The program was presented by Patrick Maynard, Ventura County Emergency Services Coordinator. He works with several county agencies, such as fire and sheriffs. Patrick talked about evacuations stating sometimes it is best to stay home, depending on the situation. VC Emergency.com gives updates on whatever is happening. The most important thing to remember is to be self-sufficient with your family and home, “Plan & Prepare”. Know where your family is meeting outside, in case of fire. Look around your home--what could be a problem and fix it. You may want a generator in case the power is out for days. Mainly be aware of what is going on so you won’t be surprised.

Traditionally the busiest wedding day of the year, the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in Ventura will open limited hours for a group ceremony
(Ventura, CA) – Every year, February 14—Valentine’s Day—is the busiest day for weddings at the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, with dozens of couples visiting the County Government Center to obtain a marriage license or say “I do” during a civil marriage ceremony.
However, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which is outside the Clerk-Recorder’s regular business hours. Recognizing the high demand for weddings ceremonies on February 14, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Michelle Ascencion has announced a special Valentine’s Day group wedding ceremony to give couples the opportunity to marry on this popular and meaningful day.
“Everyone wants to get married on Valentine’s Day—it’s very romantic,” said Clerk-Recorder Ascencion. “When Valentine’s Day is during the week, we’ll have up to 40 couples come in to tie the knot at our office, many times more than our usual schedule of about 10 ceremonies on a regular day.
“Since we know people want to get married on Valentine’s Day, we decided to open for a few hours on that Saturday to be able to accommodate the couples who want to make Valentine’s Day their wedding and future anniversary date.”
A single group ceremony will be officiated by Clerk-Recorder Ascencion at 10:00 AM in the Hall of Administration at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura. All couples participating in the Valentine’s Day wedding event need to register through the County Clerk-Recorder’s website at ClerkRecorder.VenturaCounty.gov. They must obtain a Ventura County-issued marriage license no later than Friday, February 13.
Wedding day check-in (physical IDs required) will take place between 9:00 and 9:30 AM only. The ceremony will be performed in English with simultaneous Spanish translation and will last approximately 15 minutes. Couples are welcome and encouraged to carry flowers and exchange rings during the ceremony. Due to space restrictions, couples are limited to no more than 8 guests (for a total of 10 in their party).
Following the ceremony, the Clerk-Recorder staff will process each marriage license so couples can purchase certified copies of their marriage certificate the same day. Service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis according to check-in order.
The ceremony fee is $60, payable by cash, check, or credit card (a $2.50 processing fee applies to each credit card transaction) and is due at check-in. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $19 each after the ceremony.
Please Note:
Marriage licenses will not be issued on Valentine’s Day; the event is ceremony only.
Parking for the Hall of Administration is available in Lot F or Lot G.
Couples must bring their valid, pre-purchased Ventura County marriage license and a physical ID to check-in.
Appointments for marriage licenses may be made at ClerkRecorder.VenturaCounty.gov.
Visit the Valentine’s Day Wedding Page or call (805) 654-2263.
“Valentine’s Day is a day of love, and we love being a part of it!” Ascencion said. “We look forward to hosting this special, one-of-a-kind ceremony and celebrating many new beginnings.”
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.

On February 3, the City of Fillmore Fire Department launched it’s annual Weed Abatement Program in their efforts to reduce wildfire risk and protect the community. Above is a Fillmore firefighter surveying the fields from a previous weed abatement event. Photo courtesy Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola.

February 3, 2026, Fillmore, CA — The City of Fillmore Fire Department has launched its annual Weed Abatement Program as part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and protect the community. Due to changing weather patterns and increased fire danger throughout the year, weed abatement enforcement now occurs year-round rather than during a single fire season.
The program includes property inspections, mailed notices, and follow-up contacts for properties that do not meet compliance standards. Property owners are responsible for clearing dry weeds and hazardous vegetation from their properties to help prevent fire hazards and maintain community safety.
Properties that were missed during initial inspections or experience regrowth later in the year may be re-inspected to ensure continued compliance. These efforts support the City’s goal of minimizing fire risk and promoting a safer environment for residents and businesses.
To learn more and view the full schedule, please visit the City’s dedicated Weed Abatement page: https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1353/Upcoming-2026-Weed-Abatement-Calendar.
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Contact:
Name: Erika Herrera-Terriquez Title: City Manager
Phone: 805-946-1712
Email: eherrera@fillmoreca.gov
Name: Angel Garcia
Title Senior Management Analyst Phone: 805-946-1827
Email: agarcia@fillmoreca.gov

