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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 31st, 2023
 Meet our Fillmore Cadets: Denise Marquez (right) is a recent graduate of California State University, Northridge. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in sociology and is looking to continue a law enforcement career with the finest agency in the county, VCSO! Aalyiah Alfaro (left) is finishing up her last year at California State University Channel Islands where she is working on her sociology degree. Aalyiah is also doing an internship with Ventura County Behavioral Health and is looking to pursue a career in clinical social work. In addition to knocking their Cadet responsibilities out of the park, these two superstars are both Explorer Advisors who spend countless hours training, mentoring, and developing our young Explorers. They are smart and both have a bright future ahead of them. Denise and Aalyiah, thank you for all that you do. VCSO is lucky to have you both! Courtesy https://www.instagram.com/fillmorepd/. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 31st, 2023
 AT&T is setting up shop in the Fillmore Business Park shopping center, 1146 Ventura Street. Devices and accessories will be offered, and phone bill payments accepted in the store. They plan to open for business September 29, 2023. Enlarge Photo |
 On August 18, 2023, VCAT investigators developed information which indicated a large shipment of methamphetamine from Mexico was destined for the city of Fillmore. During the operation, investigators observed Downey resident, Erick Montoya in the McDonald’s parking lot in the 900 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore. A Fillmore Police K-9 was used to conduct a sniff search of Montoya’s vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of 56 pounds of narcotics inside the vehicle, estimated to be worth over $1.2 million. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
Detectives assigned to the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) concluded their investigation into a Mexico based drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of bulk quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Investigators learned this organization smuggled the methamphetamine into the United States in liquid form. Once inside the United States, the methamphetamine was converted from a liquid form to a solid “crystal” form. Once crystalized, the methamphetamine was then transported in bulk by drug couriers to wholesale customers located in the greater Los Angeles area, including Ventura County. On August 18, 2023, VCAT investigators developed information which indicated a large shipment of methamphetamine was destined for the city of Fillmore. During this operation, investigators observed Downey resident, Erick Montoya in the McDonald’s parking lot in the 900 Block of Ventura Street, Fillmore. Montoya was associated with a blue color Honda Sport Utility Vehicle. Investigators developed probable cause to believe Montoya was in possession of methamphetamine. Montoya was contacted and detained at the scene. A Fillmore Police K-9 was used to conduct a sniff search of Montoya’s vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, investigators located approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine inside a cardboard box in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. In addition, investigators also located several thousand dollars of suspected drug proceeds, multiple cellular telephones and several grams of cocaine. Erick Montoya was transported and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The street value of the seized narcotics is estimated at an excess of $1.2 million dollars. This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for filing. Report Number: 23-106761 (S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ececent City of Residence: (S) Erick Montoya Downey, California 32 Prepared by: Sergeant Odilon Malagon |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
 A 5.1 earthquake near Ojai shook the Fillmore area and beyond on Sunday, August 20, at 2:41pm. Fillmore residents felt a powerful jolt, lasting a few seconds, with more than 30 aftershocks registered. Above is damage to Fillmore’s Vons Market, right Vons’ loosened ceiling panels. The quake was located 4.3 miles southeast of Ojai. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County Fire Department look at all of Ventura County for damage from the quakes. The Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services reported no injuries or major structural damage; Thomas Aquinas College near Ojai suffered minor damage to four buildings, with damage also to the bell tower; SoCal Gas and SoCal Edison reported no issues; the county’s aviation unit completed an aerial inspection of the Ojai area, including Lake Casitas and Matilija dams, and reported no issues. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
 Hurricane Hilary left her mark on Fillmore on Saturday and Sunday, August 19/20th. A large Peppertree in front of Fillmore City Hall was damaged, and (inset) another tree located at 3rd Street and A Street lost a large branch. Over 2" of rain were dropped on Fillmore (4" in the mountains), causing a swift-water rescue in the Santa Clara River. Hilary brought gusty winds, heavy rains, and dangerous sea conditions to Ventura County. It weakened to a tropical storm, Category 3, by the time it reached the county, the first in SoCal since 1939. The storm picked up steam Saturday Afternoon, with bulk of heavy rain on Sunday. Flashflood/Flood Watch alerts lite up Smartphones all over Fillmore and the county, sending out a no-travel advisory. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
 On Sunday, August 20, 2023, at 7:36 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department and Fillmore City Fire Department were dispatched to three transients reportedly stranded in the Santa Clara Riverbed, underneath the A Street Bridge, Fillmore. Arriving firefighters reported two victims were located after self-extricating themselves, both individuals refused medical aid. One additional victim reportedly was stranded on an island. The Ventura County Aviation Air Unit was unable to locate the third individual, believing he had possibly fled to a local gas station. Fillmore Police Department shut down A Street Bridge for over two hours until fire crews cleared the area. Photo credit Angel Esquival-AE News. The video can be viewed on instagram @esquivelphotography_ Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
 On Saturday morning, August 19th, just east of Hallock Drive on Highway 126 at the railroad crossing, a large truck was unable to stop in time when the safety gates came down, crashing through. Rail bikes can be seen to the right on the tracks, and fortunately were not in the path of the truck. Rail bikes are pedal-powered (electric-assisted) and seat two. This accident calls into question safety factors in allowing the rail bikes to cross the busy highway. Enlarge Photo |
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By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, August 24th, 2023
 On Monday, August 21, 2023, at 3:00 pm, Fillmore Police, Fillmore Fire, and AMR paramedics were on-scene investigating as semi versus SUV at the intersection of Ventura Street and B Street, Fillmore. Two ambulance transports were made, conditions unknown. Cause of the crash is under investigation by the Fillmore Police Department. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |