|
By Santa Paula Police Department — Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
 Santa Paula Police Department On Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at approximately 4:32pm, Santa Paula Police Dept. dispatch received a report of an injury vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision in the 700 block of E. Main St., Santa Paula. Responding officers arrived on scene and the investigation into the collision began. At this time it appears the 69 year old pedestrian was walking south across Main Street to her vehicle when she was struck by the westbound vehicle, driven by a 26 year old female. At this time of day, the setting sun can be blinding to westbound drivers. According to the female driver, the sun was bright and making it difficult for her to see while driving her vehicle when suddenly she "hit something". The pedestrian sustained severe injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. She is currently listed in critical condition. The investigation into the collision is on-going, however, it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were a factor. Anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact the SPPD. Prepared by Sgt. Jeremy Watson |
|
By Santa Paula Police Department — Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
Santa Paula Police Department On 11-19-15 at approximately 0041 hours, a Santa Paula Police Officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The Officer turned his vehicle around to conducted a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled over to the side of the road prior to the officer initiating the stop and the officer observed a male subject, later identified as Martin Quezada, 29 years of Fillmore, who was driving exit the vehicle and switch positions with a female passenger. The female passenger then sat in the drivers seat and the vehicle began to drive away. The Officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop and contacted the occupatns of the vehicle. It was determined the female, who was now driving, was driving with her drivers license suspended. The passenger (Quezada), who had previously been driving, was also found to have a suspended drivers license. The male driver was asked to step out of the vehicle and during the course of the contact, a hypodermic syringe was located as well as several baggies of cocaine in Quezada's possession. Quezada was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. Officers conducted a records check of the license plates located on the Chevrolet truck and the registration returned to another vehicle. Further investigation revealed the truck was stolen out of the City of Fillmore. Both Quezada, who was already in custody, and the female were charged with 10851 VC, Vehicle Theft and they were transported to the Santa Paula City Jail. Upon further investigation, it was determined the female was not involved in the theft of the vehicle and she was released without charges for this offense. She was issued a citation for driving on a suspended license. Quezada was later lodged at the Ventura County Main Jail for the charges of 10851 VC, Vehicle Theft; 11350 H&S, possession of a controlled substance; 135 PC, destruction of evidence and 11364 H&S, possession of drug paraphernalia. |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Saturday, November 21, 2015, Sheriff’s detectives conducted compliance checks at the residences of sixty two (62) registered sex offenders throughout the county. The compliance checks were part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE / ELEAS) Grant. Thirty six (36) of the offenders were found to be in compliance with their registration requirement. Twenty five (25) registrants were not contacted because they were not home or had moved. One (1) registrant, Paul Warnock (Age 63) of Fillmore was arrested for being out of compliance with registration requirements. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the remaining registrants not contacted are out-of-compliance. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps on an ongoing basis, to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residences and in compliance with any probation or parole terms. Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their community. Nature of Incident: Sex Registrant Compliance Sweep 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). |
|
By Anonymous — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
With the holiday season upon us, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illness. “Bacterial pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter can be present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices,” Smith said. “Properly prepared and handled foods can assure us all a safe meal every day of the year.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths annually in the United States are related to foodborne diseases. Foodborne diseases can be prevented by simple safety steps in the kitchen. Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after food preparation, and especially after handling raw foods. Clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water after each use. Be sure to cook foods thoroughly and to refrigerate adequately between meals. Consumers can find more information about Food Safety Tips for Holiday Feasts on the CDPH website. Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination can occur at the farm level, during processing and handling, and as a result of poor food handling practices at home. Symptoms of foodborne disease can include diarrhea, which may be bloody, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Most infected people recover from foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for potentially life-threatening complications. Additional resources for information on food safety include the federal Food and Drug Administration Food Information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Consumers can also access the national Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC” (bacteria) Web page. |
|
By California Highway Patrol — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
 California Highway Patrol Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) to help avoid tragedies for California motorists. In 2014, over the Thanksgiving weekend, 45 people died in collisions on California roadways – a 36 percent increase from the same period in 2013. In addition, the CHP arrested almost 1,000 people for driving under the influence. “Having a safe Thanksgiving drive this year—and being here to enjoy next Thanksgiving—can be as simple as buckling up,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Nearly half the people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction over Thanksgiving last year were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.” The MEP will begin Wednesday, November 25, at 6 p.m. and continue through Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. During the MEP, CHP officers will not only be enforcing the law, but also assisting motorists. “Buckling up, avoiding distracted driving, traveling at a safe speed, designating a sober driver – all are especially important during the holidays,” Commissioner Farrow said. “During the MEP, our officers will emphasize education and enforcement throughout the state to ensure everyone can enjoy their holiday.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges “Buckle Up America – Every Trip. Every Time.” Nationwide, more than half the drivers and passengers killed in crashes are not wearing seat belts. The NHTSA estimates that nationally, seat belts saved the lives of 12,854 passenger vehicle occupants in 2013. |
|
By Anonymous — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
An Increased Risk of Fire Is a Reality of Thanksgiving
 Cal Fire Sacramento – With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, CAL FIRE is reminding Californians about the dangers that lurk during the holiday season. When most people think about Thanksgiving, they envision turkey, pumpkin pie and time spent with their loved ones. Who thinks of fire at this time? “During the holidays we tend to have multiple items cooking on the stove while we are visiting with friends and family,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “It is critical to not get distracted and to always stand next to what you are cooking. Thanksgiving Day is often one of our busier days responding to home cooking fires; we would like to reduce that number by practicing a little extra fire safety. Hopefully, together we can prevent cooking fires and you can enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.” According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day. NFPA’s latest cooking estimates show that there were 1,550 cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2013, reflecting a 230 percent increase over the daily average. Home cooking fires also spike on other major U.S. holidays, including Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Memorial Day weekend. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, State Fire Marshal. “That is why it is so important to “keep an eye on what you fry” and stay in the kitchen when preparing your holiday meal so it isn’t left unattended. One more safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It’s an added measure to protect you from fires in your home. ” To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, CAL FIRE would like to offer the following tips: For more tips on cooking fire safety, watch this short video https://www.youtube.com/v/aIFBJrAcGRE and visit www.fire.ca.gov. |
 Suspects: (1) Hispanic male, 5’7”-6’0”, 180 lbs., mustache; (2) Black male, 5’7”-6’0”, 180 lbs., beard; (3) Black male, 5’9”-6’2”, 190lbs., beard/mustache; (4) No distinguishing information, (5) No distinguishing information. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
East County detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying burglary suspects captured on video. On November 18th, 2015, deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to Oak Park High School in reference to a burglary. During the initial investigation, it was discovered five suspects broke a window and gained access to the computer lab and stole 17 computers. During the early morning hours of November 18th, 2015, the five suspects were captured on Oak Park High School’s video surveillance system entering the property on foot. All five suspects appeared to be wearing dark colored clothing and wore either hooded sweatshirts or beanie hats in an attempt to hide their identities. This video surveillance system showed the suspects enter the computer lab and later exit holding several computers. The suspects then left school property. School officials confirmed 17 Apple IMac computers with 21.5 inch monitors were stolen from the computer lab. Numerous Oak Park High School students stored assignments, graphic designs, and portfolio information were on these stolen computers. The academic information stored on these computers is not retrievable and represented an enormous amount of work by the students. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects responsible for this burglary and recovering these stolen computers. Anyone with information regarding this crime or information on persons attempting to sell Apple IMac computers, please contact East County Investigations Unit Detective Marta Bugarin at 805-371-8342. Nature of Incident: Oak Park High School Burglary |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Share-iff’s Toy Drive has been a tradition in Ventura County for 30 years. Many families do not have the resources to provide their children with a traditional Christmas celebration. Each year, thousands of children experience a Christmas morning with no gifts to open. Members of the Sheriff’s Office respond to calls throughout the county and encounter families without the means to exchange gifts during the holiday season. Fortunately, some of these families will be the recipients of gifts this holiday season, thanks to volunteers who participate in the Share-iff’s Toy Drive. The Sheriff’s Office will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 13 and younger. All of the toys will be distributed to children within the cities of Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Fillmore, Ojai, and the unincorporated areas served by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. All of our patrol stations will have boxes where staff members and the public can leave their unwrapped toys Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm between November 23th and December 18th. On December 19th, members of the Sheriff’s Office will open Santa’s workshop and provide some Christmas magic to those who need it most. Toy drop off locations: Camarillo Police Department 3701 Las Posas Road, Camarillo (805) 388-5100 Thousand Oaks Police Department 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 494-8200 Moorpark Police Department - 610 Spring Road, Moorpark (805) 532-2700 Fillmore Police Department - 524 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore (805) 524-2233 Ojai Police Department - 402 S. Ventura Street, Ojai (805) 646-1414 Sheriff's Headquarters - 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura (805) 654-2304 For more information about how you can help, please contact: Corina Lozano at corina.lozano@ventura.org, Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Office to Kick Off 30th Annual ‘Share-iffs’ Toy Drive |
 Meteorologist Mark Jackson from the National Weather Service spoke at the El Nino Preparedness meeting on Tuesday night. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 18th, 2015
El Nino is on its way
On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services (OES) held an El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting for Santa Clara Valley residents which included the towns of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru. It was a very informative meeting, held at the Fillmore Memorial Building. Upon entering Information pamphlets from various emergency agencies and refreshments were provided by Ivan Rodriguez and Junelyn Segul with OES, who greeted the 250 attendees. Once seated, Kevin McGowan with OES introduced the many agency representatives starting with Meteorologist Mark Jackson from the National Weather Service stationed in Oxnard which covers both Los Angeles and Ventura County. Jackson explained El Nino is a periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Why this happens is unknown and happens about every two to seven years and lasts for six to 18 months. La Nina which is the opposite, is marked by cool temperature in the Pacific. The 2015-15 El Nino is expected to strengthen further to the end of the year and may be the most powerful in 18 years. The strongest was recorded back in 1997-98. Another El Nino year was 1982-83 which to date is considered the second strongest. Jackson informed those in attendance that Fillmore's average yearly rainfall is 18 inches. In 1982-83 it was 41.00 inches and in 1997-98 Fillmore had 45.95 inches. The coming El Nino will come as a season of storms, not just one, with the heaviest rainfall expected during February 2016 and decreasing that following spring. Areas near recent wildfires are susceptible to flooding due to loss of vegetation on hillsides and natural waterways that may become clogged with ash and debris. The amount of vegetation that would normally grow naturally after a fire has not occurred due to the years of drought conditions we have experienced. These conditions could bring even more mudslides and debris flows. Jackson said to expect some flooding, flash flooding and coastal erosion. He informed everyone that a flood watch is given when flooding is possible, a flood warning when flooding in your area is imminent or already occurring and a flash flood is a sudden, violent flood that often come as a wave. Next to speak was Bruce Rindahl with the Watershed Protection District. Rindahl stated that not all El Ninos cause flooding, but to expect the possibility with at least a two times normal amount of rainfall. He advised everyone to know their local creeks and rivers and showed models of what the predicted riparian waterways may look like with inundation and impacted forecasting. Rindahl