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By Anonymous — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
 HoHoHo!! Santa was right on time for the Annual Fillmore Fire Dpartment Toy Giveaway, held December 18th. He arrived in style on Engine 91, waving to the waiting crowd. A picture on Santa’s lap and candy cane, show above, was just one of the celebrations of the season. Each child received a wrapped gift, cotton candy and more. Besides Fillmore Fire, the Ventura County Sheriffs Dept., Fillmroe City council members, the CHP and American Medical Response were on-hand. The line for the event snaked down the street, but it was worth the wait. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 12-19-13, Investigators with the East County Major Crimes Unit and Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit arrested Arturo Perez and Steven Salceda for robbing two Taco Bell fast food restaurants in the City of Thousand Oaks. The first crime occurred on 12-03-13 at the Taco Bell located at 1928 E. Avenida De Los Arboles and the second one occurred on 12-16-13 at the Taco Bell located at 1330 N. Moorpark Road. During the 12-03-13 robbery, the incident was captured on surveillance video. The Sheriff’s Office provided this information to news sources who distributed it through different media channels. Vital information was provided by the public which ultimately assisted with the capture of Perez and Salceda. Perez and Salceda were both booked on robbery charges and are currently in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Salceda’s bail is set at $110,000.00 dollars and Perez’ is set at $100,000.00 dollars pending their arraignment in Superior Court. Nature of Incident: Arrest of Robbery Suspects 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). |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
 Santa visited Union Bank on Sespe Avenue last week and made the kids from Sonshine Preschool very happy. Enlarge Photo |
 The prestigious Golden Bell Award was given to Sierra High School by the F3 Education Awards Foundation, which partners with the California School Board Association (CSBA). Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
A new Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board President, Vice President and Clerk were selected at the December 17, 2013 meeting, along with a Title III Update Report on the New English Language Standards, Math Curriculum for grades 6-12 and a presentation of the Golden Bell Award which included a check for $5,000 given to Sierra High School. The meeting began with the Board electing a new FUSD Board President. Board Member Tony Prado nominated Lucy Rangel, who was approved by unanimous vote. Board Member John Garnica then nominated Tony Prado for Vice President which was unanimously approved. Next was for the position of Clerk which Prado nominated John Garnica and was also approved. The Board then agreed to keep the same meeting schedule of 6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Rangel, who has been on this committee for three years and wanted to finish out the four year term, elected herself for the School Board Representative of County Committee and she then appointed Board Member Dave Wilde to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. The next item was recognition of the prestigious Golden Bell Award to Sierra High School given by the F3 Education Awards Foundation, which partners with the California School Board Association (CSBA). The award is given to schools with a site-based student-led environmentally friendly program. Sierra was the only high school to win in the category of Sustainable, Renewable, Energy and Resource Efficient Program and also one of only two schools to receive a $5,000 cash award. All entries are evaluated and selected by the CSBA with F3 financing the award. Jennifer Weir, Coordinator CONTINUED » |
 The landowner recently bulldozed this road, and several others along Sespe Creek, without permits. Los Padres Forest Watch http://lpfw.org/sespe-bulldozing/. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
Multiple Agencies Respond to Citizen Complaints About Unpermitted Bulldozing, Road Construction, and Vegetation Removal in Critical Habitat for Endangered Steelhead
James Van Trees, a Ventura County landowner with a long history of permitting violations, is now under investigation for allegedly bulldozing roads across and along a nearly two-mile stretch of Sespe Creek. The unpermitted work is occurring north of Fillmore, immediately downstream from the boundary of the Los Padres National Forest and a popular rock formation known as Devil’s Gate. The investigation includes law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the County of Ventura. The landowner did not receive permits from any of these agencies prior to clearing significant amounts of land and native vegetation in and along the creek bed. The unpermitted work reported by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) has destroyed ecologically sensitive habitat along the creek, and has