 (l-r) Norma and Larry Holt outside their home which was name Fillmore Vision 2020 Civic Pride’s March Yard of the Month, at the corner of Mountain View and Fourth Street in Fillmore. Photo credit Fillmore Civic Pride Committee. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
By Fillmore Vision 2020 Civic Pride It was a gorgeous midmorning I spent at the Holt's residence at Mountain View and Fourth. This wonderful couple bought the historic property two years after the earthquake, but the place had sat empty, with gardens grown rampant until then. Larry and Norma saw only the potential this place had and bought it on the spot, leaving behind Ventura and its fog...and we are all blessed they did! For those who remember, there was a magnificent old pecan tree at the corner of this property. It was the kind of tree that left squirrels everywhere in tears of joy. Sadly, this amazing tree had to be removed for safety, but there are five more pecans now gracing the property. Walking the landscaping with Larry, unique specimens are lovingly tended...a massive Australian Araucaria or Bunya Bunya (also called the widow maker for the size of the fir cones it produces and drops on the unsuspecting) sits another corner, striking purple smoke trees quietly stand in various sites- until they send out their jaw dropping flower displays. Probably the largest Jacaranda in Fillmore stands at the side of the lawn, and with reason it was the background for many a family and quinceanera photo shoots by Dale Crockett. Then there are a number of graceful Palo Verdes that line 4th Street with their chartreuse colored bark and butter yellow spring flowers contrasting beautifully with the purple fountain grasses planted below them. A lovely Yucca filifera lounges by the pool, a gorgeous madagascar palm is potted at the entrance, while vigorous mature roses line the walkway ready to burst (of course they are from our very own Otto and Sons!) And throughout the huge front yard, tying the areas together, are large swaths of belladonna lillies (pink ladies) and Rock Purslane- these natives to South Africa and Chile, and they do well in our area. This front yard defines beauty. On the upper side of the property are the vegetable gardens and fruit orchard that passers-by can see from the roadway...blackberries neatly wired up, strawberries, artichokes, and various raised beds for the coming spring garden, with golden poppies that naturally seeded in every open area. Because it is close to the hills, this area is also a gopher magnet- so all the raised beds have been built with hardwire cloth at the base. The time and creative energy to make a garden that was not only productive but also beautiful was evident. When asked what the place was like when they bought it, they simply described it as 'a jungle.' It took twenty years of pruning and applying load after load of wood chips and mulch to tame the garden to what is today. Gardening is not only having vision, a love of soil, but also loads of perseverance! To the Holt's, Larry and Norma, thank you for the gift of your gardens and landscaping to our town...the beauty they bring to us from your care of this corner of Fillmore is inspiring...Folks, walk on by and get ideas for your own gardens on what plants work, where they are best planted...let's learn from each other and share the inspiration! And finally, let's all plan to be at the Fillmore Flower Show in April to share the beauty of each of our gardens! |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
 On February 25th, 2022, at 5:27pm, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies, Fillmore City Fire and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a reported traffic collision at the intersection of Central Avenue and Ventura Street /Hwy 126. Arriving deputies reported that the vehicles involved were blocking eastbound lanes in the intersection, causing additional units to respond to the area to monitor eastbound lanes from A Street / Hwy 126 through Central Ave. / Hwy 126. According to VCFD radio traffic two vehicles were involved with minor injuries reported. No ambulance transports were made; eastbound lanes were reopened by 6:20pm. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
 On Friday, February 23rd, Bunnin Chevrolet presented a check to Search Dog Foundation rescue dog, Stryker. Leo Bunnin, owner of Bunnin of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Santa Barbara, presented the check for $25,100 to Wilma Melville (center), founder of Search Dog Foundation of Santa Paula. Both Leo and Wilma are surrounded by SDF executives and the Bunnin Chevrolet sales team that helped make the donation possible. Photo credit Shane Morger, Bunnin Chevrolet of Fillmore. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
 Dr. Lucy Jones, USGS Seismologist: A preliminary 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck about five miles northwest of the city of Santa Paula in Ventura County, Saturday, February 26th, at 5:44 pm, according to USGS. The quake had a depth of about 16 miles, USGS reported. Shaking was felt throughout the Ventura County region as well as various parts of Los Angeles County. No injuries or damage was reported. USGS initially reported the quake as a magnitude 3.9 before upgrading it to 4.1, then adjusting it to 4.0. It was followed by a 3.1 magnitude quake three hours later, 6.2 miles northwest of Santa Paula at a depth of 11 miles. A 3.9 magnitude earthquake on February 10th, 2022, was 6.2 miles northwest of Santa Paula at 11.67 miles deep. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