stressed the importance of preparedness for yourself and your families, suggesting a disaster kit with seven days food, one gallon of water per day per person, extra prescription medication, food for pets, extra clothes and a small disaster kit for the car, cash, credit cards, photos, insurance papers. Also fill your gas tank, and move furniture to the highest point in your home. Register your phone number with www.vcalert.org or call 805 648-9283 to register. He also stated people need to stay informed. Police Chief Dave Wareham along with Santa Paula Police Dept. Sgt Jimmy Fogata explained what the Police and Sheriffs Departments will be doing to prepare and what services will be provided. Wareham explained that "voluntary evacuation" happen when a threat is not yet imminent, but residents should be prepared with personal belongings including pets and livestock for possible "mandatory evacuation" which is due to an imminent threat. This happens when conditions are seriously imperil or endanger the lives of those in the defined area. No one will be forcibly removed from the area, but once out of the area the general public (including residents) will not be permitted to return until the danger passes. There are two types of road closures; hard road closure and soft road closure. Hard closure, the general public is prevented, by both law enforcement or barricades, from entering the area on foot or by vehicle. Soft closure, law enforcement prevents the general public from entering, but allows access to those with an ID who reside in the impacted area. Shelter-in-place requires residents lock doors and windows, select an interior room where they are with no or few windows and take refuge. Wait for an all clear from the various news outlets. Those outlets include VCAlert, door to door notification, public address systems, local media including TV, radio, social media and agency websites. Wareham warned that historically Hwy 126 is susceptible to isolation in many areas due to creek crossings and the potential for debris flows into the roadway. He pointed out the area between Santa Paula and Todd Road that floods and the area of Hwy 23 near the Equestrian Center. Wareham also warned that just six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars which can cause loss of control or stalling. Many cars will start to float in as little as one foot of water, with two feet of flowing water able to sweep away most vehicles, including large four-wheel drive cars. For road closure information: Highway Patrol, http://cad.chp.ca.gov; County Roads http://pwa.ventura.org. Luis Espinosa, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, informed everyone that during an evacuation the shelters are open to everyone, but shelter sites could change. He also stated pets are not allowed in the shelters; drugs and weapons are also banned. Transportation to the shelters is not provided and everyone should bring their own essentials such as phone, medication and toiletries. Choose two places in advance where to meet up with family members. Evacuations may be for an hour or all night. There is a Red Cross Emergency App available for Smartphones. Ramiro De Arcos, with Ventura Animal Services, suggested those with animals discuss their options ahead of time with relatives or friends where the animals can be taken, especially with large animals such as horses. Inform family, friends, neighbors of your evacuation plans and post detailed instructions where emergency workers can contact you. Evacuate early, do not wait until the roads are closed or jammed with emergency vehicles. Have equipment ready for each animal and enough feed and water for five days. Any animal recovered later will require proper identification to be reclaimed. Call Animal Services 805 388-4342 or 1-888-223-7387 if you need assistance with evacuation or www.vcas.us for information. The Emergency Volunteer Rescue Team (EVRT) is available only in a disaster. Contact 1-866-EVRT911. Richard Rudman with Remote Possibilities Contract Broadcast Services, reminded anyone whose electric service is cut off, to use their car radio to receive local media and information. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) includes every radio and TV station. The primary local EAS stations are: KVEN 1450 AM, KHAY 100.7 FM, KMLA 103.7 FM (Spanish). There was a question of the homeless living in the area and what is being done for their safety. Wareham responded the police/sheriffs are trying to locate any homeless in advance and offer them housing in Ventura. But, unless it is a trespassing issue, nothing can be done to force the person to cooperate and seek a safer place. |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 18th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Upon learning about the developing El Niño condition in the Pacific Ocean, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services along with numerous other Federal, State, County and City agencies initiated a rigorous planning and preparedness campaign geared towards evaluating local response and recovery capabilities. One area that was unanimously identified as being difficult and time consuming was the filling and transportation of sandbags during flood conditions. In an effort to alleviate the drain on first-responder labor and resources and more effectively build sandbags for flood fighting, the Office of Emergency Services has partnered with the Todd Road Jail staff to purchase a sandbag filling machine capable of filling bags at a rate of 1,000 bags per hour. Bulk materials including sand, sandbags and pallets have been pre-staged at the jail facility in Santa Paula and will be available for emergency use countywide. Several inmates at the facility have been trained on the safe operation of the machine and the production of sandbags. These inmates will serve as the primary workforce behind the mass production effort. The Ventura County Fire Department will be prepositioning the sandbags throughout the county for emergency flood fighting purposes by fire personnel only. For more information on where residents can obtain sandbags please visit www.readyventuracounty.org/elnino Nature of Incident: Todd Road Jail to Assist in Building Sandbags for El Niño |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, November 17th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The busiest shopping days of the year are upon us. Malls, other retailers, and grocery stores will be more crowded than usual with busy shoppers. Whether you are about to celebrate a holiday in the coming weeks or not, please keep the following in mind when going out to shop: 1. Remember to lock your vehicles. Whether you are at the shopping mall or parked in your own driveway, lock your vehicle and hide or remove your valuables from your car. 2. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies when taking mass transit: report any unattended packages to security or staff. 3. Be sure not to buy more than you can carry. If your packages are blocking your view and/or restricting freedom of motion, ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to your car. 4. Be extra cautious if you carry a wallet or purse. Do not leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart, or turn away from it while shopping. 5. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings. 6. Remember that the bad-guys may be watching you place your packages in your car and then go to another store. That’s when they break into your car to steal what you just stowed away so you could continue to shop. If you go shopping with children over the next several weeks, keep the following advice in mind for everyone’s safety: 1. Ensure that any children with you know your cell phone number. Give cards with contact information to any who don’t. 2. Make a plan with children in case you get separated. Have a central meeting place, and review with your children who they can turn to for help if they find themselves alone. 3. Go over the dangers of strangers with them so that they know who not to talk to or follow. By following this advice, you can reduce the stress of shopping during the particularly busy season. As always, keep your personal safety in mind, be aware of your surroundings, and be on the lookout for fraud and identity theft. Please report any suspicious activity to the Moorpark Police Department (805) 532-2700 or in the case of an emergency dial 911. Nature of Incident: Holiday Safety Tips |
|
By Anonymous — Monday, November 16th, 2015
The ninety three members of the Flashes Regiment came away with top honors on Saturday November 12 at the Granada Hills Charter High School Field Competition with an overall first place in the open division, first place in percussion and second place in colorguard. But the best news came with the announcement that Fillmore won the coveted music sweepstakes award, earning the highest music performance score of the day out of twenty two bands. It was a busy week for the students as they practiced many hours on the field and put on a concert for the community. Saturday’s competition wraps up the field show season for the Regiment. The group will now start preparing for parades and various winter activities including indoor percussion and colorguard and concert band. Mr. Godfrey and the all of the students involved with the Flashes Regiment would like to thank the Fillmore Band Boosters and volunteers who helped with the field show competitions and fundraising throughout the competitive season. |
|
By Anonymous — Monday, November 16th, 2015
Cal Fire Sacramento – While recent rains and cooler temperatures have lowered the threat of wildfires in some areas of the State, CAL FIRE continues to have extra firefighter staffing statewide and remains at peak fire season in Central and Southern California. Last week alone CAL FIRE crews responded to nearly 50 new wildfires. Even as CAL FIRE transitions out of peak fire season in Northern California and into its winter preparedness mode, fire officials are still asking residents statewide to be cautious outdoors as ‘One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire’. “As drought conditions continued throughout the year, we experienced a significant increase in the number and size of fires," said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Even with the increased likelihood of precipitation due to El Niño, it will still take several years of steady rainfall for some of the larger vegetation to return to normal levels and no amount of rain will bring back millions of bark beetle infested dead and dying trees across the state. We can’t let our guard down, especially with changing climate conditions leading to longer fire seasons and larger wildfires.” While CAL FIRE has begun to close some of its seasonal fire stations and facilities in Northern California, CAL FIRE is maintaining firefighter staffing that meets the current threat, as well as strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. As California prepares to enter the fifth year of drought, CAL FIRE will continue to monitor weather conditions closely to determine when it can move into winter preparedness in Central and Southern California. The department will also increase staffing in Northern California should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or any other emergencies in Southern California. The 2015 fire season to date has been an extremely active year, even more than in 2014. Statewide, CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 6,100 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 308,000 acres. This is nearly 1,800 more wildfires this year than in an average year. Across all jurisdictions in California there were over 8,100 wildfires that burned nearly 825,000 acres in 2015. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped outdoor landscape debris burning. Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. In Northern and Central California residents should ensure it’s a permissive burn day in their area by contacting the local air quality district and make sure they have any and all required burn permits. During burning make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter, provide a 10 ft. clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile and that a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel. Firefighters will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health on private and public lands. For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire. |
|
By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Realtors Continue to Object to New Ordinance
 Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. The November 10, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting had a full agenda including a Consent Calendar second reading of the Humane Living Ordinance which brought back local realtors to voice their opposition. First to speak on the ordinance was former Fillmore Realtor Doug Hause who did not hold back when questioning the Councils motives stating "....I just wonder if this Council hasn't been lobbied by contractors and others in the construction business to sweeten opportunities with the strong arm of the government in town" suggesting the council had been influenced. He commented on the financial stability of some vulnerable residents "living paycheck to paycheck" stating "this ordinance by its very nature puts many at risk" leaving the door open to the unscrupulous predator practice of selling for the minimum through private sale. "I have lived in this town for 45 years and never have I seen such a mean spirited self-serving proposal as this ordinance." The second person to speak was Realtor Cindy Diaz-Telly who wanted to correct the City record on a number of issues. One was the amount of citizen calls the City received concerning the issue as 33. Diaz-Telly informed the Council that and additional 22 residents contacted her stating they could not get through, that they received a recording stating the message box was full. She also disagreed stating Council Member Rick Neal had accused the realtors of threatening a lawsuit, responding there was no threat of a lawsuit. Another problem she stated in the claims of some Council Members was that discussions had already been tried, saying, "Talking at this podium for five minutes is not a conversation." Diaz-Telly spoke at length of legal problems associated with the ordinance and questioned the response at the previous meeting by City Attorney Tiffany Israel stating other towns have had a good response to similar ordinances. Diaz-Telly questioned "What cities are they, what is the median income?" She then questioned the proposed six months trial period asking, "What's your measure of success....at the end you're passing an open-ended ordinance" and ended with suggesting the Council slow down and "consider other options." Council Member Rick Neal, who has pushed to move forward made a motion to approve the ordinance. Council Member Manuel Minjares quickly interjected that he also felt the council members had not met with the realtors stated, "I want to give them the opportunity to talk it over with them." Council Member Diane McCall agreed with Minjares stating that people are still telling her they disagree with the ordinance. "I'm for putting together a better product." Council Member Carrie Broggie responded, "I keep hearing the same thing...citing the same points....I've heard nothing new.....if you want to talk to realtors I'm ok with that." Neal stated he would not talk to any realtors without an attorney present with each realtor and that it would cost the City a great deal of money to do that. He went on to cite the higher cost of Santa Barbara's ordinance compared to the proposed Fillmore ordinance, but did not mention the huge difference in income between the two cities. McCall reminded the Council that many of the homes in Fillmore are very old and there is no documented history on improvements and changes made. There are homes in Fillmore that date before the Fillmore Planning Department. Minjares told the others he would like to see a subcommittee created to investigate the need for the ordinance. Mayor Douglas Tucker reported he had heard from both sides, in favor and opposed and understood the need for housing and for safety, but "the end result is the ordinance improves the value of properties." Tucker ended with "the hardest part is we have to make decisions....allowing the trial of six months we'll see how it works for the community." A vote was taken ending in 3-2, with Broggie seconding Neal’s motion and Tucker being the deciding vote in favor. Both Minjares and McCall voted No. A Public Hearing item was the proposed 8% increase in trash removal fees. Fillmore resident Ray Mel addressed the Council stating there was no need to increase the brown yard clippings bin because there is less need since the drought and if the number of bins picked up stayed the same there would not be a need to increase the costs. He stated that so many utilities have increased and it is having a hard impact of residents. Councilman Neal responded, "I think there was an increase coming anyway." It has been 5 years since Harrison Industries has increased the fee and a 5% was expected. There was an offer of picking up all three bins every week at an increase of 8% and the Council agreed that for the added 3% the citizens were getting a better offer. Tucker reminded others that Harrison is still cleaning the streets without charging and McCall added that they also clean up after events with no charge to the City. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting to hear from experts on the potential for a very wet winter season and the planning and response efforts underway. The agencies represented at the meeting: National Weather Service; Ventura County Fire Department; Fillmore City Fire Department; Ventura County Sheriff's Office; Watershed Protection District; Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services; Ventura County Animal Services; American Red Cross. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore. After a week long investigation the arrest of Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore, was made today for forgery and grand theft from an elderly person. Investigators determined between March 2014 through August 2015 Moten had cared for an elderly couple, ages 92 and 83 years old of Santa Paula. During that time frame the suspect had written multiple false checks and made unauthorized withdrawls on the elderly couple's account. The total loss in false checks and unauthorized withdrawls is approximately $8,500. Also during investigation it was determined Moten had stolen jewelry from the elderly couple and had pawned it at a local pawn shop. The dollar amount regarding the stolen jewelry is still being investigated at this time. Based on the investigation at this time we believe the possibility exists there may be other people who have been victimized by Moten. If you believe you have been a victim please contact Detective Walter Harper at 525-4474 x 221. Moten was arrested for 470(a) PC - Forgery and 365(d) PC - Grand Theft from an Elderly Person. Moten was later transported to Ventura County Main Jail where her bail is set at $20,000. |
|
By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The El Nino Town Hall Meeting for the Santa Clara Valley is Tuesday November 17, 2015 from 6pm-8pm at the Veterans Memorial Building in Fillmore. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Vicente Sosa Pedrito, Aka: Juan Mendoza, Juvenal Martinez, Alfonso DeLeon, “El Peluchin”, DOB: 05/29/1967, 05/05/1975, Sex: Male, Ethnicity: Hispanic, Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Black, Height: 5’5”, Weight: 150, CDL: C6458134, Tattoos: Rose flower on left hand, Jesus on left arm, woman on right arm. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating Vicente Sosa Pedrito. Pedrito has been out of compliance with his sex registration requirements since March 18, 2015. Vicente Sosa Pedrito Felony Warrant issued on 03/13/2015 for Probation Violation and Failure to Register as Sex Offender. Information about Pedrito's whereabouts can be shared with: |
|
By Leslie McAdam — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Laura Bartels Santa Clara Valley Attorney Laura Bartels was recently selected to be the recipient of the Ben E. Nordman award, the highest honor of the Ventura County Bar Association. She will receive the prestigious honor on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the bar’s annual dinner at Ventura’s Crowne Plaza Hotel at 7 PM. Known for her two decades of work with Fillmore’s Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, Laura began volunteering there as an attorney in 1997, acting as the director since 2002- two decades of volunteering every Thursday night during the school year. Laura is proud of the fact that most of the attorneys at SCVLA have received the California State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award; Laura received the award in 2001 along with attorney Debora Vierra, the legal aid’s founder. Legal Aid has served over 11,000 people since its inception. It is unique as an all-volunteer organization that relies exclusively on individual donations. Laura describes the power of transformation at SCVLA – how the focused, active listening to people sharing their problems and giving them legal advice and hope, validates their concerns and liberates them toward change. She loves helping people because it is “so rewarding.” SCVLA provides information to the individuals and families who come; if necessary, individual matters are handled by the attorneys on their own. Laura started volunteering in the 1990s for the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, helping victims of clergy sexual