Released January 17, 2025, As we approach the presidential inauguration, local law enforcement leaders have received inquiries about their roles in enforcing immigration laws. As law enforcement leaders within Ventura County, we feel it is important to re-emphasize our longstanding practices in this area. To be very clear, Ventura County law enforcement has not historically participated in the enforcement of immigration laws. We do not intend to change that practice.

Safe communities need effective law enforcement services. In order to be effective, we need the trust and cooperation between residents and the officers and deputies sworn to protect them. We do not want the fear of immigration status to inhibit the members of our communities from interacting with officers and deputies, especially when they are victims or witnesses in criminal cases.

In rare cases, and in compliance with California law (SB 54), noncitizens who are held to answer for or convicted of specified crimes may be transferred to federal immigration authorities in the county jail. A total of 43,761 people were booked into the Ventura County jail from various law enforcement agencies in 2023 and 2024. Of that number, only 88 were removed by immigration officials (0.2%). Their charges include crimes such as lewd acts on a child, assault with a deadly weapon, arson, and burglary.

Once again, the law enforcement leaders who serve you want to reassure our communities that we intend to maintain our position of NOT participating in immigration enforcement. We deeply appreciate and value the trust and confidence Ventura County law enforcement shares with our communities and look forward to your continued support.

Pictured above is Ms. Tiffany leading music and movement with preschool students at Sierra Preschool which recently re-opened their doors and enrolled preschool age students. Teachers Ms. Liz (site-lead) and Ms. Tiffany held a welcome night for families before the re-opening. The preschool locations provide full-day & part-day high quality preschool programs for children ages 2.9 to 4-years old, with early learning and care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday year-round. They offer TK after-care from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call to enroll your child at (805) 524-8311.
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Photos courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/preschool-blog/2025/1/20/sierra-preschool-open.
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Pictured right is Ms. Tiffany leading music and movement with preschool students at Sierra Preschool which recently re-opened their doors and enrolled preschool age students. Teachers Ms. Liz (site-lead) and Ms. Tiffany held a welcome night for families before the re-opening. The preschool locations provide full-day & part-day high quality preschool programs for children ages 2.9 to 4-years old, with early learning and care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday year-round. They offer TK after-care from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call to enroll your child at (805) 524-8311.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=181.
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https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=181

Posted on: January 17, 2025

As we reach mid-January, Fillmore has experienced little to no rain this season. With what appears to be a dry winter ahead, conserving water is critical to protecting this valuable resource for our community.

Tips for Conserving Water at Home and in the Yard

Inside the Home:

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing hands to save water.

Fix leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes. Even a small drip can waste gallons of water daily.

Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine to maximize water and energy efficiency.

Install water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water usage.

Reuse water when possible. For example, collect water from rinsing vegetables and use it to water plants.

In the Yard Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize water loss due to evaporation.

Adjust sprinklers to avoid overwatering and prevent water from running off onto sidewalks or streets.

Consider using a drip irrigation system to target plants directly and reduce water waste.

Replace your lawn with native or drought-tolerant plants that require less water and thrive in dry conditions.

Use mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.

Why Conservation Matters

Taking simple steps to conserve water can have a significant impact, especially during dry conditions. Every small change in our daily habits helps to protect this essential resource for future generations.

Learn More

For additional water-saving tips and resources, visit Save Our Water California. Let’s work together to conserve water and ensure a sustainable future for Fillmore and beyond.

The Fillmore Lions Club has announced their 2024-25 Peace Poster Contest winners. Pictured above (l-r) for Year 2024-25 are First Place: Gabriella Lopez, Second Place: Victoria Topete (Mom shown in picture), and Third Place: Camilla Herrera. All winners are in the 8th grade. Photo credit Fillmore Lions Club.
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The Fillmore Lions Club would like to announce the winners of the 2024-25 Peace Poster Contest. This contest involved the art class students from Fillmore Middle School.

Lions Club International stated: “This contest has been conducted for over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The 2024-2025 contest was titled “PEACE WITHOUT LIMITS”. For peace to be anything more than a possibility, we need to make it a priority. This year, we asked our young students to create a poster that speaks to our world’s infinite potential for kindness once we commit to pursuing the idea of peace without limits.”

Vincent Parrish Vargas was arrested for firing multiple gunshots at the victim during a road rage incident. On January 12, 2025, at about 0701 hours, two vehicles were driving southbound on Grimes Canyon Road when a “road rage” incident occurred. Vargas followed the victim vehicle and fired several gunshots at the victim. Vargas continued to follow the victim vehicle and fired additional gunshots, striking the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. The victim was uninjured and was able to obtain the license plate of Vargas’ vehicle. The victim then relayed that information to Sheriff’s Dispatch as Vargas fled the scene. Officers from the Simi Valley Police Department located Vargas and his vehicle in the 2900 block of Tapo Canyon Road in Simi Valley. Deputies arrived a short time later and took custody of Vargas.

Deputies located a handgun in Vargas’ vehicle and seized it as evidence. Vargas was arrested for one count of Attempted Murder (PC 664/187) and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Vargas was also served with a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) and detectives from the Moorpark Police Department and East County Major Crimes Unit recovered an additional firearm from his residence.

The Moorpark Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to please contact Detective Kevin Walters at (805)494-8232. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Prepared by: Detective Jon Nungester

News Release Date: 01/14/2025

Approved by: Captain Darin Hendren

Booking Photo Release: NO

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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Photo credit Ventura County Sheriffs Office
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During the month of October 2024, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team began an investigation into Manuel Arana and his business, Pop’s Auto Shop. Fillmore patrol deputies had conducted numerous enforcement stops related to the auto shop and developed information regarding the criminal activity occurring at the auto shop.

Detectives were granted a search warrant for Arana, his business and his residence by the Ventura County Superior Court. On January 9, 2025, Fillmore patrol deputies and Narcotics Detectives detained Arana in Fillmore pursuant to the search warrant as he was going to work. A short time later, Detectives executed the search warrant at Arana’s residence in Santa Paula and Pop’s Auto Shop in Fillmore.

As a result of the investigation, an un-serialized semi-automatic handgun was located in Arana’s residence and an unregistered handgun was located in the office of Pop’s Auto Shop. Arana was arrested and booked for firearms related offenses including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful transfer of a firearm. Arana posted $50,000 bail and has a scheduled court date of January 23, 2025.

Prepared by: Sergeant Dan Ashmore

News Release Date: 1/10/25

Approved by: Captain Ron Chips

Booking Photo Release: NO

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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).