The fire has consumed 170 acres and is now 80% contained.

The wind has dropped to nearly zero in Fillmore.

Approximately 85 units and nearly 300 firefighters continue to fight the fire, putting out hot spots with hand crews and helicopter.

1 house was burned but officials have not identified the property owner. The home is not the William Morris property that some earlier reports had indicated.

More updates, photos and video coming soon.

The hills just east of where the fire started.
Enlarge Photo

One of dozens of trees damaged by the high winds.
Enlarge Photo

68 Units currently responding to a fire that was reported approximately 4:45 p.m. in the 1400 block of Goodenough Road in north Fillmore.

The fire was sparked by a downed power line.

High winds caused trees to fall and fire to spread.

1 home on Goodenough road has burned along with the roof of a mobile home, one vehicle and several outbuildings.

An estimated 200 people in dozens of homes are under mandatory evacuation orders

A shelter has been setup at the Veterans Memorial Building at 511 Second Street in Fillmore. Donations of blankets, food and water may be dropped off at the Memorial Building for any victims and firefighters.

Additional photos, video, and information coming soon.

City of Fillmore

On Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Bill Herrera conducted a Goal Setting Workshop with the Fillmore City Council. The objective of the workshop was setting the City’s priorities with regards to its common goals, both immediate and long standing.

The meeting started at 3:30 p.m. and ended at 6:15pm with less than half of the priorities covered, so a second workshop will be scheduled in the future. The priorities covered so far were broken down into categories: Governmental, Economic, Public Safety and Community Wellness, Public Works, and Infrastructure.

Beginning with Government, the Council prioritized their goals starting with resolving the sales tax issue with the Board of Equalization. The next goal is Council unification, and third is hiring a City Manager. Final goal of Government is to hire a Finance Director.

Ideas also discussed relating to Government were; record retention and staff identifying what records they have, wanting staff reports to be efficient and concise, an open and transparent government, having the Council meet twice a year with joint commissioners, filling vacant staff positions, education of staff on housing element, code of ethics/conduct, landscaping and lighting, Vision 2020, and code enforcement.

The second of the CONTINUED »

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Joseph Palacio for receiving Firefighter of the Year for 2012. Thank you for all you do for our community.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce Joseph Palacio as Fillmore’s 2012 Firefighter of the Year. Joseph Palacio was born in 1983 and has been a resident of the City of Fillmore his entire life. Joe’s, parents are Joe & Olivia Palacio and has a younger sister Jolene.

He recently moved to Castaic with his fiancée Vanessa and her son Richie. He attended Fillmore High school and graduated in 2002. During his senior year in high school, his Mother Olivia Palacio worked in the career center, signed him up for a ride along with Ventura County Fire Department station 27 which was his first exposure to the fire service. After the ride along, Joe became a cadet for County Fire station 27 where he learned a lot about the fire service and found his calling for public service. After high school he worked for a type two hand crew for the Las Padre National forest service’s out of Ojai where he learn the skill’s of wildland firefighting. After his first season of wild land firefighting he enrolled in fire tech classes at Oxnard College in 2003. Around that same time Joe became a ride along with the Fillmore fire department. He also worked as a supervisor for a fire prevention crew. Through the Fillmore Fire Department, he had the opportunity to enroll in the Oxnard college fire academy. After the academy, he was hired with the Fillmore Fire Department. Early on he had a passion for training, fighting fire and more importantly helping others. He traveled up and down the State of California to seek training from other agencies and brought back great new concepts and training back to our department. He also attended the Rio Hondo Truck academy and participated in a Truck academy hosted by Oxnard Fire Department. He is currently employed by AMR Ambulance and has been working as an EMT for two Ambulance Company’s for the past 8 years. During his time with Fillmore Fire Department, Joe has promoted up the ranks from firefighter to Engineer and now Captain. He currently is in charge of Engineer’s training where he is very dedicated. Captain Palacio is very dedicated to training not just to be the best firefighter he can be, but to be the safest firefighter he can be, not just for himself but the crews that he work with and the people he serves. In closing, Joe writes, I want to thank everyone in my family, and future family for being behind me and supporting me in this greatest career on earth, The Fire service. I thank God every day for the privilege to help others.

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Rotary Club of Fillmore for receiving Nonprofit of the Year for 2012. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Rotary Club of Fillmore founded in May 1924
Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers founded in March 1985
Clubs merged January 2013

Combined All-Time Giving to The Rotary Foundation = $152,928.00

Current total active members = 22

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Santa Paula Police Department

On 04-01-2013 Officers from the Santa Paula Police Departments Patrol division attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle which was occupied by a known wanted felon Richard Arellano, who was considered armed and dangerous. As Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Olive and Santa Paula Streets, the vehicle evaded Officers causing a brief Police pursuit. In the 200 blk of N. 5th Street, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway and at which time, Arellano fled from the right front passengers seat on foot. Officer Potter gave chase after Arellano. During the chase, Officer Potter witnessed Arellano discard a loaded firearm into the backyard of 230 N. 5th Street. Arellano was subsequently apprehended.
Richard Arellano is currently on CDC State Parole and is a documented gang member in the City of Santa Paula.

Wanted subject considered armed and dangerous
Report number: SG1300603
Location: 200 Blk of N. 5th Street
Date & Time: 04-01-2013/1340 hours
Unit Responsible:
Suspect(s): Richard Arellano 21
Victim(s): ?????
Press Release prepared by: Detective Allen Macias
Date and Time release prepared: 04-02-2013/1453
Follow-up contact/investigator: Detective Allen Macias-525-4474X146
Approved By:

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Deputy Russell Grant for receiving Officer of the year for 2012. We appreciate all you do for our community.

Deputy Russell Grant is a native Californian, born in Canoga Park, California. He is married to his wife Lynda for 18 years this October and they live in the city of Simi Valley and have 4 children: John 12, Alyssa 16, Justin 24 and Christy 29. Lynda Grant has been a Registered Nurse for 20 years and is currently employed by the Simi Valley Hospital Aspen Surgery Center.

Russ was selected for this award by his peers and supervisors from the Santa Clara Valley Substation. Russ is a 13 year veteran and has worked a variety of assignments with the Sheriff’s Office:
Dep. Grant graduated from the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center in July 2000 (Class 2000-1).

Dep. Grant’s first assignment, as is the case with our deputy sheriffs was in our Detention Services Division. He worked as a security deputy at the Todd Road Jail in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. Shortly after he successfully completed jail training, Dep. Grant transferred to our Court Services Bureau in Ventura and worked there from September 2001 - August 2002. He then transferred back to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was selected to work the Classification / Risk Assessment assignment. This position is for those deputies that have shown the skill and desire to learn more about gang culture, narcotics trafficking, and maintaining the integrity of intelligence information. He worked in this assignment until he was transferred to patrol in 2009.

In August 2009, CONTINUED »

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Laura Todis for receiving Teacher of the Year for 2012. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Overall, Ms. Todis is an exemplary teacher. She is highly organized, professional and knowledgeable about her subject area. She is an outstanding model of teaching and classroom management strategies that promote learning and student achievement. She gets along well with her peers and is a great addition to the SHS “Team” and the Fillmore Unified School District. I always look forward to visiting Ms. Todis’s classroom because she makes Science relevant and fun for all levels of students, thus engaging students in the learning process.

Sierra High School is an alternative high school program for students who have not been successful in traditional high school settings. Since coming to Sierra Ms. Todis has greatly impacted the ability of ALL students to be successful in Science by created a project-based curriculum that is aligned to the State Standards.

Ms. Todis promotes student engagement with Science by making Science “hands-on,” relevant and interesting. In all her courses Ms. Todis brings Science “alive” by taking outside the confines of the classroom. For example, as a part of Ms. Todis’ Environmental Science course Sierra students have designed and created a native plant habitat on the Sierra campus. Students regularly use this habitat as a basis for scientific inquiry and to study scientific concepts.

Ms. Todis inspires students to pursue further education in science and science related careers and has successfully collaborated with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. She regularly supplements her science courses with guest speakers including local Biologists and field trips that are part of her project based curriculum. Additionally, she encourages students to pursue extra-curricular opportunities in science. Sierra students have been successfully placed in volunteer, intern and employment placements and many have gone on inspired to study science in college.

District-wide, Ms. Todis is spearheading the collaboration with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and K-12 teachers. Her role is to train teachers in aligning their Science Standards with the River Restoration Project that includes teaching students about the natural habitat and conducting scientific experiments and documenting their data. Students and Teachers will track their scientific data and study the impact of Global Warming, Urbanization and other factors on the local habitat.

In her three years at Sierra Ms. Todis has greatly improved the Science program. As a Principal I recognize Ms. Todis’ exceptional ability to inspire students to learn and her potential to model teaching strategies and innovative curriculum to other science teachers.

Sheriff’s Capt. Monica McGrath speaks with property owner Herbert Haase, as he holds the warrant served on him. Haase has refused to spray his citrus grove for the Asian Citrus Psyllid, an invasive, aphid-like pest.
Enlarge Photo

Warrant served, spraying begins. Sheriff’s deputies served a warrant Tuesday on Fillmore resident Herbert Haase to enter, inspect, and treat his orange grove at Third and B Streets for a citrus pest, Asian Citrus Psyllid. A County worker waits to begin the spraying.
Enlarge Photo

Tuesday, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies served a warrant on Fillmore resident Herbert Haase to enter, inspect, and treat his orange grove at Third and B Streets for a citrus pest. The fly in the ointment is the Asian Citrus Psyllid, an invasive, aphid-like pest. Although “not a serious problem by itself, it can transmit a devastating bacterial disease to citrus trees. Known as Huanglongbing (HLB), the disease ruins the taste and appearance of citrus fruit, and eventually kills infected trees.” (californiacitrusthreat.org)
Haase was contacted in October of 2012 by Dave Machlitt with the agriculture Department but refused to accept the treatment. Further attempts by the County Agriculture Commission were blocked by Mr. Haase. According to Ventura County Agriculture Commissioner, Henry Gonzales, Haase has resisted several attempts to treat his grove, claiming, among other reasons, his property was not within an 800 meter zone of protection.

At issue is the serious threat to all citrus production posed by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (fly) which, could destroy the citrus industry if left untreated. There is no known treatment once the tree has been infected. Spraying is the only known prevention against this pest and all commercial growers are anxious to cooperate with the spraying program.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid entered the United States from Mexico and is quickly extending its presence north in California, which could devastate the citrus industry. “Tens of thousands of trees in residential yards also are at risk. They, too, will die if infected with HLB...the backyard orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit or tangerine trees might also disappear from Ventura County.” (californiacitrusthreat.org)

Sheriff’s Captain Monica McGrath with approximately 10 Sheriff’s deputies, Commissioner Gonzales and an assistant participated in the warrant service. According to Commissioner Gonzales it would have been far less costly had Haase cooperated initially. If spray is applied in the winter only one application is needed; if in spring or summer, two applications are needed. While the costs to be billed to Haase for the warrant service (County Counsel, Sheriff’s Dept. personnel) are still being tallied, they could be substantial.

Torrey Phillips

A Fillmore man admitted Wednesday to shining a laser beam at the sheriff's helicopter. It happened in December 2011 as the copter was over Fillmore helping ground units look for a gunman in a shooting. 21-year-old Torrey Phillips pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony charge of shooting at laser at an aircraft plus two special allegations. Phillips shined the laser at the helicopter twice. Following the second incident, the copter had to break off its search for the shooter and return to Camarillo Airport, but not before they got a fix on where the beam came from. Ground units arrested Phillips at his home in the 600 block of Fernglen Circle. Deputies say the pilot, crew chief, and paramedic on board the helicopter that night were all wearing night vision goggles. They say training a laser at an aircraft is dangerous in several ways, including disorienting or blinding the pilot, and, causing severe eye damage to the crew members, especially if they're wearing night vision goggles, as they were that night. Phillips is free on bail until his sentencing on May 16th.

A great deal of last Tuesday’s Fillmore City Council meeting was talking about transportation. Both those who came to give a presentation and those who spoke during public comments addressed Fillmore's transportation needs. Other items on the agenda were a Code of Conduct document and the Mid-year Financial Report.

Ventura County Transportation Commission's (VCTC) Executive Director Darren M. Kettle gave an in-depth presentation on the transportation needs of both the County and the City of Fillmore and where their priorities must be given. Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Minjares is one of 17 members of the Commission Board. The VCTC uses Countywide polling to understand the transportation priorities of its residents, with the number one priority being completing local roads and maintaining them. Second priority is transportation connections in and out of the County; and next the capacity (congestion) and frequency of connection. Fourth is safety, and then planning for growth. Increasing bus routes was at the bottom of priorities.

Kettle explained that the Federal Highway Trust Fund cannot meet its present obligations and will spend $2.5 billion on transportation locally in the next few years. Over the next 30 years the cost is projected to be $4.9 billion with a shortfall of $1.8 billion. This shortfall is due to less tax revenue as more fuel efficient cars require less gas and therefore fewer taxes paid at the pump. To overcome this the State of California may consider one or more of the following; Raise the gas tax ten cents (estimated to raise $2.1 billion at today's consumption rate), tolling express lanes, raising vehicle registration, and/or asking for a 1/2 cent tax measure. Kettle said there is a real possibility of having a toll lane on Highway 101.

For now VCTC's CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has applied for a Certificate of Authorization (COA) through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow training flights of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The COA will only allow limited operation within a restricted unpopulated area for training and evaluation purposes only. The evaluations will take place in conjunction with Sheriff's Search and Rescue, the Ventura County Fire Department, and other public safety agencies.

The initial training flights will occur in the area of the Ventura River as well as portions of the Ventura County backcountry. Since the application has not yet been approved, actual flights may still be several months away.

The ultimate goal is to use the small UAV for critical life-saving efforts, such as locating missing persons and monitoring incidents where a hazardous condition exists.

The UAV being tested is known as the Qube (pictured below), and operates with four small rotors that allow it to take off vertically. It is battery powered and remote controlled. It can stay aloft for a maximum of 40 minutes on a single charge. The Qube has a built-in camera system, but is otherwise incapable of carrying any payload.
The Qube is manufactured by Aerovironment www.avinc.com, a local company based in Simi Valley.

Currently, the Sheriff's Office utilizes four Bell Huey helicopters for a variety of public safety purposes. One of the primary missions of our air unit is search and rescue. While the UAV will not replace our Aviation Unit, there are many circumstances that do not require a fully equipped helicopter. It is hoped that a UAV will assist with lifesaving operations at a significantly reduced cost to the taxpayer.

UAVs also have a critical use in the fire service for mapping and aerial observation during wildland and other fires.

In addition to the FAA guidelines, which restrict flights to 400 feet above ground level and below, the Sheriff's Office has developed its own policy to govern the use of the UAV for search and rescue purposes only. The FAA guidelines and the Sheriff's Office policy are available to the public. (The documents will be attached with the press release).

Again, the request CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 4, 2013, sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported home invasion robbery on Sulphur Mountain Road, outside of Santa Paula. The male victim (and occupant of the home) was brutally beaten and tied up. He lost consciousness and suffered multiple serious injuries including lacerations to his head and facial fractures. After the suspects left the residence, the victim regained consciousness, freed himself and summoned help. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he remained in intensive care for several days.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit took up the investigation and quickly identified the suspects as Hallye Wright and Shavon Oboh of Los Angeles. Oboh was determined to be a member of a criminal street gang.

Search warrants served at both suspects’ homes in Los Angeles, located some of the victim’s property. Sheriff’s Investigators recovered additional pieces of the victim’s property at Los Angeles area pawnshops.

At the time of the search warrants, two firearms were recovered; a shotgun and a loaded .357 caliber handgun which had been reported stolen previously in Los Angeles County. A large amount of cash and narcotics were also found.

Both Wright and Oboh were arrested and booked at Ventura County Main Jail for conspiracy, robbery, kidnapping, and assault causing serious bodily injury. Wright’s bail was set at $250.000.00, while Oboh’s bail was listed at $750,000.00.

Nature of Incident: Suspects Arrested for Home Invasion Robbery
Report Number: 13-4862
Location: Sulphur Mountain Road, Santa Paula
Date & Time: 3-15-13 @ 1:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Shavon Oboh (male), Los Angeles, 20
Hallye Wright (female), Los Angeles, 19
Prepared by: Detective Brian Slominski 805-677-8771
Media Release Date: 3-22-13
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Jarrod Foote 805-654-3509
Approved by: Captain Patti Salas

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A Fillmore Patrol deputy was on routine patrol in the area of A Street and Third Street, when he saw Carlos Mejia using a “paint marker” to graffiti his moniker on a city park bench. Mejia was arrested for the vandalism and possession of a graffiti tool and transported to the Fillmore Police department for processing. While at the station, the deputy learned Mejia had done more graffiti in the area of the Sespe Bridge. The deputy went to the bridge to photograph the graffiti for his investigation.

When the deputy walked into the area of the Sespe Bridge and riverbed area, he discovered four male juveniles who had used spray paint to graffiti the support columns of the bridge. Two of the juveniles used spray paint to graffiti, while the other two were “look-outs.” All four juveniles were arrested and transported to the Fillmore Police Department.

Carlos Mejia was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail – PTDF for Vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.

Two Male Juveniles were cited and released to their parents for conspiracy, vandalism, and trespassing.

Two Male Juveniles were cited and released to their parents for conspiracy and trespassing.

Nature of Incident: Five Graffiti Taggers Arrested
Report Number: 13-6234 & 13-6235
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: March 20, 2013 / 1715 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Carlos Mejia, Fillmore, 18
4 Male Juveniles, Fillmore, 14-16
Prepared by: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: March 20, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre (805) 524-2235
Email: anthony.aguirre@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Enlarge Photo

A man armed with a handgun robbed the Smart & Final store in Thousand Oaks. The suspect approached the cashier clerk, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register. After getting an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect ran through the parking lot and was last seen leaving the scene in a 1990’s white sedan.

Witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic male about 35 years old, approximately 5’-11”, weighing approximately 275 lbs, and clean shaven. He was wearing a white or light colored baseball cap, a light colored long sleeve button down shirt, baggy blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect is asked to contact Det Mike Ferguson with the East County Major Crimes Unit at (805) 494-8222/ e-mail mike.ferguson@ventura.org.

Nature of Incident: Gunman Robs Thousand Oaks Smart & Final Store
Report Number: 13-6160
Location: 2222 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, Ca 91320
Date & Time: 03/19/2013 @ 8:40 PM
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Unknown Unknown Unknown
Prepared by: Det Mike Ferguson
Media Release Date: 03/21/2013
Follow-Up Contact: Det Mike Ferguson
Desk (805) 494-8222
Approved by: Sgt Alan Hartkop

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).

Sammy Martinez is a dynamic young man, who has a strong work ethic that ensures success in all things in which he is involved. Currently, he is the Associated Student Body (ASB) President for Fillmore High School. When asked who should represent Fillmore High School in different programs, Sammy’s name comes up as “Mr. FHS.” He is outgoing, listens well, and supports all students and staff whenever they ask for his assistance.

Sammy ran for ASB at the end of his freshman year and decided that he was going to learn to be a leader. After his sophomore year, Sammy was selected to attend the HOBY program, which is one of the nation's foremost youth leadership development organizations. While there, he learned different ways of analyzing school and leadership issues.

He used those new skills immediately upon starting his position as the FHS Speaker of the House in ASB last year. One of his job requirements was to attend all School Board Meetings as the high school student representative. Sammy definitely charmed the board members and superintendent. The district office commented on his stellar performance at board meetings. In addition, he was the student representative on the school site council both last year and this year. He does an exceptional job the on committees, and his views of student activities are vital to the committees as they make decisions regarding students.

Sammy decided to run for ASB President this year and he was elected by the student body. He has done an amazing job as president. This is not an easy job as ASB Presidents are required to lead in all aspects, and Sammy does so with a cheerful and optimistic demeanor. In addition to the regular ASB items, he started working with one of the elementary schools last year training them on proper procedures and helping them with an academic rally during state testing. Sammy has been instrumental in organizing and executing training the Fillmore Middle School’s ASB. He set the goal of including all of the elementary and middle schools our trainings in an attempt to reach out to the youth in our community.

As a member of the FHS Cross Country team for four years, Sammy has spent many hours running miles and miles around Fillmore and also been a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, Sammy has participated in the California Lutheran University’s Math and Science Upward Bound Program.

Otto & Sons Nursery was recently named “Lifetime Achievement Business“. Scott & Cindy Klittich own and operate the nursery which is located at 1835 E. Guiberson Road. Otto & Sons Nursery has been in Fillmore for over 30 years and has always supported the community in many ways. Plants have been donated or loaned for many events including High School Graduation, landscaping at Fillmore High School, Middle School, San Cayetano, Piru, Sespe and Mountain Vista Schools. Boys and Girls Club, Fillmore Women Service Club, Central Park, Relay for Life, Bardsdale Cemetery and Shiells Park have all been recipients of Otto & Sons Nursery’s generosity. Otto & Sons Nursery has donated to the Fillmore Civic Pride Committee’s Yard of the Month program for many years. They also participate in the Ventura County Fair by creating a beautiful rose filled landscape display each year for the past 25 years.

Otto & Sons Nursery moved to Fillmore in 1977 after being in Chatsworth for 20 years. Scott’s father Otto was a landscape contractor in the San Fernando Valley when he developed the business into a nursery. Scott rejoined the business in 1984 after receiving his degree in Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The nursery currently employs 18 full time, and 3 part time staff, many of whom have been there for over 20 years. The staff is a team of professionals who work together to supply the best plants for the best customers. Otto & Sons specializes in growing rose plants, fruit trees and landscaping plants. They have the largest rose selection in southern California with over 800 varieties. The nursery services retail garden centers and landscapers throughout California delivering plants in their fleet of trucks weekly. The nursery has a retail garden shop which is open Wednesday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with shorter hours in winter. Visit our web site www.OttoandSons-Nursery.com for great information about roses and fruit trees. Also become a fan on Facebook “Otto and Sons Nursery local business” for updates on special sales, events, and pictures.

