As a registered 501c3 organization, the Fillmore High Alumni Association welcomes all donations to their Scholarship Foundation. This year, we hope you consider a donation to their Scholarship program so that the Association can continue awarding Education Scholarships, and Continuing Education Grants to our Fillmore High Graduates. You can donate here, right now by clicking on this link, http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/donate or if your in the Fillmore area, you can drop off a check through their mail slot on the front door of their office at 559 Sespe Ave. All donation amounts are welcomed. (Our Tax ID number will be provided) Thank you in advance for your continued support in helping us, help our Fillmore High Graduates!! Onward and Upwards!!

The Depot in 1943.
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The Depot in 1960.
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The Depot today.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Seventy-five years ago, Fillmore and the rest of the world were just coming out of one of the worst series of events man had ever known – the Great Depression and World War II. Here is an excerpt from an article written in January, 1946, about our town by an unknown author.

“During the war everybody was expected to concentrate on winning for our side – and quite properly so.

But now that the war is over – theoretically at least – it would seem the part of wisdom to get busy, total up our prospects, and get going in high gear as soon as is humanly possible.

Suppose we start with buildings – both business and residential… There are some buildings that must be torn down to make way for progress… Why do we continue to tolerate the ancient edifice which is called by courtesy a railroad station? That rambling old wreck was built just after the Civil War, and is not getting any younger. When rain comes, the water naturally seeks the lowest level, which means that a good-sized pond is in evidence under the station floor for many days after each rain. The net result is rotting underpinning, so that when people walk into the depot they cannot be sure the floor will not give way and thus endanger life and limb.

From the amount of business, the (rail) road enjoys, it would seem at least that could be done would be a station which would be a credit to the railroad as well as the community. Looks like a very proper function for the Chamber of Commerce would be to storm the railroad offices and keep storming them until something is done about the deplorable condition.

Los Angeles has become so big that it is no place for people to live – so that many a business man has his business in Los Angeles, while his home is somewhere in the suburbs. Pretty soon many a Los Angeles business man will own a helicopter – and he will establish his home in Fillmore or some other suburban spot located in the fresh air zone. It will be a matter of ten or fifteen minutes to get home to Fillmore after closing hours…”

Well, not everything has come to pass quite as was predicted in 1946. The railroad didn’t improve the depot; instead it was closed and later sold to Edith Moore Jarrett for $1.05. It was moved and renovated to become the home of the Fillmore Historical Museum. In 1995 it was moved back near the tracks a little east of its original location. Even though the depot is not in the same location as it was in 1946, when it rains, water does accumulate beneath it – but now there is a very effective sump pump.

We do have helicopters flying over the town, but not for commuting business men. Not every businessman has his own helicopter, but with better roads and the move to telecommuting, Fillmore has become attractive to commuters, as can be seen with all the houses under construction. And the railroad has become a tourist attraction. We now enjoy the whistles and the sounds of the steam engine which reminds us of how it used to be all those years ago when the depot was the center of activity in town.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12/10/20, at approximately 7:26 PM, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Station responded to a report of an injured person walking in the 1100 block of Ventura Street. Upon arrival, the deputies contacted an adult male and determined he had been stabbed multiple times. The man was in need of immediate medical assistance and was transported, via ambulance, to a local hospital where he was stabilized with serious injuries.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined the victim had been assaulted before he was transported by vehicle from the 1100 block of El Paseo Street in Fillmore to the area where he was contacted on Ventura Street.

Detectives are seeking any witnesses or potential video surveillance footage of the vehicle, suspect(s), or the assault itself. If anyone has information regarding the incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Javier Chavez, with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, at 805-384-4725.

Community: Fillmore Shooting - Request for Public Assistance
Nature of Incident: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Investigation
Report Number: RB# 20-170776
Location: 1100 block El Paseo Street, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: 12/10/20 @ 7:26 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau Sheriff’s Gang Unit Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(V) Adult Male
(S) Unknown, Fillmore, 22
Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller

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).

Local Fillmore youth cross country runners competed at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, December 5th. The group of local athletes competed and qualified for the event with the team known as the Pacific Coast Shockwaves which represent athletes from Fontana, Los Angeles, San Pedro, Victorville and Ventura County. The team is coached locally by Maria Elena Alcantara, Evelio Arriaga, Daniel Bakholdin, Israel Estrada, Temo Laureano, Juan Ruiz, Cynthia Tarango, and Juan Toledo. For more information on the team please call or text: 805-421-8741 or 805-258-3821.

The results are as follows:
Emily Arriaga, 12:11.61, Girls 3k Race: 9 -10 year olds, placed 27th overall out of a field of 142 runners, placing 20th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.

Mason Arriaga, 4:12.46, Boys 1k Race: 6 years old & under, placed 15th overall out of a field of 50 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 7th in his age group.

Julie Bakholdin, 11:43.08, Girls 3k Race: 11 - 12 year olds, placed 62nd overall out of a field of 240 runners, placing 21st in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 3rd.

Joshua Estrada, 14:28.79, Boys 4k Race: 13 - 14 year olds, placed 156th overall out of a field of 245 runners, placing 94th in his age group, with his Shockwave team placing 5th.

Paola Estrada, 11:00.59, Girls 3k Race: 11 - 12 year olds, placed 15th overall out of a field of 240 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 4th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 4th.

Leah Laureano, 8:55.25, Girls 2k Race: 7 - 8 year olds, placed 19th overall out of a field of 59 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 6th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.

Niza Laureano, 15:43.42, Girls 4k Race: 13 - 14 year olds, placed 104th overall out of a field of 214 runners, placing 45th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 4th.

Aaliyan Tarango, 8:49.25, Girls 2k Race: 7 - 8 year olds, placed 15th overall out of a field of 59 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 11th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.