City of Fillmore

01/07/14
Fight
300 Blk. Clay St.
Keep the Peace
300 Blk. Bard St.
Threats – Verbal/Written
1000 Blk. Tudor Lane
Vandalism
1000 Blk. B St.
Violation Restraining Order
300 Blk. 4th St.
Keep the Peace
300 Blk. Bard St.
01/08/14
Vandalism
300 Blk. Main St.
Vandalism
300 Blk. McCampbell St. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim laying on the road on Grand Ave. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered two victims were shot near a party at a residence on Grand Ave. Adrian Moreno sustained fatal injuries. A second gunshot victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing.

Moreno was pronounced deceased at the scene. There are no suspects in custody.

Investigators are seeking the public's help. Anyone with information is urged to call Sheriff's Major Crimes at (805) 384-4730.

Nature of Incident: Homicide Near Fillmore
Report Number: 14-863
Location: 1600 block of Grand Ave.
Date & Time: 1/11/14 @ 11:59 p.m.
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff's Homicide Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(D) Male Fillmore 18
(V) Male Fillmore Juvenile

Prepared by: Captain Don Aguilar
Media Release Date: 1/12/14
Follow-up Contact Captain Don Aguilar (805) 797-7349
don.aguilar@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Bill Ayub

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).

An 18-year of Fillmore man is dead and one was wounded after a Saturday night shooting. The crime took place at approximately midnight in the 1600 block of Grand Avenue. Its been reported that a large party was taking place in the area. The victim was reported lying in the street and was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. Another victim was shot and received non-life threatening injuries. He is at Ventura County Medical Center. Names have not been released. Major Crimes detectives and crime scene investigators were at the scene interviewing witnesses. Ventura County Search and Rescue was on scene until 10:30am Sunday morning, looking for evidence in the shooting. A suspect is at large; anyone with information should call Sheriffs Major Crimes at 805-384-4730.

Mayor Manuel Minjares

Having recently been selected by our City Council to serve as the City of Fillmore’s Mayor for our Centennial year, I am appreciative of the opportunity to let the citizens of our City, and all of Ventura County, know of the great strides that our community is making, and of our hopes and aspirations for the coming year. As many know, Fillmore has faced some significant financial challenges in the recent past. Rather than simply try to work within the constraints of these challenges, our City Council has worked together cooperatively and collegially to face down and successfully abate these challenges, and we are looking forward to brighter days ahead for our citizens. Our City Council, by continuing to work cooperatively with each other and with those at all levels of government, anticipates the ability to achieve success in many different areas during the coming year.

Through a coordinated effort with the City of Santa Paula, the County of Ventura, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission, we anticipate developing and implementing a seamless system of transit and transportation for those in the Heritage Valley, a system that can become a model for other areas to emulate.

By maintaining a close working relationship with Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean and our Police Chief, Monica McGrath, our City Council has continued to emphasize the value of a safe community and has focused law enforcement and community efforts on both crime prevention and firm, fair enforcement of our laws.

We are also working hard to upgrade the environmental aspects of our community, coordinating with the Chamber of Commerce to attract new business to our downtown area, working with Caltrans to beautify the 126 corridor through town, supporting our Film Commission in their successful efforts to bring more filming to our City, and bringing community groups and economic development together to find common ground for making Fillmore an ever greater City to live in and raise a family.

At the same time that we will be working on these issues, we also realize that there are significant challenges that we still must face on behalf of our residents. Due to federal and state regulations our City was required to build a wastewater treatment plant that although was very sophisticated and expensive for a community of our size, it will perform its needed functions well in the decades to come. Our City Council will be working closely this year with County, State, and federal officials to seek ways to bring our operating costs down for the benefit of our residents, never losing sight of our goal to lower our rates while maintaining all of the required environmental safeguards.

Another challenge that we will face this year is that of finding a way to keep the Fillmore and Western Railroad a viable, operating, and safe tourist train. This train benefits not just the Heritage Valley, but is a major tourist attraction for Southern California. Unfortunately the need for costly maintenance of the tracks and their infrastructure, as well as the needed renewal of the lease for the operating rights on the tracks, have combined to cloud the future operation of this important regional attraction. Our City Council knows of the important economic benefits of Fillmore and Western, yet at the same time we also know the importance of a safe facility and the fiscal viability of the operation.

Our City Council is proud of our community and we know that our residents are proud to call Fillmore their home. Our community continues to be shown in movies and on television worldwide as a picture-perfect downtown setting of small town America. Our shops and businesses are proud of this recognition and we invite all of Ventura County to stroll our downtown sidewalks on any weekend. We’re proud of our community and know that as all of Ventura County gets to know us, that same pride in Fillmore will spread throughout the County.

And to our residents, friends, and governmental colleagues, thank you for your contributions to Fillmore’s first one hundred years. May our next hundred be as successful!!

United Water Conservation District officials are reporting the discovery of an invasive species of mussels at Lake Piru. District personnel discovered what appears to be suspicious aquatic bivalve mollusks attached to settling and monitoring devices placed at various monitoring locations on Lake Piru.

Samples of the suspicious findings were collected by California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff and sent to the Bodega Bay marine laboratory for analysis to determine if the samples might be one of two invasive species from the Dreissena family, including the quagga and or the zebra mussel.

Invasive species of mussels have long been a concern of water agencies throughout the Western United States, including agencies such as United Water, because of their impact on water system infrastructures, including piping and pumps. Invasive mussels such as the quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) colonize rapidly on hard surfaces and can damage boat motors and clog water intake structures, such as pipes and screens.

Since 2008 United Water has been proactively conducting vessel inspections at Lake Piru to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species, particularly that of Dreissenid mussels. Lake Piru staff has conducted tens of thousands of vessel inspections and implemented various monitoring practices, including that of below-surface settling devices as part of their effort to stop the introduction of such species.

Pending lab analysis CONTINUED »

The first Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting of the New Year was completed in 30 minutes. The short session consisted of a discussing an Education Services and Public Comments addressing the Board.

During Public Comments Sandy Butts, who teaches 5th grade at Mountain Vista, along with ten other teachers from around the District, address the Board on class size and teachers’ compensation. Many of those teachers wore black t-shirts with a quote from Abraham Lincoln stating, "Education, the most important subject which we as a people engage." Butts wanted to reminded the Board that the average FUSD class size today is 28-29 students (California average is 24 students which is much larger than classrooms throughout the country) and also that it has been almost eight years since the teachers in FUSD have received a pay raise. She gave examples of newspaper articles discussing the teacher pay raises throughout the state and that it is attributed to the passing of Prop. 30.

Butts presented the Board with a chart dated November 10, 2013 from a Ventura County Star article showing average teachers pay scales throughout the county with Hueneme Elementary being the highest at $79,535 followed by Oxnard Union High at $72,646. The lowest paying district was Fillmore Unified at $61,340 preceded by Rio District at $62,284. The chart also listed Ventura County's annual income average for teachers: Elementary $68,653, Middle School $63,325 and High School $66,337. According to the California Department of Education website California average teaching salary is $68,531 and ranks 5th compared to the other 49 states. Just ahead of California is the District of Columbia at an average teaching salary of $68,720 and the highest paid teachers are in New York at $73,398. The average teaching salary throughout the country is $55,418.

California spent $57,923,591,137 on education during the 2011-2012 school year with $17,908,913,160 (30%) going to teachers salary. In 2013, $50,584,391,000 went to k-12 and higher education, which is over 53% of the state's general fund.

The article presented CONTINUED »

Fillmore & Western Railway continues to fight the termination of its lease. Last week a judge refused to block the lease termination which allows the Railway to use the Santa Paula Branch Line.

However, an attorney for the Ventura County Transportation Commission stated that the County will not take any instantaneous action to halt operations of the historical trains.

Fillmore & Western sued the Commission in November 2013, alleging breach of contract. The Railway says the agency did not give a valid cause to break the lease, which was negotiated in 2001, to expire in 2021.

The Commission claimed good cause to end the agreement on Decembers 1, 2013, stating the railway failed to fulfill its maintenance agreement for the line.

Donna Standard, attorney for the Railway, said the Commission expects the Railway to perform maintenance beyond what the lease requires.

Skillin-Carroll Mortuary is Business of the Month.

Located at 600 Central Avenue, Fillmore, Skillin-Carroll Mortuary has supported the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and been a Member for many years. If you should ever need their services or have any questions for them they can be reached at 805-524-0744.

City of Fillmore

12/31/2013
Search Warrant
400 Blk. Price St.
Theft
200 Blk. Sierra Vista Ave.
Search Warrant
400 Blk. Blaine St.
Search Warrant
800 Blk. 4th St.
Search Warrant
800 Blk. B St.
01/01/14
Shots Fired
600 Blk. Via Rodeo
Violation of Restraining Order
500 Kensington Dr.
Shots Fired
900 Blk. Wileman St. CONTINUED »

Mr. Palmerin was arrested on 12/28/13 at 7 PM at the Fillmore Station, when he turned himself in with his attorney. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail for PC 245(a)(1) - Assault with a deadly weapon.

Police are looking for a man suspected of trying to kill another man with his pickup truck near the Arco Station on Highway 126 in Piru on Thursday afternoon, December 26th.

Authorities said the men had been arguing at about 5:30pm at the gas station, Main Street and Highway 126, when one of the men allegedly ran over the other man with his truck before fleeing the scene. Authorities suspect the argument was over a woman.

The injured man, a 30-year old Fillmore resident, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center with broken legs.

Investigators are looking for a light gray 2004 or 2005 Ford F-150 pickup, license plate number 7F57886. It is believed he was heading eastbound.

Authorities said they suspect Rosario Palmerin, of Fillmore, in his early 30s, of being the driver of the truck.

Palmeria is wanted for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

A power outage knocked out traffic lights in Piru on Christmas Eve. Caltrans and Southern California Gas Co. were dispatched to fix the problem. Rep’s said few homes were affected. It is unknown how long the power was out.

City of Fillmore

12/17/2013
Search Warrant
200 Blk. Olive St.
Drunk in Public
300 Blk. Central
Theft
700 Blk. Blaine
Violation Restraining Order
E St. / Ventura
Keep the Peace
200 Blk. Central
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Manzanita
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Fernglen
12/18/2013
Threats
200 Blk. 3rd St.
12/19/2013
Search Warrant
500 Blk. Clay1
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Isl. View
Keep the Peace
1000 Blk. Waterford
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Mazanita
Theft CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12-19-13, Investigators with the East County Major Crimes Unit and Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit arrested Arturo Perez and Steven Salceda for robbing two Taco Bell fast food restaurants in the City of Thousand Oaks.

The first crime occurred on 12-03-13 at the Taco Bell located at 1928 E. Avenida De Los Arboles and the second one occurred on 12-16-13 at the Taco Bell located at 1330 N. Moorpark Road. During the 12-03-13 robbery, the incident was captured on surveillance video. The Sheriff’s Office provided this information to news sources who distributed it through different media channels. Vital information was provided by the public which ultimately assisted with the capture of Perez and Salceda.

Perez and Salceda were both booked on robbery charges and are currently in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Salceda’s bail is set at $110,000.00 dollars and Perez’ is set at $100,000.00 dollars pending their arraignment in Superior Court.

Nature of Incident: Arrest of Robbery Suspects
Report Number: RB# 13-27013, 13-28069
Location: 1928 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks CA
1330 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks CA
Date & Time: 12-19-13 @ 5:30 PM
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes, Thousand Oaks Police and Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Arturo Perez, Fillmore, 18
(S) Steven Salceda, Moorpark, 24
Prepared by: Sergeant Alan Hartkop
Media Release Date: December 20, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Todd Welty (805)494-8224
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

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).

A new Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board President, Vice President and Clerk were selected at the December 17, 2013 meeting, along with a Title III Update Report on the New English Language Standards, Math Curriculum for grades 6-12 and a presentation of the Golden Bell Award which included a check for $5,000 given to Sierra High School.

The meeting began with the Board electing a new FUSD Board President. Board Member Tony Prado nominated Lucy Rangel, who was approved by unanimous vote. Board Member John Garnica then nominated Tony Prado for Vice President which was unanimously approved. Next was for the position of Clerk which Prado nominated John Garnica and was also approved. The Board then agreed to keep the same meeting schedule of 6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Rangel, who has been on this committee for three years and wanted to finish out the four year term, elected herself for the School Board Representative of County Committee and she then appointed Board Member Dave Wilde to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

The next item was recognition of the prestigious Golden Bell Award to Sierra High School given by the F3 Education Awards Foundation, which partners with the California School Board Association (CSBA). The award is given to schools with a site-based student-led environmentally friendly program. Sierra was the only high school to win in the category of Sustainable, Renewable, Energy and Resource Efficient Program and also one of only two schools to receive a $5,000 cash award. All entries are evaluated and selected by the CSBA with F3 financing the award.

Jennifer Weir, Coordinator CONTINUED »

James Van Trees, a Ventura County landowner with a long history of permitting violations, is now under investigation for allegedly bulldozing roads across and along a nearly two-mile stretch of Sespe Creek. The unpermitted work is occurring north of Fillmore, immediately downstream from the boundary of the Los Padres National Forest and a popular rock formation known as Devil’s Gate.

The investigation includes law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the County of Ventura. The landowner did not receive permits from any of these agencies prior to clearing significant amounts of land and native vegetation in and along the creek bed.

The unpermitted work reported by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) has destroyed ecologically sensitive habitat along the creek, and has adversely modified designated critical habitat for the endangered southern steelhead. The creek also provides habitat for other rare wildlife, including southwestern willow flycatchers, least Bell's vireos, arroyo toads, western pond turtles, two-striped garter snakes and California red-legged frogs. The U.S. Forest Service has classified Sespe Creek as an Area of High Ecological Significance due to the abundance of unique wildlife in the watershed.

“The Environmental Defense Center and our partners are committed to seeing that the landowner will begin complying with the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act and will protect Sespe Creek – one of the most important ecosystems in our region – and its wild animals including the endangered California condor and the elusive southern California steelhead,” said Brian Trautwein, EDC’s Environmental Analyst and Watershed Program Coordinator.

Court and agency records show that CONTINUED »