Scott and Cindy have been married for 30 years and have 3 sons: Danny who is pursuing his doctorate in Entomology at UC Davis., Andy who is a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Applied Plant and Environmental Science, and Timmy who is in 10th grade at Fillmore High School. Cindy works part time at Associates Insectary as a biotechnician and also at the nursery. Cindy is a Community Club Co-Leader for Bardsdale 4H leading projects in entomology and gardening, secretary of Fillmore FFA Booster Club, and serves on the Fillmore Civic Pride committee. Scott currently is Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 406, serves on the Ag Advisory Board for the Fillmore School farm, Board of Directors for Ventura County Farm Bureau, Board of Directors for the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and is currently a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Class 43. The family attends Peace Lutheran Church in Camarillo.

Otto & Sons Nursery would like to thank the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce for selecting them as “Lifetime Achievement Business“!

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Fillmore & Western Railway Co. for receiving Business of the year for 2012. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Short Line Enterprises was founded in 1967. Between 1967 and 1972, the company bought, sold and traded locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars, mostly of 19th century origin. The majority of the equipment was acquired from the property departments of three major movie studios: MGM, Paramount and 20th Century Fox. This activity, combined with Short Line’s experience in buying, selling and evaluating railroad equipment led to the company’s emergence as one of the foremost appraisers in America of rolling stock and other railroad-related items. It also focused the company on its long-term path of providing movie trains for the film industry.

During this time (1985), Short Line moved its movie operations to the Newhall Ranch, placing it within the Hollywood production zone. Between 1985 and 1990, Short Line was used in over seventy feature films, television series and commercials. No Hollywood railroad location had ever amassed that number of credits in such a brief period of time. The track lease was cancelled in 1990 when the Newhall Land and Farming Company decided to develop the surrounding area in a way, which was incompatible with movie operations.

A search began for a new home for Hollywood’s “movie trains”. The only line that met the specific needs of the film industry was Southern Pacific’s Santa Paula Branch in rural Ventura County. The pastoral surroundings of the area also bode suitable for development of a passenger excursion business. The City of Fillmore showed great enthusiasm for the operation of a vintage train in conjunction with the revival of its 1920-era Central Business District. The objective—to create a major visitor destination that features the movie trains, passenger excursions and dinner trains as the master theme for the community redevelopment. To date over 400 feature films, television series, commercials and still shoots have been filmed on Fillmore & Western Railway, home of “The Movie Trains”.

The “Movie Trains” found a home, and Fillmore became known as “train town”.

In 1996, Short Line Enterprises became the film division of the Fillmore & Western Railway Company, when Dave and Tresa Wilkinson purchased the railroad from the former owners. Operations expanded from movie work and limited passenger trips to regularly scheduled daytime passenger excursions and Saturday night dinner trains, and have gone on to include widely recognized “train themed” events such as Day Out With Thomas, the first tourist railroad to present PumpkinLiners, the North Pole Express and Xmas Tree Trains. Because of the mild valley climate, Fillmore & Western is one of the few historic railroads that operates year round. Many southern California school children have ridden one of the “school field trip” trains either to the Fillmore Fish Hatchery or “Ichabog”, Fillmore & Western’s private pumpkin patch.

The antique trains of Fillmore & Western continue to attract visitors and railfans to the Heritage Valley and is as involved as ever in the magic of movies, while the company’s passenger excursions, dinner trains, private parties and corporate events provide the means of travel to a bygone era. The owners and staff of Fillmore & Western are involved in many community based organizations and contribute to county wide and local fundraisers. Fillmore & Western has partnered with 5 tourism bureau organizations, several regional Chambers of Commerce all in an effort to bring more visitors and prosperity to all businesses in Fillmore and the valley. The owners have proven time and again that they are committed to giving back to their community by donating train trips and sponsoring non-profit organization. When the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau lost its funding, the railroad owners stepped up and provided full time staffing to keep the Tourism Bureau operational. The train partners with local museums and businesses to promote not only the train, but all the historical and cultural treasures, festivals and events that our community has to offer. The original tracks, depot and trains arrived in Fillmore in 1887 hauling citrus and passengers, now one hundred and twenty six years later it is still “chugging down the tracks” carrying tourists and locals because Dave and Tresa Wilkinson have devoted the last twenty years of their lives to ensuring the history and heritage of railroading stays alive and thriving.