On Saturday, August 29, at approximately 11:45 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department responded to a reported fire in the 1400 block of Goodenough Road. Arriving firefighters located a 15‑by‑15-foot spot fire with a slow rate of spread. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing further growth. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

On 08/26/2026, (S) 26-year-old Santa Paula resident, Cyriss Castillo was arrested for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
On 08/25/2026, at about 11:47 PM, patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded to the Santa Clara Riverbed near the 12th Street bridge in unincorporated Santa Paula reference an assault which had just occurred. As deputies arrived, they contacted adult witnesses who led them into the riverbed to an adult male suffering from multiple injuries, including head trauma. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.
As the investigation unfolded, deputies identified Cyriss Castillo as the suspect who had fled the area prior to law enforcement arrival. Patrol deputies, with the assistance of Santa Paula Police officers searched the area but did not find Castillo.
On 08/26/2026, Santa Paula Police officers located and detained Castillo pursuant to our investigation. Detectives from the Fillmore Detective Unit coordinated with Santa Paula Police, responded to Santa Paula and continued the investigation. As a result, they obtained evidence linking Castillo to the assault. Castillo was subsequently arrested for a violation of Penal Code § 245(a)(4) – [Assault with Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury].
Castillo was transported to the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked for the above offense 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: 08/27/2026
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Felony Assault
Report Number: 26-111350
Location: Santa Clara Riverbed, unincorporated Santa Paula
Date & Time: 08/25/2026 @ 11:47 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(V) Adult Male, Santa Paula,
(S) Cyriss Castillo, Santa Paula, 26
***
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).

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Above, Piru residents enjoy a special viewing of episodes 1 and 2 of the new series “Lanterns,” produced by Warner Bros. The series was filmed in Piru for four months in 2025. Photo courtesy of the Piru Neighborhood Council.
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By Ken Wiseman, President, Piru Neighborhood Council
PIRU — Residents gathered downtown Aug. 29 for a community viewing event celebrating Warner Bros.’ Lanterns, the new series that filmed in Piru for four months in 2025 and transformed much of the town’s downtown area through three major set changes.
The event, sponsored by the Piru Neighborhood Council, followed an earlier announcement at Piru Community Park, where residents were first told that the series would launch Aug. 16. After noting the economic support, the production brought to the community, the council encouraged residents to wait before watching the first two episodes so Piru could experience them together at a special downtown screening.
The Aug. 29 screening brought residents to Center Street, which was closed for the occasion, for what organizers described as a one-of-a-kind superhero celebration.
Although the temporary Rushville sets—including the two-story sheriff’s station, diner façades, storefronts, and cemetery memorial—had been removed, attendees watched Episodes 1 and 2 of Lanterns Season 1 on a 10-by-8-foot LED screen set up in the middle of Center Street. For many viewers, the experience was especially memorable because several scenes appeared to unfold near the same downtown locations where they were seated.
The evening included free popcorn, water bottles, raffle prizes and coupons for local businesses. Raffle winners received Warner Bros. Lanterns posters and two pairs of tickets to Warner Bros. Studio Tours. Attendees also received $2-coupons redeemable at nearby restaurants, the local market, and a shaved ice truck.
A two-hour pre-screening party featured music from local DJ Chris & Tristen Rodriguez, who played vinyl records leading up to the 8 p.m. showing. A 15-minute intermission was held between episodes. After the screening, attendees continued the celebration at Corazon de Piru, where the event coupons could be used for food and drinks.
Organizers credited the event’s success to support from numerous volunteers. CERT team representatives Irene and Roy Ruiz, Paul Alverdi and Michael Chinery assisted throughout the evening. Betty-Lou Wiseman and Annie Ruiz helped with popcorn and ice cream, while volunteers from the San Salvadore Youth Group, Myla Puebla and Marrissa Calderon staffed the registration table.
The Piru Neighborhood Council also thanked the Fillmore Sheriff’s Department for sending four deputies, who helped provide public safety support and community policing during the event.
Technology support was coordinated by James Lantiegne, Donald Pierce, and Kat Jauch, who oversaw sound and streaming for both the outdoor Center Street viewing area and the indoor viewing at Corazon de Piru. Additional volunteers included Julie Lantiegne and Rick McDaniel. Artwork was created for our 2-different announcement flyers by Lisa Crockatt and Kevin Brock, and Juana Aguilar was a big help with marketing.
Organizers said the first two episodes were well received and announced plans to continue screening the remaining six episodes at Corazon de Piru on upcoming Saturday nights.
The council said the community remains grateful to Warner Bros. for choosing Piru as part of the Lanterns production and for supporting the downtown viewing event. Organizers said the filming experience brought pride, excitement, and economic support to the community.

Photo courtesy Rick Castaniero, President, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall

Santa Paula, California — 2026
With sadness, anger, and concern for future generations, we announce the impending death of Santa Paula Hospital, serving Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, and the Santa Clara Valley for more than six decades.
Its death will not be from natural causes.
Santa Paula Hospital will die from a political decision by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
Born in 1963, Santa Paula Hospital was one of only three California hospitals built through community donations. After bankruptcy closed it in 2003, Ventura County purchased and reopened it in 2005.
It was never simply a building. It was our emergency room, safety net, and assurance that when something went terribly wrong, hospital care was close to home.
Over time, services disappeared. The ICU and maternity units closed. Plans for a new East Area 2 hospital were abandoned. Deferred maintenance accumulated. Now residents will travel outside the Valley, including to Ventura County Medical Center, for hospital-level care.
Meanwhile, the Ventura County Health Care Agency has received approximately $98 million in grants, incentives, and advances since 2023 to sustain the County hospital and clinic system amid financial difficulties.
Yet Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru are being asked to surrender their hospital.
Santa Paula deserves an accounting of the decisions, spending, planning, and leadership that brought us here.
When the beautiful hospital on the hill takes its last breath among roses nurtured by community volunteers, history should remember who closed it, who warned them, what alternatives existed—and which community paid the price.
No services are planned. The community wishes to grieve among those who loved and cared for this hospital—without elected officials, selfies, or Blue-Ribbon Committees.
In lieu of flowers, the community requests continued advocacy for emergency hospital care in the Santa Clara Valley.
Rick Castaniero, President, Santa Paula Latino Town Hall

On Saturday, August 22, at 9:42 p.m., the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported two‑vehicle accident at the intersection of Ventura Street and C Street. Arriving firefighters located a white vehicle with moderate damage and a white van with minor damage. Minor injuries were reported.
During the investigation, deputies determined that one driver was operating a vehicle under the influence. The individual was cited and released for violations of California Vehicle Code 23153(a) and 23153(b), which involve driving under the influence and causing injury.
A second individual was arrested for California Penal Code 272 — Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The subject was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance and subsequently booked at the Ventura County Main Jail Facility.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the Fillmore Police Department.

Arron is pictured at the Busy Bee Cafe in downtown Ventura, California.

NEW YORK, New York (August 22, 2026) - Arron Renee Diaz, formerly of Fillmore, California will appear in the bright lights of Times Square on Saturday, September 12, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video Presentation. The one-hour video of 500+ photographs includes children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 12 countries. These collective images highlight individuals with Down syndrome in the most visible way – on two screens in the heart of Times Square.
The photo of Arron was selected from more than 2,700 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Her photo will be shown on two Jumbotron screens thanks to the support of Clear Channel Outdoor. The two screens are above Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square. The presentation will be livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page from 8:30-9:30am ET on September 12.   
The Times Square Video Presentation kicks off the New York City Buddy Walk®, which takes place at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. This flagship Buddy Walk® has taken place in New York City since 1995 as part of the National Buddy Walk® Program. Over 150 Buddy Walk events are held in communities across the country and select international locations. For more information about the New York City Buddy Walk on September 12 or the National Buddy Walk Program, please visit www.ndss.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 21, 2026
City Council contests for District 1 (Short Term), District 3, and District 4 will not appear on the November ballot; Fillmore voters may still vote in all other races and measures for which they are eligible.
FILLMORE, CA – The Fillmore City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-4127 on August 19, 2026, appointing the qualified nominated candidates to the offices of Councilmember for District 1 (Short Term), District 3, and District 4, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10229.
The November 3 General Election is still taking place
The City Council’s action does not cancel the November 3, 2026 General Election. Fillmore residents will still be able to vote and will receive ballots for the upcoming General Election. The Council’s action applies only to the City of Fillmore City Council contests for District 1 (Short Term), District 3, and District 4. Those three City Council offices will not appear as contested City Council races on the November 3 ballot. Fillmore voters will continue to have the opportunity to vote for all other federal, state, county, and other local contests and measures for which they are eligible in the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Why were the City Council candidates appointed?
Following the close of the nomination period, the number of qualified candidates for the three City Council offices did not exceed the number of offices to be filled. Only one qualified candidate was nominated for each of the three available City Council offices.
Under California Elections Code Section 10229, when no more than one person has been nominated for an office elected by a legislative district, the City Council may appoint the nominated candidate to the office rather than proceed with an election for that office. The City Council also had the option of directing that the election for those offices proceed.
After completing the process required by state law, the City Council elected to appoint the nominated candidates and cancel the November 3, 2026 municipal election contests for the three affected City Council offices.
The candidates appointed are:
• District 1 – Short Term: Mario Rodriguez
• District 3 – Full Term: Albert Mendez
• District 4 – Full Term: Carrie Broggie
Under Elections Code Section 10229, each appointed candidate will qualify, take office, and serve as though elected at a municipal election.
What This Means for Fillmore Voters
Is the November 3, 2026 General Election canceled?
No. The November 3, 2026 General Election will still take place. The City Council’s action only removes the three affected Fillmore City Council contests from the election.
Will Fillmore voters still receive a ballot?
Yes. Active registered voters will still receive a ballot for the November 3 General Election.
Will I still be able to vote on November 3?
Yes. Fillmore voters may still vote in all federal, state, county, and other local races and measures for which they are eligible.
Why will there not be an election for the three Fillmore City Council offices? Only one qualified candidate was nominated for each available City Council office. California Elections Code Section 10229 allows the City Council, under these circumstances, to appoint the nominated candidates rather than conduct an election for those offices.
Which Fillmore City Council offices are affected?
The action applies to:
• Councilmember, District 1 – Short Term
• Councilmember, District 3 – Full Term
• Councilmember, District 4 – Full Term
The City encourages all eligible residents to remain engaged and participate in the November 3, 2026 General Election.
For additional information regarding the City of Fillmore’s municipal elections, residents may visit the City’s Elections webpage at www.fillmoreca.gov/1325/Elections or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 524-3701.
For statewide voter information, registration deadlines, ballot information, and other election resources, voters may also visit the California Secretary of State’s Elections website.
Press Release Prepared by: Angel Garcia, Sr. Management Analyst
Follow the City of Fillmore on Instagram @cityoffillmore, Facebook: City of Fillmore.