Opposition builds at the approach of the August 14 deadline for the public to comment on the Forest Service’s proposal to log trees and grind up chaparral along six miles of the prominent ridge known as Pine Mountain, deep in the Ventura County backcountry.

Local tribal groups, businesses, elected representatives, and members of the public, from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, and beyond, have submitted well over 10,000 comments to the Forest Service opposing its proposal to remove old-growth trees and chaparral across 755 acres—the equivalent of 575 American football fields—without an environmental assessment.

The project, located in some of the most diverse and unique habitats in the region, has received many times more comments than any single project proposed in the Los Padres National Forest. Concerns include the avoidance of appropriate environmental study and examination of alternatives normally required for such projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), disturbance of cultural sites, damage caused to a much-loved recreation area, impacts to sensitive plant and animal species, increased wildfire risks, weakening of the forest’s ability to adapt to climate change, and the possibility that the project will be conducted by a commercial logging company.

Signatures continue to be collected on a letter, already signed by over 30 area businesses including Patagonia, Toad & Co., outfitters, wineries, and breweries, that opposes the project based on the benefits that Pine Mountain ridge provide to the region’s economy and quality of life.

Nearly 70 environmental and social justice organizations have signed onto a separate letter challenging the Forest Service’s lack of collaboration and the skirting of NEPA studies. The letter also questions the efficacy of remote vegetation clearing to protect distant communities from wildfire.

“Our primary concern is the project’s lack of attention and near total insensitivity to the potential impact to Chumash cultural values and resources,” wrote Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, Chair of the Barbareno/Ventura Band of Mission Indians.

Chumash tribes including the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians and Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, and elected officials including Congressmembers Julia Brownley and Salud Carbajal, Ventura County Supervisors Linda Parks and Steve Bennett, and Ojai mayor John Johnston have submitted letters to the Forest Service also calling for further environmental review and public engagement.

“I understand, the U.S. Forest Service’s own assessment of potential and existing fuel breaks in the southern Los Padres National Forest ranks this project as 118 out of 163 in terms of priority. Given the project’s low priority, it is unclear to me why this project has been selected to bypass complete environmental analysis,” said Representative Brownley of California’s 24th Congressional District, where thousands of Pine Mountain advocates live.

Despite its massive scale, the Forest Service intends to fast-track the project by categorizing it as “forest health and fuels reduction” to bypass requirements under the NEPA to conduct a detailed study of potential impacts on the area’s unique ecosystems, as well as to consider alternatives that may be more effective and less harmful. The agency has admitted that the project will do little to aid in fighting the type of fires that cause the vast majority of damage to communities each year. Further, vegetation removal projects can increase wildfire risk by removing fire-resistant trees, increasing heating and drying of the forest floor, and spreading non-native invasive grasses and weeds that ignite more easily and spread wildfire more quickly.

“The City of Ojai would recommend promoting defensible space requirements near homes rather than logging special and invaluable old growth forests of Pine Mountain,” stated a letter signed by Mayor Johnston

Over one-third of the project area is proposed for wilderness protection under the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (H.R. 2199), approved in a bipartisan vote by the House of Representatives on February 12, 2020 and which waits approval in the Senate, and further included in the National Defense Authorization Act which will go to conference committee between the two houses in the coming weeks.

“Much of the project area is in its natural state, evolved over time without the disturbance of heavy modern machinery. Once trees are cut and the landscape is scarred by a project like this, the wilderness quality of the place is ruined,” said ForestWatch advocacy director Rebecca August. “We hope that those who have not yet spoken make their voices heard before it’s too late.”

The Forest Service will accept comments on the project until August 14. This may be the only opportunity the public will have to weigh in with concerns. To submit a comment online or learn more about the project, visit ProtectPineMountain.org

Bill Edmonds

Dear Fillmore Community, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our Bill Edmonds. To honor his life and legacy, we are inviting you to our home at 248 4th St. this Sat, Aug 8th between the hours of 8am to 11am to drive thru/walk up and contribute to a remembrance table that'll be set up in our front yard. You're welcome to bring a note or item that you associate with Bill. We'd appreciate if you added a brief message with your item that explains its significance. If you'd like to keep your thoughts associated with your remembrance private, please write "private" on you item or note. If you'd like the item returned please put a sticker or masking tape with your name and the word "return" on it.

We will be making a short video to share with you about the remembrance items. Please leave us your email when you come so we can share the link.

We look forward to seeing you. Thank you for having a special place in Bill's big heart. He truly loved his family, friends, and his community. With gratitude, Lynn and family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to One Step a La Vez (PO Box 192 Fillmore, CA 93016) or to the Fillmore Lions Club Scholarship Fund.

