The train horn is something different for everyone. For some, it is a nostalgic memory, for others, an annoyance, but for railroaders, it is all about safety. The City of Fillmore has within its limits, 17 public and private grade crossings all of which must have the horn sounded.

Federal law dictates that the engineer must blow the horn with a sequence of blasts in the fashion of long, long, short, and long no later than 15 second prior to entering the crossing. Failure to do so could also bring personal fine(s) to the engineer of up to $30,000, per incident.

But putting law aside for a moment, something that is routinely seen in Fillmore and throughout the country, are cars, trucks, and busses going around lowered crossing gates; vehicles that stop between the gates and the track, and pedestrians and bicyclists that try to quickly cross in an effort to beat the train. According to Operation Lifesaver, a person or vehicle in the United States is struck every three hours, usually ending in a fatality. It is a well-established but misunderstood fact that trains cannot stop quickly. The combination of weight and momentum, even at 10 mph, will propel a train, with air brakes locked in emergency for thousands of feet before coming to a complete stop.

Is there nothing that can be done for Fillmore’s peace and quiet? Yes. It’s called a quiet zone. Quiet zones can only be implemented by a public authority or local government, which must then pay for the upgrades to the crossings needed to bring them up to quite zone standards. The public authority or local government then assumes the liability if a vehicle or pedestrian is struck by a train within a quiet zone. There are quiet zones in cities and towns through the country.

Next time you hear the train horn and think it’s loud and annoying, just know that the engineer is mandated to do it in an effort to keep residents and train crews alike safe by alerting every one of the approaching train. – Matt Blackburn.

Mr. Blackburn is the Ventura Division Manager of the Sierra Northern Railway.

Enlarge Photo

By Carina Monica Montoya
ISBN: 9781467109185
$23.99 | Paperback
Available: Monday, January 30, 2023

About the Book
Fillmore is nestled at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains at the confluence of the Santa Clara River and Sespe Creek. The town was formed in 1887 and named after Jerome A. Fillmore, who was the general superintendent for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time. The rail line enabled passenger travel and the transport of commercial agricultural products, and it put Fillmore on the map. Incorporated in 1914, Fillmore is one of the oldest incorporated towns in Ventura County and is designated as part of the county’s agricultural greenbelt. Fillmore’s history is based on it being located on some of the most productive agricultural and oil-rich lands in the country. Today, it is still a predominately agricultural town that supplies citrus, avocados, and a variety of vegetable crops around the country and abroad. It is a hidden small-town gem in Southern California, and its downtown architecture epitomizes small-town charm, making it a popular tourist destination and site for film and television productions.

About the Author
Author Carina Monica Montoya is a native Californian and resident of Fillmore. She has written several books for Arcadia Publishing. Some of the vintage images included here span more than 100 years and showcase Fillmore’s rich and vibrant history.

By Ken Wiseman, President Piru Neighborhood Council

There was something for everyone at this past Saturday’s Piru Christmas Parade and Festival. With over 20 entries in the parade, including the Fillmore Marching Band, Fire Dept., United Water Park services, Everde Growers float and many more. Top prizes went to Piru elementary school float that featured Principal Maria Baro as the Grinch, with lots of other enthusiastic students and faculty participating, including District Superintendent Christine Schieferle and other School board participants. 2nd place went to San Salvador youth who looked so amazing all dressed as angles, complete with halos, and 3rd place was a Christmas float entered by Alyssa Topete. Family and friends cheered when this 44th year’s Grand Marshalls, long time residents and much loved, Elma and Raymond Ponce, drove past the crowds. This year’s judges included Piru Neighborhood Council’s Treasurer, Judy Daley-Lovett, Betty-Lou Wiseman, and Boys and Girls Club’s Andrea Madrigal.

The festival then kicked off with the Mariachi Los Rayos band de Fillmore/Piru High School, followed by Urban Soul and our very own Piru River Band. Ruth’s Photography, offered free pictures of families as they posed with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at a sleigh with a real live reindeer brought to our event by Phil’s Animals. Meghan Sheetz, with Ventura County Library passed out gifts and books, with lots of other activity at the Library van.

Several vendors sold local crafts and treasures, while Busters BBQ N Grill, Tacos ZACAPU, Kona Ice, and local restaurants catered to the crowd. Carnales Motorcycle Club, for their 15th year in a row, brought a truck load of toys and every child had there pick. Ventura Fire Safety was present to promote fire safety, while Rancho Camulos personnel were present to share Piru and area history.

Lots of thanks to all who attended, and special thanks to the several volunteers that made this happen. The amazing volunteer team this year was led by PNC’s Irene and Roy Ruiz and Manny and Juanita Mendoza also special thanks to our lead sponsor American Water, and a call out to the film industry and other businesses and individuals that have generously supported our Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC), that hosts these events.

The PNC is actively recruiting volunteers to help with these events. If you are interested, contact us at piruneighborhoodcouncilinc@yahoo.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During the month of December 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) detectives began an investigation into Jacob Escobedo related to illegal firearms and narcotics. During the investigation, detectives learned Escobedo is a convicted felon and on parole with a criminal history that prohibits him for owning and or possessing any firearms and ammunition.

On December 14th, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives coordinated with Fillmore Patrol to contact Escobedo in the city of Fillmore. Fillmore Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop of Escobedo and executed a parole search of his person and vehicle. During the search, deputies located two loaded “Ghost Gun” firearms as well as a small amount of marijuana. Unregistered firearms such as the ones seized are commonly referred to as “Ghost Guns” because they are illegally manufactured firearms that lack serial numbers or markings.

Escobedo was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a parole hold. Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives are continuing to investigate multiple firearm violations Escobedo was found to be in violation of and anticipate further felony criminal charges. Escobedo remains in custody with no bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities by actively investigating illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Matt Smith at 805-797-2891.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Felon Arrested in Connection with Multiple Firearm Violations
Report Number: 22-165639
Location: 700 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12/14/2022 @ 10:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Escobedo, Jacob, Santa Paula, 36
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Matt Smith
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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).