UPDATE: Mike Herdman's body was found on Friday, 2-weeks to the day he disappeared in the wood Sesoe backcountry.
A major search is underway for a missing off-duty Arcadia firefighter in the Los Padres National Forest north of Fillmore. Mike Herdman, 34, has been missing since Friday in the Tar Creek Trail area.

Herdman was hiking in the rugged terrain with a fellow firefighter, Taylor Byars. The two were sitting around a campfire Friday night when Herman’s dog ran off and he ran after it. He was barefoot and wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. Byars searched for Herdman but could not locate him.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department dispatched two helicopters and a Search and Rescue Team of approximately 15 on Monday, but was unable to locate Herdman. Rescue personnel were back out at first light on Tuesday to resume the search in the Dough Flat area, where a temporary command post has been set up.

Herdman is an experienced hiker but has no food or water with him. He is a seven year veteran of the Arcadia Fire Department.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Saturday 06/07/2014, members of the Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and Ventura County Probation Agency conducted multiple searches of residences of parolees and probationers in the City of Fillmore and the surrounding unincorporated areas. This operation was funded by a California state grant for supervising post-release and serious habitual offenders, due to state prison Realignment Act (AB 109).

Sheriff’s Deputies visited forty-two Fillmore area locations Saturday morning and conducted probation / parole searches, and served multiple felony arrest warrants. Of the probationers and parolees contacted, 19 subjects were arrested for a variety of charges, ranging from narcotics violations to felon in possession of ammunition charges. Six individuals were booked into the Ventura County Jail, while the remaining were cited and released.

Similar operations have been conducted in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Ojai, and the Ventura/Oxnard unincorporated areas in recent months.

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department and multiple specialized units of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura County Probation Agency.

Prepared by: Sergeant Mario Aguilar

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).

Tuesday’s City Council meeting began with a Fillmore Fire Fighter Foundation Proclamation presented to Scott Beylik, Mike Bush, Mike Richardson, Bill Morris and Scott Klittich for the generous contributions to Fillmore's Fire Department. But the main focus of the June 10, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting was Fillmore's Financial Director Gaylynn Brien presentation of a balanced FY 2014-2015 Budget. Revenue (money in) has not exceeded expenditures (money out) for number of years, so having a balanced budget is very good news. The Budget can be found on the City's website and at the Fillmore Library.

The next year Fillmore expects 36 new residential building permits and 8,320 square feet of non-residential development that will generate $182,729 in permit revenue with the current year estimates of 16 residential projects generating an additional $76,800. This is a projected increase of 138% or by almost $106,000. Property taxes have increased 1.69% adding an additional increase of $20,000.

The biggest increase came as a result of the sales tax sharing agreement; where businesses, that moved to Fillmore because of the agreement, share tax rebates from the Board of Equalization (BOE) with Fillmore. A long court dispute over who should receive the funds was resolved in last year in Fillmore's favor and the BOE has released $14 million in "back taxes" but is still holding $5.2 million of previous taxes and $1.4 million of this year’s taxes, leaving a total of $6.8 million withheld. Of that $6.8 million, Fillmore is expected to receive $1.3 million as its share, and $1.58 million as sales tax revenue on an ongoing basis.

Fillmore, like other CONTINUED »

At the June 10, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting the Board approved the contract for two new employees. One was a new Fillmore High School Principal and the other an Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. The Board gave recognition to three presenters: the Migrant Speech and Debate Team that represented Fillmore at the State Competition, the Migrant Student of the Year and the parents who participated in the English-As-A-Second Language Class.

Mr. Tom Ito has been hired as the new Fillmore High School (FHS) Principal. Ito has experience as a high school science teacher and high school associate principal having worked at Los Angeles Unified School District and Oxnard Union High School District. His most recently was as Associate Principal at Adolfo Camarillo High School. He has a total of 29 years of experience as a teacher, coach and administrator in a wide range of uniquely different comprehensive high schools.

The second hire is Martha Hernandez as Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. Hernandez has served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ventura County Office of Education and most recently on the state committee as Co-Chair of the English Language Arts/English Language Development Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee. She is bi-lingual with a resume that includes special education teacher, principal, Coordinator of Professional Development and Director of Curriculum and Instruction and the district level.

The FUSD Migrant Student of the Year is Jesus Mendoza. Mendoza has worked hard to achieve his goals and made this education a priority, he maintained a GPA of 3.8 in AP and Honor classes while also participating in extracurricular activities and sports. Jesus has received many awards including the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma and is a CSF Member. He has also been an active student of the Migrant Education Program. He has worked in the homework centers, Migrant Summer School office and participated in the Family Conference, Computer Camp, UCLA Leadership Institute and Speech and Debate Tournament where he had the honor of winning State Champion in 2013.

In his busy CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

05/20/14
Search Warrant
300 Blk. A St.
400 Blk. Fillmore St.
300 Blk. St.
300 Blk. Saratoga St.
Vandalism
600 Blk. Shiells Dr.
Fight
500 Blk. Central Ave.
Battery
600 Blk. Ventura St.
05/21/14
Fight
900 Blk. Ventura St.
Threats
1100 Blk. Meadowlark Dr.
Disturbance Fireworks
400 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Found Property
1300 Blk. Ventura St.
Accident – Non Injury
A St./Ventura St.
Vandalism CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 06/05/14 at about 10:35 A.M. a Fillmore resident was home when a burglar forced entry into the home and surprised her. The burglar was surprised himself to find the resident inside and fled the residence.

The events unfolded when an adult female resident (victim) living in the 1400 block of Cottonwood Ln. was home. The victim heard a knock on her front door. As she made her way to answer the door, she saw a stranger (suspect) walk into the hallway of her home. The victim was surprised and screamed. The suspect saw her and ran out of the house. He was last seen getting into a dark gray 4-door sedan with tinted windows. Nothing was stolen and nobody was injured in the incident. A subsequent investigation revealed the suspect entered the residence by forcing open a bedroom window.

The suspect is described as a light skinned male Hispanic in his early to late teens. The public is urged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office with any information related to this case.

Nature of Incident: Residential Burglary
Report Number: 14-12851
Location: 1400 Block Cottonwood Ln. Fillmore, Ca. 93015
Date & Time: 06/05/2014 @ Approximately 10:35 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Patrol / Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Unknown male Hispanic Unknown Unknown
Prepared by: Detective Taurino Almazan
Media Release Date: 06/06/2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Taurino Almazan @ (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Mark Franke

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).

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff’s investigators eradicated the first large scale marijuana cultivation of the 2014 season with the seizure of 50,280 marijuana plants.

During a marijuana reconnaissance flight in the canyons north of Lake Piru, narcotics investigators discovered a large scale marijuana cultivation site. The marijuana cultivation was located in a canyon approximately 10 miles north of Lake Piru in the Los Padres National Forest. The marijuana plants stretched for over a mile and occupied several smaller side canyons.

On May 23, Investigators from the Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau West County Street Team, Sheriff’s Custody Bureau, Santa Paula Police Department, and California National Guard Multi-Functional Counter Drug Task Force, were flown to the site by the Sheriff’s Air Unit. 50,280 marijuana plants were eradicated with an estimated street value of over $201,000,000.

Detectives discovered that water had been diverted from several natural springs into hand dug reservoirs. Growers often add fertilizers to these reservoirs, using miles of irrigation hose to water multiple grow sites throughout the canyons. This exploitation of the water course prevents native plants from receiving water and is unsafe for animals or humans to drink. Several hundred pounds of fertilizer were found, along with herbicides, rat poisons, and mountains of trash. Multiple grower campsites were found, one containing a rifle. Investigators believe 6-8 suspects were living in the camps. The suspects fled upon the arrival of investigators.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office believes these large scale marijuana cultivations are connected to Mexican Cartels operating in California. We remind those using our county’s backcountry to be vigilant in watching for clandestine marijuana operations. If you see irrigation hose, fertilizers, rustic campsites, or hikers without equipment in secluded areas, you may be in danger. If you find yourself in an area and see this type of situation, quietly leave the area and notify law enforcement immediately. You can report your observations anonymously.

Nature of Incident: Marijuana Cultivation and Eradication
Report Number: 14-10615
Location: Piru Canyon

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). For full details, view this message on the web.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office recently participated in a nationwide month-long action named “Operation Broken Heart.” The national crackdown targeted offenders who; possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography, engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes, engage in the commercial sexual exploitation of children (commonly referred to as child prostitution), engage in child sex tourism (traveling abroad for the purpose of sexually abusing foreign children) and checking registered sex offenders in the community.

The following people were arrested during this operation:

• Damian Maurice Villarreal Age 30, from the city of Thousand Oaks for Possession of Child Pornography
• Registered Sex Offender Manuel Rene Flores Age 59, from the city of Fillmore for Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
• Registered Sex Offender Mark Swearingen Age 49 from Thousand Oaks for peeping and child annoying
• Registered Sex Offender Vicente Sosa Pedrito (aka Juan Martinez) Age 47 from the city of Moorpark for failing to register as a sex offender.

In addition to the four arrests above, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office served three Possession of Child Pornography search warrants in the cities of Fillmore, Oxnard, and Ventura. Arrests are pending the completion of computer forensic examinations by the Southern California High Tech Task Force.
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Sixty one coordinated local task forces throughout the nation made arrests during the month of May, then collected and shared the arrest statistics with the Washington, D.C. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) who will release the statics at a later press conference this month.

