Santa Paula Police Officer Kimberly Hemminger

This morning the Santa Paula Police Department was saddened by news of the death of Police Officer Kimberly Hemminger. Officer Hemminger was tragically killed when the car she was riding in spun and rolled over on South Mountain Lookout Road at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday night. The driver of the car, Christopher Blankenship, age 44, suffered minor injuries in the single-car accident. According to officers from the California Highway Patrol, Mr. Blankenship lost control of the car when approaching a curve on the winding road. Ms. Hemminger was partially ejected and pinned under the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers in the car, Tonia Allen 38, of Camarillo and Cynthia Juarez, 19, of Santa Paula, also suffered minor injuries in the accident.

Mr. Blankenship was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter. Mr. Blankenship, a reserve Officer with Santa Paula Police Department, was placed on administrative leave. The California Highway Patrol investigation is ongoing.

Officer Hemminger was a five-year veteran of the Department and a member of the Department’s mounted unit. During her time with the Department Officer Hemminger received several commendations and was well-liked by her fellow officers.

Our thoughts go out to Officer Hemminger’s family and friends.

As City Attorney Ted Schneider had repeatedly warned, the city has once again been sued by the owner of El Dorado Mobil Home Park after voting to renege on a settlement. That settlement, expected to be affirmed but voted down at the last minute after four years and $236,000-worth of litigation, was expected to end the fight and secure protection to some of El Dorado’s residents.

In a 3-2 vote, Council Members Jamey Brooks, Brian Sipes, and Eduardo Gonzalez rejected the approved settlement stating their displeasure with the plaintiff’s disrespectful behavior towards the council and the residents of El Dorado during litigation.

Yesterday evening just before the 6:00 p.m. city council closed session was to begin, all council members were served with complaints. The Gazette has learned that as many as 30 complaints in all were served. This reopens litigation, forcing the city to again defend El Dorado’s struggle to force the park’s owner to comply with FEMA and SEQUA requirements for a safer park. Litigation can now be expected to continue for years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, with little chance for success, according to Schneider.

[For more about this, see this week's Editorial located here http://www.fillmoregazette.com/editorial/realities-188]

It all began in 1962, golfing in the foothills between the rugged Sespe and San Cayetano Mountain ranges just outside of Fillmore! Saturday, July 7, 2012 was the 50th Anniversary of the Elkins Ranch Golf Club and it was time to recognize this milestone. To celebrate Elkins offered a golf tournament and catered dinner with live music and which is typical of this Valley, the evening weather could not have been better.

Although I was unable to attend this event it has prompted me to look further into the history of this land prior to it becoming a destination PGA rated golf course sought out by many well-known and dedicated golfers. Even the infamous and now jailed O.J. Simpson tried to play a round there while he was awaiting trial! For the life of me I don't know why he thought he could play anonymously on this course with all the media coverage he had garnered, but soon the crowds formed and the Sheriff was called to resolve the situation. When I complete my research I am hoping to submit an article in the near future on the Elkins family and Elkins Ranch prior to the Elkins Ranch Golf Club.

The day was a CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Transportation Commission approved a contract with Camarillo-based Roadrunner for the operation of its popular VISTA intercommunity bus service on Friday. The 11-month pact ensures the agency’s public service will operate through at least June 30, 2013.

“I am very pleased to announce that Ventura County residents will enjoy the same routes and hours, same fares, and many of the same drivers that our customers have come to value across the past several years,” noted VCTC Board Chair John Zaragoza. “Our new partner, Roadrunner, has worked aggressively across the past few weeks to make this happen, including organizing a fleet of newly refurbished vehicles. Maintaining quality intercommunity bus service has been our cornerstone goal.”

To support the new CONTINUED »

The Tuesday, July 10, 2012 City Council Meeting began slightly later than the scheduled 6:30 P.M. posted time partly due to a scheduled 5:30 P.M. Special Meeting held just prior. According to the Agenda Packet for the regular scheduled Fillmore City Council Meeting the earlier meeting was to be a “Closed Session” involving ongoing discussions about the continued employment of current City Attorney firm, Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones and Schneider, L.L.P.

Items on the Agenda included Item “5. A.” the annual presentation to the City of Fillmore of the framed 2012 Ventura County Fair Poster by Ventura County Fair representative(s) Chris Garmon, Alexus Galassi of the Ventura County Junior Fair Board and Amanda Vassaur, of Fillmore who was the second place winner in the Ventura County Fair Poster Contest. This year's Fair theme is; “Rides, Ribbons and Rodeos” and the colorful winning poster was submitted by the First Place Winner Sam Coultas of Ventura. The Ventura County Fair begins August 1st and runs through August 12th. As always this year the Ventura County Fair is intent on providing good family entertainment to enjoyed by all!

Another item of interest was CONTINUED »

Two men were killed Thursday afternoon when their small plane crashed in an orchard in an unincorporated portion of Ventura County east of Piru.

The Sheriff’s Communications Center received several 9-1-1 calls from motorists driving by on Highway 126 who saw the plane go down. The wreckage was within 100 yards of the highway and near a ranch house. However, there were no injuries to anyone on the ground and no damage to any property.

The small two-seat private plane was destroyed on impact. Members of the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad were sent to the scene to deactivate a small rocket device used to deploy a parachute in the event the aircraft experienced an emergency.

Investigators were trying to determine why the safety device was not activated before the crash.

The two men’s names were not released pending notification of their families.

Santa Paula Police Department

On Monday, July 09, 2012, at approximately 4:22 p.m. Santa Paula Police Officers responded to a reported shooting in the 700 blk. of W. Harvard Blvd. Upon arrival, officers located evidence that a residence in the area had been struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported to officers. There is no suspect information. Santa Paula Police Detectives responded to the scene and are actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Paul Spencer at (805) 525-4474 Ext. 221.
Ryan Smith # 1021
Police Sergeant

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Fillmore Police and Fire Departments want to ensure the citizens of Fillmore enjoy a safe Fourth of July week. Citizens are reminded that “Safe & Sane” fireworks sold in Fillmore are legal between June 28th, 12:00pm – July 5th , 12:00pm. The use of any non-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks that explode or launch into the air are Illegal and will result in criminal charges and/or a $1,100 fine. If you witness any illegal activity please report it. An anonymous tip line has been setup to report violators. Please call 805-524-1500 ext. 350 to report illegal activity.

Below are several safety tips to insure you and your family enjoy a safe Independence Day Celebration.

• If you witness a crime or fire in progress involving illegal fireworks, call your local authorities by dialing 9-1-1.

• Only Safe and Sane fireworks bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal are legal in the city of Fillmore. All other fireworks, including altered Safe and Sane fireworks and those that explode or leave the ground are illegal.

• Kids should not play with fireworks. Fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces with plenty of active supervision for every child present.

• Always have a bucket of water on hand to dispose of fireworks and a hose connected to water ready in case of fire.

• Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. Teach your children what to do if their clothing catches on fire — “stop, drop and roll” — and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Nature of Incident: 4th of July Illegal Fireworks Enforcement and Safety
Report Number: N/A
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: June 28, 2012 – July 5, 2012
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police and Fire Departments
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: June 27, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre (805) 524-2235
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).

Santa Paula Police Department

On June 29th 2012, at approximately 2345 hours, Santa Paula Police Officers while on patrol in a marked black and white police vehicle in the area of Harvard Blvd and Olive St. attempted to contact a subject who was crossing the intersection S/B against a red light and impeding traffic. The Officers had pulled over into the entrance of the shopping center to contact the suspect when suddenly for no apparent reason and disregard for public safety, the suspect turned to face the officers holding a handgun in his hand. The suspect then proceeded to fire an unknown amount of rounds at the officers. The passenger officer immediately took cover while the driver officer returned fire striking the suspect once in his left hand. The injury was not life threatening. Additionally, one of the rounds fired by the suspect struck the rear quarter panel of the Police unit.

After the shooting, the suspect fled the area and a perimeter was set up to search for the suspect. With the assistance of Ventura Police Department, Ventura Sheriff’s Department, California Fish & Game, California Highway Patrol and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Helicopter, the suspect was located hiding in an apartment unit entrance alcove.

Once the suspect was identified, it was found out that the suspect is currently on probation with active outstanding warrants for weapon violations. He is classified and documented as a gang member out of Santa Paula.

The officers involved were not injured. The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident are urged to call Santa Paula Police. 525-4474