misconduct. She observed first-hand “the transformative power of having the person tell their story and having someone listen and be an advocate.” Since then, she hasn’t stopped being of service. She has been elected Bardsdale’s representative to the Valley Advisory Committee (a Santa Clara Valley land use advisory committee to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors), appointed to the Ventura County Planning Commission (including serving as chair), a member of the Santa Paula Hospital Board of Directors; a mentor for Ventura County Big Brother-Big Sisters; recipient of the Fillmore Soroptimist Women of Distinction; a member of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board; a Ventura County 99 (women pilot’s); President of the Ventura County Bar Association, and many, many other activities, including coaching Fillmore High School Mock Trial. Laura’s unique ability to immediately connect to people strengthens the bond created in serving others. For four years she organized a winter coat drive in Fillmore, giving away around 1,800 coats; this was the only time I have ever been Black Friday shopping: with Laura Bartels at 3:00 in the morning, buying out Macy’s, Old Navy, and J.C. Penney’s. After the coat drive got too unwieldy, she still went to Walmart, bought as many soccer balls as would fit in her car (over fifty) and gave them out at Christmas. Last year she actively participated in a local coalition in providing assistance to immigrant children fleeing from Central America, who were temporarily housed at Port Hueneme Naval Air Base. Husband Bill is the Ventura County Film Liaison and Laura’s supportive, caring and deeply loved partner. Married 28 years ago, their 3 children are the fifth generation of Bartels who have grown up in the ranch house built by Bill’s great grandfather 100 years ago. Son Matthew (13) is an 8th grader at Fillmore Middle School; Hannah (15) is a 10th grader at La Reina High School; and Nico (17) is a senior at Fillmore High School. The family farm is currently planted to artichokes, but has grown jalapeños for Sriracha hot chili sauce, Brussels sprouts and navels and Valencias. After high school on the north Oregon coast, Laura attended Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college in the country, with a degree in History and a minor in Women’s Studies. Laura and Bill moved to Fillmore in 1986 and she started working for attorney John Scoles in 1988 as a legal assistant. With his encouragement, she began studying law at Ventura College of Law in the mid-90s and took the February 1997 bar. With her paralegal Joi Searson, office manager Andrea Davis, and office German Shepherds Twiggy and Brando, she has an active probate and estate planning practice in Fillmore at Taylor, Scoles & Bartels which is celebrating 85 years of serving the families and farmers of the Santa Clara Valley. Laura is quite the Foo Fighters fan, and thanks to family connections, Laura has seen, to date, 39 shows, in cities throughout California, as well as St. Louis, Atlantic City, New York, Kansas City, and even Germany. Recently her seats were on the stage with her mother, where the guitar techs had to walk around her. Besides the Foos, she is a licensed pilot and her hobbies are photography, activities with her children, and cheering Le Tour de France. She also collects handshakes with famous people. On her list so far: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm, guitarist Dave Grohl, writer Ram Dass, actor Richard Gere, model Cindy Crawford, software guru Peter Norton, California Chief Justice Ronald George (ret.), California Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakayue, and singer Sheryl Crowe. Noted anthropologist Margaret Mead was a good friend of Laura’s mother and her famous quote seems to have seeped its way into the fiber of Laura’s being: “Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world … indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Laura has received other honors and awards, including the Volunteer Lawyer Services Program award in 2001 and 2003, and the Holly Spevak Memorial Award from the Ventura County Women Lawyers in 2012. However, the Nordman award is truly a special honor. Please call the Ventura County Bar Association at 805-650-7599 for ticket and sponsorship information. Reservations are required. Leslie McAdam is a partner at Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP, where she handles business litigation, employment counsel and litigation, and real estate matters. Leslie is a six year veteran volunteer of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid. |
|
By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The Fillmore Unified School Board presented the Fillmore Alumni Association with a Proclamation of gratitude for all they do for the school community at last week’s school board meeting. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On November 02, 2015, Deputies along with Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau responded to a call of a stabbing at the intersection of Third and B St., in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving, it was discovered the victim had been involved in an altercation with the suspect and the victim sustained a stab wound to the chest. The victim was transported to VCMC where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau. Nature of Incident: Homicide 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). |
