Javier Barajas, 31 of Los Angeles, was charged last week with intimidating a witness in a 2008 drive-by shooting in Fillmore. If convicted of the new felony, Barajas faces up to life in prison. He is now serving 300 days in jail. Barajas has an immigration hold on him and he is not eligible for bail. A preliminary hearing is set for December 24, 2009. He was credited 162-days served, including credit for good behavior. While out of jail, Barajas intimidated a witness who was forced to relocate because of the physical threat.

In September Barajas pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in a gang-related drive-by shooting. Barajas and two other men drove to Fillmore on March 27, 2008 after the funeral of Jose Camacho, 22 of Moorpark. No one was injured in that shooting.

Jorge Hernandez, 24 of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to all charges Wednesday I drunk driving deaths. He admitted to drunken driving, causing injury, and driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher in the deaths of two county disc jockeys in September 2009. He is also expected to plead guilty to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the deaths of David Garcia, 33 of Port Hueneme, and Alex Estrada, 33 of Ventura. Garcia was a graduate at Fillmore High School and well-known in the city and the county as DJ Gorilla.

Hernandez was driving his pickup truck the wrong way on Highway 118 near Rose Avenue on September 27th, when it collided with Garcia’s vehicle. Garcia was driving his wife Sonia Garcia, 26, and Estrada home from the Relay for Life 2009 event held in Fillmore. Sonia was critically injured.

Hernandez’ sentencing is set for January 25, 2010; he could receive up to 16 years and eight months in prison.

Not ever rain could stop the town of Piru from having their annual Christmas Parade. They honored the veterans of Piru as well as this year’s Grand Marshal Mrs. Chessanie, or as some know her, Mrs. Cheese.

Sitting proudly aboard a decorated truck and trailer ensemble provided by OST Trucking, nearly two- dozen Piru Veterans waved and saluted the crowd lined up along the route through the historic downtown district last Saturday. These men were clearly full of pride as many dressed in military hats or attire. With a banner of the days’ theme, “Merry Christmas to our Soldiers”, the lead vehicle was a 1968 “deuce and a half” military transport vehicle provided by local businessman and classic car restoration expert Ellery Engel. The final vehicle in the convoy was Gilbert Zavala’s restored 1971 Chevy truck, with patriotic flags waving in the wintry conditions. Zavala was also part of the tribute as a Vietnam War Veteran himself. This celebration literally covered the bases from A-Z, or Korean War veteran Lupe Alcozar to still-active Gilbert Zavala Jr., who just returned to the states after serving in the Middle East wars. Over 70 current or former Piru residents have been identified for serving our country and range from Manuel “Sleepy” Martinez who served during WWII to men and women still on active duty.

This annual parade and festival, sponsored by the Piru Neighborhood Council, continued into the evening as locals did not let the occasional downpours damper their spirit. This year’s event was orchestrated by Chacha Troyke and her merry band of community volunteers. Grand Marshal Donna Chessani, known by many as “Mrs. Cheese”, has served the town’s youth through her work with Piru School and other local causes. She offered words of thanks and holiday reflections during a brief stop at the judges’ stage, provided by Rancho Temescal; and was acknowledged for her many years of service by parade announcer Stephanie Acosta.

The parade began at the west end of Center Street near the Piru CONTINUED »

Bob Stroh spoke at council’s open forum Monday night.

The Fillmore Flashes were honored Monday night at a joint City Council/Parks & Recreation meeting. The Frontier League Championship presentation was made by Mayor Pattie Walker, who read each young man’s name, to the applauds and praise of those in attendance. The Flashes were the first Fillmore team to win the championship in 32 years. Each Frontier League Title winner was presented with a Fillmore City pen. Coach Matt Dollar expressed his pride in the team and said they won the title for all the Fillmore teams who didn’t win in the last 32 years.

During public comment, resident Bob Stroh described the Council’s recent Brown Act violations as “trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.” He also accused The Gazette of “subverting the truth” in an effort to “do anything to get them out of office,” referring to the “Katzenjammer Kids”, ie: Councilmembers Walker, Washburn and Brooks. Rich McKee, President of Californians Aware, a political watchdog group who recently filed suit against the city council, didn’t escape Stroh’s unusual churn, calling him an “ambulance chasing equivalent.” The city settled the McKee lawsuit with a public admission of three Brown Act violations at its August 25th meeting, attendance at a 2-hour Brown Act Retraining workshop, and payment of McKee’s legal fees, totaling $6,000.

Director of Public Works Bert Rapp reviewed the Two Rivers CONTINUED »

The City of Fillmore Fire Department is proud to announce they have been awarded a grant by State Farm Insurance Agency in the amount of $1,500. The money received will be used to purchase a much needed electrical generator for the Children’s Learn not to Burn Fire Safety Trailer. This trailer serves as an integral part of the City of Fillmore’s ongoing campaign to educate local youth on the dangers found within their homes.

