🚧 Fall 2025 Pavement Improvement Project Begins October 31!

Santa Paula is hitting the road—literally! 🚜

Starting Friday, October 31, the Fall 2025 Pavement Improvement Project will begin resurfacing and upgrading key streets across the city, including Main Street, McKevett Road, Teague Drive, Teracina Drive, Loma Vista Drive, Vuelta Place, and Mill Street.

✅ Smoother, safer travel for everyone

✅ New ADA-compliant curb ramps along Main Street

✅ Coordinated upgrades with the ongoing Caltrans SR-126 Improvement Project

Work will continue through November 26, with construction happening in phases. Please watch for temporary lane closures and posted signage, and plan ahead when driving near active work zones.

“The Fall 2025 Pavement Improvement Project is finally moving forward after nearly a year of delays,” said Mayor Pedro Chavez. “We’re excited to deliver these much-needed upgrades before the Holiday Season.”

In addition to this City-led project, Caltrans crews are also performing roadway improvements along 10th Street/Highway 150 and at Hallock Drive and Highway 126, continuing broader regional efforts to improve traffic flow and enhance safety throughout Santa Paula.

Learn more about this and other active projects on our Public Works webpage or visit 🌐 www.spcity.org.

 🏆 Santa Paula Honored with Statewide Recognition!

The League of California Cities has named Santa Paula one of the 11 winners of the 2025 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence — marking the first time in our city’s history to receive this prestigious recognition! 🎉

Our programs — from the Civic Future Leaders Academy to our bilingual newsletter and inclusive community workshops — are helping build trust, ethics, and stronger community connections. 💬✨

This honor highlights Santa Paula’s ongoing commitment to public service rooted in integrity, collaboration, and community engagement.

🎥 Watch on YouTube: http://bit.ly/4nLZTGR

📑 Read Our Press Release: http://bit.ly/3KSi53e

🎉 Big News for Our Community! 🎉

At the recent International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference, the City of Santa Paula was honored with a special award from Zencity — the “Rising Star Award” — for our innovative approach to public outreach and bilingual communications!

Here’s a closer look at what this means and how we’re making it happen:



🔹 Our community is diverse and dynamic, and to serve you better, we’ve been actively leveraging Zencity’s platform to gather feedback, analyze sentiments, and deliver meaningful messages in both English and Spanish. Zencity helps public-agencies connect with residents through tools that are inclusive and responsive.

🔹 By embracing bilingual communication, we’re making sure every resident has a voice — whether through surveys, online discussion, or direct engagement — and that voice leads to action.

🔹 The award underscores our commitment to transparency, accessibility and building trust: it’s not just about broadcasting messages, but about listening, adapting and strengthening our relationship with you.

🔹 This achievement reflects collaboration across our City teams — communications, public-works, community services and more — all working together to raise the bar for outreach and civic engagement.

🌟 Thank you to the residents of Santa Paula who participate, share feedback and engage with their city government. This award belongs to all of us. Let’s keep moving forward together — responsive, inclusive, and community-driven.

🚓 A New Chapter for the Santa Paula Police Department

The Santa Paula Police Department has a fresh new look — and it’s more than just a renovation. 💙

This transformation was about creating a space that truly serves our community — a place that’s modern, welcoming, and designed with both residents and officers in mind.

From a redesigned lobby that offers more comfort and privacy, to updated technology and workspaces that help our officers respond faster and more efficiently, every detail was planned to support better service and connection.

We also made sure to honor our roots. Inside, you’ll find displays and photos celebrating Santa Paula’s history and the generations of officers who’ve proudly served our city.

This building isn’t just a workplace — it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to serve with integrity, compassion, and pride.

Thank you, Santa Paula, for growing with us and continuing to support your Police Department. Together, we’re building a safer, stronger community. 💪🏽

👉 Stop by soon to see the improvements for yourself!

🚲 Save the Date! Help Shape the Future of the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail! 🚶‍♀️

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is updating the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail Master Plan — a visionary project that will create 27 miles of connected bicycle and pedestrian trails linking communities from Saticoy to Piru.

✨ The plan includes:

✅ Safer crosswalks

✅ Better connections to transit, housing, schools, and recreation

✅ Enhancements to existing trails in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru

📅 Save the Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

🕕 Time & Location: To Be Announced Soon

This will be your chance to share ideas and help shape the next phase of this important regional trail!

💻 Learn more and share feedback anytime using our interactive Pin Map tool:

👉 www.goventura.org/spbl-trail-master-plan

Let’s build a safer, more connected future — together!

🎄✨ Exciting News, Santa Paula! ✨🎄

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2025 Annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade will now be organized in partnership between the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Paula Optimist Club — and this year, it has been moved to FRIDAY NIGHT! 🌟

🎅 Parade Info:

📍 Applications available at:

• Chamber/Public Works Office (866 E Main St)
• Santa Paula Trading Company
• Gather & Play Café
• City Hall
• Santa Paula Times
• Community Center

📧 Email santapaulaparades@hotmail.com for questions or to request an electronic application.

⚠️ Important: If you’ve already submitted an application, please resubmit it to the new organizers.

🎉 Let’s make the 75th Annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade one to remember!

📅 Friday, November 28 at 7 PM

We can’t wait to see everyone downtown for this magical community tradition!

📣 The 2025 Fall/Winter Activity Guide is here! 🍂❄️

Get ready for an exciting season of youth programs, adult fitness classes, senior activities, community events, and much more through the Santa Paula Parks & Recreation Department!

✨ Highlights include:

🏀 Drop-in basketball & volleyball

🎨 Preschool & after-school programs

🎯 Archery & gymnastics

🎅 Holiday Parade & Pancake Breakfast with Santa

🥎 Co-ed softball & kickball leagues

🌱 Community Garden & senior wellness classes

📍 Programs run from September to December 2025

📲 Register online: City of Santa Paula > Home

📞 Info: (805) 933-4226 ext. 350

📍 Location: 530 W. Main St., Santa Paula

Don't miss out—there’s something for everyone in our vibrant Santa Paula community! 💙

Please follow the link to view the Guide by clicking down below:

🎖️ Honoring Officer Matt Harbin!

We’re proud to celebrate Officer Matt Harbin of the Santa Paula Police Department, recipient of the Ventura Elks Lodge Officer of the Year Award! 👏

Officer Harbin joined SPPD in April 2024, bringing over 15 years of law enforcement experience in both local and federal service. Born and raised in Oxnard, Matt has quickly become a leader and mentor within our department.

As a Field Training Officer, Detective, and Vice President of the Santa Paula Police Officers Association, Officer Harbin is known for his professionalism, dedication, and exceptional report writing.

He’s also a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), Range Master, Firearms & Taser Instructor, Crisis Negotiator, and member of the Honor Guard. 💪

A two-time Officer of the Year and CIT Officer of the Year, Matt’s passion for teaching and mentoring reflects his commitment to excellence in public service.

🎯 “I truly enjoy teaching as a firearms instructor,” says Officer Harbin — a testament to his dedication to his peers and the community.

👏 Congratulations, Officer Harbin!

Your leadership and service make Santa Paula proud. 💙

📸 Councilmember Leslie Cornejo joined in honoring Officer Harbin at the Ventura Elks Lodge ceremony.

🎉 Santa Paula Congratulates Our Dedicated Officers! 👮‍♂️💙

The City of Santa Paula proudly congratulates Senior Officer Gosselin on his well-deserved promotion and welcomes Officer Arias on his swearing-in this week!

Officer Gosselin has served with the Santa Paula Police Department since 2013, dedicating over a decade to protecting and serving our community with professionalism and integrity. Officer Arias joins SPPD with three years of law enforcement experience and a passion for community service.

Thank you for your ongoing service to the residents of Santa Paula. 🌟

ℹ️ The City of Santa Paula is sharing the following community resource from 211Now:

📢 Community Needs Assessment

Recent ICE activity in Ventura County has impacted many families and individuals. Local community organizations are available to help with resources such as:

✔️ Legal assistance

✔️ Food

✔️ Family reunification

✔️ Health care

✔️ Mental health counseling

📝 Complete the anonymous and confidential 211Now survey to help identify emerging needs and ensure resources are available where they’re needed.

👉 Survey link: 211Now.com/ventura-county-immigration-resources

📞 Call 211 or visit 211Now.com for more information.

🚍💳 Paying Your Fare Just Got Easier!

Tap, ride, and go with Tap2Ride — now available on VCTC Intercity buses! 🙌

Simply tap your:

💳 Debit or credit card

💸 Visa or Mastercard

📱 Mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay)

It’s fast, simple, and secure — no ticket or cash needed.

🏡🔥 Protect your home from wildfire risks!

Have you had a Home Hardening Assessment?

Our Wildfire Safety Staff will visit your home, check your 5-foot perimeter (Zone 0), and provide a personalized online report with recommendations to keep your home safer from embers and wildfires.

✅ Private, educational, and tailored to your home

✅ Fresh assessment if it’s been over 2 years since your last one

✅ Learn how to improve defensible space and fire resilience

🌿 Make your appointment today and give your home a jump start in wildfire protection!

🎁🚂 Operation Toy Train is coming to Ventura County!

📅 Saturday, December 6

Help spread holiday cheer by donating NEW, unwrapped toys for local children in need.

🕙 Train Stop Schedule:

📍 Piru – 10:30–11:15 AM (Piru Train Depot, 510 Main St.)

📍 Fillmore – 11:45 AM–12:30 PM (Fillmore Historical Museum, 350 Main St.)

📍 Santa Paula – 1:45–2:30 PM (Santa Paula Train Depot, 200 N. 10th St.)

📍 Saticoy – 3:00–3:30 PM (11220 Azahar St.)

📍 Ventura – 3:45–4:30 PM (8816 Neath St. / 8876 N. Bank St.)

✨ Bring joy this season — drop off a toy, wave to the train, and make a difference!

🎭 FREE Youth Improv Workshops! 🎭

Build confidence, creativity, and community through theatre!

Join BRITE and the Santa Paula Theater Center for 5 fun sessions where youth will learn improv, teamwork, and leadership — ending with a final performance for friends and family! 🌟

🗓 Mondays at 4 PM

📅 November 3 – December 8

👥 Ages 12–18

💰 FREE!

🚗 Transportation assistance available

🍪 Snacks & refreshments provided

🎟 Register now: www.briteyouth.org/ImprovWorkshop

📧 Questions? Email megan@briteyouth.org

When are City Hall Offices Closed?

City Hall will be closed on November 11th, 14th, 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2025.

For full business hours, please visit our website by clicking the button below.