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.

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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.
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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!!!

On Monday, December 29, Santa Ana winds barreled through Fillmore with gusts ranging from 35-55 miles per hour throughout the day. Highway 126 had some Palm Fronds in the road early Tuesday morning. Photo credit Gazette staff.

Courtesy https://emergency.venturacounty.gov/
Last Updated: December 30, 2025 @ 8:13 AM
WEATHER SUMMARY
Moderate to strong Santa Ana Winds are expected to impact Ventura County Monday through Tuesday. Some isolated wind-related power outages have been reported due to damaged equipment or fallen trees. For additional information on power outages, please visit the Southern California Edison Outage Map: https://www.sce.com/outages-safety/outage-center/check-outage-status.
By Wednesday evening, the current wind event will give way to another round of rain storms. The first storm system is expected to deliver between 1.50 and 3.00 inches to coasts and valleys, while foothills and mountains may see 2.00 to 5.oo inches total. Average intensities for this first storm will range from 0.20 to 0.60 inches per hour, with peak rates anticipated overnight New Year’s Eve through noon New Year’s Day.
The second, lighter storm will bring cold and rain Thursday night into Friday, with total rainfall rates in the 0.50 to 1.00 inch range. The extended forecast is showing a break in the rain after this weekend into the middle of next week.
To follow the weather forecast, visit the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/lox/.
For observed local rainfall rates, please visit the Ventura County Public Works Agency Flood Warning System: https://vcwatershed.net/fws/rain-map/.

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During the late weeks of November 2025, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) served a signed search warrant in the 200 block of South Glenn Drive in the City of Camarillo reference a felonious assault that had occurred in the City of Camarillo on 11/10/2025. During the warrant service, detectives located approximately 623 gross grams of cocaine, narcotics packaging material, and over $7,000 dollars of United States Currency which is believed to be direct proceeds of illegal drug sales. In addition, detectives located an unregistered loaded 9mm Ruger pistol.
Based on the evidence located, detectives were able to develop probable cause to arrest Leonardo Amador for California Health and Safety Code Section 11351 – [ Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales], California Health and Safety Code Section 11370.1(a) – [ Possession of a Controlled Substance with a loaded firearm] and California Penal Code Section 27545– [ Unlawful Transfer of a firearm].
On 12/13/2025, Leonardo was contacted in the City of Santa Paula by Fillmore Patrol deputies with his girlfriend who was later identified as Mariah Quintana. During the arrest, Fillmore patrol deputies located additional cocaine in Leonardo’s vehicle. As a result, Leonardo was arrested for the aforementioned criminal charges and additional narcotic related charges. In addition, Mariah was arrested for California Health and Safety Code Section 11550(a) – [ Under the influence of a controlled substance]. Both Leonardo and Mariah were later transported to the Ventura County Main Jail where they were booked on numerous criminal charges. During the booking process, Mariah admitted to possessing additional cocaine concealed on her person.
On 12/16/2025, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (VCDA), elected to file one count of H&S 11351 and one count of H&S 11370.1(a), in addition the VCDA’s Office filed additional enhancements for the large quantity of illicit controlled substances seized.
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 Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Frank W. Corona
News Release Date: 12/17/2025
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
Booking Photo Release: NO
***
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).
***
Nature of Incident: Large Narcotic, Cash and Gun seizure
Report Number: 25-149233
Location: 200 Block Glenn Drive, Camarillo South 10th Street, Santa Paula
Date & Time: 11/20/2025 – 1100 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), West County Special Enforcement Unit (WCSEU), Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT), Fillmore Investigations, Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Leonardo Amador, Camarillo, 25
(S) Mariah Quintana, Camarillo, 23

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Fillmore Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Denise Berrington said, “Last week at the Fillmore High School Athletic Complex, crews poured the concrete for the gym floor and completed backfilling of the stormwater capture system. Temporary work platforms are being installed to allow crews to safely continue building the concrete block walls and prepare for the next concrete pour. This work helps support the structure as construction moves upward.
With deep underground utility work nearing completion, foundation and concrete slab work for the Lobby, Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Wrestling Rooms, Athletic Training Rooms, and Coaches’ Offices is scheduled to begin next week.
The anticipated construction completion date for the project is February 2027. We look forward to sharing continued progress as this exciting project takes shape!”

A winter storm is expected to Ventura County Tuesday through Friday this week. The forecast is predicting approximately 2-4.5 inches of rain. For all alerts and updates visit https://emergency.venturacounty.gov/. Photo credit Sebastian Ramirez.
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Courtesy https://emergency.ventura
county.gov/
Last Updated: December 23, 2025 @ 8:26 AM
An atmospheric river impacting Central and Northern California is expected to move into Ventura County from Tuesday through Friday, with the heaviest rainfall anticipated overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, including Christmas Eve. Light rain is expected to begin Tuesday, intensifying overnight as a low pressure system develops offshore, bringing strong southerly winds that will enhance rainfall along south facing mountain slopes.
Rainfall totals from Tuesday through Wednesday are forecast at approximately 2 to 4.5 inches in coastal and valley areas and 4 to 8 inches in foothill and mountain areas. Localized higher totals of 8 to 12 inches are possible in the mountains above Ojai and the Upper Sespe, depending on storm track and timing. Peak rainfall rates are expected to reach 0.2 to 0.6 inches per hour in coastal and valley areas and 0.9 to 1.5 inches per hour in south facing mountain slopes.
Additional storm systems are expected from Christmas Day through Friday, bringing another 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain to coastal and valley areas and 1.5 to 5 inches in foothill and mountain regions.
As a result of the forecasted weather, several EVACUATION ORDERS and EVACUATION WARNINGS have been issued for select Ventura County areas. This information may be viewed below or on the Incident Dashboard: https://vcoes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e15ca0d2737d43cea6514043e6....
For additional information on the weather forecast, please visit the National Weather Service online https://www.weather.gov/lox/localareaforecast.
EVACUATION INFORMATION
Evacuation Orders
- Ventura Beach RV Resort – City of Ventura
A warning is presently in effect for this area and will be upgraded to an EVACUATION ORDER Effective 12/23/25 at 6:00PM – 12/24/25 at 6:00PM
A map of the affected areas can be found on the Realtime Incident Information Dashboard: https://vcoes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e15ca0d2737d43cea6514043e6....
Evacuation Warnings
Mountain Fire Burn Scar – (Unincorporated Camarillo)
- Effective 12/23/25 at 6:00PM – 12/24/25 at 6:00PM
Matilija Canyon/North Fork/Camino Cielo – (Unincorporated Ojai)
- Effective 12/23/25 at 6:00PM – 12/24/25 at 6:00PM
Community of Camp Chaffee / Foster Park – (Unincorporated Ventura)
- Effective 12/23/25 at 6:00PM – 12/24/25 at 6:00PM
A map of the affected areas can be found on the Realtime Incident Information Dashboard
Advisories: https://vcoes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e15ca0d2737d43cea6514043e6....
A HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 6:00 pm through Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 6:00 pm for:
- La Conchita Community (Unincorporated Ventura)
- Creek Road from Hwy 33 East to Encino Drive (Unincorporated Ojai)
A weather system moving through the area is expected to produce periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, including short bursts of high-intensity rain. These rainfall rates may exceed the capacity of storm drains, creeks, and roadways, creating a heightened risk of flash flooding. Flooding may occur rapidly with little warning, particularly in low-lying areas, urban locations with poor drainage, burn scar areas, and along small streams and washes.
During periods of intense rainfall, roads may become impassable due to standing water, mud, or debris, and localized damage to property and infrastructure is possible. Residents and motorists should remain alert to changing conditions, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and be prepared to take immediate action if flooding develops. Conditions can change quickly, and impacts may occur even outside of forecasted rainfall totals due to brief but intense downpours.
Areas included within the HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORY area will be notified by VC Alert on Tuesday afternoon. For more information on the affected areas, visit the incident MAP.
SANDBAG INFORMATION
Ventura County Fire Stations
Self-service sandbag supplies are available at many Ventura County Fire stations. For a list of locations, visit https://fire.venturacounty.gov/sandbag-stations/.
Station 27 Fillmore, 133 C St., Fillmore, 93015, (805) 524-6610
Station 28 Piru, 513 N. Church St., P.O. Box 317, Piru, 93040, (805) 524-6620