State Farm Insurance Agency has been a longtime supporter of the City of Fillmore Fire Department with their most recent grant award being one of several contributions received over the past six years. Through their generous dedication and commitment to the community of Fillmore, State Farm has provided upwards of $35,000 in grant funding to numerous projects throughout our agency. Grants such as these play an important role in providing an opportunity for projects that would otherwise be unobtainable due to budgetary shortfalls.

One specific area the insurance agency has continued to provide funding for is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. Established in early 200, upwards of 300 Fillmore residents have been provided extensive seven week training on emergency response, free of charge.

Rich McKee, President of Californians Aware, is deciding whether to pursue the City of Fillmore for yet another alleged Brown Act violation. On December 3rd McKee presented the city with a letter for Demand for Correction for an alleged violation on the Council’s November 24th agenda concerning “Existing Litigation…Richard P. McKee v. City of Fillmore; Ventura County Superior Court…” No such litigation existed on November 24, 2009, according to McKee. The “pending litigation” referred to McKee’s lawsuit against the city for three previous Brown Act violations. McKee, and his attorney Kelly A. Aviles, contend that the litigation was no longer “pending”, having been settled on November 16, 2009.

In his Demand, McKee sought two remedies at the December 8th council meeting: first, the council was to announce that it violated the Brown Act on November 24, 2009, by agendizing and holding a closed session…when in fact the litigation identified did not exist; and second, disclosure of the entire discussion had in that improperly held closed session.

The City sees it differently. At the December 8th meeting City Attorney CONTINUED »

Sheila Tate

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley is pleased to announce the appointment of volunteer Sheila Tate as the Clubs Interim Chief Professional Officer. Sheila has generously volunteered to take this leadership role, with the goal of leading the Club, with its five Clubhouses and six after-school sites, as it moves forward in this challenging economic environment.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley has three Clubhouses serving Fillmore and Piru, the Neil C. Schmidt Clubhouse in North Fillmore, the Fillmore Clubhouse on First Street and the Rancho Sespe Clubhouse in the Rancho Sespe Apartments on Telegraph Rd., between Fillmore and Piru, the two Clubhouses in Santa Paula include the Las Piedras Clubhouse (sharing space with the Santa Paula Police Storefront on 13th St.) and the Harvard Clubhouse on Harvard Blvd. After-School sites are located at Barbara Webster Elementary, Thelma Bedell, Glen City School, McKevett School Blanchard School and Grace Thille School.

Sheila approached the board with her offer to help as a CONTINUED »

Scott Beylik and Mike Richardson, Fillmore community leaders in agriculture, have been selected to participate in the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), one of the premier agricultural leadership opportunities in the United States. Their class, the 40th selected in the program’s history, was recently inaugurated in Sacramento.

The priorities for CALP are to create leaders who can make change for the long-term viability of California agriculture, are able to engage and positively influence society, and can participate in communication networks that enhance California agriculture. It has been in operation since 1969 and has more than 1,000 alumni, including such leaders as U.S. Reps. Devin Nunes and George Radanovich, Secretary of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura, Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman, state Sen. Abel Maldonado, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, and Department of Pesticide Regulation Director Mary-Ann Warmerdam. Graduates are leaders in their communities and in the agriculture industry.

“The way to succeed in life is to know how to change with CONTINUED »

Gil Kohler

Our beloved husband and father Gilbert T. Koehler passed away peacefully at the age of 97, on Wednesday December 2, 2009. He was born in Anaheim, CA on August 17, 1912. He attended Anaheim Union High School, where he was active in drama and athletics and President of his Sophomore and Junior class. He attended Citrus Junior College and USC where he studied freight traffic management. He worked in this field for 38 years. In July 1937 he married Cleo Woodbury. They had two children Gilbert Jr. and Marcia.

Gil was Master of Anaheim Lodge 207, F&AM in 1954. In 1960 he and his wife move to South Lake Tahoe where he was the Terminal Manager for Western Gillette Truck Lines. Gil was active in that community and was instrumental in forming a Men’s Golf Club, where he served as President. He also served as Commodore of a Boat Club and was President of the Kiwanis Club.

Moving back to Anaheim in 1969, he continued his work in CONTINUED »

Fillmore City attorney Ted Schneider conducted a 90-minute Brown Act Workshop Tuesday night, instructing Council in the essentials of the law. The Workshop was part of the lawsuit settlement brought by Rich McKee, seated left with his attorney Kelly Aviles.
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Tuesday night’s City Council meeting was dominated by a 90 minute Brown Act Workshop, conducted by city attorney Theodore Schneider, in response to a lawsuit settlement brought by Rich McKee, of Californians Aware, for three times violating the Brown Act in August. The suit settled with the city admitting the council’s “errors”, a 2-hour Brown Act retraining, and payment of McKee’s attorney fees in the amount of $6,000. The matter was filed with the court by the City Attorney’s Office on November 16, 2009.

