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By Anonymous — Monday, November 16th, 2015
 Cal Fire Sacramento – While recent rains and cooler temperatures have lowered the threat of wildfires in some areas of the State, CAL FIRE continues to have extra firefighter staffing statewide and remains at peak fire season in Central and Southern California. Last week alone CAL FIRE crews responded to nearly 50 new wildfires. Even as CAL FIRE transitions out of peak fire season in Northern California and into its winter preparedness mode, fire officials are still asking residents statewide to be cautious outdoors as ‘One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire’. “As drought conditions continued throughout the year, we experienced a significant increase in the number and size of fires," said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Even with the increased likelihood of precipitation due to El Niño, it will still take several years of steady rainfall for some of the larger vegetation to return to normal levels and no amount of rain will bring back millions of bark beetle infested dead and dying trees across the state. We can’t let our guard down, especially with changing climate conditions leading to longer fire seasons and larger wildfires.” While CAL FIRE has begun to close some of its seasonal fire stations and facilities in Northern California, CAL FIRE is maintaining firefighter staffing that meets the current threat, as well as strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. As California prepares to enter the fifth year of drought, CAL FIRE will continue to monitor weather conditions closely to determine when it can move into winter preparedness in Central and Southern California. The department will also increase staffing in Northern California should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or any other emergencies in Southern California. The 2015 fire season to date has been an extremely active year, even more than in 2014. Statewide, CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 6,100 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 308,000 acres. This is nearly 1,800 more wildfires this year than in an average year. Across all jurisdictions in California there were over 8,100 wildfires that burned nearly 825,000 acres in 2015. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped outdoor landscape debris burning. Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. In Northern and Central California residents should ensure it’s a permissive burn day in their area by contacting the local air quality district and make sure they have any and all required burn permits. During burning make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter, provide a 10 ft. clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile and that a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel. Firefighters will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health on private and public lands. For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Realtors Continue to Object to New Ordinance
 Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. The November 10, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting had a full agenda including a Consent Calendar second reading of the Humane Living Ordinance which brought back local realtors to voice their opposition. First to speak on the ordinance was former Fillmore Realtor Doug Hause who did not hold back when questioning the Councils motives stating "....I just wonder if this Council hasn't been lobbied by contractors and others in the construction business to sweeten opportunities with the strong arm of the government in town" suggesting the council had been influenced. He commented on the financial stability of some vulnerable residents "living paycheck to paycheck" stating "this ordinance by its very nature puts many at risk" leaving the door open to the unscrupulous predator practice of selling for the minimum through private sale. "I have lived in this town for 45 years and never have I seen such a mean spirited self-serving proposal as this ordinance." The second person to speak was Realtor Cindy Diaz-Telly who wanted to correct the City record on a number of issues. One was the amount of citizen calls the City received concerning the issue as 33. Diaz-Telly informed the Council that and additional 22 residents contacted her stating they could not get through, that they received a recording stating the message box was full. She also disagreed stating Council Member Rick Neal had accused the realtors of threatening a lawsuit, responding there was no threat of a lawsuit. Another problem she stated in the claims of some Council Members was that discussions had already been tried, saying, "Talking at this podium for five minutes is not a conversation." Diaz-Telly spoke at length of legal problems associated with the ordinance and questioned the response at the previous meeting by City Attorney Tiffany Israel stating other towns have had a good response to similar ordinances. Diaz-Telly questioned "What cities are they, what is the median income?" She then questioned the proposed six months trial period asking, "What's your measure of success....at the end you're passing an open-ended ordinance" and ended with suggesting the Council slow down and "consider other options." Council Member Rick Neal, who has pushed to move forward made a motion to approve the ordinance. Council Member Manuel Minjares quickly interjected that he also felt the council members had not met with the realtors stated, "I want to give them the opportunity to talk it over with them." Council Member Diane McCall agreed with Minjares stating