VENTURA – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to close eastbound lanes of Highway 126 (the Santa Paula Freeway) in the city of Ventura on the nights of June 28, 29 and 30 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights) for a pavement repair project.

The full closure involves all eastbound lanes between Highway 101 and Victoria Avenue, and also between Kimball Road and Wells Road (State Route 118), starting at 9 p.m. each night.

All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. the next morning (6 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). The closures are not expected to affect the westbound lanes of Highway 126.

Detour signs will be posted. Motorists should expect delays. People in the vicinity may experience noise associated with the work, including grinding of the concrete road surface at several locations in the project area.

The scheduled closures are as follows:
Eastbound State Route 126 from US Highway 101 to Victoria Avenue.
The connectors from north- and southbound US 101 to eastbound SR-126.
Eastbound SR-126 from Kimball Road to Wells Road (State Route 118).

The contractor is RSB Group, Inc. of Lake Forest, Calif., and the dollar amount of the contract is $270,000. The project is funded by the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP). Completion of the project is expected in mid-July. When completed, the result will be a smoother riding surface.

The closure schedule will be in effect, weather permitting, and is subject to change. Caltrans reminds travelers to “Be Work Zone Alert.”

The City of Fillmore will be opening the Active Adult Center located at 533 Santa Clara Street in Fillmore as a “Cooling Center” beginning Saturday, June 20th at 12:00 p.m. and will be open until 8:00 p.m. The Cooling Center is expected to be open through Wednesday, June 22nd.

The weather forecast is for extreme heat beginning on Saturday. The dates and hours can change depending on the weather but whenever the temperature reaches 94 or above the Cooling Center is opened. Fillmore residents are encouraged to use the center to remove themselves from the heat and drink plenty of cold water provided by the Fillmore Fire Department.

If you have any questions please feel free to call City Hall at (805) 524-1500 or the City Fire Department at (805) 524-0586.

Emilio Montiel, 33 of Fillmore

On Friday, June 17, 2016 at approximately 5:19pm, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple traffic code violations in the 200 block of Warren Avenue, Santa Paula. During the course of the investigation a firearm was found inside the vehicle as well as a machete. Both subjects, Emilio Montiel, 33 of Fillmore, and a Female Juvenile, 17 of Santa Paula, were arrested. Montiel was arrested for convicted felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon inside of a vehicle, gang enhancement and child endangerment. The female juvenile was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Montiel is a documented gang member and was later transported to Ventura County Main Jail. A bail increase was requested to increase his bail to $500,000. The female juvenile was later released to her parents.

Alfred Johnson, 72 of Fillmore, admitted to drug dealing at his senior citizen’s complex. Johnson was arrested five years ago for illegally obtaining prescription drugs — anti-anxiety medications and painkillers — and for selling marijuana. Officials say he has maintained a clean record since his arrest five years ago and because of poor health, Johnson will probably receive no jail time and get probation at his August sentencing.

Adrian Banales

At approximately 10:25 PM, on June 18, 2016, a deputy on patrol noticed a disturbance in the 500 block of Central Avenue. Upon investigating the circumstances, the deputy learned a resident discovered a male subject peeking in the bathroom window where a juvenile victim was taking a shower. The residents confronted the suspect, who ran away. Additional deputies responded to the area and began a search. Adrian Banales was located nearby and matched the description of the suspect. After further investigation, Banales was identified by witnesses, and significant evidence was found at the scene to link Banales.

Banales was arrested for PC 647(i) / Peeking. Banales was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. His bail was set at $5,000.00.

The Fillmore Police Department suspects similar crimes have occurred in the City of Fillmore over the past few years. Anyone having information related to these crimes is urged to contact the Fillmore Police Department.

Over 4,700 firefighters are battling 6 active wildfires in California. Last week alone firefighters responded to over 250 new wildfires across the State. Since January 1, CAL FIRE and local and federal firefighters have responded to nearly 2,100 wildfires that have charred over 32,000 acres. Extreme temperatures this week, along with low humidity and gusty winds in many areas will continue to raise the fire danger level. A Red Flag Warning in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties remains in effect due to high fire danger today.

CAL FIRE recommends that all residents living near wildland areas have an evacuation plan and know what they will take if asked to evacuate. When it comes to wildfires, everyone should remember “Ready, Set, Go!”. “Go” means early evacuation. Learn more at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

Fires of Interest:
**CAL FIRE Incidents**
Border Fire, San Diego County (more info…)
Hwy 94 & Hwy 188, near Potrero
● 7,500 acres, 5% contained
● Mandatory evacuation orders for the community of Potrero
● Hwy 94 is closed
● CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 5 assumed command

Camanche, Vegetation Fire, Amador County (more info…)
North of Camanche Reservoir
● 210 acres, 95% contained

**Unified Command Incidents**
Sherpa Fire, Santa Barbara County (more info…)
West of Goleta
Unified Command: CAL FIRE, USFS and Santa Barbara County Fire
● 7,893 acres, 62% Contained
● Mandatory evacuations to be downgraded Wednesday

Fish Fire, Los Angeles County
North of Durate
Unified Command: USFS & LA County Fire
● 3,000 acres, 0% contained

**Federal Incidents**
Reservoir Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
North of Azusa
US Forest Service - Angeles National Forest
● 2,400 acres, 0% contained

Pony Fire, Siskiyou County (more info…)
15 miles southwest of Happy Camp
US Forest Service - Klamath National Forest
● 2,858 acres, 60% contained

Valley Express, the public bus service which serves Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru, is proud to offer FREE rides on July 4 from 12 pm until the fireworks end. The special service will be on-demand, which means you must request a ride in advance. The phone number to schedule a ride is 805-933-2267. Space is limited, so riders are encouraged to call in ahead of time.

“We want families to be able to relax, leave the driving to us, enjoy the festivities, and to get home safely after the fireworks,” stated Aaron Bonfilio, Program Manager of Transit Services for Ventura County Transportation Commission.

“We’re delighted that Valley Express can take people from their homes directly to these patriotic celebrations,” added Fillmore Councilmember, Manuel Minjares.

During the day, Valley Express will have a booth at the 30th Annual Sespe Creek Car & Cycle Show in Fillmore. Come visit our booth. We’ll have plenty of information to share, and fun giveaways. The show, sponsored by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, is from 9 am to 4 pm. Learn more about the event at www.fillmorechamber.org.

Valley Express service, launched in March 2015, is provided through a cooperative agreement between the cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula, the County of Ventura, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. It is administered by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. After its first year in operation, total ridership for Valley Express fixed-route and dial-a-ride service neared 100,000 riders.

For route and service information, please call 805-933-2267or visit www.valleyexpressbus.org.