On Monday, January 5, at 6:10pm, a Hit & Run occurred in front of Taco Bell, 800 Ventura Street, Fillmore. An eyewitness reported that a possibly older Dodge pickup truck crashed into the streetlight in front of the business, then left the scene. Part of the number 2 lane was blocked, and Edison was called to the scene. Photo credit Gazette staff.
On Monday, January 5, at 6:10pm, a Hit & Run occurred in front of Taco Bell, 800 Ventura Street, Fillmore. An eyewitness reported that a possibly older Dodge pickup truck crashed into the streetlight in front of the business, then left the scene. Part of the number 2 lane was blocked, and Edison was called to the scene. Photo credit Gazette staff.
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Now Hiring: Deputy City Clerk
The City of Fillmore is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized professional to join our City Clerk’s Office as Deputy City Clerk. This key role supports City Council operations, maintains official records, ensures legal compliance, and helps uphold transparency in local government. If you’re passionate about public service, governance, and supporting elected officials, we encourage you to apply. Learn more and apply at www.fillmoreca.gov.


 

We’re proud to introduce the newest members of the Fillmore Police Department, who have successfully completed their 16-week patrol training program! Welcome Deputies Alisa Vargas and Anthony Bavero! These dedicated deputies have shown exceptional commitment and professionalism throughout their training and are now ready to serve and protect their Fillmore community. Please join us in congratulating them as they begin their journey as patrol deputies. Posted December 12, 2025, courtesy https://www.instagram.com/fillmorepd/.

 


 

Two recent winter rainstorms brought heavy rains throughout Ventura County causing damage to the Fillmore area. Residents on Grand Avenue have felt the wrath of the mighty Sespe River flowing strong but also eroding property lines. Cindy Jackson, pictured above, is a lifelong resident of Fillmore and a proud graduate of Fillmore High School. For more than 40 years, she has faithfully volunteered in the community, including over 30 years with the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, as well as the May Festival and many other local events and organizations. Cindy has always been someone who gives her time, energy, and heart to others. Now she is in need of help herself. She is a single mom, self-employed, and runs a farm, which makes her time and financial resources limited. A GoFundMe has been started by a fellow neighbor to help Cindy. For more info visit: https://gofund.me/be1ba6b72. Photo credit Marcus Camp. See page 2 ‘Letters to the Editor’ for Cindy’s submission.

 


 
Due to recent storm impacts, a portion of Old Telegraph Road in Fillmore is reduced to one lane. The rock slope protection at the westerly bridge abutment is compromised. To reduce the loading on the bridge, the roadway is closed to westbound traffic until emergency repairs are completed. Traffic control is in place. Please expect delays and use caution when traveling through the area. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore the roadway and ensure safe travel for the community. Information courtesy Ventura County Public Works Agency. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
Due to recent storm impacts, a portion of Old Telegraph Road in Fillmore is reduced to one lane. The rock slope protection at the westerly bridge abutment is compromised. To reduce the loading on the bridge, the roadway is closed to westbound traffic until emergency repairs are completed. Traffic control is in place. Please expect delays and use caution when traveling through the area. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore the roadway and ensure safe travel for the community. Information courtesy Ventura County Public Works Agency. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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Pictured above is the temporary detour route for Old Telegraph Road, while the bridge undergoes repairs after the recent rainstorm. Reposted on City of Fillmore Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore or visit https://www.facebook.com/VCpublicworks page.
Pictured above is the temporary detour route for Old Telegraph Road, while the bridge undergoes repairs after the recent rainstorm. Reposted on City of Fillmore Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore or visit https://www.facebook.com/VCpublicworks page.
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On Tuesday, December 30, at 5:27 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were on-scene of a two-vehicle collision that occurred at the intersection of Ventura Street and Central Avenue. Minor injuries were reported. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
On Tuesday, December 30, at 5:27 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were on-scene of a two-vehicle collision that occurred at the intersection of Ventura Street and Central Avenue. Minor injuries were reported. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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A tree fell at Old Telegraph Road/Landeros Lane last week due to high winds, with no damage to the seasonal/migrant worker housing. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

 
Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/CountyOfVentura
Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/CountyOfVentura

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/CountyOfVentura
Did the recent winter storms cause damage to your home, business, or other property? You may qualify for temporary property tax relief through the Ventura County Assessor’s Office.
What is it?
If your property has been damaged or destroyed by a disaster or misfortune such as severe storms, flooding, fire, or an earthquake, you may be eligible for property tax relief under California law (R&TC Section 170). To qualify, the damage must total at least $10,000 of the property’s current market value.
Taxable property includes:
â–ªï¸Land and structures
â–ªï¸Orchards
â–ªï¸Business equipment and fixtures
â–ªï¸Aircraft and boats
â–ªï¸Manufactured homes subject to local property taxation
How to File:
Complete an Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity (AO-V 365).
What you need to do:
â–ªï¸Fill out all required sections
â–ªï¸Submit your application to the Ventura County Assessor’s Office
More info:
http://assessor.venturacounty.gov/.../disaster-relief/
Need help? Contact the Ventura County Assessor’s Office at 805-654-2181 or by email at assessor.info@venturacounty.gov or visit assessor.venturacounty.gov

 

Pictured is a drainage culvert on the east side of the Sespe River, at Old Telegraph Road, used to handle normal drainage. It was closed last week in anticipation of possible overflow from the Sespe River. The flap gate was installed on January 9th, 2023, by Ventura County Public Works. Aluminum slats were lowered into rails on the side of the culvert to create a barrier. The Sespe River has a riprap levee, a permanent layer of large, angular stone or boulders, mixed with cement, typically used to stabilize and protect the soil surface against erosion and scour in areas of concentrated flow. Stop logs are used for level control in open channels of the river. Logs are beams inserted in grooves cast in a channel wall; typically, nominal height of a stop log is in 6†increments, i.e., the log can be 6, 12, 18†in height, etc. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

 
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival was held in Piru. Folks came out to see the floats, bands, dancers and more as they rang in some Christmas cheer. This year’s parade had 25 entries and this year’s float winners were San Salvador Mission, the Piru Elementary School, and KiKi’s Adventures. Above is Santa Claus riding with the Piru Fire Department.
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival was held in Piru. Folks came out to see the floats, bands, dancers and more as they rang in some Christmas cheer. This year’s parade had 25 entries and this year’s float winners were San Salvador Mission, the Piru Elementary School, and KiKi’s Adventures. Above is Santa Claus riding with the Piru Fire Department.
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Above are LUV to Dance Folklorico Dancers performing at the 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival held on December 13, 2025, as mentioned on page 1. A fun filled day of festivities and music for all to enjoy.
Above are LUV to Dance Folklorico Dancers performing at the 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival held on December 13, 2025, as mentioned on page 1. A fun filled day of festivities and music for all to enjoy.
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The 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival was held on a beautiful sunny Saturday, December 13, 2025!
The parade had 25 entries and this year’s parade Grand Marshals were Salvador and Rosie Hurtado with Ramon “Mon†Medina as our parade MC and Luis Abrego providing the sound for the parade. Float winners were San Salvador Mission, the Piru Elementary School, and KiKi’s Adventures. Supervisor Kelly Long and our local representative Michael Durazo also participated in the parade. Festival included Fillmore High School Mariachi Los Rayos, LUV to Dance Folklorico Dancers, DJ Danny Ibarra, and the Torres Band. There was face painting for the kids, along with gifts distributed to all children from the Carnales Motorcycle Club. The Ventura County Mobile Library also offered crafts for families and kids as well as library services. Santa was available for picture taking during the festival. Multiple craft vendors were present.
Sponsors included:
• California American Water
• Income from various film shoots in Piru
• San Salvador Mission
• Piru Pizza
• Las Delicias de Puebla Restaurant
• Corazon de Piru
• Mountain View Inn & Restaurant
• Kona Ice
• Taco Zacapu Food Truck
• Carnales Motorcycle Club
• United Water/Lake Piru
• Piru Youth Services (PYS)
• Bob’s Barbershop
• Bella Estetica Salon
• Morelia’s Meat Market
• Super A Grocery – Poinsettia Flowers
• La Flor Bonita – Grand Marshal Flowers
• Nikki’s Restaurant
• Ventura County Parks
• Sheriff Department Explorers & Message Board
• CHP – Toys distributed at Piru Elementary School
These events can only occur with the support of sponsors and the countless hours of our devoted group of community volunteers. To them, we say a HUGE thank you!!!
• Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC)
• Piru CERT Team
• Martin Segoviano – Festival Set-Up
• Paul Perez Jr. - Parade Check-Ins
• Zoyla Alvarez, Maria G. Hurtado, Lupe Hurtado, and Araceli Ortiz – Parade Judges

 

As Fillmore Air Conditioning & Heating celebrates 30 years in business this year, I would like to take the time to thank all of you for supporting are family business. I wish you all a Happy New Year and a Great 2026!!!