On September 7th, 2024, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a call-for-service in the 400 block of Ventura Street, City of Fillmore, reference a commercial burglary report. The victim reported their small business had been broken into overnight and had several thousand dollars cash and work equipment stolen. The initial patrol investigation identified (S) Jesus Hernandez and (S) Kelly Cone as being responsible for the commercial burglary. Hernandez and Cone are Fillmore residents and convicted felons with over twenty years of criminal history. Hernandez is also a documented member of a local criminal street gang.

Based on their investigation, patrol deputies had probable cause to arrest Hernandez and Cone for felony violations of Penal Code § 459 – Second Degree Commercial Burglary and Penal Code § 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy. This information was disseminated to patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station. In the early-morning hours of September 10th, 2024, a diligent patrol deputy contacted Cone while she was walking in the 300 block of Central Avenue, Fillmore. Cone was arrested for the above-listed violations and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

Later that same day, detectives assigned to the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation observed Hernandez loitering with several local criminal street gang members in the 400 block of 1st Street, Fillmore. Detectives coordinated with patrol resources and developed a plan to contact and arrest Hernandez. Upon observing patrol deputies, Hernandez and the fellow gang members fled into a nearby residence to avoid contact. Patrol deputies and detectives quickly surrounded the residence to prevent Hernandez from fleeing into the neighborhood. Additional resources were requested, prompting the response of the West County Special Enforcement Unit and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit to the scene. After approximately one hour of negotiations, numerous individuals, including Hernandez, exited the residence without incident and without force being used. Hernandez was arrested for the above-listed violations, as well as a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code § 148 (a)(1) – Resist, Obstruct, Delay of a Peace Officer. Four additional subjects contacted at the residence were also arrested for various misdemeanor violations of the penal code.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and a vehicle at the scene associated to Hernandez. During the subsequent search, evidence was recovered further connecting Hernandez to the commercial burglary. Hernandez and Cone remain in-custody at the Ventura County Main Jail with a bail amount of $50,000.00 bail.

Nature of Incident: Career Criminals Arrested for Commercial Burglary
Report Number: 24-114098
Location: 400 Block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: September 10th, 2024, at 9:33 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit, Fillmore Bureau of Investigations.

Suspects
(S) Jesus Hernandez Fillmore 38
(S) Kelly Cone Fillmore 44

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heersche
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured is Eric Guzman at Ventura County Fire Station 28 in Piru.
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Courtesy Eric Wreesman

I would like to share a story about a local young man who has achieved his goal of serving his community in a firefighting capacity.

Eric Guzman, 24, born and raised in Piru, set a goal to become a Fireman as a young kid. When Eric was 16, he became a Fire Cadet with the Ventura County Fire Department at Fire Station 27 in Fillmore, and excelled in the program with his strong work ethic and character.

Eric continued as a Fire Explorer as the program evolved, and never took his foot off the gas as he progressed. He became an ambulance operator with the Glendale Fire Department, eventually obtaining his paramedic license and continued on his path of hard work and dedication.

At the age of 23, Eric achieved his dream of becoming a Fireman for the Ventura County Fire Department. This was his dream not only because it’s where he started as a Fire Cadet, but also the community he grew up in his entire life.
Today Eric works as Paramedic Fireman and continues still to keep his foot on the gas, bettering himself every day, and providing the highest level of service for his community. Eric is proud to live and work in his community, serving in this capacity.

Now that he has obtained his paramedic certification with the County of Ventura, Eric is able to work shifts at Medic Engine 28 in Piru, just blocks away from where he grew up.
Great Job, Eric! Keep up the great work and thank you for serving your community.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, traffic was delayed for work on Old Telegraph Road which was closed down to one lane due to the Ventura County Transportation Commission doing emergency repairs on the embankment along the Sespe Creek. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Inset photo Gazette staff.
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Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid= 1073353124799990&set=a.331155945686382

Last week on September 11, 2024, the Ventura County Transportation Commission announced the following on their Facebook page: VCTC has started an emergency project to repair the embankment along the Sespe Creek near Fillmore, which was damaged by winter storms in 2023 and 2024. The work will stabilize the bank and protect the railroad and Old Telegraph Road bridge during the coming winter season. Work is anticipated to occur weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and is expected to last about 30 days. The project may produce construction noise, however, loud noise is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Drivers may experience brief traffic delays on Old Telegraph Road. VCTC reminds drivers to be alert for work zones. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

As of December 12, 2023, the City of Fillmore adopted Ordinance 23-958, officially implementing Map 102 B. This November, we’re holding our first district-based election! To help you stay informed, we’ve launched the City of Fillmore – My Elected Representative application. Simply enter your address, and it will show your district and elected representative! Learn more and watch the tutorial here: https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1332/Find-My-Elected-Representative. Got questions? Contact Deputy City Clerk Arely Venegas at 805-524-3701 ext. 217 or avenegas@fillmoreca.gov. Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore.
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Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1332/Find-My-Elected-Representative

As of December 12, 2023, the City of Fillmore adopted Ordinance 23-958, officially implementing Map 102 B. This upcoming November marks a significant milestone for the city, as it will be holding its first district-based election. To ensure residents are informed and empowered in this new process, the City has launched the City of Fillmore – My Elected Representative application.

This user-friendly tool allows residents to simply input their address, and the application will provide information on the district they belong to and the details of their elected representative. This ensures that residents stay connected with their local government and know exactly who is representing their district.

To further assist the community, the City has prepared a helpful tutorial video, available for viewing here: https://youtu.be/2X_BDXFmvsc. This video guides users through the steps of using the application and accessing their district information.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Arely Venegas, Deputy City Clerk, at 805-524-3701 ext. 217 or via email at avenegas@fillmoreca.gov.

For more details on the district election process, please visit the following link.
https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1332/Find-My-Elected-Representative

On Wednesday, September 11th, Fillmore City Fire Department hosted a memorial ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. They gathered at 6:45am and promptly raised the American flag at 6:55am, followed by a countywide radio broadcast remembrance. Refreshments were served afterwards for those who attended the memorial. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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The City of Fillmore Fire Department held a memorial in remembrance of 9/11 on the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, September 11th, 2001. As a nation, we were brought together in tragedy, captivated by the images of destruction, despair, fear, and raw emotion. The only images strong enough to help us cope with such devastation were the amazing images of unity, strangers helping strangers, heroism, and watching America’s front line of public servants run toward the face of danger. They invited the community to join then Wednesday morning of September 11th they took a moment of Silence to remember the civilians, Firefighters, Police Officers, and Military Personnel who perished on that fateful day.

Let us remember the sacrifices made by so many that morning. From the everyday heroes who helped save perfect strangers, to the first responders who walked toward danger in hopes of helping anyone they could, they were all a shining example of how we can easily come together in times of national crisis. We will never forget those brave individuals, and we will never forget September 11th, 2001.