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By Anonymous — Monday, March 28th, 2011
FILLMORE, CA. - On 3/27/2011 at 11:15am the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a possible structure fire at 436 Central Avenue in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving on scene, firefighters observed light smoke coming from the rear of a single story, single family dwelling. After forcing entry into the locked residence, it was determined the source of the smoke was a bedroom and contents that had ignited into flames. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and took immediate measures to prevent further damage to the structure. Smoke damage was present throughout the location however the integrity of the structure was untouched. Two adults and two children were displaced by the blaze but were left unharmed. The cause of the fire was determined to be due in part to a clothes iron that was left on some 45 minutes prior to fire units being dispatched The occupant indicated he was ironing his clothing before leaving with his family to church when he placed the heated iron in a window seal inside the bedroom. It was later determined by Fire Investigators the iron was left in the on position igniting the adjacent curtains and room. |
 The Fillmore 8 participated in the March L.A. Marathon. Pictured at the side of the starting line, Dodger Stadium, in front of one of the sponsors tent, Honda. Nico Frias, Joel Frias, Carina Silva, Jovani (Geo) Rubio, Sammy Martinez, Isaac Gomez, Vincent Chavez, Alexander Frias and Anthony Rivas. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
From our little town of Fillmore there are eight high school aged youngsters that began in September to prepare for the 2011 L.A. Marathon on March 20, 2011. They practiced here in Fillmore and in the Valley on some challenging practice runs. They participated in practice organized runs throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. They started with a 10K in La Puente; 9 miler in Encino, two half marathons in Pomona and Irvine; 18 miler at Hansen Dam in the Valley and then the L.A. Marathon. They ran these with SRLA (Students Run L.A.); yes they were out there with all those other kids with the bright green singlets that you saw on T.V. These students ran the marathon under conditions that the L.A. Times stated “on what is believed to be the stormiest day in L.A. Marathon history”. Alexander Frias (16) has run the LA Marathon 4 other times, this was his 5th L.A. Marathon; Nico Frias (14) ran it one other time, this was his 2nd L.A. Marathon, missed the first one due to a broken arm; they are brothers. They have been trained for these last years by their dad, Joel Frias, who has been an SRLA leader for 11 years now. Sammy Martinez (16), friend to Alexander, ran it with him last year and this was his second L.A. Marathon. The following ran it for the first time: Vincent Chavez (16), Isaac Gomez (15), Anthony Rivas (15), Jovani (Geo) Rubio (18) and Carina Silva (18). These outstanding young people deserve our congratulations and respect for their accomplishment of hard work and planning to complete an awesome goal of running a marathon (26.2 miles) (it’s like running from Fillmore to Ventura) and under such harsh conditions! Way to go! |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
 Building official Michael McGivney and Stephen Stuart from Santa Paula addressed the Council with the most recent edition of the California Building Codes. The March 22, 2011 Fillmore City Council Meeting continued on until half past eleven as Council grappled with discussions of the next 2011-2012 budget with its projected cuts to services. Also on the agenda were the new State Building Codes, Southern California Association of Governments Integrated Growth Forecasting, installing a side entrance gate for access to Fillmore High School’s running track, and a proposal for a town hall meeting. The Council had their work cut out for them in tackling the midyear budget review and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2012. Some of what the Council can and cannot do pertains to Proposition 26 passed by California voters in November 2010. Proposition 26 changed the requirements when cities attempt to adjust certain fees and charges. Fillmore like most California cities is facing budget problems. Financial Advisor Anita Lawrence, in her last work preformed for the City, presented the Council with the 2010/11 Midyear Budget Review, which was not good news. The bottom line is the General Fund does not have sufficient revenue to support basic Public Safety Services, which means City service levels will have to change. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Contract with the City is expected to cost $3.4 million, an increase of 5%, plus other police Services and Fire Service each costing $800,000, bringing the total for Public Safety Services to $5 million. The current 2010-2011 budget which ends June 30th will have a balance of $1 million to roll over to the next budget which starts July 1st. The debt service payments (money borrowed) are escalating leaving the General Fund with baseline expenditures over $7.4 million and expected revenues coming in to equal less than $4.2 million, resulting in a $3.2 million structural gap. Council Member Steve Conaway told CONTINUED » |
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By Dick Diaz — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
