By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, November 3rd, 2023
CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) joins other local Operators will provide free rides on fixed routes during normal service hours. Camarillo Area Transit, East County Transit Alliance (ECTA), Moorpark City Transit and Valley Eligible riders can show their valid identification to the bus driver upon boarding any VCTC started the Veterans Ride Free program in 2016. “This is our way of saying thank you to the brave men and women of Ventura County who have The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, November 3rd, 2023
Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organic waste collection schedule in Fillmore during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 5-11. Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of Newbury Park, El Rio, Somis, Ojai Valley, the Channel Islands beach communities and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; Fillmore and surrounding unincorporated areas as Santa Clara Valley Disposal. For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Tuesday City Council Report - Council voted as follows: 7.A, 7.B, 7.C, 8.C, 8.E, 8.F, - All approved 5-0. 8.D - Approved 4-0 (One Council Member had a conflict.) 8.B - Approved 4-1 8.A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM. SR - (CVRA) FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.pdf – Thursday, October 26th, 6:30pm. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Receive public input and discuss the Hometown Hero Banner Program. 8.C APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN POSITIONS AND EMPLOYEES TO APPROVE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND DEPOSIT OR WITHDRAWAL TRANSACTIONS 8.D UPDATED HOMETOWN HERO BANNER PROGRAM AND CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF PROGRAM GUIDELINES. SR - HOMETOWN HERO.pdf RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests that the City Council: 1. Approve the new marketing toolkit; and 2. Adoption the usage policy for the marketing toolkit set forth below. 8.F APPROVAL REQUEST FOR NEW MARKETING TOOLKIT AND ADOPTION OF USAGE POLICY. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 26th, 2023
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Tim Hagel, a past President of the Rotary Club Fillmore and 38-year member of the Sheriffs Department, was the Fillmore Rotary speaker last week. He has worked with kids who could become gang members and leads them on the right path. He is also an explorer and guide who leads groups on kayak trips in Alaska. He has traveled on rivers in the United States, Canada, Russia and the Arctic. Pictured (l-r) is Rotary President Scott Beylik presenting Tim Hagel with a Rotary mug. Photo credit Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Join the spooktacular fun at City of Fillmore’s Annual Trunk or Treat 2023! On Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, 6pm-8pm on Central Avenue, Downtown Fillmore from 6pm – 8pm. Local business, clubs, and more gather with their decorated trunks and pass out candy. Prizes and more to trick or treaters, while they cast their votes for a Peoples Choice award. Costumes encouraged!! Come out and have some fun for more details visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 26th, 2023
On Thursday, October 19th, Central Avenue was filled with folks enjoying Blue & White Night where a parade got the town ready for the Homecoming game against Carpinteria this past Friday. A longstanding tradition, the FHS Alumni Association hosts a parade where FHS students showcase their class floats, Fillmore school bands perform, Fillmore sport teams and clubs wave to the crowd, and the FHS Alumni are recognized. The FHS 2023 Homecoming Court (above), Grand Marshal John Heilman, Class of ’53, below on scooter. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 19th, 2023
The Rotary Speaker last week was Roger Horne from the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. They have many Programs and Departments to help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Anyone can call them, and they can connect clients to County-wide resources specific to their needs. Project Lifesaver is a new project here in Fillmore. They provide a free tracking bracelet to individuals that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia and may be prone to wandering. If a person goes missing, the bracelet can be activated and can assist law enforcement in finding the person more quickly. For more information: vcaaa.org; 805-477-7300. Pictured (l – r) guest speaker Roger Horne with Club President Scott Beylik presenting him with a mug. Photo credit Rotarian Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 19th, 2023
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 19th, 2023
On October 2nd, 2023, Lions Club District Governor Rich Cervantes came to the Fillmore Lions Club meeting to give a presentation. It was a great turnout and dinner. Cervantes, an avid Dodgers fan, had lots of knowledge to bestow to the club. His first order of business was to swear in Fillmore’s newest member, Brandy Hollis, who is sponsored by Josh Overton. New and continued membership is vital to keep clubs like this in the community. If you would like information on becoming a Lions Club member or all the services Lions Club offers you can text Steve at 805-904-5424. Enlarge Photo |
The Sespe Players Club brings you “Death and Nicotine” which promises a night to remember, bringing the intrigue and allure of the 1930s back to life. Above is this year’s cast. Opening night will be October 20th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at the Sespe Auditorium, 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore. Read story for details and show times. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 19th, 2023
Written by Lisa Givan In the sultry heart of Georgia, amid the whispers of Spanish moss-laden trees and abundant fields of tobacco, a murder mystery play like no other is set to unfold. "Death and Nicotine," set in the 1930s. Overton, who drew inspiration from the tobacco plantations of the south and classic literary masterpieces, skillfully weaves together a plot where each character harbors dark secrets, and motives lie hidden in the shadowy corners of the Herrington Mansion. The actors bring their characters to life with finesse and flair. Vincent, portrayed by newcomer Layne Allen takes center stage as the enigmatic victim who ignites the web of intrigue, secrecy, and suspicion that weaves throughout the plot. Audiences are not mere spectators but part of the experience, invited to deduce the identity of the murderer. As the play progresses, it becomes a race against time to solve the perplexing crime. Throughout the play, the characters are forced to confront their own connections to Vincent, unearthing long-buried secrets, hidden agendas, and potential motives for his untimely demise. As the audience is drawn deeper into the intrigue, it becomes apparent that everyone at "Herrington Mansion" has a reason to want Vincent silenced. If you're looking for a night of intrigue, passion, and a dash of danger, be sure to secure your seat at the Sespe Auditorium. Brought to you by director team Jessica and Lisa Givan and assisted by Hannah Faith, "Death and Nicotine" promises a night to remember, bringing the intrigue and allure of the 1930s back to life. Opening on October 20 at 7:00 p.m., "Death and Nicotine" runs for two weekends. October 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at 7:00p.m. Sunday matinee on October 22 at 2:00 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. The theatre is located at the Sespe Auditorium, 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore. Tickets $10 adult, $7 senior/student. Tickets are available online at www.sespeplayers.org |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 12th, 2023
Last week’s Fillmore Rotary program was presented by Steve Sharp and Mary Anne Simons from Three Angels Orphanage in Haiti. Education is key and they have a Christian School that extends from Preschool through 8th grade with 9th grade coming soon. There are 299 children at the school. The site has medical and dental healthcare for children and families, a garden for fresh produce, a library and media center. They are always looking for families to adopt the orphans. If you want to know more or make a donation, go to ThreeAngelsHaiti.org. Pictured are Steve Sharp and Mary Anne Simons from Three Angels Orphanage in Haiti along with Former Rotary Club President Dave Andersen. Courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
On Saturday, September 30th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Rio Vista Elementary School, Fillmore Police Citizens Patrol and Ventura County Sheriffs Office held a Bicycle Rodeo. They offered a bicycle course, free helmets, raffles prizes, and more. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
On Saturday, September 30th, the Fillmore Citizen’s Patrol hosted their Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo at Rio Vista Elementary School along with help from the Fillmore & Ventura County Fire Department, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The overall goal was to educate parents and children about the safety aspects of riding a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter on streets. A Bicycle Safety Rodeo is a safety clinic where young riders can learn about proper safety and the rules of the road. There was a bicycle safety course chalked out for basic riding skills and more. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
Pictured above is the Fairbanks family. Back row: Richard and Helen Murphey Fairbanks holding William, with Elizabeth. Front row: Constance and Fergus “Ted” Fairbanks holding John, with Helen, Katherine and Robert, c. 1920. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo - Above is Ted Fairbanks with his siblings: standing is Winifred Fairbanks. Left to right: Fergus Fairbanks, Ellen Nellie Fairbanks, Charles Fairbanks and Louis Fairbanks, c. 1885. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum In 1907, Judge Felix Ewing, president of the two-year-old Fillmore State Bank, offered the job of cashier to a man from Hueneme (pronounced Wy-neh-meh). The bank’s cashier would be in charge of most of the day-to-day operation of the bank. Ewing told the prospective cashier that, “We want you to go out there and take charge of the bank and wake that town up because it's absolutely dead." Fergus “Ted” Fairbanks, who had been cashier at the Bank of Hueneme, was not so sure he wanted the job. “I told him that I wouldn't go and undertake to do anything with the place unless they would back me up in getting a newspaper. Because a place of that size was really not in shape to grow [without a newspaper].” Judge Ewing agreed and on August 1, 1907, Fergus Fairbanks began work at the bank. Significantly, by December of 1907, the Fillmore Herald began under the management of H. G. Comfort. The town was beginning to be woken up. Fergus Fairbanks was born in Table Rock Nebraska in 1876 to Elijah and Martha Linn Fairbanks. At the age of four months, he moved with his parents and older brother, Charles, to Ventura where some Linn relatives had already settled. His father held many jobs in the first few years including driving a wagon to Newhall to pick up supplies for the residents of Ventura. For about a year he worked for the More brothers on Santa Rosa Island overseeing a crew of men building a wharf on the island. In 1898, Fairbanks married Lula Hooper, a high school classmate. Unfortunately, in 1901, Lula died while giving birth to their daughter, Constance. In 1903 Ted Fairbanks and Helen Murphey were married. This marriage would have seven children, six of whom grew to adulthood. Fifty years later, Fairbanks described what Fillmore was like when he first settled there, “You can judge the size of Fillmore, when I tell you that there were two teachers in the elementary school and no High School. The only cement sidewalk was on the two streets adjoining the bank and on the bank property. From the present location of the Bank of America (Central and Main St.) to the intersection of Sespe and Central Streets, the sidewalk, when there was one, was of boards. There were three stores, two which had general merchandise as well as groceries. The town site proper was one block wide on each side of the railroad. Other than that, there were not two dozen houses in town, most of them the residences of the owners of the orchards which surrounded them.” One of the first initiatives Fairbanks became involved in was the formation of the Board of Trade, the forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce. Fairbanks was president of the Board of Trade when late in 1908; the Board decided Fillmore should have its own high school. At that time, any student wishing to go past grammar school had to travel to Santa Paula to go to high school. After some legal issue were resolved Fillmore could secede from the Santa Paula Unified High School, and then a bond election was held. The bond passed with only three votes opposed. The first High School board consisted of George King as President, Ted Fairbanks as secretary, William Shiells and E. A. Case. While with the Bank of Hueneme, Fairbanks had been appointed Chair of the Oxnard Union High School for three years, so he was familiar with running a high school. George King and Fairbanks collaborated with an architect on the plans for a high school building. When the plans were submitted to the County Superintendent of Schools, James E. Reynolds, he refused to approve them saying it was too large and wouldn’t be filled in twenty years. Finding the Fillmore board to be very determined he allowed the building to be built as first proposed. By 1924 a larger building was needed. The first class consisting of 4 students, three women and one man, graduated in 1911. By 1912 incorporation had been a point of dissension in the community for more than 2 years. Letters had been sent to the cities of San Fernando and Bishop asking about their experiences with incorporation. Those cities hailed the positive results. The biggest issues were taxes! Taxes were being assessed by the county in the unincorporated areas. But the benefits were not being returned to those areas. The representatives of San Fernando presented the benefits of incorporation which included improved fire protection. That city now had an organized fire dept with “two high class chemical engines” and a hook and ladder company with five ladders. It gave that community a “feeling of security never before felt.” Fillmore still had a volunteer fire extinguisher and bucket brigade. Street lighting was also an issue. Fillmore had only a few lights which had been installed by local merchants. The question, of course, was whether the merchants on Central would pay for lighting on their own or whether the entire citizenry would pay through taxation to benefit the entire community. The essence of the anti-incorporation argument was that matters of this import to the city should be left in the hands of the pioneer founders of the city and not in the hands of the “floaters who are here today and gone tomorrow.” The antis were primarily early pioneers such as C.C. Elkins and his son, John McNab, of Sespe Land and Water Co., George Tighe, J. W. Baldeschweiler, and A. C. Wilcox. By 1914 Fillmore had been a township for 27 years and had a population of about 1000. On May 8, 1914, a delegation from Fillmore Township presented the Board of Supervisors with a petition to call for an election to vote on the question of incorporation. The petition appeared in the Herald with the names of signers; Fergus Fairbanks, J K L Schwartz, Louis Antonio Carillo, and 65 others including the publishers of the Herald. The election was held on June 29, 1914, there were 417 votes cast (one ballot was not voted for or against and 15 were thrown out for irregularity – they had marked the box with a pencil instead of a pen. Of the 15 irregulars, 12 were for and 3 against). Fillmore became a city of the 6th class by just 15 votes - 208 for and 193 against. Fillmore had woken up. For many years there were only three attorneys in Fillmore, John Galvin, Ted Fairbanks and Art Taylor, all of whom had offices in the same building. They often found themselves on opposite sides of cases, but generally had cordial relationships. All three of them were early members of the Fillmore Rotary Club with Fairbanks being its first president. Fairbanks continued to represent the Perry Ranch through the 1930s and into the 1940s. After Pearl Harbor, all people of Japanese descent on the west coast were subject to relocation. Foreseeing this, the Perry Ranch Company gave Ted Fairbanks power of attorney to operate the ranch. With the assistance of Carlos Alamillo, who became the ranch manager, the Perry Ranch was not only maintained but actually prospered during the war years. After the war, the Perry Ranch stockholders returned to their ranch. Fairbank’s connection with the ranch continued until his retirement in 1963 at which time his son, Robert, took over as the ranch’s attorney. After retirement in 1963, Ted Fairbanks remained active in the Rotary as well as the Ventura County Historical society writing several articles. He had served on the school board for 27 years. He was dedicated to his adopted hometown of Fillmore and shaped it in many ways. Ted Fairbanks passed away in 1971 at the age of 95. Judge Ewing picked the right man to “wake up” Fillmore. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
District Attorney’s Office Awarded Grant to Help Victims of Domestic Violence VENTURA, Calif. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time that serves as a On October 10, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will officially proclaim “Domestic Violence Awareness Month empowers survivors, educates the public, and advocates for Vertical prosecution is when a prosecutor, investigator, and victim advocate are assigned to a case Contact: Joey Buttitta Approved: SW Date: October 2, 2023 Release No.: 23-116 If you or someone you know is a victim/survivor of domestic violence, we encourage you to |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
On September 30, 2023, at about 3:03 a.m., the Thousand Oaks Police Department and the Ventura County Fire Department responded to a solo vehicle traffic collision on Westlake Boulevard, south of Potrero Road between Potrero Road and Carlisle Road. Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered a vehicle overturned on its roof. A rescue attempt was made by the Ventura County Fire Department. They discovered an unresponsive solo occupant in the vehicle, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The initial investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling southbound on Westlake Boulevard when it left the road and collided with an embankment on the east side of the road. The collision with the embankment caused the vehicle to overturn and come to rest in the northbound lane of Westlake Boulevard. The cause of the collision is under investigation by the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Senior Deputy Marcos Moreno at (805) 494-8245. Nature of Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision Prepared by: Deputy Chris Riggs |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
On 9/29/2023, at approximately 2014 hours, Ojai Police Department patrol deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call that occurred on the 200 block of Boardman Road in the City of Ojai. Deputies arrived on scene and located two male victims, who are father and son. Both victims were struck by a white truck, which was fleeing the scene after the occupants of the truck threw eggs at the victim’s residence and the victim’s vehicle. One of the victims had minor injuries and was evaluated at the scene but refused medical attention. The other victim did not sustain any injuries. As the truck fled the scene it collided with another vehicle that was being used in an attempt to block the truck’s path. Deputies searched the area and located the suspect vehicle abandoned nearby in an orchard. A search of the area was conducted by members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Unmanned Aviation System (Drone). No suspects were located in the area. During the investigation, deputies obtained information on the driver of the truck, identified as Brigham Maloney, and one of the passengers in the truck, identified as Conner Brooks. Deputies responded to Maloney’s residence, where they contacted Maloney and Brooks. Maloney was arrested for PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and VC 20002(a) – Hit and Run. Brooks was arrested for PC 242 – Battery. Maloney and Brooks were booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre Trial Detention Facility. Maloney was released on bail, and Brooks was later released on a promise to appear. Report Number: 23-125965 (S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent Prepared by: Detective David Boynton |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
On September 29, 2023, at approximately 0821 hours, deputies from the Camarillo Police Department were dispatched to a robbery that just occurred in the 5000 Block of Verdugo Way. Multiple deputies and investigators responded to the scene and contacted the victim. The investigation revealed the victim was standing near her vehicle with her purse slung on her shoulder. The victim was approached by the suspect who grabbed the purse and attempted to pull it from her. The victim maintained her grip on the purse, and she was pulled to the ground, causing a minor injury. The suspect continued to pull the purse and dragged the victim along the ground. The suspect was able to pull the purse from the victim’s grip and then ran to a waiting vehicle. The suspect was driven away from the scene by a second suspect. Deputies also determined a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 5100 Block of Mariposa Place prior to the robbery call. The description of the suspect vehicle from the theft call matched the vehicle involved in the robbery. While the investigation was underway, the robbery victim received a notification from her bank of a fraudulent transaction on her credit card at a Shell Gas Station in the City of Camarillo. Later, the victim received another notification of a fraudulent credit card transaction at Target in the city of Ventura. This information, along with the suspect and vehicle description, was shared with the Ventura Police Department. Officers from the Ventura Police Department responded to Target and searched the area for the suspect vehicle. During the search, a Ventura Police Motor Officer located the suspect vehicle. The two occupants were detained in the 4400 Block of Copland Drive, Ventura. Video surveillance from the Shell Gas Station and Target were reviewed and confirmed these were the suspects involved in the robbery and fraudulent use of the victim’s credit cards. The vehicle was searched, and further evidence was located connecting the suspects to the robbery and theft from a vehicle. It was also confirmed that the suspect vehicle was reported stolen out of Redondo Beach, CA. The two suspects were identified as Martin Reyes and Robert Jensen. At the time of arrest, Jensen was in possession of pepper spray. Jensen also had a felony warrant issued out of Kern County. Martin Reyes was arrested and booked for PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC 211 Robbery, VC 10851- Stolen Vehicle, three counts of PC 530.5(a)- Identify Theft, and PC 484(a)- Petty Theft from a Vehicle. His bail was set at $120k. Robert Jensen was arrested and booked for PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC 211 Robbery, VC 10851- Stolen Vehicle, three counts of PC 530.5(a)- Identify Theft, the felony warrant, PC 22810(a)- Possession of Tear Gas, and PC 484(a)- Petty Theft from a Vehicle. His bail was set at $290k. Anyone with any information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Camarillo Investigations Bureau at 805-388-5100. The Camarillo Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office encourage witnesses to notify the Sheriff’s Communication Center at 805-654-9511 or 911 of any suspected illegal activity they witness so deputies can investigate these matters as soon as they happen. Nature of Incident: Two Subejcts Arrested for Robbery, Stolen Vehicle, and Identity Theft (s)uspects,(V)ictims Prepared by: Detective Kristopher Doepking |