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By Tim Hagel — Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Welcome to Farm Watch... |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
 California Governor Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency proclamation for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan, which generated a water surge along the California coast, causing damage to ports, harbors and infrastructure. The full text of the emergency proclamation is below: PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Honshu, Japan generated a tsunami; and WHEREAS the water surge caused by the tsunami inundated California beaches, ports, and harbors, destroying public and private property and threatening numerous structures, which caused the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and WHEREAS the water surge is causing conditions of extreme peril to the infrastructure and the safety of the persons and properties within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and WHEREAS the effects of the water surge continue to threaten the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, the counties of Humboldt and Santa Cruz proclaimed a local emergency; and WHEREAS the counties of Del Norte and San Mateo are expected to issue proclamations of local emergency; and WHEREAS the circumstances of this tsunami and water surge, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge impacting the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz. NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act. I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11th day of March 2011. ________________________________ EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of California ATTEST: ________________________________ DEBRA BOWEN Secretary of State |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, March 14th, 2011
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services remains in contact with state and federal officials regarding the continuing developments in Japan. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is coordinating with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies in providing whatever assistance the Japanese government requests as they respond to conditions at several nuclear power plant sites following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. In response to nuclear emergencies, the NRC works with other U.S. agencies to monitor radioactive releases and predict their path. All the available information indicates weather conditions have taken the small releases from the Fukushima reactors out to sea away from the population. Given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity. The NRC will not comment on hour-to-hour developments at the Japanese reactors. This is an ongoing crisis for the Japanese who have primary responsibility. The California Emergency Management Agency is referring public inquiries concerning health issues to the California Department of Public Health (916-341-3947). This line will be staffed today until 5:00 p.m. and during business hours starting tomorrow. For after-hours callers, there will be a message referring them to the hours when a live operator will be available. Questions from local residents may be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation. Date & Time: March 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, March 14th, 2011
Handgun, gang paraphernalia, marijuana and cash were found
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 11, 2011, at about 0700 a.m., the Fillmore Gang Unit and Sheriff’s Gang Unit served a search warrant at a residence on the 700 block of Akers Street in the City of Fillmore. The search warrant was in reference to an ongoing investigation involving weapons and gang members. During the search of the residence, gang investigators found a handgun, gang paraphernalia, a large amount of marijuana and a large amount of cash. The handgun, gang paraphernalia, marijuana and cash were confiscated as evidence by gang investigators. Two suspects were arrested during the search. The suspects were identified as Steven Chaveste (30 years of age), and Matthew Chaveste (26 years of age), both from Fillmore. Steven was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and Matthew was charged with possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. Steven and Matthew Chaveste were booked at the Main Jail. The investigation is ongoing. Location: 700 Block of Akers Street, Fillmore Officer Preparing Release: Detective Albert Ramirez |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
 On 3/8/2011 at 3:25pm the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 965 Blaine Avenue in the City of Fillmore. The structure was occupied at the time of the incident by two juveniles who escaped the structure without injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation however appears to be accidental and due in part to juveniles playing with fireworks inside a bedroom of the structure. Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department. Enlarge Photo  Upon arriving on scene, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire throughout the entire 800 square foot residential structure. Enlarge Photo  Fire personnel were able to launch an aggressive attack on the fire however damage throughout the home was significant. The fire was knocked down at 3:50pm. Enlarge Photo |
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By Kimberly Rivers — Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
 Fillmore Unified School District Recently the non profit organization Californians Aware performed a “statewide public information audit” of several school districts in California. They were analyzing how those districts responded to requests for public information. In November 2010 Fillmore Unified School District was sent an email requesting publicly available information. FUSD received not only an “F” in this audit, but also a zero score for its complete lack of response to the written request. When asked to comment on the “F” grade FUSD Superintendent Jeff Sweeney indicated that he was contacted by a reporter for the Ventura County Star in late February to let him know that she was writing about the audit (“School District Public Access Rating a mixed bag” Cheri Carlson, Feb. 24 2011). “I was surprised to hear that we were given an “F” by the Californians Aware organization. I recounted our process, one that we had always used, and thought we had met the measure of our responsibility.” FUSD has required anyone requesting information to fill out a simple form in order for the District to process that request. District staff reviewed their emails and located the one from CalAware in November 2010. The emails indicate that staff followed the District policy of asking the requestor to complete the Districts form in order to receive information. Sweeney reports “We followed our normal process and sent the individual a request for public records form on December 13, 2009. We asked the individual to complete the form so that we could comply with the request. When we did not hear back from the individual, we assumed that she did not wish for the requested information.” Sweeney goes on to explain “As a follow up, I contacted our attorney to verify that we had followed proper protocol. She told me we had not. She told me that the requestor’s email sufficed for a written request. As a result, I have informed all of my staff that from this point forward, we are to honor email requests for public records.” |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
 Mayor Gayle Washburn presented outgoing Planning Commissioner Diane McCall with a proclamation for her service at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Enlarge Photo The March 8, 2011 City Council came with both good and bad news. On the Council’s agenda was an unexpected savings to the residents of Fillmore, but on the Redevelopment Agency’s (RDA) agenda the City may take a large financial hit. Agenda items included updates on the proposed community garden and dog park, extension of the employment position for Linda Pappas (Diaz), the second reading of the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for one year and the contract for street sweeping. The RDA items were a proposed revised Storefront Rehabilitation Program (SRP) criteria and the disposition of RDA property. The Council again, similar to the last meeting, addressed a loss to the RDA on property the agency extended financial backing. The question at this meeting was what to do with the property at 401 Arundell Circle, Unit 14 which the City now owns and wants sold. At the February 22, 2011 meeting the Councils asked that an update of the disposition of the property be presented at the next Council Meeting. On October 5, 2010 the RDA granted authorization for the property’s sale to a qualified household or an affordable housing developer. As of today the RDA has a total investment of $162,710 which includes the original down payment assistance loan of $40,000, acquisition cost of $106,500, rehabilitation and repair costs of $9,220 and payment of Homeowner Association dues from August 2009 through February, 2011. On October 27, 2010 a market value appraisal of $152,000 was given on the property, which is almost $11,000 less than the City has invested to date. The main factor preventing the sale is lack of available funding in the current economic climate. The property is part of a 26 unit project which is currently reported to be less than 51% owner occupied. Consequently, FHA and other federally funded loan instruments are not available to a potential buyer due to the low percentage of owners. City Manager Yvonne Quiring informed CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
 A minor accident occurred Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street. The cause of the incident was not available. No physical injuries were reported. Enlarge Photo |
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By Kimberly Rivers — Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
Fillmore Police 2010 Report: Captain Tim Hagel with the Ventura County Sheriff’s office comments “[We] will be challenged in 2011 as we strive to deliver the same level of public services [amidst statewide cuts]… we [continue] to rely on the community [to help] us.” According to Hagel Fillmore police responded to almost “6,000 calls for service… during 2010.” This includes a slight increase in actual crimes, 690 in 2010 compared to 688 in 2009, both of those years down from 743 crimes in 2008. Hagel reports “The biggest increase in crime categories [in 2010] were assaults due to gang activity and family issues.” He continues that the largest “decrease in crimes were in robberies, forgery and vandalism.” 2010 saw 182 counts of vandalism, nearly all graffiti. Hagel reports that there were two homicides in 2010, “one was gang related (gang on gang) and the other was a family dispute.” Hagel states “Our emphasis in 2010 and 2011 has been early gang intervention with teens and young children in the city. We have established a strong teen mentoring program with three local organizations; One Step A La Vez, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We could not do our job without these organizations supporting our combined efforts with the Fillmore School District.” Fillmore’s Crime stats for 2010: Fillmore Fire 2010 Report: According to Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros “2010 was a very busy year for Fillmore Fire Department.” In addition to responding to 1017 calls for service, daily training on “basic [and advanced] life support skills”, and daily fire suppression skills practice, the firehouse restarted their High School Cadet program and implemented a brand new Fire Academy. Landeros states “This [Cadet] program offers high school students hands on experience [in a fire department].” Cadets work with “fire hoses, power tools, claim ladder, breathing apparatuses” as well as learning responsibility and “good work habits.” According to Landeros “[The Academy for new volunteer firefighters] is a more structured training program that we put our new recruits through before they… start working on an engine.” Landeros reports “Fillmore fire has started training with other fire Departments around the County (Santa Paula Fire, Oxnard Fire and Ventura County Fire).” Training with other departments provides a better environment for effective collaboration should Fillmore Fire be called to help another city or if another department is called to help in Fillmore. Landeros comments “As part of Fillmore Fire’s ongoing commitment to provide excellent customer service to the citizens [and businesses] of Fillmore…we send our Training Captain Billy Gabriel to…outside training… so he can come back and train [the entire] Department on the skills and techniques [mandated by the] State Fire Marshall.” Emergency Preparedness; Disaster Coordinator Patrick Maynard is responsible for updating and maintaining Fillmore’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Part of Maynard’s duties is to “keep up to date on …disaster programs [throughout the County] that will help Fillmore [in the event of a disaster].” Landeros reports “Fillmore Fire has officers training monthly to insure that when an emergency happens [officers are well prepared].” Some of the training involves; MCI (Mutable Casualty Incident, structure fire operations, and Hazmat. Landeros emphasized the importance of community involvement with helping in the event of an emergency. “We are continuing to provide our citizens with … valuable [CERT, Community Emergency Response Training].” The next training should begin in April. He encourages community members to get involved in “this great training.” |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, March 7th, 2011
Sheriff's department asks public for information
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On March 6, 2011, at about 1010 hrs, the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received an anonymous call reference a reported cockfighting event taking place at 1766 Grimes Canyon Rd. in the unincorporated area near Fillmore. When deputies responded to the area, suspects fled on foot leaving their gamecocks and several vehicles abandoned at the location. Upon further inspection of the area, deputies found two (2) makeshift cockfighting arenas constructed of wood with blood stained panels and feathers strewn about the arena, indicative of recent cockfighting activity. Deputies also found approximately seventy (70) live gamecocks housed individually in cardboard transport boxes, and sixteen (16) dead gamecocks with obvious injuries consistent with being fought. The dead gamecocks found at the location were killed by suspects engaged in the illegal cockfighting event and in violation of Penal Code Section 597(a) – Animal Cruelty, a felony. Major Crimes Detectives and Fillmore Area Station Detectives responded to the rural area to conduct further investigation, and found various items of cockfighting paraphernalia that were seized as evidence. Among the evidence found at the location were razor sharp fighting blades, a scale used to weigh the gamecocks, and paperwork indicative of illegal gambling activity. Due to the aggressive nature of the gamecocks found at the location, Ventura County Animal Services was called to seize the gamecocks as evidence. Many of the live gamecocks had injuries consistent with being fought, and had to be humanely euthanized. An inspection of the gamecock carcasses revealed they suffered mortal wounds and still had fighting blades affixed to their legs. No suspects were arrested at the scene. This is an on-going investigation and persons with information are asked to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers. 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). Location: 1766 Grimes Canyon Rd., Fillmore |