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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
 Nicolas Bonilla, Ventura On January 2, 2021, patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station arrested Nicolas Bonilla, a resident of Ventura, for being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded firearm. On January 2, 2021, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Narcotics Street Team obtained information regarding Bonilla possibly being in possession of an illegal firearm in the Fillmore area. Detectives were familiar with Bonilla from a previous narcotics sales investigation in which Bonilla was in possession of a large quantity of narcotics and in possession of an assault rifle. Bonilla was released on bail from on that case and is currently pending court proceedings. Patrol deputies were patrolling in the area of Sycamore Road and Seventh Street in the unincorporated area just outside of Fillmore. Deputies spotted Bonilla and conducted a traffic stop of Bonilla for a traffic violation. Additionally, deputies knew Bonilla was on active Ventura County probation with unconditional search terms. Deputies conducted a search of his truck pursuant to the terms of his probation. During the search, deputies located a loaded unregistered firearm concealed inside a spare tire in the bed of the truck. The firearm was wrapped in a flag and plastic bag. Bonilla was arrested for several firearms violations and booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility and is pending court proceedings. Nature of Incident: Felon in Possession of Firearm Arrest 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
 Miya Ponsetto, 22, Piru A Piru woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for a fugitive warrant in connection with a recent assault at a New York City hotel. Sheriff’s deputies contacted Miya Ponsetto during a traffic stop near her home in Piru. She did not stop for deputies until she reached her residence, and she refused to get out of the car. Deputies forcibly removed her from the vehicle and arrested her for the outstanding warrant. Ponsetto was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, where she is being held without bail for the fugitive warrant. She will remain in local custody pending an extradition hearing. Detectives from the New York Police Department arrived in Ventura County on Thursday morning to help coordinate the arrest. Nature of Incident: Woman wanted for assault in New York arrested in Piru |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
2020 was a watershed year in many ways. There were national and global issues such as the Presidential Election, Black Lives |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
Courtesy City of Fillmore Post Date:01/12/2021 9:54 AM Vaccine Registration Information. The County of Ventura is currently in Phase 1A, Tier 1, 2 and 3 of vaccine distribution. All vaccine phases can be viewed here: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/vaccine-prioritization... Proof of being in the current tiers is required at the vaccination site. Please only register if you are in the current phase. Please do not take an appointment for someone in the current phase. The State portal may allow you to register even if you're not in the current phase but you will not be able to get a vaccination at the site unless you are in Phase 1a Tier 1,2 or 3. You will be required to show one of the following four pieces of identification at your vaccination appointment: For residents of facilities: The current Phase 1a includes: Phase 1a Tier 1 • Acute care hospital staff who have patient contact will receive first allocations without regard to status in the medical hierarchy (staff includes all workers that work in the individual unit: janitors, housekeepers, maintenance, security, ward clerks, nurses, physicians, techs, respiratory therapists, lab techs, etc.): Phase 1a Tier 2 • Staff at Intermediate Care Facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care. Phase 1a Tier 3 • Other health settings and healthcare workers Volunteer Vaccinator Interest Form The County of Ventura is seeking volunteers to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations. The State of California has provided a list of authorized vaccinators. If you are interested and listed on the form as an authorized vaccinator please complete and submit the Volunteer Vaccinator Interest Form. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum Before Fillmore or Bardsdale were established the main centers of population were on Rancho Sespe along the Sespe and Santa Clara Rivers and Rancho Camulos along the Santa Clara River just east of Piru Creek. In order to shop for the necessities of life, families took the wagon road to Santa Paula or Ventura or crossed the Santa Clara River where one could join the existing dirt road to Los Angeles. Needless to say one didn’t make the two day trip to Los Angeles unless it was necessary. Rain in the winter would have made this trip treacherous. Even in the summer the Santa Clara River was a continuously flowing stream fed by a multitude of small creeks. Crossing by horse or wagon was difficult and dangerous because of the running stream and quick sand. The arrival of the railroad in 1887 made trips to the city much easier as Southern Pacific built bridges across all the streams and the Sespe River. The two day, one way, trip to Los Angeles could now be done in a day. It was a giant leap forward in communication via telegraph and travel via railcar. But crossing the Santa Clara was still a problem. Developer, Royce Surdam, was selling property in Bardsdale south of the Santa Clara River. He would pick up potential buyers at the train station in Fillmore and take them by buggy or in an 18 passenger carriage across the river to view property for sale. Crossing the Santa Clara remained a problem until about 1908. That year, C.C. Elkins found himself trapped on the north side of the river unable to get to his home on the south side of the river because of the high water. It was one of those storms when the Santa Clara River was running nearly bank to bank. Elkins, with several Fillmore residents, fed up with the situation made the trip to Ventura where the Board of Supervisors was in session. Elkins, dressed in his dirty blue overalls and work shirt was asked by the group to be their spokesman. When it was his turn to speak he told the Supervisors that the river stood between him and his clean clothes but that was just the smallest of the issues. The river posed serious problems year round with access between Fillmore and the south side of the valley. In January, 1908, the Basolo and Armstrong families had tried to cross the river through the rolling stream. Their wagon box filled with water and the young Armstrong son was swept into the raging water. Armstrong was able to save his son but the wagon, its contents and horses were still in danger. Soon Minnie Basolo and Bill Elkins showed up to help and rescued the wagon and families with extra horses, chains and ropes. The men had to swim under the wagons to attach the chains in order to salvage the rig. After the near disasters of January, 1908, and the requests from Elkins and other Fillmore and Bardsdale residents, the Supervisors finally agreed to have the bridge built. It opened with a gala celebration on November 23, 1909. Four thousand people showed up to celebrate. Each was presented with a button that proclaimed “All Roads lead to Fillmore. Meet me there.” But bridges didn’t always last. In 1914 the approach and part of the structure of the Bardsdale Bridge was washed away as were the Sespe railroad bridge and the Muir Street car bridge. In a short time the railroad bridge was replaced and the Muir St. Bridge was replaced with a new one built closer to the railroad bridge. In 1928, the entire Bardsdale Bridge superstructure and floor disappeared when the St. Francis Dam failed and sent a 40’ wall of water down the Santa Clara River. Construction began that year on a replacement bridge using the remaining piers for support. In 1938, flooding washed away the north approach to the Bardsdale Bridge. At first a bosons’ chair was slung across the river for access, one person at a time. Within weeks a swinging bridge was constructed for pedestrian traffic. The local Chamber of Commerce kept a car and driver at the north end of the swinging bridge providing transport for those who needed to shop in town or conduct other business. The new approach piers were finished by June, 1939. By 1993, the 1928 structure over the Santa Clara was described as too narrow and too “risky.” In the 1950s and 60s there had been a sign on each end declaring that it was a “one way bridge for trucks and buses”. By 1993 that warning was gone and crossing the bridge was a nerve-racking adventure if a semi-truck or a bus was coming from the opposite direction. At a width of only 10 feet for each lane, it was too narrow for modern cars and trucks. Accidents were commonplace. With the finish of the new modern bridge in 1994, the old, green, 1928 bridge superstructure was purchased by the city and moved to a storage location on the north side of the river near the Pole Creek outlet. There it sat for years as the city tried to find it a new home. You could see it every now and then as the setting for a movie or commercial. Finally with construction of the new subdivision it was repurposed as the Mountain View entrance to “The Bridges.” Two parts of the superstructure are at the Mountain View entrance and two additional parts are now south of the new traffic light on the east end of Fillmore at the entrance to Heritage Valley Grove. The old green bridges now serve the community in a new safer way and are a reminder of what used to be the most dangerous crossing in the county. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 6th, 2021
 Michael Lara Michael Lara passed away last weekend after a short battle with Covid. Michael was loved by so many in Fillmore and Santa Paula, where he kept his home. For years his beautiful voice and organ playing could be heard each week at Fillmore's St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Sebastian's in Santa Paula. He was the foundation for many of the programs at St. Francis and his contributions are irreplaceable. Michael was a true friend to so many and his passing leaves a sad void. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without measure and is now reunited with his beloved mother and father. Well done thou good and faithful servant. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 6th, 2021
 Starbucks was closed last on Thursday, December 31st, when a gas leak was discovered outside Little Caesar’s Pizza next door. It reopened the next day. Fillmore Starbucks had cut its hours recently, closing at 1PM, but returned to normal hours on January 6th. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 6th, 2021
On December 30th the California COVID Relief small business and non-profit grant program opened up to accept applications. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can be used to pay for an establishment’s rent, utilities, resources, employee expenses and other relevant costs. The deadline to apply for the first round is midnight on Friday, January 8, 2021. For additional information please visit https://careliefgrant.com. Courtesy City of Fillmore https://www.fillmore ca.com/Home/Components/News/News/3302/18 Post Date:12/30/2020. |
 The Sanitary Dairy taken in 1920, which was founded by Elvira and Clifford Hardison in 1916. The dairy is located on Old Telegraph Road in Fillmore and declared a County Landmark by the County Board of Supervisors in 1989. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, January 6th, 2021
 Sanitary Dairy truck in 1925, with Cliff, Dorothy, Russell and Evelyn Hardison sitting on the truck. Children would jump on and off the running boards to deliver milk. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum The local dairy was founded in 1916 by Elvira and Clifford Hardison. Clifford Hardison was the resident manager on the Hardison Ranch Company’s La Campana property in Sespe when the young couple decided to start their own farm properties. When the nearby highway was realigned south from Muir, they then bought 10 acres on “Telegraph Road”. They bought cows (some from other local farmers) and started a herd of about 30. A modern milking barn and milk handling room were built to plans from the University of California. A prefabricated grain silo was purchased from Sears and set up on site. It was topped with an arrow and large wooden milk bottle and painted “SD”, signage that could be seen from the highway. A hay barn and corrals housed the cattle. The name “Sanitary” meant the cows were certified as healthy and the raw milk handled according to all regulations. It was carefully chilled, put into glass bottles and promptly deliver by twice-daily routes throughout the area – as fresh as it could be! Elvira Hardison opened a stand alongside the dairy and offered fresh-squeezed orange juice from their trees and dairy products from the cows that were milked where the public could watch. Homemade sandwiches and candies, sodas and other items were for sale. A small gas station, restrooms and shaded picnic area made the place a popular stop for locals and travelers approaching Fillmore. The dairy prospered and expanded over the years. Their children all worked at dairy chores. Dorothy Hardison Nickerson recalled that she and her brother Russ ran to deliver bottles to doorsteps as Cliff or Elvira drove the delivery truck. Daughters Evelyn Hardison Richardson and Betty Jean Hardison Burritt helped to prepare food and staff the stand. Days were long and very busy. They recalled a record day during the depression when sales reached $100! Russell Hardison got his college degree in Dairy Science from UC Davis. After his wartime service he returned and took of the retail part of the dairy in 1946 and eventually became owner of the whole business. The herd was expanded further to 60 cows and a new Creamery building went up in 1948 to accommodate equipment for pasteurization and more bottling capacity. Schools wanted pasteurized milk, and the baby-boomer generation filled the schools. Routes now went out to Piru and Santa Paula and beyond. The highway was realigned again south in 1956, leaving now on “Old Telegraph Road.” Elvira saw that it was time to close the roadside stand after 40 years of good business. Through the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond, owners Russell and Betty Hardison were active in the community – supporting local causes, entering floats in the annual Fillmore parade, and hosting many, many local school children on field trips to the dairy. Children could watch as the cows were milked, could pet baby calves, and drink some chocolate milk while wearing SD beanies! Because of decreased demand for home delivery, routes were discontinued. Sales then concentrated on serving schools. The dairy cows left about that time, but the buildings remained. Russ Hardison had milk bottled in up in his brands at other local dairies and actually owned school delivery routes until the early 1980’s. The Hardison home and the dairy buildings on Old Telegraph Road are now used for other purposes. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors declared the Sanitary Dairy to be a County Landmark in 1989. |
 On December 21st a traffic collision was reported on Highway 126 near E Street in Fillmore. A white SUV veered off the road through some bushes, took out the Jim’s Fillmore Towing sign and struck a parked Nissan Sentra. Upon later investigation the driver was arrested for driving under the influence. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, December 30th, 2020
 Javier Almaraz, 49, Santa Paula. On December 21, 2020, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department responded to a traffic collision in the vicinity of Ventura and E Streets in Fillmore. Their investigation determined (S) Javier Almaraz had been driving while under the influence of alcohol and had collided with an Edison power pole; street, speed limit, and business signs; landscaping; a parked, unoccupied car; and a chain link fence. He was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Shortly before 9:00 PM Monday night, a witness called 9-1-1 to report a reckless driver on Highway 126. Before Fillmore deputies could find the vehicle, however, it was involved in a collision at Ventura and E Streets. The investigation determined the driver, (S) Javier Almaraz, had originally been seen swerving in and out of his lane while westbound on Highway 126 from the Ventura/Los Angeles County line. Almaraz was reported to have driven on the wrong side of the four-lane highway and run a red light at B Street, as well. Almaraz was found to have been driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than twice the legal limit of .08%. Almaraz, who was uninjured in the collision, was subsequently arrested for § 23152(a) and (b) of the California Vehicle Code, both misdemeanor DUI charges, and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail of $5,000. In an effort to prevent traffic collisions, the Fillmore Police Department recently received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and is utilizing these funds to actively seek and arrest motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is extremely fortunate that this collision did not involve any other people, and no one was injured or killed as a result of Almaraz’ decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol. The members of the public who called to report his reckless driving and the collision are commended for their efforts, and the Fillmore Police Department encourages anyone witnessing unsafe driving to call 9-1-1 and help save lives. Nature of Incident: Reckless driver call ends with non-injury traffic collision, DUI arrest |