Fillmore High School will live-stream their 2022 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 9th. FHS seniors will take their walk
across the stage to say their final goodbyes to Fillmore High. You can view the entire graduation using this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/AqFKyBYktfQ

Thank you, Laura Purcell, CFO of Fillmore’s Super Seal & Stripe, for organizing this great project for the Santa Paula Boys & Girls Club site. It has been a dream of the Club’s to have a new blacktop with lines for games. “The kids used to have to
imagine where the lines would be when playing games,” stated B&G Club CEO Jan Marholin. Super Seal & Stripe donated all materials and labor and Laura coordinated with Guy Tittlemier, Division Manager of Pavement Coatings Co. in Santa Paula, and Chris Aurella of traffic technologies LLC in Oxnard, to donate the rest of the materials. This project is huge for the Boys & Girls Club which ranges from 80-200 youth a day depending on the season. Thank you to all these companies for making such a positive impact for the Club!

The Rotary Club of Fillmore announced the FHS scholarship recipients. Scott Beylik introduced the Scholarship Committee; Andy Klittich, Christine Scheiferle, Barbara Filkins, Garo Kuredjian and Dick Richardson, who in turn presented the recipients and scholarships. Angelica Herrera $1,000, Emma Myers $1,000+$800 for the Don & Ruthie Gunderson Scholarship, Gabriela Herrera $1,000, Alianna Tapia $1,000, Anahi Hernandez $1,000 Davian Gonzalez $1,000, Emilia Magdaleno $1,000, Chloie Martinez $1,000+$800 for the Ari Larson Scholarship, Nathalie Magana $1,000+$800 for the Rigo Landeros Service Above Self Scholarship, Brianna Camacho $1,000, and Michael Torres $1,000.

Bill Manning, County Sheriff Howard Durley, Ralph (Curly) Burson at extreme right.
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Fillmore’s Festival Queen of 1946 Queen Ruth Johnson and Ruth Johnson her court Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull as the ride in the Parade.
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George Espinoza.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

It was May 1946. World War II had been over not yet a year. Fillmore was slowly returning to some sort of normalcy. Most servicemen were returning home, though even those that came back were changed forever by their experiences. But Fillmore was ready to shake off all that. The last festival had been in May 1941. Not enough time to get something ready for May, but maybe June?

The Fillmore Junior Chamber of Commerce, more well-known as the Jaycees, had just reorganized and were ready to take on a new challenge. The Fillmore-Piru area needed a new emergency vehicle, but that cost money, money that was still in short supply, so a fundraiser was needed. How about a festival? The first mention of a Fillmore Festival was in the May 10, 1946, Herald in a report on the Jaycee’s meeting of that week. By the next week, the City Council had approved the idea and June 22, 1946, was chosen as the date of Fillmore Frontier Festival, and with John Oxford named as overall chair.

It would only last one day, but it would be a full day of events, starting off with a parade at 10:00 A.M.

The Festival Queen would be chosen based on votes. Tickets were obtained from local merchants, one ticket for each dollar’s worth of merchandise purchased or the tickets could be bought outright for ten cents each, three for twenty-five cents. The contestant with the most votes would become festival queen with the four runners-up as her court. The race for Queen was intense with the standings posted at City Hall and reported in the newspaper. Two weeks before the festival Glendolyn Stull led with 1,974 votes, followed by Ruth Johnson with 1,633 and Billie Barden with 1,596. On the Wednesday before the Festival, Jackie Hampson was leading with 4,904 votes; Ruth Johnson was still in second with 4,260 votes followed by Billie Jean McKim with 3,830 votes. In the end, Ruth Johnson swept the field with 13,008 votes. Her court was made up of Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull, all of them gracing the Queen’s Float in the parade. Grand Marshall of the parade was Ventura County Sheriff Howard Durley.

The barbecue, headed up by Glen Fansler and Walter Hall was held on Sespe Avenue “under the peppertrees” with the newly formed VFW Auxiliary serving. It was estimated that over one thousand people were fed.

One of the more unusual events was the “Dive Bombing” by the US Army. This consisted of two US Army Air Corp planes. One did aerial acrobatics while the other flew low in an AT6 and dropped pamphlets many of which contained gift certificates redeemable at local businesses. Unfortunately many of the pamphlets landed on the roofs of business along Central Avenue and were never redeemed.

During the afternoon, a Horse Show was held on the High School football field. John Galvin, in disguise with a fake beard, stove pipe hat and frock coat, emceed the event. In the windows of City Hall, people could view Al Lamberg’s extensive collection of clocks through the ages. A hobby show was simultaneously being held at the “IOOF Hall, next to the Theatre.” Over a thousand people were estimated to go through the show. The highpoint of the hobby show was Frank Erskine’s display of woodcraft, including a tiny desk, complete with telephone, labeled “For the man with a small business.”

The men of Fillmore had been encouraged to grow beards for the festival, with prizes awarded based on audience applause. George Nadin and Ken Fine were deemed to be the winners. Gentlemen who failed to grow a beard were subject to arrest and fines. City Marshal Earl Hume was kept busy enforcing this one-day ordinance, even arresting City Attorney John Galvin who was spotted through his disguise.

Concession stands lined Central Avenue run by local groups including a shooting gallery run by Oliver Corl, Jr.; a slingshot gallery in charge of Dr. Art Fuschetti; orange juice stands run by the American Legion Auxiliary; an ice cream truck with the Methodist ladies in charge; and several games of skill run by the Jaycees, Lions and other groups.

The evening started out with an amateur show. Entries included the ever-popular George Espinoza from Santa Paula as well as three dance groups under the direction of the high school athletic teacher, Mrs. Aldona Glover. Lee Chriswell won first place with “Indian Love Call.” Mrs. Glover’s groups took second and third places. Judges were Frank Erskine, John Galvin (who must have been let out on bail) and Mrs. John Keefe.

The hectic day ended with a street dance on Central Avenue. A six-piece dance band from Ventura, the Melody Men, played for over 800 couples. The dance was interrupted at 10 pm when the Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan was given away. Although Vic Casner bought the first ticket with a silver dollar, it was won by George Matosian of Los Angeles.

So, all in all, how did the festival stack up? According to Earl Hume the day was “gratifyingly free from disturbances.” Financially, the event not only paid for the needed emergency vehicle but showed a $200 profit!

The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th at 11AM.

The featured speaker this year is Jannette Jauregui a 4th generation resident of Santa Paula. She holds a Masters Degree in Journalism and currently serves as Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Agency on Aging. Jannette’s work profiling Ventura County’s military veterans began in 2001 as a freelance journalist with the Ventura County Star. She traveled throughout Ventura County interviewing veterans primarily from World War II. Jannette has profiled more than 220 veterans many of whom have since passed away. While most of the veteran profiles Jannette has completed are in written format she has transitioned to video profiles and continues to seek local veterans to interview. Her goal is to document the personal experiences of veterans before their stories are lost forever. Jannette is the author of four books, including Ventura County Veterans; World War II to Vietnam, Of War and Life; A Decade of Stories, a Man Named Jennings; and Dad’s Song From Heaven. In addition to her current position with the County of Ventura, Jannette served as Media Relations Coordinator and Adjunct Professor for California Lutheran University, Production Assistant and Associate Producer for NBC’s Today, and Writer and Editor for the Pepperdine School for Law.

The Reverend Bob Hammond of St. Stephens Anglican Church will give the Inspirational Message and special music will be provided by Alissa Allred Thompson. Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bill Morris. The Boy Scouts & Bardsdale 4H will put out the flags on Friday, May 27th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 31st.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Lani Farr, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary ,Lisa Hammond, Greg Taylor and Bill Morris would like to invite the community to this special event.

Johnny Hurtado, receiving distinguished Flying Cross for a rescue mission on June 8, 1972.

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

During World War II Painter James, a local painter and decorator, invited military personnel and trainees from all around California to be hosted by local families for holidays and weekends. He also created an extensive collection of over 300 photos of Fillmore men and women who were in the military. These photos were displayed in different locations around town including Briggs Hardware Store and the Memorial Building. The collection now hangs in the downstairs hallway of the Fillmore Historical Museum.

The Museum volunteers would like to update and add to this collection with photos of local individuals who served during the Korean/ Viet Nam Era or later conflicts. Working from a list of Fillmore/Piru veterans provided by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars we have found corresponding photos in Fillmore High School’s Copa de Oro yearbooks. A few generous residents have shared other photos and materials. If you know someone who was in the military during these conflicts please let us know. We would like to connect with them, see their photos, and hear their stories. Our email is fillmore.museum@gmail.com, or you can call us at 805-524-0948.

On May 23, 2022, at approximately 1:00 PM, two Fillmore High School students were involved in an alteration on campus. The Fillmore School Resources Officers along with Fillmore patrol officers responded.

The altercation led to one of the students stabbing another. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested and is currently in custody. There are no additional suspects or any threats toward any other students, staff, or the public.

The Fillmore School District works closely with Fillmore Police Department to provide support and safety for the students. The SRO’s close partnership with the high school and the school district staff allowed for the prompt response of patrol units and school support resources for the safety and care of the students. The Fillmore Police Department takes pride its relationship with the Fillmore School District and its schools which led to an efficient and coordinated effort during this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this altercation is encouraged to call the Fillmore Police Department or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at the below listed numbers.

Nature of Incident: School Assault
Report Number: 22-67893
Location: Fillmore High School
Date & Time: 05/23/2022 1:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Bureau, School Resource Officer Unit, Sheriff’s Major Crimes
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
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).

On Sunday, May 15, Sheriff Bill Ayub was recognized as the Community Service Advocate of the Year by the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation at the 29th Annual Leo Tauber, MD & David Fainer, MD Community Health Care Awards.

This year’s award recognized Sheriff Ayub’s instrumental role in implementing and supporting programs that benefit mental health services and the well-being of the community. These programs include VCSO’s Veterans Outreach in Crisis Events (VOICE) program, support of the Youth Reinvestment Grant (YRG) – run in collaboration with local non-profits – to assist youth with support programs and services to stay out of the criminal justice system, and the establishment of VCSO’s Homeless Liaison Unit. As well, Sheriff Ayub was recognized for working in collaboration with Ventura County Behavioral Health, the Ventura County Public Works Agency, the Ventura County Executive Office, and other local area non-profits to find multifaceted solutions to the issue of homelessness in the communities across the county.

“I was honored to receive this recognition from the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, and I accepted it on behalf of the dedicated women and men of the Sheriff’s Office who consistently provide excellent service to keep our communities safe and on the forefront of innovative public safety practices.” – Sheriff Bill Ayub

The annual Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation’s Tauber/Fainer MD Awards recognize outstanding community contributions by those directly involved in the delivery of health care in Ventura County who, through professional, charitable, and public service activities, have demonstrated they exemplify the ideals of generosity, excellence, and integrity.

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

The Fillmore Women’s Service Club held a new officers installation event and dinner on May 19, 2022 at the Fillmore Historical Museum inside the old train depot. The event was well attended by members and guests. Former President Taurie Banks was honored for her exceptional and extended service. Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., at Tracks, located at 327 Central Avenue, Fillmore. All women interested in membership are welcome to attend the meeting.

The Fillmore Women’s Service Club was established in 1964 for the purpose of raising funds to help the community of Fillmore. The Club assists families in need, graduating seniors, women returning to education, school activities, local museums, libraries, and many other community groups. Learn more about the Fillmore Women’s Service Club and see photos of the installation event on Facebook (The Fillmore Women’s Service Club), and at www.fillmorewomensserviceclub.com.

Dixie State University recently celebrated the achievements of the institution's largest-ever graduating class of 2,684 degree candidates at the university's 111th Commencement Ceremony.

During the ceremony, held on May 6 in Greater Zion Stadium on the DSU campus, the university honored the Class of 2022, with 60 percent receiving bachelor's degrees, 38 percent associate degrees and two percent master's degrees. Candidates ranged from 16 to 79 years of age and included students from 49 states and 15 countries. Of the graduates, 63 percent are female and 37 percent are male.

Kasey Crawford from Fillmore was among the graduates recognized at the event.

"What a tremendous honor it is to celebrate the achievements of our graduating Trailblazers," Dixie State University President Richard B. Williams said. "Thanks to the experience they have gained through our hands-on educational opportunities, the Class of 2022 is graduating career-ready and will continue to blaze their own trails and make a difference in the world for years to come."

The featured speaker at the event was Carly Fiorina, founder and chairman of Carly Fiorina Enterprises and former CEO of Hewlett Packard. From heading several philanthropic organizations, tackling global poverty and promoting female empowerment to leading Hewlett Packard to become the 11th largest company in the U.S. in the midst of the worst technology recession in 25 years and running for president in 2016, Fiorina is recognized as a passionate advocate for problem-solving, innovation and effective leadership.

Above are two loaded semi-automatic handguns police recovered when conducting their search. Photo courtesy Ventura County Sheriffs Department.

On May 6, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives conducted a parole search at a park in Ventura, which resulted in two subjects being arrested for parole violations and the recovery of two unregistered firearms.

On May 6, 2022, at approximately 1749 hours, SGU detectives were conducting directed enforcement in the Saticoy area and contacted three subjects at Huntsigner Park located at 1198 S. Saticoy Avenue in Ventura. Two of the subjects are documented gang members and are on active parole with search terms. Miguel Ortiz (24, Ventura) was on parole for a firearm offense conviction and Gabriel Cueva (26, Piru) was on parole for a felony assault conviction. Detectives searched a vehicle associated to Ortiz and located two loaded semi-automatic handguns. Ortiz is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition due to his criminal history.

Detectives arrested Ortiz and Cueva for parole violations. They were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. The firearms were determined to be unregistered and the investigation is on-going.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities from criminal street gang terrorism and reducing violent crime by actively investigating illegal firearm activities.

The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of illegal firearm activities in Ventura County. If you have any information about unlawful firearm activities in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, including in Fillmore, Saticoy, El Rio, and Ojai, please contact Detective Sergeant Beau Rodriguez at 805-767-0360.

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: Parole Search Results in Firearms Recovered and Parole Violation Arrests
Report Number: 22-59986
Location: 1198 S. Saticoy Avenue, Ventura
Date & Time: 5/6/2022 @ 17:49 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU)
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Ortiz, Miguel, Ventura, 24
(S) Cueva, Gabriel , Piru, 26
Prepared by: Sergeant Beau Rodriguez
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina

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).

Photo taken from Santa Clara Street behind Fillmore’s 7-Eleven.
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On Sunday, May 15th, 2022, beginning at 8:03pm to 11:50pm, a total Lunar Eclipse took place and was visible to many in Fillmore. The Eclipse lasted for three hours and 47 minutes. Pictured is the blood moon, taken at about 9:00pm. The phenomenon occurs when the entire moon passes through the darkest part of the Earth's shadow. The reason why the moon takes on a reddish color during totality is a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. It is the same mechanism responsible for causing colorful sunrises and sunsets, and for the sky to look blue. The next Lunar eclipse is on October 25, 2022. For more info visit https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@5348133

The First Responders for Mental Health (FRMH) initiative was a huge success, and we are excited to invite past and new supporters to come together to make an even bigger impact for mental health awareness in our county.

Last year the FRMH initiative brought together over 30 organizations across the county that raised approximately $68,000, hosted 15 events and participated in a county-wide PSA to raise awareness. The impact this initiative had on our community was tremendous. Fillmore City Councilmember shares, "I am super proud that the City of Fillmore participated in this initiative and have since moved forward with the first ever annual Mental Health Resource Fair."

Your support is vital. Port Hueneme Councilmember Misty Perez and co-founder of the initiative shares, "This initiative brought awareness to the issues our first responders have to deal with every day and showed the holes in the system and the need for more programs, partnerships and funding." Your support not only helps us provide services for over 5000 individuals annually it also allows us to advocate for such issues.

