Fillmore Civic Pride Volunteers named Imelda Magana as the June 2023 Yard of the Month winner, pictured by her lovely flowers. She also received a $50 gift card from Otto & Sons Nursery. Photo courtesy Linda Nunes.
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Courtesy Linda Nunes
The June “Yard of the Month” award was presented by Civic Pride Volunteers, to Rafael & Imelda Magana of 40 Coronado St. in El Dorado Mobile Estates.
Imelda said she grew up in Rancho Sespe where she was one of 11 children; Rafael was one of 16! They moved to this home in 2016.
Rafael & Imelda share the gardening duties of planting, weeding & watering. Imelda told us every eight days she is out watering & working in the yard. Even though her husband thinks they have too many plants, she said the flowers & yard keep her healthy & happy. I agreed wholeheartedly!
They have been able to grow an amazing variety of flowers, herbs & fruit trees in their little front, side & back yard. We told Imelda that she definitely has a “Green Thumb” as she & daughter Kelli showed us several pomegranate trees planted from one arial (seed), apple & peach trees, strawberry guava trees, cilantro, citroen or lemon verbena used to make a tea for digestion. Also planted were lemon grass, feverfew plants, zucchini, red chili peppers, calla lilies, stunning hollyhocks that reached the roof, amaryllis, impatiens & geraniums surrounding beautiful roses in red, coral & yellow.
You would be inspired to see this yard. They were so pleased to receive the $50 gift card from Otto & Sons Nursery! Civic Pride volunteers appreciate their support for this project over all the years.

GARAGE SALE - 1411 Goodenough Rd, Fillmore. Sleigh beds, refrigerator, sleeper sofa, oak dinette, hutch, chest of drawers, tile saw, tools, dishes, yard furniture, camping equipment, Christmas stuff, miscellaneous. Saturday & Sunday, 9am - 5pm. (5/25)

Taurie and her stallion Rowan. Photo Courtesy of Taurie Banks.
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Written by Carina Monica Montoya

“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse of course, that is, of course, unless” it’s Taurie Banks. Taurie is a longtime resident of Fillmore and a graduate of Fillmore High School. She was a member of the 4-H Pony Club, Future Farmers of America, and is a longtime equestrian. Taurie has been involved with horses since 1976. She is the owner and operator of Kings Corner Training Stables in Moorpark.

As a rider and trainer, she trained two horses that were selected out of six hundred horses for the 1984 Olympic Modern Pentathlon, which is an Olympic sport that includes equestrian show jumping. Her many accomplishments also include being a two-time World Champion at dressage and western dressage; three-time Reserve World Champion dressage, western dressage, and jumpers; and was accepted by Southern California Equestrian Sports for the development of international riders, to name only a few of her accomplishments as a rider and trainer. As an instructor, Taurie trained a junior rider who won the CCC California State Champion for Jumpers; trained winning riders for the USPC, ISHA and IEL (dressage, eventing, jumpers, and hunters); and trained multiple riders for the USPC National Championships and Championships West (dressage, eventing, show jumping and tetrathalon).

Horses in America have been an important way of life since the nation’s founding in 1776. When Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas on his second voyage in 1493, he brought Spanish horses to the Virgin Islands. In 1519, Hernán Cortés introduced the horses to the continental mainland. The horses became integral to rural and urban life up to the 20th century when they were replaced with mechanization in industrial, economic, and transportation. Although horses are still used for special tasks, they are now primarily used for recreation and entertainment. An interesting fact stated in an article in Psychology Today (December 6, 2020), “In both the USA and Great Britain, over 90% of horse owners are women. Three out of four students enrolled in riding schools in Europe are women. The first woman to be a horse veterinarian was in 1957 and now, four out of five equine veterinary graduates are women.”

Although Taurie is immersed in all things relating to horses, she finds the time to give back to the community. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Susan Banks, who was one of the founding members and president of the Fillmore Women’s Service Club, Taurie has served as president and vice president of the club. The club raises funds that are distributed back to the community to families in need, graduating seniors, women returning to education, school activities, museums, libraries, and many other community groups. Taurie organizes and assists in fundraising activities; speaks at Fillmore High School and Sierra High School on scholarships; and developed the Junior Women’s Service Club to provide mentors to young women.

If you see Taurie around town and want to talk horses, just remember, “A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse of course, that is, of course, unless” it’s Taurie Banks.

Fillmore Unified School District’s child nutrition professionals are at the frontline feeding students, offering them safety and stability. By preparing food, adhering to meal standards and regulations, and bringing joy to student’s lives, our school nutrition professionals show us that not all heroes wear capes, some wear aprons! Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2023/5/12/school-lunch-heroes-7a2m.
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Fillmore Unified School District’s child nutrition professionals are at the frontline feeding students, offering them safety and stability. By preparing food, adhering to meal standards and regulations, and bringing joy to student’s lives, our school nutrition professionals show us that not all heroes wear capes, some wear aprons! Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2....

Ventura County, California. – During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. Safe riding and driving practices, and a shared responsibility from all road users, will help everyone get to their destination safely.

“Motorcycles may be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes,” Captain Darin Hendren said. “Motorcycle riders do not have the same protections drivers and passengers do. Please share the road with motorcycles and drive safe.”

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers
Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.
Motorcyclists
Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.
Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.
Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nature of Incident: Check Twice for Motorcycles: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: May, 2023
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Prepared by: Sergeant Daniel Gonzales
Approved by: Captain Jason B. Hendren

CAMARILLO, Calif. – May is Bike Month, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission
(VCTC) is encouraging residents to ride to work, for health and simply for fun.

VCTC’s new guide, “Biking Ventura County: Routes & Tips for Beginners & Families” makes it
easy to find a place to ride, with helpful information for those new to biking and for younger
riders. The guide features shared-use paths and separated bike lanes across Ventura County,
plus provides guidance on safety, e-bikes and tips for taking bicycles aboard public transit.
During Bike Month, residents are encouraged to leave their vehicles at home and instead use
bicycles to travel to their destinations. Trips might include running errands, traveling to
appointments or just getting outdoors.

In addition, commuters can consider swapping their car for a bike during Bike to Work Week
(May 15-21) and Bike to Work Day (May 19).

VCTC invites people to pledge to bike during the month of May. Those who make the pledge at
goventura.org/pledge will be entered for a chance to win one of six $250 Amazon gift cards.
Participants must be 18 or older, and the pledge must be made by May 31.
In addition to the “Beginners & Families” guide, VCTC offers the “Go Ventura Bikeways Map,”
which outlines routes across Ventura County for both beginner and experienced cyclists. The
regional bike map highlights Class 1 paths, which are separated from cars; Class 2, which are
shared-street painted bike lanes; and Class 3, which are on-street bike routes designated by
signs.

Both the guide and the map are available on VCTC’s website at goventura.org/gettingaround/bike. Printed copies are available at bike shops across the county or by sending an
email to bike@goventura.org.
“Riding a bike should be a transportation option that is available to everyone in our community,
regardless of their level of experience. We’re excited to offer the ‘Beginners & Families’ guide,
and we hope it will encourage more people to try biking,” said VCTC Executive Director Martin
Erickson.

For longer trips, commuters can combine a bike ride with a bus or train trip. Most Southern
California transit operators offer on-board storage compartments or bike racks. VCTC Intercity
service allows electric bikes (e-bikes) if they do not have wet-cell batteries.
“Commuting by bike instead of driving, or combining a bicycle trip with a bus ride, means fewer
vehicles are on the road. That in turn will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and will help
California achieve its climate goals,” Erickson said.
For more information about transportation and biking, follow VCTC (@GoVCTC) on Facebook,
Twitter, or Instagram, or visit goventura.org.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency
committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Information is available at goventura.org.

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On May 12, 2023, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team located and came to the aid of 10 missing hikers near the “Last Chance” area of the Santa Paula Canyon.

On the above date, at approximately 8:00 P.M., Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a text message from a group of ten hikers who were unable to find their way back from the Santa Paula Canyon. These hikers were able to contact Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch through the Apple Emergency SOS feature and provided valuable information such as a possible location and if immediate medical aid was needed. Additionally, guardians for the 10 overdue hikers contacted Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies near the trailhead to report the subjects as missing and possibly in need of assistance.

At approximately 8:30 P.M., the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was activated and immediately responded to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead. A total of 13 SAR members responded to locate the missing hikers.

SAR team members hiked approximately 4 miles into the Santa Paula Canyon to locate the 10 missing hikers. SAR team members were faced with low visibility, multiple stream crossings and trails that had been previously damaged from the heavy rains.

At approximately 11:15 P.M., SAR team members located the 10 missing hikers. Most of the hikers were not prepared for the hike and were provided with food, drinking water and lighting equipment as they were led out to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead.

At approximately 2:40 A.M., SAR team members returned to the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead with the 10 missing hikers. The hikers were reunited with their guardians and fortunately did not require any medical aid.

The Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team consists of approximately 28 volunteers skilled in search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings. The team volunteers on average 4000 hours per year on searches, rescues, training and public events.

