Courtesy David Andersen

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of this Fillmore town favorite, Crackers
He absolutely loved surfing on the trunk of my car as we would run errands around town. Dancing one side to the other, leaning into the curves, bracing for a dip in the road.

He made countless friends. Always had an eye out for a strange dog or cat that he could curse at in “Dog Speak”. Loved driving by schools during breaks, kids would cheer and he’d give them the Captain Morgan pose, head up and chest out.

His job title was Director of Security. Nothing ever came up missing out of my car when he was on duty.
Rest in Peace, Crackers. You were a loved and valued member of our family.

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, at approximately 7:47 P.M., the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Ventura Communications Center received a call of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 126, east of Fillmore.

Upon arrival, CHP units and emergency personnel found an unresponsive 71-year-old male trapped within the driver seat of a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. There was also a 53-year-old male with major injuries trapped within the driver seat of a 2019 Honda Odyssey.

The initial investigation determined the 53-year-old male from Ventura was driving the Honda westbound on State Route 126, east of Fillmore, at approximately 60 MPH.

For unknown reasons, the driver allowed the Honda to travel into eastbound lanes directly into the path of the oncoming Volkswagen, where they crashed head-on. The driver of the Volkswagen received fatal injuries as a result of this crash. The driver of the Honda was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital by ambulance with major injuries.

No arrests were made, and the involvement of alcohol/drugs is still unknown.

This incident resulted in the closure of the eastbound lanes of State Route 126 for approximately 45 minutes while CHP officers conducted the on-scene investigation. At approximately 8:30 P.M., the eastbound lanes were diverted through the center median. The Ventura County Fire Department, American Medical Response (AMR), Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and CalTrans responded to the scene to assist with the extrication, medical care and scene safety. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene.

For additional information regarding the deceased, please contact the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office at (805) 641-4400.

The crash is being investigated by the CHP’s Moorpark area office. Any potential witnesses who have not already given their statements to an investigating officer or have potential dash camera footage of this crash are encouraged to contact the CHP’s Moorpark office at (805) 553-0800.

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Posted on: March 19, 2025, https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=202

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – March 19, 2025– The City of Fillmore is pleased to announce that we have been awarded an Encampment
Resolution Funding (ERF-4-L) grant in the amount of $1,496,069.40 from the California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD). This funding, received under ERF Round 3 Rolling, Window 3, will support our efforts in addressing
homelessness and providing long-term housing solutions in our community.

This vital funding will bolster a comprehensive effort to provide both immediate and long-term housing solutions for
individuals experiencing homelessness in Fillmore and Ventura County. The City of Fillmore is working in collaboration with
SPIRIT of Santa Paula, Ventura County Continuum of Care, Peoples Self Help Housing, Many Mansions, and CalTrans to ensure
the success of this initiative.

Housing Solutions:

SPIRIT of Santa Paula: Shelter and interim housing

Permanent Housing Partnerships: Peoples Self Help Housing and Many Mansions.

These partnerships will help to address the pressing needs of our community’s most vulnerable population by offering secure
and stable housing opportunities. The blend of emergency shelter and permanent housing units is designed to transition
individuals from temporary to permanent housing, ensuring a sustainable resolution to homelessness.

“We are excited to have been granted this opportunity,” said Erika Herrera-Terriquez, City Manager of Fillmore. “This
funding will allow us to make meaningful strides in addressing homelessness in our community by providing safe, stable, and
long-term housing solutions. Our partnerships with local organizations and this critical state funding will significantly
improve the quality of life for those in need and help create a stronger, healthier Fillmore.”

The Encampment Resolution Funding Program is a valuable resource, enabling communities to develop effective strategies to
resolve encampments and create pathways to permanent housing. With this funding, we aim to improve the quality of life for
individuals experiencing homelessness and contribute to the broader efforts to end homelessness in California.

For more information about the program and our initiatives, please contact the City of Fillmore at 805-946-1712 or
eherrera@fillmoreca.gov.

Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Community Contact:

Name: Erika Herrera-Terriquez

Title: City Manager

Phone: 805-946-1712

Email: eherrera@fillmoreca.gov

Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s office
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On 07/25/2025, patrol deputies arrested Juan Manuel Medina-Aguilar for a felony out of state warrant, being under the
influence of a controlled substance, and firearm related charges.

At about 2:30 PM, patrol deputies from the Fillmore Station conducted foot patrol in the Santa Clara river bottom near the
Chambersburg Bridge. This area is in the unincorporated river bottom south of Fillmore.

During their foot patrol, deputies contacted Medina-Aguilar who displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a
controlled substance. Medina-Aguilar was arrested for violation of Health & Safety Code § 11550(a) – [Under the Influence
of a Controlled Substance]. During the contact, deputies located an encampment nearby, believed to be associated with
Medina-Aguilar. Based on the investigation, patrol deputies worked with detectives, who obtained a search warrant for the
encampment in question. As a result of the warrant service, deputies located a loaded .22 caliber revolver, suspected
methamphetamine, and evidence linking Medina-Aguilar to the encampment.

Medina-Aguilar was subsequently arrested for violations of Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of a Controlled
Substance While Armed with a Firearm], Penal Code § 27545 – [Unlawful Firearm Transfer], and Penal Code 23900 – [Possession
of Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number]. Additionally, a records check showed Medina-Aguilar had a felony warrant
from Franklin County, Ohio. Medina-Aguilar was also arrested for the warrant and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention
Facility.

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: 07/29/2025

Approved by:Captain Eduardo Malagon

Booking Photo Release: NO 1

By SCVWF Board of Directors

On Wednesday, 28 and Thursday, 29 of May 2025, the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation honored several graduating students
from Fillmore and Santa Paula High School with the Dr. Alan J. Peterson Scholarship. During the Fillmore High School Award
Assembly on May 28th, Board Member Sandra Perello had the privilege of presenting this scholarship to Luz Canstañeda and Diana
Santa Rosa. The following day, at Santa Paula High School’s Senior Scholarship Night, Board Member Carmen Hernandez awarded
the scholarship to Josefina Tellez, Audry Garza, Nicole Magaña, and Audri Rose Riggatire. This renewable $1,000 scholarship is
designed to support these remarkable students in their pursuit of healthcare undergraduate studies for four years.
Congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable academic accomplishments and commitment!

***

The Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation (SCVWF) provides renewable Scholarships to numerous high school students from Santa
Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. We can do this thanks to ongoing community support and contributions.