Ventura County Department of Public Health

Ventura, CA. - Many people on the West Coast of the United States are concerned about the risk that faces us from the radiation being released from damaged Japanese nuclear reactors. The United States is familiar with monitoring and responding to distant source releases of radioactive materials. Such releases occurred frequently throughout the 20th century beginning in the 1950s with the testing of nuclear weapons by countries throughout the world.

The Ventura County Department of Public Health exists to promote the safety of all of our county’s residents. This is our highest priority. We have well-established mechanisms in place to stay informed by the state and federal agencies responsible for monitoring radiation levels across the West Coast.

We want to emphasize that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all stated that there is no risk expected to California or its residents as a result of the situation in Japan.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Japan and will take all available steps necessary to protect our county’s residents. If we become aware of a radiation threat to our county’s residents we will recommend protective actions.

We urge our county’s residents not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan. It can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish and to people who have thyroid problems. Taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Ventura County residents with questions about radiation exposure can contact the California Department of Public Health's Emergency Operations information line at 916 341-3947.

The Chevy vehicle you might have the opportunity to win.
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President David Lugo throws shirts to the Little League players during Saturday’s Opening Ceremonies.
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Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley Since 1929 Steps up to the Plate for Fillmore Little League as Part of National Chevy Youth Baseball Program Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of heritage Valley since 1929 to provide Fillmore Little League with new equipment, monetary donation, instructional clinics; additional funds via Chevy Vehicle Giveaway.

Fillmore, February 7, 2011 – Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is supporting the Fillmore community through a partnership with Fillmore Little League. The dealership will provide baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in founds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative being rolled out across the nation from March through July 2011.

“Baseball is a great American past-time and Chevrolet is proud to have a longstanding history with the tradition on a national level. Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is bringing that level of commitment for youth baseball to the Fillmore community, where our customers and their families live,” said Chap Morris, Title for Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929. “Our youth baseball program in Fillmore is truly cherished and we are happy and excited to support the kids in a significant way.”

Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 will present the Fillmore Little League with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.

In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 to Fillmore Little League. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation and the league will keep 100 percent of proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Cruze vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.

Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.” “Chevrolet vehicles are made for families and we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Morris.

Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. In 2010, more than 980 Chevrolet dealers participated in Chevy Youth Baseball and helped raise more than $3 million for youth baseball programs across the USA. Now going into its sixth year, more than $10 million has been contributed to youth baseball in the communities where Chevrolet’s customers live, work and play. Currently 1,423 Chevrolet dealers are participating in this national program.

For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, please visit Wm. L. Morris Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929.

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Welcome to Farm Watch...
Who are we? Over 600 Ventura County farms, ranches, nurseries agriculture supply and packing houses.
Farm Watch is really more than that. We are a virtual-rural, crime fighting community. Welcome if you are just joining us. Lets catch up on the last few weeks:
STOLEN CAR:
A week ago, I attended an Agricultural Insectary meeting in Oxnard. I heard a story from a Santa Clara Valley farmer who told me about Sheriff's Deputy Leo Vazquez.
Leo patrols the rural area where the farmer lives and has orchards. He told me that a few days earlier he received a random call from Leo. The Deputy told him that he was currently out on patrol on the other side of Fillmore and noticed an unknown person with the farmer's vehicle. Leo was suspicious, as he had always seen the vehicle parked at the owner’s farm. A loud laugh broke out with the farmer as he told Leo that he had just sold the car. He wanted me to thank Leo for "Watching Out" for the rural residents and paying attention to such detail.
The story didn't end there. Unrelated, and the a few nights later, we were honored to present Leo with the Santa Clara Valley Officer of the Year Award. It is no coincidence that Leo is Officer of the Year. He is an example of his fellow deputies that share the same drive to keep our community safe. Drop Leo an E-note at Leonardo.Vazquez@ventura.org
Trail Heads:
Our Ojai Valley Crime Watch folks have asked us to spread the word. Visitors to the Los Padres Forest in the Matillja Canyon area have been plagued with window-smash car burglaries. The suspects are looting cars when they see any bags, purses and towels.
Remember, always try to minimize what you leave behind. Lock what you must in the trunk and never leave anything in the passenger areas that you don't want to lose. Crooks know that if you throw a jacket or towel over something on the seat its “gonna” be yummy for them.... They are the bear, and the jacket in the car is covering the picnic basket..
Connex Burglar:
Pleasant Valley Road, Camarillo. Nighttime burglaries of farms and ranches will CONTINUED »

California Governor Jerry Brown

SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency proclamation for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan, which generated a water surge along the California coast, causing damage to ports, harbors and infrastructure.

The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Honshu, Japan generated a tsunami; and

WHEREAS the water surge caused by the tsunami inundated California beaches, ports, and harbors, destroying public and private property and threatening numerous structures, which caused the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS the water surge is causing conditions of extreme peril to the infrastructure and the safety of the persons and properties within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and

WHEREAS the effects of the water surge continue to threaten the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, the counties of Humboldt and Santa Cruz proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS the counties of Del Norte and San Mateo are expected to issue proclamations of local emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this tsunami and water surge, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge impacting the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11th day of March 2011.

________________________________

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.