Nature of Incident: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office participation in “Operation Broken Heart”
Report Number: N/A
Location: Ventura County
Date & Time: Month of May
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
Prepared by: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: June 2, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre 805-384-4721
anthony.aguirre@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Chris Dunn

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).

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The Fillmore High Alumni Assn invites all Alumni to come enjoy a delicious meal at the 101st Alumni Dinner. This years meal will be catered by DJ's California Catering. Meal includes: WOOD FIRED PRIME ANGUS TRI TIP served with Au Jus and Creamed Horseradish, CHICKEN BREAST PROVENCAL served with Artichoke Hearts, fresh Tomato, fresh Basil and Black Olives in a light cream sauce. PASTA PUTTACESCA a penne pasta in tomato-Caper sauce. All dinners served with a RUSTICA BABY LETTUCE SALAD and an assortment of freshly baked rolls with Creamery butter. Dessert will be the ever popular homemade Apple and Peach Cobblers with Vanilla Ice Cream. Come into Patterson's Hardware Store (Open 7 days a week) in town and make your dinner reservations there. Price goes up to $45.00 per person for everyone after June 7th. Save $5.00 and get your reservations in before the 7th. Last years dinner was Party of the Year in Fillmore, and the current Board of Directors are planning more surprises for the 101st. You can catch a Glimpse of what's in store in the Merchant window of Nanette Kellers Dress Shop in Fillmore. See you all on June 14th.

Rosario Palmerin, 32 of Piru.

Rosario Palmerin, 32 of Piru, has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly using a vehicle to run down a romantic rival on December 26, 2013. The injured man, a 30-year of Fillmore resident, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center with broken legs.

Palmerin was charged with assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. He is accused of using his pickup truck to run down his estranged wife’s boyfriend. The victim was thrown approximately 30-feet by the impact, and underwent several surgeries. He is still confined to a wheelchair.

Deputies instigated a search for Palmerin, who turned himself in several days later. He remains in jail on $750,000 bail, and cannot be released because of an INS hold for deportation proceedings.

City of Fillmore

05/13/14
Surveillance
D St./Waterford Ln.
Theft Identity
500 Blk. Saratoga St.
Narcotics Violation
900 Blk. Blaine Ave.
Hit & Run – Non Injury
300 Blk. A St.
Disturbance Party
Reading St./River St.
05/14/14
Narcotics Violation
900 Blk. Wileman St.
Surveillance
200 Blk. Sheffield Ln.
Threats
600 Blk. Fillmore St.
Trespass
600 Blk. River St.
Accident – Non Injury
Cottonwood Ln./Waterford Ln.
Search Warrant
300 Blk. Clay St.
05/15/14 CONTINUED »

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Surveillance images of a suspect who sexually battered a woman in a movie theater restroom last Friday evening reveal another man who was possibly with the suspect at the time. The second man was wearing a light blue polo shirt and white shorts (shown in attached photos). He spoke only Spanish with theater employees, and he is considered a person of interest at this time.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect in this case and the person of interest, who may have information about the crime.

On May 23, 2014, at approximately 11:39 p.m., deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Department investigated a report of a sexual battery, which occurred at the Muvico Theatre on Hillcrest Drive. The victim reported that while she was in a restroom stall, an unidentified man slid underneath the partition and sexually battered her. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to exit the stall, and the suspect fled from the theater.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5’5” to 5’7”, 130-150 lbs., slender build, brown hair, brown eyes, medium to dark complexion, wearing a grey hoodie and dark-colored jeans. The suspect’s image was captured by surveillance cameras as he was leaving the area of the restroom. The suspect exited the theatre and got into the passenger seat of a black sedan.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the person of interest can call Detective Eric Taylor at (805) 947-8252 and any press inquiries can be directed to Sergeant Eric Buschow at (805) 947-8129.

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).

Nature of Incident: Woman Sexually Battered at Movie Theater (UPDATE)
Report Number: 14-11853
Location: Muvico Theatre 166 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: May 23, 2014 @ 11:14 p.m.
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes / Sexual Assault Unit
Prepared by: Sergeant Robert Fleming
Media Release Date: May 30, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Eric Taylor (805) 947-8252
Sergeant Eric Buschow (805) 947-8129
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

I am sure many of you, like me, drive up and down Central Ave, or Sespe Avenue, and have taken notice of the aging Military Banners! The Military Banners are proudly displayed as a way of showing the Santa Clara Valley Community's support for those who are sacrificing daily for us here at home as active members of one of the five Military Services. Considering the Military Banners are up in all kinds of weather 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and 365-days a year, for nearly five years, they have not really done too badly! Many citizens of the Santa Clara Valley Community have commented on the condition of the Military Banners and wondered if they could be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. A small committee consisting of Virginia A. de la Piedra, City Manager David Rowlands, Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros and Public Works Supervisor David Smallwood have been meeting to find the best way to refurbish, or replace the Military Banners. It appears, however, the only sure way to ensure the Military Banners are made to look new again is to replace them! To replace the Military Banners is very costly, but not an impossible task for this Community!

