On Tuesday, July 12th at 6:24pm California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident on Highway 23/Chamberburg Road and Guiberson Road near Fillmore. CHP reported that one person was killed in the accident, according to reports the car may have crashed into the concrete ditch or over the bridge over the ditch. The crash blocked traffic in both directions. The lanes reopened after 7pm. No further information is available at this time and the cash is still under investigation.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is looking for two suspects in a takeover-style armed robbery of Fillmore’s La Unica Mini Market. Anyone with information should call the Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233.
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At approximately 7:45am, on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a reported robbery in Fillmore at La Unica Mini Market, in the 500 block of Old Telegraph Road. Reports were two men brandishing guns, and an unknown amount of cash was taken during the robbery. The suspects left in an unknown direction prior to the arrival of police officers. No one was injured. Police believe the robbery took place around 7am. First suspect was described as a white male, about 25 to 35 years of age, standing between six foot two and six foot five inches, and wearing a black mask and gloves, Nike tennis shoes and blue Levis; second suspect was described as a Hispanic male, also standing between six foot two and six foot five inches, and wearing a black mask, unknown shirt and blue Levi pants. Both were reported to have a black semi-automatic handgun. They are still at large at press time. Anyone with information should call the Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233.
Information credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.

Fillmore High School has announced its new principal, Keith Derrick. Full bio below:

Keith Derrick has been an educator in the Simi Valley, San Marino, and Pasadena Unified School Districts for the past thirty years, the last fourteen years serving as principal at Royal High School, San Marino High School, and Marshall Fundamental Secondary School (serving grades 6-12).

He has been an advocate for all students having equitable access to the most challenging high school academic programs. To that end, the schools he has served over the last fourteen years have received many honors.

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Distinction in 2021

• Awarded the “Exemplary Professional Development School Award” in 2021 for being part of the California Lutheran Professional Development Schools Network

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Merit in 2019

• Awarded the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell for Civic Engagement in 2019

• Awarded the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell for Equity and Access in 2018

• Recognized as a California Gold Ribbon School for the 2017 school year:

• Awarded the California Civic Award of Distinction in 2016

• Recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2013.

Keith holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in political science. He has been married to his wife Victoria for twenty-eight years and have two children.

SANTA PAULA, CA - Sierra Northern Railway, Ventura Division has moved its operational headquarters to the former Santa Paula Hay and Grain facility from nearby Fillmore as of July 1st.

The move allows for a much-needed expansion of facilities in anticipation of future operations, including passenger excursions, movie and television shoots, freight and transload customers, and RailBike rentals. The railway will continue to have a presence in Fillmore.

“We are pleased to partner with Santa Paula Hay and Grain and the city of Santa Paula to develop our new base of operations,” said Kennan Beard, President of Sierra Northern. “We are looking forward to integrating ourselves into the community.”

“We are eager to get started in Santa Paula. The city has been welcoming and gracious, and we are looking forward to having a permanent home for our operations. The 4,000 square-foot shop and 1.5 acres of yard are an excellent fit for the needs of the railroad,” said Matt Blackburn, Sierra Northern, Ventura Division Manager.

Sierra Northern Railway leases the 30 miles of railroad right-of-way from Ventura County Transportation Commission on a 35-year lease. The line extends from Ventura on the west to Piru on the east and has been seen worldwide in movies, television shows, and commercials featuring railroad locations.

The Sierra Northern Railway was formed in August 2003 through the merger of two Northern California short line railroads: the Sierra Railroad Company and the Yolo Short Line Railroad. It currently operates about 100 miles of track in Northern California, and 30 miles of track in the Santa Clara River Valley in Southern California.

For additional information, contact Kennan Beard at KBeard@Sierrarailroad.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 32-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman from Ventura were arrested for forgery and conspiracy to commit a crime. The male stole the victim’s check from her residence while working as a contractor in the victim’s residence and the female later attempted to deposit the stolen check into her bank account.

Patrol deputies and detectives conducted follow-up with financial institutions and conducted open-source internet searches. Additional evidence was obtained and led to the positive identification of Arevalo and Salinas.

On June 28th, 2022, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Arevalo and Salinas were arrested in the Isla Vista area of Santa Barbara County; The last known area where both suspects were working. Arevalo and Salinas were both taken into custody, a search of their vehicle yielded additional stolen mail and financial documents. Detectives are continuing to investigate in order to identify other potential victims. Both subjects were booked into custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of forgery of a check, fictitious or altered bills notes, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Arevalo remains in custody with his bail set at $120,000. His next court date is 7/12/2022. Salinas remains in custody with her bail set at $50,000. Her next court date is 7/12/2022.

Nature of Incident: Suspects Arrested for Forgery and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
Report Number: RB# 22-33963
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: June 28, 2022 @ 2:30 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Detective Bureau, Narcotics Street Team, Fillmore Patrol Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(A-1) Francisco Arevalo, Ventura, 32
(A-2) Rosalia Salinas, Ventura, 39
Prepared by: Detective John Lemar
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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).