adversely modified designated critical habitat for the endangered southern steelhead. The creek also provides habitat for other rare wildlife, including southwestern willow flycatchers, least Bell's vireos, arroyo toads, western pond turtles, two-striped garter snakes and California red-legged frogs. The U.S. Forest Service has classified Sespe Creek as an Area of High Ecological Significance due to the abundance of unique wildlife in the watershed. “The Environmental Defense Center and our partners are committed to seeing that the landowner will begin complying with the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act and will protect Sespe Creek – one of the most important ecosystems in our region – and its wild animals including the endangered California condor and the elusive southern California steelhead,” said Brian Trautwein, EDC’s Environmental Analyst and Watershed Program Coordinator. Court and agency records show that CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
 At 10:15am Thursday morning, December 19, a one-car accident took place at Goodenough Road and A Street. The driver, back left, apparently lost control of the car and hit the Palm Tree pictured center. He was treated at the scene. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 23rd, 2013
12/10/2013 – 12/16/2013
 City of Fillmore 12/10/2013 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
 On Saturday, December 14th, the Fillmore City Fire Department celebrated the holidays at their annual Christmas party. This year was especially meaningful to the members of the organization as they commemorated the centennial of the Fillmore Fire Department. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros shared with the attendees a history of the department, acknowledging its many changes, challenges, and accomplishments over the past 100 years. He recited the names of the ten past fire chiefs and made a special presentation to George Campbell, Fillmore City's oldest surviving Chief. Pictured (l-r) are Bill Herrera (Fire Chief 2007-2009) currently Assistant Chief, Curtis Adams (former Assistant Chief), Rodger Campbell (former Assistant Chief) George Campbell (fire Chief 1976-1987), Rigo Landeros (current Fire Chief), Bob Scott currently Assistant Chief, Pat Askren (Fire Chief 1987-2006) currently Assistant Chief. Chief Landeros shared stories and personal memories of Chief Campbell's service as the department's leader. Chief Campbell's wife, two sons, and daughter were in attendance and beaming with pride. Former Chiefs Pat Askren and Bill Herrera also spoke, expressing their gratitude to the members of the Fire Department and their families for the sacrifices they make to serve our community and keep our citizens safe. The Department members were then pinned with commemorative centennial badges (inset) that will be worn on their uniforms for the next year, and then retired. A wonderful dinner was served, followed by dancing. A great time was shared by all who attended. The members of the Department would like to especially thank the Fillmore Firefighters Foundation for sponsoring this year's event and centennial badges. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
 Fr. John Love, formerly of Saint Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Fillmore, was promoted to Lt. Col. Fr. Love is a Chaplain with the California Air National Guard, USAF. He is with the 146th Air Wing, Channel Islands ANG, Air Mobility Command. He attended Westmont College in the early 1980’s, earning two B.A’s in Economics and Political Science; St. John’s Seminary earning an M.A., Masters of Divinity, Religious Studies (1985-1990). He also attended the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. (2000-2005) with a Doctor of Ministry degree, Pastoral Studies/Ethics. Fr. Love is a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, The Catholic Medical Association, and an Associate Member of American Academy of Religion. He now serves as Pastor of St. Mark’s University Parish in Santa Barbara. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On the morning of December 15, 2013, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Station investigated a report of a stolen vehicle from the 1200 block of Ventura Street. The stolen vehicle was a Caltrans van. Several minutes after the crime was broadcasted, Ventura County Sheriff Deputies from the Headquarters Station saw the vehicle on Los Angeles Avenue near Vineyard Avenue in El Rio. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. After failing to yield, a short vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended in the 3000 block of Nyeland Avenue where the vehicle’s occupants, Manuel Rodriguez and Jesus Mendez, were taken into custody. Rodriguez and Mendez were booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for several related charges, including vehicle theft, obstruction of justice and felony vandalism. The investigation is ongoing. Nature of Incident: Stolen Vehicle Investigation / Vehicle Pursuit 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). |
