At last week’s Fillmore Rotary Club meeting, Kim Tafoya, Athletic Director and Cross-Country and Track Coach, joined two of her student-athletes, senior Andrea Gamez and sophomore Damian Santa Rosa, as guest speakers.
The speakers shared their experiences and discussed the success of the school’s running teams this year. Damian began running at age 11, while Andrea started in eighth grade. Tafoya explained the team’s training routine, which includes running three miles along various routes to build endurance and prepare for upcoming meets.
Rotary Club members also took the opportunity to thank Tafoya and her teams for their hard work and support of the club’s 5K and 10K runs.
As a way of sharing the proceeds from the events, the Rotary Club presented the team with a check for $6,271.72 in appreciation of their efforts and contributions to the community.

Our primary mission is to humanely reduce the population of homeless cats in Fillmore, Piru, and Santa Paula through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), community education, and dedicated colony management. As you may know, TNR is a highly effective, community-based approach where free-roaming cats are safely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their outdoor habitats. Our ultimate goal for this launch phase is to raise enough funds to spay and neuter 60 community cats - $6,600 - and the United Spay Alliance has generously agreed to match all donations up to $2,000 to help us get there.
To celebrate our official kickoff, we are hosting an in-person launch party next month:
When: Saturday, December 5th, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (timed to coincide with the local holiday parade!)
Where: Fillmore Animal Hospital
What: A festive community event featuring a coffee and cocoa bar, a holiday photo booth, a kitty wishing tree, cat-themed merchandise, and a silent auction.
This event will be a great opportunity for residents to learn how we can work together to create a more compassionate, sustainable environment for our local community cats.
We would be thrilled if the Gazette could run a piece highlighting our launch and mission. We are available for an interview, a phone call, or to meet in person to share more details and photos. Immediately, you can learn more about us here: https://fillmoreanimalhospital.com/fixnation-ventura-county/

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule in Fillmore during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 8-14. The holiday falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
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.

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BACK STACKS Used Book Sale
119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula, CA
Staring at the fridge again? Take the stress out of dinner. Get 50% off every cookbook and turn everyday ingredients into weeknight wins.
Plus, it is just weeks until Thanksgiving and you want your kitchen to smell amazing when the family arrives. So, grab your apron, pre-heat the oven, and let’s cook! Whether it’s a big family dinner, baking, vegan, budget-friendly or just healthy meals you are looking for, the FOL bookstore has hardbacks and paperbacks for every kind of cooking enthusiast. Warm kitchen memories are on sale now!!!
BIG SATURDAY SALE November 7, 2026
10AM TO 2PM
50% OFF ALL COOKBOOKS
In addition to Cookbooks, 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, Santa Paula

