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On Wednesday evening, July 8, 2026, county patrol units were dispatched to a domestic disturbance call at the Ventura KOA located in Santa Paula.
Prior to arrival, dispatch advised the male subject had left the area in a gray truck. A responding deputy spotted the vehicle at 10th Street and Main Street and initiated a traffic stop. The driver failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit began.
The driver drove through Santa Paula and on SR-126, reaching speeds around 100 mph. The driver exited off Peck Road, running several stop signs.
While driving on a dirt road between Peck Road and Briggs Road, the vehicle lost control and was involved in a TC rollover.
The vehicle landed on its roof in a field near Faulkner Road.
The Ventura County Fire Department and AMR paramedics, along with Santa Paula PD and CHP responded to assist. The driver was transported by AMR to Santa Paula ER with unknown injuries. During this time, the driver was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

On Saturday, July 4, at 11:40pm, a call went out for a fire at the Fillmore High School Sports Complex construction site, that ignited building insulation stacked on wood pallets. Pictured is the aftermath of the fire. Fillmore Engine 91 responded, along with Ventura County Fire. The fire was put down in about three hours; Fillmore Engine 91 stayed on scene until approximately 7am. Common insulation materials include fiberglass, wool, cellulose, and rigid foam. The incident is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

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On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 4:10pm, the Chloe Fire ignited, burning over 100 acres near the Los Angeles and Ventura County lines, west of Val Verde and north of SR-126, Castaic. By Thursday morning it was 38% contained at 282-acres, with forward progress stopped. No evacuations were required, and no injuries or structural damage were reported. Pictured is a view of the smoke from Hasley Canyon to the east. Photo credit Kai Willen. Inset, a helicopter about to make a water drop on the flames. Cause of the fire is under investigation.

A STOP sign has been installed at the Central Avenue exit of the city parking lot, located between the 200 block of Fillmore Street and Central, north of SR-126. A young boy was hit on his E-bike at the location on June 5, 2025, and taken to a local hospital. The exit has a blind corner, and the sign will serve to stop drivers from rolling onto the sidewalk without stopping first. Thank you, City of Fillmore, for working to keep our citizens safe. Photo credit Gazette staff.

Join us for a night of fireworks in Fillmore! The City of Fillmore will host a professional fireworks display on Friday, July 3, at 9:00 PM. The show will be launched from the grassy field at Fillmore Middle School, located at 543 A Street. Bring your family, find a great viewing spot, and enjoy the celebration! Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore.

Pictured is SC River Conservancy President Ron Merkord, along with board member Heather Miranda, speaking at last week’s Fillmore City Council. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Also pictured is a wildlife viewing platform near the Santa Clara River.

Santa Clara River Conservancy President Ron Merkord President, along with board member Heather Miranda, spoke at last week’s Fillmore City Council meeting emphasizing awareness of habitat restoration and preserving the water supply along the Santa Clara River. The conservancy has already restored over 800 acres of riparian habitat. Their flagship project is the Cienega Springs Ecological Reserve on property just behind the Fillmore Fish Hatchery, which is owned by CDFW. This reserve consists of 234 acres of once degraded habitat, some of which was once a watercress farm, and much of which was covered in Arundo donax and tamarisk. This 4-year restoration project is now almost complete, with over 60,000 native plants put in. This project also features public access trails down to the river, with wildlife viewing platforms and rest areas along the ADA accessible trails.