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By Carina Monica Montoya
ISBN: 9781467109185
$23.99 | Paperback
Available: Monday, January 30, 2023

About the Book
Fillmore is nestled at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains at the confluence of the Santa Clara River and Sespe Creek. The town was formed in 1887 and named after Jerome A. Fillmore, who was the general superintendent for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time. The rail line enabled passenger travel and the transport of commercial agricultural products, and it put Fillmore on the map. Incorporated in 1914, Fillmore is one of the oldest incorporated towns in Ventura County and is designated as part of the county’s agricultural greenbelt. Fillmore’s history is based on it being located on some of the most productive agricultural and oil-rich lands in the country. Today, it is still a predominately agricultural town that supplies citrus, avocados, and a variety of vegetable crops around the country and abroad. It is a hidden small-town gem in Southern California, and its downtown architecture epitomizes small-town charm, making it a popular tourist destination and site for film and television productions.

About the Author
Author Carina Monica Montoya is a native Californian and resident of Fillmore. She has written several books for Arcadia Publishing. Some of the vintage images included here span more than 100 years and showcase Fillmore’s rich and vibrant history.

By Ken Wiseman, President Piru Neighborhood Council

There was something for everyone at this past Saturday’s Piru Christmas Parade and Festival. With over 20 entries in the parade, including the Fillmore Marching Band, Fire Dept., United Water Park services, Everde Growers float and many more. Top prizes went to Piru elementary school float that featured Principal Maria Baro as the Grinch, with lots of other enthusiastic students and faculty participating, including District Superintendent Christine Schieferle and other School board participants. 2nd place went to San Salvador youth who looked so amazing all dressed as angles, complete with halos, and 3rd place was a Christmas float entered by Alyssa Topete. Family and friends cheered when this 44th year’s Grand Marshalls, long time residents and much loved, Elma and Raymond Ponce, drove past the crowds. This year’s judges included Piru Neighborhood Council’s Treasurer, Judy Daley-Lovett, Betty-Lou Wiseman, and Boys and Girls Club’s Andrea Madrigal.

The festival then kicked off with the Mariachi Los Rayos band de Fillmore/Piru High School, followed by Urban Soul and our very own Piru River Band. Ruth’s Photography, offered free pictures of families as they posed with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at a sleigh with a real live reindeer brought to our event by Phil’s Animals. Meghan Sheetz, with Ventura County Library passed out gifts and books, with lots of other activity at the Library van.

Several vendors sold local crafts and treasures, while Busters BBQ N Grill, Tacos ZACAPU, Kona Ice, and local restaurants catered to the crowd. Carnales Motorcycle Club, for their 15th year in a row, brought a truck load of toys and every child had there pick. Ventura Fire Safety was present to promote fire safety, while Rancho Camulos personnel were present to share Piru and area history.

Lots of thanks to all who attended, and special thanks to the several volunteers that made this happen. The amazing volunteer team this year was led by PNC’s Irene and Roy Ruiz and Manny and Juanita Mendoza also special thanks to our lead sponsor American Water, and a call out to the film industry and other businesses and individuals that have generously supported our Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC), that hosts these events.

The PNC is actively recruiting volunteers to help with these events. If you are interested, contact us at piruneighborhoodcouncilinc@yahoo.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During the month of December 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) detectives began an investigation into Jacob Escobedo related to illegal firearms and narcotics. During the investigation, detectives learned Escobedo is a convicted felon and on parole with a criminal history that prohibits him for owning and or possessing any firearms and ammunition.

On December 14th, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives coordinated with Fillmore Patrol to contact Escobedo in the city of Fillmore. Fillmore Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop of Escobedo and executed a parole search of his person and vehicle. During the search, deputies located two loaded “Ghost Gun” firearms as well as a small amount of marijuana. Unregistered firearms such as the ones seized are commonly referred to as “Ghost Guns” because they are illegally manufactured firearms that lack serial numbers or markings.

