Santa Paula Times

10/06/2025

BREAKING NEWS: OCTOBER 6

Santa Paulan killed in Monday Foothill Road crash,
Camarillo cycle rider killed Saturday in 101/126 accident

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times

A Santa Paulan was killed and another area resident injured in an early Monday crash in the rural area west of Santa Paula, and a Camarillo motorcyclist died Sunday on the US-101, just north of Hwy.126 Sunday when her Yamaha went down and she was run over by several cars.
The as-yet named 51-year-old Santa Paula woman was killed Monday, Oct. 6, at approximately 5:58 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash occurred when a 2000 Dodge Caravan — driven by a 24-year-old Santa Paula man — was traveling westbound on the 11400 block of Foothill Road when it began to make a U-turn. A 2020 Nissan Kicks SUV driven by the woman was traveling westbound at an unknown speed behind the Dodge and struck the left rear quarter panel of the Dodge with its front. Both vehicles veered off the roadway. The female driver of the Nissan was pronounced deceased on scene.
The driver of the Dodge, according to the CHP press release, “remained on scene and was cooperative while his passenger,” a 32-year-old Santa Paula woman, was transported to VCMC for complaint of pain injuries.
The identity of the Dodge driver has been withheld pending notification of next of kin, authorities said.
East and westbound lanes of Foothill Road between Wells and Aliso Canyon roads were shut down until 10:05 a.m. for the investigation, the CHP posted on social media.
Drugs and alcohol, noted the CHP press release, do not appear to have been a factor in the crash.
Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the collision should contact the Ventura Area CHP office at 805-662-2640.
On Saturday, Oct. 4. at approximately 7:38 p.m., the CHP Ventura Communication Center received multiple reports of a traffic crash involving a motorcycle that had gone down and was
subsequently struck by multiple vehicles. The incident occurred on northbound US-101, north of SR-126.
According to the CHP press release, “Preliminary investigation determined a black Yamaha motorcycle was traveling northbound on US-101, north of SR-126, when for reasons still under investigation, the rider lost control of the motorcycle. The rider was ejected as the motorcycle overturned and came to rest within the northbound traffic lanes.”
Immediately thereafter, a silver Chevrolet Silverado ran over the motorcycle, followed by a silver Nissan Sentra that also struck debris and the motorcycle rider.
The rider, a 20-year-old resident of Camarillo, sustained major injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. The identity of the Dodge driver has been withheld pending notification of next of kin, authorities said. Both motorists that struck the rider and her motorcycle remained at the scene.
The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the collision should contact the CHP Ventura Area CHP office at 805-662-2640.

CAPTION:
A Santa Paulan was killed and another area resident injured in an early Monday crash on Foothill Road in the rural area west of Santa Paula.

10/03/2025

RUMMAGE SALE! ODD FELLOWS OCT. 3

While you're Downtown this evening for Cruise Night don't forget to visit the Odd Fellows 868 E. Main St. for a fun Rummage Sale including plenty of trains and accessories, among other great stuff spread over multiple tables at bargain prices! Art, glass, kitchen, knickknacks, great buys galore! Starting soon! Support a great Santa Paula service club that gives to the community!

10/03/2025

BREAKING NEWS: OCTOBER 3

PEDESTRIAN KILLED SEPT. 27 ON W. TELEGRAPH
ROAD IDENTIFIED AS SANTA PAULAN

Pedestrian fatally struck by truck on Telegraph Road identified as Santa Paulan

The identity of 42-year-old man who died after being struck by a truck in an agricultural area on West Telegraph Road near Santa Paula on Sept. 27 has been released.
Francisco Quilo Vargas, 42, of Santa Paula, died from the accident due to multiple, blunt-force injuries, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the 14100 block of West Telegraph Road — between Briggs and Cummings roads — after a resident called around 8:20 a.m. on Sept. 27 saying he had hit a pedestrian, according to a CHP statement.
The 74-year-old motorist was driving his Ford westbound on West Telegraph Road when he pulled into his driveway and struck the pedestrian with his truck.
Ventura County Fire was dispatched to the scene at 8:22 a.m. and found the man with severe injuries in critical condition.
While Mr. Vargas was being transported to the hospital, he suffered a cardiac arrest, and paramedics continued to treat him until arrival at the hospital, according to a VCFD spokesman.
Mr. Vargas was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
No arrests were made, and drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash, according to the CHP.
The accident occurred is in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula.

10/02/2025

Aftermath and official USDA notice of Government Shut Down effective Oct. 1, 12:01 a.m.

10/01/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Oct. 1

Ventura County sisters abandoned 36 years ago in
Oxnard restroom identified, mother was murdered

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times

Two California sisters missing for 36 years were found alive and well in Ventura County in August with the help of familial DNA, authorities investigating their case in Arizona said. Now the hunt continues for the person(s) that killed their mother and abandoned the children in an Oxnard park restroom.
When they were discovered in August, Jasmin and Elizabeth Ramos were living under new names given by foster parents who raised them, unaware that they had initially been reported as missing in Mohave County, AZ.
The body of their mother, Marina Ramos of Bakersfield, was found Dec. 12, 1989; the victim had been stabbed multiple times and left n**e in the desert. It appeared that she had been killed at the scene where she was found.
Jasmin was 2 months old, and Elizabeth was 14 months old when they disappeared that month. The two were found Dec. 15, 1989, abandoned in a restroom at Oxnard’s Colonia Park.
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office said Sept. 22 on Facebook that “A witness walking in the area heard children crying in the women’s restroom. He asked a woman to check the bathroom, and she found the girls laying on the wet floor with no adult nearby.”
At the time, authorities didn't make the connection between the girls — who were healthy and well-groomed when found — and the murdered woman.
Nicknamed Susie and Connie, the two girls had to wait to be adopted after all efforts to locate their parents failed.
"The girls were eventually adopted by a couple in Ventura County and were raised together in a loving home," the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said.
The office's Special Investigations Unit, created in 2019, reopened the Ramos file at a time when the slain victim was still unidentified, her girls were considered missing and there were no suspect leads, according to the MCSO.
In 2022, fingerprints from Marina Ramos' body matched those on file belonging to a woman named Maria Ortiz, who had been arrested and fingerprinted following allegations of shoplifting in Kern County in June 1989.
A Bakersfield address for Ortiz led investigators to a roommate, who said she had a cousin named Marina Ramos who had been missing since 1989, and that Maria Ortiz was an alias used by Ramos.
Investigators also discovered that Ramos/Ortiz had two young daughters who remained missing.
Mohave County Sheriff's investigators, led by Lori Miller, a former LAPD detective, got a DNA sample from a relative of Marina Ramos and used law enforcement and family DNA databases in hope of finding the girls.
They discovered one of the sisters, who said the pair had been abandoned in 1989. The other sister, noted the MCSO, kept newspaper clippings that included news of the abandonment.
“While we are excited to announce that one part of this 36-year-old mystery has been solved, the search for the suspects involved in the homicide of Marina Ramos continues. A witness in the area told officers that she had observed a woman and two men with the children at the park. They were observed driving a black mini pickup. The witness saw the woman carrying the smaller child in a yellow blanket and one of the males carrying the older child. The woman was described as a Hispanic female wearing a long red skirt and white boots. The two males were only described as Hispanic.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the MCSO office at 928-753-0753 ext. 4408.

09/28/2025

BREAKING NEWS: SEPT. 27

DEADLY DAY IN THE 93060 AS PEDESTRIAN
KILLED, 6 INJURED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

A pedestrian died Saturday after apparently being struck by a truck in an agricultural area on West Telegraph Road and a later traffic collision on Highway 126 left six hospitalized.
The Sept. 27 crash was reported at 8:22 a.m. in the 14100 block of West Telegraph Road, between Cummings and Briggs roads in the unincorporated area, according to initial reports from the California Highway Patrol.
Ventura County Fire Department personnel responded to the scene where they found a male patient with severe injuries in critical condition.
While the man was being transported to the hospital, he suffered a cardiac arrest and paramedics continued to treat him until arrival at the hospital where he was declared deceased.
Later, at about 1:15 p.m., a three-vehicle crash on eastbound Highway 126 in Santa Paula sent six people to area hospitals with injuries ranging from severe to minor.
The crash was reported to have occurred at Peres Lane and Highway 126 east of Hallock Drive.
The California Highway Patrol and Ventura County responded to the scene where one person was found to have suffered severe injuries and was described as being in critical condition, one person had moderate injuries and four additional patients, who had minimal injuries, were described as being in stable condition. The six injured patients were transported via ambulance to local hospitals. Three people were assessed at the scene refused additional medical care.
The eastbound lanes were closed for a time while first responders could treat patients. Traffic through the corridor was extremely slow as a result.
The incident was cleared at about 3:30 p.m.

09/26/2025

BREAKING NEWS:

VCTC SCHEDULES SANTA PAULA BRANCH LINE COMMUNITY MEETING

Community invited to help shape the future of the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail

An updated master plan for this “rails with trails” project is underway and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is inviting residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail Master Plan Update (https://bit.ly/46KcHGB), a transformative project that will connect communities across the Santa Clara River Valley with nearly 27 miles of new and improved bicycle and pedestrian pathways stretching from Saticoy to Piru.
The Trail Master Plan is designed to balance active transportation and rail operations, creating a sustainable solution that enhances safety, accessibility and connectivity. Planned improvements include:
Upgrades to existing trails in Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru
New safer pedestrian and cycling crosswalks
Convenient connections to transit, schools, housing, job centers and recreation areas
“The Santa Paula Branch Line Trail creates healthier and more connected communities by expanding active transportation opportunities,” said Amanda Fagan, VCTC’s Director of Planning and Sustainability. “We encourage stakeholders and residents to get involved and share their vision for this important community project.”
Community Workshops:
VCTC is hosting public workshops and pop-up events throughout the planning process to gather feedback and ensure the trail reflects community priorities. Upcoming opportunities include:
• Workshop 2: Tuesday, Oct. 7 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Santa Paula Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula, CA 93060
• Workshop 3: Thursday, Dec. 11 – Save the Date! (Time and location to be announced)
Workshop 1 was held in Fillmore on June 24.
In addition to in-person workshops, community members can provide input anytime using VCTC’s online Pin Map tool (https://tinyurl.com/3b5ffapc). The interactive map allows residents to drop pins, share comments, and highlight opportunities and concerns along the proposed trail route.
To learn more and to access the Pin Map tool, visit: https://bit.ly/46KcHGB or www.goventura.org/spbl-trail-master-plan.

Information about the project, resources and materials from the project's outreach and engagement efforts, and project updates

09/26/2025

BREAKING NEWS: SEPT. 26
REPORTED GAS LEAK LEADS TO EVACUATION OF MCKEVETT SCHOOL

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1244193371059773&set=a.457495803062871

Dear Santa Paula Unified Community,

Due to a reported gas leak at McKevett Elementary Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, all students and staff are being safely evacuated to Santa Paula High School. The Santa Paula Police Department is escorting everyone, and emergency crews are on site assessing the situation.

At this time, we ask that McKevett parents and guardians do not come to McKevett to pick up their children. We will provide updates and information regarding student pick-up as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.

Respectfully,
Jeffrey Weinstein, Superintendent
________
Estimida comunidad de Santa Paula USD,

Debido a un reporte de fuga de gas en la primaria McKevett, todos los estudiantes y el personal están siendo evacuados de manera segura a Santa Paula High School. El Departamento de Policía de Santa Paula está escoltando a todos, y los equipos de emergencia se encuentran en el lugar evaluando la situación.

En este momento, solicitamos que los padres y tutores de McKevett no vayan a la escuela para recoger a sus hijos. Proporcionaremos actualizaciones y información sobre la entrega de estudiantes tan pronto como esté disponible.

Gracias por su comprensión y cooperación mientras trabajamos para mantener a todos seguros.

Atentamente,
Jeffrey Weinstein
Superintendente

09/26/2025

BREAKING NEWS: SEPT. 26

GAS LEAK AT MCKEVETT SCHOOL LEADS TO EVACUATION

Dear Santa Paula Unified Community,

Due to a reported gas leak at McKevett Elementary Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, all students and staff are being safely evacuated to Santa Paula High School. The Santa Paula Police Department is escorting everyone, and emergency crews are on site assessing the situation.

At this time, we ask that McKevett parents and guardians do not come to McKevett to pick up their children. We will provide updates and information regarding student pick-up as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.

Respectfully,
Jeffrey Weinstein, Superintendent
________
Estimida comunidad de Santa Paula USD,

Debido a un reporte de fuga de gas en la primaria McKevett, todos los estudiantes y el personal están siendo evacuados de manera segura a Santa Paula High School. El Departamento de Policía de Santa Paula está escoltando a todos, y los equipos de emergencia se encuentran en el lugar evaluando la situación.

En este momento, solicitamos que los padres y tutores de McKevett no vayan a la escuela para recoger a sus hijos. Proporcionaremos actualizaciones y información sobre la entrega de estudiantes tan pronto como esté disponible.

Gracias por su comprensión y cooperación mientras trabajamos para mantener a todos seguros.

Atentamente,
Jeffrey Weinstein
Superintendente

09/11/2025

BREAKING NEWS: SEPT. 10

ROADWORK PLANNED FOR
HIGHWAYS 33 AND 126

Daytime Paving Work on SR-33 and SR-126 in Ventura County

Caltrans (District 7) announces daytime lane closures on State Route 33 (SR-33) and State Route 126 (SR-126) next week for paving.
The Caltrans District 7 Maintenance Division will perform asphalt paving next week from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following days and locations:

Monday, Sep. 15 - Southbound SR-33 at the San Antonio Creek Bridge, north of Sulphur Mountain Road, near Oak View. Post mile 7.5. Flagging operation.

Tuesday, Sep.16 - Southbound SR-33 at Edison Curve, south of Sycamore Drive, in Casitas Springs. Post mile 6.3. Flagging Operation.

Wednesday, Sep. 17 (City of Ventura) -
Southbound SR-33 at US-101 right lane closed.
Southbound SR-33 Main Street off-ramp closed.
Southbound SR-33 connector to northbound US-101 closed.

Thursday, Sep. 18 - Westbound SR-126 Wells Road off-ramp and on-ramp closed in the Saticoy area.

Closures are subject to change due to weather, material, or other factors. Please allow extra travel time, drive with caution through the construction zone, and use alternate routes, if possible. Motorists can view current traffic conditions on the Caltrans QuickMap.

09/09/2025

WE'LL NEVER FORGET! SEPT. 11
CEREMONIES PLANNED BY VCFD

VCFD TO COMMEMORATE 9/11 ANNIVERSARY

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. To honor the lives lost and the courage of those who responded, the Ventura County Fire Department invites the community to join firefighters in remembrance ceremonies across the county.

Commemorations will take place at every fire station, department headquarters, and at Fire Dispatch.

At 6:59 a.m. — the moment the first plane struck the Twin Towers — flags will be lowered to half-staff, and a moment of silence will be observed. VCFD dispatchers will share a broadcast honoring all who perished, followed by four sets of five bells, a traditional firefighter tribute.

Firefighters may also read the names of the 343 FDNY members who gave their lives that day. Community members are welcome to reflect alongside firefighters, honoring not only the fallen first responders but also the law enforcement officers and civilians whose lives were cut short.

We encourage you, your family, and friends to attend and stand with us in remembrance. A complete list of fire station locations is available at vcfd.org/fire-stations.