Nature of Incident: Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team Members Locate 10 Missing Hikers
Report Number: 23-60351
Location: Santa Paula Canyon, Los Padres National Forest, CA
Date & Time: 05/12/2023 @ 8:17 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Upper Ojai Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, West County Patrol Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(P) 10 male and female hikers
City of Residence: Various Residences Age: 16-18

Prepared by: Deputy Mackenzie Spears
Approved by: Captain Downard

The Board of Trustees of the Bardsdale Cemetery announces they will be
having their Memorial Day Ceremony this year at 11AM on Monday, May29th.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
A complete program will be announced the week before Memorial Day

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On April 29, 2023, Fillmore’s La Promesa De Jesus Church held a free kids event for the community at the Lemon Way Park in North Fillmore. They raffled bikes, toys and had games and food. It was great! A special thank you to Rangel Party Rentals for donating a jumper so the kids could have a good time. There were about 100 kids that showed up with their parents, enjoying the day and having a great time receiving toys and playing. Thanks to Pastor Ernie and Nora Rangel for putting together this event. Photo credit Ernie Rangel.

Over the past six months, Camarillo saw an increase in identity theft, often targeting the recipients of California Department of Social Services CalFresh and CalWORKS. Both programs help low-income beneficiaries purchase food and provide for basic needs. This is in part due to the fact the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards lack many of the security features of other debit cards. Stolen EBT card information is typically obtained from “skimming” devices, which are installed on ATMs or Point of Sale machines. The stolen debit card information is then “cloned” onto another card with a magnetic strip. In 2022 alone, EBT theft cost taxpayers in the State of California over $60 million dollars in losses.

Detectives with the Camarillo Investigations Bureau conducted several investigations over the past few months, where they learned the suspects manufactured ATM faceplates. The suspects also installed “deep insert” skimmers into the ATMs, which allowed them to capture debit card information. Detectives learned both EBT recipients and other members of the public were vulnerable to this fraud.

On May 10th, Camarillo deputies observed Florentin Mirica and Nicolae Masu near an ATM, in the city of Camarillo, behaving in a manner consistent with installing ATM skimmers. Camarillo deputies contacted both subjects and obtained consent to search their vehicle. Deputies located manufactured faceplates, with pin-hole cameras, “deep insert” credit card skimmers, and tools used to install the skimmers. Deputies also located credit card information which did not belong to either party. Mirica and Masu were both arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of California Penal Codes § 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy To Commit a Crime, 502.6(a) – Fraudulent Use of a Card Scanning Device, and 664/530.5(a) – Attempted – Identity Theft. Due to the nature of the crimes, a bail increase was requested for both Mirica and Masu, which was granted by the courts.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to be vigilant while utilizing ATMs or Point of Sale Machines. We recommend covering the PIN pad while inputting PIN numbers and scanning the ATM for any signs of tampering prior to use. We would also like to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Some behaviors indicative of credit card skimmer suspects are using multiple ATMs at the same bank, using multiple cards at one ATM, and manipulating or placing something on an ATM. To report any suspicious activity, call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805) 654-9511.

Nature of Incident: Arrest of Automated Teller Machine (A.T.M.) Skimming Suspects
Report Number: 23-59049
Location: 2000 Block of Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo
Date & Time: May 10, 2023 at 8:15 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Investigations Bureau
Camarillo Patrol Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
Mirica, Florentin Albert Anaheim 23
Masu, Nicolae Adrian Anaheim 29

Prepared by: Detective Doree Milazzo
Approved by: Commander Eric Tennessen

The Fillmore Police and Fire Departments proudly announce “Coffee with the Badges” event in support of the First Responders for Mental Health Awareness Initiative. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As First Responders, we will come together to promote awareness about the mental health issues affecting millions of people in the United States.

On Tuesday, May 16th, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Fillmore deputies and firefighters will be at Starbucks Coffee, located at 650 Ventura Street in the city of Fillmore, sharing a cup of coffee with our neighbors. Communication and community trust are key elements to the success of the Fillmore Police and Fire Departments. By sitting down and having a simple conversation with members of the community we serve, we can develop and build meaningful relationships.

The “Badges” invite the community to come out and ask questions, voice concerns, obtain crime and fire prevention advice, and get to know the “Badges” in your neighborhood. This is a relaxed, informal event and is not about speeches or agendas but simply about casual conversations. The goal of “Coffee with the Badges” is to engage our community, discuss concerns, and raise awareness for mental health."

Nature of Incident: Nature of Incident: Fillmore Police and Fillmore Fire Department Host ~ “Coffee with the Badges” in support of the First Responders for Mental Health Awareness Initiative

Location: Starbucks Coffee Balden Towne Plaza 650 Ventura Street, Fillmore,. CA 93015
Date & Time: May 16th, 2023, from 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department / Fillmore Fire Department.

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon