Courtesy https://explorelakepiru.com/

Dear Lake Piru Visitors:

It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water.

The draw down will take several weeks/months so that swimming, fishing and boating will still be possible at Lake Piru through summer. We fully anticipate, however, that come November, we will once again be filling the reservoir as excess State Water from Northern California becomes available and winter storms bring more runoff. For information on how the water in Lake Piru benefits the region, please visit the United Water Conservation District (owners and operators of Lake Piru and the Santa Felicia Dam) website at www.unitedwater.org.

Personal watercraft (PWCs) will be limited to no more than 20 units on the reservoir at any given time. No vessels will be permitted past the 5 mph buoy line at the Reservoir’s South End near Santa Felicia Dam. This area will remain closed until further notice.

Civic Pride names Fillmore’s Juanita & Ray Morales as the July 2023 “Yard of the Month” award winners. Above are the two in their beautiful yard filled with red Yucca in bloom with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern & Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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By Linda Nunes

We meet the nicest people while presenting the Civic Pride Volunteers’ Yard of the Month award! The July award was presented to Ray & Juanita Morales at 951 Oliver St. They have lived in this home for 40 years and are now retired (Ray from working for the City of Fillmore), so both can enjoy working on the yard. When water conservation became a big issue, they removed the grass, built beautiful brick pathways, and are now in the process of adding weed barrier, with a brown rubber mulch to lower maintenance and prevent their dog from eating the regular mulch. Juanita admitted that she likes “rescuing” plants that look a little “sad” and are on sale. They have used these plants in a raised central area with pathways around the planted areas.
This side yard has a beautiful red Yucca in bloom as the focal point, with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern and Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Plumeria is in a large pot, and Star Jasmine on a trellis. They are preparing to plant a silver dollar Eucalyptus tree and roses for a border.
The front yard has wonderful “curb appeal” with Salvias, blue & white Bachelor Buttons, Gaillardias (blanket flowers), and flower-filled window boxes.

Juanita showed off a large tulip shaped coil pot that she made in the ceramics class that she attends in Ventura. She is in the process of making larger pots to create a fountain.
Ray and Juanita went to Otto & Sons Nursery to view the gardens recently and were so pleased to receive the $50 gift award to the nursery! Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for making this award possible for all these years!

On June 29, 2023, Fillmore patrol deputies contacted and arrested three Fillmore gang members for vandalizing property with spray paint.

On June 29, 2023, at approximately 3:45PM, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a report of a vandalism in progress occurring in the alley of the 200 block of Main Street. A community member observed three suspects spray painting graffiti in the alley and called 911 to report the crime. This diligent community member provided valuable information to our dispatch center, which was relayed to responding deputies.

Deputies responded and determined the graffiti was gang related in nature. Deputies conducted an investigation and obtained additional evidence that led to the identification of all three suspects. The three suspects were identified as Efrain Reyes (age 21), Gonzalo Miranda (age 22), and a male juvenile. Deputies assigned to a bicycle detail deployed and conducted a search of the surrounding areas. Deputies located all three suspects in Fillmore Central Park and seized additional evidence linking all three suspects to the vandalism.

All three suspects were taken into custody. Reyes and Miranda were booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of Graffiti Vandalism and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. Reyes and Miranda both remain in custody. Reyes’ bail is set at $200,000 and Miranda’s is set at $110,000. The male juvenile was lodged into the Juvenile Justice Center and later released to his guardian.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left
unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Gang graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious conflicts
between rival gangs. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers
thousands of dollars each year.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and
vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling the Sheriff’s Communication Center at (805) 654-9511. After police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to crimes are urged to contact the Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the below listed detective. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Graffiti Removal
The city removes all graffiti by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. If graffiti is on private property, the city secures a signed
agreement from the property owner giving them permission to do the work. Call the city at (805)
524-1500, (option 4,3) if you see graffiti within the city and they will take steps to remove it.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling our dispatch center. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office 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.

Nature of Incident: Gang Vandalism Arrests
Report Number: 23-82865
Location: 200 block of Main Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: June 29, 2023 @ 3:45PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services

(S)uspects, (V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent

(S) Efrain Reyes Fillmore 21
(S) Gonzalo Miranda Fillmore 22
(S) Male Juvenile Fillmore 16

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon