 Arrested for recruiting juveniles into a gang: Brad Beltran of Fillmore 25, Vincent Meraz of Piru 23, Salvador Velgara of San Fernando 26, Damien Virgen of Fillmore 23, Rudy Meraz of Piru 18, Joseph Cabral of Fillmore 25. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, December 24th, 2014
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 12/19/2014, investigators and deputies served a multi-location search warrant related to an investigation involving the recruitment of two juveniles into a criminal street gang that operates in the Fillmore area. Arrests were made as a result of the investigation. A photo of the gang members and video footage of the gang “Jump in” is available via web link http://goo.gl/J2GQbs. A Spanish audio file of the news story by a Sheriff’s public information officer, Deputy Judith Porter, is available via web link http://goo.gl/dWpykN. On 10/31/14, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit served a search warrant in the City of San Fernando in Los Angeles County at the residence of Salvador Velgara. Velgara is a documented member of a criminal street gang that operates in the city of Fillmore and surrounding communities. Investigators located three firearms and methamphetamine possessed for the purpose of sales. Investigators also located a digital camera that contained two videos of a gang initiation rite known as a “Jump In.” A “Jump in” is a violent introduction to the gang in which the new member is subjected to a physical assault by his fellow gang members. Investigators identified the two subjects being “Jumped in” as juvenile residents of the City of Fillmore. California Penal Code section 186.26 (solicitation or recruitment to participate in a criminal street gang) makes it a felony to recruit someone into a gang with specific enhancements for the use of violence and additional enhancements when the person being recruited is a juvenile. Sheriff’s Gang Unit investigators learned that the “Jump in” took place in March of 2013 in the backyard of a residence in the 300 block of Del Valle Drive in Fillmore, CA. Investigators identified the participants of the “Jump in” as Brad Beltran, Vincent Meraz, Salvador Velgara, Damien Virgen, Rudy Meraz, and two male juveniles who are both age16. On 12/19/2014, a combined team of 36 Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies served warrants at five locations to retrieve evidence related to the crime. During the service of the warrants, Vincent Meraz, Rudy Meraz and one of the juveniles were arrested for violating Penal Code section 186.26. Brad Beltran and Salvador Velgara who were already in custody on other charges were also arrested by detectives for violating Penal Code section 186.26. Damien Virgen was contacted by phone and later turned himself in. Joseph Cabral was arrested after detectives found a collapsible baton, methamphetamine, and a methamphetamine pipe in his bedroom. Nature of Incident: Gang Members Arrested for Recruiting Juveniles in Fillmore Date & Time: 12/19/2014 @ 0700 hours 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, December 24th, 2014
 On Saturday, December 20th, at approximately 5:30pm, an eastbound vehicle rear-ended another eastbound vehicle, which struck a third eastbound vehicle. The accident took place on Highway 126, close to the Old Red Barn (Christmas tree farm). The chain reaction caused one of the cars to enter westbound traffic and strike two more cars. Two of the cars overturned, trapping the occupants. Six people were injured, including one infant. All six were transported by ambulances to area hospitals; none of the injuries were life-threatening. The first vehicle that started the chain reaction did not stop; the California Highway Patrol is seeking the driver. Westbound lanes were closed for several hours, with traffic in both directions diverted to the eastbound lanes. Photos courtesy Sebastian Ramirez. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 24th, 2014
 Newly elected Congresswoman Julia Brownley was involved in a minor traffic accident at the corner of Highway 126 and Central Avenue, Saturday, at 2:09pm. No injuries were reported. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
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 A Proclamation honoring Nativedad Cano for his contribution to Mariachi Music was presented to his daughters Alejandra and Natalie at Tuesday’s council meeting by Mayor Manuel Minjares. Cano moved to Fillmore in 1990 and passed away October 3, 2014. He was a visiting professor at UCLA and won a Grammy in 2008 for his music. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
