Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar took 4th place in the California State Championship Meet this past weekend, finishing with a time of 9:05.45, setting a new school record and earning a State Championship medal. Photo Courtesy Kim Tafoya.

On June 25th and 26th, VS Athletes in conjunction with PrepCalTrack and Finished Results hosted the California State Championship Meet at Arcadia High School. Athletes that placed among the top 40 in an event could register to compete in this meet. Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar qualified to compete in the 3200 meters after posting a best time, and school record in the 3200 Meters of 9:12.10.

So here we are at Arcadia waiting for the 9:00 PM start of the 3200 meters. Two weeks ago at CIF SS D4 Championships in Carpinteria, the plan was to go out to the front and run a fast one. Unfortunately, it did go to plan. The early fast pace, the humidity, the heat, setting the pace, and other factors all added up to a third place finish in an event that Fabi was favored to win. Fabi finished in a time of 9:30.18 in 3rd place. Needless to say, FabI was disappointed.

The State Meet was never a sure thing, with COVID still a threat to keep the meet from being held. But meet organizers were able to make it happen. During Fabi’s warm up, The sun was still out 45 minutes before the race, but it felt cool. Fabi said that he felt light, and good, during the warm up.

Twelve of California’s top distance runners toed the line. After a quick start Fabi found himself in last place, but before the first lap was run, Fabi worked his way into first place and into the inside lane. He led for about 2 pedestrian paced laps. On the third lap the pace picked up and Fabi ran in fourth to sixth place. He went to the front again during the fifth lap and held that place until the final lap. That’s when the sprint to the line started with 6 runners who had broken away. Fabi worked his way back up to third place and would finish in fourth place in an excellent time of 9:05.45, a new School Record and a State Championship medal. Fabi ran an excellent race, felt he could have won, but was happy with his finish. This was approximately 25 seconds faster than his prior race at Division 4 Southern Section Finals in Carpinteria.

This is the culmination of an excellent season where Fabi set School Records in both the 1600 Meters (4:20.02) and the 3200 Meters (9:05.45). Fabi is one of many athletes who worked hard and performed well in spite of the COVID impact. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to watch him race and grow over the last 4 years. We wish Fabi the best as he transitions to UCLA next year. Go Blue!

This race can be watched on YouTube, HDRunners, Day 2. Enjoy.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 16-year old Fillmore juvenile male student was arrested after making a threat of having a bomb while on school grounds at Fillmore High School.

On 06/29/2021, at approximately 11:11 a.m., patrol deputies responded to Fillmore High School in reference to a bomb threat report. Prior to arrival, it was learned that a known male juvenile used an online communication service and stated that he “had a bomb in his backpack.” With the assistance of staff from the Fillmore Unified School District, students were safely evacuated from the premises and the juvenile was subsequently arrested.

The area of concern was searched by investigators from the Fillmore Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit. The school and surrounding area was deemed safe and no explosive devices were located.

The juvenile was booked into custody at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard for violations of making Criminal Threats and a False Report of a Bomb. The juvenile remains in custody with a court date set for July 1, 2021.

The identification and apprehension of this individual would not have been possible without alert school officials and the cooperative relationship between the Fillmore Police Department and the Fillmore Unified School District.

Nature of Incident: Bomb Threat
Report Number: 21-85134
Location: Fillmore High School (555 Central Avenue)
Date & Time: 06/29/2021 @ 11:11 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Fillmore Investigations Bureau and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Juvenile, Fillmore, 16
Prepared by: Detective Ben Lopez #4397
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).

There will be no Sespe Creek Car Show or Chili Cook-Off in Fillmore on 4th of July. The City of Fillmore will be hosting a fireworks show on Saturday, July 3rd at the Fillmore Middle School baseball field—it is expected to begin at 9pm. Courtesy City of Fillmore.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is in the process of updating the Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The plan update is a multi-jurisdictional effort involving over 20 different partners, including all 10 of the County’s incorporated cities, the County’s Watershed Protection District, the Ventura County Office of Education, and the County Fire Protection District. The HMP strives to inventory the natural hazards that Ventura County is most vulnerable to, assess risks to the County’s community members, buildings and critical facilities, and develop a mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of exposure and allow a swift, equitable, and organized recovery should a disaster occur. The County’s most recent HMP was adopted in 2016, but requires updating every five years to maintain federal funding eligibility. The public is invited to learn more about the HMP and opportunities for participation in the update process by visiting www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.

Nature of Incident: Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Date & Time: June 24, 2021
Unit(s) Responsible: Office of Emergency Services
Prepared by: Bonnie Luke, Bonniek.Luke@ventura.org 805-765-7007
Approved by: Patrick Maynard

Carina Monica Montoya

The Depot circa 1900. The crate on the loading dock is a piano for George N. King.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore History Museum

Although the Museum was closed for over a year due to the pandemic, we were still available, under COVID-19 restriction guidelines for researchers. During the time we were closed, we had several people conduct research on topics from a possible documentary on the St. Francis Dam Disaster to wanting to know the history of the older home they had just purchased. We are always happy to help people research their ancestry, home, or general history of our area.

One of the people who reached out to us was Fillmore resident, Carina Monica Montoya. She told us she was writing a book for Arcadia Publishing on Ventura County and needed photographs and information. Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series spotlights the history of neighborhoods, towns and cities of local writers and historians by showcasing vintage photographs, some spanning over 100 years.

Over several visits to the Museum, we were able to assist Carina in finding photographs and information on Fillmore, surrounding communities, and of Ventura County in general.Our many resources further inspired her to expand the book to include a chapter on disasters that significantly impacted the county but also helped to reshape it.

On July 10th, Carina will be at the Southern Pacific Depot in Fillmore for a book signing. Books are currently available on our website gift shop and will be available at the event. Please join us from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, July 10th for a book signing.

Note: This guidance took effect on June 15, 2021 and will supersede all prior face coverings guidance.
BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing infection, disease, and spread. Unvaccinated persons are more likely to get infected and spread the virus which is transmitted through the air and concentrates indoors. About 15% of our population remains without the option for vaccination (children under 12 years old are not yet eligible) and risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection will remain until we reach full community immunity.

The purpose of this guidance is to align with CDC recommendations and provide information about higher risk settings where masks are required or recommended to prevent transmission to persons with higher risk of infection (e.g., unvaccinated or immunocompromised persons), to persons with prolonged, cumulative exposures (e.g., workers), or to persons whose vaccination status is unknown. When people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask correctly, they protect others as well as themselves. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors.

GUIDANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings.
• Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.
• Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities)
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers

Additionally, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).

For additional information, individuals should refer to CDC Recommendations for Safer Activities.

State of California—Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health
www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-cover....