This is a countywide campaign to educate, fundraise, and raise awareness in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Port Hueneme Councilmember Misty Perez and Oxnard Assistant Chief of Police Denise Shadinger will be this year's FRMH Ambassadors and NAMI Ventura County Walk Honorary Chairs. We are excited to announce that this year the walk will return to an in person walk hosted by the City of Port Hueneme. The NAMI Ventura County Kick-off and 40-year anniversary will be held March 19 and the Walk will be held May 21. In addition to the walk there are many ways to help raise awareness across our county.

For more information & questions email Maya Zumaya at M.zumaya7@live.com or call 805-767-7569.

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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

During the 1950s and 1960s many families in Fillmore would keep a small green jar with an orange label in their medicine cabinets. The jar contained Hydrosulphosol ointment. Not only was it very effective for treating minor burns – it was also a hometown product manufactured by the E. C. Lientz Company in North Fillmore.

So, what was hydrosulphosol? It was developed by Earl Hill Wilson in the 1930s. In 1935 a piece of steel penetrated the eye of Betty Lientz, then age 12. The steel was removed with a magnet, but the eye did not heal but continued to hemorrhage. Betty’s parents, Elizabeth and Oliver Lientz, were told the best treatment would be to remove the eye. Oliver Lientz was reluctant to do this since he had his right eye removed in 1926 due to complications from a childhood injury, so he looked for alternative treatments. In 1936, just two weeks before Betty was due for the surgery to remove her eye, the Mr. and Mrs. Lientz met with Earl Hill Wilson. His formula was given to a professor of chemistry at Occidental College to test. Based on the test results it was decided it was safe for Betty to take hydrosulphosol internally. Both Betty and her father began in April 1936 to take the medicine. When Betty was examined by the ophthalmologist prior to the planned surgery, no new hemorrhaging was found for the first time in nine months. The surgery was cancelled, and Betty kept her eye.

During World War II hydrosulphosol was used successfully to treat burns on the battlefield and also for burns suffered by welders. The Lientzes formed a company called E. C. Lientz & Co to manufacture and market Hydrosulphosol. E. C. being the initials of Elizabeth Lientz. In 1946 a manufacturing plant was built in North Fillmore. Oliver Lientz concentrated on the medical/scientific aspects, Elizabeth concentrated upon the financial/accounting aspects, and Betty was involved with the manufacturing and packaging of Hydrosulphosol.

Numerous articles were written in the 1940s and 1950s on the effectiveness of the ointment for burns. Articles appeared in the Los Angeles Times and Time magazine. Art Linkletter, a popular TV personality of the day, had several shows spot lighting the success of the ointment.

In a 1988 letter by Betty Lientz to Dorothy Haase, “The publicity happened during a time when it was totally unacceptable to presume to tread upon the sanctity of the medical profession. In other words, the deep core of medical politics viewed this publicity as advertising, as if a small company could influence so many news agencies to publish or broadcast medical news for the purpose of promoting the sale of a specific product.”

By the early 1960s, the product had attracted the attention of regulatory bodies. One suit was brought which alleged, “The defendants conducted the interstate distribution of the article as a mail order business and promoted the business through the use of newspaper and magazine articles and radio and television programs the defendants sold the article direct to laymen for purposes of self-medication and also promoted sales to doctors, drug wholesalers, and retailers…” According to the complaint, “labeling of the article contained false and misleading representations that the article was adequate and effective for the treatment mitigation prevention and cure of corneal scars, opacities, corneal dystrophy, corneal ulcers, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, iritis, …. and other diseases and conditions of the eye that cause impaired vision.”

In 1962, the company agreed to stop shipping hydrosulphosol to the general public for internal use, but it could be prescribed by physicians for such use and still could be used as a topical ointment.

The company continued in business until 1971 but by that time the founders were ready to retire. Although there was hope that a pharmaceutical manufacturing company would purchase the business, none stepped forward and the enterprise was closed. Elizabeth Lientz died in 1975, and Oliver passed away in Fillmore in 1985. The Hydrosulphosol building still stands in North Fillmore and is a private home.