The Major Crimes team arrested two of the primaries from the organized rural-theft ring.

Last week, the Major Crimes Unit served warrants and made an additional arrest. The Major Crimes Unit has been working non-stop on these cases.

Arrested was Jose Dominguez, 22 of Los Angeles, Osman Enamorado, 23 of Los Angeles, and Henry Briones, 26 of Los Angeles.

In July 2010, the Sheriff’s Department’s Agricultural Crimes Unit identified a pattern of activity related to burglaries at construction sites and farms located in the rural areas of Ventura County. A task force comprised of detectives from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Departments were formed to investigate this series of burglaries.

During the course of investigating the nearly fifty (50) burglaries in Ventura County alone, detectives learned that suspects were conspiring to commit these burglaries and were targeting “Conex” type metal storage containers.

The suspects used various cutting tools to force entry into locked storage containers to steal tools including air compressors, welding machines, water pumps, drills, saws, grinders, and various hand tools. The stolen property was being taken to a “fence” in Los Angeles County to be sold for cash.

Sheriff's Detectives investigating this series of burglaries identified four (4) primary suspects. Based on the evidence collected at the various crime scenes, detectives were able to link the suspects to in excess of fifty (50) burglaries.

The evidence used included, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, shoe impression analysis, and the use of various surveillance techniques.

On July 7, 2011, Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives served Search Warrants & Arrest Warrants at the locations noted above.

Dominguez was arrested and charged with seventeen (17) counts of Penal Code Section 459 – Burglary. He was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Arrest Warrants were issued for the other three (3) suspects linked to this series of burglaries.

Briones and Enamorado are in custody for their part in a similar burglary in Riverside County.

Wilfredo Jimenez, 34 of Los Angeles, is still outstanding.

The most serious threat to our national security and that of our allies is Iran.

The Iranians are rapidly enriching uranium, and planning to use the uranium to build nuclear weapons. Time is running out. Iran in possession of nuclear weapons poses a threat that will have worldwide ramifications.

Israel cannot allow Iran the ability to have a nuclear weapon. Israel is Iran’s first stated target of attack, and then the United States. The Israeli’s will have to launch a preemptive strike before Iran’s ayatollahs give the order to destroy Israel; an easily achievable objective due to the small geographical size of Israel. Iran in possession of nuclear weapons will force the Arab states into a nuclear arms race so they can have the bomb as well. A point recently highlighted by the statements made by Saudi Arabia’s leadership regarding their concern of a nuclear armed Iran made public by the WikiLeaks documents.

If Israel is forced to launch a preemptive strike on Iran, what will immediately follow is retaliation by Iran and Syria, as well as the terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas, who are both proxy’s of Iran.

Not a single country in the region will remain unaffected. Iran will simultaneously launch attacks against oil fields, oil refineries, and shipping facilities throughout Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Arab Emirates in the Gulf. At the same time, Iranian missiles will be hitting cities and military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel will not only be hit by hundreds of Iranian missiles, but also tens of thousands of missiles, rockets, and mortars from Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza.

Suicide bombers will be released en masse throughout Europe and the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians will die; Jews, Christians, and Muslims. More will be left wounded and homeless. The United States will also be affected; sleeper terrorist cells in the U.S. will be activated, hitting American and Canadian targets.

The economic repercussions will be felt around the world, oil prices will skyrocket to two or three hundred dollars a barrel. Such a dramatic rise in oil prices that will occur overnight and may last for years could sink an already fragile global economy. Soaring energy prices would trigger hyperinflation, sending the cost of many goods beyond the capabilities of the poor and lower middle class. Millions of people would be pushed into poverty. People would stop spending money on almost anything but food and basic needs for survival; this would trigger massive business failures. Tens of millions of people would soon be out of work. As the dominos fell, a global depression could ensue.

And this scenario only includes conventional warfare, if nuclear warfare ensued, the above estimations could be like none other in modern history.

On Tuesday December 4, Fillmore Unified School Board President Virginia De La Piedra presided over a relatively short regular meeting, which was sparsely attended by the public. All members were present except for Lucy Rangel who is out of town.

Upon reconvening from closed session the board voted to approve recommendations of Superintendent Jeff Sweeney, resulting in one expulsion and a reinstatement of five students who have completed their expulsion period.

During Board reports Member David Wilde commented on his tour of Sierra High with Principal Cynthia Frutos that “Everything seems to be moving in the right direction [there]”, and he praised Frutos for her “specific goals” and enthusiasm. The Board then heard from Dave MacDonald from the Physical Education Department at Fillmore Middle School. MacDonald notified the Board of his being awarded a scholarship from the Monkey Bar Gym in Moorpark to attend a six day training and testing in April to become a Certified Natural Trainer. He requested from the Board financial support to attend the training in Madison, Wisconsin. He let the Board know that he is already committed to attend, and has already paid out of pocket for his travel expenses. MacDonald reported that he is one of 84 people in the world who are Level Two Certified through the International Youth Conditioning Association and that adding a CNT to his skills would benefit the students and allow him to continue to build on the changes he has made to the PE program at the middle school and if there is support to create a District wide program. He commented that the “program [he has] implemented is unlike any other I’ve seen… at a middle school.” In responding to question from De La Piedra about what exactly the changes are MacDonald explained “before… everything was group centered… and now we have benchmarks for each student.” MacDonald explained that it moves the PE class away from a focus on team sports, where some kids excel but others struggle, to a program that allows each student to find success and improve their fitness, strength and overall wellbeing. Board Member Tony Prado stated “I want to see health and wellness become dominant in our physical education program…can it be extended to [all grades], I know Piru was toying with that idea, the kids were running, walking and exercising every morning… that was fantastic, I wish we could mandate that through all our schools.” Prado continued, “I want to give you some money.” Board Member John Garnica expressed his support of the changes that are taking place and but mentioned the Board’s decision to not fund any conferences at this time. Garnica stated “I support what you are doing, I in good conscience could not support voting for dollars for a conference when I couldn’t [do the same for] another staff member.” Garnica proposed an idea that there may be another way “to help out.” De La Piedra mentioned a new recommendation from the E-Scrip program that 20% of funds be used for fitness and she stated, “This is exactly what [E-Scrip wants].” Prado explained “I’m opposite of Dave and Virginia I have no problem spending money on a case by case basis” he went on to comment that “There is money in the budget [for this] but Dr. Bush …has to balance the books, he gives us pros and cons of how money can be spent… again I understand there is money available… I see no reason why we can’t spend it for these types of activities.” Wilde stated “PE is in such dire straights across this country and at most schools sites I think it needs a boost and a change…I see that almost as important as curriculum.” De La Piedra asked Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush to comment about the available monies that Prado referred to. Bush stated that “[the Board previously heard from Assistant Superintendent Katy Hadley regarding] Title II monies available, however we’ve been living off of that carry over and it’s been dwindling every year… there is several thousand available, it’s the money we use to have speakers come in for staff development.” The Board was not slated to take action on this, and there will be further discussion at another time when they have more information on the State budget and any other possible funding sources. MacDonald did remind the Board that over the past four years the PE program has been entirely “self funded”. They have raised over $4,000.00 for needed equipment and “have received no funds to speak of from any budgetary source [within the District]”
The Board received a packet of information regarding the new mandates coming from the state regarding student fees. Sweeney commented on materials that the then Governor Schwarzenegger sent to all Districts reminding them of a recent ACLU case dealing with whether or not various student fees are allowed under the states guarantee of a “free public education”. Sweeney indicated that “we will be scrutinized, and we will have to change our practices.” The Board will be receiving more information on this as the outcome of the case is interpreted and explained for Districts.