that people are still telling her they disagree with the ordinance. "I'm for putting together a better product." Council Member Carrie Broggie responded, "I keep hearing the same thing...citing the same points....I've heard nothing new.....if you want to talk to realtors I'm ok with that." Neal stated he would not talk to any realtors without an attorney present with each realtor and that it would cost the City a great deal of money to do that. He went on to cite the higher cost of Santa Barbara's ordinance compared to the proposed Fillmore ordinance, but did not mention the huge difference in income between the two cities. McCall reminded the Council that many of the homes in Fillmore are very old and there is no documented history on improvements and changes made. There are homes in Fillmore that date before the Fillmore Planning Department. Minjares told the others he would like to see a subcommittee created to investigate the need for the ordinance. Mayor Douglas Tucker reported he had heard from both sides, in favor and opposed and understood the need for housing and for safety, but "the end result is the ordinance improves the value of properties." Tucker ended with "the hardest part is we have to make decisions....allowing the trial of six months we'll see how it works for the community." A vote was taken ending in 3-2, with Broggie seconding Neal’s motion and Tucker being the deciding vote in favor. Both Minjares and McCall voted No. A Public Hearing item was the proposed 8% increase in trash removal fees. Fillmore resident Ray Mel addressed the Council stating there was no need to increase the brown yard clippings bin because there is less need since the drought and if the number of bins picked up stayed the same there would not be a need to increase the costs. He stated that so many utilities have increased and it is having a hard impact of residents. Councilman Neal responded, "I think there was an increase coming anyway." It has been 5 years since Harrison Industries has increased the fee and a 5% was expected. There was an offer of picking up all three bins every week at an increase of 8% and the Council agreed that for the added 3% the citizens were getting a better offer. Tucker reminded others that Harrison is still cleaning the streets without charging and McCall added that they also clean up after events with no charge to the City. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting to hear from experts on the potential for a very wet winter season and the planning and response efforts underway. The agencies represented at the meeting: National Weather Service; Ventura County Fire Department; Fillmore City Fire Department; Ventura County Sheriff's Office; Watershed Protection District; Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services; Ventura County Animal Services; American Red Cross. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore. After a week long investigation the arrest of Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore, was made today for forgery and grand theft from an elderly person. Investigators determined between March 2014 through August 2015 Moten had cared for an elderly couple, ages 92 and 83 years old of Santa Paula. During that time frame the suspect had written multiple false checks and made unauthorized withdrawls on the elderly couple's account. The total loss in false checks and unauthorized withdrawls is approximately $8,500. Also during investigation it was determined Moten had stolen jewelry from the elderly couple and had pawned it at a local pawn shop. The dollar amount regarding the stolen jewelry is still being investigated at this time. Based on the investigation at this time we believe the possibility exists there may be other people who have been victimized by Moten. If you believe you have been a victim please contact Detective Walter Harper at 525-4474 x 221. Moten was arrested for 470(a) PC - Forgery and 365(d) PC - Grand Theft from an Elderly Person. Moten was later transported to Ventura County Main Jail where her bail is set at $20,000. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The El Nino Town Hall Meeting for the Santa Clara Valley is Tuesday November 17, 2015 from 6pm-8pm at the Veterans Memorial Building in Fillmore. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Vicente Sosa Pedrito, Aka: Juan Mendoza, Juvenal Martinez, Alfonso DeLeon, “El Peluchin”, DOB: 05/29/1967, 05/05/1975, Sex: Male, Ethnicity: Hispanic, Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Black, Height: 5’5”, Weight: 150, CDL: C6458134, Tattoos: Rose flower on left hand, Jesus on left arm, woman on right arm. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating Vicente Sosa Pedrito. Pedrito has been out of compliance with his sex registration requirements since March 18, 2015. Vicente Sosa Pedrito Felony Warrant issued on 03/13/2015 for Probation Violation and Failure to Register as Sex Offender. Information about Pedrito's whereabouts can be shared with: |
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By Leslie McAdam — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Laura Bartels Santa Clara Valley Attorney Laura Bartels was recently selected to be the recipient of the Ben E. Nordman award, the highest honor of the Ventura County Bar Association. She will receive the prestigious honor on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the bar’s annual dinner at Ventura’s Crowne Plaza Hotel at 7 PM. Known for her two decades of work with Fillmore’s Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, Laura began volunteering there as an attorney in 1997, acting as the director since 2002- two decades of volunteering every Thursday night during the school year. Laura is proud of the fact that most of the attorneys at SCVLA have received the California State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award; Laura received the award in 2001 along with attorney Debora Vierra, the legal aid’s founder. Legal Aid has served over 11,000 people since its inception. It is unique as an all-volunteer organization that relies exclusively on individual donations. Laura describes the power of transformation at SCVLA – how the focused, active listening to people sharing their problems and giving them legal advice and hope, validates their concerns and liberates them toward change. She loves helping people because it is “so rewarding.” SCVLA provides information to the individuals and families who come; if necessary, individual matters are handled by the attorneys on their own. Laura started volunteering in the 1990s for the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, helping victims of clergy sexual misconduct. She observed first-hand “the transformative power of having the person tell their story and having someone listen and be an advocate.” Since then, she hasn’t stopped being of service. She has been elected Bardsdale’s representative to the Valley Advisory Committee (a Santa Clara Valley land use advisory committee to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors), appointed to the Ventura County Planning Commission (including serving as chair), a member of the Santa Paula Hospital Board of Directors; a mentor for Ventura County Big Brother-Big Sisters; recipient of the Fillmore Soroptimist Women of Distinction; a member of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board; a Ventura County 99 (women pilot’s); President of the Ventura County Bar Association, and many, many other activities, including coaching Fillmore High School Mock Trial. Laura’s unique ability to immediately connect to people strengthens the bond created in serving others. For four years she organized a winter coat drive in Fillmore, giving away around 1,800 coats; this was the only time I have ever been Black Friday shopping: with Laura Bartels at 3:00 in the morning, buying out Macy’s, Old Navy, and J.C. Penney’s. After the coat drive got too unwieldy, she still went to Walmart, bought as many soccer balls as would fit in her car (over fifty) and gave them out at Christmas. Last year she actively participated in a local coalition in providing assistance to immigrant children fleeing from Central America, who were temporarily housed at Port Hueneme Naval Air Base. Husband Bill is the Ventura County Film Liaison and Laura’s supportive, caring and deeply loved partner. Married 28 years ago, their 3 children are the fifth generation of Bartels who have grown up in the ranch house built by Bill’s great grandfather 100 years ago. Son Matthew (13) is an 8th grader at Fillmore Middle School; Hannah (15) is a 10th grader at La Reina High School; and Nico (17) is a senior at Fillmore High School. The family farm is currently planted to artichokes, but has grown jalapeños for Sriracha hot chili sauce, Brussels sprouts and navels and Valencias. After high school on the north Oregon coast, Laura attended Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college in the country, with a degree in History and a minor in Women’s Studies. Laura and Bill moved to Fillmore in 1986 and she started working for attorney John Scoles in 1988 as a legal assistant. With his encouragement, she began studying law at Ventura College of Law in the mid-90s and took the February 1997 bar. With her paralegal Joi Searson, office manager Andrea Davis, and office German Shepherds Twiggy and Brando, she has an active probate and estate planning practice in Fillmore at Taylor, Scoles & Bartels which is celebrating 85 years of serving the families and farmers of the Santa Clara Valley. Laura is quite the Foo Fighters fan, and thanks to family connections, Laura has seen, to date, 39 shows, in cities throughout California, as well as St. Louis, Atlantic City, New York, Kansas City, and even Germany. Recently her seats were on the stage with her mother, where the guitar techs had to walk around her. Besides the Foos, she is a licensed pilot and her hobbies are photography, activities with her children, and cheering Le Tour de France. She also collects handshakes with famous people. On her list so far: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm, guitarist Dave Grohl, writer Ram Dass, actor Richard Gere, model Cindy Crawford, software guru Peter Norton, California Chief Justice Ronald George (ret.), California Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakayue, and singer Sheryl Crowe. Noted anthropologist Margaret Mead was a good friend of Laura’s mother and her famous quote seems to have seeped its way into the fiber of Laura’s being: “Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world … indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Laura has received other honors and awards, including the Volunteer Lawyer Services Program award in 2001 and 2003, and the Holly Spevak Memorial Award from the Ventura County Women Lawyers in 2012. However, the Nordman award is truly a special honor. Please call the Ventura County Bar Association at 805-650-7599 for ticket and sponsorship information. Reservations are required. Leslie McAdam is a partner at Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP, where she handles business litigation, employment counsel and litigation, and real estate matters. Leslie is a six year veteran volunteer of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The Fillmore Unified School Board presented the Fillmore Alumni Association with a Proclamation of gratitude for all they do for the school community at last week’s school board meeting. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On November 02, 2015, Deputies along with Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau responded to a call of a stabbing at the intersection of Third and B St., in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving, it was discovered the victim had been involved in an altercation with the suspect and the victim sustained a stab wound to the chest. The victim was transported to VCMC where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau. Nature of Incident: Homicide 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). |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
