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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 10th, 2021
 "Flash Pack" leading the race is Fabian Del Villar followed by teammates Michael Camilo Torres and Erick Gutierrez. Enlarge Photo On March 6th, the Flashes boys and girls cross country teams competed in their final meet of the season. The meet was hosted by Hueneme High School. The course was relatively flat, starting and finishing on the track with loops on the adjacent sports fields, and the sidewalk around the school’s perimeter for a total distance of 3 miles. All teams ran under sunny, but cool skys with minimal to no wind. Start time for the Flashes was 9 a.m.. Once again the start format used in prior meets was adhered to. Runners were grouped according to like ability with fastest runners going first, in groups of 2 or 3, approximately 15 seconds apart. Only one school was on the course at a time. Fillmore was the second team to post finishing times. Fabi Del Villar, Camilo Torres, and Erick Gutierrez were the first group off the line. Fabi posted the best time for the day running a very good 15:47.39, he was followed by last week’s winner, Camilo Torres. Camilo posted the second fastest time of the day running a 16:09.99. Erick Gutierrez followed in 17:57.35, Matthew Munoz 18:53.82, and first time competitor, freshman Josh Estrada in 19:18.08. Three freshmen finished with season best times, led by Diego Ramirez in 21:08.45, Angel Garcia 21:53.06, and Kobe Lizarraga in 22:04.70. The girls were led by second year runner Alianna Tapia who for the second time this season posted the fastest time of the meet for all girl competitors, by running a fine 20:44.91. She was supported by Angelica Herrera in 25:45.56, Andrea Laureano in 26:24.18, Camila Rodriguez 30:24.32, and Daisy Guerrero in 30:45.24. It was a short, but sweet season. It was so much fun to see our kids participate in a sport and run so well through our final meet of 3. Congratulations to all, well done. Many of these athletes will now transition to the sport of track and field. Practice for track and field starts on Monday, March 15th at 3:45 p.m. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 10th, 2021
 Congratulations to Fillmore’s Brennon Ballard who competed in Florida at the Jacksonville American Cornhole League (ACL) Open February 26th – 28th 2021. He competed in four events: Junior Singles placing 2nd, Normal Singles placing 9th, Doubles placing 7th, and in Crew Cup-a Four man team-placing 5th Brennon started playing a year and a half ago is currently ranked 2nd in the State of California and has been successful since. Next, he plans to compete at the 2021 ACL World Championships in Rock Hill South Carolina in August. Enlarge Photo |
 Basolo home in Bardsdale, after the flood. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 10th, 2021
 The St. Francis Dam in San Francisquito Canyon east of Castaic a few days before the collapse when it had just been filled to capacity. At three minutes to midnight on March 12th, 1928 the dam collapsed without warning causing a flood through the Santa Clara River Valley. Enlarge Photo  Pictured above is the “Tombstone” which is all that remained standing after the collapse in 1928. Enlarge Photo  The Memorial Plaque which sits at Bardsdale Cemetery as a reminder to those who were lost in the flood. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum On the night of March 12th -13th, 1928, devastation swept down the Santa Clara River Valley. The St. Francis Dam in San Francisquito Canyon just east of Castaic had reached its full capacity of twelve billion gallons a few days before. It had been constructed by Los Angeles Water and Power under the direction of William Mulholland. Its purpose was to hold a year’s supply of water for the growing population of Los Angeles. At 3 minutes before midnight on March 12, 1928, the dam collapsed catastrophically and without warning. There is still some question on exactly why the dam collapsed. Mulholland was a self-taught engineer who had successfully constructed the Los Angeles Aqueduct and was L.A. City Engineer. In very simplified terms, it is now believed that the dam was sited on a Paleolithic land slide and that the pressure of the water caused the ground beneath the dam to give way. It is doubtful with the knowledge and instruments of the day, this could have been known at the time. A 140’ wall of water carried 1,000-ton blocks of concrete from the dam like rafts on a wave. Of the 75 families living in the canyon just beneath the dam, only a few individuals survived. The water continued down San Francisquito Creek to meet the Santa Clara River at Castaic. At Castaic Junction, where Hwy 5 crosses the east end of the Santa Clara Valley, the wall of water was 78’ in height. There was a construction camp there with 170 men asleep. With no warning, 164 men died. Edison company workers, camped at Kemp Station on the Ventura County line, were stringing electric line from Saugus to Saticoy. The flood was 40’ high when it arrived there. Of the 140 men in camp that night 84 died. The first the Rogers family in Piru knew of the disaster was when their home was adrift in the river. The father, Chester Rogers, gathered his family together on one bed, hoping to use it as a raft. As the battered house careened downstream, Mr. Rogers was knocked unconscious. When he recovered consciousness, he was alone in the torrent. He managed to drag himself to land over a half mile from where his home had stood. Some neighbors found him and took him into Piru. Later in the day rescue workers found the bodies of his mother-in-law and four children. His wife’s body was never found. It took about an hour before the first warning of the impending disaster was given to the telephone operator on duty in Ventura. The Ventura operator called the local telephone operators in Santa Paula and Fillmore and the sheriff’s office. Fillmore Chief, Earl Hume, got the call, dressed, mounted his motorcycle and set out to warn people living closest to the river. By the time Hume got close to the east limits of Fillmore it was too late. The flood had hit with a wave 40 feet high. Ethel Basolo, a Fillmore telephone operator living in Bardsdale, got the call to come to the telephone office in Fillmore to help get the word out to residents who had phone. She may have been the last person to cross the bridge before it was washed out. She left her extended family evacuating, not knowing how they would fare. Unfortunately, the car her brother-in-law, Georgie Basolo, was traveling in, was swept away and he was killed. Of the many tragic stories that occurred that night was that of the Carrillo family of Bardsdale. The father, Juan Carillo, had loaded his family in the car and headed north to Guiberson Rd. On the way he stopped to warn a neighbor. He turned to see the car with his family being washed awayin the roaring water. Only he and his daughter survived. Thelma McCauley was 14, sick with the measles, and living in lower Bardsdale with her family when the flood hit. They awakened to the sound and smell of the flood and the moving of the house. In their escape attempt, Thelma’s mother, father and brother went out the front door of the house and Thelma went out the back. Her family was swept away by the force of the debris filled water and drowned. She said that the family was taken by the water and caught by the tumbling of the house. Thelma also was swept away by the water and floated the 9 miles from Bardsdale to Santa Paula. She was found that afternoon in a pile of debris unable to move because of heavy tree limbs on her legs. The water continued to Santa Paula, taking more lives as it flowed to the ocean. The official total of fatalities at the time was 385; the total today is estimated to be 431. Many bodies were never identified. In 2018, a 90th anniversary observance was held in the Valley and a monument was dedicated in the memory of the victims and installed at Bardsdale Cemetery. In 2019, the dam was declared a National Memorial site. The St. Francis Dam National Memorial Foundation is raising funds for aninterpretive center. For more information on the disaster in our community, go to the Fillmore Historical Museum webpage, https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/st-francis-dam-disaster. The Santa Clarita Historical Society has an extensive webpage with links to original source information, http://saintfrancisdam.com/. If you would like information on the St. Francis Dam National Memorial Foundation, it can be found at, https://stfrancisdammemorial.org/help-the-usfs-design-the-saint-francis-.... |
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By Anonymous — Thursday, March 4th, 2021
In an effort to deter would-be thieves and to track stolen catalytic converters, the Fillmore Police Department has teamed up with several local auto repair shops. The below listed businesses have agreed to etch your license plate number and paint a Sheriff’s star on your catalytic converter, free of charge. Our goal is to deter a potential thief who might be planning to steal your catalytic converter. As soon as they see the painted Sheriff’s star and engraved license plate number, they will hopefully leave your car alone. If your catalytic converter is stolen, law enforcement or a scrap yard will be able to recognize the catalytic converter as stolen based on the markings. You can make an “Etch and Catch” appointment at any of the below locations in the city of Fillmore: Ernie’s Auto Care & Smog De La Rosa Auto Repair Fillmore Auto Electric & Tune Bob’s Radiator Shop When you call for your appointment, make sure to mention it is for the “Etch and Catch” program. We would like to thank all of our “Etch and Catch” participating shops. Without their help, this program would not be possible. As a community, we need to work together to prevent crime, and these shops have gone above and beyond in their efforts. The next time you are at a local auto repair shop, check for the “Fillmore Police Department Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program - Member” sticker to see if they are a participant of this program. See attached photograph of the sticker. Between 1/1/2020 and 2/18/2021, the top 10 vehicles targeted for catalytic converter thefts in Ventura County Sheriff’s jurisdictions have been: Many people have asked what they can do to help protect their vehicles. Here are some tips to help prevent catalytic converter theft: Make an appointment to have your license plate number engraved and Sheriff’s star painted on your catalytic converter at one of the above listed “Etch and Catch” program locations. Park in a secured garage when possible or in a well-lit area with surveillance cameras and/or where the vehicle will be seen by a passerby. Install motion-sensitive lighting to illuminate driveways used for parking. Consider adding security cameras to oversee driveway and on-street parking areas. Research catalytic converter anti-theft devices and weigh the pros and cons of having one installed. We are asking for our community’s help to prevent catalytic converter thefts. If you hear strange noises during the night, such as power tools or sawing, if you see a vehicle driving suspiciously slow through your neighborhood or stopped at the side of the road, if you see or hear ANYTHING out of the ordinary, please call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 911 or (805) 654-9511. Often times, cases are solved when an observant resident calls when something does not seem quite right. For more information on the program click on video link: https://bit.ly/3uS59xL. Nature of Incident: |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Did you know Fillmore has three successful female athletes, Cielo Meza (Softball), Valerie Tobias (Soccer), and Jessie Fontes, who are playing Soccer and Softball at the Division 1 Pac12 level? This week we will feature Fillmore’s Cielo Meza who is currently a Freshman Pitcher for the Arizona State University Sun Devils, a Division 1 NCAA Pac12 Softball team. Below is her player profile. Somebody's Hero, Once the glove is tucked away, Cielo Meza plans to follow her hero's footsteps and become a first responder” - just like her Dad/09/08/2020 Redshirt Senior (2020 at ASU): Redshirt Junior (2019 at ASU): Redshirt Sophomore (2018 at Long Beach State University): Redshirt Freshman (2017 at Long Beach State University): Prior to Long Beach State University... Player profile courtesy the team website https://thesundevils.com/sports/softball/roster/cielo-meza/11650 |
 Saturday, February 27th, the Flashes Cross Country team competed on their home turf at the Fillmore School Farm. Pictured above are Sofia Rodriguez and Andrea Laureano who led in the girls races for Fillmore along with teammates Angelica Herrera, Daisy Guerrero and Camila Rodriguez following. Photos Courtesy Michael Torres. Enlarge Photo By Epi Torres — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
 Eric Gutierrez finished with a time of 1829.55 following fellow teammate Camilo Torres in the first team race against Nordhoff, Hueneme, Santa Paula, and Carpinteria. By Epi Torres On Saturday, February 27th the Fillmore Cross Country teams competed on their home course located at the Fillmore School Farm. The course distance measured three miles and consisted of two loops, mostly flat with a couple of slight inclines. All athletes would have to fight a strong wind today as they traversed the dirt and gravel course. Teams competing today in the second meeting of the Citrus Coast League, were Fillmore, Nordhoff, Hueneme, Santa Paula, and Carpinteria. All teams followed the same starting and racing protocol that was established last week. Each team slated to compete, lined their athletes on the starting time based on projected ability from fastest to slowest. They were then placed in groups of 3 or less; and were sent off the start line every 15 seconds. Once a team completed their run and cool down, they were required to leave the venue, so that the next team could run the course. Fillmore was the first team to race and post times for this second meet of 3. Leading the Flashes off the line were Camilo Torres and Eric Gutierrez. Camilo finished in a time of 17:32.82, followed by Eric, who came across in 18:29.55. Matt Munoz was the next finisher in 20:21.66, followed by Diego Ramirez in 22:22.46, James Flores in 22:25.96, Kobe Lizarraga 23:05.76, and newcomer Angel Garcia in 23:07.16. James and Angel stepped to the line for the first time this year. Camilo posted the fastest time of the day for the second week in a row. In the girls race, newcomer Sofia Rodriguez led all Fillmore finishers in a time of 27:38.74. She was followed by Andrea Laureano in 28:03.08, Angelica Herrera 28:17.33, Daisy Guerrero 32:19.95 and Camila Rodriguez 36.44.22. Camila, Sofia, and Angelica ran their first races of this short season. Fillmore athletes will next compete on March 6th in Oxnard at Hueneme High School. The meet is hosted by Hueneme High School and is scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m. This will complete Fillmore’s competition schedule for the 2021 Cross Country season. Many Thanks to all those who made it possible, especially our athletes and parents. |
 Lake Piru offers a parking lot and restroom facilities constructed by the Untied Water Conservation District which opened on March 1, 2021 near Pothole Trailhead. Photos courtesy United Water Conservation District. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
United Water Conservation District’s long-awaited Pothole Trailhead parking and restroom facility in the Lake Piru Recreation Area opens to the public on March 1, greatly expanding hiking opportunities in the Los Padres National Forest. The launch of the new facility gives direct access to the trailhead, thanks to the opening of the gate at the Juan Fernandez Boat Launch Area at Lake Piru by the U.S. Forest Service. The new facility will save hikers a nearly 3-mile trek on Piru Canyon Road from the boat launch area to the trailhead (see attached map). Visitors should be aware that Lake Piru Recreation Area charges a Day Use fee of $14 per vehicle and requires masks and social distancing. “We are excited to be able to increase the incredible recreation opportunities around Lake Piru and introduce more people to the many trails and beautiful scenery of our public lands,” said UWCD General Manager Mauricio Guardado. “When the facility opens, the weather should be perfect for some outdoor fun, so I hope people will lace up their hiking boots, grab their day pack and water bottle and come check it out.” From the trailhead, hikers and backpackers can travel through the Sespe Wilderness, passing a spring and a 19th century homestead cabin with old farming tools still in place. The 4.7-mile hike ends at the Pothole, a natural sink of lush grassland surrounded by willows and cottonwoods. A second path, Agua Blanca Trail, is a long loop route that meanders through a dramatic rock passageway known as Devils Gateway. Hikers can also opt for a path to an upper ridge that provides views of Piru Creek before descending to the road between Lake Piru and Blue Point. “The natural and recreational resources in this area are abundant and the Pothole Trailhead improvements are an important addition that will serve the community well,” said Karina Medina, District Ranger for the Mt. Pinos and Ojai Ranger Districts on the Los Padres National Forest. The Forest Service was instrumental in guiding the project to completion and UWCD is grateful for the agency’s assistance. The District is eager to welcome more visitors to the Lake Piru Recreation Area and Los Padres National Forest to experience the awe-inspiring vistas and wildlife, which includes condors, owls and eagles. About United Water Conservation District |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
 A 2-car traffic collision involving a horse took place Sunday night, February 28 at 8:30pm, on Highway 126 east of Center Street, Piru. CHP indicated a horse was running in the center lanes of the highway and had been hit. The horse was killed at the scene in the westbound lane. A black SUV and silver Toyota van were involved and came to rest in the eastbound lanes. One critical patient was extricated and transported by ambulance to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital with major injuries; one patient received minor injuries. The highway was closed in both directions, with eastbound lanes opening at approximately 10:00pm, and all lanes opened by 10:30pm. No further information was available. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
 On Monday, March 1st, at 9:59pm, Fillmore Police Department, VCFD and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident in the 1100 block of Ventura Street (SR-126) in front of Tipsy Fox Liquor. A Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy radioed that he was involved in a collision with a white Chevy Malibu. Two ambulances were dispatched to the accident, and four people were taken to an area hospital. The officer was not reported to be transported to a hospital. Fillmore Police Department units shut down SR-126/C Street westbound lanes. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
 On Wednesday, February 24th, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley hosted a drive-through backpack and school supply giveaway from 4pm-6pm while supplies lasted! 100 backpacks were to be distributed at the Santa Paula and Fillmore sites, 75 at Piru site. Pictured above are kids from the Fillmore Clubhouse holding up their new backpacks. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
 Flags were flown at half staff for four days last week to remember the half million Americans who have lost their lives to COVID-19. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Courtesy Fillmore History Museum Fillmore has many church buildings. Some are old. Some are modern. Some are no longer used as churches. Over several articles, we are going look at the history of some of them. One of the older church buildings in Fillmore hasn’t been in town all than long. Trinity Episcopal, known affectionately as “the Chocolate Church,” was built in 1901 in Hueneme, on the east side of Ventura Road (formerly Fourth Street) between Pleasant Valley Road and Clara Street, by Senator Thomas Bard for his wife, Molly. Senator Bard was Presbyterian and was active in the Presbyterian Church in Hueneme. His wife, Mary Gerberding Bard, was a devout Episcopalian. The small, “English gingerbread, Craftsman style” church was built for her worship. There had been an Episcopal contingent in Fillmore as early as 1892. A traveling minister or the minister at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Santa Paula would hold services in rented space or private homes. Frequently this would be in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stephens, a prominent businessman. By the early 1930’s the congregation decided it was time for a church of their own. By then the little church in Hueneme was no longer in use and had fallen in disrepair. Mrs. Bard, a widow since 1915, had refused several offers to purchase the building, but when she was approached by Rev. George MacDougall, who was the current minister in Santa Paula, she agreed to donate the building to the congregation in Fillmore. She also donated the altar, a communion service, a chest of linens, the font and other furnishings, a generous gift indeed. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens donated the land on the northeast corner of Second and Saratoga. Now the only problem was getting the building from Hueneme to Fillmore, about thirty (30) miles, and then rebuilding it. A local builder, Bill Yeakle, was awarded the contract to move and rebuild the Church.Under his supervision, Ed Rice, helped by a Mr. Seichert, dismantled the church in Hueneme. Each piece was numbered and brought to Fillmore by pickup trucks. The trucks were so heavily laden that they took back roads to avoid being ticketed for being overloaded. It is estimated that there was close to one million separate, numbered pieces. It was not unlike doing a jig-saw puzzle to reconstruct the building in Fillmore. Eventually the job was done and on Sunday, December 17, 1933, the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, Rt. Rev. W. Bertrand Stevens, assisted by Rev. Macdougall, consecrated the little church. The night before the consecration, the first wedding was held in the church. Helen Price and Thomas Powell were married by Reverend MacDougall, the first of many weddings, baptisms, and unfortunately, funerals. Trinity Episcopal has continued to this very day, although due to Covid there are no in person services. The altar and font used by the congregation are the ones donated by Mrs. Bard in 1933. In 2014, Joanna Bard Newton, the granddaughter of Senator and Mary Bard, visited the church. She was baptized in the church when it was in Hueneme in 1917, although she admitted she didn’t remember the occasion. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
 Guy Olvera, 40, Santa Paula. A Santa Paula man was arrested for attempted murder after stabbing another man on 2/17/2021. On 2/17/2021, deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 14000 block of Foothill Road, in the unincorporated area near Santa Paula. Upon their arrival, deputies located a 31-year-old male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau and Gang Unit responded to assist with the investigation. They determined that (S) Guy Olvera stabbed the victim several times over what is believed to be an ongoing dispute between the two men. Additional evidence revealed that Olvera fled the scene in a vehicle that was associated with an address in the 500 Block of 13th Street in Santa Paula. Later in the night, Olvera was contacted at the Santa Paula address when he arrived alone in the suspect vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident. Olvera was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for one count of PC 664/187(a) - Attempted Murder. He remains in custody on $515,000.00 bail and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 2/19/2021. Investigators are seeking additional witnesses or information pertaining to the crime. If anyone has information, please contact Detective Douglas at 805-384-4732. Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
 On Sunday, February 21st at 2:36pm, a head-on collision occurred at East Pyle Road and Highway 126, killing two. A 2013 BMW Sedan, driven by Eric Anthony Carrillo, 27, of Oxnard, was traveling westbound when Carrillo crossed the double yellow line into eastbound traffic, impacting head-on into a 2008 Smart Fortwo, driven by Susanna Angeles, 34, of Fowler. Both were declared dead at the scene and required extrication. Three other people were injured, one critically; a 25-year-old Fresno man in the passenger seat was thrown from the Smart car. He was transported by ambulance to VC Medical Center. The BMW then continued westbound in the eastbound lanes and hit a third car head-on; a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck that had been traveling eastbound directly behind Angeles’ car. A 62-year-old Santa Clarita woman driving the Avalanche and her passenger, a 57-year old man from Acton, were treated at the scene for minor injuries. All five were wearing seatbelts. Highway 126 was closed in both directions, reopening by 9:30pm. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photos Courtesy Angel Esquivel—AE News. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
Did you know Fillmore has three successful female athletes, Valerie Tobias (Soccer), Jessie Fontes and Cielo Meza (Softball), who are playing Soccer and Softball at the Division 1 Pac12 level? This week we will feature Fillmore’s Jessie Fontes who is currently a Freshman Pitcher for the University of Arizona Wildcats, a Division 1 NCAA Pac12 Softball team. High School Highlights: Personal Notes: Stay tuned for next week’s feature of Cielo Meza. Player profile courtesy of the team website https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/softball/roster/jessie-fontes/11192 |