All action items were approved and the Board adjourned to it’s next meeting on Tuesday January 18th at 5:30, which is a study session, open to the public on “Program Improvement; What it is? What does it mean? What are we doing about it?” with the regular meeting starting at 6:30pm.

“They (Iranian leadership) want a grand finale; they want one operation that cripples America once and for all...be it a dirty bomb, or a real nuke.” - Walid Shobat, Former Palestinian Terrorist

On April 1st, 1979, Iran became the first Islamic republic in history. Three decades later they are the largest state sponsor of Fundamentalist Islamic terrorism in the world, and we are rapidly approaching the most dangerous moment in the history of the Iranian Revolution.

Iran’s senior leaders have taught that the Revolution will soon reach its climax. They have stated publicly that the end of the world is “imminent.” They have taught that the way to hasten the arrival or appearance on earth of the Islamic messiah known as the “Twelfth Imam,” or the “Mahdi,” is to destroy the United States who they call the “Great Satan,” and to destroy Israel who they call the “Little Satan.” Iranian president Mahmouud Ahmadinejad has stated he has a “written contract” with the Islamic messiah.

Iranian leadership has vowed to annihilate the United States and Israel, and have urged Muslims to envision a world without America and Zionism. The key leaders in Iran are determined to accomplish their apocalyptic, genocidal mission. They are desperately attempting to build, buy, or steal nuclear weapons. Iran is actively testing advanced ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

Iran has built alliances with CONTINUED »

Francisco “Turtle” Estrada pictured with his family (l-r) Rafael Estrada, Jose “Froggy” Estrada, and Norma Ramos, right after he won the Championship at the Westlake Hyatt.
Enlarge Photo

Championship Belt
Enlarge Photo

One of the benefits of writing articles for the Fillmore Gazette is that I have the opportunity to meet and learn about some very interesting people, doing sometimes incredible things, who live right here in Fillmore! I had just that opportunity the other day when I met with Francisco “Turtle” Estrada! Francisco prefers to be called Turtle and I do call him Turtle for this article.

Turtle fights under the name of Francisco “Turtle” Estrada and fights with and trains in Oxnard at the West Coast Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Center. The West Coast Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Center, under the management of Coach Brian Espinoza, offers training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai (kick boxing), Boxing, Woman's Self Defense and Fitness. Francisco is the son of Rafael Estrada and Norma Ramos of Fillmore. Francisco has one brother, Jose “Frog” Estrada 20 yrs of Fillmore.

Turtle is 21 years old and recently received the Combat Fight League's Championship Belt the result of his winning the inaugural Combat Fight League amateur Mixed Martial Arts event competition on December 2, 2010 against Jon “The Gladiator” Gorton at the “Havoc at the Hyatt” Westlake Hyatt in Thousand Oaks. Both fighters were pretty evenly matched going into the fight; Turtle's record was 3-wins and 0-losses and The Gladiator's was 3-wins and 1-loss. From the Combat Fight League's rendition of the fight on their website: “It took Frank "Turtle" Estrada 1:07 of the first round to win the first ever Combat Fight League Championship. In the main event Estrada survived a series of punches and knees from Jon Gorton before finishing "The Gladiator" with a guillotine submission! The raucous Estrada supporters exploded once referee Cecil Peoples indicated the fight was over!” If you would like to watch the title fight that Turtle earned his belt you can view it on You Tube; Francisco “Turtle” Estrada vs Jon “The Gladiator” Gorton. I did and was totally impressed to watch the Turtle take on and beat the head taller opponent into submission!

Turtle brought to the CONTINUED »

Many Fillmore residents didn’t know a man named Roy Arnold who worked to serve them for the last 18 years. He was a quiet man who enjoyed bike riding, hiking, planting oak trees and serving Fillmore. Roy passed away on Wednesday December 22nd at age 85 after suffering a major stroke a year ago that left him partially paralyzed and never again able to walk or ride a bike. Fortunately Roy was able to stay at the Fillmore Convalescent Center where he was well cared for by the caring staff and his extraordinary wife, Luisella.

