 A Sheriff’s Bomb Squad Arson Investigator inspects a 1-acre burn area near Lake Piru Dam on Monday. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
On Monday, June 3, at 1:30pm, the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad Arson Investigator assisted the Ventura County Fire Department Arson Investigators with a brush fire near the Lake Piru Dam. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but does not appear to be criminal in nature. Although the recent rains have brought about a lush landscape, as the weather begins to warm up, the chances of a large brush fire greatly increase. Please be especially careful when it comes to sparks and open flames near dry plant life. Let’s do everything we can to protect Ventura County this fire season! Photo credit VCsheriff_bombsquad Instagram. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
 On Thursday, May 30, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol investigated a semi that had collided with an SUV on SR23 / Bardsdale Avenue, ending up in a drainage ditch. According to the CHP, no injuries were reported. The semi involved was a Peterbilt with a 53-foot fully loaded trailer; the SUV was also damaged. Both the northbound and southbound lanes were closed for more than two hours so that towing could retrieve the semi from the ditch. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
 Rotary President Scott Beylik presented a check for $1,000 to Rotarian Jennie Andrade and Alina Cardenas, from Bank of Sierra for Grad Nite Live. Grad Nite Live is an event for Fillmore High Graduates. It began in 1991 and is meant to keep the students safe on graduation night, while having a great celebration. This year the students will be bused to Universal Studios for which they pay a fee, but most of the cost is from donations such as this. Pictured (l- r) are President Scott Beylik, Rotarian Jennie Andrade and Alina Cardenas. Photo credit Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
 On Thursday, May 30, at 8:21 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol responded to a semi-truck vs a semi-truck eastbound on SR126 / Powell Road in Piru. Arriving firefighters reported one of the trucks was leaking diesel fuel onto the highway, forcing the closure of one lane in each direction. After four hours, the road was reopened. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
 On Friday, May 31, 2024, Fillmore Adult Education Program recently hosted its annual awards ceremony and graduation, celebrating the achievements of its dedicated students. The event featured heartfelt speeches from several student speakers who shared their personal journeys and successes. County Superintendent Dr. Cesar Morales attended and delivered an inspiring address. The ceremony recognized six high school graduates, two students who passed their high school equivalency exam, and 15 other students for their academic achievements, emphasizing the program’s commitment to adult education in our community. It was a memorable evening that highlighted the importance of education and lifelong learning. Congratulations! Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
 Congratulations to all the 2024 Fillmore Graduates! This week Sierra and Heritage Valley Independent Study Graduation Ceremony will be available via live stream on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 6pm and can viewed using this YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/live/CVP3-OOkY3o. On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the Fillmore High Graduation Ceremony will be available live stream at 7pm on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/live/nOgUSkhqtqo. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Monday, June 3rd, 2024
On 05/28/2024, a robbery occurred in the 600 block of Ventura Street in Fillmore. At approximately 12:30 PM, a male walked into the Wells Fargo Bank, located in the 600 block of Ventura Street in Fillmore, and handed the bank teller a note demanding money. After a short time of engaging in communication with the teller, the suspect fled the location on foot. On 05/31/2024, deputies from the Fillmore police station contacted a subject matching the attempt-robbery suspect’s description. The suspect was identified as Jair Camarena. Fillmore detectives responded to assist and located evidence linking Camarena to the attempt-robbery from Wells Fargo Bank on 05/28/2024. On 05/31/2024, during the afternoon hours, resources from the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation and Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau executed a search warrant at Camarena’s residence located in the 200 block of Village Square in Fillmore. As a result of the search warrant, additional evidence linking Camarena to the crime was located. Camarena was arrested for a violation of Penal Code 664-211 [Attempt-Robbery] and subsequently booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (PTDF) pending court proceedings. Nature of Incident: Arrest of Robbery Suspect (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote |
 On Monday, May 27, 2024, at 11am, the community gathered for the Memorial Day Ceremony at Bardsdale Cemetery. Pictured right is Reverend Bob Hammond of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church who gave the Inspirational Message. Above, the community honored those who gave their lives for our country Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, May 30th, 2024
 In attendance at this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony was Fillmore VFW Post 9637 (above), Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400, and Bill Morris. Also, thank you to Bardsdale 4H for placing flags on Friday, May 24th, and removing them on Tuesday, May 28th. After the service water and cookies were available, provided by Fillmore PEO. The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Greg Taylor, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary, Lisa Hammond, Bill Morris and newest board member Aileen Wokal welcomed the community to the special event. Inset, featured speaker, Ernie Villegas. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, May 30th, 2024
 On Saturday, May 25, at 6:21 p.m., a Fillmore Police Deputy informed dispatch that graffiti vandalism was taking place under SR126 (Pole Creek) west of El Dorado. The deputy was able to identify suspect information, and it was relayed over the radio to responding units. While deputies attempted to make contact with the subjects, they fled on foot. Subject 1 ran through the private community gate at The Bridges into a backyard. Subject 2 ran north along the washbasin and was apprehended near Main Street. The suspects, Cristian Guerra, 27, and Brandon Rodriquez, 28, were charged with graffiti vandalism, conspiracy, and resisting arrest (2 misdemeanors/1 felony); they were booked at the Ventura County Main Jail Facility. Enlarge Photo |
 On Tuesday, May 28, the City of Fillmore recognized multiple Fillmore participants and winners of the Ventura County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program Regional Tournament. The State Qualifiers were held in March 2024. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, May 30th, 2024
All items passed 5-0 except 9.C which was a first reading approved 4-1 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.A AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF FEMA GRANT FOR AUTOMATIC CHEST COMPRESSION DEVISES AND AUTHORIZATION PURCHASE OF DEVICES WITH GRANT FUNDING. RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends that the City Council: .B CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 7.10 YARD AND GARAGE SALES REGARDING THE FREQUECY OF GARAGE AND YARD SALES ALLOWED IN A MONTH/YEAR AND ADOPTION OF EXEMPTION FROM CEQA. The City Council is requested to: 9.D ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-4007 APPROVING THE FY 2024-25 ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF FILLMORE. CITY OF FILLMORE |