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The Ventura County Sheriff Explorer Van was sponsored by Rotary Club of Fillmore, Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, Fillmore Women’s Service Club, and many others.
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The Santa Clara Valley Explorer Post #2958 was reactivated in 2010, by Deputy Leo Vazquez, Commander Tim Hagel, and Captain Dave Wareham, with only 6 interested Explores. Fast forward 6 years later and the Post has 32 Explorers enrolled and continues to grow.

The Explorers are tasked with community events in the city of Fillmore, unincorporated areas of Ventura County and other cities within the County of Ventura. Some of the community events are: Fillmore and Piru Christmas Parades, Fillmore High School Parades, toy drives and giveaways, Shop with a Cop in Camarillo, Camarillo Air Show, and Moorpark Safety Days at Underwood Farms, just to name a few. These events stress the importance of planning, teamwork, and coordination of resources.

In order for the Post to attend all of the community events, the Post has had to carpool in privately owned vehicles. Up to 5 vehicles may have been needed when attending any Explorer function, and it was often overwhelming trying to find a ride for everyone. Some of our Explorers come from low income families and it's amazing to find a program where students/explorers can gain so much knowledge, guidance, and self-confidence without worrying about burdening their parents’ financial situations.

The Post is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that depends on donations in order to be successful. This past year, the Post has been planning to purchase a passenger van. Being able to purchase a van would be a great asset to the Post, as it would help transport Explorers to community events, meetings, and training events, both within the county and out of state. The Post held multiple fundraisers and received donations from various organizations within the city of Fillmore and County of Ventura. With the hard work and dedication of the Post Advisors, they were able to purchase a passenger van for the Post.

The Santa Clara Valley Explorer Post #2958 would like to thank the following organizations for their generous donations and making this purchase possible: Fillmore Rotary Club, Bank of the Sierra, Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation, Fillmore Women's Club, Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and SBR Signs for the van wrap.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Explorer program consists of young men and women, 14 (and completed 8th grade) to 21, who have an interest in learning more about a career in Law Enforcement. The Explorer program provides law enforcement experiences, leadership opportunities, educational training, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens in their communities and the nation.

If you would like more information about the Law Enforcement Explorer program, please contact your local Police Department.

Fillmore Police Department 805-524-2233
Camarillo Police Department 805-388-5100
Moorpark Police Department 805-532-2700
Headquarters Patrol Station 805-654-2890
Ojai Police Department 805-646-1414
Thousand Oaks Police Department 805-494-8200

City Manager David Rowlands presenting 3 Beacon Awards to Fillmore Mayor Diane McCall.

The Fillmore City Council received 3 Beacon awards last night from the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative. The City was recognized for energy savings with a platinum award, and a gold for Best Practices Activities, and a silver award for greenhouse gasses reduction.

Dave Smallwood discussed the city's serious drought problem and the continued importance of water conservation.

The Council also approved an ordinance adding requirements for personal cultivation of marijuana in the event Proposition 64 (recreational use of marijuana) should pass on November 8.

A letter to CalTrans opposing the proposal for a round-about on Highway 126 was approved. It is thought that such a project would unduly and dangerously congest the flow of traffic at that location.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Monday, October 31, is Halloween. Most children will be out wearing their favorite costume and visiting homes in your neighborhood. Please remember there are issues when children in costumes are mixed with darkness and vehicles.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to offer the following safety tips to keep your children safe:
For Parents and Children:

• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.

• Children should never enter homes to get candy or go near a vehicle offering candy.

• Stay in a well-lit and well populated area.

• Set a time for your children to be home and have them check in frequently.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk; don't run, across the street.

For Drivers:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.

• Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Costumes and Treats

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility.

• Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.

• Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.

• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.

• Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.

On average, twice as many kids are killed or injured while walking on Halloween as compared to any other day of the year. This year let’s not make your child one of them.

Nature of Incident: Halloween Safety
Location: Citywide
Date & Time: October 31, 2016
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Timothy Lohman
Media Release Date: October 25, 2016
Media Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Timothy Lohman
(805) 947-8255 – tim.lohman@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain James Fryhoff

Decorative contact lense

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned consumers about the risks associated with wearing decorative contact lenses.

“Wearing any kind of contact lens, including decorative lenses, without proper consultation of an eye care professional can cause serious injury,” Dr. Smith said. “The risks include infection, ulcers, decreased vision, cuts or scratches to the surface of the eye, itchiness or redness. If these conditions are left untreated, the injuries can progress rapidly. In severe cases, blindness and eye loss can occur.”

The sale of contact lenses without a prescription is illegal. Only Board of Optometry licensed optometrists and ophthalmologists are authorized to prescribe and dispense prescription contact lenses. Medical Board of California registered opticians and optical shops are authorized to fill contact lens prescriptions.

Decorative contact lenses are intended to temporarily change the appearance of the eye, but do not correct vision. Advertised as color, cosmetic, fashion and theatrical contact lenses, they are especially popular around Halloween. Decorative contact lenses are typically sold at beauty supply and novelty stores.

Consumers who have experienced any injury or illness with decorative contact lenses should contact their health care provider. Consumers can report the illegal sale of decorative contact lenses without a prescription to CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch Hotline at 1-800-495-3232 to initiate an investigation.

www.cdph.ca.gov

American Red Cross of Ventura County

Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months.

For blood donor Katie Osorio, giving a little bit of time is worth it because she’s giving someone a chance at life. “Someone’s mother, brother, sister, father or the love of someone’s life has been given back to their loved ones all because I gave something that I could. It takes so little from me and gives a world back to another.”

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Ventura

Moorpark
11/2/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road

Simi Valley
11/3/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Apollo High School, 3150 School Street
11/11/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
11/7/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
11/10/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., California Lutheran University, 60 West Olsen Road

Ventura
11/15/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., EP Foster Library, 651 E Main Street

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

City of Fillmore

The Fillmore City Council has approved a rate hike on water-sewer rates which, on average, will cost consumers more than $100 per month in 2017.

Homeowners have 45 days to object to the rate hike before they go into effect next year and stay in effect for the next 5 years. Notifications of the increase will be sent to homeowners by mail and will include instructions on how to formally object to the action. Prior to a final vote by the Council, hearings will be held in December and January. It is reported that "The rate for standard residential sewer service will rise 12 percent in 2017 and 5 percent per year from 2018 through 2021. The current rate is $92.29 per month. Water rates for residential customers are scheduled to increase 2 percent in 2017, and 5 percent per year from 2018 through 2021".

The rate hike is due to the city's having to pay-off its new, mandated, sewer plant bonds. Reports state the city council explained that the steep rate hike is due to the fact that the city has put off increases until recently. The rate must increase to handle the bond load. If the bonds are not paid according to contract bond rates will rise as well.