Deputy Ana Tellez. Photo courtesy https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbt8iQfPyje/.

Courtesy https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbt8iQfPyje/
Congratulations and welcome to our newest patrol deputy, Ana Tellez.
Deputy Tellez has successfully completed her patrol training and is now ready to help and serve the city of Fillmore.
Prior to starting her law enforcement career, Deputy Tellez proudly served six years in the Army National Guard from 2013–2019, including a nine-month overseas deployment to Qatar.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from California State University Channel Islands.
Deputy Tellez spent three years assigned at Todd Road jail and currently serves as an Explorer Advisor at the Headquarters Station.
Please join us in congratulating her as she begins her journey as a patrol deputy. Ana, welcome to the City of Fillmore.

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The above photo shows the damage to the white Chevy pickup truck involved in a head-on collision with a CHP vehicle. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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GRIMES CANYON, Calif.— A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer is recovering after an impaired driver crashed head-on into the officer’s patrol vehicle late Saturday night in Grimes Canyon.
On Aug. 15, at approximately 11 p.m., a CHP Moorpark Area officer was driving southbound on Grimes Canyon Road, north of Moorpark, when a Chevrolet pickup traveling northbound crossed the double yellow lines and struck the patrol vehicle head-on.
The pickup was driven by 34-year-old Derek Skinner of Santa Paula. Investigators determined Skinner was impaired and failed to maintain his lane before crossing into the southbound lanes.
Skinner suffered minor injuries in the crash. His passenger, a 40-year-old woman from Chatsworth, and the CHP officer suffered major injuries. All three were transported to a local hospital and are expected to make full recoveries.
Following the investigation, Skinner was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, in violation of California Vehicle Code section 23153(a).
Grimes Canyon Road was closed in both directions for approximately three hours following the crash. The Moorpark Police Department, Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Fire Department and American Medical Response assisted at the scene with medical care and scene safety.
The CHP Moorpark Area office is investigating the crash. Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to contact the CHP Moorpark Area office at (805) 553-0800.

Christine Schieferle, Superintendent

Dear FUSD Community,
Welcome back to the 2026-27 school year! I hope your summer was filled with quality time with loved ones and that you are ready for a great school year.
All staff have been working diligently to prepare for the year ahead, and we are eager to partner with you to make this school year one of growth, achievement, and opportunity for all students.
This school year, we will remain committed to student academic success and creating safe and respectful schools where every student can thrive. We also recognize the critical role of mental health support and are dedicated to offering expanded resources to support emotional well-being and long-term resilience.
Additionally, we will continue to invest in facility improvements across our school district. Below are some highlights:
Student Academic Success
• Full-time bilingual community liaisons at all school sites
• Reading Intervention teachers at all elementary schools
• Block schedules with built-in academic support at Fillmore Middle and Fillmore High schools
• Dual enrollment courses offered during and after the school day through Ventura College
• Differentiated academic support within the school day at all elementary schools
• Expanded Prop. 28 visual and performing arts program at all elementary schools
• Expanded Independent Study Program (fieldtrips and enrichment activities)
• After-school ASES program until 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
• Expanded Learning Opportunities during school breaks and summer
• Preschool programs for children ages 2 years, 9 months
• College/university field trips to promote a college-bound culture
• Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways at FHS
• New choir, strings, and piano classes at FHS
• New guitar and Ag. Science classes at SHS
• UCSB Early Academic Outreach Program at FHS and FMS
• CSUCI Guaranteed Admission at FHS
Mental Health Support
• Wellness Centers at all schools
• Counselors at all sites, full-time social workers at Fillmore Middle and Fillmore High Schools
Facilities Improvements
• Fillmore High School (FHS): Renovated library and career center
• Fillmore Middle School (FMS): New paint school-wide, HVAC in the gym (final completion, October 2026), new outdoor shade structures
• San Cayetano School: Upgraded play yard, asphalt and fencing for extensive needs program
• Mountain Vista School: Upgraded alarm system
Future Projects
• Fillmore High School (FHS): New athletic complex (groundbreaking March 2027)
Great things are happening in our school district! It is important that we continue to work together, build relationships with each other, and maintain our collective focus to do what is best for our students. They are counting on us!
Please join and support our School Site Councils, English Learner Advisory Committees, Parent Booster Clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Connecting with these organizations and school staff is vital to your child’s success.
I look forward to seeing our students back on Wednesday, August 12, and am confident we can make this school year a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Sincerely,
Christine Schieferle,
Superintendent
Posted August 10, 2026, courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/4...

On Saturday, August 15, at 7:38 p.m., the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported traffic collision in the 200 block of Rose Street. Arriving firefighters located a single vehicle that had come to rest on the sidewalk after crashing through a resident’s fence. Minor injuries were reported. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026, 7:30 PM AT CITY HALL
Final vote to be shared in next week's Gazette.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Public Comments
Special Meeting Public Comment: Pursuant to California Government Code § 54954.3(a), members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to address the legislative body concerning any item described in the notice for this special meeting before or during the legislative body’s consideration of that item. Public comment at this special meeting is therefore limited to matters concerning items described in the special-meeting notice.
6. New Business
6.A CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING NOMINEES TO THE OFFICES OF COUNCILMEMBER FOR DISTRICT 1 (SHORT TERM), DISTRICT 3, AND DISTRICT 4 AND CANCELING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229 DUE TO NOT HAVING MORE CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED.
SR - CANCELLING THE 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AS AUTHORIZED IN CALIFORNIA ELECTION CODE SECTION 10229(2179196.1)
7. City Council Reports, Recommendations and Comments
8. City Manager
9. Adjournment

Los Vets of Fillmore y Piru proudly presented Sean McCauley, owner of the Fillmore Theater, with a sponsorship donation for the upcoming Annual Youth Theater production of the award-winning musical Annie. Performances are scheduled for November 7, 8, 14, and 15. The theater relies on community support and sponsorships to offer various productions throughout the year. Los Vets continue to support the community by providing service as needed. Posted August 15, 2026, at 4:56 p.m. Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122096755059444206&set=a.12209675976....

On 08/05/2026, (S) Marvin Moises Colindres-Perez was arrested for multiple counts of conspiracy, grand theft, and cutting a utility line.
During the months of March 2026 through July 2026, several unincorporated areas of Ventura County have suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage and theft in communication lines. The theft of copper wire from communication infrastructure has a significant impact on the community by disrupting telephone, internet, and emergency communication systems that residents and first responders rely upon every day. Damage to these critical systems can delay the reporting of emergencies, hinder communication between dispatchers and responding personnel, and ultimately increase response times during incidents in which every second matters.
Over the course of several months, detectives with the Sheriff’s Fillmore and Moorpark Stations worked diligently to investigate multiple copper wire thefts that affected critical communication infrastructure within the community. Through extensive follow-up investigation, the review of surveillance footage, the analysis of evidence, and the identification of vehicles associated with the crimes, detectives were ultimately able to identify several of the suspects responsible for the thefts and hold them accountable.
In June 2026, four suspects of this crew were arrested by Moorpark deputies during the commission of one of these communication line thefts. They have all since been released pending court proceedings.
On 08/05/2026, detectives from Fillmore, Moorpark, and Ojai executed a search warrant in the 8000 block of Columbus Avenue in North Hills. As a result of the warrant service, (S) Marvin Moises Colindres-Perez was contacted and arrested for his involvement in multiple grand thefts in Ventura County. Additionally, evidence linking Colindres-Perez to the copper wire thefts was also located and seized.
Ultimately, Colindres-Perez was transported back to Ventura County where he was booked on multiple counts of Penal Code § 182(a)(1) – [Conspiracy to Commit a Crime] and Penal Code § 487j – [Grand Theft of Copper], and Penal Code § 591 – Cutting a Utility Line]. He remains in custody with bail set at $170,000.00.
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: 08/06/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
***
Nature of Incident: Serial Copper Thief Arrested
Report Number: 26-99980
Location: Unincorporated areas of Ventura County
Date & Time: March 2026 through July 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Detective Unit, Moorpark Detective Unit, Ojai Detective Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Marvin Moises Colindres-Perez, North Hills, CA, 43
***
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).

Before the summer season winds down, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to kick off their Labor Day festivities with safety at the forefront. Make the decision that saves lives. Choose safety every time you get behind the wheel and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To help keep our community safe, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and it’s five contract cities will have additional officers on patrol Aug. 19 through Labor Day (Sept. 7) looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The additional efforts to prevent impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
In addition to patrols, the Camarillo and Thousand Oaks Police Departments will hold DUI Checkpoints between August 19th and Labor Day at undisclosed location within the city.
“Enjoying the last days of summer should be all about fun and that starts with making safe choices before making plans,” Sergeant Sahlman with the Thousand Oaks Police Department said. “Everyone deserves to get home safely, and it starts with your everyday actions.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,904 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S. in 2024 — that’s one person every 44 minutes.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office offers the following tips to Go Safely:
• Plan Ahead: If you know you’ll be drinking, arrange for a designated sober driver, call a ride-sharing service, taxi or use public transportation.
• Buckle Up: Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself in the event of a crash.
• Stay Alert: Avoid distractions such as texting or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.
• Follow Speed Limits: Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.
• Watch for Pedestrians and Bicyclists: With more people enjoying outdoor activities, be extra vigilant and look out for people biking and walking.
• Take Breaks: If you’re traveling long distances, take regular breaks to rest and avoid fatigue.
While drunk driving is a significant traffic safety problem, driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and cannabis products may also impair. 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.
Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.
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: August 10th, 2026
Approved by: Captain Jason B. Hendren
***
Nature of Incident: NHTSA Summer DUI Mobilization
Location: Ventura County, CA
Date & Time: August 10th, 2026
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office- Traffic Bureaus of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Fillmore, Ojai and Camarillo