The City of Fillmore has a commitment from a corporate sponsor for a, yet to be specified amount donation, to freshen up the Military Banners displayed on Central Avenue and Sespe Avenue. The donation will, however, fall short of the nearly $13,000 needed to order and replace the approximate sixty-eight Banners now prominently displayed showing this Community's support for those who are currently serving in the military.

Virginia A. de la Piedra has for many years been the caretaker of this program and maintained the finances to order each Banner for our troops from the Santa Clara Valley. Virginia says that although there are still some monies left in the account there is not enough to match what the corporate sponsor is expected to donate for this replenishment program. Other donations are expected from Military Service Organizations, local Service Clubs, Businesses and private persons.

One of the difficult tasks for Virginia has been to keep track of those persons with Banners, now displayed, who may have left Military service and are no longer currently serving. If a family member of someone now displaying a Military Banner knows of their separation from the military Virginia would like to be notified so that a new Banner is not purchased for that person. Virginia can be reached at 805-524-4091, or by email militarybanners@yahoo.com, or by writing her, United Parents for Education, P.O. Box 220, Fillmore, CA 93016. The Banner now on display would be removed along with all the Banners and would be given to the family, or to the person no longer serving at a special ceremony in front of the Fillmore City Council.

As the time is fast approaching to order these new Military Banners it is again being requested that anyone wishing to donate monies to replenish the existing Military Banners with new Banners to do so by dropping off a check at the City of Fillmore, or with Virginia A. de la Piedra. Your donation is tax deductible and you will be given a 501 © tax identification number in a confirmation letter accepting your donation. It is also further needed the names of those no longer serving in the military so as not to unnecessarily purchase Military Banners that will not be displayed. Please be generous with your donations to show our currently serving military members that Fillmore, Piru, Bardsdale and the entire Santa Clara Valley continues to support them.

Pride in America Day was celebrated Tuesday, May 22 at Fillmore Middle School. This year, veterans were asked to go into individual classrooms before the assembly to speak to students about their experiences in the military and answer questions. The veterans were amazed at the interest of the students and the variety of questions. The assembly began with a military honor guard from Port Hueneme posting colors and was followed by a moving tribute to veterans. It also included performances of song, dance, and music. The student officers of the Pride in America Club beautifully emceed the entire assembly. Except for last year when the gym was undergoing repairs,
Pride in America Day has been held since 1995. This year was the best one ever. The teacher responsible for this wonderful tribute to America is Laurie Merrill. Besides being an incredible science teacher, Mrs. Merrill is responsible for the Pride in America Club, a group of about 40 students who meet every Wednesday during lunch throughout the year to plan the Pride in America Day. Under Mrs. Merrill's guidance, they become leaders. These wonderful students go on to high school and function as leaders there and continue as such into college and life. Mrs. Merrill has generously given her time and talents to this club on a voluntary basis. She and her students not only make Fillmore Unified School District look good, but also make Fillmore look good. Over the years, many people have commented that every school should have a Pride in America Day. I congratulate the school administration for permitting this wonderful program to continue. Thank you, also, to the teachers and staff who support this. Special praise is due Mrs. Merrill for her countless hours of work. Fillmore Middle School is truly blessed to have her.

City of Fillmore

The May 27, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting had two proclamations and two presentations that included the 2014/2015 City Budget. New business was a review and intent to increase the assessments for the Landscape and Lighting District, the Heritage Valley Lighting District and the Storm Drain Maintenance Assessment District.

Fillmore's Finance Director Gaylynn Brien presented the Council the proposed 2014/2015 Budget. With the judgment of the Sales Tax Settlement in Fillmore's favor and using conservative projections, she presented a balanced budget with future revenue covering expenditures. One negative item is an expected increase in sewer rates by 3% from $89.60 (average) to $92.29 effective August 1, 2014 or possibly January 1, 2015, depending on the Council's future decision. Some capital projects the City hopes to fund, if surplus funds become available, are improvements to Two Rivers Park Tot Lot, Two Rivers Park Bicycle Pump Track and Pole Creek Bike Path.

The meeting began with a proclamation to the Ebell Club for their many years of service to the community and recent generous donations of over $100,000 to a wide range of organizations and activities such as the Annual Art Show, Fillmore High School Music Program, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley and Two Rivers Park. Accepting the plaque were Mary Ford and Marlene Schreffler.

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) received the next proclamation. Accepting the plaque was Macie Wokal, Hannah Wisehart-Saviers, Jessica Manginelli, Timmy Klittich, Joe Ricards-Advisor, and Scott Beylik-FFA Booster President.

Film director Bryan CONTINUED »