District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on February 7, 2018, investigators from the California Department of Insurance (CDI), Contractors State License Board (CLSB), and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation (BOI) conducted a joint operation at cleanup and repair sites within the Thomas Fire disaster area to ensure compliance with California law.

Investigators contacted 55 business entities operating at 44 fire disaster sites. Most companies contacted were operating properly. However, five companies were ordered to stop working as a result of violations of contractor laws or workers’ compensation insurance laws. Investigations into these violations are ongoing and additional compliance sweeps are anticipated.

“We are pleased that most of our businesses are operating responsibly in helping residents to recover from the Thomas Fire. For those few who are not, we will take appropriate action to hold them accountable and to ensure future compliance,” said Totten.

Contracting without a license in a disaster area is a felony crime. Workers’ compensation insurance laws apply to all contractors, regardless of whether they are properly licensed. Anyone with information about violations of contractor laws or workers’ compensation insurance laws should contact the Contractors State License Board (800-962-1125), California Department of Insurance (800-927-4357), or the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation (805-662-1750).

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced the offices eligible for election in the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election.

Official nomination documents for candidates interested in the offices below may be obtained beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Ventura County Elections Division, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Official nomination documents must be filed with the Ventura County Elections Division by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018.

Voter-Nominated Offices:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
State Controller
State Treasurer
Attorney General
Insurance Commissioner
Member, State Board of Equalization, 3rd District
United States Representative in Congress: 24th, 25th, 26th, and 30th Congressional Districts
United States Senator
Member of the State Assembly: 37th, 38th, 44th, and 45th Assembly Districts

Nonpartisan Offices:
Judge of the Superior Court
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Ventura County Board of Supervisors: 2nd and 4th Supervisorial Districts
Ventura County Assessor
Ventura County Auditor-Controller
Ventura County Clerk and Recorder
Ventura County District Attorney
Ventura County Sheriff
Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

Information regarding filing for these offices and the filing fee amounts may be obtained by calling the Ventura County Elections Division at (805) 654-2664, or by visiting the Ventura County Elections Division website: http://www.venturavote.org

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today warned people not to eat cactus pads, or nopales, imported from Mexico sold at specific retail and wholesale locations around the state due to the presence of unapproved pesticides.

Routine surveillance samples collected by DPR inspectors found various pesticides, including dimethoate, omethoate, monocrotophos and methidathion, at levels that pose a health risk to humans. Both monocrotophos and methidathion have been banned for food use in the United States for several years.

“Anyone feeling ill after consuming cactus products should consult their health care provider,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “The symptoms of acute poisoning may include sweating, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Consumption of monocrotophos can lead to neurotoxicity and permanent nerve damage.”

DPR sampled contaminated cactus pads that were offered for sale to consumers and wholesale customers between January 23-29 at the following locations:
• Rancho San Miguel Markets, Madera
• La Monarca Market, Lower Lake
• FreshPoint Central California, Turlock
• Arteaga’s Food Center, Sacramento
• Stater Bros. Distribution Center, San Bernardino
• S&L Wholesale Produce, San Francisco

DPR immediately removed the cactus pads it could locate from store shelves and distribution centers. The items were quarantined or destroyed so that they do not pose a threat to consumers. However, DPR believes it is possible that some of the cactus pads may have been sold to other stores in California, Nevada and Oregon. The tainted produce was packaged with the brand names “Mexpogroup Fresh Produce,” “Aramburo,” or “Los Tres Huastecos”.

“Many Californians eat cactus as part of their diet, but the pesticide levels we have found at some specific locations are concerning,” said Brian Leahy, DPR director. “We are not aware of any illnesses that have been reported to date, but we suggest that anyone who bought this product from these locations recently, return it to the place of purchase or dispose of it in the garbage.”

Washing or peeling the cactus is not effective and people should not try to salvage any of this contaminated produce.

CDPH and CDPR have alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the issue Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.

City of Fillmore

In the coming weeks we will have a new Chief of Police, Eric Tennessen, who will be replacing our present, retiring Chief, Dave Wareham. No official information is available as yet as to time. Welcome Chief Tennessen. We will be sorry to lose Chief Wareham who has served Fillmore so faithfully over the years.

A public hearing concerning a decision to join the LACCE Joint Powers Authority was postponed for further information.

Approval was granted to spend an estimated $270,000 on California Waters Development Inc., for the Heritage Valley Parks Fountain Entry Feature Renovation Project.

The proposed Maxwell extension #5 and Modification #4 to Tentative Tract Map 5803 for property within the Business Park was tabled to March 13.

A license agreement with Seneca Resources Corporation to allow the use of public property was approved.

