 (l-r) Jonathan Santos-Beltran, 21, Los Angeles; Kevin Orellana-Cerna, 23, Los Angeles; Sinesio Rodriguez-Escobar, 27, Los Angeles; Kevin Sanchez, 22, Los Angeles; Moises Barahoma, 25, Los Angeles. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
A crew of catalytic converter thieves were apprehended after they stole from a Fillmore resident. Investigators suspect they might be involved in similar crimes occurring in the region. In the early morning hours of February 8th, a Fillmore resident heard a loud noise coming from her vehicle that was parked nearby. Upon further examination, the victim discovered her catalytic converter had been removed from the vehicle and the suspects fled the area. The victim provided the vehicle information that was believed to be associated with the thieves. Deputies quickly responded to the area and noticed two vehicles fleeing. One was identified as a white Toyota Prius, containing three suspects and a yellow Chevrolet Camaro with two occupants. Deputies coordinated a stop of both vehicles. Deputies immediately noticed the Prius had a catalytic converter that had been cut in the rear compartment. The deputies investigated deeper and located saws, a car jack and other items related to catalytic converter thefts. All of the subjects associated in both vehicles were deemed to be working in concert to steal catalytic converters. They were arrested and transported to the Police Station. As the investigation progressed, a second resident called and reported that the catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle which was parked in the 900 block of Fourth Street. Investigators were able to link this theft with the suspects associated with the Prius and Camaro. All five suspects were arrested and booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for the following charges: The suspects in this case are currently in custody pending a court appearance on February 10, 2021 and $300,000 bail. Catalytic converter crimes are on the rise throughout county. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with reducing these events. We encourage you to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood and help reduce your chances of becoming a victim by parking your vehicles in well-lit areas or secured garages. Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez 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 |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
 Daniel Gonzalez, 61, Santa Paula. Santa Paula man arrested for possession of more than a ½ pound of methamphetamine. During the past year, deputies received information regarding a local transient, Daniel Gonzalez, selling methamphetamine to area residents. This information came from multiple sources over a 13-month period. On February 6th, deputies were conducting foot patrol of the district watershed area, in Santa Paula. While conducting their patrol, they contacted Gonzalez, who they suspected of trespassing. During their investigation, they determined Gonzalez was under the influence of a controlled substance and placed him under arrest. While conducting a search of Gonzalez’s personal belongings they discovered 246 grams (8.66 ounces) of methamphetamine. The deputies arrested Gonzalez for violations HS 11550 Being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and HS 11379 Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sales. Gonzalez remains in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility awaiting arraignment. Gonzalez’s bail has been set at $60,000.00 and he is due to appear in court February 9, 2021. Nature of Incident: Suspect arrested with over ½ pound of methamphetamine 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). |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
 On Monday, February 8th at 6:24 pm, at Highway 126 and Atmore Road near Fillmore, a 3-vehicle crash occurred, involving a Tahoe, a compact sedan and a United Pacific Energy semi, hauling propane/butane. There were three injured according to reports, with one transported to a local hospital, condition unknown. Cause of the accident is under investigation. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is in the process of updating the Ventura County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP addresses the County’s planned response to emergency situations and natural, human caused or technological disasters, and requires reviewing and updating every three years. We believe that emergency preparedness is a shared “whole community” responsibility, involving a broad spectrum of community interests, including individual members, businesses, faith-based and other community organizations, academia as well as the media and all levels of government. The public is invited to review the draft EOP and can download a copy by visiting www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org, www.VCEmergency.com or www.VenturaCountyRecovers.org and click on the 2021 EOP Update link at the top of the page. Nature of Incident: Ventura County Emergency Operations Plan |
 After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake the cannon was moved and now sits in front of the Fillmore Veterans Memorial Building on 2nd Street. The plaque reads “W.W.I Cannon Donated by the U. S. Govt. to the City of Fillmore in 1921. Dedicated to all the men and women who serve their country. W.F.W. 9637 – 2001”. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