LOS ANGELES – As we honor our military service members on Veterans Day, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to Californians regarding scams targeting seniors who served in the military and their survivors. These scams have been reported to the California Department of Justice’s Public Inquiry Unit. “California’s veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices to keep our nation safe and uphold our most sacred values and freedoms,” said Attorney General Harris. “Sadly, many of our senior veterans are being targeted by scam artists seeking to take advantage of them for a quick profit. My office will continue to protect our veterans and ensure that predators who seek to profit from their service are held accountable.” These reported “pension poaching” scams prey on veterans and target the financial assistance offered through the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Program, which provides pension benefits to financially disadvantaged wartime veterans and their survivors over 65 years of age. Specifically, pension poaching scams involve unscrupulous insurance agents and their representatives posing as unpaid volunteers or accredited VA representatives who offer to help seniors apply for VA pension benefits. These insurance agents and their representatives lure seniors into buying an annuity or setting up an irrevocable trust to create a false appearance of financial hardship by attempting to conceal the senior’s assets. Insurance agents and their representatives charge high fees for these services, including undisclosed sales commissions that are paid to the purported volunteer. Targeted seniors may not be fully aware of the consequences of moving their assets into an annuity or irrevocable trust, such as strict withdrawal limitations leaving them without access to funds they may actually need for their care. Although a VA pension benefits application based on false financial need may be successful, those who receive this benefit may face significant financial and legal consequences if the concealed funds are discovered, including repayment of benefit amounts received. Seniors who receive other VA or government-sponsored benefits that require disclosure of funds held in annuities and irrevocable trusts are especially vulnerable to reversal of their VA pension benefit. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE OFFERS TO HELP YOU APPLY FOR VA PENSION BENEFITS HELPFUL RESOURCES You can also file a complaint with the California Department of Justice by visiting http://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company. A searchable list of VA-accredited representatives is available at www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp or call 1-800-827-1000. For more information about VA Aid and Attendance pension benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov/pension. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, November 9th, 2015
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced that CDPH has received the first report of an influenza-associated fatality in a person under the age of one year for the 2015-2016 flu season. The death occurred in Stanislaus County and serves as another somber reminder that influenza can cause serious illness or death. “As California’s public health officer, I am saddened when the flu turns into loss of life,” Dr. Smith said. “It is especially troubling when a baby, too young to be vaccinated, passes away. To protect babies who cannot yet be vaccinated, we should get our flu shots. Preventing the spread of this often deadly disease is why getting vaccinated is so important.” Young children less than a year of age are at increased risk of severe influenza. While children cannot be vaccinated for the flu until they are six months old, there are several ways to protect them. Pregnant women should get vaccinated. This will protect the mother and the newborn baby. Also, anyone who is around a young child or other high-risk person should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of spreading influenza. Overall influenza activity in California remains sporadic, but Dr. Smith points out that influenza viruses circulate at their peak levels from December through April. "I urge you to be vaccinated now before the flu really spreads widely to protect yourself and those around you," said Dr. Smith. Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the 2015-2016 flu season. Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season. Only deaths in persons under age 65 are reported to CDPH and many influenza-associated deaths are unrecognized. Therefore, the actual number of deaths due to influenza was much greater. Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also: • Stay home when sick Dr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations. For more information about the flu visit the CDPH influenza web page.To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov. |