Martin Quezada, 34, Fillmore

On July 21st 2020, the Sheriff’s Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit detectives concluded an investigation into known Fillmore gang-member Martin Quezada who was suspected of drug sales. Quezada is a convicted felon which makes him prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms. Quezada is currently on Post Release Offender Supervision and considered a Serious Habitual Offender.
Detectives conducted a probation search on Quezada, his residence, and vehicle. At his residence, detectives located a stolen vehicle, narcotics, narcotic sales related indicia, a large capacity magazine, 3 handgun magazines, and over 50 rounds of ammunition.

Quezada was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail for 487(d) PCGrand Theft Auto, 32310 PC- Possession of Large Capacity Magazine, 30305(a)(1) PCProhibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, 11351 HS- Possession for Sales of Controlled Substance, 11378 HS- Possession for Sales of Controlled Substance. Quezada remains in custody with bail set at $50,000.

Prepared by: Detective Jonathan James
Approved by: Captain Brian Slominski

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).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Thursday, 7/30/2020, at about 11:24 PM, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service reference stranded motorists on the off-highway vehicle trails near Sunset Campground. Sunset Campground is a remote campground in northern Ventura County accessible by experienced dirt bike riders and 4x4 vehicles equipped with significant clearance and appropriate tires. The stranded motorists’ reported that they had driven the Lockwood Creek Trail to the Miller Jeep Trail before their vehicle was rendered inoperable by several flat tires.

Due to the remote area, the motorists’ did not have cellular telephone service and had to hike to find cellular service to call for assistance. The Fillmore Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, which is comprised of highly trained volunteers, was activated and responded to Lockwood Valley. They responded to the Sunset Campground along with a deputy from the Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station with numerous all-terrain vehicles to assist in the search.

The Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station is outfitted with a Polaris RZR four-seat utility-task vehicle (UTV) that is available for these type of rescues. The deputy utilized the Sheriff’s RZR to drive to Sunset Campground through very rough terrain. At about 03:30 AM, the SAR team members and the Lockwood Valley deputy located the stranded motorists who were all in good health and were driven out of the area. This successful rescue operation was due to the efforts of the SAR team members and Lockwood Sheriff Deputy who utilized the specialized equipment, their training, and knowledge of the area to locate the motorists.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that when they are recreating in the national forest and wildlands, it is imperative that it is done so safely and responsibly. Many of the hazards and risks associated with Off-Highway Vehicle 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 recreating in, have a map, know the limitations of your vehicle and driving ability, 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. Please recreate responsibly for your safety and the safety of our first responders.

Incident Number: 20-104338
Location: Los Padres National Forest – Sunset Campground
Date: 07/30/2020
Unit(s) Responsible: Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station & Fillmore Search and Rescue Team
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age (P) Adult Male (P) Adult Male Lakewood, CA Lakewood, CA 51 22
Prepared by: Deputy Sam Moss
Approved by: Captain J. Rivera

David Cook of Chicago.
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Before the town of Piru was developed, ranchers of the community built a school at Temescal in 1880. The school is now covered by Lake Piru.
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Piru (c) 1900
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

"The Fillmore Historical Museum would like to broaden it's archives on Piru. If you have any documents, family histories, or pictures you would like to share, please contact us at fillmore.museum@gmail.com."

An Incomplete History of Early Piru

The area we know as Piru has long been inhabited, first by the indigenous Chumash and later by European settlers. The purists agree that the correct pronunciation based on the Chumash name is Pee-Ru, not as it is now generally pronounced, Pye-Ru. It seems like this has been a controversy for decades as the July 24, 1930 Piru News captioned a story, “Piruveans want Contest with Owensmouth on Sunday,” regarding an anticipated baseball game. That name goes with Fillmoreans.

The first Europeans to see this valley were Spanish soldiers with the Gaspar de Portolá expedition of 1769, who found a Chumash community at present day Piru. The land was initially under the administration of the Mission system, but after Mexican independence, the land was apportioned out as ranchos to those favored by the Mexican government. The area around Piru was granted to the del Valle family who founded Rancho Camulos. From Rancho Camulos, families such as the Sequieros and Salazars moved into the surrounding area. After it came under United States rule, others soon came into the area such as the Warrings, Hoppers and Whittakers. Many who came from Indiana and Pennsylvania were miners. They were following the stories of rich mineral deposits in the mountains around Piru as early as 1842. The “gold” that would make the valley prosperous would eventually be the citrus industry.

