Sespe Creek looking south.
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Main Sespe Creek looking north.
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Preparing to lower the measuring device of Old Telegraph Road bridge into Sespe Creek.
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The measuring device about to enter the water below.
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Bringing up the measuring device to check the reading.
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(l-r) Matt Melchiorsen and Mike Gaedeke readjusting the Price AA stream flow measuring device above the lead weight. Seeing spots? Relax. Your eyes are OK. The spots are water drops on the lens. It was raining!
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Graph of stream height measured at monitoring station upstream from Old Telegraph Road.
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Mother Nature roared... poured... and Sespe Creek did rise. And it's flowing a shade of muddy chocolate.

Being the biggest rain “event” since 2005, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) dispatched a crew from Santa Maria to measure... and document... the creek stream flow.

Scientifically speaking... discharge is the volume of water moving down a stream per unit of time, commonly expressed in cubic feet per second or gallons per day. In general, creek discharge is computed by multiplying the area of water in a channel cross section by the average velocity of the water in that cross section.

The method used by the USGS team on Sunday 3/20/11 was the current-meter method. They first tied a string marked in one-foot increments across the Old Telegraph Road bridge. Every eight feet or so... they lowered a Price AA measuring current meter suspended above a heavy lead weight. The Price AA current meter has a wheel of six metal cups that revolve around a vertical axis. An electronic signal is transmitted by the meter on each revolution allowing the revolutions to be counted and timed. Because the rate at which the cups revolve is directly related to the velocity of the water, the times revolutions are used to determine the water velocity. The reading was taken at about every eight feed across the entire width of Sespe Creek.

According to Matthew Scrudato of the Santa Maria USGS field office, measurements are taken during major weather events in order to maintain data relative to stream capacity compared to base level flows, stream flow shifts, creek bed shifts and other related data. Scrudato emphasized that the USGS is a data collecting agency – not a managerial agency. The data they collect is used by a several agencies involved in flood stages and control, stream bed shifts and the like.

In case you're wondering, the stream flow under the Old Telegraph Road bridge at 5 PM, 3/20/11, measured 35,700 cubic feet per second. That is a lot of water. But not as much as the creek flow of 2005.

Use this url to monitor the USGS creek flow monitoring station #11113000 in Fillmore..

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=NONE&sear...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

OAKLAND, Calif. - With many communities throughout the nation facing threats of spring flooding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are once again joining forces to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14 - 18.

FEMA and NOAA's National Weather Service are providing tips and information to help individuals and families prepare for flooding dangers during the week and throughout the spring season. The resources can be accessed at the Flood Safety Awareness Week landing page, located at www.ready.gov/floodawareness.

"As the nation's most common and expensive natural disaster, floods can strike virtually every community," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We're encouraging individuals and families to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their property. These include learning about their risk of flooding, having an emergency preparedness kit, storing important documents in a safe place and considering the purchase of flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover flooding, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect so it's important to act now."

Floods do more than damage property; they can also threaten lives if safety precautions are not followed. "Floods occur somewhere in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year, killing nearly 100 people on average annually and causing damage in the billions of dollars," said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., director of the National Weather Service. "Awareness, preparedness and action are the key ingredients to protecting lives and property when floods threaten. One essential safety tip is to never cross a road that is covered by water. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown."

According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding each year, than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. All areas of the country can be at risk for flooding and when such conditions are forecast, important information and life-saving alerts are available at www.weather.gov.

More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Remember flash flooding can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop. Be prepared to take detours and adjust your route due to road closures if there is standing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Flood water may be much deeper than it appears as theroadbed may be washed out. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

In most cases, standard homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damages. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to renters, homeowners, and business owners through thousands of insurance agents located in nearly 21,000 communities around the nation. Flood coverage can be purchased for properties both in, and outside of, the highest risk areas but should be considered regardless of where you live since 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.

The average cost of a policy is $570 a year, and Preferred Risk Policies outside of SFHAs can be as low as $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about seasonal flood risks and what to do to prepare by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) FloodSmart.gov Web site, or by calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

Eric, Riley and Wilma
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Linda, Joe and Deb
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Joe & Hunter rest between searches
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Bill Monahan & Hunter
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Riley with the teams
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All six Search Dog Foundation teams deployed to Japan to help with the search efforts returned safely home last night, including local teams Eric & Riley, Linda & Joe

This was SDF’s 76th deployment, and the first international deployment for Search Teams Eric Gray & Riley and Linda Tacconelli & Joe. The other four SDF teams deployed to Japan—Ron Horetski & Pearl, Bill Monahan & Hunter, Jasmine Segura & Cadillac, and Gary Durian & Baxter—are veterans of the January 2010 Haiti earthquake deployment where they helped bring 12 people to safety.

SDF HANDLER ERIC GRAY:
“Just being at this deployment to Japan was life-changing for me. We were surrounded by complete destruction. I realized that the objects I was walking on had come from somewhere else far away. At first it was challenging just to get your head around it all. Seeing the dogs function in this extreme search environment completely validated the training we have done.”

SDF FOUNDER WILMA MELVILLE:
“I was at the Task Force facility near Los Angeles to welcome home our Search Teams from their deployment to Japan. You can imagine my joy, relief, and pride, when I saw the buses carrying the 72 members of Los Angeles Task Force 2 roll into the receiving area. The handlers looked tired and relieved, but also cheerful and upbeat, and so proud of their dogs! The welcoming crowd was full of warmth, admiration and appreciation. Though no survivors were found during the search, we are all so grateful to the teams, knowing they brought comfort to the devastated community, assuring residents that everything possible had been done to find survivors."

American Red Cross of Ventura County

Ventura, CA, March 20, 2011: Due to large amounts of rain in the past 24 hours, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for parts of Ventura County. The County Office of Emergency Services is strongly encouraging people to not travel unless necessary, and people in low-lying areas should be prepared to take necessary actions to leave their home should rain levels increase to flood-level stages.

The American Red Cross would like to remind residents of the following preparedness tips:

If your area is under a Flood Watch or Warning:

Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Items you should have gathered and ready:

Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day

Food—at least a 3-day supply of non- perishable, easy-to-prepare food

Flashlight Ë Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, more than half a million volunteers and 30,000 employees helped victims of 70,000 disasters nationwide; and taught lifesaving skills to millions. Locally, the American Red Cross, San Luis Obispo County Chapter provided services to more than 20,000 members of our community and distributed disaster preparedness and health and safety materials to thousands of school children, seniors and community members. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. For more information, please contact the American Red Cross, San Luis Obispo County Chapter at (805) 987-1514. You can now follow the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter on Twitter for up to date information: @RedCrossVentura.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 03/20/2011, at about 4:45 PM, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls of overdue hikers in the Ventura County backcountry. It was quickly determined that many of these missing individuals were all associated with a professional hiking group - the “Los Padres Sierra Club.” The reporting parties said the club members had not returned from an overnight camping trip in the Los Padres National Forest. The number of missing club members was believed to be around 20 to 30 members.

As the information developed further, it was learned that this group of hikers set out into the forest on Saturday morning, 03/19/2011, in the face of the on-coming storm. The club then split into three separate groups, with each group being led by a Sierra Club “team leader” and each group hiking in a different area of the forest. The information as to exactly where these three groups planned to hike was limited. According to the reporting parties, their plan was to spend the night in the mountains and then hike out Sunday morning.

Through interviews with concerned family members, it was determined the three groups were likely in or around the Middle Matillija, Middle Lions Camp, and Potrero John areas of the Los Padres National Forest. All three of these areas can be accessed off of Hwy 33, above the City of Ojai. Sheriff’s personnel were also able to obtain vehicle information from the reporting parties, so Search and Rescue (SAR) resources were immediately deployed to the above-mentioned areas to try and locate the missing vehicles at the various campgrounds and/or trailheads that dot the area. A Sheriff’s helicopter was also dispatched to assist with the search, however the helicopter was unable to access the mountain areas due to the high winds, rain and poor visibility generated from the powerful storm system.

The Upper Ojai Mountain Rescue Team was able to locate several vehicles believed to belong to the Sierra Club hiking parties in the areas of Lion’s Camp and Potrero John. The SAR Team checked the immediate area around these locations, however they were unable to hike down the trails due to swollen and treacherous water crossings that had developed due to the heavy rains and large amount of storm run off. As a result, and due to safety concerns, the decision was made to suspend further rescue operations until the next morning.

As the Ojai SAR Team was leaving the area, the SAR Team Captain (Bill Slaughter) noticed some lights coming from a ridge top. The area where the lights were coming from was on top of a steep cliff. Believing the lights to be associated with some of the missing Sierra Club hikers, a ground based search and rescue operation was immediately initiated. Members of the East Valley Mountain Rescue Team responded to assist the Ojai SAR Team with the rescue. SAR members were given assignments to try and access the area on foot. At about 11:00 PM, SAR members made contact with (4) four of the missing Sierra Club members – all of whom were in a very precarious situation. The four members explained that they had experienced heavy rains all night on Saturday night, so they set out first thing Sunday morning to try and make it out of the backcountry. As they tried to hike out, the four individuals found that they were no longer able to cross the water crossings, so they abandoned their tents and backpacks and attempted to scale a ridgeline to make it to Hwy 33. They soon became very tired and very cold.

The Ojai and East Valley SAR Teams had to rig safety lines across the water crossings, as well as a waterfall, and then secure each individual in a harness system in order to pull them safely across the dangerous water and steep terrain. All four Sierra Club members were suffering from exposure to the cold and were subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital. During the rescue efforts, one SAR member received minor injuries that required later treatment at a local Urgent Care facility. The rescue efforts to locate the remaining members of the Sierra Club were suspended to the following morning.

On Monday morning, 03/21/2011, the Sheriff’s helicopter launched at 6:45 AM, in hopes of locating the remaining members of the Sierra Club. A second group of Sierra Club members were found in the Middle Lions Camp area. These individuals were also unable to cross the water crossings that had swollen to dangerous levels due to the storm. The helicopter crew was able to land and load (9) nine individuals onto the helicopter, and then flew them out of danger and back to their cars. No injuries were reported in this second group. The Sheriff’s Helicopter then located the last group of Sierra Club members in the area of Middle Matillija. This group was also trapped by the swollen water crossings. The helicopter crew was not able to land, therefore 100 ft. hoist rescues had to be performed on each one of these (6) six individuals. The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit was then able to determine that all of the missing Sierra Club members were accounted for.

In total, (19) nineteen Sierra Club members were rescued, requiring over 239 man-hours and 3.6 helicopter hours. The rescued Sierra Club members are as follows:

Name Age City of Residence
Teresa Norris 56 Fillmore
Eileen Crump 53 Fillmore
Annette Klaus 55 Ventura
Panuakdet Suwannatat 28 Goleta
Pam Rochell 49 Santa Barbara
Irene Rauschember 60 Oxnard
Marc Hertz 65 Van Nuys
Todd Glasspoole 32 Ventura
Lenore Carletom 56 Ventura
Suzanne Tanaka 56 Ventura
Cara Peden 30 Ventura
Steve George 49 Ventura
Barbara Poitras 58 Ventura
Catherine Rossbach 62 Ventura
Alisse Fisher 51 Oxnard
Karen Vokmer 44 Ventura
Hannah Somers 22 Oxnard
Derek Brumfield 34 Goleta
Glenn Newton 51 Moorpark

In addition to the rescue of the Sierra Club, on Monday morning, 03/21/2011, the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit responded to the Willet Hot Springs area of the Los Padres Forest on two separate reports of additional missing hikers – one group of five men out of Orange County was reported missing, as well as another group of two men and a dog out of the City of Ojai. The Sheriff’s helicopter responded to the location and discovered the missing groups and performed the rescues without incident.

As storms move through our area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit would once again like to remind all residents of the dangers that accompany this type of weather.

o Please refrain from entering the backcountry until after the storms have long passed.

o As the local mountains and hillsides reach their saturation points, the chances for flash floods, mudslides, and large amounts of storm run-off in the local drainage channels increases dramatically.

o Always notify a friend or loved one of your plans and location when entering the wilderness. If you deviate from your hiking plan, be advised that if no one knows where you are it is going to seriously delay emergency response in the event you need help.

o Do not attempt to cross moving water - either on foot or in vehicles. Normally shallow water crossings become very hazardous during heavy rains as the water flows increase suddenly and without warning.

o The increased water flows in the local drainage channels can be very attractive and luring to children and young adults. A simple slip and fall into this fast moving water often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers. Please ensure that your children are admonished on the dangers of the fast moving water and told not enter any of these areas.

o Increased surf activity at the local beaches is another hazard that draws people to the shoreline to view the large waves and heavy surf. Please do not enter the water or venture out onto the jetties or rocks along the local beaches. Large waves are unpredictable and past incidents have taught us that getting washed into the heavy surf often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers.

o Please report any dangerous activity on or around waterways and beaches over the upcoming days. Prevention and early detection is key to avoiding tragedies

Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: 03/20/2011 - 03/21/2011
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit
Officer Preparing Release: Captain Dave Kenney / Sheriff’s Aviation Unit
Follow-up Contact: Sheriff’s Aviation - S.A.R. Unit (805) 388-4212
Date of Release: 03/21/2011

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service (NOAA)

Event: Flash Flood Watch Target Area: Ventura County Coastal Valleys Ventura County Interior Valley

Alert: ...FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS POSSIBLE FOR THE RECENT BURN AREAS... .A STRONG LATE SEASON STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BRING HEAVY RAIN TO SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL WILL OCCUR OVER LOS ANGELES COUNTY THROUGH THIS EVENING. HOWEVER...WIDESPREAD SHOWER ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE ACROSS VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES THIS EVENING. IN ADDITION...THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA. RAINFALL RATES BETWEEN THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH PER HOUR AND AN INCH AND A HALF PER HOUR WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE RECENT BURN AREAS. THESE RAINFALL RATES WOULD EXCEED USGS THRESHOLDS DETERMINED SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE RECENT BURN AREAS. THEREFORE... FLASH FLOOD WATCHES REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE RECENT BURN AREAS. ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT MONDAY... THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * THE GUIBERSON BURN AREA * THROUGH LATE TONIGHT * RAINFALL RATES OF THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH PER HOUR AND AN INCH AND A HALF PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. * FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOW WILL BE A THREAT IN AND BELOW THE RECENT BURN AREAS. Instructions: A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. RESIDENTS IN OR BELOW THE RECENTLY BURNED AREAS ARE URGED TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS.

County of Ventura, California

The Ventura County Emergency Planning Council Executive Leadership has requested a special meeting of the Emergency Planning Council to discuss the Ventura County Operational Area response to the 9.0 Honshu Earthquake.

Date: Monday, March 21, 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Ventura County Public Health, Administrative Conference Room #200,
2240 East Gonzales Boulevard, Oxnard, CA

Items to be discussed will include inter-agency coordination, public information, and response planning. This meeting is open to the public and the media.

Members of the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council include: Supervisor Linda Parks (Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 2), Sheriff Geoff Dean (Ventura County Sheriff’s Department), Laura Hernandez (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services), Chief Bob Roper (Ventura County Fire Department), Marty Robinson (Ventura County Executive Office), Mike Powers (Ventura County Health Care Agency), Ed Sotelo (City of Oxnard), James McGee (American Red Cross of Ventura County), Jeff Pratt (Ventura County Public Works Director), Captain James McHugh (Naval Base Ventura County), Connie Hall (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), Chief Kevin Rennie (City of Ventura Fire Department), Dr. Dick Rush (California State University Channel Islands), Bill Buratto (Ventura County Economic Development Agency), Barry Fisher (Ventura County Public Health Department), Paul Grossgold (Ventura County General Services Agency), and Chief Mike Lewis (City of Simi Valley Police Department).

Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Follow-up Contact: Laura Hernandez, OES Manager (805) 654-2552

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.
Enlarge Photo

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 »

Fillmore Police 2010 Report: Captain Tim Hagel with the Ventura County Sheriff’s office comments “[We] will be challenged in 2011 as we strive to deliver the same level of public services [amidst statewide cuts]… we [continue] to rely on the community [to help] us.” According to Hagel Fillmore police responded to almost “6,000 calls for service… during 2010.” This includes a slight increase in actual crimes, 690 in 2010 compared to 688 in 2009, both of those years down from 743 crimes in 2008. Hagel reports “The biggest increase in crime categories [in 2010] were assaults due to gang activity and family issues.” He continues that the largest “decrease in crimes were in robberies, forgery and vandalism.” 2010 saw 182 counts of vandalism, nearly all graffiti. Hagel reports that there were two homicides in 2010, “one was gang related (gang on gang) and the other was a family dispute.”

Hagel states “Our emphasis in 2010 and 2011 has been early gang intervention with teens and young children in the city. We have established a strong teen mentoring program with three local organizations; One Step A La Vez, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We could not do our job without these organizations supporting our combined efforts with the Fillmore School District.”

Fillmore’s Crime stats for 2010:
128 Traffic Accidents (down 4.5%)
52 Drunk Drivers Arrested
2187 Traffic Citations Issued
165 Felony Arrests
1060 Misdemeanor Arrests
182 Vandalism (nearly all graffiti)
206 Thefts
9 Forgery
93 Assaults
5 Robbery
2 Homicides
2 Rape (suspects known)
51 Burglaries
20 Stolen Cars
253 Domestic Fight Calls
103 Miscellaneous crimes

Fillmore Fire 2010 Report: According to Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros “2010 was a very busy year for Fillmore Fire Department.” In addition to responding to 1017 calls for service, daily training on “basic [and advanced] life support skills”, and daily fire suppression skills practice, the firehouse restarted their High School Cadet program and implemented a brand new Fire Academy. Landeros states “This [Cadet] program offers high school students hands on experience [in a fire department].” Cadets work with “fire hoses, power tools, claim ladder, breathing apparatuses” as well as learning responsibility and “good work habits.” According to Landeros “[The Academy for new volunteer firefighters] is a more structured training program that we put our new recruits through before they… start working on an engine.”

Landeros reports “Fillmore fire has started training with other fire Departments around the County (Santa Paula Fire, Oxnard Fire and Ventura County Fire).” Training with other departments provides a better environment for effective collaboration should Fillmore Fire be called to help another city or if another department is called to help in Fillmore. Landeros comments “As part of Fillmore Fire’s ongoing commitment to provide excellent customer service to the citizens [and businesses] of Fillmore…we send our Training Captain Billy Gabriel to…outside training… so he can come back and train [the entire] Department on the skills and techniques [mandated by the] State Fire Marshall.”

Emergency Preparedness; Disaster Coordinator Patrick Maynard is responsible for updating and maintaining Fillmore’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Part of Maynard’s duties is to “keep up to date on …disaster programs [throughout the County] that will help Fillmore [in the event of a disaster].” Landeros reports “Fillmore Fire has officers training monthly to insure that when an emergency happens [officers are well prepared].” Some of the training involves; MCI (Mutable Casualty Incident, structure fire operations, and Hazmat. Landeros emphasized the importance of community involvement with helping in the event of an emergency. “We are continuing to provide our citizens with … valuable [CERT, Community Emergency Response Training].” The next training should begin in April. He encourages community members to get involved in “this great training.”