Roy began working for Fillmore as a part time engineer in 1992 after retiring as a wind tunnel test Engineer for Lockheed. His favorite project in Fillmore was building bike paths. Roy designed the Sespe Creek bike path from E Street north to 7th Street and most of the Railroad bike path. A special feature Roy added to Sespe path was the picnic table in the nook upstream of the railroad. He planted cottonwood trees around the picnic table for shade.

You may have seen Roy riding his bicycle down the sidewalks of Fillmore with a clipboard on the handle bars. He was looking for broken sidewalks to add to the repair list. Fillmore has 64 miles of sidewalks and about every four years, when the City could find the money, Roy would survey the sidewalks and prepare plans and specifications for their reconstruction. Then he would make sure the contractor would fix them correctly along with lawns and sprinklers that would get damaged by the construction.

Another specialty of Roy’s was running the City’s Pavement Maintenance computer program. Roy would ride his bike down the City streets and document the condition of the pavement noting how many cracks there were or if the pavement was failing. He would then enter that information into the Pavement Maintenance program along with the amount of traffic on each street including how many buses or trucks used the street. Then Roy would run the program and it would tell him which streets should be slurry sealed or paved first. Then Roy would put together the plans and specifications for the paving project and make sure the contractor did a good job during construction.

With Roy’s help Fillmore was the first city in Ventura County to install handicapped access ramps on every street corner. He also designed parking lot behind the Theater and prepared multiple contracts for replacing fire hydrants, water services, water valves and pipes throughout the City.

One of my greatest pleasures was riding bikes around Fillmore at lunch time with Roy inspecting the various projects underway or just enjoying beautiful Fillmore. Roy did exceptional work for the City and his quiet presence will be greatly missed.

Bert J. Rapp. P.E. Public Works Director

It’s not news to the police, sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers that New Year’s is prime time for drunk driving. They made 152 DUI arrests over the two-day holiday last year.

“Whether we reach that total depends entirely on drivers in Ventura County,” warned Cmdr. Martin Meyer of the Oxnard police, coordinator of the Avoid the 14 campaign, which is 13 days in to a winter holiday campaign ending Sunday, Jan. 2, at midnight.

Police plan intense DUI enforcement for New Year’s Eve and for New Year’s Day. There will be extra DUI patrols in Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura. The freeways will be teeming with black-and-white California Highway Patrol cruisers.

“You’ll see a patrol car or a police motorcycle everywhere you look,” Meyer said. “Everyone who pins on a badge to go to work every day knows the completely unnecessary problems that drunk drivers cause. We take great pride in getting them off the street to keep the public safe.”

So far in the 17-day campaign, police agencies have arrested 161 DUI suspects. This is down from the 220 suspects in handcuffs at the same time last year. No one has died at the hands of an impaired driver so far in this crackdown. Last year’s winter holiday effort ended with one DUI death.

Funding for Avoid the 14 comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crackdown is named for the 14 law enforcement agencies in the county.

Details from USGS:

Magnitude 3.6
Date-Time Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 08:36:50 UTC
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 12:36:50 AM at epicenter

Location 34.518°N, 118.681°W
Depth 18.9 km (11.7 miles)
Region SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Distances 6 km (4 miles) W (262°) from Castaic Lake dam, CA
16 km (10 miles) NE (41°) from Piru, CA
17 km (11 miles) NW (322°) from Valencia, CA
20 km (12 miles) NW (305°) from Santa Clarita, CA
65 km (40 miles) NW (322°) from Los Angeles Civic Center, CA

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.3 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 0.7 km (0.4 miles)
Parameters Nph=124, Dmin=8 km, Rmss=0.43 sec, Gp= 29°,
M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=1
Source California Integrated Seismic Net:
USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR

Event ID ci10863861

Fillmore Public Works Director Bert Rapp

After nearly 20 years of engineering Fillmore’s public works, Bert Rapp has decided to resign and transfer his talents to the Ventura River County Water District, where he was offered a higher salary as their General Manager.

Starting as City Engineer in 1991, Rapp’s first major challenge was to plan and oversee the city’s water supply. The system was woefully inadequate due to a complete lack of redundancy. Reservoir No. 2 was also taken down, and new generators for each well were placed on line. Had the old system failed the city would have been without water. Reservoir No. 1 (built in 1917), was falling apart and was replaced with a new, post-tensioned concrete reservoir. Many homes under the old reservoir were endangered in the event of a structural failure. This work was accomplished with the help of grants from FEMA.

The list of Rapp’s achievements, particularly following the devastation of the1994 Northridge quake, are numerous. He had to slate dozens of homes for demolition. Rapp planned the reconstruction of the Towne Theatre, our new City Hall, and participated in the design of four parks (Delores Day, Two Rivers, Meadowlark, and Shiells Parks).

One of his greatest achievements was the construction of our heavily-used Class One bike paths. The innovative location of the Pole Creek debris basin adjacent to El Dorado Mobil Home Park has averted a deadly threat from Pole Creek overflow and “hydraulic jump”. Rapp also designed the extensive river levee system which made Fillmore dramatically safer from flooding.

His crowning achievement, however, was the completion (against unrelenting criticism from political candidates) of Fillmore’s new, state-of-the-art water recycling plant. His plant, constructed and operated by American Water, was chosen Ventura County APWA’s Project of the Year for 2010, and has won at least 8 awards for efficiency, function, innovation, and its DBO (Design, Build, and Operate) contract. The Design Build approach (also heavily criticized by political candidates) was adopted by the County of Ventura, the City of Santa Paula, and used in Piru, as a new and efficient method of structuring major works.

Numerous traffic control elements were Rapp’s ideas as well, such as the “speed table” in front of the Theatre, and the traffic circles on River Street, which eliminated speeding trucks almost immediately.

But the water treatment plant was most controversial, with critics alleging it was a “Cadillac” plant, urging a different design, different method of financing, and different location. All criticisms have proven to be bogus. In order to discharge to the river Fillmore would have had to install reverse osmosis at twice the capital and operating cost. All the criticism directed toward Rapp and the implementation of his innovative, holistic approach to engineering problems has been proven wrong, and politically motivated. Fillmore’s water treatment plant has become the envy of many other cities.

The residents of north Fillmore, and the shopkeepers on south Central Avenue, who no longer experience flooding during rainstorms like we are experiencing today, can thank our Director of Public Works, Bert Rapp, for his imagination and determination. Through years of often savage criticism he lost neither his focus nor his temper.
The City of Fillmore owes a debt of gratitude to this man who essentially rebuilt the City after the devastating Northridge earthquake, and who has met many difficult challenges with perspicuity and patience.

Fillmore Unified School District

On December 7, 2010 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell released drop out and graduation rates from the 2008-2009 school year. These are the most recent numbers available. Normally this data is available in the spring of each year but according to the news release school districts were given an extension on their reporting deadline due to “operational challenges” of the new CALPADS system.

According to the news release posted on the website of the California Department of Education (CDE) statewide graduation rates for 2008-2009 went up 1.6% to 70.1%. And the “adjusted four-year derived drop out rate” went up as well, from 18.9% to 21.7%. In examining subgroups the statewide graduation rate for Hispanic students is 59% with a drop out rate of 26.9% for that same subgroup. O’Connell commented, “I am glad to see the graduation rate inch up, but remain deeply concerned that the drop out rate is also increasing slightly.”