 Ventura County Office of Education UPDATED 3/1/22 to reflect that the state's new mask guidance for students also applies to school employees as a result of an executive order signed by Governor Newsom. Students and staff at public and private K-12 schools in Ventura County and throughout California will no longer be required to wear masks after March 11, regardless of their vaccination status. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration made the announcement Monday, saying COVID-19 conditions have sufficiently improved to warrant the change. The state’s decision to lift the mask mandate for students and staff is in line with guidelines issued Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says schools should only mandate masks when COVID cases and hospitalizations are high in the counties where they are located. Ventura County’s rates are in the medium category according to the CDC’s website. Even after the mask mandate is lifted, state and local health officials strongly recommended students and school employees continue to wear them to help keep COVID-19 case numbers on their current downward trend. Anyone who would like to keep wearing a mask at school is encouraged to do so, and most schools will continue making masks available to students and staff. Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, was selected to provide a public education perspective to state decision-makers who develop the masking policies that local schools must follow. He relayed the concerns of those who feel that masks are uncomfortable for children and hinder learning. He also shared the worries of educators who feel uneasy about teaching in classrooms with unmasked students. He emphasized that the mask policy should be applied universally to all students, whether they are vaccinated or not, so no student feels singled out. “This is a difficult issue with strongly held opinions on both sides, and I want to thank the many people who have reached out to me to share their views,” Dr. Morales said. “Because the state made masks optional in most public places earlier this month, I believe it’s appropriate that the same rules apply at schools. We are entering a new phase of the pandemic, and I am happy to see schools taking another step toward returning to normal.” Schools are required to enforce the student mask mandate through March 11. Between now and then, parents and guardians can help prevent learning disruptions by having their students wear masks to school. Schools that lift the mandate before it’s allowed by the state risk significant liability issues and the potential loss of their insurance coverage. Also on Monday, Governor Newsom signed an executive order updating the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) standards related to COVID-19 in the workplace. This has the effect of making masks optional for school employees after March 11, whether or not they are vaccinated. Throughout the pandemic, schools have been among the safest places for students to be, with most virus transmission happening off-campus. In addition to encouraging the voluntary use of masks, schools will continue using other safety measures, including improved ventilation and enhanced cleaning protocols. Parents and guardians have an important role to play as well by being vigilant about keeping students home when they are sick. For the latest information about COVID-19 and Ventura County Schools, please visit www.vcoe.org/COVID-19. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
By Jan Lee If you haven’t already, mark your calendar for April 9 and 10. Those are the dates of the Fillmore Flower Show. The theme this year is “Farie Tales and Flowers”. We hope this theme will inspire many entries. There are eleven entry divisions. Let’s discuss the first three: Division II— Single Stem Cut Iris. There are three classes of iris, bearded iris, spuria iris and Japanese iris. If you have iris, cut off a bloom, bring it to the show and we’ll get it in the right classification. Division III— Other Single Stem Cut Flowers. This division is for ANY flower you have blooming in your yard. Everybody has at least one flower. This division is especially fun because we never know what type of flower will be entered. Visitors to the show get a good opportunity to see something beautiful that one of their neighbors has cultivated. Perhaps it would look good in your yard, too! During the public viewing, from 1-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, there will be many people around who can tell you a lot about the flowers, where to plant them, how much light and water they require, etc. There is a plant boutique at the flower show. This is one of the popular stops during the flower show. You might find a plant that you can grow and possibly win an award next year! Please plan to enter and attend. For complete information see fillmoreflowershow.org. |