City of Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros has announced the formation of a Foundation to help with accomplishing the many community service goals he has for the City of Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department. The nearly 100-year old Fire Department has operated primarily as an all Volunteer Fire Department since the Fire Department was established in 1914. Since that time the Fire Department has professionalized and grown to five full-time paid positions and 65 volunteer positions. The Fillmore Volunteer Firefighters Foundation (Foundation) is a newly formed organization with a pending application seeking IRS 501(c) (3) tax exempt non-profit status. The Foundation will be governed by a five member board of directors living within the Fillmore Community. The Foundation's mission is to assist with providing community education of fire prevention and general public safety programs for the residents of Fillmore. The Foundation will also encourage and support community charitable outreach, such as the Annual Christmas Toy Drive and Chicken Dinner, inspecting and installing of smoke detectors and replacement of defective smoke detectors within Fillmore homes and conduct programs such as the Stop! Drop! and Roll! presentations within the Fillmore Unified School District schools. Another program that will be shared with the Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 will be to foster and encourage patriotism through the donations of United States of America Flags to our schools and assist in the proper disposal of retired United States of America Flags. Following the theme of patriotism the Foundation will participate in the existing grant program for the purchase of the Military Banners that are placed within the Fillmore Community recognizing those Fillmore Military Members that are currently serving. Scott Beylik, Foundation Board President indicates the Foundation has an active agenda planned for the upcoming year. The Foundation will establish an Annual Honorary Member of the Foundation Dinner. There are plans ongoing for recognizing the Ten-Year Anniversary of the tragic events on September 11, 2001 occurring in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.. There will also be a 100-Year celebration of the establishment of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department to be held in 2014 and planning for that celebration is in progress. In conjunction with that celebration there are two historic vehicles the Foundation would like to restore; a 1946 Ford Panel Fire vehicle and a 1953 GMC fire truck. Funding for the Foundation's goals will come from fund-raising, donations, and both public and private grants. Not waiting around for CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
 A small tree on C Street was blown down Saturday during the heavy rain storm. City workers quickly cleared the street. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 15, 2011, at about 10:22 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for equipment violations. The driver was identified as James Alvarez 24, and his passenger was identified as David Gomez 21. During the traffic stop, deputies smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Alvarez and Gomez were removed from the vehicle for further investigation and a pat-down was conducted of their persons. During the pat-down search, deputies found two loaded handguns concealed in Gomez’ waistband. Gomez and Alvarez are documented gang members from Fillmore. Gomez and Alvarez were both arrested for possession of a loaded handgun and active participation in a criminal street gang. They were both transported and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Although the cases of identity theft in the United States have decreased in 2010, criminals are still finding new ways to steal information. An example is the use of a credit card skimmer. Skimmers read magnetic stripe on the credit card and store this information in the skimmer. Credit card skimmers are now as small as a quarter. Some of these skimmers are placed on ATM’s and inside gas pumps. Criminals use the information obtained from the credit card skimmer to make new credit cards and then charge hundreds to thousand of dollars on a victim’s stolen credit card. This type of illegal behavior is not unique to Camarillo and has become a worldwide problem. The Camarillo Police Department is incorporating a program to help combat the placement of illegal credit card skimmers at gas station pumps. The Camarillo Police Department has a dedicated group of volunteers who staff our Citizen Patrol Unit who will be periodically checking the gas station pumps at participating gas stations in the City of Camarillo for credit card skimmers. The new program is designed to deter as well as detect the use of illegally placed skimmers at gas station pumps. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Deputy Sean Britt at 805-388-5130. Location: City of Camarillo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 22, 2011, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors proclaimed March 20th through March 26th as Tsunami Awareness Week in Ventura County. Tsunami Awareness Week is a nationwide effort to encourage individuals to be prepared for tsunamis through education and awareness. Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, referenced recent events in Japan in her presentation to encourage local residents to be prepared. "Strong ground shaking, a loud ocean roar, or the water receding unusually far and exposing the sea floor are all nature's warnings that a tsunami may be coming," said Hernandez. The County of Ventura also announced that it is currently in the process of obtaining Tsunami Ready certification from the National Weather Service. Part of this process requires that jurisdictions place tsunami-warning signs along the coast within the tsunami hazard areas. “A public comment period will be opened within the next month to address questions or concerns regarding the installation of the tsunami hazard signs along the coast,” said Erin Slack, Alert and Warning Coordinator for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services also will be disseminating tsunami preparedness materials to residents within the potential tsunami inundation zone. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation. Location: County of Ventura |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
 Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (EPC) When disaster strikes, time is of the essence. As a result, the best method of handling a disaster is not to react to it, but to prepare for it before it occurs. That is the purpose of the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (EPC). Made up of representatives from city, county and local government agencies, along with non-profit and other organizations, the EPC is responsible for coordinating and developing emergency management plans for the county. The recent catastrophic events in Japan are a clear demonstration of the need for this kind of advance planning. Not only does the county need to be prepared for a disaster that occurs here, but also for one that strikes elsewhere and may have an impact on the county. While Ventura County escaped any significant damage from Japan’s earthquake or the tsunami it generated, advance planning by the EPC ensured there were systems in place should the county be affected. Even now, agency members of the EPC are monitoring radiation levels to ensure the county is prepared in the unlikely event that radiation released in Japan reaches dangerous levels here. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) operates three radiation monitors in Southern California for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including one at Fire Station 21 in Ojai. The SCAQMD is posting daily radiation monitoring updates on their website: http://www.aqmd.gov. The Ventura County Health Care Agency is also closely watching radiation levels to determine if any protective actions are necessary. Medical Director Robert M. Levin, M.D., has prepared a radiation fact sheet for Ventura County residents but cautions there is no risk expected for the county. “We urge our county’s residents not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure,” he said. “Taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects. If we become aware of a radiation threat to our county’s residents, we will recommend protective actions.” In addition, local law enforcement and fire agencies, along with city, school and county government organizations have also developed contingency plans in case the need should arise. But, as a group, the EPC reminds residents that preparation is the most effective means of dealing with a disaster. “Preparation begins with you,” said EPC chairwoman Linda Parks. “If everyone does their part to plan for a disaster, the county will be ready if it occurs. The EPC is here to help all our residents to achieve that goal.” Questions regarding the EPC may be referred to Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of Emergency Services, at 805-654-2552. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation. Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655 and Bill Nash, Ventura County Fire Public Information and Marketing Officer (805) 389-9746 Date & Time: March 21, 2011 at 8:00 AM |
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By Bob Crum — Monday, March 21st, 2011
Story and photos by Bob Crum
 Preparing to lower the measuring device of Old Telegraph Road bridge into Sespe Creek. Enlarge Photo  (l-r) Matt Melchiorsen and Mike Gaedeke readjusting the Price AA stream flow measuring device above the lead weight. Seeing spots? Relax. Your eyes are OK. The spots are water drops on the lens. It was raining! Enlarge Photo  Graph of stream height measured at monitoring station upstream from Old Telegraph Road. Enlarge Photo Mother Nature roared... poured... and Sespe Creek did rise. And it's flowing a shade of muddy chocolate. Being the biggest rain “event” since 2005, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) dispatched a crew from Santa Maria to measure... and document... the creek stream flow. Scientifically speaking... discharge is the volume of water moving down a stream per unit of time, commonly expressed in cubic feet per second or gallons per day. In general, creek discharge is computed by multiplying the area of water in a channel cross section by the average velocity of the water in that cross section. The method used by the USGS team on Sunday 3/20/11 was the current-meter method. They first tied a string marked in one-foot increments across the Old Telegraph Road bridge. Every eight feet or so... they lowered a Price AA measuring current meter suspended above a heavy lead weight. The Price AA current meter has a wheel of six metal cups that revolve around a vertical axis. An electronic signal is transmitted by the meter on each revolution allowing the revolutions to be counted and timed. Because the rate at which the cups revolve is directly related to the velocity of the water, the times revolutions are used to determine the water velocity. The reading was taken at about every eight feed across the entire width of Sespe Creek. According to Matthew Scrudato of the Santa Maria USGS field office, measurements are taken during major weather events in order to maintain data relative to stream capacity compared to base level flows, stream flow shifts, creek bed shifts and other related data. Scrudato emphasized that the USGS is a data collecting agency – not a managerial agency. The data they collect is used by a several agencies involved in flood stages and control, stream bed shifts and the like. In case you're wondering, the stream flow under the Old Telegraph Road bridge at 5 PM, 3/20/11, measured 35,700 cubic feet per second. That is a lot of water. But not as much as the creek flow of 2005. Use this url to monitor the USGS creek flow monitoring station #11113000 in Fillmore.. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=NONE&sear... |