The Warring family came to the Piru area in 1869 from San Jose. They were encouraged to move to the area by a brother-in-law, Ari Hopper, who already was living in the area. According to an interview with Hugh Warring in 1930, they came to own the Buckhorn ranch because the original owner, a man named Hitchcock, admired a revolver Hugh’s father, Benjamin, owned. Mr. Hitchcock got the revolver in exchange for the Buckhorn Ranch. The Ranch got its name from all the racks of deer horns that were displayed. The Ranch became a stopping place for travelers who gave the Ranch its name.

Before the development of the town of Piru, the ranchers in the community built a school at Temescal. It was built around 1880 by Ben Reasoner and Henry Dunton. The site of the school is now covered by Lake Piru.

In 1881, Reginald del Valle of Ranch Camulos ran for Congress against Col Henry Harrison Markham, who was backed by the powerful Southern Pacific. Not surprisingly del Valle lost the election and found himself in debt. To clear his debts, he sold the Temescal Land Grant in 1887 to David Cook of Chicago.

Cook was a wealthy publisher of religious tracts who, like so many Easterners, chose to come to California to improve his ill health. Cook came to the Santa Clara River Valley with the intention of creating a “Second Eden”. Land was planted with crops and olive groves from the Old Testament. Purchasers of the land had to agree to various lifestyles such as not smoking and temperance. The story is told that one potential resident, R. A. Fremlin, was told “better not let Cook see that cigar in your pocket,” to which he is said to have replied, “I’m not going to sneak around for a smoke.” He moved on and settled in Bardsdale.

With his plan for a Biblical paradise made, he laid out a city plan and promoted the new settlement. Work began in 1887 and continued energetically through 1888. Originally the town was to be sited on the south side of the mouth of the river in the Piru Canyon, but the Southern Pacific Railroad refused to run a spur up Piru Canyon. Cook changed the location to the current location. Because the Southern Pacific already had a depot at Rancho Camulos, they refused to build another at Piru. Cook built one at his own cost and paid the salary of the agent.

During the winter of 1887-8 a Methodist-Episcopal Church was erected. This was not the church that stands today but a wood structure that also served as a school. In 1890 the existing building was built and served as a social center of the town as well the Church for decades.

In June 1888, the post office was opened, with G.R. Walden as postmaster, succeeded in a few months by R. Sampson. C.J. French, who arrived May 29, was appointed assistant postmaster.

In the meantime, a general merchandise store had been opened, and in September 1889 was sold to James Parsons and C.J. French, who did business under the firm name of C.J. French Co. Other businesses soon followed.

What is now known as the Piru Mansion, was built by Mr. Cook about 1890. It went through several owners until the Newhalls purchased it. In 1981 they were in the process of restoring when a fire broke out, almost totally destroying the structure. The Newhalls undertook the challenge of again restoring the building.

The community prospered and Mr. Cook’s health improved. Cook sold out to the Piru Oil and Land Company in 1900 after being cured of his ailments and realizing a profit due to recent oil discoveries. He left behind a growing community.

Adrian Anguiano, 39, Fillmore

Deputies arrested a Fillmore man for possession for sale of illegal drugs on July 20, 2020.

On July 20, 2020, at 7:36 a.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a call from a Fillmore resident of a suspicious male on the bike path near SR-126 and Sespe Creek. While searching the area, patrol deputies located Adrian Anguiano who matched the description provided by the citizen. During the investigation, deputies discovered Anguiano was on probation for drug related charges. A probation search of Anguiano was conducted and he was found to be in possession of over a pound of methamphetamine and over two ounces of heroin. The found narcotics were packaged in different weights and amounts, indicative of narcotic sales.

Based on the investigation, Anguiano was booked into the Main Jail for felony violations of HS 11378(a) – Possession for sale of a controlled substance, HS 11379(a) – Sale/ Transport/ Offer to sell a controlled substance, HS 11351 / Possession for sale of a controlled substance, and HS 11352(a) / Sale/Transportation/ Offer to sell controlled substance. Anguiano remains in custody with his bail set at $55,000.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Prepared by: Deputy Veronica Graybill #4569
Approved by: Booking Photo Release: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At about 7:20 PM, deputies from the Fillmore Police Department responded to a report of gun shots heard in the area near Mountain View Street at Sespe Avenue and found an unoccupied vehicle had been shot. During the investigation, deputies learned a dark colored sedan stopped in the area. One of the occupants of the sedan shot at several people who were loitering on a sidewalk. The suspect vehicle fled the area. The victims fled the area and were not identified. An unoccupied
vehicle that was parked on the street was struck by a bullet. If anyone has information regarding the identity of the victims or the suspects, they are encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Sergeant Steven Jenkins at 805-384-4727.

Prepared by: Sergeant Steven Jenkins
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller

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).