By FHS Girls Wrestling Head Coach Michael Torres

Saturday, January 25th, 2025. Norwalk, CA-The Fillmore High School Girls Wrestling team displayed tremendous determination and sportsmanship at the John Glenn High School Lady Eagles 32-Team Invitational, held this past weekend. Competing against some of the best talent in the Southern California region, the Flashes held their own and showed growth throughout the tournament, with several wrestlers achieving impressive results.

Senior Emma Torres, competing at 132 lbs, earned a 6th place finish with a 2-2 record. Her performance showcased her tenacity and ability to perform despite being in ill-health.

In the 117 lbs weight class, sophomore Naomi Bonilla finished in 8th place with a solid 3-2 record. Her performance was one of the standout efforts for the Flashes, demonstrating her skill in a highly competitive bracket.

Other notable pe-rformances came from seniors Alexa Martinez, who finished with a 2-2 record, and Ava Manzano, who finished 1-2. Both athletes showed promise, pushing themselves through tough competition and continuing to grow their wrestling abilities.

Unfortunately, a number of Fillmore’s first year wrestlers faced tough challenges in their brackets. Juliet Bustos (107 lbs), Jacqueline Lomeli (127 lbs), Skyla Sandoval (137 lbs), Michelle Pinedo (137 lbs), and Candy Aguilar (147 lbs) each finished 0-2, but their perseverance and dedication throughout the event speak volumes about their commitment to the sport.

Girls Head Coach Michael Torres praised the team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of the tournament in helping the athletes develop and improve. “This tournament was a step up the level of competition that we have faced, with a lot of CIF State Qualifiers that entered the contest. This experience will only make the team better as they move forward into the postseason and CIF Championships.”

The Flashes will look to build on their performance as they host the Citrus Coast League Finals on Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 am at the Fillmore High School Gymnasium with athletes from Channel Islands, Fillmore, Hueneme, Nordhoff, and Santa Paula all vying for the CCL crown in their respective weight classes and looking to qualify for CIF Championships in Adelanto the following week.

Erika Herrera-Terriquez, new Fillmore City Manager. Photo credit Gazette staff.
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Fillmore, CA – February 11, 2025 – The City Council of Fillmore is proud to announce the appointment of Erika Herrera-Terriquez as the new City Manager, effective February 12, 2025. Erika has been serving as the Interim City Manager, overseeing the entire organization and providing leadership during this transitional period. Prior to her Interim appointment, Erika served as Assistant City Manager and has worked with the City for six years.

Erika brings a wealth of experience, bilingual skills, and a deep commitment to the Fillmore community. In her previous role as Assistant City Manager, she worked closely with city staff and residents to enhance the quality of life in Fillmore. Her dedication to public service and her desire to implement the City Council’s vision for the city’s future make her an excellent choice to lead Fillmore forward.

In response to her appointment, Erika expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm: “I am deeply honored and humbled by the City Council’s trust in me to serve as Fillmore’s City Manager. This community holds a special place in my heart, and I remain fully committed to working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for our residents, support our dedicated staff, and advance the Council’s goals and policies. It is a privilege to lead this incredible city, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to foster a thriving and vibrant community.”

Erika’s heartfelt message to the community reflects her genuine passion for Fillmore and its residents. The City Council is confident that under her leadership, Fillmore will continue to thrive and achieve its goals.

Fillmore’s Mayor, Christina Villasenor, stated: “In the four plus years I’ve been on the City Council, Erika’s professionalism, thoroughness and dedication to improving the City’s functioning and accountability for the benefit of our residents has been crystal clear. I’m thrilled for the City that Erika will continue to be at the helm of our day-to-day operations as we progress and strive to provide the best local government services to our community and vision for our future.

City Attorney Tiffany Israel commented: “The appointment of Erika Herrera-Terriquez as Fillmore’s new City Manager marks an exciting new chapter for Fillmore. Her extensive experience in public administration and commitment to serve the community will be invaluable in driving progress and ensuring effective leadership. I look forward to working with Erika to support the city’s growth and success.”

For additional information, please contact, Tiffany Israel

Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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Community Contact: Name: Tiffany Israel Title: City Attorney Phone: 949-250-5411
Email: tisrael@awattorneys.com

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Ventura County Search and Rescue K9 (VCSARK9) brings “Hug A Tree and Survive” Program to Santa Paula Boys and Girls Club and Fillmore Boys and Girls Club

In January Team Members Lisa Hammond and Virginia Feyh (and her K9s Velvet and Huck) and volunteers Linda Munday and Angel Esquivel of the Ventura County Search and Rescue K9 Team (VCSARK9) came to talk to the kids (and adults) about the program “Hug A Tree and Survive”.

VCSARK9 is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, training and deployment of high performance, volunteer canine teams which will in turn effectively assist in the search and rescue or search and recovery of missing persons.

Hug-A-Tree and Survive was developed in the United States following the search for Jimmy Beveridge in 1981, and was first adapted for Canadian use by the RCMP. It was updated by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) and the SAR Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) in 2015 with new videos and activities to support program delivery. Hug-a-Tree and Survive is an AdventureSmart program that helps lost children survive in the woods. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do should they become lost. If a child should become lost in the woods, hugging a tree can help them stay safe, and be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements, and keeps lost children in the same place, which makes it easier for searchers to find them. The presentation included a short video presentation, discussion about the 4 rules to help keep children safe, and a demonstration with one of the dogs training to be on the VCSARK9 Team, Velvet and Huck, both Redbone [!@#$] Hounds.

The Hug-a-Tree Rules

Hug-A-Tree and Survive emphasizes four key rules to keeping children safe:
TELL AN ADULT WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

Always tell your parents, or another trusted adult where you are going, who you are going with, and when you will be back. You can do this in person, over the phone, through a text message, or by leaving a note in a place they will see it.
IF YOU ARE LOST, “HUG-A-TREE” AND STAY PUT.

A tree can help protect you from the elements while you’re outdoors, and most importantly, keep you in one place. Depending on where you are, there may not always be a tree. Perhaps your “tree” can be a large rock or bench at a park, or a sales counter at a mall. No matter what your landmark is, it is important to stay put, in order to stay safe.

KEEP WARM AND DRY

Temperatures change throughout the day, and can drop at night. Even if you are warm during the day, keep your jacket handy for night time. If you get cold, put on an extra layer, pull up your hood or put on your hat if you have one, tuck your shirt in, tuck pant legs into your socks, and zip up your jacket. You can also keep warm by building a nest to keep you off the ground, or by using an emergency shelter.

HELP SEARCHERS FIND YOU BY ANSWERING THEIR CALLS.

Whether searchers are parents, police officers, or SAR volunteers, remember they just want to get you home safely. Answer back to their calls by making noise and signaling (remember that whistle!), so you can be heard and seen. Make sure to leave lots of footprints and clues, so searchers can follow your tracks to find you.

While designed for the outdoors, these rules are easily transferable to other places including sporting events, shopping malls, public parks, urban areas, and much more! Together, these core points work to ensure kids have the knowledge and training needed to safely enjoy the outdoors, and their communities.

For more information about the “Hug A Tree and Survive” program go to https://www.adventuresmart.ca/programs/hug-a-tree-and-survive/. For more information about VCSARK9 go to www.vcsark9.org. This presentation was funded by a grant from the California Fire Foundation https://www.cafirefoundation.orgwhat-we-do/for-grant-seekers

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=186
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FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – February 5, 2025 – The Fillmore Police Department is urging all community members to prioritize safety on the roads by slowing down and being vigilant, with the aim of safeguarding pedestrians and drivers alike from accidents and injuries.

Fillmore Police Chief Malagon emphasizes the importance of road safety, stating, “There’s a lot happening on our roads, and everyone deserves to get to their destination safely. Drivers need to be aware of pedestrians who are out walking. Please slow down and never drive impaired.

We all have places to go, so let’s remember that safety is a shared responsibility.”

According to data from 2022, the leading primary crash factor for traffic fatalities and serious injuries in California was unsafe speed, accounting for 73.5% of these incidents. To contribute to road safety efforts, the Fillmore Police Department encourages community members to adhere to all traffic laws in the city.

Here are some key tips for drivers and pedestrians:

For Drivers:

Do not exceed speed limits and reduce speed at intersections. Be prepared to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks.
Obey posted speed limits, particularly in residential areas where children are present and outdoor activities are common.

For Pedestrians:

Be predictable. Utilize signalized crosswalks where drivers anticipate pedestrian traffic.

Exercise caution when crossing streets, being mindful of approaching vehicles. Remember that at 30 mph, a driver requires at least 90 feet to come to a stop. Enhance your visibility at night by wearing light-colored clothing, reflective materials, and carrying a flashlight.

Exercise extra caution when crossing streets at night or on busy roads with higher speed limits.
By following these guidelines and working together, the Fillmore community can create safer roads for all residents and visitors.

For questions and further information regarding this, please contact Eduardo Malagon, (805) 524-2233, Eduardo.malagon@ventura.org

You can also visit 2024 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts: Speeding-Related and Other Crashes | Safe Transportation Research and Education Center for additional information on Traffic Safety.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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Community Contact:

Name: Erika Herrera-Terriquez
Title: City Manager
Phone: 805-946-1712
Email: eherrera@fillmoreca.gov

Robert Farr 32 Fillmore, Ca
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Name: Robert Farr

Gender: Male

Age: 32

Race: White

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 300lbs

Hair Color: Brown

Last Seen: Ventura Street and B Street in Fillmore, around 5pm

Clothing Description: Black shirt, Grey basketball shorts, and Black shoes on a purple bicycle

Additional Information: Missing person at-risk has a mental health disorder, and is prone to seizures. He was last seen
around 5pm.

Please report any sightings to Ventura County Sheriff's Dispatch at (805) 654-9511.

Por favor reporte cualquier avistamiento al Despacho del Sheriff al (805) 654-9511.