Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On February 27, 2012, the Camarillo Police Department, Ventura County Fire Department, and American Medical Response (AMR) responded to the area of Las Posas Rd. and Carmen Dr. to an injury traffic accident. Initial reports were that two vehicles were involved in the traffic collision and one vehicle had rolled over.

Upon investigation, it was determined by deputies that Richena Curphey was driving a 2009 Honda FIT westbound on Las Posas Rd., approaching the intersection of Carmen Dr. Christy Dungey was driving a 2001 Ford F-250 eastbound on Las Posas Rd. approaching the intersection of Carmen Dr. Curphey made a left turn onto Carmen Dr., from Las Posas Rd. and collided with Dungey.

An adult female passenger in Curphey’s vehicle died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. The victim’s name is not being released at this time pending family notification. The relationship between Curphey and the decedent is not known at this time.

The traffic accident is under investigation at this time. Anyone who might have witnessed the accident is asked to contact the Camarillo Police Department/Traffic Bureau at 388-5100. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.

Nature of Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision
Report Number: 12-4625
Location: Las Posas Road at Carmen Drive
Date & Time: February 27, 2012, at approximately 6:35 PM
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Traffic Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Decedent-Adult Female, Unknown, 68
Party-Richena Curphey, Fillmore, 31
Party-Christy Dungey, Ventura, 51
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Renee Ferguson
Media Release Date: February 27, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Renee Ferguson 805 388-5132/Ventura County Coroner’s Office 805 641-4400
Approved by: Captain Higgason

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).

SANTA BARBARA, CA - After sewing up the Golden State Athletic Conference women's basketball regular season championship last week, Westmont Women's Basketball has received numerous awards from the conference.

Junior Tugce Canitez of Izmir, Turkey has been named the GSAC Player of the Year while head coach Kirsten Moore has received GSAC Coach of the Year honors. Joining Canitez on the All-GSAC team are senior captains Katie Kittle of Colusa, California and Lisa Peterson of Citrus Heights, California. Junior Jillian Wilber of Fillmore was named a GSAC Scholar-Athlete.

"I've always said that individual awards are representations of a team's success," said Westmont head coach Kirsten Moore. "All of these awards are indications of the success we have had as a group. Every person has added to what we are doing for those honors to be given."

Canitez led the GSAC in scoring, tallying 560 points (19.3 points per game). She was second in rebounding - averaging 10.3 per game - and fourth in field goal percentage at 50.4 (192 of 381). Canitez also ranked seventh in free throw percentage in the conference at 75.5 (163 of 216).

"Tugce possess so many different skills, which enables her to have the success she does on the floor," said Moore. "She is not just a scorer; she is also an incredible rebounder and passer. She makes those around her better, she's a good defender and she has a high basketball IQ and understanding of what is going on with the game. I believe the completeness of her game is why she was honored as the Player of the Year."

In the Westmont record book, Canitez' point total and scoring average ranks first in the Warriors' season records. She also ranks first in free throws made (163), total rebounds (299) and rebounding average (10.3). She is currently second in field goals made, but needs just four more to tie Ali Mooty's record of 196 set in 2006-07.

Canitez is the first Warrior from women's basketball to receive Player of the Year honors.

Moore, who is in her seventh season at the helm of the women's basketball program, led the fifth-ranked Warriors to a 26-3 record so far this season and a 16-2 mark in conference play. Her current career and Westmont coaching record is 138-73 (65.4%). This is the fourth time Moore has recorded at least 20 wins in a season and marks the fifth time she will lead the Warriors to the NAIA National Tournament.

"The coach of the year award is a tribute to our entire team of coaches," said Moore." I had such great help this year from Selena Ho who has been an Xs and Ox guru. Meghan Gnekow and Dani Russell have been such a great support for the athletes as well as supporting me in the things I need as a coach. I have been really blessed to have had an incredible staff this year."

Moore is the second Westmont coach to receive the GSAC honor. Gregg Afman was named the GSAC Coach of the year for the 2000-2001 season.

Lisa Peterson was the second most accurate shooter in the GSAC, making 53.2 percent of her shots (125 of 235) from the floor and 83.8% of her shots from the free throw line. The post player was also fourteenth in scoring (11.7 points per game) and twelfth in rebounding (6.3 boards per game).

Peterson holds the Westmont record for career field goal percentage at 53.2 percent (248 of 466) and career free throw percentage at 83.6% (168 of 201).

"I couldn't be more thrilled for our seniors to both be recognized," said Moore of Peterson's and Kittle's honors. "They have put in an incredible amount of hard work beginning with the offseason in preparation for this year. They have performed on the court and have been incredible leaders both on and off the court. They have represented the best of who we are at Westmont and what we want to be about - their attitudes, sportsmanship, work ethic and unselfishness for the sake of the team. I am so happy they are being recognized as leader by being named to the All-GSAC team."

Kittle ranks twenty-fourth in the GSAC in scoring at 8.7 points per game and eleventh in steals at 1.59 per game. The guard, who appears in the top-10 in 18 of 24 career record categories, joined the 1,000 point club on February 5 against San Diego Christian and has a current tally of 1,064 points - ninth best in Westmont history.

Jillian Wilber, a history major, was named a GSAC Scholar-Athlete. The honor requires a 3.5 GPA and is awarded only to those who are juniors or above in academic standing. Wilber holds a GPA of 3.56.

"I think one of the hardest awards to win at Westmont is to be named a GSAC Scholar-Athlete," said Moore. "To have above a 3.5 GPA at Westmont while you are a student-athlete is an incredible challenge. Jill, who is our third captain, has been leading us both on and off the court. She is most deserving of that honor."

The Warriors open GSAC Tournament play on Wednesday evening when they host the Mustangs of The Master's College (12-18, 5-13 GSAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

As Fire Chief of the Fillmore Fire Department I am proud to announce that Robert Rob Rolf has been chosen by his peers as the 2011 Firefighter of the Year.

Rob Grew up in Burbank Ca, Moved to Fillmore in 1999 and joined the Fillmore Fire Department in March of 1999. Rob is married to his lovely wife Tami Rolfe. They have 5 children, Kayli 23, Tyler 19, Evan 13, Jayni and Jordyn 10. Without their love and support Rob could not have achieved his goals. Rob started his EMS carrier with Pruner Ambulance in Thousand Oaks in 1986 as an EMT. Rob Graduated from Daniel Freeman Hospital Paramedic School in 1987 and has been working as a Paramedic for the past 25 years. Rob is currently employed by AMR, American Medical Response Ambulance Company as a field supervisor and is currently a Paramedic/Engineer for the Fillmore Fire Department. Rob also worked with the Ventura County search and rescue Medical Team as a Flight Medic for over 3 years.

Rob was one of a handful Paramedics that dedicated their time and help retired Fire Chief Pat Askren start Fillmore Fire Departments Volunteer paramedic program when Santa Paula Hospital closed its doors in 2004. Sense then, Rob and all the men and women of the Fillmore Fire Department having been proving excellent EMS service to the citizens of Fillmore. Rob’s love and dedication for EMS and Firefighting for the City of Fillmore made it easy for his peers to elect him as our 2011 Fillmore Firefighter of the Year.

Vanessa Villa, a senior at Fillmore High School was surprised in her class on Friday, February 17th by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce board members including new chamber president Cindy Jackson, 1st vice president Ari Larson, 2nd vice president Tammy Hobson and board member Eric Vigil who presented Vanessa with some balloons and the news that she had been selected as Student of the Year. Also there to celebrate were her proud parents Noe and Norma Villa and Fillmore High School principal John Wilbur.

Vanessa is the Student of the Year because of her commitment to doing her best in all she does. She has tutored students in many subjects including math. Vanessa not only held the secretary position in the M.E.Ch.A Club, which celebrates Hispanic Heritage and Culture she was also president (at the same time) of the Fillmore High School S Club (the high school division of the Soroptimist International of Fillmore group). The S Club serves the community and provides services and educational experiences for young women. Vanessa attended conferences, participated in Relay for Life of Fillmore/Piru, Arthritis Walk, Cleaned the Fillmore Bike Path and helped with the Peace Pole project which included teaching and making hundreds of origami cranes for peace. She was also instrumental in helping with the annual Soroptimist Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction event. Vanessa is very organized and professional in all she does. She is a good leader. Vanessa always has a smile on her face and is willing to lend a hand wherever she can. She is also a wonderful older sister to her younger sister Valeria Villa. Vanessa along with the other community winners will be honored at the Fillmore Community Award Dinner on Thursday, March 22nd at the Memorial Building.

(l-r) Mike Mobley, Cindy Jackson, Jan Marholin, Citizen of the Year Buddy Escoto, Ari Larson, and Tammy Hobson.
Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Citizen of the Year is Evaristo Escoto (affectionately known as “Buddy” for his friendly demeanor). Buddy is a lifelong Fillmore resident and a product of the Fillmore school district. He graduated from Fillmore High School in 1994 and from Ventura College in 1998 with an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts he also attended Cal State University of Northridge and majored in Sociology. Buddy has been married to Selina A. Escoto for 12 years; he is the son of Evaristo & Marylou Escoto and is the oldest and only boy in a family of 6 sisters. Buddy started working for the Boys & Girls Club of Fillmore-Piru in 1995 he has worked for the same organization for the past 17yrs. Buddy believes that the future is now for the youth in our community and that as role models we should teach children to reach for the stars. Buddy has been part of many civic & community groups in Fillmore and throughout Ventura County as an advisor and also a volunteer. On Buddy’s down time he enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, deejaying, photography, & walking his dog rocky. His most used quote is, “Life Is Good!”

To the person or persons who removed the green runner carpet at the JV High Baseball field, please return it, no questions asked. The high school budget has no more money.
High School Baseball Staff

Peter Martinez

Shortly after 8 p.m. Friday night, deputies from the Fillmore Police Department responded to Rite-Aid on a call of a combative shoplifter fighting with store employees. Arriving in less than two minutes, deputies found (S) Peter Martinez 38, Fillmore, being held on the ground by two store employees and a customer.

The investigation determined Martinez had secreted seven “Secret” brand deodorant products (valued at less than $40 total) in a plastic bag he’d brought with him into the store. Martinez purchased some other items, but failed to pay for the deodorant and walked out of the store with the stolen merchandise.

A loss prevention employee who had watched Martinez commit the theft, identified himself as a loss prevention officer with the store and attempted to stop him outside the store. Martinez fought with the loss prevention officer in an effort to escape, turning the misdemeanor shoplift into a felony robbery. A second store employee and a customer assisted the loss prevention officer in detaining Martinez until deputies arrived. The store employees suffered minor injuries in the struggle; the customer was uninjured. Martinez was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for 211 P.C. Robbery, with bail set at $120,000. Courtesy of Fillmore Police Department.