 Fillmore High Cross Country Team competed along with three other teams this past Saturday. Pictured above is the FHS Cross Country team. (l-r) Andrea Laureano, Daisy Guerrero, Alianna Tapia, Michael Camilo Torres, Erick Gutierrez, Kobe Lizarraga, Matthew Munoz, Diego Ramirez, and Fabian Del Villar. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the team has not competed since November 2020, but with some special arrangements by all they were able to still be successful. Photos Courtesy of Michael Torres. Enlarge Photo By Epi Torres — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
 FHS Junior Alianna Tapia had the fastest time of the day for the girls with a mark of 21:35.42. Enlarge Photo On Saturday, February 20th, the Fillmore High School Cross Country teams toed the line as one of four teams competing for the first time since November of 2020. The teams competed over a 3-mile course in and around the Nordhoff High School campus. Other teams competing throughout the day in the first Citrus Coast League meet were Santa Paula, Nordhoff, and Hueneme. Carpinteria and Malibu were unable to compete since they did not fall under the umbrella of Ventura County Schools. To minimize any possibility of COVID transmission, and ensure a safe race, the teams followed practices and procedures agreed to prior to race day. Each team had a separate arrival time and a separate race start time. Each team lined up at the starting line 3 across or less and started 15 seconds apart. Each athlete competed or ran against only their team members. Teams were required to leave the site before the next team arrived. Each team could field a cohort of 14 runners in each race division. A leader board posted online allowed teams to measure themselves against the other 3 teams. Camilo Torres and Fabian Del Villar and Matt Munoz were the first three Fillmore runners off the line with Camilo posting the fastest time of the day for all competitors, with an early season mark of 16:38.36. Fabi posted the second-best time on the day of 17:32.30, and Matt Munoz posted a time of 20:12.62. They were followed off the line at approximately 15 second intervals by Alianna Tapia and Erick Gutierrez. Alianna followed her teammate’s lead by also posting the fastest time of the day for all girls with a mark of 21:35.42. Erick ran a time of 18:26.96. They were followed by freshman Diego Ramirez 21:26.47 and first-time competitor Kobe Lizarraga in 24:37.03. The final two off the line were Andrea Laureano in 28:37.96 and Daisy Guerrero in 32.12.76. Even though this was not a head-to-head team competition, the boys team had the best team placement among all teams that competed, while the girls did not score, since they did not field the minimum number of 5 team competitors. The Fillmore coaching staff was excited to have our athletes compete in this modified cross country meet and proud of our athlete’s performances. It took a lot of work, coordination, and compromise to make the 3-meet season a reality for a much deserving group of athletes. All precautions were taken to assure safety for all those involved. We want to thank all those involved (too many to list). We hope that this first step will be the first of many for our athletes, community, and staff to return to a safe and planned daily routine. Next Saturday, Fillmore High School will host the second meet of the series of three at our school farm. The meet will start at 9 a.m. Our Fillmore event will be closed to the public and spectators at this time. We appreciate the support and look forward to having friends and family cheer us on soon. Epi Torres is FHS Cross Country Coach |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
 Fillmore Unified School District Friday, February 19, 2021 Dear Fillmore USD Families, The purpose of this communication is to provide information to District families about current actions to support District students and the status of future reopening of Fillmore USD schools. BOARD OF TRUSTEES PROVIDES' DIRECTION During the school Board meeting on February 16, 2021, the Board was given an update about the effects of COVID-19 on the District and deliberated regarding potential options for our schools. Asa result, the Fillmore Unified School - Transitional Kindergarten (TK) — 5th grade SDC and Moderate/Severe (small group cohorts) will continue in-person learning. - For students in TK — 5th grade, an in-person learning option will be made available for those families who select in-person instruction if the County of Ventura reaches an adjusted Coronavirus infection rate at or below 25 per 100,000 population per day for at least five consecutive days. - Students in 6th – 12th grades will remain in distance learning through March 26, 2021. District administration will continue to explore potential for return to in-person learning option if, and only if, the County of Ventura reaches the red tier. The County of Ventura has not provided a timetable as to when the red tier could be attained. District staff will continue to monitor the case rates in the County of Ventura and provide information to the Board. Updates on the dates for the return to in-person learning, including health and safety requirements, will be provided to families in a future communication. TK — 5th GRADE SPECIAL DAY CLASS AND MODERATE/SEVERE STUDENTS CONTINUE IN-PERSON LEARNING FILLMORE USD TK — 5th GRADE STUDENTS COULD RESUME IN-PERSON LEARNING Public school districts in Ventura County will have the ability to open schools for in-person learning if they are in full compliance with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health. The Fillmore Unified School District has been preparing for the potential to return to in-person learning. The District is providing information in a future communication to District families regarding the requirements to participate in in-person learning, process to confirm for your child(ren) to participate in in-person learning, and the potential return date for in-person instruction. SECONDARY STUDENTS IN GRADES 6th – 12th STAY IN DISTANCE LEARNING The Board of Trustees provided direction to District staff for students in 6th – 12th grades to remain in a distance learning model through March 26, 2021. Students and teachers will continue to work through the Microsoft Teams platform in synchronous learning, as well as utilize multiple curriculum and content providers to work during asynchronous time. The County of Ventura is reporting a decrease in the COVID-19 adjusted case rate which could potentially accelerate the county to transition from the purple (widespread) tier to the red (substantial) tier. District administration will continue to explore the potential for a return to in-person learning for students in grades 6th – 12th grades if, and only if, the County of Ventura reaches the Red tier. VENTURA COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the County of Ventura reported a seven-day average case rate per 100,000 of 26.2. Over the past 14 days the City of Fillmore has had 83 positive cases, and the community of Piru has had 14 cases of COVID-19 reported for the past 14 days. We are seeing significant declines in the number of positive cases and need your help to continue to stop the spread of COVID-19. District families are urged to use face coverings, not gather with individuals outside of your household, practice social distancing, and test for COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms. On Thursday, February 25, 2021 the Ventura County Health Care Agency will be conducting COVID-19 testing at Fillmore Middle School from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The COVID-19 testing is provided at no cost and without an appointment. Our team is working with the health care agency to identify additional testing dates in the coming weeks for our community. In closing, it is imperative that our District community continues to do their part to stop the spread of COVID 19. We remain optimistic that COVID-19 rates will continue to decline in Ventura County and provide greater opportunities for Fillmore Unified to offer in-person instruction. Our District will be providing additional information in the coming week to those families with students enrolled in TK- 5th grades. Respectfully, |
 (above) A very early picnic at Kenny Grove Park. Fillmore’s first semiofficial park was Kenny Grove Park, named for Cyrus Kenny who homesteaded the property in 1870. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum There were few parks in Fillmore the early years. It was a small town and was located in the middle of orchards and at the foot of Sespe Canyon. There were plenty of places to visit the outdoors and have a picnic or a swim. Most of the children here grew up hiking the surrounding hills and swimming in the pool at Swallows Nest up the Sespe. Even earlier there was swimming at Wiley Lake at the top of the mountains to the south and for brave souls, a dip into the water at a variety of irrigation reservoirs in the area. The first semiofficial park in the area was Kenney Grove Park. It was named for Cyrus Kenney who, in 1870, homesteaded property just east of a natural oak grove on the north side of the valley. Once the railroad came through in 1887 the oak grove became a meeting place for celebrations of all sorts. In 1898, over 2,000 people came by train to the park to celebrate the 4th of July. Locals came by buggy, the rest by train and hiked or were ferried by buggy to the park. The property was originally part of Rancho Sespe and was purchased by Sespe Land and Water Co. from Martha Storke after the murder of her father, T.W. More. In 1929, Joseph McNab, founder of Sespe Land and Water Co., gave the 15 acre park to Ventura County. In 1957, the Sespe Loyal Friends, a women’s group descended from the membership of the Sespe Methodist Episcopal Church, donated funds to build the Kenney Grove Amphitheater. It has always been a gathering place for church groups, scout troops, picnics and outings. Many of the older members of the community will remember the “father powered” merry go round and the tall swings. There was also a BBQ pit used to prepare dinners for various groups in town and for the famous Fillmore Festival Pit BBQ lunches. Central Park was Fillmore City’s first public park in town. It is located on Central Ave and Main St. But there wasn’t always a park there. In the beginning there was empty space around the Southern Pacific Depot. The railroad track was laid through Fillmore in 1887 leaving nothing behind but a boxcar. Soon the depot was built. Early photos taken in 1905 show stores built on Main St., but not so much as a tree or blade of grass beside the depot. By 1930 there were a couple of palm trees on the west side and the beginnings of a grassy area on the south side of the tracks. By 1948 grass and palms were well established. The park finally was formalized and officially named following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and construction of the Fillmore City Hall. Delores Day Park located north of Old Telegraph Rd near Mountain Vista Elementary School is named for Delores Day, the first woman to win a Fillmore City Council seat. In 1946, she had come to Fillmore as the wife of Traver Day. They took over the “Sanitary Food Market”, which they renamed Day’s Market, located on Fourth and A St. and operated it for 25 years. In 1970, she was elected the first woman to serve as a Fillmore councilmember and eventually the first woman mayor, a title she held 5 times. Through her efforts ambulance service was brought to Fillmore. She also lobbied for and won EMT training recognition for the Volunteer Firemen and in 1976 pushed for the building of the Fillmore Convalescent Center. She was proud of the greenbelt that she co-sponsored with Eleanor Crouch of Santa Paula in 1979 and the construction of the concrete stairway up the steep hillside leading to the Jr. and Sr. High Schools. She retired from the Council in 1990. Shiells Park is named for the Shiells family who donated the land for the park as well as land for the Fillmore Library and Veterans’ Memorial Building. William Shiells and his brother, James, came to Fillmore in 1879. They purchased 1200 acres of property on Guiberson Road. In 1911 he leased 880 acres of hill property to Montebello Oil Co. which succeeded in drilling the first producing well on the south side of the Santa Clara River near Fillmore. In 1913, William was elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The family was always civic minded and continued to support local churches and charitable agencies. There is a small “pocket” park on Foothill Rd. where the road splits and one side goes up south of the hill and comes around and down the steep side. There is today a sign at the park honoring Oscar DeFever one of Fillmore’s Fire Chiefs. But, many years ago the city named the park for John Galvin. Mr. Galvin was named Fillmore’s first city attorney in August, 1914, when the city incorporated. He retired in 1966 at the age of 77 with the distinction of being the longest serving city attorney in the State of California (52 years). When asked in 1964 how he achieved the respectable position so early in his life, he said with a twinkle in his eye “I had personality, obvious and unimpeachable character and I was the only attorney in town.” His family also was well known in the community. Many of you in Fillmore had his sister, Mary Galvin, as your kindergarten teacher. His sister, Leona Galvin Grady, served for 44 years in the post office. His brother Warren served as Fillmore’s first Fire Chief in 1916. Oscar DeFever was one of our best known Fire Chiefs. Oscar was born in Kentucky but came to Fillmore at the age of 1 and remained here for the rest of his life except for his time as a Marine during WWII when he served in the Pacific during the battle for Iwo Jima. In 1935 he became a dealer for Union Oil, opening his own service station in 1938 on the corner of Sespe and Central. He was a member of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years and Chief from 1964 to 1979. According to his obituary, he was a “decent and honorable businessman, as public servant, as civic minded private citizen, and as just plain friend, he was an ongoing influence for good.” His remodeled station remains on the same corner today as an auto repair shop. It isn’t any wonder that this small park was named in honor of these two men. We are still growing and as new subdivisions are built we are seeing more parks. There is Rio Vista Park near the Santa Clara, Two Rivers Skate Park and a walkway along the Santa Clara similar to the walkway along the Sespe. We have plenty of outdoors to enjoy. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
 Valerie Tobias, #32 for the Oregon State University Beavers. Did you know Fillmore has three successful female athletes, Valerie Tobias (Soccer), Jessie Fontes and Cielo Meza (Softball), who are playing Soccer and Softball at the Division 1 Pac12 level? This week we will feature Fillmore High School graduate Valerie Tobias who is currently a Freshman Midfielder for Oregon State University Beavers, Division 1 NCAA Pac12 Soccer team. Below is her player profile courtesy of the team website - https://osubeavers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/valerie-tobias/8047. Fillmore High School Highlights: Club Soccer Highlights: Personal Notes: Stay tuned for next week’s feature of Jessie Fontes. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
 A "fight" call went out Saturday night, February 13th around 8:30pm, in the 500 block of Saratoga. Three Sheriff's units responded to the disturbance, and after a brief search four suspects were located. Outcome of the incident was not made available. With the COVID-19 lockdown police calls for Disturbance Party, Fight, and Keep the Peace have increased. Enlarge Photo |