A hearing on the Los Angeles Community Choice Energy Aggregation (LACCE) was denied until staff has finished its research.

Hearing on proposal to create an electric car station was not granted.

Rudy Mora, 28 of Fillmore

An attempted carjacking took place on Monday, February 5th at around 6:00pm near the intersection of B and Third Street in Fillmore. The suspect attempted to take the car along with the adult victim’s two children who were in the vehicle. The victim was able to fight off the suspect and gave a description of the suspect to the police. The suspect was later identified as Rudy Mora, 28 of Fillmore. Mora was taken into custody on suspicion of felony carjacking and bail was set at $200,000. He was arraigned on Wednesday, February 7th.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Beginning Wednesday, February 21st, 2018, the Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a 12-week Public Safety Academy for the community. The academy is designed to provide community members with an inside look at law enforcement, first responders, the criminal justice system, and other public safety agencies.

The program will allow students to meet with members of the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore Fire Department, Ventura County Superior Court, District Attorney’s Office, and Probation Department and discuss relevant issues affecting our community.

Classes will be held Wednesday nights, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Ave. Spanish translation services will be provided upon request. For an application, requirements, and additional information, please go to www.fillmoreca.com or contact the Fillmore Police Department.

Prepared by: Sgt. Kevin Vaden
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

(l-r) Instructors, Melissa Diaz, Hannah Faith, Gladys Racette, Renee Swenson, Jennefer Hime, Ruth Ricards, Carrie Sherwood, Jeanne Benson and Ernie Villegas from the City of Fillmore.
Enlarge Photo

ReGEN Haus Yoga and Movement Studio celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facility and an opportunity to meet with the instructors. Owner Renee Swenson sees ReGen Haus as an alternative to the traditional gym. The studio will focus on the wellness experience, mind, body and spirit. Phase one of the ReGEN Haus approach is the yoga studio with future phases including an antique retail store, and hopefully, a coffee house.

There is a wide variety of classes ranging from gentle yoga, Nia, dance movement, meditation and strength conditioning. For the full schedule of classes and workshops go to: regenyoga.com and/or get the app: Mind Body Online under ReGen Haus Yoga and Movement. Renee Swenson invites the public to come and visit. They are located downtown at 448 Santa Clara St.in Fillmore. If you are interested in hosting or teaching a workshop or class contact Renee 310.403.4647 or email: info@regenyoga.com

Founded in 1996, Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid is a vibrant, community-based legal aid nonprofit program where people can confer with an attorney or a Social Security disability representative, in a convenient neighborhood setting at 642 Lemon Way in Fillmore every Thursday from 6 - 7:30 pm. A Spanish - English translator is also available. SCV Legal Aid provides advocacy, assistance, encouragement, advice, guidance and support for self-help for the communities of Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula. Areas of support include:
• Consumer issues
• Assistance with debt issues
• Landlord-Tenant
• Employment and labor law
• SS Disability
• Small Claims
• Expungement assistance (misdemeanors and infractions)

FAQ's:
Cost?
SCV Legal Aid does not charge for services.

Do I qualify for SCV Legal Aid free assistance?
If you are getting public benefits, are a low-income person, or barely have enough income to pay for your household’s basic needs you will likely qualify for free assistance. SCV Legal Aid is here to support the goals of equal access to justice.

I do not have legal immigration status. Can SCV Legal Aid help me?
Every legal aid clinic has its own rules. SCV Legal Aid volunteers and attorneys work do not get paid and since its inception, does not apply for or receive government funding of any kind. This means we can help. Although SCV Legal Aid does not provide immigration status assistance, no matter your immigration status, in many cases we can provide guidance and support for victims of wage abuse, domestic violence, uninhabitable housing and many other matters.

Are there matters that SCV Legal Aid does not handle?
Yes. There are many areas of law that SCV Legal Aid does not handle or advise, including criminal law, family law or any civil cases in which most attorneys are available, such as wrongful death and medical malpractice.

Where can I go for assistance with family law matters like custody and child support?
The Ventura Family Law Self-Help Center is located at the Ventura Courthouse, 800 South Victoria Avenue, on the third floor, in Room 30 outside of the family law courts.

For more help, there is also the Self-Help Legal Access Center
http://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/shlac.html

Locations
Ventura: The Ventura Self-Help Legal Access Center is located at the Ventura Courthouse, 800 South Victoria Avenue, on the first floor, in Room 106. For recorded information, please call (805) 289-8724.

Oxnard: The Oxnard Self-Help Center is located in the Juvenile and Probate Courthouse at 4353 E. Vineyard Avenue, Room 206, in Oxnard (El Rio). For recorded information, please call (805) 289-8724.