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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, October 5th, 2023
 St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Fillmore, had an impressive turnout on Sunday, October 1st, for its annual Parish Fiesta. The 7-hour fiesta included a blessing of the animals, live mariachi music, folklorico dancers (pictured), bingo, games/prizes, face painting, raffle, silent auction and plant sale. Enchiladas and tacos were sold, along with drinks, ice cream, fruit/veg cups, shaved ice, bake sale and more. And for $5 bucks you could have the “villain” of your choice arrested and thrown in jail, above. Bail was set at $5. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 On Saturday, September 23rd, at 12:10am, a Fillmore Police Sergeant came across a stalled vehicle at Central Avenue and Main Street, Fillmore. While the deputy was investigating it turned out to be a Hit & Run, according to radio traffic. At least one female subject was contacted nearby and was taken into custody for Hit & Run, and for driving under the influence. No additional information was provided. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 Sonic is finally making its way to Fillmore! The first Ventura County Sonic Drive-In is anticipated to be built at the northwest corner of Orange Grove and Ventura Street (SR-126). In October 2018, The Gazette reported it was slated to open in summer 2019, but Covid-19 and other factors caused its delay. In 1958, Top Hats existed in Enid and Stillwater, Oklahoma. However, only four opened, because the name was already copyrighted to another business. Echoing the jet age, Top Hat’s slogan was “Service with the Speed of Sound,” so the new name “Sonic” was chosen. There are now 80 Sonic’s in California alone. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 This Friday, September 29, 2023, the Fillmore Flashes will take on longtime rival, the Santa Paula Cardinals. Above a photo from last year’s Fillmore-Santa Paula game where the Flashes defeated the Cardinals. This year’s game will be in the Santa Paula High School Stadium. JV begins at 4:30pm; Varsity 7:30pm. Gates open at 4:30pm. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
All items passed 5-0, except for items 9-B and 9-C which passed 4-0. Councilmember Gurrola had a conflict. 9.A RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve by separate resolutions the initiation of proceedings for the annexation of each of the Annexation Territories: • DP 06-06 (Fillmore Groves) • DP 07-03 (The Stop) • DP 14-01 (Red Engine Brewing) • DP 15-10 (Rotorcraft Support, Inc.) • DP 18-01 (Sonic Drive-In) into the City of Fillmore Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 2, order the Consolidated Engineer’s Report, and preliminarily approve the Consolidated Engineer’s report as received or with amendments. 9.B RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Authorize the Payment Request No. 1 (Attachment 1) for $11,742,270.57, relating to Heritage Valley Parks construction costs for El Dorado Flood Control Channel components incurred by developer Hearthstone Multi-Asset Entity C, L.P, with funds from Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 5 Series 2023 Special Tax Bonds Construction Funds. DISCUSSIO 9.C RECOMMENDATION That the City Council consider approval of an agreement with Hearthstone that will authorize reimbursement of costs for performing the post-storm clean out of the Pole Creek Debris Basin through Storm Drain Maintenance District No. 07 and authorize the City Engineer and Finance Director to approve disbursement amounts. 9.E RECOMMENDATION 1. Staff recommends that the City Council receive this report and discuss the funding options for expenditure holiday decorations. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement in the amount decided by City Council and in a form approved by the City Attorney for holiday decorations at Central Park and in the Downtown Business District. 9.F RECOMMENDATION Staff requests that the City Council approve two amendments to two Professional Services Agreements with GovTempsUSA, LLC for financial analysis and accounting consulting services to extend both agreement terms until March 29, 2024, to increase the not-to-exceed contract amounts as detailed below, and to increase the hourly rate for these services from $112/hour to $116.20/hour. 9.G RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: Adopt the attached Resolution 23-3963 authorizing the City Manager or his designee to sign and file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the allocation to the City of $848,756 of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2023-24. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 On Saturday, September 30, Fillmore Citizens Patrol will host their Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo at Rio Vista Elementary School, 250 Edgewood Dr., Fillmore. Folks are welcome to come out and partake in the activities for everyone to enjoy. They will be giving away free helmets while supplies last for those who participate in the events. Above is a previous Bicycle Safety Rodeo. Photo courtesy Fillmore Citizens Patrol. Enlarge Photo |
 Above is a photo of the Fillmore Hotel located on Main at Fillmore Street, which was torn down after the Northridge earthquake back in January 1994. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum January 17, 2024, will be the 30th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake. Fillmore Museum is preparing a commemoration of this event which divested our town. As part of the commemoration we would like to collect stories, memories and photographs of the event. If you have any to share, please bring, mail or email them to us. Our mailing address is PO Box 314, Fillmore, 93016. Our email address is Fillmore.Museum@gmail.com. Photographs will be scanned and returned to you. We are planning both virtual and live events as part of this commemoration. Be on the lookout for more information as the date approaches. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 On September 21, 2023, Casa Pacifica was able to purchase a 2023 Chevy Traverse which will help their foster youth who have aged out of the system and tend to struggle to find ways to commute to school, keep a job or attend medical appointments due to reliable transportation. Pictured is Casa Pacifica’s Chief Development Officer, Carrie Hughes; CEO Shawna Morris; and Leo Bunnin, owner of Bunnin Chevrolet of Fillmore, who assisted with the funding. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, September 29th, 2023
 On Sunday, September 24, at 515 Sespe Avenue (Bank of Sierra parking lot), Dose of Arte Studio hosted a free Venders Market from noon to 5pm. The community could stop by and shop, eat and listen to music, and prizes were raffled off. The Market is held the last Sunday of each month. New venders may contact Dose of Arte Studio through their Facebook page or Instagram account. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, September 21st, 2023
 On Friday, September 15, at 1:58m pm, the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore Fire Department, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported traffic collision involving a sedan and motorcycle in the 800 block Ventura Street, Fillmore. According to Fillmore Police Chief Malagon, “The initial investigation revealed the sedan was traveling eastbound in the number two lane on Ventura Street. The motorcycle was traveling eastbound in the bicycle lane of Ventura Street. The vehicle attempted to negotiate a turn into Taco Bell, at which point the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries at this time. No impairment is suspected by neither party.” Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
