On Friday, July 2nd, Fillmore’s Jose “Froggy” Estrada is back and will take on Leonardo “Chimmy” Morales in Miami, Florida. Photo Courtesy ‘thefogger805’ Instagram page.

Just like the rest of America, Froggy is back at work. Jose “Froggy” Estrada is fighting again after a long layoff due to Covid. It has been a long 15 months since Froggy was going to fight. Froggy was working on getting a title shot for Combate Americas M.M.A. Fighting. Due to Covid the fight in late March or early April 2020, it was called off. “I was ready for that fight!” said Froggy. “I was heartbroken when it did not happen. But like everyone else I had to deal with it.”

Now Froggy is ready and in the best shape of his life, with a fire in his eye, and a drive in his heart, he is ready! Froggy fights Friday night July 2 2021 in Miami Florada, for the new and improved Combate Global. The fight will be at 9 p.m. on Paramount + in english, and in spanish it will be on Univison.

The fight will be Jose “Froggy” Estrada with an 6-2 record vs. Leonardo “Chimmy” Morales with an 10-4 record. Both fighters will come in at 145 pounds. Morales has fought in the UFC, but has not fought in two years. Froggy fought in two JUI JITSU fights during the layoff, and feels ready for this fight. “I have stayed in shape, always training, no days off, so yeah, I am ready for this guy.” said Froggy.

Froggy like always will be fighting out of West Coast JUI JITSU Gym in Oxnard. He would like to say thank you to the supporters that make this happen. Natural Generator, Pedal Commander,Skunk Masters, V.C. Armmory, Limitless, Royal Sports Mangament. Froggy said, “I would not be able to do this without the support from everyone, I would like to thank all my friends and family in Fillmore, and Ventura County. Also my coaches and teammates at West Coast, without all of your love and support, this would not be happing, thank you!”

So now it is time to get behind this Fillmore man and show him support and watch the fight this Friday night! It will be a great one. “The guy will be tough, He is a good kick boxer.” Said Froggy. “But he can’t kick what he cannot see! I going to fight hard and take this guy out! Then it’s back to Fillmore for fireworks and bar-b-q Fillmore style on the fourth!”

Well Fillmore I know how I am kicking off my 4th of July weekend, I watching Froggy fight, the fireworks will be booming in Miami! I hope you can all support Froggy and I hope you all have a safe and sane 4th of July weekend!

Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar took 4th place in the California State Championship Meet this past weekend, finishing with a time of 9:05.45, setting a new school record and earning a State Championship medal. Photo Courtesy Kim Tafoya.

On June 25th and 26th, VS Athletes in conjunction with PrepCalTrack and Finished Results hosted the California State Championship Meet at Arcadia High School. Athletes that placed among the top 40 in an event could register to compete in this meet. Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar qualified to compete in the 3200 meters after posting a best time, and school record in the 3200 Meters of 9:12.10.

So here we are at Arcadia waiting for the 9:00 PM start of the 3200 meters. Two weeks ago at CIF SS D4 Championships in Carpinteria, the plan was to go out to the front and run a fast one. Unfortunately, it did go to plan. The early fast pace, the humidity, the heat, setting the pace, and other factors all added up to a third place finish in an event that Fabi was favored to win. Fabi finished in a time of 9:30.18 in 3rd place. Needless to say, FabI was disappointed.

The State Meet was never a sure thing, with COVID still a threat to keep the meet from being held. But meet organizers were able to make it happen. During Fabi’s warm up, The sun was still out 45 minutes before the race, but it felt cool. Fabi said that he felt light, and good, during the warm up.

Twelve of California’s top distance runners toed the line. After a quick start Fabi found himself in last place, but before the first lap was run, Fabi worked his way into first place and into the inside lane. He led for about 2 pedestrian paced laps. On the third lap the pace picked up and Fabi ran in fourth to sixth place. He went to the front again during the fifth lap and held that place until the final lap. That’s when the sprint to the line started with 6 runners who had broken away. Fabi worked his way back up to third place and would finish in fourth place in an excellent time of 9:05.45, a new School Record and a State Championship medal. Fabi ran an excellent race, felt he could have won, but was happy with his finish. This was approximately 25 seconds faster than his prior race at Division 4 Southern Section Finals in Carpinteria.

This is the culmination of an excellent season where Fabi set School Records in both the 1600 Meters (4:20.02) and the 3200 Meters (9:05.45). Fabi is one of many athletes who worked hard and performed well in spite of the COVID impact. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to watch him race and grow over the last 4 years. We wish Fabi the best as he transitions to UCLA next year. Go Blue!

This race can be watched on YouTube, HDRunners, Day 2. Enjoy.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 16-year old Fillmore juvenile male student was arrested after making a threat of having a bomb while on school grounds at Fillmore High School.

On 06/29/2021, at approximately 11:11 a.m., patrol deputies responded to Fillmore High School in reference to a bomb threat report. Prior to arrival, it was learned that a known male juvenile used an online communication service and stated that he “had a bomb in his backpack.” With the assistance of staff from the Fillmore Unified School District, students were safely evacuated from the premises and the juvenile was subsequently arrested.

The area of concern was searched by investigators from the Fillmore Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit. The school and surrounding area was deemed safe and no explosive devices were located.

The juvenile was booked into custody at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard for violations of making Criminal Threats and a False Report of a Bomb. The juvenile remains in custody with a court date set for July 1, 2021.

The identification and apprehension of this individual would not have been possible without alert school officials and the cooperative relationship between the Fillmore Police Department and the Fillmore Unified School District.

Nature of Incident: Bomb Threat
Report Number: 21-85134
Location: Fillmore High School (555 Central Avenue)
Date & Time: 06/29/2021 @ 11:11 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Fillmore Investigations Bureau and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Juvenile, Fillmore, 16
Prepared by: Detective Ben Lopez #4397
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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).

There will be no Sespe Creek Car Show or Chili Cook-Off in Fillmore on 4th of July. The City of Fillmore will be hosting a fireworks show on Saturday, July 3rd at the Fillmore Middle School baseball field—it is expected to begin at 9pm. Courtesy City of Fillmore.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is in the process of updating the Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The plan update is a multi-jurisdictional effort involving over 20 different partners, including all 10 of the County’s incorporated cities, the County’s Watershed Protection District, the Ventura County Office of Education, and the County Fire Protection District. The HMP strives to inventory the natural hazards that Ventura County is most vulnerable to, assess risks to the County’s community members, buildings and critical facilities, and develop a mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of exposure and allow a swift, equitable, and organized recovery should a disaster occur. The County’s most recent HMP was adopted in 2016, but requires updating every five years to maintain federal funding eligibility. The public is invited to learn more about the HMP and opportunities for participation in the update process by visiting www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.

Nature of Incident: Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Date & Time: June 24, 2021
Unit(s) Responsible: Office of Emergency Services
Prepared by: Bonnie Luke, Bonniek.Luke@ventura.org 805-765-7007
Approved by: Patrick Maynard

Carina Monica Montoya

The Depot circa 1900. The crate on the loading dock is a piano for George N. King.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore History Museum

Although the Museum was closed for over a year due to the pandemic, we were still available, under COVID-19 restriction guidelines for researchers. During the time we were closed, we had several people conduct research on topics from a possible documentary on the St. Francis Dam Disaster to wanting to know the history of the older home they had just purchased. We are always happy to help people research their ancestry, home, or general history of our area.

One of the people who reached out to us was Fillmore resident, Carina Monica Montoya. She told us she was writing a book for Arcadia Publishing on Ventura County and needed photographs and information. Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series spotlights the history of neighborhoods, towns and cities of local writers and historians by showcasing vintage photographs, some spanning over 100 years.

Over several visits to the Museum, we were able to assist Carina in finding photographs and information on Fillmore, surrounding communities, and of Ventura County in general.Our many resources further inspired her to expand the book to include a chapter on disasters that significantly impacted the county but also helped to reshape it.

On July 10th, Carina will be at the Southern Pacific Depot in Fillmore for a book signing. Books are currently available on our website gift shop and will be available at the event. Please join us from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, July 10th for a book signing.