 The Fillmore Fire Department has received a 250-gallon water tank and Skidmore pump, donated by GlobalFire of Canada. The tank and pump are a welcomed addition to Fillmore’s exemplary fire department. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
A 250-gallon water tank and Skidmore pump have been donated to the Fillmore Fire Department by GlobalFire of Canada. According to Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola, when the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires broke out a number of these tanks were delivered to Los Angeles, and one was offered to Fillmore. Fillmore Fire already had a 40-gallon tank and pump that they use often, according to Gurrola. “We used it a lot on the 4th of July to put out trash can fires.” Gurrola said the new tank will be loaded into the back of one of the department’s pickup trucks when needed. For instance, during fire season the tank will be loaded, but removed from the truck to make room for sandbags during rainy season. GlobalFire’s mission is to strengthen the emergency response capacity of organizations and communities around the world through the provision of equipment and training. To learn more go to GlobalFire.ca. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025, 6:30 PM CITY HALL Meeting of 2-11-2025 All items except for 9.B which resulted in no action taken, passed 5-0. Erika Herrera-Terriquez, City Manager 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALL-EGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS 7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMEND-ATIONS, AND COMMENTS 8. CONSENT CALENDAR RECOM-MENDATION FOR ITEM 8A. THROUGH 8C. IS TO APPROVE BY VOICE VOTE. 8.A CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-FEBRUARY 11, 2025 CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-FEBRUARY 11, 2025.PDF 8.B JANUARY 14, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 14, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.PDF 8.C ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 25-978 TO AMEND SECTION 6.07.060 OF THE FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REVISE REGULATIONS FOR SR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT IMPACT FEE ORDINANCE - NO.25-978.PDF 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.A CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR FILLMORE FIRE HOUSE ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT (PROJECT) SR - FILLMORE FIRE HOUSE ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT (1049721.1)_FINAL.PDF RECOMMENDATION That the City Council: 1. Approve a fund transfer in the amount of $18,641.57 to be reallocated from General 9.B CONSIDERATION OF FORMATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS CONSIDERATION OF FORMATION NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS SR.PDF 9.C CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ERIKA HERRERA AS CITY MANAGER AND APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT CITY OF FILLMORE CM APPOINTMENT SR.PDF 10. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS 11. CITY MANAGER CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT 12. CLOSED SESSION 12.A FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - CLOSED SESSION FEBRUARY 11, 2025 - CLOSED SESSION.PDF 13. ADJOURNMENT MAYOR CHRISTINA VILLASEÑOR ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025, CITY |
 On February 11, 2025, Northern Sierra Railway Ventura Division announced the relocation of its new headquarters to be in Fillmore on 121 Santa Clara Street. Photo credit Northern Sierra Railway. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
February 11, 2025 Sierra Northern Railway’s Ventura Division is pleased to announce the recent relocation of its headquarters to Fillmore, Calif. from its former Santa Paula complex. The company provides transportation, rail-served real estate, and railcar storage services. The company owns and operates several rail lines in the state. The new Fillmore facility is located at 121 Santa Clara Street. “This new office and shop provide our employees a relevant facility to serve the railroad and the communities along the line,” said Matt Blackburn, Ventura Division Manager. Another component of the railroad, the Sunburst Train railbike operation, will remain headquartered in Santa Paula at the former Southern Pacific train station. *** The Sierra Northern Railway (reporting mark SERA) is a common carrier railroad company operating in California. The company owns and operates several rail lines originating from those of the former Sacramento Northern Railroad, Northern Electric Railway, Sierra Railway Company of California, Western Pacific Railroad, and Yolo Shortline Railroad. It handles all freight operations and track maintenance for its parent company, the Sierra Railroad Company. The tracks that are maintained by Sierra Northern are also used by the Sierra Railroad Company’s tourist trains For additional information, contact Matt Blackburn at MBlackburn@Sierrarailroad.com. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
 On Sunday, February 9th, at 10:40 a.m., Fillmore Fire Department, Fillmore Police, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a vehicle fire near the intersection of Ventura and C Street. Upon arrival deputies discovered a motorcycle emitting smoke/fire; the rider managed to get off the motorcycle unharmed. It is unclear why the motorcycle caught fire. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
 On Friday, February 7th, at 5:46 a.m., a Ventura County Sheriff’s Police Unit was involved in a traffic collision on Grimes Canyon Road (SR 23). According to CHP, the car that hit the sheriff’s unit was traveling too fast in the fog and on wet roads, lost control, spun out, and crashed with the sheriff’s unit, causing minor injuries to the deputy. For at least an hour, traffic alternated through only one lane. Photo credit X:MoorparkCHP. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
 The Grand Opening of Fillmore High School’s Booty Sanchez Varsity Baseball Field will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., before the first home game of the season. Please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony and the ceremonial first pitches by the Sanchez Family and Friends of Booty. Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2025/2/10/booty-sanchez-baseball-field-grand-opening. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
 On Thursday afternoon, February 6th, Fillmore Fire Department responded to a hazardous condition report behind Ay! Chihuahua’s restaurant, due to a reported strong smell of oil. Firefighters arrived on scene and evaluated the situation, observing an unknown type of oil running down the alley gutter. It was unclear where the oil was coming from. Firefighters on the scene called public works to bring in dirt so that the oil could be absorbed. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, February 7th, 2025
 Above is evidence police found during their service of a search warrant for the subject’s home. Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Enlarge Photo The Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded a narcotics sales investigation with the arrest of Mario Galvez who was actively selling fentanyl and methamphetamine to Ventura County residents. The investigation began in December 2024 when VC FOCUS received information about Galvez selling narcotics from his residence in Fillmore. Detectives conducted covert surveillance of Galvez and observed multiple drug transactions occurring between him and customers outside of his house. On January 21, 2025, detectives served a search warrant at Galvez’ residence and detained him while he was selling methamphetamine to a customer in a vehicle in front of his house. During the service of the search warrant detectives seized nearly 1 lb of methamphetamine, 20 grams of fentanyl and US Currency derived from drug sales. Detectives arrested Galvez for Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance and Possession for Sales of a Dangerous Drug. He was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and posted $50,000 bail. He is currently out of custody and awaiting arraignment on February 4, 2025. VC FOCUS is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and federal law enforcement partners. The primary mission of this partnership is to combat fentanyl related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting the supply chain of individuals and criminal organizations responsible for the sales of these drugs into Ventura County. In addition, the task force works to identify new trends of abuse among the younger population and educate the community at large on the lethal danger of this epidemic. VC FOCUS has partnered with Ventura County Behavioral Health as an active member of the County Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team (COAST) in a campaign to reduce overdoses and educate the public about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. Comprehensive information can be found at www.ThinkAgainVC.com The public may contact investigators from the VC FOCUS at (805) 383-8700 or VCFOCUS@ventura.org with additional information about this case, or any other information related to narcotics. Prepared by: Sergeant John Hajducko *** |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, February 7th, 2025
 On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3:48 p.m., Fillmore Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and Fillmore Police Department responded to a structure fire in the 800 block of Central Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find a garage completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire with the help of nearby fire departments. A burned-out vehicle was also discovered in the garage. Fillmore Fire Chief Gurrola reported that the fire was completely extinguished by 5:00 p.m. Fillmore Deputies closed a portion of Central Avenue; no injuries were reported, and a Fillmore Fire investigator was dispatched. The house residents were displaced, and the American Red Cross was at the scene assisting the family. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Enlarge Photo |
 On Monday, February 3, 2025, Fillmore High and Middle School students marched their way to Highway 126 through traffic holding flags and signs in protest of the recent U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement activity in the local area. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, February 7th, 2025
During the Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest on Monday, February 3, 2025, at approximately 12:30pm, a victim reported being assaulted by one of the adult protesters on the corner of Ventura Street and A Street. The victim was riding his motorcycle near the crowd when a male subject threw a water bottle at him. This caused a verbal exchange of some sort between the victim and the protestors. The victim drove to the police station to report the incident. Additionally, the victim provided video from his GO PRO camera that captured the incident. Deputies viewed the video, confirmed the crime, and identified the suspect as a 42-year-old Fillmore resident. Deputies returned to Ventura Street and A Street and arrested the subject for violation of Penal Code section 242- Battery and Vehicle Code section 23110(a)- Throwing substances at motorists. The subject was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and released a short time later after he posted $2500 bail. Information credit Fillmore Sheriff’s Office. |