Each year the Fillmore Rotary Club presents Graduation Sashes to the seniors who will be going into the military. Rotary member Kelli Couse started this when she realized these students were not recognized at graduation. The students who received sashes this year are Michelle Setty who will be going into the Navy, and Sofia Ibarra who will be going into the Coast Guard. Not pictured is Alexander Ramirez who will be going into the Marines. Pictured right is FHS Principal Cinda Francesa with Michelle Setty and Sofia Ibarra. Photo credit Martha Richardson.

Posted on 5/27/2026 3:34:00 PM, courtesy https://www.vcoe.org/news/ArticleID/10242/
Teen-Journeys-Solo-to-the-US-to-Pursue-His-American-Dream
Juan Garcia will soon walk across the stage at Fillmore High School to receive his diploma. For many of his peers, graduation is an expected milestone. For Juan, it is the hard-won realization of a dream that began thousands of miles away, fueled by sheer determination and an unwavering belief in himself.
He was born in Camarillo, but his family returned to Mexico when he was just eight months old. He grew up on a remote ranch perched on a mountain peak in the Mexican state of Michoacán, surrounded by sheep, horses, and chickens. While his family provided for his basic needs, there was no money to fund his dream of higher education.
At just 14 years old, Juan made a life-altering, courageous decision: he would return to the United States alone.
As a U.S. citizen, he was able to board a plane, but arriving in California without his family was a daunting reality. “It was very scary because nobody was there to help me,” Juan recalls. “But I was not afraid to work to sustain myself.”
That work ethic quickly became his defining trait. Settling first in Camarillo and later moving to Fillmore to find more affordable rent, he became a student at Fillmore High School and did whatever it took to survive. Last year, he balanced a grueling 37-hour work week at a local restaurant with his full-time high school classes. “My eyes were black because of how little sleep I got,” he said, remembering fighting exhaustion while juggling the demands of work and school.
During the years he spent at his family’s remote Mexican ranch, with few nearby resources, Juan developed a talent for finding solutions to his problems out of necessity. That skill turned into a passion for auto repair. “When I lived on the peak of the mountains, I didn’t have mechanics to help me,” Juan said. “That’s why I wanted to learn how to fix cars.”
Back in the U.S., he was determined to hone his craft, so he walked into a local auto shop and asked for a job. Today, he works 20 hours a week at the shop while also running his own mobile mechanic business. It is not uncommon for him to finish a job at two in the morning before heading to school the next day.
Juan credits his English Language Development teachers for helping him find his footing and master his most important asset. “To the immigrants who come here, I tell them to learn English. It is the most powerful tool,” Juan advises. He also expresses deep gratitude to Norma Pérez-Sandford, a counselor with the Fillmore Unified School District, who he describes as “the most wonderful woman in the district.”
When asked about the increasing negativity toward immigrants, Juan responds with empathy rather than anger. “They grew up with a house, with food, not having trouble. They don’t understand how immigrants grow up. In the United States, it is easier to get food and go to school.”
Juan has already registered at Ventura College to earn a degree in automotive technology, with the ultimate goal of opening his own shop in Ventura or Los Angeles. Though his parents can’t attend his graduation, they will be celebrating from Michoacán, knowing they raised a son who took their lessons in self-reliance to heart.
“My principal dream when I came to the United States was to finish high school,” Juan said. “And I’m going to do it.”

The Fillmore Lions Club would like to announce the students from Fillmore High School that were awarded scholarships for 2026. The scholarship award process is rigorous and requires students to submit an essay, community service log and high school transcript. A scholarship review committee is formed to review these requirements, and though all the students were highly qualified, only eight students were selected.
Three types of scholarships are awarded. The first one is the Hank Carrillo Memorial Scholarship. This was awarded to Brayden Ibarra and Casey Spore. The second scholarship is for students seeking an associate’s degree or vocational school and this scholarship was awarded to Diego Tapia and Aideth Gonzalez. And the third scholarship is awarded to those seeking a bachelor’s degree and this scholarship was awarded to Ruby Bronsten, Lizbeth Mendez, Christine Nguyen, and Anndee Bacerra.

On Monday, May 25, 2026, at approximately 1:21pm, officers from the California High Patrol were in pursuit of a white Subaru in the area of Briggs Road and SR 126. The pursuit was headed toward the City of Fillmore and CHP requested our assistance, as the vehicle was registered to an address in the 500 block of Finch Court in Fillmore. The pursuit ended as the male driver arrived at his residence on Finch Court and was detained by deputies and CHP officers. No arrest was made. CHP handled the investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

Above is evidence uncovered during the investigation. Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

On 05/21/2026, Daniel Robles was found to be in possession of a firearm and controlled substances. He was arrested for several felony weapons and drug related offenses.
At about 10:55 AM, patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded to the 1300 block of Goodenough Road in unincorporated Fillmore reference a suspicious vehicle. As deputies arrived, they contacted (S) Daniel Robles as he was exiting his vehicle. As the patrol investigation unfolded, deputies developed probable cause to search Robles and his vehicle. As a result, deputies located a loaded, unregistered firearm, and controlled substances.
Ultimately, Robles was arrested for felony violations of Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed with a Firearm], Penal Code § 27545 – [Unlawful Firearm Transfer], Penal Code § 29805 – [Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm], Health & Safety Code § 11550(e) – [Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance While in Possession of a Firearm], Penal Code § 30305(a)(1) – [Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition], Penal Code § 25400(a) – [Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Vehicle], Health & Safety Code § 11370(a) – [Possession of a Controlled Substance], and Health & Safety Code § 11350(a) – [Possession of a Controlled Substance].
Robles was transported to the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked pending court proceedings.
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: 05/22/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
***
Nature of Incident: Subject Arrested for Firearm & Drug Related Offenses
Report Number: 26-64754
Location: 1300 block of Goodenough Rd, unincorporated Fillmore
Date & Time: 05/21/2026 @ 10:55 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Daniel Robles, Fillmore, 37
***
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 Friday, May 15, Fillmore Police Department held a Driver’s License & DUI Checkpoint on Central Avenue, north of Ventura Street from 6pm to 1am. A total of 293 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and 248 drivers were contacted. Above and below are some photos of the officers conducting sobriety tests on drivers. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Police Department conducted a Driver’s License/DUI Checkpoint on May 15th, 2026, on Central Ave between Ventura Street and Santa Clara Street from 6:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M., in the city of Fillmore. Ventura County Sheriff’s Office personnel were assisted by the Oxnard Police Department Motor Traffic Unit. A total of 293 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, with 248 drivers being contacted.
Two drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (23152(a) CVC) and Driving with a Blood Alcohol Level of 0.08% or More (23152(b) CVC). One driver was arrested for Delaying or Obstructing a Peace Officer (148(a)(1) PC). One driver was arrested for Concealing One’s Identity while in the Commission of a Crime (185 PC). One driver was arrested for Illegal Concealment of a Firearm (25400 PC). Additionally, 20 drivers were cited for various vehicle code violations including Failure to Obey Signs (21460(a) CVC) and Driving while Unlicensed (12500(a) CVC).
DUI Checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving- related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the roadway.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Fillmore Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Prepared by: Deputy Chennault
News Release Date: 05/20/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon, Chief of Police
***
Nature of Incident: Five People Arrested during Driver’s License / DUI Checkpoint
Location: Fillmore, Ca
Date & Time: May 15th, 2026 (6:00 PM to 1:00 AM)
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Camarillo Police Department – Traffic Bureau, Oxnard Police Department – Traffic Bureau