O’Connell also used the news release to make recommendations to the incoming Governor to “restore $6.8 million in federal funding set aside for CALPADS that was vetoed in October by Governor Schwarzenegger.” O’Connell explains that for three years the State has utilized “a data system that allows us to track students more accurately and have honest conversations about how to improve graduation rates and reduce drop outs among all subgroups of students.” He commented that this is the first year in which the State collected data through the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). And while the State has been calculating data on graduation and drop out rates for three years using “student level enrollment and exit data [systems]” this new “longitudinal” system will allow the State “to calculate the most accurate graduation and drop out rates possible.” Through this system beginning in June 2005 each student was assigned a “non personally identifiable code” called a Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) that will follow the student through to twelfth grade. The goal of using SSID along with the CALPADS is to “increase accountability for districts to find students who stop coming to school.” SSID allows districts to correctly identify students who drop out, as it will tell a district if a student thought to have dropped out enrolls in another school, or if a student thought to have transferred fails to enroll in another school. O’Connell explains that “unless funding is restored, the millions of dollars already invested in CALPADS will have been wasted, and our state will be at ground zero in collecting student-level data, placing us last among the states in measuring student progress over time.” Districts are assigned the duty of collecting and reporting this information to the CDE. O’Connell also urges that our State provide “$32 million- just $5 per student- to support the workload associated with collecting, maintaining and submitting student-level data.”

CALPADS Explained: According to CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Fernando Cervantes, 48 of Fillmore, was found guilty last Friday of sexually abusing four female relatives under the age of 14. He faces 60 years to life, sentencing January 11, 2011. Cervantes was found guilty of two felony counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and two felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 14. The sexual abuse started in 1996 when the victims were 5 or 6 years old, and continued until 2004. The victims kept quiet about the molestations after being threatened by Cervantes; they testified at trial.
His sons, Oscar and Francisco Cervantes were also arrested and charged with molesting female relatives. Their trials are pending.

Gayle Washburn

I want to thank my fellow council members for their support in selecting me as Mayor. I’d also like to share a few thoughts with our residents.

Last year was an economic challenge. We all worked hard to meet that challenge but we have more problems ahead of us. Last week the governor said that the state has a $25 billion deficit. The County says that we will see another 4.3% decline in assessed property values in the next year. We are likely to be facing an additional $2 million or more deficit in our next budget cycle. If you follow financial markets you know that this economic situation isn’t going to get better any time soon. That means we’re going to have to make an extra effort to live within our means. Many of us are already working on that. And, we’re all going to have to share the pain. As a City we’ve been spending more of our General Fund than it brings in for several years.

While this economic picture is bleak, we have a lot to be grateful for. We live in this beautiful city. We have a lot of good people here. We have a lot of givers and volunteers willing to work hard to better the community including this City Council and all of our commissions, local service clubs, churches, Chamber businesses and other groups. We also have a dedicated and committed workforce to serve the community. We have excellent police and fire service. So we’re going to be okay but we need to work at it together. I’m going to be asking the council to support me in forming a Budget task force with citizen representation to help solve these challenges.

I also have high expectations for myself and the rest of the Council. I expect us all to be ethical and respectful of the public, of staff and of each other. Our job here is bigger than personal differences and petty grievances. We are here to serve the public and conduct business and that’s where we need to focus our efforts.

I would also like to recognize Mayor Walker for her two years of service as Mayor. She’s been a fair and honest Mayor and a person of integrity and decency and we’re lucky to have her on the Council. I hope I can do as well.

Gayle Washburn

With the recent heavy downpours and flooding CAL FIRE’s firefighters and crews have responded to a large number of storm-related emergencies and rescues. In fact between Saturday, December 18 and Tuesday December 20, CAL FIRE dispatched and responded to nearly 4,000 emergencies and calls for service statewide including:

Over 450 Traffic collisions
Over 100 Flooding incidents
Over 20 Water Rescues

In the past few days, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego have been some of the hardest hit counties by the heavy downpours. This morning alone, CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department responded to over a dozen additional water rescues and over 50 new flooding incidents. In San Bernardino, CAL FIRE / City of Highland Fire Department have been busy with major flooding and mudslides in southeast Highland.

