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The Fillmore Unified School District is proud to announce Sierra High School has been named a 2026 Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond recognized 59 schools across California for their outstanding work in providing at-risk youth with exemplary instruction, flexible scheduling, and strong guidance and counseling services that support students on the path to earning their diplomas.
This prestigious recognition highlights Sierra High School’s commitment to creating a student-centered environment where every learner feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. Model Continuation High Schools are celebrated for meeting students’ diverse academic, social, and emotional needs while helping prepare them for college, career, and life beyond high school.
In announcing the honor to staff, Superintendent Christine Schieferle praised Sierra High School’s dedication, writing, “Your work and dedication to creating a safe and supportive school culture where students feel valued, seen, and appreciated is truly commendable.” She added that the recognition reflects the staff’s daily commitment to “meeting students where they are and supporting their growth and success.”
The designation is awarded through a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association Plus. Schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools retain the honor for three years and serve as examples of best practices for continuation education programs statewide.

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On Saturday, March 14, at 3:09 p.m., the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Ventura Street and C Street. Minor damage and injuries were reported. Cause of the crash is still under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

On Saturday morning, March 14th, the Flashes Track Teams travelled to Rio Mesa and competed at the Spartan Relays.
The Fillmore Frosh/Spho girls 4 X 800 started the day with a winning effort in 12:02.54. Team members were Camila Soto, Mariana Elvira, Gabriela Lopez, and Christina Setty. In the Jr./Sr. girls 4 X 800 relay, Fillmore placed 3rd in 11:33.48. Team members were Melanie Flores, Andrea Gamez, Michelle Setty, and Valeria Munoz Mendez. The Jr./Sr. boys team finished 10th in 9:54.66. Team member was Jordan Hernandez, Gabriel Lagunas, Ricardo Quilo, and Orlando Vigil Tello.
In Girls Frosh/Spho 4 X 100, Fillmore was 7th in 57.53. Team members included Alejandra Robles, Barbara Soltero, Giselle Villareal, and Emma Ortiz. In the Boys Frosh/Spho 4 X 100, the Fillmore team of Orlando Vigil Tello, Draco Centurion, Nathan Lepe, and Joseph Magana Jr. placed 5th in 47.36. In the Girls Jr./Sr. 4 X 100, the girls finished 4th in 51.32. Team members were Janessa Corona, Kimberly Magana, Jaiden Peacock, and Mia Munoz. In the Boys Jr./Sr. 4 X 100-meter race the Fillmore team captured 2nd place in 43.93 and established a new Fillmore High School Track and Field record. This broke the record they set earlier this season. Team members included Jasiah Patterson, Saul Fraga-Sandoval, Joshua Felix, and Nathan Hernandez. In the Girls Jr./Sr. 100-meter hurdles, Yaneli Landin was 14th in 19.21.
In the Girls Frosh/Spho 400-meter run, Alejandra Robles was 24th in 1:19.59. In the Boys Frosh/Spho 400-meter run, Elijah Sandoval finished 23rd in 62.81, and Harley Halcon was 25th in 63.88. In the Girls Jr./Sr. 400-meters Delilah Lupercio placed 13th in 1:06.89, Sarah Cedillos 24th in 1:12.41, and Jessica Aparicio 30th in 1:16.19. In the Boys Varsity 400-meter run, Nathan Hernandez was 12th in 51.95. Alejandra, Elijah, Harley, and Delilah ran personal best times.
In the Boys Frosh/Spho 100, Draco Centurion was 19th in 11.99, Nathan Lepe 43rd in 12.48, Domenic Corona 54th in 12.91, and Francisco Ruiz Jr. 70th in 13.87. In Boys Jr./Sr. 100m, Saul Fraga-Sandoval won the event in 11.03, Jasiah Patterson was 21st in 11.66, and Joshua Felix 35th on 11.87. Saul set a new Fillmore High School record in the 100 meters, erasing a long-standing record of 11.05, formerly held by Ken Stout, Joe Cook, and Mike Burt. The former records were set in 1959, 1961, and in 1980. In the Girls Frosh/Spho 100 meters, Barbara Soltero was 27th in 14.21, Emma Ortiz 41st in 14.76, and Giselle Villareal 47th in 15.15.

In the Girls Jr./Sr. 100, Kimberly Magana was 2nd in 12.50, Janessa Corona 8th in 13.25, and Mia Munoz 12th in 13.38. Draco, Nathan, Domenic, Barbara, Giselle, Saul, and Jasiah ran personal best times.
In the Girls Jr./Sr. 300-meter hurdles, Yaneli Landin was 9th in 53.59.
In Boys Frosh/Spho 4 X 200, Fillmore placed 5th in 1:41.95. Team members were Dominic Corona, Draco Centurion, Nathan Lepe, and Orlando Vigil Tello. Team #2 finished 12th in 1:50.14. Team members were Jack Ignacio, Harley Halcon, Elijah Sandoval, and Francisco Ruiz Jr.
In the Girls Jr./Sr. long jump, Janessa Corona placed 4th with a personal best leap of 16’ 04”. In the Boys Jr./Sr. Long jump, Saul Fraga-Sandoval placed 3rd with a jump of 20’ 10”, Jasiah Patterson was 14th in 18’ 08”, and Joshua Felix 29th in 17’ 04”.
In the Girls Jr./Sr. Triple jump, Sarah Cedillos was 8th in 30’ 08.25”, and Delilah Lupercio was 13th in 29’ 04”. This was a personal best jump for Delilah. In the Jr./Sr. Triple Jump, Jasiah Patterson lept 43’ 00”, and set a new Fillmore High School Record. The former record of 42’ 4.5” was set in 1987 by Chris Wright.
In the Boys Frosh/Spho high jump, Nathan Lepe placed 15th in a leap of 5’ 00’ and teammate Jack Ignacio lept 4’ 10”. Both Nathan and Jack had personal best jumps. In the Girls Jr./Sr. high jump, Yaneli Landin was 7th, jumping 4’ 08”. In the Boys Jr./Sr. High jump, Isaiah Meza was 13th in 5’ 04”.
In the Girls Frosh/Spho shot put, Lucy Murrillo was 3rd in 27’ 4.75”, Desiree Marrufo 11th in 24’ 01”, Teresa Rangel 14th in 22’ 02.5”, Sophia Rivera 15th in 22’ 02”, and Karla Bueno 28th in 18’ 9.5”. This was a personal best throw for Teresa. In the Boys Frosh/Spho shot put, Elijah Prado was 22nd in 33’ 00”, Nathaniel Tafoya 24th in 32’ 10.5”, Joshua Morales 25th in 32’ 10”, and Joseph Aguilar 26th in 32’ 5.25”. In the Girls Jr./Sr. shot put, Hermelinda Ocegueda won the event heaving the shot 33’ 00”. She was followed by Adrianna Deleon 3rd in 31’ 09.5”, Emily Soltero 14th in 26’ 07”, Valerie Rodriguez 25th in 23’ 6.5”, and Nancy Anguiano 27th in 22’ 11.25”. This was a personal best toss for Nancy. In the Boys Jr./Sr. shot put, Marcus Lechuga was 12th in 39’ 3.75”, Isaac Rivera 17th in 38’ 7.5”, Isaiah Meza 19th in 38’ 6.25”, Emanuel Velazquez 22nd in 36’ 5.5”, and Valentin Garcia 33rd in 33’ 10.25”.
Lucy Murrillo won the Girls F/S discus with a toss of 80’ 06”. She was followed by Desiree Marrufo 3rd in 66’ 05”, Teresa Rangel 5th in 62’ 08”, Sophia Rivera 15th in 57’ 11”, and Karla Bueno 21st in 53’ 00”. This was a personal best throw for Sophia. In the Boys Frosh/Spho discus, Nathaniel Tafoya was 15th in 85’ 10”. He was followed by Joseph Aguilar 27th in 72’ 08”, Elijah Prado 31st in 71’ 06”, and Joshua Morales 40th in 61’ 04”. Elijah had a personal best throw. In the Girls Jr./Sr. discus Adrianna Deleon placed 5th in 96’ 08”. She was followed by Hermelinda Ocegueda 12th in 82’ 10”, Emily Soltero 18th in 73’ 08”, Valerie Rodriguez 30th in 63’ 05”, and Nancy Anguiano 40th in 49’ 01”. In the Boys Jr./Sr, discus, Isaiah Meza was Fillmore’s top finisher in 3rd place, tossing the discus 120’ 07”. He was followed by Isaac Rivera 4th in 120’ 01”, Marcus Lechuga 5th in 119’ 00”, Valentin Garcia 26th in 95’ 07”, and Emanuel Velazquez 30th in 92’ 07”. Marcus Lechuga had a personal best throw.

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On 03/08/2026, just before noon, deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to the 400 block of Fillmore Street reference a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle matching the description leaving the area and attempted to initiate a traffic enforcement stop. The vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued resulting in the suspect driving through Central Park and onto the pedestrian walkway near Fillmore City Hall, damaging permanent stanchions.
Based on several safety factors, patrol deputies cancelled the pursuit.
Within a few minutes of cancelling the pursuit, at about 12:46 PM, Sheriff’s Dispatch received numerous 911 calls of a hit and run traffic collision at La Plaza Market located at 1055 Ventura Street in Fillmore. Reporting parties described three occupants as fleeing the vehicle which matched the description of the vehicle involved in the pursuit.
Patrol units swarmed to the scene and requested emergency medical services respond for an adult male who was injured from the traffic collision. Additional units responded to the area where diligent members of the community had reported the suspects fled. With the community’s assistance, deputies were able to locate two suspects, including the driver, a 22-year-old Fillmore resident – (S) Brian Valencia. Valencia is currently on felony probation for robbery. A passenger, (S) Gavin Aguilar, was also arrested.
Valencia was arrested for violations of Vehicle Code § 23153(b) – [Driving While Under the Influence Causing Injury], Vehicle Code § 2800.2(a) – [Evading], Vehicle Code § 14601.(a) – [Driving on Suspended License], Vehicle Code § 20001(a) – [Leaving Scene of Accident], Penal Code 381(b) – [Possession of Nitrous Oxide], and Penal Code § 594(b)(1) – [Vandalism]. Aguilar was arrested for Vehicle Code § 20001(a) – [Leaving Scene of Accident]. Both suspects were transported to the Main Jail where they were booked for the offenses pending court proceedings.
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: 03/10/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Community: Fillmore Pursuit Result in Arrests
Nature of Incident: Fillmore Pursuit Result in Arrests
Report Number: 26-30428
Location: La Plaza Market (1055 Ventura Street), Fillmore
Date & Time: 03/08/2026, 11:40 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent; City of Residence; Age
(V) Adult Male, Fillmore, N/A
(S) Brian Valencia, Fillmore, 22
(S) Gavin Aguilar, Camarillo, 22
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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).

On Saturday, March 7, at approximately 4:10 p.m., a Fillmore Police Deputy was involved in a collision with an E-Bike on Max Pina Way, behind the Fillmore Police Department. The Fillmore Fire Department and AMR Paramedics responded to evaluate the juvenile driver. No ambulance transport was made. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting a Proclamation was given in honor of Women’s History Month, pictured above is Mayor Albert Mendez presenting the Proclamation.

City Of Fillmore City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:30 Pm at City Hall Agenda
Final Vote:
Item 4 - Approval of Agenda - Villasenor motion, Broggie second, 5-0 pass
Items 8A through 8 E - Consent Calendar - Villasenor motion, Garnica second, 5-0 pass
Item 9A - Approval of Off-site improvement agreement and license agreement with People’s Self Help Housing project at Santa Clara St and Palm Ave - Villasenor motion, Rodriguez second, 5-0 pass
Item 9B - Mid-year financial report for FY 25-26 and approval of mid-year budget adjustment recommendations - Rodriguez motion, Garnica second, 5-0 pass
Item 9C - First reading of Ordinance 26-992, Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-03 removing one-third retail requirement from Central Business District Core - Villasenor motion, Rodriguez second, 5-0 pass
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1. Call To Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval Of Agenda
5. Presentations
5.A Proclamation - Women’s History Month
Proclamation - Women’s History Month.pdf
6. Public Comments
7. City Council Reports, Recommendations, Committee, Commission, And Board Reports
8. Consent Calendar
Recommendation For Item 8.A Through 8.E. Is to Approve by Voice Vote.
8.A February 10, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf
8.B February 24, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Minutes February 24, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf
8.C City of Fillmore Warrant Register-March 10, 2026, City of Fillmore Warrant Register-March 10, 2026.Pdf
8.D Second Reading to Adopt Ordinance No. 26-993 to Amend Article II of Chapter 1.09 of The Fillmore Municipal Code (Administrative Remedies: Continuing Violations).
Sr - Second Reading of Adu Ordinance Update.pdf
8.E Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Financial Services for Audit Services for Community Facilities District No. 5 Improvement Area A And B Cost Reimbursement Requests
Sr - Contract for Willdan Financial Services Audit Services.pdf
9. New Business
9.A Consideration of Offsite Improvement Agreement and License Agreement for Public Improvements Related to the Peoples Self Help Housing Project Located at Santa Clara Street and Palm Avenue
Sr - PSHH Offsite Improvement Agreement.pdf
9.B Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Financial Report for Fiscal Year
2025-26 And Approval of the Mid-Year Budget Adjustment Recommendations
Sr - 25-26 Mid-Year Budget Final.pdf
9.C Consideration of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-03, Ordinance
26-992 Removing the One-Third Retail Requirement from the Central Business District Core and Adoption of Exemption from CEQA
Sr-One Third Retail
10. City Manager
City Manager Verbal Report
- Erf Grant Update
- Well 10 Schedule and Update
- C Street Closure and Sewer Project
- Street Maintenance Report Update
11. Adjournment
Mayor Albert Mendez Adjourns to the Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting At 6:30 P.m. On Tuesday March 24, 2026, City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, Ca 93015.

Fillmore High School competed at the 2026 Mock Trial competition which is coordinated annually by the Ventura County Office of Education. The event brings courtroom drama to life as students take on the roles of participants in a criminal case, including attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs, and journalists. The students present their cases in real courtrooms before actual judges. Local attorneys volunteer to serve as scorers. This year’s fictitious case is People v. Fromholz, which is about the death of a celebrity judge on a TV cooking show.
The following are Awards given to FHS participants:
MVP Award: Isabel Arredondo; Commitment to Excellence Award: Faith Marcelino; Prosecution Attorney: Isabel Arrendondo; Defense Attorney: Christine Nguyen (5th of 8) who represented Fillmore in the competition. A special thank you to Advisor Steven Geddes.

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Fillmore Middle School student Samuel Eligado (pictured right) took 3rd place at the 2026 Sage Ventura County Spelling Bee. Fillmore Middle School Principal Jenny Plugge said, “We are so proud of Samuel. Look at that trophy! We also want to thank Mr. Alamillo for his commitment to providing our students with this opportunity.” Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, congratulated the winners and said they will represent Ventura County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee held May 26–28 of this year in Washington, D.C.

By Linda Nunes
Fillmore Civic Pride Volunteers has selected the yard at 239 Sierra Vista, belonging to Patrick Beekman, for the March “Yard of the Month” Award. Patrick is the grandson of Marie Wren, former homeowner and the first Little Library showing the Historical Museum Depot, built by Jack Stethem, still stands proudly out front with a Red Yucca & Aeoniums at the base.
Patrick said his brother, Andrew Beekman, designed the drought tolerant, easy to manage yard while his grandmother was still living.
Patrick has lived there for 5 years & appreciates that the yard is environmentally friendly & welcoming to many Monarch Butterflies, that feed on the Milkweed plants along the side yard. Vines of Oregon Grape that have not leafed out yet, cover the wall between houses. In the Fall it will be beautiful with red & orange colors.
His neighbor, Robert Quezada, is his gardener & maintains the yard.
The large Foxtail Agaves anchor the yard with smaller Thread Agaves at their base & Mexican Bird of Paradise shrubs with yellow blooms show up behind. A large Manzanita, Arcto Staphylos, holds the right corner of the yard. The plants are planted in a gravel ground cover with stone pathways. Along the path are French Lavender, Aeonium haworthii- Pinwheel on the ground & almost black Aeonium Swarzkopf in large pots toward the entry.