Governor of California

ATTEST:

________________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services remains in contact with state and federal officials regarding the continuing developments in Japan. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is coordinating with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies in providing whatever assistance the Japanese government requests as they respond to conditions at several nuclear power plant sites following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

In response to nuclear emergencies, the NRC works with other U.S. agencies to monitor radioactive releases and predict their path. All the available information indicates weather conditions have taken the small releases from the Fukushima reactors out to sea away from the population. Given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity. The NRC will not comment on hour-to-hour developments at the Japanese reactors. This is an ongoing crisis for the Japanese who have primary responsibility.

The California Emergency Management Agency is referring public inquiries concerning health issues to the California Department of Public Health (916-341-3947). This line will be staffed today until 5:00 p.m. and during business hours starting tomorrow. For after-hours callers, there will be a message referring them to the hours when a live operator will be available.

Questions from local residents may be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation.

Date & Time: March 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services
Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Follow-up Contact: Dale Carnathan, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-5152
Date of Release: March 14, 2011

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 11, 2011, at about 0700 a.m., the Fillmore Gang Unit and Sheriff’s Gang Unit served a search warrant at a residence on the 700 block of Akers Street in the City of Fillmore. The search warrant was in reference to an ongoing investigation involving weapons and gang members.

During the search of the residence, gang investigators found a handgun, gang paraphernalia, a large amount of marijuana and a large amount of cash. The handgun, gang paraphernalia, marijuana and cash were confiscated as evidence by gang investigators.

Two suspects were arrested during the search. The suspects were identified as Steven Chaveste (30 years of age), and Matthew Chaveste (26 years of age), both from Fillmore. Steven was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and Matthew was charged with possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. Steven and Matthew Chaveste were booked at the Main Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Location: 700 Block of Akers Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 3-11-2011 @ 0700 AM
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police and Sheriff’s Gang Units
Report #: 11-5231
Arrestees: Address: Age:
Chaveste, Steven Fillmore, CA 30
Chaveste, Matthew Fillmore, CA 26

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Albert Ramirez
Follow-up Contact: Detective Beau Rodriguez (805) 524-2233
Date of Release: 03/11/2011
Approved by: Captain O’Hanlon

Fillmore Unified School District

Recently the non profit organization Californians Aware performed a “statewide public information audit” of several school districts in California. They were analyzing how those districts responded to requests for public information. In November 2010 Fillmore Unified School District was sent an email requesting publicly available information. FUSD received not only an “F” in this audit, but also a zero score for its complete lack of response to the written request.

When asked to comment on the “F” grade FUSD Superintendent Jeff Sweeney indicated that he was contacted by a reporter for the Ventura County Star in late February to let him know that she was writing about the audit (“School District Public Access Rating a mixed bag” Cheri Carlson, Feb. 24 2011). “I was surprised to hear that we were given an “F” by the Californians Aware organization. I recounted our process, one that we had always used, and thought we had met the measure of our responsibility.” FUSD has required anyone requesting information to fill out a simple form in order for the District to process that request. District staff reviewed their emails and located the one from CalAware in November 2010. The emails indicate that staff followed the District policy of asking the requestor to complete the Districts form in order to receive information. Sweeney reports “We followed our normal process and sent the individual a request for public records form on December 13, 2009. We asked the individual to complete the form so that we could comply with the request. When we did not hear back from the individual, we assumed that she did not wish for the requested information.”

Sweeney goes on to explain “As a follow up, I contacted our attorney to verify that we had followed proper protocol. She told me we had not. She told me that the requestor’s email sufficed for a written request. As a result, I have informed all of my staff that from this point forward, we are to honor email requests for public records.”

Mayor Gayle Washburn presented outgoing Planning Commissioner Diane McCall with a proclamation for her service at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
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The March 8, 2011 City Council came with both good and bad news. On the Council’s agenda was an unexpected savings to the residents of Fillmore, but on the Redevelopment Agency’s (RDA) agenda the City may take a large financial hit.

Agenda items included updates on the proposed community garden and dog park, extension of the employment position for Linda Pappas (Diaz), the second reading of the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for one year and the contract for street sweeping. The RDA items were a proposed revised Storefront Rehabilitation Program (SRP) criteria and the disposition of RDA property.

The Council again, similar to the last meeting, addressed a loss to the RDA on property the agency extended financial backing. The question at this meeting was what to do with the property at 401 Arundell Circle, Unit 14 which the City now owns and wants sold. At the February 22, 2011 meeting the Councils asked that an update of the disposition of the property be presented at the next Council Meeting.

On October 5, 2010 the RDA granted authorization for the property’s sale to a qualified household or an affordable housing developer. As of today the RDA has a total investment of $162,710 which includes the original down payment assistance loan of $40,000, acquisition cost of $106,500, rehabilitation and repair costs of $9,220 and payment of Homeowner Association dues from August 2009 through February, 2011.

On October 27, 2010 a market value appraisal of $152,000 was given on the property, which is almost $11,000 less than the City has invested to date.

The main factor preventing the sale is lack of available funding in the current economic climate. The property is part of a 26 unit project which is currently reported to be less than 51% owner occupied. Consequently, FHA and other federally funded loan instruments are not available to a potential buyer due to the low percentage of owners.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring informed CONTINUED »