County stepped in and secured the facility as a public health-care safety net for the community. The County did not keep that $10 million. In fact, the County spent an extra $4.5 million of its own money just to fix and reopen the hospital in 2006.
We see losses at Santa Paula Hospital, but what are the losses at VCMC and how have total system losses changed?
SPH has been losing $7.5 million to $15 million annually due to low patient demand combined with high fixed operating costs. While the broader VCMC health system has historically absorbed these losses, the new federal law (HR1) will cut our healthcare funding by $400 million by 2031. Facing these massive system-wide cuts, we can no longer afford to spend millions to keep a nearly empty building open. Instead, every dollar saved will be redirected to where it matters most: direct, frontline, patient care.
Who is being held accountable for financial performance? What projects or programs may be delayed or canceled because of this?
The leadership of the Health Care Agency is fully accountable to the County CEO and the County Board of Supervisors and the public. To protect our healthcare safety net from massive federal funding cuts, we are evaluating every program. No decisions have been made to cancel specific local programs. The County is committed to ensure that health care services that are aligned with the needs for the residents of Santa Clara River Valley, are currently and will continue to be available.
Strategic Alternatives & Innovation
What about turning the building into a women’s wellness center instead of closing the OB unit? Can we build an “all-in-one” center like Kaiser or CMH?
This is an excellent suggestion, and it matches our vision. While we cannot keep the current building open as a full hospital due to earthquake laws, our plan is to ensure we have a mix of services that are congruent with the community needs. We have several years even a decade in the area. We have countless health statistics and utilization of the population in the Santa Clara River Valley. We will use these historical trends to predict outcomes and usage of services to align care to meet residents’ needs. However, this location also presents challenges for residents in the Valley. Our goal is to find a location down the hill perhaps close to HWY 126 to make healthcare more accessible to residents throughout the valley.
Has HCA considered partnering with Kaiser, Dignity, or UCLA to provide hospital services? Can another agency take over if the County cannot?
We have looked closely at corporate and public-private partnerships. Large private systems like Kaiser or UCLA have strict requirements about where they build, and they look for high patient volumes that a small community like ours does not have. No other healthcare groups have expressed interest in taking over the current building because of the massive in excess of $25 million cost for earthquake safety upgrades.
Why not place the hospital in the middle of Santa Paula and Fillmore? Does Limoneira have land there, and would it qualify for rural hospital funding?
We did study a 25-acre parcel of land owned by the Limoneira Company for a replacement hospital. However, updated studies showed that building a brand-new hospital there would exceed the County’s appetite for investment and would perpetuate and already continuous financial losses. Also, highway access rules and land constraints mean a hospital could not be finished there before the 2030 legal deadline.
Why not organize local fundraisers (marathons, GoFundMe, dances) with Limoneira and local museums to raise money instead of waiting for state funds?
We love the passion and spirit of this community, and we want to be highly visible and collaborative with you. While local fundraisers show how much the community cares, the costs we are facing are simply too large for grass-roots fundraising. A new hospital requires up at minimum tens-of-millions to build and millions more each year to run. We must rely on major state funds, federal grants, and strategic property planning to secure that level of funding.
Re: Pg 9 Pie Chart (on the Santa Paula Hospital Presentation), what would you estimate the percentage would need to be to consider the new facility off the Hwy 126?
To build a facility right off Highway 126, the location must be highly accessible for residents traveling from Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. We do not use a strict percentage rule. Instead, we look at traffic patterns, transit times, and safety on the highway. Any final site selection will focus on making sure the location is easy to reach for the maximum number of valley residents. Our goal is to be accessible to as many patients as possible. While we prioritize convenient locations, our final decision must balance these goals with what is practically available and can be sustainably maintained to provide you with high-quality, uninterrupted care.
Legislative & Political Pressure
What specifically are you doing to pressure our state legislative delegation and members of Congress for extra resources? What role can representatives play?
We are actively working with our state and federal lawmakers. Our representatives play a huge role by carrying our community’s voice to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We are showing them real data about our rural valley population to fight for special grants and emergency funding. We are directly asking them to help fund our new clinical space and protect our local health network from federal budget cuts.
What are your suggestions on how to pressure the Board of Supervisors to take our community seriously? It feels like the community versus the Board.
The Board of Supervisors takes this community very seriously, which is why they ordered an in-depth study of the valley’s health needs rather than making quick decisions. You can make your voice heard by continuing to attend town halls, joining county public meetings, and sharing your personal healthcare stories. Our Agency is actively using your feedback to design new healthcare options that will be presented to the Board in August 2026. We want to work directly with, the community, to ensure leadership can make a fully informed final decision about the continuation of care in the valley.
How will the agency compete with private systems? How are all agencies collaborating to get a good return on investment (ROI)?
We compete by continuing to provide modern, high-quality healthcare right in our local neighborhoods by shifting resources out of underused, expensive buildings and investing them directly into the community. Through close partnerships with local businesses, schools, and government, we are creating a more connected network of support to improve public health. This approach allows us to focus heavily on preventive care, diabetes management, and proactive wellness programs that keep everyone healthy, thriving, and out of the hospital.
Planning & Regulatory Deadlines
Why weren’t County resources used for a one-time earthquake retrofit? Why not maintain a state-of-the-art emergency/urgent care hospital and close only other units?
Upgrading our older facility to meet strict seismic safety standards and address deferred maintenance is a highly complex and costly challenge. Bringing the current building up to basic earthquake legal requirements would require an investment exceeding $25 million. Additionally, state licensing laws mandate that a hospital maintain expensive, 24/7 departments, regardless of how few patients utilize them. Meeting these staffing and operational requirements would result in an ongoing loss of over $7.5 million every year, which would unfortunately divert vital funding away from our local community clinics and outpatient services.
For 10 years we have heard about plans for a new hospital in East Santa Paula. Why are those plans on hold? What is the actual HCA plan?
Early plans for a new hospital on the Limoneira land were thoroughly studied. However, an internal analysis completed in 2024 and updated in 2025 revealed that a new hospital has a large span of cost from tens to hundreds of millions to build and would lose more than $7.5 million a year. It would require constant public subsidies to survive. HCA’s goal is to present a realistic, high-quality, and financially secure plan to the Board in August 2026 that can be successfully built and sustained to serve our patients long-term.
Why hasn’t a third-party provider option been pursued sooner when the 2030 deadline has been known since 2008?
The County has been actively exploring long-term strategic solutions for years, beginning with independent expert assessments in 2019. We are currently working alongside healthcare consultants at Health Management Associates (HMA) to analyze and build practical, sustainable care models that are completely under County control. Finding a third-party partner is incredibly difficult because every hospital system in California is facing the exact same expensive 2030 earthquake deadlines. Our priority is making sure your medical care is continuous and uninterrupted. By focusing on realistic and County-controlled models, we are working to prevent any disruptions to your health services.
Myth vs Fact Myth vs Fact
How and why would you not invest any further in your adopted hospital when it would further burden other hospitals and impact our community?
We hear you, and we are not stopping our investments in the valley’s health. We are deeply committed to your health, but sinking millions into a 60-year-old building that will not legally qualify as a hospital in less than four years is not a good use of public funds. By avoiding temporary fixes on the old site, we protect vital funding for our neighborhood clinics and doctors. Instead, we are investing in a brand-new, modern facility designed to provide exceptional care for decades to come.
For More Information
The Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) has established a dedicated webpage to keep the community informed about the future of Santa Paula Hospital and healthcare services in the Santa Clara River Valley.
Community members are encouraged to visit the following webpage:
https://hca.venturacounty.gov/hospitals/santa-paula-hospital-updates/
On the webpage, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section contains responses to the questions submitted following the Santa Paula Hospital Forum. To improve readability and avoid duplication, the HCA team reviewed all submitted questions, organized them into common themes, and combined similar questions that required the same response.
The webpage will continue to be updated as additional information becomes available regarding Santa Paula Hospital and future healthcare planning efforts.
Within the Outreach and Community Input section of the webpage, community members may also submit additional questions directly to Health Management Associates (HMA). HMA has been retained by the Ventura County Health Care Agency to conduct an independent assessment and develop recommendations regarding options for continuing healthcare services in the Santa Clara River Valley.
The Santa Paula Latino Town Hall and the Ventura County Health Care Agency remain committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the community. Information regarding future public meetings, community engagement opportunities, and project updates will be shared as it becomes available.
We encourage all residents, healthcare stakeholders, and community partners to stay informed, participate in future discussions, and continue working together to help ensure that accessible, high-quality healthcare remains available close to home for the residents of the Santa Clara Valley.

Pictured (l-r) are Fillmore Rotary speaker Laura Garnica and Program Chair Cindy Blatt. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

The speaker for the Rotary Club of Fillmore last week was Laura Garnica. She graduated from CSUCI with a master’s degree in education. She was in Rotaract when younger and also went to RYLA camp. Laura is now a teacher and assistant cross-country coach at FMS. Her 8th grade PE teacher encouraged her about running and because of that she has been a life-long runner. She is dedicated to encouraging running, healthy habits and setting goals for individual achievement. The team consists of about 15 young people. Because the school does not supply them with money the Fillmore Rotary Club presented them with a donation of $500. The donation is on behalf of Santa Clarita Runners, the winners of the Rotary 5/10k Run, Team Challenge.