|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 On October 2, 2023, at approximately 8:45 pm, a suspect followed two victims from the bus stop located in the 500 block of Santa Clara Street to the corner of Central Avenue. The suspect approached the victims as he brandished a knife, and he demanded their personal property which included one of the victim’s cellular telephone. The suspect then fled with the stolen property. A witness called Ventura County Sheriff Communications Center (911) and provided a detailed description of the suspect. Responding Fillmore patrol deputies located and detained a suspect matching the description who was identified as Fillmore resident, Issac Torres. Torres was positively identified as the robbery suspect by the victims. In addition, Torres was in possession of a pocket knife and the victim’s stolen property. Torres was subsequently arrested for robbery and brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner. Torres was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trail Detention Facility for these charges where he remains in custody in lieu of his bail set at $500,000. Report Number: RB # 23-127074 Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 VCOE (Ventura County Office of Education) hosted a town hall meeting on Thursday, September 27th to discuss the current opioid crisis. The meeting titled Facing Down Fentanyl was presented by the County Opioid Suppression Task Force and featured a panel of speakers that included Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin. The meeting was attended by 33 parents from the Fillmore Unified School District, with transportation provided by VCOE. We thank Norma Perez-Sanford for making arrangements for our parents to attend this event. Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/FUSDDistrict/. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 On Saturday, September 30th, at 10:50 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported vehicle into tree on westbound Highway 126, just east of Torrey Road, Piru. According to a statement by CHP-Moorpark office, a 45-year-old Sylmar man was headed west on the highway in the fast lane but traveled right into the slow lane and then to the right shoulder before crashing into a tree. The involved vehicle was a 1989 Toyota coupe; it became fully engulfed in fire after impact, CHP spokesman Ryan Ayers said Sunday. Ayers said the man was unable to get out of the vehicle, he was pronounced dead at the scene by Ventura County Fire Department, which extinguished the fire. Caltrans was also notified that 60 feet of chain link fence and eight poles were damaged. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the CHP’s Moorpark office at (805) 553-0800. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 On Tuesday, October 3rd, at 6 p.m., a special meeting was held at Fillmore City Hall for a City Council Workshop: Active Shooter Training. Sgt. Deputy John Lemar, Fillmore Police Department, gave the presentation on what the procedure should be during an active shooter situation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 On Friday, September 29th, 2023, the Fillmore Flashes traveled to Santa Paula for the 113th game/meeting of the two towns, beginning back in 1924. The Flashes went into the game 3–3 on the season, and the Cardinals undefeated. After a long hard-fought game for both teams, Flashes Varsity defeated the Cardinals 37–35, beating them for the third year in a row. Flashes JV fell short to the Cardinals with and final score 20–0. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Fillmore, had an impressive turnout on Sunday, October 1st, for its annual Parish Fiesta. The 7-hour fiesta included a blessing of the animals, live mariachi music, folklorico dancers (pictured), bingo, games/prizes, face painting, raffle, silent auction and plant sale. Enchiladas and tacos were sold, along with drinks, ice cream, fruit/veg cups, shaved ice, bake sale and more. And for $5 bucks you could have the “villain” of your choice arrested and thrown in jail, above. Bail was set at $5. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 On Saturday, September 23rd, at 12:10am, a Fillmore Police Sergeant came across a stalled vehicle at Central Avenue and Main Street, Fillmore. While the deputy was investigating it turned out to be a Hit & Run, according to radio traffic. At least one female subject was contacted nearby and was taken into custody for Hit & Run, and for driving under the influence. No additional information was provided. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 Sonic is finally making its way to Fillmore! The first Ventura County Sonic Drive-In is anticipated to be built at the northwest corner of Orange Grove and Ventura Street (SR-126). In October 2018, The Gazette reported it was slated to open in summer 2019, but Covid-19 and other factors caused its delay. In 1958, Top Hats existed in Enid and Stillwater, Oklahoma. However, only four opened, because the name was already copyrighted to another business. Echoing the jet age, Top Hat’s slogan was “Service with the Speed of Sound,” so the new name “Sonic” was chosen. There are now 80 Sonic’s in California alone. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 This Friday, September 29, 2023, the Fillmore Flashes will take on longtime rival, the Santa Paula Cardinals. Above a photo from last year’s Fillmore-Santa Paula game where the Flashes defeated the Cardinals. This year’s game will be in the Santa Paula High School Stadium. JV begins at 4:30pm; Varsity 7:30pm. Gates open at 4:30pm. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
All items passed 5-0, except for items 9-B and 9-C which passed 4-0. Councilmember Gurrola had a conflict. 9.A RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve by separate resolutions the initiation of proceedings for the annexation of each of the Annexation Territories: • DP 06-06 (Fillmore Groves) • DP 07-03 (The Stop) • DP 14-01 (Red Engine Brewing) • DP 15-10 (Rotorcraft Support, Inc.) • DP 18-01 (Sonic Drive-In) into the City of Fillmore Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 2, order the Consolidated Engineer’s Report, and preliminarily approve the Consolidated Engineer’s report as received or with amendments. 9.B RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Authorize the Payment Request No. 1 (Attachment 1) for $11,742,270.57, relating to Heritage Valley Parks construction costs for El Dorado Flood Control Channel components incurred by developer Hearthstone Multi-Asset Entity C, L.P, with funds from Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 5 Series 2023 Special Tax Bonds Construction Funds. DISCUSSIO 9.C RECOMMENDATION That the City Council consider approval of an agreement with Hearthstone that will authorize reimbursement of costs for performing the post-storm clean out of the Pole Creek Debris Basin through Storm Drain Maintenance District No. 07 and authorize the City Engineer and Finance Director to approve disbursement amounts. 9.E RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff recommends that the City Council receive this report and discuss the funding options for expenditure holiday decorations. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement in the amount decided by City Council and in a form approved by the City Attorney for holiday decorations at Central Park and in the Downtown Business District. 9.F RECOMMENDATION Staff requests that the City Council approve two amendments to two Professional Services Agreements with GovTempsUSA, LLC for financial analysis and accounting consulting services to extend both agreement terms until March 29, 2024, to increase the not-to-exceed contract amounts as detailed below, and to increase the hourly rate for these services from $112/hour to $116.20/hour. 9.G RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: Adopt the attached Resolution 23-3963 authorizing the City Manager or his designee to sign and file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the allocation to the City of $848,756 of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2023-24. |