 The Veterans Service Club formed in 1927 in Fillmore, and in July 1928 the Veterans Service Club ordered a cannon as a gift to Fillmore from the Rartian Arsenal in New Jersey. Pictured above is Len Hawthorn firing the Howitzer in 1979. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum The Fillmore cannon? Well, actually, it’s not. It’s a howitzer, probably of French manufacture based on German plans. So how did it get to Fillmore? In January 1927, a group of Fillmore veterans formed the Veteran’s Service Club. Membership was open to “all men who honorably served in the army, navy or marine corps of the United States or her allies as well as those who have served this country in former conflicts.” The first president of the organization was R. A. Fremlin, who served in the British armed forces during World War I. The American Legion accepted only those who had served in the US military. The Club grew from a charter membership of 35 to 134 by the end of 1927. The group was active in the improvement of Fillmore, taking on sponsorship of the city park which be created near the Southern Pacific Depot between Main and Santa Clara Streets. As a gift to the town the VSC ordered a “cannon” from the Raritan Arsenal in New Jersey. As it was war surplus, the “cannon” itself cost them nothing, but they had to pay $150 in for shipping. In July 1928, the “cannon”, a 150mm howitzer arrived was installed in the City Park which at the time was the area in front of the current City Hall. The “cannon” was not the only thing the VSC were doing in 1928 (although some of their plans were interrupted by the sudden collapse of the St. Francis Dam on March 12/13). They were the sponsor of the spring and fall flower shows, they put on several stage plays. To complete the year, they donated and installed the neon “Fillmore” sign that still can be seen on Central. The “cannon” was a “mobile” piece and on at least two occasions traveled. One story is that in the early 1950s, some fun-loving Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) moved it to the Wm L. Morris lot, then on Central and Santa Clara. No damage was done and the cannon was returned to its home in the park. It was a different story in 1974 when a “local prankster” hooked the howitzer up to his pick up and towed down the street. The wheels of the venerable gun broke under the strain. Retired cabinet make Fred Barger was commissioned to repair the wheels, which he did at no charge. The City Works department placed it on the southwest corner of the City Park so visitors were greeted by the “cannon” as the drove up Central Avenue. The 1994 Earthquake changed many things and so it was with the “cannon”. With the construction of the new City Hall, the “cannon” lost its home. It was also in need of some TLC. Ralph Rees and Basil Dalsem undertook the job of restoring the cannon and when finished, it found its new home at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on 2nd Street where it remains. |
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By Anonymous — Friday, February 5th, 2021
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 On January 27th the Ventura Sheriff ’s Department hosted a Gun Turn-In which resulted in them obtaining 60 guns for destruction, 7 replica BB guns and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Photos courtesy Ventura County Sheriff ’s Department. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
On January 27, 2021, the Ventura Sheriff’s Office, and all the cities that contract police services with the Sheriff’s Office, hosted a gun turn-in. This was an opportunity for citizens to turn in unwanted firearms, replica firearms and ammunition for destruction. As a result, 60 guns were turned in for destruction as well as 7 replica BB guns and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Nature of Incident: Gun Turn-In Results 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). |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
 On Tuesday, February 2nd at 8:14 pm Fillmore Police, Fillmore Fire Engine 91 and AMR responded to a traffic collision involving a pedestrian. The accident occurred in the intersection of Ventura St. (Hwy 126) and Central Avenue. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, injuries unknown. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Photo courtesy Angel Esquivel - AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
Application period ends February 8
Free application webinars offered daily in several languages. Courtesy City of Fillmore website https://www.fillmoreca.com/Home/Components/News/News/3324/18 Sacramento, CA – California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), today announced that Round 2 of the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is open. The $500 million program is intended for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $25,000. Approximately half of the available funds were awarded in Round 1, with disbursement beginning January 22, and the remainder will be awarded to eligible businesses in this second round. The application portal opened at 8:00 a.m. today and will remain open through 6:00 p.m. February 8. Eligible applicants who submitted all necessary documents in Round 1, but did not receive a grant, will be rolled over for consideration in this second round – there is no need to reapply. "What we are seeing is an unprecedented, urgent need,"said Dee Dee Myers, Director of GO-Biz. "Millions of hardworking Californians, who provide jobs to millions more, need help. Inclusive, equitable relief is fundamental to the small business support this state is providing. Surveys find that without additional funding, more than one in three small business owners will not survive past the next three months, including an astounding 32% of Latinx-owned and 41% of Black-owned businesses. This grant program serves to address an immediate need, but there is so much more that needs to be done. We look forward to the additional grants and loans proposed by the Biden Administration." California’s small businesses employ nearly half of the state’s private sector workforce and create two-thirds of new jobs. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies showed small businesses were facing low cash flow levels – estimating nearly half of all small businesses had only two weeks of cash flow pre-pandemic. CalOSBA is pleased to share preliminary data from the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program's first round of recipients: For more information on grant requirements and eligibility, along with links to application tips and webinars, visit CAReliefGrant.com. About GO-Biz About CalOSBA |