Millie Shackelford will be celebrating her 100th birthday on February 13, 2026. She was born in Miami, Oklahoma as Mildred Hartwell Cartwright. Her early life was marked by frequent moves. After the loss of her mother, she followed her father’s various jobs during the depression.
During High School, she ended up in Superior Arizona and met Troy Shackelford. They married on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). After their wedding, they traveled to Virginia Beach to wait for Troy’s Aircraft Carrier to be deployed to the Pacific war effort. While Troy was in the Navy, Millie worked as a phone operator for the Military in Port Hueneme.
After the war, Troy and Millie visited their lifelong friends, George and Lawanda Campbell, who lived in Fillmore. Troy got a job at Rudkin Motor Service, and Millie worked as a Dress Shop Associate and later as a Pre-School Paraprofessional at the Sonshine School where they raised two children.
Millie’s love for Fillmore was exemplified by her involvement in its organizations and activities. Some of these include PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Ventura County Garden Club, and a volunteer at the Fillmore Library during Art Arundell’s tenure.
Her attributes of creativity, curiosity, a sense of adventure, and loyalty to friendships mark her many interests, including sewing, cake decorating, gardening, epic orchid and rose cultivation, Floral Design, pottery, reading, fitness activities (such as Curves and daily walks), and especially her many travels.
She and Troy had two children, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. In 2014, a decline in Millie’s health forced her to leave her beloved Fillmore to live in an assisted living facility near her son in Fresno. Recently, she has relocated again to an assisted living facility in Idaho near her son’s current home.
Despite an unsettled childhood, her constant positivity, infectious smile, and love for people have made her special to the many lives she has embraced. We celebrate her 100 years of Giving and Love.

The 2026 Fillmore Flower Show has announced the theme of this year’s show which is “A Blooming Good Time”. The show will be held April 24 – 26, at the Fillmore Active Adult Center. Above entries from last year’s show. Full details in article. Photo credit Linda Nunes.

“A Blooming Good Time” is the theme for the 2026 Annual Fillmore Flower Show, coming up, April 25th & 26th. It is held at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara St. Fillmore, Ca.
We will have a boutique that features potted plants & a table with cuttings, by the bag. The boutique has unique mobiles & other garden related items and the amazing thing is that all these plants, etc. are “sold” by donation only. The money we take in helps us keep the show going each year.
If you are interested in helping, we could use donated rusty & interesting small items to make the mobiles. Just give Linda Nunes a call at 805-302-7527 to pick them up or if you have items or cuttings to donate for our boutique that would be wonderful as well!
There will be a Café area with a place to sit, visit with friends & enjoy a homemade cookie & a cool fruit tea drink and we will also have a “Children’s Potting Table “where a child may plant a little succulent in a pot to take home. And this is free for children!
Encourage your children & grandchildren to take part in this lovely tradition that began in 1919 & stopped only for the war effort, a time of burn out, & then Covid. We will have old albums there for people to look back at previous shows…some finding pictures of their Grandparents.

Ventura County, California – As football fans gear up for the excitement of the big game, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone that the best game plan includes getting home safely. Whether you’re hosting a party, attending a gathering or enjoying the game at your favorite spot, planning ahead for a sober ride will keep you and everyone on the road safe.
“Super Bowl celebrations are a time for fun and community, but safety should always come first,” said Sergeant Matthew Ogonowski. “If you plan to drink, make sure you have a reliable way to get home, whether that’s a designated sober driver, rideshare, taxi or public transportation.”
During Super Bowl LIX weekend (February 7 and 8), the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Plan for a Safe Celebration
Before heading out for Super Bowl festivities, follow these tips to stay safe:
• Designate a Sober Driver: Choose someone ahead of time who will stay alcohol-free and make sure everyone gets home safely.
• Use Ridesharing Services, Taxis or Public Transportation: Rideshare apps and transit options are safe alternatives to driving if you’ve been drinking.
• Host Responsibly: If you’re hosting, offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options and make sure your guests have safe, sober rides home.
• Look Out for Others: Don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Take their keys and help arrange a safe ride.
• Never Drive Impaired or Distracted: It’s not worth the risk – your life and others’ lives depend on it!
Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other drugs may also cause impairment. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.
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: January 23rd, 2026
Approved by: Captain Jason B. Hendren
***
Nature of Incident: Score Big on Safety: Celebrate Super Bowl Responsibly
Plan ahead with a sober ride before the big game
Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: January 23rd, 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

READY TO GARDEN? Planning for Spring and Summer
5:30 - 6:30 pm Monday, February 9, 2026 (monthly series)
Transform your gardening space into a fresh food paradise! Grow vegetables and herbs. Learn to create a food garden that thrives in Ventura County’s coastal climate.
We’ll cover top spring/summer vegetables that flourish in our region, planning your garden layout for maximum harvest, essential herbs for your kitchen garden, techniques for small yards, pest management, and water-smart growing methods for drought conditions.
Perfect for beginners and intermediate gardeners looking to grow fresh, healthy food at home. Bring your food garden dreams and questions!
Taught by certified Master Gardener, Terry Garman.
Register: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=47135
Walk ins welcome!

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule on Friday, Feb. 20, in Fillmore during the week of Presidents Day, which is observed on Monday Feb. 16.
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.

VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC) announced today the expansion of on-site legal services with the addition of a second Ventura County Legal Aid (VCLA) attorney. This week, the new attorney began serving clients at the Family Justice Center, further strengthening support for victims of domestic violence and elder abuse.
Prior to this new arrival, one Ventura County Legal Aid attorney worked on-site at the Family Justice Center, primarily assisting elder abuse victims. These clients often require additional support due to cognitive challenges, mobility and transportation barriers, and the absence of a trusted individual to help them navigate the civil legal system. The addition of a second attorney will allow Ventura County Legal Aid to begin offering family law assistance for domestic violence survivors on topics such as seeking a restraining order or help litigating child custody issues.
“Ventura County Legal Aid provides crucial services for survivors navigating our complex civil legal systems, often during the worst times of their lives,” said Family Justice Centers Administrator Rachael Watkins. “They ensure rights of victims are upheld and empower clients to take actionable steps towards regaining control and independence while instilling hope throughout the process. We are grateful for their continued support and partnership.”
Funding for the expansion of legal services includes grant funding from the State Bar, as well as corporate support from Yardi Corporation and private funding from the Chuck Trust. The added capacity will enhance the Center’s ability to provide comprehensive, victim-centered services in one location.
The Ventura County Family Justice Center, operated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, provides a coordinated, trauma-informed response to victims of crime by having law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, and community partners under one roof.
For more information about services offered by the FJC, visit fjc.venturacounty.gov.
***
Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: SW
Date: January 14, 2026
Release No.: 26-009

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BACK STACKS Used Book Sales
BIG SATURDAY SALE FEBRUARY 7, 2026
10AM TO 2PM
FEBRUARY SALE ITEM
50% OFF BIOGRAPHIES
In February we celebrate President’s Day. Why not stop by the Back Stacks and pick up a biography of a president from history or the recent past. We also have many, many biographies of entertainers, authors, politicians, athletes and other interesting people.
We have loads of gently used books at Low, Low Prices.
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 taps. 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

At last week’s Fillmore Rotary Club meeting Steve Sutton was the guest speaker. He gave a brief history of his life with a few tragedies when he was young. He and his sister, who was his guardian then, moved to Ojai where he attended school at Happy Valley Boarding School. When he graduated, he got a job in carpentry and later decided to go back to school to become a contractor. An inspector mentored him and he worked for the county for two years. He then became the Chief Electrical Inspector for the City of Ventura. Through the years he was mentored by men who had been in the military, and he learned to be a mentor as well. His motto was “give as much as you can and use common sense”.

The annual Fillmore Flower Show dates have officially been released. This year’s show will be April 24 – 26, at the Fillmore Active Adult Center. Above is an entry from last year’s show. Full details in article. Photo credit Linda Nunes.