During the Special December 16, 2014 City Council meeting a new Mayor for the City of Fillmore was selected, Mayor Douglas Tucker, along with new Mayor Pro Tem Diane McCall. Tucker thanked the out-going Mayor Manuel Minjares and Mayor Pro Tem Rick Neal for their professionalism and their helping setting the City on sound financial ground. Minjares responded telling Tucker, “You will be a good mayor.” The meeting began with a Proclamation honoring Nativedad Cano for his contribution to Mariachi Music. Cano was born in Ahuisculco, Jalisco, Mexico July 23, 1933 and passed away October 3, 2014. He moved to Fillmore in 1990, where he lived with his family and loved the town. Cano was a visiting professor at UCLA and won a Grammy in 2008 for his music. The Proclamation was accepted by his daughters Alejandra and Natalie. Council Members were then asked what committees, commissions, liaisons and outside agency appointments each would consider being on. The appointments: Manual Minjares; School Board Liaison, Ventura Regional Sanitation District, Ventura COG, Fillmore Development Council, Ventura County Transportation Commission, Air Pollution Control District alternate, North Fillmore Neighborhood Commission alternate. Diane McCall; School Board Liaison, Animal Regulation, Heritage Valley Tourism, Chamber of Commerce. Douglas Tucker; Air Pollution Control District, North Fillmore Neighborhood Commission, Planning Commission, Economic Development Council-Ventura County, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance. Rick Neal; Heritage Valley Tourism, Ventura Regional Sanitation District, Economic Development Council-Ventura County, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, Chamber of Commerce, Fillmore Development Council. Carrie Broggie; Film Commission, Planning Commission, Veterans Memorial, Parks and Recreation Commission. Two student representatives, Angel Cisneros and Sara Beylik, were then appointed to one year on the Parks and Recreation Commission along with two Commissioners, Geraldine Lee and Camilla Conaway, who will serve for four years. The Special meeting ended within an hour. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
 Groundbreaking has begun at the Business Park, corner of Highway 126 and C Street. The rains may cause a slight delay but the long-awaited development has started. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
 Santa really gets around! He visited the Clinicas on Central Avenue. Siblings Junior and Maria were happy to see him in town. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, December 16th, 2014
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On December 14, 2014, members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club were attending a Christmas Toy Drive event at the Deer Lodge in Meiners Oaks. Approximately a dozen motorcyclists wearing Hells Angels Motorcycle Club patches were observed driving south on Maricopa Highway towards North Ventura Avenue. Traffic violations were observed by deputies and an enforcement stop of the motorcyclists was initiated. The motorcyclists were stopped as they turned onto Baldwin Road from North Ventura Avenue. During the subsequent investigation, the following items of contraband were located: two concealed loaded firearms, methamphetamine, and a weapon described as “brass knuckles”. Tedesco was arrested for possession of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm and being a prohibited person from possessing a firearm. Saucedo was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm in his vehicle. Holt was arrested for possession of brass knuckles. In addition to those violations, Tedesco and Amman were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. All subjects were booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Nature of Incident: Weapons and Narcotics Arrest – Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Report Number: 14-28119 |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 15th, 2014
Dear Members of the Fillmore Community, I am writing to give you an update on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) work at the Pacific Coast Pipeline Site. ATSDR’s goal is to protect the health of the people of Fillmore. To do this, ATSDR is investigating the possibility that contact with soil from the site could contribute to human health effects. ATSDR Pacific Coast Pipeline Health Consultation (draft for public comment) is still going through our agency's scientific review process. While this review process takes longer than we’d like, we look forward to finalizing the draft and making it available to you and other members of the Fillmore community in early 2015. Thank you for your patience. In addition, separate from our Health Consultation report, but in keeping with our goal of protecting the health of the Fillmore community, ATSDR provided comments to the City of Fillmore on the Fillmore Works Specific Plan Initial Study and Notice of Preparation of an environmental impact review. You can find our comments attached [EDITOR's Note: The document is below]. If you have any questions about ATSDR's work, please feel free to contact me by email or at 415.947.4318. Regards, Jamie Rayman |