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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 12th, 2024
A 31-year-old Fillmore resident was arrested for spray-painting graffiti on numerous businesses throughout the city of Fillmore and causing hundreds of dollars of vandalism damage to these private business owners. On January 7, at approximately 10:14 PM, the employees of a Fillmore business located in the 900 block of West Ventura Street called Ventura County Sheriff’s Communication Center (SCC) to report an in-progress vandalism crime at the establishment. Fillmore patrol deputies responded immediately to the scene and positively identified Fillmore resident Leonardo Morales as the suspect. Morales is currently on probation for similar vandalism crimes. During a search of Morales, deputies located spray paint cans on his person, which were used to commit the graffiti vandalism in question. Deputies arrested Morales for felony vandalism. Following Morales’ arrest, deputies and detectives assigned to the Fillmore station located additional victims of vandalism crimes linking Morales as the suspect. These business locations were in the 900 block of West Ventura Street, 700 block of West Ventura Street, and Fillmore City property located in the 900 block of Old Telegraph Road. Morales was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of felony Graffiti Vandalism and violation of probation. Morales remains in custody with his bail set at $20,000. Report Number: RB # 24-2794 (S)suspects Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 12th, 2024
 Right is Jeff Wurm, Investment Division Director from the California State Treasurer's Office, who joined in virtually for Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to discuss the local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) along with Debra Cavaletto, Finance Director. Enlarge Photo All New Business items passed 5-0 (9.A-D) 5. PRESENTATIONS: 5.A WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES - VIVIAN SR - Second Reading of Floodplain Ordinance No. 23-960. Final.pdf 9.A ADOPTION OF SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 22-04, THE CITY HALL ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council adopt the specifications for a modernization of the elevator at City Hall, known as Project Specification No. 22-04 (“Project”) and authorize the advertisement of the Project for construction bids. 9.B ADOPTION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND COST ESTIMATE FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 23-05, DOG PARK ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR CONSTRUCTION BID. 9.C DISCUSS ADOPTING A FACILITY NAMING POLICY. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council review the draft facility naming policy, discuss and adopt the Facility Naming Policy. Passed 5-0 9.D FILING OF NOTICES OF COMPLETION FOR “C” STREET EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR PROJECT. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Accept the services provided for the Preliminary Phase of the “C” Street Emergency Sewer performed by Ferreira Construction Co, Inc. (“Ferreira Construction”); 2. Accept the completed improvements for Project Specification No. 23-01E – “C” Street Emergency Sewer Repair Project provided by Toro Enterprises, Inc. (“Toro Enterprises”); 3. Instruct the City Clerk to file the attached Notices of Completion; and 4. Authorize the final payment to the contractors of owed retention and Release on Contract pending clearance of the 30-day lien period. |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 12th, 2024
On December 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Fabian Garibay in the City of Fillmore for felony street gang coercion reference the gang tattooing of a minor. On January 5, 2024, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed felony Street Gang Solicitation and misdemeanor Tattooing of a Minor violations against Garibay in the Ventura County Superior Court. During the months of September and October 2023, a Fillmore Patrol Station Deputy initiated an investigation after learning Garibay had tattooed a juvenile male with gang symbols. The Patrol Deputy determined the tattooing occurred in Ventura County and likely was committed with the intent to solicit or recruit the juvenile into a Fillmore criminal street gang. In late October 2023, West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and obtained a search warrant for Garibay’s Fillmore residence. Detectives served the warrant and located evidence related to the investigation, including additional evidence of Garibay’s affiliation with a criminal street gang. Detectives later obtained a felony arrest warrant for Garibay. On December 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM, Fillmore Patrol Deputies arrested Garibay during a traffic stop in Fillmore and he was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The gang tattooing case against Garibay was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, who subsequently filed felony PC 186.26(a) - Street Gang Solicitation and misdemeanor PC 653 - Tattooing a Minor violations against Garibay in the Ventura County Superior Court on January 5, 2024. Garibay posted bail on the matter and has a pending court date in February 2024. The investigation is on-going. If you have any information about this case or Fillmore gang activities, please contact Detective Austin Whittaker at 805-654-3509. Report Number: 23-136303 (S) Fabin Garibay Fillmore 31 Prepared by: Sergeant Beau Rodriguez |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 12th, 2024
 On Monday, January 8, 2024, at 8 a.m. to around 6 p.m., Edison crews were on Goodenough Road along the Tradition housing track managing traffic while they replaced multiple power poles, using cherry pickers to disconnect the lines. Several poles were successfully replaced with no known power interruptions to the area. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
 On Wednesday, December 27, at 8:34 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, AMR Paramedics and Fillmore Police were dispatched to a reported traffic collision on SR126 and Fillmore Fish Hatchery. Upon, Arriving firefighters located a shattered Edison pole with live wires down and a white vehicle overturned. Two patients were able to get out and both patients were treated by AMR Paramedics and transported to VCMC, conditions unknown. Due to the incident, half of the residences in Fillmore and Piru lost power. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
 The small electrical building on the Riverpark bike path has been vandalized again with tagging, along with the bike path itself, inset. Tagging has also increased along the Sespe Creek bike path, including the 126 underpass tunnel. No doubt this type of vandalism is a sign of high intelligence. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
Hi everyone! Happy New Year! The Hawaii tournament is just around the corner. Zoey has until June of 2024 to raise her share to participate in the July 2024 Tournament with her Fillmore girl’s soccer team. She needs to raise money for the tournament cost, plane ticket, hotel, food, possibly new gear or uniforms, and any other expenses necessary. BUY TICKETS Hawaii Raffle for Zoey - $26.80 |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
 A vinyl fence was vandalized over the holidays, on Burlington Street near Rio Grande. A lot of police calls go out in that area for Suspicious Subject/Circumstances along the riverbed. Maybe the city should invest in some cameras in the vicinity. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
 For years I have heard “Oh, I will only go to Kim to get my nails done” and “Kim is the best”. Then I heard a new nail salon was going to open next to Heritage Valley Eye Care, across from Ronan Mills Bakery. I didn’t think much of it, even when I heard the famous Kim was opening it. Who was this Kim lady? Well, I found out. I was passing by and saw Central Nails was open, so I stopped in to see if I could get a pedicure. Little did I know it was her opening day and I had the pleasure of being her first customer! As soon as she was up for business her phone rang off the hook. The famous Kim had been found and it’s been a pleasure getting to know her. Kim Pham opened her doors May 26, 2023 to a stream of pleased customers. She has colors I have never seen before, a beautiful, immaculate shop, and is centrally located. I love that she lives right down the street from her shop and is building a business right here in Fillmore. I really think downtown is vital to its citizens and its citizens are vital to our local business community. I try to shop and stay local as much as I can, and Kim’s opening has helped me do that. Kim’s work is stellar—she can even do all the cute designs and color work that some people travel out of town for. I had not had my nails done in a long time but she converted me back to nails and regular manicures. Recently I ran into a friend who had an appointment and was so excited Kim was back in Fillmore. She has a wonderful staff, and I believe she still has a hiring sign on her door. Thank you, Kim, for bringing your services and smile to my neighborhood! Photo and article by Brandy Hollis. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, January 5th, 2024
 Pictured (l-r) is last week’s speaker, Fillmore Chief of Police Lalo Malagon, with Fillmore Rotary President Scott Beylik. His topic was crime in Fillmore. All crime is tracked, as well as response time, and crimes are reported to the FBI and to Fillmore City Council once a month. Also, all the Chiefs in the county meet once a month to discuss ongoing crimes. The city cannot afford to pay for full-time motorcycle officers, it does pay overtime for the Thousand Oaks Officers to work the 126 corridor. Chief Lalo stated that Fillmore is one of the safest cities in Ventura County. Photo credit Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |