Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department

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 6th, 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 ext. 226.

On April 18th, 2023, a brandishing of a firearm occurred in the area of Silverstrand Beach placing two beach goers in fear for their safety.

On April 18th, 2023, at about 2:26 pm, two adult victims were visiting the area of Silverstrand Beach in the unincorporated area of Oxnard. While attempting to park their vehicle, the victims encountered several subjects drinking near another nearby vehicle. One of the subjects, later identified as 20-year-old Jadon Franco, brandished a “Glock” style handgun that was in his waistband. Fearing for their safety, the victims left the area and called 9-1-1. Deputies responded to the area and located a group of subjects matching the description provided by the victims. Franco was identified as the subject who brandished the firearm at the victims, however, was unarmed at the time he was contacted by deputies.
Deputies and the Sheriff’s K9 later located a black Glock style “Ghost Gun” loaded with 10 live rounds of ammunition in the magazine, which was hidden in the area Franco had first been observed.

Franco was later arrested, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Detectives obtained a signed search warrant for Franco and his residence, which was served with the assistance of Detectives from the Fillmore Police Department, Ojai Police Department, and West County Special Enforcement Unit.

Based on the investigation, Franco was booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, California for the following charges: 417.3 PC / Brandishing at a Person in a Motor Vehicle, 29800(a) PC / Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, 30305(a) PC / Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, 25850(a) PC / Carry a Loaded Firearm in Public, 29815(a) PC / Possession of Firearm as Express Condition of Probation, 25400(a)(2) PC / Carrying a Concealed Firearm (pistol), 25400(c)(4) PC / , and PC 27545 PC.

A ghost gun is a home-made firearm that lacks serial numbers or any markings that allow it to be tracked. Ghost guns are normally used by persons who are prohibited from being in possession of a firearm, to circumvent background checks, and legal means of purchasing a firearm. Ghost guns are illegal to possess unless they are properly registered through the state.

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: Brandishing of a Weapon / Firearm Arrest
Report Number: 23-48825
Location: Sawtelle Avenue @ Island View Avenue, Silver Strand
Date & Time: 04/18/2023 @ 1426 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Headquarters Detectives, Fillmore Police Detectives, Ojai Police Detectives, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff’s K9 Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(S) Jadon Franco Oxnard 20
(V) Male Oxnard 24
(V) Female Oxnard 24

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Juan Cordova
Approved by: Captain Ron Chips

Fillmore Patrol Deputies arrested a suspect who fled from the scene of an accident after crashing
his vehicle into a business.

On the early morning of April 15th, 2023, a patrol deputy observed a vehicle driving in a reckless
manner in the city of Fillmore. The patrol deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle to conduct
a traffic stop and observed the vehicle lose control and crash into the side of a business in the
1300 block of Ventura Street. The collision caused several thousands of dollars of damage to
the business and city property. As the deputy was driving up to the scene of the collision, the
male driver fled the scene on foot. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the
suspect.

Multiple residents in the nearby area provided surveillance video to the Sheriff’s Office from their
homes, capturing the suspect fleeing on foot from the traffic collision. The surveillance video,
along with other evidence collected at the scene, was used to positively identify the hit-and-run
suspect as Fillmore resident, Reynaldo Estrada, who is currently on California State Parole
for 28002(a)-Reckless Evading in a Vehicle.

On the afternoon of April 15th, 2023, deputies located Estrada at a residence in the 700
block of Fourth Street. Estrada was arrested for a parole violation, hit and run driving, reckless driving, and resisting/delaying a peace Officer. Estrada was booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility in Ventura. Estrada remains in jail awaiting his court appearance without bail.

Nature of Incident: Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested
Report Number: 23-47357
Location: 700 Block of Fourth Street in Fillmore
Date & Time: April 15th, @ 5:50 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Serivces
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(A) Reynaldo Estrada, 28, Fillmore
Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Senior Deputy John Schnereger

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

After 12 years of service, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy John Schnereger has been promoted to Senior Deputy and will no longer serve the Fillmore Unified School District as a School Resource Officer.

Deputy Schnereger has a diverse background through his education, military, and law enforcement experience. Deputy Schnereger has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies – both with an emphasis in archaeology from the University of Southern California, and has a Masters of Arts degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

After graduating from college, Deputy Schnereger served six years in the military before starting his career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked assignments in the jail, Ojai, Moorpark, and Headquarters stations.

Deputy Schnereger said, “I’ve enjoyed my time over the past 2 years working with Fillmore Unified School District staff and students and appreciate the opportunity to impact student lives. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to use my passion for mentoring and developing youth throughout my career and will continue my work with the Boys & Girls Club and R.M. Pyles Boys Camp.”

This past week was the 2023 Fillmore Flower Show. This year’s theme was “Garden Treasures” and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s winners are pictured above: (l-r) Julie Latshaw, Colleen Chandler, Carmen Zermeño, Jean Westering, Bene Ambrosio, Michelle Smith and Lupe Garcia. Inset, some of the submissions for this year’s show. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Teacher Doris Nichols’ Fillmore Middle School students’ artwork was also on display at the Fillmore Flower Show. Also, a café was created for visitors to sit and chat as well as snack on some tea and treats, something they hope to continue for next year. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Above are more Flower Arrangements from this past weekends Flower show. Photo courtesy Jan Lee.
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By Jan Lee
Once again, local gardeners brought their “Garden Treasures” to the Fillmore Flower Show. The Active Adult Center was lovely with all the flowers and plants on display. Otto and Sons Nursery brought many yard decorations, plants and roses to further beautify the show.
It takes many people to plan and organize the flower show. The Civic Pride Committee would like to thank those who donated door prizes:
- Civic Pride volunteers
- Diamond Realty and Investments
- El Pescador Restaurant
- Green Thumb Nursery
- Houry Meguerditchian at Tracks Store
- King and King Ranch
- La Flor Bonita
- Los Altos Estilo Jalisco Restaurant
- Nancy Cope
- Otto and Sons Nursery
- Roan Mills Bakery
- Santiago Ranch
- The Scented Path
- The Treasure Station
- Vallarta Restaurant
- Yani’s Best Restaurant
- Sandi Ward’s Train Stop
Music on Saturday, April 15 was provided by Miss Faustina Walenski and Sunday by Barry Cooper. The music added to the enjoyment of the flower show.
The Committee would also like to thank everyone who brought flowers and plants. So many people went into their garden to select the best blooms to share with their community. Some of the dish gardens and potted plants have been growing for many years and seem to be family friends. Also, many of the participants took the extra care to make their entries reflect the theme, “Garden Treasures”.
The judges had a tough job. Each year the two judges volunteer their time to rate everything on display. They are professionals, but love coming to Fillmore so never let us pay them for their expertise.
Who were the 2023 winners?
Julie Latshaw won Best of Show with her gorgeous single stem cut iris (Division II). Michelle Smith won (Division I) Single Stem Cut Rose with her pink rose, “First Prize”. Michelle Smith also won (Division III), Other Single Stem Cut Flower with her Cymbidiums. Michelle told the crowd that she learned to grow flowers as a member of the Ventura Garden Club and encouraged others to join in the fun. Bene Ambrosio won (Division IV), Bouquets with her beautiful white watsonia. (Division V), Arrangements, was won by Colleen Chandler with her dramatic peach blossoms artistically arranged in an Asian vase. (Division VI), Miniature Arrangements and Bouquets has two categories and two winners. Carmen Zermeño won for Class B not to exceed 10 by 10 inches. Jean Westering won Class A not to exceed 4 by 4 inches. She said the vase for her arrangement was brought from Japan by her father at the end of World War II. (Division VII), Potted Plants, was won by Lupe Garcia, with her red Crown of Thorns plant. This was Lupe’s first year to enter! (Division VIII), Dish Gardens, was won by Carmen Zermeño, with a great succulent garden.
The Youth Arrangements were especially good this year. The young people really tried to follow the theme. (Division X), Youth Arrangements, was won by Dorie Klittich. The Youth Composition, (Division XI), was wan by Alice Klittich. Thank you to our talented Youth who entered. Thank you to their parents and teachers who encouraged them.
Ms. Doris Nichols brought her Fillmore Middle School student’s art work which added to the show. Regina Nuñez created the cafe for visitors to sit and chat and have a homemade cookie and a glass of tea. The plant boutique was popular again this year. All in all, it was a wonderful event. It will return again next year, so get cultivating!

Concerned citizen Tracey Stewart spoke at Tuesday’s regular Fillmore City Council meeting, asking for help from the city to have Sierra Northern Railway move their graffiti-covered railcars from the present Grand Avenue-7th Street railroad tracks.
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Items 9.A-D approved 5-0

Item 9-E continued to April 25 with 5-0 vote.
9.A REQUEST: That the City Council adopt Resolution Number 23-3933 declaring a real property at the northeast corner of Mountain View and Santa Clara Streets in the City of Fillmore (“Property”) to be surplus, authorizing offers for the purchase of the Property pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, and finding these activities to be exempt from CEQA. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve Resolution No. 23-3933 declaring the Property to be surplus, authorizing offers for the purchase of the Property pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, and finding these activities to be exempt from CEQA.

9.B SUMMARY: Staff is requesting the City Council to the Council initiate annual proceedings and review the FY 2023-24 proposed assessments for the City’s Landscape and Lighting (L&L) Assessment Districts. In order for the City to proceed, the City Council must also approve the Preliminary Annual Engineer’s Reports for Fiscal Year 2023-24, adopt the attached resolutions, and set a public hearing date for May 23, 2023.

RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1. Adopt Resolution 23-3931 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Initiating Proceedings for the Annual Levy of Assessments for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, Pursuant to the Provisions of Part 2 of Division 15 of the California Streets and Highways Code; 2. Adopt Resolution 23-3925 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Preliminarily Approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024; 3. Adopt Resolution 23-3926 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Declaring its Intention to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and Setting a Public Hearing to Consider This Proposal; 4. Adopt Resolution 23-3927 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore.

9-C REQUEST Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-3932 declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, approve the preliminary Annual Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24, and set a Public Hearing for May 23, 2023, to receive public comments on the proposed assessments.

CITY COUNCIL GOAL This addresses the City Council’s goal to strive to ensure that Fillmore has the necessary components for new construction and maintenance of all infrastructure. RECOMMENDATIONS City staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: 1 Adopt Resolution No. 23-3932 Declaring the Intention to Levy the Annual Assessment for FY 2022-23 for Fillmore Storm Drain Maintenance Assessment District Nos. 01, 01A, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07A, 07B, and 07C.
9.D REQUEST The owner of property located at 461 Central, LLC (Alex Glasscock, “Owner”), is requesting that the City Council approve a second amendment to the Property Remediation Agreement (Attachment 1) for the property located at 461 Central Avenue (“Property”). The requested amendment to the Agreement will allow the Applicant until October 20, 2023 to complete the last two items required pursuant to the Conditions of Approval. Currently, under the Agreement and the time extensions previously granted, these last two (undergrounding utilities and installing benches) tasks are required to be completed by April 20, 2023.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council: 1) Approve the Second Amendment to Property Remediation Agreement with 461 Central, LLC to extend the deadline to October 20, 2023.
9.E RE: PROPOSITION 218 HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR 2023 THOUGH 2027 REQUEST Staff recommends that City Council conduct the Proposition 218 hearing for the sewer and water rates and accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 water rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3914. Further, staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 sewer rates by adopting Resolution No 23-3915.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 water rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3914. Further, staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 sewer rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3915.

Fillmore Middle School’s New Resource Officer, Deputy Yolanda Avila

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

The Fillmore Unified School District would like to welcome Deputy Yolanda Avila to Fillmore Middle School as our new School Resource Officer. Please stay tuned for meet-and-greet opportunities!

Deputy Avila said, “My name is Yolanda Ávila, and I am the new Fillmore School Resource Officer. I am a proud native of Ventura County. I was born and raised in the City of Oxnard with my siblings. I am fluent in Spanish and English, and this has provided me the opportunity to better serve our diverse community. Throughout my career, I have served Ventura County in various assignments. I have served in the county jail and as a patrol officer for the City of Moorpark. While working for the Sheriff’s Office. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to use my passion for mentoring and developing youth throughout my career. I have worked with our local AYSO, and have made it a goal to volunteer in local schools. I look forward to using my life-long experiences and drive to help students as Fillmore’s newest SRO.”

Don’t miss the 2023 Fillmore Flower Show on Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16 from 1p.m. to 4p.m., at the Fillmore active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street. This year’s theme is “Garden Treasures.” Check-in your entries Saturday, April 15 at 7:30a.m. Above are winners from a previous flower show. Photo credit Jan Lee.
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By Jan Lee

Since 1919, the Flower Show has been a tradition in Fillmore. You will want to participate in this historic event on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16 at the Active Adult Center on Santa Clara Street in Fillmore. The theme this year is “Garden Treasures”. Bring your entry Saturday morning between 7:30 and 10 a.m. Cost is $5 to exhibit, no matter how many entries you have. All Youth entries are free.

The Flower Show will be open for public viewing from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is FREE.

What will you see at the Fillmore Flower Show? Youth compositions and art, single stem cut flowers of all sizes, shapes and colors, bouquets, arrangements large and small, potted plants and dish gardens. You will hear some lovely live music. You can taste yummy cookies. You can smell the most fragrant rose. You can’t touch the exhibits, but you can pick up some plants at the plant boutique.

But there are bonuses also. Your entry might win an award. You might meet a new friend. There are people who attend the Flower Show who are expert floriculturists who might share some ideas with you. Enjoy the community where you live. Come to the Fillmore Flower Show.