By Linda Nunes
The Fillmore Flower Show is once again on the horizon; it will take place in April on the 24th, 25th, and 26th. Set up day will be Friday, April 24th, at the Active Adult Center at 533 Santa Clara St. and we can use all the volunteers who are interested. We begin setting up at 1pm and finish by 5 p.m.; a great way to meet friendly people and be involved in the community!
The theme this year will be, “A Blooming Good Time” and it was decided to add an area in the show for non-competitive entries to be displayed. This means that adults out of the Fillmore School District could bring an entry that wouldn’t be judged but displayed for all to enjoy. Children from any area are already able to enter and ALL entries are now FREE!
January is the best month to prune your roses, so they will be blooming in April. Right now Otto and Sons Nursery is holding pruning classes. Saturday, January 24th will be Rose Care University from 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and January 31st at 1 p.m.-3 p.m. will be another Rose Care University.

Posted on January 12, 2026, Courtesy https://fillmoreca.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/257
Park Updates:
Shiells Park will be closed during the month of January:
Crews will be working to complete important maintenance and improvements including:
- Replacing playground wood chips
- Painting and repairing restrooms, including metal repairs and new vinyl molding
- Repairs and field work on all three baseball fields
- Rebuilding the horseshoe pits
Delores Day Park is Partially Opened:
- The playground is temporarily closed for the month of January for removal and replacement of playground chips.
- Restrooms and park shelters remain open and accessible.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve park facilities for the community.

The speakers for Fillmore Rotary were Mike Lazarus and Brandy Lengning. They both teach firearms classes at “California Tactical Academy” outdoor gun range in Piru. It is the largest outdoor range in the Los Angeles area.
Mike served in the military in Afghanistan and Iraq. Later he was a police officer and was part of the SWAT team. He eventually got his law degree. He was also a professor at Cal State Northridge and currently teaches criminal Justice at Ventura College. He has a passion for the US Constitution and the obligations of its citizens. Brandy is a local real estate agent with an office on Central Avenue. She is also involved with the Fillmore Towne Theatre. Her husband, Daniel Lengning, is a Captain with the California Department of Fish and Game.

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Routine sewer system maintenance is scheduled to take place in the North Fillmore area. This work is part of the City’s regular efforts to maintain sewer infrastructure. Activities will occur at various locations in the North Fillmore area and may require temporary traffic adjustments around work equipment, though no significant impacts are anticipated. Please use caution when traveling near work areas. For questions, contact the Public Works Department 805-524-1500 ext. 233. Posted January 8, 2026 at 6:30p.m. courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore.

(* UPDATE IN *)
Ventura County - Caltrans announces overnight one-way alternating traffic control on State Route 118 (Los Angeles Avenue/SR-118) between Sand Canyon Road and Balcom Canyon Road near the unincorporated Ventura County area of Somis this week and next week for excavation and clearing.
(*One-way traffic control scheduled from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 16 is canceled.*)
Day work may occur behind k-rail on the south shoulder of the highway from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., without lane closures.
Residents and businesses located near construction may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with demolition activities. Closures are subject to change due to weather, material, or other factors. Motorists can view current traffic conditions on the Caltrans QuickMap https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
The speed limit through the construction zone is posted at 45 m.p.h. Please obey the speed limit and drive with caution. Caltrans urges motorists to use alternate routes.
The work is part of the State Route 118 Slope Repair Project, which will construct two retaining walls on the south side of the highway, among other improvements. The total project cost is $30.8 million and is anticipated to be completed in winter of 2026/2027. The contractor on this project is CA Rasmussen, Inc.
If you would like to receive weekly updates, sign up here: State Route 118 Slope Repair Project visit: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ZAobYkAXzEONiEVA00h1....
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Date: Jan. 13, 2026
District: District 7
Contact: Marc Bischoff
Email: marc.bischoff@dot.ca.gov

Martin Herrejon Vieyra, of Santa Paula

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Martin Herrejon Vieyra (DOB 11/06/67), of Santa Paula, has been convicted of rape and child molestation in a case involving multiple victims over several decades. The jury found Vieyra guilty of eight felony charges: rape by force, foreign object penetration, and six counts of lewd acts upon a child.
Several special allegations and aggravating factors were also found true, including that there were multiple victims and the victims were particularly vulnerable.
Vieyra molested two victims over the course of many years. The abuse of the first victim occurred between 1996 and 2005. The other victim suffered abuse from 2012 to 2020, before disclosing the conduct in 2022. Both were minors under the age of 14 at the time of the abuse. Vieyra had access to these young victims through a familial relationship. After learning of the abuse against the two victims, a third victim came forward in February of 2025. Vieyra raped her in 1991 when he was living in the same household with her family.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Stuart Gardner, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The passage of time does not erase the harm caused by sexual violence, nor does it diminish the responsibility of those who commit it,” Mr. Gardner said. “After a full jury trial, the verdict affirms that justice can still be achieved and that survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and protected—no matter how many years have passed.”
In October 2024, investigators with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office began investigating a child molestation case in which Vieyra was the suspect. The Santa Paula Police Department was the originating agency in the investigation. Additional investigative work was completed by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, which led to the arrest of Vieyra.
Vieyra is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Vieyra remains in custody and bail was revoked following the verdict. He faces 110 years to life, plus 16 years in state prison.
Case: 2025003806
Defendant Information:
Martin Herrejon Vieyra (DOB 11/06/67) Santa Paula
Charges convicted of:
• PC 261(2) – Rape by force
• PC 289(a) – Foreign object penetration
• (6 counts) PC 288(a) – Lewd act upon a child
• Special allegations found true:
• PC 803(f) – Statute of limitations – sex crimes
• PC 667.61 (e)(5) – Multiple victims
• PC 1203.066(a)(7) – Multiple victims 288, 288.5
• CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
• CRC 4.421(a)(11) – Defendant took advantage of a position of trust
• PC 667.61(j)(2) – Victim under age 14
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Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: SW
Date: January 12, 2026
Release No.: 25-006

Ventura County District Attorney’s Office

VENTURA, Calif. – The Los Angeles Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation formally recognized 14 members of the Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for their outstanding investigative work protecting children and holding offenders accountable. The ceremony was held at the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on January 6, 2026. The honorees included investigators, detectives, and computer forensic examiners from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The task force was created in December 2022 through agreements with the FBI and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The collaboration was established in response to the significant increase in children being exposed to online predators and sexual exploitation.
The task force provides a proactive, coordinated response to crimes involving the sexual victimization of children. Since its formation, the task force has achieved early and significant successes, including multiple felony arrests involving the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and the attempted procurement of children for sexual exploitation. These cases resulted in substantial jail and prison sentences, including a 35-years-to-life sentence imposed in 2025 for a defendant who sexually assaulted a minor and sold images of the abuse online.
The FBI recognition highlighted the work of investigators, detectives, and computer forensic examiners involved in Operation Enduring Justice, a two-week nationwide FBI operation conducted in August. The operation was the culmination of months of investigative work and led to the arrest of six individuals for felony possession and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material. Five of the defendants resided in Ventura County, and one was from Santa Barbara County. Five cases are being prosecuted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, while one was charged federally.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed appreciation to the FBI for formally recognizing the dedication and professionalism of the investigators and forensic examiners involved, noting that while there is much more work to be done, their efforts continue to make a meaningful difference for the community’s most vulnerable victims.
“The value of this task force cannot be overstated,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This team of dedicated professionals increased our ability to identify, investigate, and prosecute crimes against children and reach beyond Ventura County to apprehend online predators.”
The certificates were presented by Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Kent of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Edwin Nam of the FBI Ventura Office.
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Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: SW
Date: January 7, 2026
Release No.: 26-002

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Pictured is progressing construction on the planned Sonic Drive-In, seven years after it was first made public. Sonic Corp first announced in fall of 2018 its intention to open a Sonic Drive-In in Fillmore. Covid and other factors stalled that plan. In September 2023 it was announced Sonic would open here in the spring of 2024. Then in December 2023 the opening was pushed back to November 2024. Construction finally began around July 2024 in the vacant lot located at 643 W. Ventura Street (SR 126). The latest announcement for completion is spring 2026. In September of 2018 Sonic Corp. was purchased by Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings (Inspire Brands) for $2.3 billion. Inspire Brands is just one of many portfolio/parent companies of Roark Capital. Among other units in Roark’s portfolio are Carl’s Jr., Hardees, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel, Jimmy John’s, Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, and Moe’s Southwest Grill. In 1958, Top Hats existed in Enid and Stillwater, Oklahoma. However, only four opened, because the name was already copyrighted to another business. Echoing the jet age, Top Hat’s slogan was “Service with the Speed of Sound,” so the new name “Sonic” was chosen. There are now 80 Sonic’s in California alone. Photo credit Gazette staff.

On Saturday, January 3, the Fillmore City Fire Department responded to a flooding report in the 900 block of Blaine Avenue. Firefighters assisted in unloading sandbags for placement to prevent further flooding to the property. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.