As heavy rainfall continues in many parts of the state, CAL FIRE engine companies, fire crews, and personnel continue to be on high alert for additional flooding calls and rescues. CAL FIRE’s inmate fire crews often play a large role in flooding incidents since they are also trained in sandbagging and debris removal. Each crew consists of 15-17 inmates that are supervised by a CAL FIRE Captain. CAL FIRE has 196 inmate fire crews across the state.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving on flooded roadways and obey road closure barricades. These are in place for driver safety and the safety of emergency responders. Prior to traveling, motorists are encouraged to check on current weather and road conditions.

For more information on flooding and winter weather safety visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Tulare counties due to extreme weather and storm conditions.

The full text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on December 18, 2010, a series of severe rainstorms began to sweep across California, bringing high winds and significant amounts of precipitation; and

WHEREAS these severe storms are causing harm to people and property, flooding homes and infrastructure, damaging public and private facilities, closing roads and highways, and requiring emergency response and debris clean-up; and

WHEREAS flood conditions caused by these storms are causing the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS the weather forecast is for extraordinary and continuing rainfall, which will pose a continued threat of flooding in urban areas and small streams and rock slides and debris flow in the recent wildfire areas, damage to flood control systems, slope failure, erosion, and in coastal regions the potential for harbor damage and tidal surge; and

WHEREAS on December 18, 2010, Orange County proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on December 19, 2010, Kern County proclaimed a local emergency and reiterated this proclamation on December 21, 2010; and

WHEREAS on December 20, 2010, Tulare County proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on December 21, 2010, the counties of Riverside and San Luis Obispo proclaimed local emergencies; and

WHEREAS San Bernardino County is expected to declare a local emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of these storms, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the storm conditions in the counties of Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Tulare.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare counties.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan, and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 21st day of December 2010.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California

ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The County of Ventura continues to get battered by recent storm activity. As these storms move through our area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind all residents of the dangers that accompany this type of weather.

As the local mountains and hillsides reach their saturation points, the chances for flash floods, mudslides, and large amounts of storm run-off in the local drainage channels increases dramatically. Last winter’s storm activity and the related calls for service can serve as a reminder:

• During last winter’s storms, hikers in the Ventura County back country ventured into the wilderness knowing of the approaching storm systems. These individuals were subsequently overcome by a flash flood and mudslide, and had to be evacuated by a Sheriff’s helicopter and rescue crew.

• Also, two young children entered a drainage channel in the Thousand Oaks area. Both children subsequently ended up in the fast moving and potentially deadly water. Luckily, one child was able to pull both herself and her brother out of danger.

• And finally, a man in the Thousand Oaks area entered Wildwood Park during the heavy rains. While trying to cross a swollen creek he was washed down stream and perished.

The Ventura County back country is a beautiful place. However, during heavy storms the creeks rise quickly and without warning. Mud and rockslides occur frequently during these heavy rain events. Please refrain from entering the backcountry until after the storms have long passed, and always notify a friend or loved one of your plans and location when entering the wilderness.

Please do not attempt to cross moving water - either on foot or in vehicles. Normally shallow water crossings become very hazardous during heavy rains as the water flows increase suddenly and without warning.

The increased water flows in the local drainage channels can be very attractive and luring to kids and young adults. A simple slip and fall into this fast moving water often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers. Please ensure that your children are admonished on the dangers of the fast moving water and told not enter any of these areas.

Increased surf activity at the local beaches is another hazard that draws people to the shoreline to view the large waves and heavy surf. Please do not enter the water or venture out onto the jetties or rocks along the local beaches.

Please report any dangerous activity on or around waterways and beaches over the upcoming days. Prevention and early detection is key to avoiding tragedies.

Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: 12/21/2010 at 1400 hrs
Unit Responsible: Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit
Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Shane Matthews
Follow-up Contact: Sheriff’s Aviation - S.A.R. Unit (805) 388-4212
Date of Release: 12/21/2010
Approved by: Captain Dave Kenney