By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
![]() On Thursday, September 29th, Fillmore Police were seen investigating a traffic collision that happened in front of Carls Jr, 725 W Ventura St, Fillmore. Fillmore Fire was also requested but was later cleared. Minor injuries were reported, and moderate damage was seen in the involving vehicles. Photo credit Angel Esquivel--AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
![]() 1 in 6 families in Ventura County suffer from food insufficiency, meaning many households aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. Families are forced to choose between paying utilities or paying for a meal, going to the doctor, or going to the grocery store. And those are decisions that no one should have to make. As of 10/8 Fillmore Fire Department has been collecting nonperishables to donate to #Feed805 on November 5th to help FEED THE 805! Together we can make a difference! Donate today by dropping off non-glass/nonperishable food items at Station 91 - 711 Landeros Lane Fillmore CA 93015. Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
![]() Last Friday the Fillmore Flashes hosted their Youth Football Night at FHS stadium. The Fillmore Youth Raiders Football and Cheer teams joined them before the big game against Nordhoff High as the Flashes charged onto the field. The Flashes JV and Varsity, along with the Raider Youth Cheer teams, worked together and gave a special half-time performance for all to enjoy. Photos Credit Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |
![]() Pictured is a test board used in the Fillmore telephone office from 1920s to 1963. It was crucial in reinstating telephone service after the St. Francis Dam flood in 1928 and is now on display at the Fillmore Historical Museum. Pictured are the telephone operators, circa 1955. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
![]() Sam Stocker receiving award at Ventura County Fair. Mural is now in the City Council Chambers. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Did you know that?... Leo Carrillo (silent film star and 1950s TV actor) was a descendant of the family who originally owned the Rancho Sespe land grant. Fillmore is named after Jerome Fillmore, Southern Pacific Superintendent, who may only have passed through the town on a special train in May of 1887. C. C. Elkins owned 50 acres of orange groves in Florida before coming to Fillmore. The boards of the temporary Cactus Flat school were uncut because the ranchers only loaned them for the building of the school and wrote their names on them to make sure they got them back. The original San Cayetano School was west of Sespe Creek off 7th Street. By 1900 Fillmore’s population was 150 people according to Rand McNally. It had grown to 13,643 a century later and to 16,419 by 2020. Main Street was the town’s main street until it burned in 1903, then Central Avenue developed into the “main” street. Pole Creek originally emptied into the Sespe until it was rerouted to flow into the Santa Clara. The Fillmore Rotary club was founded in 1905. The original (1911) Fillmore Union High School was considered to be one of the most beautiful schools in the state. In 1911, the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools thought the new Fillmore High School was too big and there would never be enough students to fill it. Fillmore had to build a bigger school in 1924. The first high school graduating class was in 1911 and the Alumni Association was founded in 1915 when there were 15 alumni. City Manager Clarence Arrasmith sponsored City “Happy Hours” during the depression. These were variety shows – no alcohol. The mural in the City Council Chamber was painted as a backdrop for the Ventura County Fair. Fillmore was then next to last town in California to go from operator assisted calls to direct dial in the early 1960s. Avalon on Catalina Island was the last town. The canon in front of the Memorial Building used to be fired during the May Festival. Two large alligators washed out of animal sanctuary on the mountain on the east end of the valley near Piru in the 1969 flood. One family has given us 3 mayors. William H. Price, 1926; his son, Lester Price, 1936; and W. H. Price’s great-grandson, Bill Dewey, 1979. Frank Munoz was the first Hispanic mayor in 1972. Delores Day was the first women mayor in 1977. |
![]() On Tuesday, September 27th, the Grand Opening was held for Fillmore’s Mountain View Apartments. The 77-unit community consists of apartments reserved for extremely and very low-income households, with 8 units designated for those who have suffered homelessness. Pictured are those in attendance for the opening and ribbon cutting in no specific order: State Assembly member Steve Bennett, County Supervisor Kelly Long, Fillmore Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Edmonds, California Housing & Community Development Department representative Hector Leyva, and Joseph Alexander, a representative for Mountain View residents. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