 1927 American La France Fire Engine which was City of Fillmore’s Engine No 2. It can be viewed at the Fillmore Historical Museum. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum Members of the Fillmore Historical Museum met in the Fillmore Railroad Depot on Saturday, Feb 26th for the annual meeting of the membership. The Museum was founded in 1971 by author, teacher and world traveler, Edith Jarrett and incorporated in 1972. Its first home was on the ground floor of the Fillmore Masonic Temple building. It moved to the Southern Pacific railroad depot in 1974 when Mrs. Jarret purchased the building and moved it across Main St to a location next to the Fire Station. After the Northridge Earthquake the museum closed for 4 years while the Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse and the Hinckley House were restored and opened to the public. It wasn’t until 2006 that restoration of the Depot was completed. President, Martha Gentry, reported that in spite of Covid shutdowns and lack of train tourism over 500 people visited the Museum with visits from all points of the U.S. and England. Museum volunteers gave over 2,379 hours of time to welcome tourists, work in the research library, and maintain the collection. During the year we had the benefit of help from an intern from Cal State Channel Islands. She began her internship working in the collection and eventually produced her own photo display of Fillmore’s natural disasters. Many of the display areas have been reimagined or refurbished with emphasis on providing explanations in English and Spanish with added QR codes so that musical selections and some interviews can be heard. Photos have been enlarged to enhance the displays of our first pioneers. There is also a fascinating display of photos of movies filmed in Fillmore and of the St. Francis Dam disaster. We have received several important artifact donations including the wooden bottle and plaque from the Sanitary Dairy now in the Depot and 800 black and white photos of Fillmore from the 1985-87 time frame. These photos have been posted a few at a time on Facebook and Instagram as we try to identify the people in them. Thanks to the Fillmore & Western Railroad owners Dave and Tresa Wilkinson we now have the c 1905 Piru Depot cast iron stove. It can be seen in the office area of the depot. The largest acquisition this year was a 1927 American La France fire engine. The fire engine first saw service in Fillmore in 1927, was eventually sold to a farmer who used it in his orchard and then purchased and lovingly restored by a local group of volunteer firemen. The next major fundraising project will be to build a fire house for the fire engine. The museum hosted two book signings this year: Carina Montoya was here to autograph her book “Ventura County” and Ofelia Romero autographed her new book, “The Legend of the Romeros, Then and Today.” Both books are still available for purchase at the museum. Finally the members elected 4 board members who will serve three year terms. They are: Martha Gentry, Joanna Michel, Jack Stethem and Bob Morris. Following the meeting refreshments were served and the attendees were able to view the new displays in the Bunkhouse. The Museum is now open Wednesday through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. closing from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. We hope you will visit our website at www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org where you will find the stories we have written for the Fillmore Gazette as well as books for sale and information for visitors. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022
 On February 21st, 2022, at 9:50am, Ventura County Fire, Fillmore City Firefighters, AMR Paramedics and Ventura County Sheriff ’s Office were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the 400 block of River Street, Piru. Arriving fire crews reported a vehicle fire in a driveway with flames extending into a single-story, singlefamily residence. All occupants were reported out and firefighters began to attack and were in progress to protect exposures on the three sides of the structure. At 10:12am firefighters reported good progress being made on the fire, checking for extensions. Crews were working to extinguish the vehicle fire. According to VCFD PIO twitter: four adults and four minors were displaced, and Red Cross was also dispatched to the scene. No injuries were reported. Photo: Rufina Alfonso. Enlarge Photo |
 City Council Hosts Badge Ceremony Firefighters. On Tuesday, February 22nd, Fillmore City Council held a badge ceremony for Firefighter Engineer Jason Arroyo (left) and Fire Captain Jordan Castro (right) of the Fillmore Fire Department. Pictured above are Jason and Jordan as they take their pledge and reaffirm their commitment to the Fillmore Fire Department and to their position. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022
CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 8. A CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OFFSITE DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENTS WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW 77 LP FOR THE MANY MANSIONS (MOUNTAIN VIEW APARTMENTS) PROJECT STAFF REPORT MANY MANSIONS - LIC AGR N STREET DEDICATIONS FINAL W ATTCH.PDF. Councilmember Austin motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Edmonds. Ayes: unanimous. 8.B CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE REPORT AND DISCUSS TWO RIVERS DOG PARK SR - DOG PARK SR FINAL.pdf Unanimous approval. Council authorized to use $200,000. 8.C APPOINTMENT OF PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) STAFF REPORT SCAG DELEGATE_2022.pdf. Delegate - Christina Villasenor, Alternate - Mark Austin. All votes 5-0 affirmative. Jordan Castro, Fire Captain Badge Ceremony. Jason Arroyo, Firefighter Engineer Badge Ceremony. Southern California Edison (SCE) presentation - Rudy Gonzalez, on outage Next regularly scheduled meeting, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2022, City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015. |
 Pictured is Ms. Piechowski with her ASB student leaders, Fillmore Lions Club members, and Dave Hubbard representing the Lions Club Foundation. Photo credit Jaclyn Ibarra. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022
Courtesy Esperanza Ocegeuda |