Two Oxnard residents were arrested for charges related to stealing a tractor from a construction site in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula.

The victim of the crime was completing a construction project in the area of Briggs Road and the 126 Highway. The development involved heavy machinery which included a “CAT” mini-dozer tractor. During the weekend of 06/14/19, the victim parked the construction equipment at the job site and returned on 06/17/19. When the victim returned, he discovered the tractor was gone. The tractor was equipped with a GPS device which indicated the unit was in Phoenix, Arizona.

Detectives worked in conjunction with authorities in Phoenix to track the equipment to a residence. Based on their investigation in Phoenix, detectives were able to identify Sam Reyes and Vanessa Lopez as the primary suspects in the case. Detectives learned that Reyes and Lopez stole the tractor from the job site in Santa Paula. The suspects created a post on the website “OfferUp” which is used to sell various products. A buyer answered the advertisement and met with the suspects near the location of the theft. The buyer provided the suspects cash for the tractor and then proceeded to Phoenix.

Investigators discovered that Reyes and Lopez lived in the Oxnard area. On 06/25/19, detectives went to their residence and located both suspects.

They were arrested and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura for the following charges:
Reyes: 487 (d)(1) PC- grand theft auto, 532 (a) PC- obtaining property under false pretenses, 182 (a)(1) PC- conspiracy, and 11364 (a) HS- possession of drug paraphernalia and an out of county warrant for theft.

Lopez: 487 (d)(1) PC- grand theft auto, 532 (a) PC- obtaining property under false pretenses, and 182 (a)(1) PC- conspiracy.

Detectives are seeking help from the public who may have made a purchase from Reyes and Lopez on “OfferUp” or by any other means. If so, please contact Detective Bill Meixner at the phone number listed below.

Nature of Incident: Construction Equipment Theft Suspects Arrested
Two Arrested for Tractor Theft, Drugs, Conspiracy
Report Number: 19-93675
Location: Briggs Road at the 126 Highway
Date & Time: 06/25/19 10:30 am
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigations Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Sam Reyes 42, Oxnard
(S) Vanessa Lopez, 40, Oxnard
Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Shane Matthews

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).

Bob Crum

The grand Lady Kern is again roaring and producing several Class III & IV rapids. Lots of whitewater. Several times a day she carries four & six-person rafts full of giddy paddlers. Occasionally the Lady Kern utilizes her power to abruptly flip over a raft sending rafters plunging into the chilly water. C'est la vie!

I have an imponderable attraction to moving bodies of water like creeks and rivers, perhaps derived from fond boyhood memories relived in the present moment. Growing up on a farm with adjacent lakes and creeks, I was a water bug. After chores throughout the summer, it was ritualistic to go to the abandoned bridge over Mill Pond Creek, get naked and jump in for a refreshing dip. Yes, I knew some days a few girls were hiding in the bushes. Just never knew why they giggled.

Last Saturday I drove up to Kernville, my semi-annual visit to the North Fork of the Kern River. Snowmelt runoff at the headwaters of the 151 mile-long north fork Kern lies within Sequoia National Park. With a gradient of 30 feet per mile, the Kern is one of the steepest and wildest whitewater rivers in North America.

I've been photographing (documenting) the Kern River from Brush Creek at the north end down to the canyon exit of the lower Kern for 12 years. I've seen the grand lady roar, the raging water spilling over the banks from El Niño rains. And I've seen her drought-stricken flow so low there were places where I could walk across from bank to bank. But in every instance, she exhibits a unique personality, a distinguished character. Heraclitus of Ephesus was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who is credited with the famous saying, "No man ever steps in the same river twice." To wit, I add: No man has ever photographed the same river twice. The constant changes are interesting!

The upper & lower Kern provide great opportunities to practice photography skills utilizing various shutter-speed & aperture options. Consider skill-set practice as a personal workshop. The creative possibilities are unlimited; this element of creativity too important to gloss over glibly. Like an artist uses a brush to apply paint to a canvas, a camera is a tool a photographer uses to apply light to a sensor to create an image. In this sense, a photographer uses light to paint. If you think that photography is a laborious endeavor with a complicated device called a camera, you are entirely missing the whole splendor of photography. Creativity is the essence and lure of photography!

More about creative photographic options another time. For now, a different thought. On last Saturday's visit, I pondered the possibility of photographing the Kern from the river instead of from the bank. Specifically, a float trip on the Kern in an inflatable kayak. Inflatable kayak because 1) they're much lighter than hard-shell kayaks, 2) no roof-top car racks necessary because they fit in any car trunk. Along the way, photograph and film the journey with a waterproof action cam to create a 'docujourney'. But not, of course, till Lady Kern settles down to class II & III rapids, about the end of July. As of last Saturday, upper Lady Kern's flow rate was 3289cfs (cubic feet per second) representing a medium-high flow with class III & IV whitewater rapids making it a bit too adventuresome for weekend kayakers. Class III rapids would provide plenty of excitement.

Anyone else interested in such an adventure? Send me an email! I'm going back up soon to explore the logistics further. Stay tuned. Photo of the week is of the lower Kern, the river constrained by granite walls crashing into a rock outcrop. Beautiful whitewater!

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A dispute between roommates over food led to the arrest of three Fillmore residents Tuesday afternoon.

On June 18th, 2019, at 4:30 PM, Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from a resident at the location, Travis Collett, indicating that Jesurun Cyrus pointed a shotgun at Collett during a dispute at the home.

Deputies and detectives from the Fillmore Police Department responded quickly and set up a perimeter around the home. They made contact with two people from the home, Collett and Dawn Allen, and they safely removed both subjects from the home. Deputies contacted Cyrus by phone and convinced him to exit the home without the shotgun, and he was taken into custody without incident. Deputies conducted a search of the home and recovered a loaded 12-gauge shotgun from Cyrus’ bedroom.

During their investigation, deputies discovered that Collett, Allen and Cyrus all live at the residence. Their relationship as roommates has deteriorated to the point where just prior to the call to 911, Cyrus confronted Collett and accused him of eating the last of Cyrus’ food. In an attempt to make peace with Cyrus, Collett and Allen decided to make dinner for Cyrus.

Unfortunately, the attempt to make peace was not received well by Cyrus, and while pointing a shotgun at Collett, he demanded Collett and Allen leave the home.

At the conclusion of their investigation, deputies determined Cyrus did, in fact, brandish a shotgun at Collett. Cyrus was arrested for violating Penal Code Section 417(a)(1) / Brandishing, and he was booked at the Main Jail in Ventura. His bail was set at $10,000. Deputies also determined Collett and Allen were both under the influence of a controlled substance and both were arrested and booked at the Main Jail in Ventura.

Nature of Incident: Three Arrested in Brandishing Incident
Report Number: 19-94601
Location: 700 Block of Fourth Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 06-18-19 / 4:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Jesurun Cyrus, 65, Fillmore
(S) Travis Collett, 59, Fillmore
(S) Dawn Allen, 55, Fillmore
Prepared by: Detective Bill Meixner
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Publisher’s Opinion by Martin Farrell

The loss of wildlife in Ventura County’s forest areas has been attributed to toxic residue from illegal marijuana grows deep into the wilderness. “Sheep, foxes, bears found dead after marijuana raids in Los Padres, other state forests”. (Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star). Criminal growers use many different pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, etc, and leave containers behind after harvesting the crop. These chemicals pollute the streams, poison the wildlife, and remain toxic for years. It’s the job of the U.S. Forrest Service to discover the illegal grow sites, make arrests if possible, and do what they can to find and remove the toxic chemicals, irrigation debris, and camp trash. Access to these remote forest grow sites can usually be achieved by helicopter. This destruction of our forests is another result of America’s newly professed love affair with marijuana and the billions of dollars, and crime, it produces. We can be sure that many of the drug dealers flowing through our now open borders will have no trouble finding work in the virtually defenseless great American wilderness.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The 4th of July holiday is a time to enjoy firework shows and show country pride, but is also traditionally one of the more dangerous times on the road.

To keep families safe this Independence Day, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrol resources deployed. Their focus will be on impaired driving during the 4th of July holiday.

According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol, seven people were killed and 73 injured in alcohol-related crashes statewide on fourth of July last year. Every deadly crash involved a driver who had been drinking.

“Drinking and driving is a bad combination,” says Captain Shane Matthews. “There is no excuse for making such a reckless choice given all the other options available. Calling a friend or family member for a ride, calling a taxi, or using a ride share application…these options are available to everyone. Please be smart and make this 4th of July holiday a fun and memorable one.”

If you are headed to 4th of July parties, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. See people leaving who have been drinking? Check how they are getting home. Offer to let them stay the night if a sober driver is not available to take them home.

The average cost of a DUI arrest is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office also reminds residents that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana can all be impairing and land you a DUI, especially in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs.

Fillmore Fire Department

Courtesy of Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola & The Fillmore Fire Department

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

• Older Children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Do not hold lighted fireworks in your hand.

• Never light them indoors.

• Only use fireworks away from homes, vehicles, people and flammable material.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Do not ignite fireworks in containers.

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Do not put hot fireworks into garbage receptacles.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to soak spent fireworks for disposal or in case of fire.

• Report any unsafe acts or illegal fireworks activity.