SACRAMENTO – The first two human infections with West Nile virus this season have been reported by Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties, announced Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer. The patient from Contra Costa County has since recovered and been released from the hospital, and the patient from San Joaquin County has tested positive for the virus but is not showing symptoms at this time.

“These reported West Nile virus cases remind us that taking a few minutes to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites can make a big difference,” said Chapman. “West Nile virus activity is greatest during the summer.”

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications. Recent data also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

To date in 2014, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes and birds in 19 California counties.

CDPH recommends that individuals prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus by practicing the “Three Ds”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.

2. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

3. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate or drain all sources of standing water on your property, including buckets, old car tires, rain gutters, birdbaths, and pet bowls. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

www.cdph.ca.gov

Fillmore Unified School District

The June 17, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting was the final meeting for Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino and Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson, and was standing room only. There were many heartfelt goodbyes by teachers and Board Members to both outgoing superintendents. Board Member Tony Prado expressed his gratitude to Nishino in holding those employees accountable that were not holding up their end and their accomplishments. He gave high marks in what both men had achieved during their three years with the District.

A public hearing item on the agenda, the use of Proposition 30 Education Protection Account, was discussed briefly with one person asking how much money the district received due to Prop. 30 and when it was received. Assistant Superintendent Business Services Deo Persaud responded, "Three and a half million this year...we receive one fourth of that amount every quarter. The law requires one hundred percent of the funds go to staff instruction (teachers)."

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A boat overturned on Lake Piru Sunday, causing the rescue of 14 people from the cold waters. Ventura Fire personnel rescued all the victims.

A call went out from a park ranger at 4:30pm, reporting a capsized boat in the north end of the popular recreational lake. It was reported that the 16-foot vessel was cited for having too many people on board and not enough life jackets. The Sheriff’s Department said rough waters and high winds also contributed to the incident.
Five adults, and nine children, ranging from infants to eight years old, were on board the overloaded boat. Most of the children were wearing life vests.

The Ventura County Fire Department responded with three engine companies, four ambulances and the Sheriff’s helicopter at the scene. The helicopter was cancelled when a medi-vac helicopter out of Los Angeles County was called to transport two patients to the hospital. Another seven patients were taken to local hospitals by ambulance. The rest were treated at the scene and released. Only minor injuries were reported.

City of Fillmore

05/27/14
Vandalism
D St./Ventura St.
400 Blk. Fillmore St.
Accident – Non Injury
Central Ave./Ventura St.
Disturbance Fireworks
400 Blk. Blaine Ave.
05/28/14
Battery
800 Blk. 3rd St.
Accident – Non Injury
Los Serenos Dr./Ventura St.
Theft Residential
300 Blk. Blaine Ave.
Surveillance
600 Blk. Saratoga St.
Hit & Run – Non Injury
N C St./Ventura St.
05/29/14
Vandalism
600 Blk. Lemon Way
300 Blk. 4th St.
Abandoned Vehicle
Mockingbird Ln./Oriole Cir.
Forgery
1100 Blk. Oriole Cir.
05/30/14
Search Warrant CONTINUED »

UPDATE: Mike Herdman's body was found on Friday, 2-weeks to the day he disappeared in the wood Sesoe backcountry.
A major search is underway for a missing off-duty Arcadia firefighter in the Los Padres National Forest north of Fillmore. Mike Herdman, 34, has been missing since Friday in the Tar Creek Trail area.

Herdman was hiking in the rugged terrain with a fellow firefighter, Taylor Byars. The two were sitting around a campfire Friday night when Herman’s dog ran off and he ran after it. He was barefoot and wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. Byars searched for Herdman but could not locate him.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department dispatched two helicopters and a Search and Rescue Team of approximately 15 on Monday, but was unable to locate Herdman. Rescue personnel were back out at first light on Tuesday to resume the search in the Dough Flat area, where a temporary command post has been set up.

Herdman is an experienced hiker but has no food or water with him. He is a seven year veteran of the Arcadia Fire Department.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Saturday 06/07/2014, members of the Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and Ventura County Probation Agency conducted multiple searches of residences of parolees and probationers in the City of Fillmore and the surrounding unincorporated areas. This operation was funded by a California state grant for supervising post-release and serious habitual offenders, due to state prison Realignment Act (AB 109).

Sheriff’s Deputies visited forty-two Fillmore area locations Saturday morning and conducted probation / parole searches, and served multiple felony arrest warrants. Of the probationers and parolees contacted, 19 subjects were arrested for a variety of charges, ranging from narcotics violations to felon in possession of ammunition charges. Six individuals were booked into the Ventura County Jail, while the remaining were cited and released.

Similar operations have been conducted in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Ojai, and the Ventura/Oxnard unincorporated areas in recent months.

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department and multiple specialized units of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura County Probation Agency.

Prepared by: Sergeant Mario Aguilar

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).

Tuesday’s City Council meeting began with a Fillmore Fire Fighter Foundation Proclamation presented to Scott Beylik, Mike Bush, Mike Richardson, Bill Morris and Scott Klittich for the generous contributions to Fillmore's Fire Department. But the main focus of the June 10, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting was Fillmore's Financial Director Gaylynn Brien presentation of a balanced FY 2014-2015 Budget. Revenue (money in) has not exceeded expenditures (money out) for number of years, so having a balanced budget is very good news. The Budget can be found on the City's website and at the Fillmore Library.

The next year Fillmore expects 36 new residential building permits and 8,320 square feet of non-residential development that will generate $182,729 in permit revenue with the current year estimates of 16 residential projects generating an additional $76,800. This is a projected increase of 138% or by almost $106,000. Property taxes have increased 1.69% adding an additional increase of $20,000.

The biggest increase came as a result of the sales tax sharing agreement; where businesses, that moved to Fillmore because of the agreement, share tax rebates from the Board of Equalization (BOE) with Fillmore. A long court dispute over who should receive the funds was resolved in last year in Fillmore's favor and the BOE has released $14 million in "back taxes" but is still holding $5.2 million of previous taxes and $1.4 million of this year’s taxes, leaving a total of $6.8 million withheld. Of that $6.8 million, Fillmore is expected to receive $1.3 million as its share, and $1.58 million as sales tax revenue on an ongoing basis.

Fillmore, like other CONTINUED »