Southern California is experiencing acute levels of homelessness and lack of affordable housing. To help meet the need in the Fillmore community, Many Mansions and the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura built Mountain View. On Tuesday, September 27th, over 200 guests gathered to celebrate Mountain View’s Grand Opening. The 77-unit community consists of apartments reserved for extremely and very low-income households, with 8 units designated for those who have suffered homelessness. It is a culmination of a 6-year development process that transformed an essentially vacant and underdeveloped site into a beautiful, well-managed complex. In attendance at this week’s festivities were residents and community leaders. State Assembly member Steve Bennett, County Supervisor Kelly Long, Fillmore Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Edmonds, California Housing & Community Development Department representative Hector Leyva, and Joseph Alexander, a representative for Mountain View residents spoke compellingly about the need for more affordable housing, and about the collaborative effort that made Mountain View possible. Indeed, at its inception, the proposed project received enthusiastic response from over 3,000 Fillmore community members, embracing affordable housing and positioning Mountain View to be a welcome addition to the city. With design elements that recognize and celebrate Fillmore’s history and setting, such as a wall mural painted by a local artist and playgrounds inspired by agricultural equipment, Mountain View is a Fillmore community asset. Mountain View residents are part of the Fillmore community and stories such as a 76-year-old 5th generation Fillmore resident who could not afford her home after her husband passed away in 2013, are representative of those who found a home in Mountain View. To further support residents, on-site services and programs such as case management, life-skills workshops, and children’s after-school programs are available at no cost to all residents. These programs are run at on-site amenities designed to support community building and wellbeing, such as a community room, a pocket park, playgrounds, and courtyards. They are facilitated by Many Mansions and partnering organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. Many Mansions is a leading provider of affordable housing and life-changing services in Ventura County. With the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home, we house and serve close to 1,500 individuals, with a focus on working families in the very low-income brackets, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and individuals and families who have experienced homelessness. The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura is an independent, nonprofit agency serving the residents of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. It is a leader providing opportunities and assistance to people in need of affordable housing through development, acquisitions, and partnerships. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
![]() At the October 4th, 2022 Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, Preschool Director Lorena Ramos presented an update to the 2022-2023 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs and recognized two staff members who were nominated by their peers for their great work. Office Manager Amelia Dominguez was recognized for her dedication to her job, and always being available for support when needed. One of the parents said, “She made me feel like family.” Instructional Assistant Gloria Olivares-Fernandez was recognized for her charismatic personality, being easy-going and good with children, and overall good to work with. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
![]() On Saturday, September 17th from 9am to noon at San Salvador Church in Piru, Fillmore Citizens Patrol hosted the Annual Bike & Skateboard Safety Rodeo. Those who participated went through a safety course, and many received a free helmet while supplies lasted. Thank you to the community for making the Bicycle & Skateboard Safety Rodeo a huge success! A huge thank you to the Fillmore Citizen Patrol, special guests, and all volunteers who helped. Photos courtesy Piru Neighborhood Council, Inc. Facebook page. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
![]() Thank you so much for all those in the community who came out for the Annual Coastal Clean up on September 17th. Special shout out to @friendsofsantaclarariver, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, Fillmore Lions Club, and @fillmorecivicpride. Courtesy City of Fillmore Facebook page. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
![]() The Fillmore Raiders Juniors Silver Team was invited to St. Bonaventure's Homecoming football game, as they are 5-0! It was a special moment for Mikhale Albanez #42 as he joined his cousin Anthony Albanez #42 who is a senior at St. Bonaventure on the field. Albanez's finishing tackle after an initial stand-up hit on a two-point conversion attempt with 15-seconds remaining enabled St. Bonaventure to kick off defense of its Marmonte League title by defeating Bishop Diego, 21-20 on Homecoming night Friday, September 30th at Ventura College. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, September 29th, 2022
![]() On Thursday, September 22nd at 6pm, Second Street to Central Avenue was blocked off for the Fillmore High School 2022 Homecoming Parade. As per tradition the Fillmore VFW Post 9637 lead the way and the Fillmore Flashes Cheerleaders ended the parade riding on top of Fillmore Fire Engine 91. This year’s Grand Marshals were Todd and Christine Schieferle. Also in the parade were the new FUSD school principals, special guest FHS Alumni, FHS Homecoming Court, Fillmore Youth Raiders Football & Cheer, Fillmore’s Love 2 Dance Studio 1, FHS Marching Band and the float’s students spent the week creating. Photos by Angel Esquivel-AE News & Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |