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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Thursday, 8/26/21, at about 11:39 AM, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a family member of a male subject who was reportedly stranded on the Halfmoon Trail (20W07) after his dirt bike reportedly broke down. The Halfmoon Trail is predominantly a single-track dirt bike trail rated as “most difficult.” The Halfmoon Trail is in northern Ventura County in the Los Padres National Forest near Lockwood Valley. The Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station initiated a response to the area. The stranded rider had reportedly text messaged a family member to call 911 and relay the trail he was on. The Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station is outfitted with a Polaris RZR four-seat utility-task vehicle (UTV). This UTV was purchased utilizing funding from the Ventura County Off-Highway Vehicle fund. A Lockwood Valley resident deputy utilized the Sheriff’s RZR and responded to Halfmoon Trail to a point near where the rider was believed to be. The deputy hiked about 0.3 miles and located the rider’s dirt bike on the trail, but the rider was not there. The deputy followed the rider’s shoe prints for several miles which led to Sunset Campground at the intersection of the Lockwood Trail, Miller Jeep Trail, Halfmoon Trail, and Piru Creek Trail. At the campground, the deputy located a pair of dirt bike riding boots and a chest protector believed to belong to the missing rider. After searching the area, the deputy located sock imprints in the dirt which led to the Piru Creek Trail. With temperatures over 90 degrees and the fact that the missing rider was walking in his socks in a remote area, additional resources joined the search including another Sheriff Lockwood Valley resident deputy and State Park Rangers from the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. The Lockwood Valley deputies work closely with the Ventura County Fire Department Fire Captains who staff Fire Station 16 in Lockwood Valley. Fire Station 16 is also outfitted with a Polaris RZR four seat utility task vehicle (UTV-16). Due to the changes in the search conditions and location, UTV-16 respond to assist with the search. One of the Lockwood Valley deputies and State Park Rangers began hiking west on the Piru Creek Trail from Gold Hill Campground. The other Lockwood Valley deputy continued hiking east on the Piru Creek Trail following sock prints in the dirt. After hiking about four and a half miles, the rider was located on the Piru Creek Trail. The rider was fatigued and dehydrated but was able to hike a short distance back to Sunset Campground with the deputy. UTV-16 met them at the campground and safely transported the rider to the Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station. The rider’s dirt bike was successfully recovered, and some valuable lessons were learned by the involved rider. When visiting the national forest, the age old saying “Proper planning prevents poor performance” couldn’t be truer. It is imperative to recognize the trails difficulty ratings, with respect to the abilities of your vehicle and your abilities as its operator before proceeding into any off-highway vehicle areas. Many of the hazards and risks associated with OHV recreation in these remote areas can be mitigated by proper planning and preparation. At a minimum, it is imperative to be familiar with the area you are in, have a map, be able to identify where you are on that map, have sufficient food and water, and ensure someone who is not with the group knows the details of your trip and when to report you as overdue. Additional OHV safety information can be found at www.parks.ca.gov. The Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station credits this successful rescue to the outstanding partnerships and exceptional teamwork with the Ventura County Fire Department and California Department of Parks and Recreation Park Rangers. Nature of Incident: Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Remote Rescue |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
 On Sunday, September 5th, 2021, at 8:07pm, the Ventura County Fire Department and Fillmore City Fire were dispatched to a reported structure fire at the Rancho Sespe apartment complex. Arriving fire crews reported a 2-story apartment complex with smoke coming from one upstairs unit. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire 15 minutes after arriving on scene. An initial primary search was made and all occupants were accounted for. Fire crews determined the fire did not spread into the attic and was primarily confined to the one unit. Crews remained on scene for about three hours. Fire investigator was also on scene. There were no injuries. Cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
 On Tuesday, August 31st, at approximately 11:55am, a Fillmore Sheriff’s deputy advised radio traffic that a suspect had fled from the deputy in the area of Ventura and Fillmore Street. Additional units responded to assist in searching for the suspect. Units had a perimeter set up in the area of Fillmore City Hall. Suspect description was a Hispanic male with white tank-top, grey sweatshirt running through the senior apartments off Saratoga and Ventura Street, east of the alley by Circle K. VC Sheriff’s Copter was searching for over 30 minutes before being cleared. Suspect was not located. No additional information was given at the time of the incident. Photo courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
 On Saturday September 4th, 2021, the City of Fillmore hosted an Emergency Preparedness Day in Central Park from 10a.m. to 1p.m. Emergency personal and their vehicles were on hand, and visitors could talk to real life heroes who respond to emergencies throughout Ventura County. Pictured are Fillmore Parks & Rec employees Krista Martinez and Sandra Edwards. Enlarge Photo  Ventura County Fire Station reps, smiling as they hand out Emergency Preparedness material. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
 On Wednesday, September 1st, 2021, at 11:36am, Fillmore City Fire (E191) was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of Santa Clara St and Fillmore Street. Arriving fire crews reported a possible apartment complex fire with nothing showing. Fillmore Fire requested Sheriff’s Department and Investigator 91(IV91) to respond to the scene for investigation; no injuries were reported. No additional information was given at the time of the incident. Photo courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum Take a walk on the bike paths around town either along the Sespe or the Santa Clara and you will encounter a number of people out for a run. The track team and cross-country team use the streets to train. Fillmore has an active running community. Here’s a little inspiration for them all. “The Packing House Bunion Derby” “On the 4th of July, 1927, myself and some other boys who had parents working at the Fillmore Lemon House, decided to participate in the race from Santa Paula to Fillmore. It was part of the holiday barbecue put on by the Lemon House. I hitched a ride with one of parents of a classmate to the starting point in Santa Paula. The other boys had second thoughts about the race and decided it was too far to run; I decided I would run anyway. The gun sounded and we were off! The race was going along just fine and after running about three miles, I found myself in the lead. Since I was ahead, I had an entourage of six or seven autos following my progress. They were supplying me with plenty of liquids. By the time I reached Rancho Sespe, I realized I would not make it to Fillmore without getting rid of some of the liquids I had consumed thus far, so I dashed into a lemon orchard and relieved myself. I returned back to the highway to find eight or ten cars waiting for me to continue the race, so off I went! I was first to cross the finish line in Fillmore. I was later told the next runner behind me was just crossing Sespe River bridge. I went to Jim Ipswitch’s pool hall to pick up my shirt and pants, left there when I changed into my running clothes. Since I was not eligible to receive the first prize money of $15.00, (my parents did not work at the packing house) Jim Ipswitch took up a collection for me-enough to provide candy, cokes, milk shakes, etc. for me for three or four months. That was the end of the Packing House Bunion Derby!” This fun remembrance was collected by Kenneth Fine for his An Anecdotal History of Fillmore, California. Kenneth was unable to find someone to publish his book before his death in 1989. With help from Don Nelson, Thomas Nelson, and Doug Fine the book passed into the hands of Marie Wren who was writing her own book on Fillmore history. Marie did some minor editing and had the book published for all to enjoy. There are a few copies for sale at the Fillmore Historical Museum. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 1st, 2021
 On August 9th photos of the Fillmore High Career Technical Education buildings were taken and it looks as though they are on their way to completion. Only a few more weeks and students will be in the state-of-the-art facility! Construction is being handled by Westgroup Designs. You can visit their website for more details and photos at https:// westgroupdesigns.com/portfolio/fillmore-usdfillmore-high-school-new-cte-buildings/. Courtesy Fillmore High School blog. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 1st, 2021
 On August 27th, 2021, at 3:21pm, Fillmore Fire (E91), Sheriff’s Deputies and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a traffic collision in the area of 3rd Street and Yucca, Fillmore. Upon arrival fire crews reported two vehicles with minor injuries. Fillmore PD shut down 3rd Street into both directions until roadway was cleared. One male patient was transported to a local hospital, condition unknown. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 1st, 2021
 Christine Schieferle, FUSD Superintendent Below is a letter to Fillmore Unified Families posted on the FUSD Website. Dear FUSD Families, Proud to be a part of FUSD, |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, September 1st, 2021
 On Tuesday, August 31st at 5:20pm, two separate traffic collisions occurred at the corner at of Ventura and B Street. The vehicle above pulled into the 7-Eleven gas station and appeared to have sustained front end damages; cause of the crash is unknown. Enlarge Photo  The second collision took place along Ventura Street; one person was examined at the scene. Cause of the crash is still under investigation. And at least one person was transported to a local hospital. Enlarge Photo |