Escobedo was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a parole hold. Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives are continuing to investigate multiple firearm violations Escobedo was found to be in violation of and anticipate further felony criminal charges. Escobedo remains in custody with no bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities by actively investigating illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Matt Smith at 805-797-2891.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our 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: Felon Arrested in Connection with Multiple Firearm Violations
Report Number: 22-165639
Location: 700 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12/14/2022 @ 10:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Escobedo, Jacob, Santa Paula, 36
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Matt Smith
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

A common sight here in Fillmore is a medium-size gray colored dog playing ball in the grassy area at the small park in the Bridges development. Her name is Scruffy and she’s a 5-year-old terrier-mix rescue. Scruffy can run alongside of the fastest greyhound, play ball and catch a frisbee as good as a champion Border Collie, work as proficient as any Golden or Labrador Retriever, perform guard dog duties as well as any German Shepherd, smart enough to rub elbows with highly trained protection dogs, and can provide affection and comfort to humans as good as a trained therapy dog. The main reason Scruffy is such a special dog is because she’s loved and is treated as a member of the family. To Scruffy, she belongs to a forever pack.

Found abandoned, alone, and wandering the streets in the San Fernando Valley when she was about 10 weeks old, an animal control officer found her and brought her to the shelter. She was a lucky dog, and I was fortunate to find her. She was my Christmas present in December 2017. It is a curious phenomenon that people often dump their animals around the holidays, and it is also around the holidays when people want puppies to give as gifts. It is easier to understand that sometimes it is necessary for a dog to be re-homed or taken to a non-kill shelter to be adopted for reasons beyond an owner’s control, such as loss of the owner, loss of a job, or relocation to a place where the owner cannot have a dog. Unfortunately, some people choose to dispose of a dog by taking it somewhere and turning it loose, or dumping puppies in a trash can. Dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, and protection. Leaving it to wander at the risk of being killed by a car or wildlife, or abandoning it to die from starvation and dehydration from a trash can they are unable to escape, is human behavior that I will never understand.

Bringing a dog into your home is a responsibility. All domesticated dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, safety, exercise, and attention. I’m sure that all dog-lovers agree that if you don’t treat your dog as a family member, you shouldn’t have a dog. The saying, “a dog is man’s best friend” was first used in 1789 when King Frederick of Prussia said, “the only absolute and best friend that a man has in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog.” This is one reason that dogs have been man’s best friend for at least the past 15,000 years. Dogs are descendants from wolves, which man befriended, tamed, and cared for in exchange for them to work as guard dogs. It is said that “this reciprocal relationship remains in your dog’s genes and their loyalty is a by-product of it.”

There are approximately 3,500 animal shelters in the U.S. that are filled with unwanted animals. By rescuing a dog from a shelter, you will be doing your part in saving it from an uncertain fate. In return, the dog will be grateful for getting a second chance, and you will get unconditional love, loyalty, and much more. Many people looking to adopt a dog prefer a puppy, but adopting young and older dogs often has positive benefits, such as they are no longer teething; they are house trained; and they have been socialized with people and other animals.

If you are thinking about giving a dog as a gift to someone for Christmas, consider adopting a rescue because there are so many dogs in need of a permanent home. To me, Scruffy is a “gift that keeps on giving.” Little does she know that I am the lucky one.

Happy Holidays to you and your furry pets!

Lin Thomas (1941-2022)

The FHS Alumni Association is receiving donations for a new Industrial Arts Scholarship in the name of Lin Thomas, FHS ’59. Lin passed away on May 27, 2022. He taught various industrial art classes at Fillmore High until his retirement in 2002. In each of the final three years of teaching he led an auto restoration project that entailed him and his students restoring a Ford Model A Pickup which they subsequently drove in the History Channel’s Great Race. If you would like to make a donation to this scholarship in Mr. Thomas’s name, you can mail your check to FHS Alumni., 559 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, CA. 93015. You can also make a donation via the Alumni’s Website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com, click on “Donate” and follow the prompts. Thank You.