Voters are encouraged to take advantage of the last few days of early voting ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3; and be aware of new urgency legislation in California that may impact initial results reporting on Election Night.
(Ventura County) - Voters are encouraged to take advantage of the last few days of early voting ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, to avoid the last minute pressure and potentially long lines at vote centers on Election Day.
“People should think of Election Day as the LAST day to vote, not THE day to vote,” said Michelle Ascecncion, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters.
“So many unforeseen things can happen – a rainstorm, a flat tire, an illness or accident – that can derail your plans to go vote on Election Day,” Ascencion continued. “VOTE EARLY and check it off your list of things to do!”
Vote Centers are open throughout Ventura County
“Vote centers are a great resource for in-person voters,” said Ascencion. ”Eleven vote centers across Ventura County opened October 24th, and the remaining 42 sites are opening this Saturday, October 31st. Voters can utilize any of the 53 vote centers for in-person voting, late registration, language assistance, ADA accommodations, voter information, and, of course, delivering their mail ballot.”
All vote centers are open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including weekends, and will be open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day.
Last minute in-person voters may face a longer wait time
Although the vote centers officially close at 8:00 pm on Election Day, anyone in line by 8:00 pm will be given the opportunity to vote.
“If there are a lot of last-minute voters, the wait time to vote in person on Election Day could be long,” Ascencion said. “We want to encourage everyone to make voting as easy and hassle-free as possible: use your State and County Voter Guides to plan your ballot choices ahead of time. We want you to get your ‘I Voted’ sticker and back home as soon as possible!”
Ballot drop boxes are locked at 8:00 pm sharp on Election Day
Voters who prefer to use their vote by mail ballot can return their ballot in any of the 40 official Ventura County secure ballot drop boxes. Election worker teams safely retrieve and deliver drop box ballots back to the Elections Division every day under a strict chain of custody protocol.
“Anyone returning their mail ballot by drop box or vote center needs to remember to sign the return envelope and submit it no later than the 8:00 pm cutoff on Election Night,” Ascencion said. “Our teams lock the ballot drop boxes right at 8:00! Vote centers also stop accepting mail ballots and voter arrivals at 8:00 pm. Please don’t miss the deadline to cast your ballot!”
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USPS delays may cause you to miss ballot deadlines
The advice to vote early applies to ballots returned in the mail too. With Election Day only a week away, Ascencion advises voters not to mail their ballot at this point due to new USPS postmarking procedures.
“If you must mail your ballot, the only way to ensure a same day postmark is to physically walk your ballot the post office and ask for a manual postmark,” Ascencion said. “Voters will also need to take into consideration the time it takes for mail to be delivered. Any ballot that arrives after November 10th will not be counted.”
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Ballot status notifications
As a reminder, mail ballot voters who receive ballot status notifications should expect delayed confirmation receipts the closer it is to Election Day.
“If you’ve signed up for BallotTrax at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov, the earlier you return your ballot, the faster you’ll receive your confirmation email, text, or phone call,” Ascencion said. “But the closer we get to Election Day, the more ballots are coming in, and the longer it may take to get to yours, which makes the notification process slower – just another reason to vote early!”
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Election Night Tabulation Results
The 8:00 pm close of Election Night kicks of the start of compiling the initial results for the election. First results are expected to be posted between 8:30 and 9:00 pm, however, it is important to note that pursuant to California Elections Code §§ 407 and 15152, election results cannot be released if voting hours have been extended at any polling place in California due to a disruption or court order. Ventura County will publish its initial election results upon notification from the California Secretary of State that all polling places have closed and results may be released.
“This is a new requirement passed by Senate Bill 884 as urgency legislation in September,” Ascencion said. “We must now await the go-ahead from the Secretary of State’s office after they’ve confirmed that voting hours have not been disrupted, before we can post our initial results on Election Night. We want to make sure the public expects this potential delay with the posting of the first results.”
Assuming there is no delay, the anticipated election results posting schedule is as follows:
8:30 - 9:00 pm - Election Night Initial Results
10:30 - 11:00 pm - Update #1
12:30 - 1:00 am - Update #2
Final Posting (TBD) - Semifinal Official Election Night Results (closing report)
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Results will be posted at vote.venturacounty.gov, and up-to-the-minute notifications are added on Facebook, Instagram and X, @VCClerkRecorder. The initial results posted will include vote by mail ballots that were received and signature-verified before Election Day, and ballots cast in person during early voting at the vote centers. The updates are ongoing tabulations of the ballots cast in person on Election Day at the 53 vote center locations across the county including the Ventura County Government Center. Election Night results will not include vote by mail ballots submitted on Election Day.
Vote center ballot arrival times will vary depending on how many voters are still in line at 8:00 pm (the vote center cannot close until those voters have all been served); the location’s distance from the Elections Office at the Ventura County Government Center; and traffic or weather conditions.
Semifinal Official Election Night Results will be the final report of the night, completing the tabulation of Election Day in-person ballots. The final action from the Elections team for the night is to provide the final tally to the Secretary of State’s office.
The Election work continues with the Official Canvass beginning the day after Election Day. Post-election updates are scheduled to be posted by 5:00 pm on the following dates:
- Thursday, November 5
- Friday, November 6
- Monday, November 9
- Thursday, November 12
- Monday, November 16
- Thursday, November 19
- Monday, November 23
Ventura County is scheduled to certify the Gubernatorial General Election on Wednesday, November 25, time TBD, following the 5:00 pm signature cure deadline.
Voters needing assistance or information may call the Elections Division at 805-654-2664 or email elections@venturacounty.gov. Stay up to date on the latest election information by following @VCClerkRecorder on social media.
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.

Moorpark College’s October 22 announcement of a $3 million applied AI initiative could open useful training opportunities for workers across Ventura County. However, a new certificate designed around large organizations would miss the practical needs of smaller communities and employers, including those in Fillmore. The letter below argues that the planned employer advisory board should solicit realistic tasks from small businesses, and assess student skill in verification and judgment rather than software use alone. I connect that local grant announcement to the October 21 Charter AI Pulse findings about worker agency. This letter is offered exclusively to the Fillmore Gazette.
I am a behavioral scientist and the author of the best-selling, peer-reviewed book, The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work: From Resistance to Results, published by Georgetown University Press https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/The-Psychology-of-AI-Adoption-at-Work My commentary has appeared regularly in The New York Times, The Guardian, Time, Scientific American, and many others https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/media
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FILLMORE SHOULD HAVE A VOICE IN VENTURA COUNTY’S NEW AI TRAINING
Moorpark College announced a $3 million applied AI initiative on October 22, with a new cross-disciplinary certificate, faculty development and an advisory board involving regional employers. Communities such as Fillmore should have a meaningful voice in how that training develops.
A student planning to work at a small business needs different examples from someone entering a large corporate technology department. The skill that matters across both settings is recognizing an unreliable AI answer before it causes harm.
The college could ask employers in agriculture, services and local retail to contribute realistic, anonymized problems. A student might check an automatically drafted customer message against a written business policy. Another might spot a mistaken quantity or invented claim in a product description. A third could explain why an uncertain recommendation needs a supervisor’s review.
October 21 Charter research found that workplace AI experiences are closely associated with employee agency and management practices. Employers should therefore help evaluate whether students challenge and correct AI output, rather than merely produce quick results.
The proposed employer advisory board has an opportunity to make that principle measurable. A small set of tasks, a shared scoring rubric and before-and-after student work samples would make the program useful to hiring managers and graduates alike.
Regional AI training should reflect the full range of Ventura County work, including smaller communities such as Fillmore.
Gleb Tsipursky
Columbus, Ohio
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Gleb Tsipursky, PhD, a behavioral scientist, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, and author of The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work: From Resistance to Results (Georgetown University Press, 2026). https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/aibook

Saturday, October 31, 2026, is Halloween. Most children will be out wearing their favorite costume and visiting homes in your neighborhood. We need to remind ourselves there are potential issues when you mix the darkness of a fall night with children, costumes and vehicles.
The Police Department would like to offer the following safety tips to keep your children safe:
For Parents and Children:
• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
• Children should never enter homes to get candy or go near a vehicle offering candy.
• Stay in a well-lit and well-populated areas.
• Set a time for your children to be home and have them check in frequently.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Look left, right, and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk; don’t run across the street.
For Drivers:
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Costumes and Treats
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility.
• Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.
• Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.
• Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Jack Parrish
News Release Date: 10/19/26
Approved by: Captain James Sullivan
Booking Photo Release: NO
Nature of Incident: Halloween Safety Tips
Report Number: N/A
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Date & Time: October 31, 2026,
Unit(s) Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department
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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).

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2026) — Halloween brings more children, pedestrians and riders onto streets after dark. To understand the risks, AMR Ventura County and Gold Coast Ambulance reviewed its call response data from previous years. Alongside routine medical calls, crews responded most frequently to traffic collisions, fall injuries, behavioral emergencies and suspected intoxication-related calls during this time of year.
“This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, which typically means more people are expected to be out celebrating throughout the day and into the evening,” said Mike Sanders, AMR’s regional director for Ventura and Santa Barbara. “Halloween is always a busy night for first responders, but weekends can bring additional traffic, larger gatherings, and increased alcohol and substance use, making it important for residents to plan ahead and celebrate responsibly.”
E-bike incidents are also a growing concern. According to the Ventura County E-Bike Dashboard, e-bike-related incidents accounted for 24.12% of all incidents in 2025, compared with 33.85% so far in 2026 (through Oct. 2). With e-bikes making up an increasing share of incidents in Ventura County, Halloween creates another night when visibility and traffic safety are especially important. AMR Ventura County recommends the following precautions to prevent crashes, falls and other emergencies.
Share the Road
Drivers
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially after dark, and expect extra foot and bike traffic.
- Stay alert at intersections, driveways and around parked cars.
- Put distractions away and maintain focus on the road.
Pedestrians
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks, and carry a flashlight.
- Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective tape or materials to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Riders
- Wear a properly fitted, certified helmet every time you ride.
- Add reflective tape or lights to your bike and clothing so drivers can see you.
- Ride with the flow of traffic, obey signs and signals, and use hand signals when turning.
- Make sure your bike fits you and your brakes work.
- Avoid loose clothing or strings that could catch in your bike, and wear shoes that grip and protect your feet.
Prevent Costume-Related Falls and Injuries
- A costume should be fun, not a trip hazard.
- Choose a good fit. Avoid capes and accessories that drag on the ground. Have children walk around in their costumes and shoes before heading out.
- Keep vision clear. Masks that limit eyesight make it harder to see surroundings. Non-toxic face paint or a decorative hat is a safer alternative.
- Supervise young trick-or-treaters. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
- Clear your walkways. Remove or secure cords, decorations and other obstacles at home that could cause a trip or fall.
If You’re Celebrating, Have a Plan
Parties and gatherings bring a higher risk of alcohol or substance-related emergencies. If alcohol is part of your celebration, arrange a sober driver or rideshare before you start. Never drive or ride impaired, and don’t hesitate to get help if someone has had too much to drink.
With a little planning, increased visibility and extra awareness, Ventura County residents can enjoy the costumes, candy and celebrations that make Halloween special while helping keep themselves and others safe.
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About American Medical Response (AMR)
American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of emergency medical services, provides mobile healthcare in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to care for more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net or on Facebook and LinkedIn.
AMR is part of Global Medical Response, the largest air and ground emergency medical service provider in the United States. With 34,000 team members, the organization reaches more than 61% of the U.S. population, providing emergency medical care to 5.5 million patients annually and performing a critical intervention every 91 seconds. For over two decades, GMR’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has partnered with FEMA, DHS, HHS, state agencies, and private partners to deliver rapid, life-saving services during large-scale disasters, acts of terrorism, and public health emergencies, deploying over 80 times across all 10 FEMA regions. Its family of solutions includes ambulance EMS provider American Medical Response (AMR), as well as multiple air EMS organizations including Air Evac Lifeteam, REACH Air Medical Services, Guardian Flight, Med-Trans Corporation, and AirMed International. For additional information, visit GMR at www.globalmedicalresponse.com, or on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long was the featured speaker at a recent Fillmore Rotary meeting, where she discussed her efforts to address a wide range of issues affecting communities throughout Ventura County.
Long serves on numerous boards, commissions and agencies that oversee important county services and programs. Her areas of focus include agricultural water issues, housing and homelessness, mental health services, and Santa Paula Hospital. She also works on emergency preparedness efforts to help communities respond to floods and fires.
Other initiatives include the Valley Express bus service, which helps residents get around the region, and tattoo removal clinics that can help individuals overcome barriers to employment.
During her presentation, Long highlighted the variety of issues her office addresses and the many programs aimed at meeting the needs of county residents.

Hello, Fillmore! Light Up the Season Is Coming to Town!
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley is excited to announce that our 15th Annual Light Up the Season fundraiser will be held in Fillmore this year! Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Fillmore Boys & Girls Club, located at 565 1st Street in Fillmore, for a festive morning filled with holiday cheer, entertainment, and community spirit!
For 15 years, Light Up the Season has brought our community together to celebrate the holidays while supporting local youth. One of the highlights of this special event is our Christmas Tree Raffle, featuring beautifully decorated trees generously donated by local businesses and community members, each filled with exciting gifts and surprises!
Guests will also enjoy a delicious lunch and special entertainment!
Tickets are $50 per person and include lunch and entertainment. Tickets are on sale now, and sponsorship and Christmas tree sponsorship opportunities are still available!
All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, helping us continue providing life-changing programs and opportunities for children and teens throughout Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru.
For tickets or sponsorship information, visit www.bgclubscv.org or email specialevents@bgclubscv.org.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you, Fillmore! Come kick off the holiday season while making a difference in the lives of local youth!

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The City of Fillmore is seeking community members interested in participating in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training!
CERT provides valuable training to help residents prepare for emergencies, respond to disasters, and make a difference in their community.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this interest form. Once we have gathered sufficient interest, the City will coordinate with the appropriate agencies to schedule training sessions. We will contact interested participants once a training cohort has been scheduled and share additional details.
Scan the QR Code to participate!
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Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta a Emergencias (CERT) – Formulario de Interés
¡La Ciudad de Fillmore está buscando residentes interesados en participar en la capacitación del Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta a Emergencias (CERT, por sus siglas en inglés)!
El programa CERT ofrece capacitación valiosa para ayudar a los residentes a prepararse para emergencias, responder ante desastres y marcar una diferencia positiva en su comunidad.
Si está interesado en participar, le invitamos a completar este formulario de interés. Una vez que hayamos recopilado suficiente interés, la Ciudad coordinará con las agencias correspondientes para programar las capacitaciones. Nos comunicaremos con las personas interesadas una vez que se haya programado un grupo de capacitación y compartiremos información adicional.
¡Escanee el código QR para participar!

October 13, 2026
Fillmore, CA — The City of Fillmore has been awarded a grant through the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council to remove hazardous, flammable brush around the City’s perimeter. The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council is leading the project, which includes three phases intended to reduce wildfire risk near homes and public infrastructure.
Crews have begun marking areas for cutting. Work on the second and third phases, along Sespe Creek and the Santa Clara River, is anticipated to begin the week of October 19, 2026. These phases will be conducted simultaneously and are expected to take several days. The second phase will focus on the Sespe Creek bike path on the west end of Fillmore. Crews will clear a continuous 15-foot-wide strip of brush adjacent to the entire bike path to help protect the split rail fence infrastructure and increase defensible space for homes bordering Sespe Creek.
The third phase will address areas adjacent to the Santa Clara River on the south side of Fillmore, above the high-water mark. Most of this work will follow the established bike path and include removal of heavy pockets of Arundo donax near Gasway Drive and the Highway 23 bridge approach.
Arundo donax, commonly known as giant reed, can crowd out native vegetation, reduce wildlife habitat, and increase fire danger. Removing this invasive plant can help reduce these risks and support healthier river corridors.
Portions of the bike paths will be closed intermittently as crews work in the area. Residents and visitors are asked to follow posted signs and directions from personnel, observe closures, and use caution near work areas. Signage will also be posted to alert drivers, who are asked to watch for crews and equipment and drive cautiously.
For questions or additional information, please contact the City of Fillmore Fire Department, Fire Chief Keith Gurrola at kgurrola@fillmoreca.gov. To stay updated, make sure to follow the City of Fillmore on Facebook and Instagram and visit our website at www.Fillmoreca.gov
Press Release Prepared by:Angel Garcia, Sr. Management Analyst
Follow the City of Fillmore on Instagram @cityoffillmore, Facebook: City of Fillmore

SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA — (October 15, 2026) — Fall festivities are in full swing as Sunburst Train Railbikes partners with Prancer’s Farm to offer its seasonal Railbikes to the Pumpkin Patch adventure, combining a scenic railbike journey with a festive pumpkin patch experience in the heart of Ventura County.
Guests embark on a 2.5-hour guided adventure aboard two-person, electric-assisted Railbikes, traveling 8 miles roundtrip through the citrus and avocado groves of the Heritage Valley. Along the way, riders stop at Prancer’s Farm’s Pumpkin Patch, where they can pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy a variety of seasonal activities.
From a winding corn maze and petting zoo to festive treats and family-friendly attractions, Prancer’s Farm offers something for everyone. Admission to the pumpkin patch is included with every Railbike ticket, while additional farm activities may be available for purchase.
“Our partnership with Prancer’s Farm allows us to bring together two great fall experiences in one unforgettable adventure,” said Nicholas Martinez, Railbike Manager at Sunburst Train Railbikes. “There’s something special about riding through the citrus groves and arriving right at the pumpkin patch. It’s a fun and unique way for families and friends to celebrate the season and make lasting memories.”
To make the most of the fall festivities, Sunburst Train Railbikes has extended the stop at Prancer’s Farm on its 1 p.m. Pumpkin Railbike departures, giving guests more time to explore the farm before continuing their journey back to the depot.
Tickets and additional information are available at www.sunbursttrain.com.
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Sunburst: Sierra Northern Railway was formed in 2003 through the merger of two Northern California shortline railroads: the Sierra Railroad Company and the Yolo Shortline Railroad. The company became the contract operator of the Santa Paula Branch Line in 2022. The Santa Paula Branch Line was originally constructed as a standard-gauge railroad by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1887. The track was used extensively by Southern Pacific as late as the 1950s to haul citrus from packing houses to communities along the Santa Clara River.
The line was purchased from Southern Pacific Railroad by the Ventura County Transportation Commission in 1995 and rented for many years to the Fillmore and Western Railway, which hosted excursion trains and film shoots. For more information visit, www.sunbursttrain.com

Civic Pride Volunteers have selected the yard at 836 Central, belonging to Octavio and Denise Barrios, as the 2026 Fall Harvest-Halloween “Yard of the Month.”
Octavio shared that he and Denise moved to Fillmore from Santa Paula in 2015. The couple enjoys decorating their yard together, creating a festive display that adds seasonal charm to their neighborhood.
Octavio was pleased to receive a gift card from Otto & Sons Nursery in recognition of their efforts.
Civic Pride Volunteers extend their sincere appreciation to Otto & Sons Nursery for generously supporting the “Yard of the Month” project for many years. This ongoing partnership helps recognize residents who take pride in their homes and contributes to the beauty and appearance of the Fillmore community.

Above are some of the Fillmore Chapter Officers with Anne Cabalas, the regional vice president representing the Ventura section from Fillmore FFA at the Chapter Officer Leadership Conference (COLC). Photo credit Myla Puebla, Fillmore FFA’s Chapter Reporter.
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By Myla Puebla, Fillmore FFA’s Chapter Reporter
Behind the blue jackets, beyond the titles. We’re a team dedicated to leading serving and growing together.
This past weekend 5 of our chapter officers attended the Chapter Officer Leadership Conference (COLC) in Hollister California for an opportunity to grow as leaders, connect with fellow members and gain new experiences.
Through this conference our members learned valuable leadership skills, the importance of teamwork and communication, and how to step out of their comfort zones. They will take everything they learned and bring it back to our chapter to help inspire others and continue growing as leaders!
Along with our officers we had our very own student Anne Cabalas attend as the regional vice president representing the Ventura County section. We are so proud of Anne for stepping into this role and representing Fillmore FFA with dedication, passion, and hard work. We know she will continue to make an amazing impact in our section and those around her.
To make this experience one to remember Fillmore FFA got Chapter of the year for the Ventura section. Fillmore FFA is PROUD to bring home the trophy for the second year in a ROW!!! This achievement represents the hard work and dedication of our members. We are so proud of them for continuing to grow as leaders, represent our chapter, and show what Fillmore FFA is all about!!

The Fillmore Rotary Club’s speaker was one of its newest members, Cinda Francis, principal of Fillmore High School. Francis gave a “Kraft Talk,” an opportunity for members to learn more about one another and their professional and personal journeys.
Francis began her career in education as an eighth-grade teacher in the San Gabriel Valley. After marrying, she and her husband moved to Ventura, where she began working for the Fillmore Unified School District. Throughout her career, she has served as a social studies teacher and administrator at both Fillmore Middle School and Fillmore High School before becoming FHS principal.
Francis and her husband have three grown children. When they were young, she enjoyed being involved in their activities, including Scouts and sports.
Enthusiastic about education and community service, Francis enjoys supporting teachers, helping students, serving others, and giving back to the community. When asked about her biggest challenge, she humorously replied that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day!

Posted https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore
Due to Blue & White Night, Homecoming Parade taking place on Thursday, October 15, Central Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Fist Street between the hours of 2:00pm and 10:00pm Kensington and Sespe will also be closed.
Alleys and other surrounding streets will remain open to traffic.
Citizen’s Patrol and Explores will assist with the roadblocks and traffic control. Please use caution and follow their directions.

A Fillmore Fire Department crew was running training drills last week on top of the abandoned Wm. L Morris building off the corner of Highway 126 and Central Avenue, Fillmore. Photo credit Gazette staff.

Fillmore Rotary Club President John Garnica, pictured above, presents a Rotary mug to last week’s guest speaker, Isaac Huang, Assistant Superintendent of the Fillmore Unified School District. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

The Fillmore Rotary program, entitled FUSD Civic Engagement Partnership, was presented by Assistant Superintendent Isaac Huang.
Thanks to funding made possible through Proposition 28, the Fillmore Unified School District has been able to launch a Visual Arts Program designed to bring art and music opportunities to students throughout the district. Parents and students were asked what types of programs they would like to see, and those ideas are now becoming a reality.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive a 90-minute block every other week dedicated to arts-related activities. Among the opportunities are Meet the Masters, where students learn about renowned artists and their work, as well as hands-on activities involving Legos and other creative projects. Third-grade students are also learning music through recorder instruction.
The opportunities continue as students move into middle and high school. Middle school students have the chance to learn video production, while high school students can participate in choir, guitar lessons, string instruments and piano. A local business has also donated funds to purchase keyboards, further expanding the music program.
The district’s growing arts program is giving students opportunities to explore their creativity, develop new skills and become well-rounded learners—opportunities that some students may never have had before.
It is a program that is developing and growing, and one that reflects an important belief in the community: Fillmore kids deserve the opportunity to experience and learn through the arts.

September 29, 2026, Santa Paula, Calif. – A full freeway closure will impact travelers using Highway 126 in Santa Paula beginning Friday, October 2nd due to a freeway construction project. The closure will be in both directions from 10th St. to Hallock Dr. The closure begins on Friday at 8:00 p.m. and continues into Saturday, October 3rd, until 9:00 a.m. Motorists will be detoured on to surface streets in the City of Santa Paula during the freeway closure. Travelers are urged to avoid all unnecessary travel on Highway 126 and traffic delays are expected during the full freeway closure.
Traffic will be diverted on to Harvard Blvd./Telegraph Rd. Eastbound Highway 126 traffic will exit at 10th and continue east on Harvard Blvd./Telegraph Rd. before re-entering the freeway at Hallock Dr. Westbound traffic will exit at Hallock Dr. and continue west on Telegraph Rd./Harvard Blvd and re-enter on Palm Ave. The westbound onramp at 10th St. will not be accessible to westbound detour traffic. Motorists are requested to postpone or delay travel through the area, plan alternate driving routes, and allow for extra travel time to make it through the detour.
Traffic signals at Harvard Blvd./10th St., Hallock Dr./Telegraph Rd. and Hallock Dr./Highway 126 will be on red flash. Any intersection with red flash signals are to be treated as a four way stop. Additional patrol resources from the Santa Paula Police Department will be deployed to monitor traffic along the detour and conduct traffic enforcement.
The Santa Paula Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and Caltrans advise motorists traveling through the detour period to use caution and obey all traffic detour signs and warnings.
Press Release Prepared by: Don Aguilar, Chief of Police