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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
Part 2 of 2
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
 Alfredo Avalos, Fillmore  600 lbs of illegal fireworks were confiscated from a seizure that occurred Wednesday, June 28th. Enlarge Photo Earlier this month, sheriff’s detectives obtained information indicating illegal fireworks were being sold by (S) Alfredo Avalos from his residence at 656 Fourth Street, Fillmore. Detectives conducted an investigation and believed Avalos was in possession of a large quantity of fireworks that are illegal in California. On June 28th, detectives served a search warrant at the location and seized approximately 600 pounds of illegal fireworks. These fireworks were found throughout the residence, including kitchen, garage, and the bedroom of a minor child, and posed a significant threat of injury and fire, not only to the suspect’s family, but to the public, as well. Three firearms were also found, including an AK-47, a stolen .22-caliber rifle, and an unregistered .22-caliber rifle. (S) Avalos, who was not present at the time of the service of the search warrant, turned himself in to detectives later in the morning. He was arrested for the following charges and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail of $20,000: Health and Safety Code Section 12305 – Felony possession of an explosive “Safe and Sane” fireworks, bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal, can be legally sold, possessed, and enjoyed in the city of Fillmore between 12:00 PM, June 28th, and 12:00 PM, July 5th. All other fireworks, including altered “Safe and Sane” fireworks and fireworks that explode and/or launch into the air, are illegal in Fillmore and throughout Ventura County and the state. Violators may be cited for violating the city municipal code and subject to a $1,000.00 fine, or they may be arrested for more serious crimes. If you witness any illegal activity, please call the Fillmore Police Department at 805-524-2233 or, if there’s an immediate threat to life or property, 9-1-1. Nature of Incident: Illegal Fireworks and Weapons Seizure and Arrest |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
 On Saturday, July 1st at approximately 7 p.m. Fillmore Fire responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Ventura Street and Orange Grove. Upon arrival they found a smoldering motorcycle on the ground, and two injured patients. The motorcycle had collided with an SUV. The two patients on the motorcycle received moderate injuries and were transported to Santa Paula Hospital for further evaluation. The accident is under investigation by the Sheriffs Department. Photo courtesy Fillmore Fire Department. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
 On June 28th, at approximately 9 p.m. Fillmore Fire responded to the report of a grass fire behind the Valero Gas Station, near one of the fireworks stands. Upon arrival, they found a small spot fire approximately 20 x 20-feet burning. The crews were able to extinguish the fire in approximately 15 minutes. Photo courtesy Fillmore Fire Department. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
 Fillmore Unified School District On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) and Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) reached a Tentative Agreement for the contract negotiations and 2017-2018 unit member work calendar. We express thanks and appreciation to the FUTA bargaining team members for their efforts to reach a Tentative Agreement. A copy of the signed Comprehensive Proposal, Article 1, and Agreement Between FUSD and FUTA regarding the 2017-2018 unit member work calendar have been posted on the District website. FUTA leadership will be working to present the parties’ Tentative Agreement to the bargaining unit for ratification. Individuals Present for June 28, 2017 Negotiation Session Tentative Agreement Includes: |
 Photo of the Week "Happy Car Show lookie loos" by Bob Crum. Photo data: ISO 100, 16-300mm lens @16mm, Aperture f/9.0 & 1/250 seconds. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
Go circular!
By now, I presume that everybody knows that there was a “Car Show” in town on the 4th. Subsequently, I photoed it in the hot brutal sun. In hind sight, I should have stayed home and celebrated the 4th with a 5th of Jack Daniels, of course. But I digress... The sun was extraordinarily bright indeed. Uncomfortably warm temperature. Worse, bright sun makes the paint of a beautifully restored classic car look as faded as an over-boiled lobster. Blah! What to do? Well, I simply retrieved my trusty circular polarizer (CP) filter. Every photographer should have one in their landscape kit. If I lost mine, I'd have to take up knitting. A polarizer filter is an invaluable tool for certain conditions. Like the car show. It serves two useful functions. First, it cuts glare and reflections, allowing the vibrant colors to render with greater saturation as opposed to looking 'washed out'. In other situations, for example, those puffy cumulus clouds stand out delightfully against a deep blue sky produced with a CP filter. It's called a circular polarizer because after mounting on the lens, it can be rotated. Hence, the amount of polarizing by the CP filter is adjustable. This makes it possible to apply just the right amount of effect. Sometimes, at certain times of the day, I notice the polarizer can make the blue sky too dark. Simply rotate the filter to lessen the effect. Very handy. Important! The circular polarizer is most effective when shooting at a 90° angle from the direction of the sun. If you're shooting in the direction of the sun or 180° from the sun, i.e., in line with the sun, the CP filter will have no effect. When you get back home, you'll have paint the sky with blue sky computer paint (I'm beginning to bottle it so it'll be for sale soon). One other minor issue. Because the sky is darkened the most when shooting at a 90° angle from the sun, deviating somewhat will most likely end up with an uneven sky. The sky will be darkened the most at the 90° angle from the direction of the sun and less dark at a lesser angle of the sun. Generally, that doesn't bother me, but it might you. Tip: The blue sky unevenness can be adjusted in post processing. One other thing I also learned when I photoed Mermaids up at Big Sur. A CP will on average reduce the light to your lens by one stop. So in low light conditions, remember to apply exposure compensation to adjust accordingly. I got slapped with a mermaid tail because I underexposed her. Lastly, all circular polarizer filters are not equal. Don't buy a cheapy. Cheap CP filters will distort your colors not to mention the overall image quality. Buy a quality CP filter and it will last 75 years. To verify this, I'm having my CP filters placed in my burial pine box so I can check the claim. Stay tuned to this space. My CP filter of choice is the B+W (Schneider) Kasemann HTC filters. They are the best. Most importantly, they make my mermaids look gorgeous. Speaking of gorgeous, check the vibrant reds, the rich blues, the luscious greens and the deep black in the photos of the cars I shot with a B+W Kasemann CP filter. Very cool under a hot sun. BTW, did you notice how high I jumped to get the Photo of the Week shot? Happy photoing, Email me your question, comments and/or suggestions to: bob@fillmoregazette.com |
 On Sunday, June 25, at the Veterans Memorial Building, Fillmore residents gathered for the “City of Fillmore Medical Marijuana Listening Session.”Fillmore City Council listened to the community’s questions and concerns regarding cultivation of marijuana within Fillmore city limits. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
The Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA), was signed into law by the Governor in 2015. Effective January 1, 2016, this law established a regulatory and licensing program for commercial activities relating to medical marijuana throughout the State, including cultivation, transportation, manufacturing, testing and dispensing. The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA or Prop 64) is a marijuana legalization initiative that received the required number of votes to become state law at the November 8, 2016 election. AUMA authorized the personal cultivation of marijuana and recreational use of marijuana by adults with called for the establishment of recreational marijuana licenses to be issued by the State commencing January 1, 2018. In response to the MCRSA and AUMA laws, the City Council adopted regulations prohibiting all commercial activities relating to both medical and non-medical marijuana. Complete Details: |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
 Miguel Ramirez Villasenor, 45 On June 22, 2017 at 6:05 AM, Investigators with the Port Hueneme Police Department arrested Miguel Ramirez Villasenor, a 45 year-old Fillmore resident, for suspicion of committing penetration with a foreign object on a person under 16 years old and lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old. On June 18, 2017, the Port Hueneme Police Department received a report that Villasenor had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 15 year-old female at a residence in the 100 block of East Bay Boulevard in Port Hueneme. Villasenor was arrested in the 700 block of Third Street in Fillmore after a three day investigation. Villasenor was booked at the Port Hueneme Police Department on the following charge(s): California Penal Code Section 289(i) – Penetration with a Foreign Object on a Person Under 16 Years Old. California Penal Code Section Villasenor posted bail in the amount of $50,000 and was released pending a court appearance. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rocque Lopez Sr. at 805-986-6578 or rrlopez@cityofporthueneme.org Information Courtesy Port Hueneme Police Department Incident Press Release. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
 Ventura County Sheriff deputies arrested suspects on Fourth Street, north Fillmore, Wednesday, June 28 for possession of a large quantity of illegal fireworks. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
 California Highway Patrol The California Highway Patrol is recommending to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office that Jonathan Castro, 26 of Tulare, be charged with manslaughter in the death of Maria Del Carmen Paniagua, 41, of Piru. Castro was the driver and only occupant of a GMC Savana cargo van traveling eastbound on SR-126 approaching Center Street at an unknown speed. Maria Del Carmen Paniagua, 41 year old, from Piru was stopped in a Ford using the left turn lane on eastbound SR-126 to turn onto northbound Center Street. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC cargo van driven by Mr. Castro drifted into the turn lane and collided with the rear of the Ford. As a result of the collision, the Ford was pushed into the westbound lanes of SR-l26 where it collided with the 2003 Chevrolet being driven by Mr. Jose Samuel Martinez. The Ford driven by Mr. Ramon Palomo and the Chevrolet driven by Mr. Oscar Magana became involved almost simultaneously as the initial collision unfolded. As a result of the collision between the Ford driven by Ms. Paniagua and the Chevrolet, driven by Mr. Martinez, Ms. Paniagua was ejected from the Ford. Initial indications show that Ms. Paniagua was not wearing a seat belt. In the Ford being driven by Ms. Paniagua was her four years old daughter and her two year old grandson. Both children were seated in the rear seat of the Ford using child restraint systems. Both children in the Ford sustained severe injuries. In the Chevrolet driven by Mr. Martinez were two passengers, one seated in the right front passenger seat and an infant in the left rear seat. No known injuries to the infant are known this time. This incident resulted in the full closure of all westbound and eastbound lanes of SR-126 for approximately five hours. The Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura County Air Unit, and Caltrans all responded to assist with medical care, emergency air and ground transportation to local hospitals and traffic control. |