Pictured left, Pastor George Golden with Pastor Ken Castellanos.
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Written by Carina M. Montoya

It was standing room only on Sunday, April 28, when Pastor Dr. George Golden gave his last service at the Fillmore First Baptist Church, and “passed the baton” to the church’s new lead pastor, Ken Castellanos. It was a bittersweet occasion for the congregation, including many friends and family who attended, to bid farewell in quiet sadness to someone who has devoted the past 15 years to the church, and to welcome Pastor Castellanos who has been the church’s associate pastor.
Pastor Golden has been the longest serving pastor at the First Baptist Church since its founding in 1942. He began ministering at the church in 2009 and through the years the name First Baptist Church in Fillmore has become synonymous with Pastor Golden’s name. He resurrected a dwindling and fateful church with a low congregation of about six people to its current congregation of 50 to 75.

The First Baptist Church was originally located off Central Avenue in downtown Fillmore. The property at 1057 First Street was purchased in the 1970s and became the church’s new location. Upon Pastor Golden’s assignment to the church, there were many upgrades and renovations needed. Through the years his growing congregation brought in much needed donations, including time that some congregation members donated to help with the renovations. The parsonage was renovated twice; the once dirt parking area was paved; a new roof was installed; and the interior of the church was renovated.

Pastor Castellanos brings to the First Baptist Church in Fillmore a genuine desire to continue Pastor Golden’s legacy, but with a renewed spirit of purpose. New members have already joined the congregation. His partner and wife of twenty years, Janny Melgoza-Castellanos, a native of Fillmore and a 1989 graduate of Fillmore High School, is a Bible study leader. Pastor Golden has no doubt that together, Pastor Castellanos and Janny, will further grow and develop the church into a stronger and more diversified congregation.

Pastor Golden is not retiring from ministering, only transitioning from one place to another. He will first take a short two-week hiatus from ministering to travel to Nairobi, Africa, for a couple of weeks where he has been raising money to build an abandoned women’s shelter. Many of his other accomplishments in helping people in Africa have been the installation of a water well for a mission; installation of a solar system for another mission; rebuilt an abandoned church located in a remote area in a Nairobi jungle; and supported two orphanages by paying their leases. Upon his return home, he will begin ministering again in Ventura.

Shane Morger of Bunnin Chevrolet presenting Brandy Hollis with a Diamond Sponsorship check for the Fillmore Women’s Service Club Casino Night event coming this weekend.
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Bunnin Chevrolet is doing it again—supporting the Fillmore community. Public Relations Director Shane Morger presented Fillmore Women’s Service Club Rep Brandy Hollis with a Diamond Sponsorship check for their Casino Night event coming this weekend. Brandy had this to say, “I know Shane and his crew are looking forward to Casino Night. I look forward to watching this busy person relax a little bit. We are going to let the dice roll and see what happens when you bet big on your community! Thank you, Bunnin, from all of us here at FWSC.” Fillmore also appreciates Bunnin’s excellent auto service and delicious cafe! Article/photo credit Brandy Hollis.

The Fillmore Fire Department in conjunction with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council has received a grant to dispose of flammable vegetation in residential neighborhoods that are adjacent to wildland areas. This grant is being applied to all residents who reside in Fillmore. All residents who live within three hundred yards of a wildland area are especially encouraged to take advantage of this free opportunity.

On Saturday May 11th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, all residents in the City may haul any tree/brush trimmings direct to the Fillmore City Well #4 location at 728 Goodenough Rd. for free disposal. Any ornamental vegetation and cut grass/weeds will also be accepted if it is free of any dirt, metal, plastic, or other trash.

Residents are especially encouraged to have professional tree trimmers, trim up palm trees, of all dead palm fronds as these can be especially hazardous when caught on fire. All palm fronds will accepted.

Any questions may be directed to the Fillmore Fire Chief at 524-1500 xt 226.

In collaboration with Farm Watch, the Fillmore Investigations Bureau communicated crime trends identified from recent agricultural thefts occurring in the Santa Clara Valley. Empowering the agricultural community as our eyes and ears has contributed to the identification and apprehension of a repeat offender of agricultural thefts.

On April 15th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a call-for-service at a local farm reference an attempted theft of avocados. Patrol deputies were informed that a large quantity of avocados pre-staged in bags and crates was located on the farm. The farm owner stated this was suspicious and inconsistent with the normal operation of the farm. The farm owner’s diligence and education of previous crime trends, as well as quick notification to law enforcement, prevented thieves from completing the theft of the pre-staged avocados. The patrol deputy was able to collect evidence relating to the crime and authored a crime report.

On April 24th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station contacted Jose Antonio Rosales Hernandez in the 100 block of A Street, Fillmore. Based on previous law enforcement contacts, patrol deputies knew Hernandez had previously been convicted of Penal Code § 487(b)(1)(A) – Grand Theft of Vegetables and Fruit. Hernandez was placed on Ventura County Probation and accepted probation terms requiring him to submit to search of his person, residence, vehicle, or any property under his control by a probation officer of law enforcement officer, with or without a search warrant, for items prohibited by his probation conditions.

During the contact, patrol deputies conducted a search of Hernandez’ person, vehicle, and residence in compliance with Hernandez’ court appointed probation conditions. During the search, patrol deputies found methamphetamine, collected additional evidence, and developed probable cause to connect him to the attempted theft from the local farm on April 15th, 2024. As a result of the contact, Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for being in violation of Health & Safety Code § 11377 (a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance and Penal Code § 664/487(b)(1)(A) – Attempted Grand Theft of Vegetables and Fruit.

The Fillmore Patrol Station encourages the agricultural community to utilize “Farm Watch,” a partnership between the farming community and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Farm Watch is a county-wide electronic neighborhood watch program that is distributed to more than several hundred farms, ranches, nurseries, and supply houses. This program provides information to ranchers on agriculture crime trends and on how to react and treat the crime scene so that potential evidence is preserved for immediate processing by deputies of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident:Farm Watch Collaboration Results in Arrest of Repeat Offender
Report Number: 24-49822
Location: 100 block of A Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: April 24th, 2024, at 8:00 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Investigations Bureau
Suspects City of Residence Age
Jose Antonio Rosales Hernandez Fillmore, California 32

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heersche
News Release Date: April 24th, 2024
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon