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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 On Tuesday, February 8th, Fillmore City Council recognized Fillmore’s Bob “Skipper” Thompson with a proclamation for his 50 years of dedication and service to the community. Pictured left is Thompson with Fillmore Mayor Diane McCall presenting Thompson with a proclamation thanking him on behalf of the City of Fillmore. Photo courtesy City of Fillmore YouTube channel. Enlarge Photo  The Fillmore Fire Department congratulating Thompson (center) on retirement. The Fillmore Fire Department and citizens of Fillmore and Ventura County would like to thank you for your 50 years of dedicated service. You have always shown such professionalism and have led by example. See you later, Skipper! Stay tuned next week for full story on Bob Thompson. Photo courtesy https://www.instagram.com/fillmorefirefighters/?hl=en. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 On February 2nd, 2022, at 5:28pm, the Ventura County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a reported two-vehicle collision in the westbound lanes of SR126 near Center Street, Piru. Arriving fire crews reported two vehicles, a Toyota 4Runner and a Ford F-250 pickup truck were involved. The driver of the 4Runner was trapped and required extrication, and was described as being in critical condition. Ventura County Fire Department helicopter was dispatched to the scene, but was later cancelled. The driver was transported by AMR paramedics to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Two other people sustained minor injuries; both declined medical treatment. The collision blocked both westbound lanes, with motorists being diverted onto Center Street. Both eastbound lanes were also closed while authorities removed the vehicles from the roadway. All lanes were reopened before 6:40pm. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to ratify and accept grant funding for the Gun Violence Reduction Program. The funds from the grant – which are provided by the California Department of Justice and total $652,575 – will support the efforts for the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing Armed Prohibited Persons Program. The two-year grant will cover the salary and benefits for a full-time investigator dedicated to the program. “We’re proud to partner with the California Department of Justice and support the efforts to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Bill Ayub. “We’ve had great success in keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who shouldn’t have them. The efforts to do so have contributed to Ventura County being one of the safest counties in the nation.” The goal of the Sheriff’s Office APPS Program is to disarm prohibited persons within Ventura County. These prohibited individuals have been convicted of felonies, are subject to restraining orders, or have mental health prohibitions, amongst other prohibitions. The Sheriff’s Office detective will act as a liaison with the California Department of Justice and local police agencies in Ventura County to complete program goals. The program also enforces Gun Violence Restraining Orders to disarm individuals that have made threats of violence or are a danger to the community. Over the past 30 months, VCSO deputies have completed 254 investigations and recovered 78 firearms. As a result, guns have been removed from the possession of 193 individuals who are prohibited to have firearms due to prior convictions or mental health issues. This funding will ensure the Sheriff’s Office can continue to work to remove firearms from individuals on the APPS list. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 On February 6th, 2022, at 7:25pm, Fillmore City Fire Department and Ventura County Fire were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 900 block of Erskine Lane, Fillmore. Arriving fire crews reported smoke showing from the attic. Firefighters investigated and found a small fire in the attic where plumbing was taking place. It was quickly extinguished; no injuries were reported at the scene. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 The Rotary Club of Fillmore selected Fillmore resident Bene Ambrosio’s home for their house painting project from applications submitted back in the summer of 2021. Pictured are some of the many club members who helped with the project. Photos courtesy Rotary Club of Fillmore. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
 Brennon Ballard (right) and Jesse Segovia of Santa Paula CornholeBagggers, and one of Brennon's Sponsor. Enlarge Photo  Brennon Ballard (right) and Nick Williams from Santa Barbara holding up 1 finger for 1st place (Nick just became a Pro in 2021, and starting his 1st season an ACL Pro). Enlarge Photo  (left) Jesse Segovia of Santa Paula Cornhole Baggers, and Chris Plueger, both of these sponsors along with others are helping Brennon achieve his goal of becoming a Pro Cornhole Player. Enlarge Photo Fillmore’s Brennon Ballard is on his way to becoming a Professional Cornhole player through the ACL (American Cornhole League) and has an opportunity for a chance to play on ESPN in his first Pro Invitational this weekend, February 11th – 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brennon started playing about two and a half years ago and has competed in Florida at the Jacksonville American Cornhole League (ACL) Open February 26th – 28th 2021. In Jasksonville he competed in the Junior Singles placing 2nd, Normal Singles placing 9th, Doubles placing 7th, and in Crew Cup-a Four man team-placing 5th. In July 2021 Brennon and his teammate Hunter Thorne of Moorpark competed in the American Cornhole League (ACL) California State Championship in Sacramento. Brennon won the Junior Division State Championship, Doubles Division State Championship with partner Hunter Thorne, Runner up for Singles Division and placed 3rd in crew 4-man teams, which qualified him to compete at the 2021 ACL World Championships. One of Brennon's first tournaments was played at the Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial Building Cornhole Fundraiser back in 2019. The Santa Paula Cornhole Baggers and Fillmore Parks and Recreations Krista Martinez and Sandra Edwards hosted a few cornhole fundraisers to "Raise the Roof" on the building. Brennon was one of the first players to arrive and on his skateboard, he would also play on Monday evenings at Garman’s in Santa Paula for Monday Cornhole. When Jesse Segovia of Santa Paula Cornhole Baggers first saw Brennon throw at Garman’s, he said “This kid will be on ESPN one day” and his day is almost here! A special thanks to Brennon’s local sponsors - Santa Paula Cornhole Baggers- Jesse Segovia and Santa Clarita Cornhole -Chris Plueger. Both of these sponsors along with others are helping Brennon achieve his goals to becoming a Pro Cornhole Player. Good Luck this weekend Brennon! |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
On January 27, 2022, at approximately 6:00 pm, a victim parked their vehicle at a business located in the 700 block of Ventura Street in the city of Fillmore. At approximately 6:25 pm the victim returned and discovered that their vehicle had been burglarized. An unknown suspect(s) shattered the window of the vehicle and stole a wallet containing credit cards and a laptop computer. Immediately after this crime, the victim received notification from their bank regarding fraudulent charges made using the victim’s stolen credit cards at the Von’s grocery store located across the street from where the vehicle burglary had occurred. Detectives obtained video surveillance of two suspects responsible for making the fraudulent charges at the grocery store. Photographs of these two suspects are attached below. The Fillmore Police Department is asking anyone who may have information pertaining to this crime or who recognizes these two suspects to call Detective Lemar at the below listed telephone number. The reporting party may remain anonymous. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911. 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. 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). Nature of Incident: Request for Public Assistance / Attempt to Identify |
 2018 Fillmore High School alumnus Kasey Crawford (above) is set to graduate from Dixie State University. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
 2018 Fillmore High graduate Kasey Crawford will graduate from Dixie State University in May with a BA in psychology and wrapping up a successful championship winning softball career for the Dixie State Trailblazers. Kasey was also on the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester. Dixie state will open up their season at the Fullerton tournament. February 10th at 3:00 against ole miss, February 11th @ 2:30 against cal bears, 7:30 against Fullerton. February 12th @12 against San Diego, 2:30 against Colorado State. Dixie State will head back to California in April to play Cal Baptist. Kasey batted an average of .288, Slugging % .417, with 12 doubles, 1 Home run, and 1 Grand slam. Kasey plays Right & center field. At Fillmore High, Kasey earned four varsity softball letters, three-time first team All-League selection, garnered second team All-County honors, was two-time MVP, earned a Golden Glove award, and was a four-time academic All-League honoree. Kasey is the daughter of Eric and Carina Crawford. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
 On January 26th, 2022, at 8:10pm, Ventura County Sheriff’s, Fillmore City Fire and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a traffic collision-vehicle on its roof in the 1100 block of Ventura Street, in front of Dollar General. According to the sheriff’s radio traffic a single vehicle was reported on its roof with one person still inside. Arriving fire crews found a Chevy Suburban in the eastbound lanes of Highway 126, with one female inside the vehicle. Fire crews were able to free the female, no hospital transportation was required. Eastbound Ventura Street lanes were closed; sheriff’s deputies used the center divider for eastbound traffic. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
 On January 27th, 2022, at 10:49am, Ventura County Sheriff’s, Fillmore City Fire and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a reported multiple vehicle collision that occurred in front of McDonald’s, at B Street and Highway 126. Arriving fire crews reported a semi-truck and two other vehicles were involved. According to fire radio traffic no victims were trapped; two ambulance transports were made, conditions of the patients unknown. Fillmore Police units also requested Moorpark Sheriff ’s Traffic Investigators to respond to the scene. Ventura / C Street and A Street /Ventura were closed for several hours until the scene was cleared. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