On December 3, 2009 McKee sent a Brown Act Demand for Correction to the Fillmore City Council regarding an item on the November 24, 2009 Agenda concerning “Existing Litigation…Richard P McKee v. City of Fillmore; Ventura County Superior Court...” The same description remained when an amended agenda was posted on November 20, 2009. No such litigation existed on November 24, 2009. In his Demand, McKee sought two remedies at the December 8th council meeting: first, the council was to announce that it violated the Brown Act on November 24, 2009, by agendizing and holding a closed session pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(a) – Existing Litigation, when in fact the litigation identified did not exist; and second, disclosure of the entire discussion had in that improperly held closed session.

Kicking off the council meeting, Schneider announced CONTINUED »

By Carole Power
The Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley got a special reminder Thursday, December 3rd, of just why they work so hard to keep the Club open. Las Piedras site director Maricela Juarez wrote the following in an email that was forwarded to each Board member. “We have set up a coin jar in our club labeled "Every cent makes a difference" to raise funds in order to help keep the Boys & Girls Club open. With the recent events involving the Club, staff and Club members have been brain storming ideas to help keep the doors open... Club members have taken to heart the words "EVERY CENT makes a difference" and have collected every spare penny as a way to contribute to THEIR club. As Club Member Giovanni Vargas “Be Happy and smile, the Club is open!"

What a heartwarming, and at the same time disheartening story. It is heartwarming to learn that the Club’s kids are concerned enough that ‘their’ place was in jeopardy and they want to do what they can to help, and disheartening that these precious young people have to be concerned about the finances of their “Positive Place for Kids.” It is unfortunate that the Club’s situation had to come to these children’s attention, but they rallied and are doing what they can.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley provide CONTINUED »

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Last Thursday, December 3rd, at the 200 block of Blaine Ave. - Citizens called 911 and reported 3 male juveniles moving about the yard of a vacant residence. The suspects fled on foot when deputies arrived. 18 year old Rudy Mora was found hiding in the garage of a neighboring residence and 24 year old Albert Dominguez was found on a nearby street. Although a crime could not be established regarding the originally reported circumstances, Mora was arrested for illegally entering the garage in which he was found. Dominguez was arrested for 11550 H&S (drug influence), 11364 H&S (drug equipment) 12020 P.C. Felony weapons-Brass knuckles, and an outstanding felony warrant for parole violation.

Newbury Park Bank Robbery Suspect Photo #2
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Newbury Park Bank Robbery Suspect Photo #3
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Location: 541 S. Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA, 91320.
Date & Time/R.B.#: December 5, 2009 @ 2:35 p.m. / 09-29876
Unit Responsible: East County Sheriff’s Major Crimes / Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses Address Age-----------------------
(S) White Male Unknown Late 50’s to early 60’s

The suspect robbed a branch of US Bank located inside an Albertson’s Market on South Reino Road on Saturday afternoon. No employees or customers were injured during the robbery. The suspect fled the bank within minutes carrying an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was seen, but the suspect alluded to being armed.

The investigation is being handled by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes unit in conjunction with the FBI. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Jon Smith at (805) 494-8201, or Special Agent Pat Conley of the FBI at (310) 629-9553. See the attached three images of the suspect that were retrieved from the bank’s surveillance cameras.

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). The FBI is also offering a one-time reward under the same conditions.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Claudio Jean Negrea.
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Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca.
Date & Time/ RB#: ongoing investigation / 09-27690
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Forgery/Fraud Investigations Unit

Buying a car online can be a hazardous process, especially if you’re willing to part with your money without examining the merchandise in person.

Take the recent case of Claudio Jean Negrea, who was arrested last month on several burglary and fraud charges. Negrea, who told investigators he was a Swedish national named Marvi Hult, had advertised two vehicles on the Internet.

He sold a recreational vehicle and a BMW sedan to a customer in Texas, and another in Oklahoma. He posted photographs of the vehicles online, but deflected requests to meet in person to showcase the vehicles.

Negrea’s advertised prices were well below what would have been customary for the types of vehicles he offered.

Ultimately, the buyers agreed to wire money to an escrow account, to which Negrea directed them. The website looked legitimate, but was fraudulent. Once the money was wired to the account, Negrea went to the bank and pulled the money out.

Fortunately, officials at a local bank in Thousand Oaks CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Every seat was filled in the board meeting room as people came out to support two Power of One honorees at Tuesday night's December 1 meeting of the Fillmore Unified School District Board.

Under the Power of One heading, the board recognized Amelia Ramirez and Dena Wyand for their service to the district. Sespe School Principal Rose Hibler introduced Ramirez. “Ramirez offers comfort to students, parents and staff with her positive attitude,” Hibler said. “She always asks what do we need to do to get it done. She is the pulse of the school.”

Wyand was introduced by Middle School Principal Todd Schieferle. He said she has been on campus since the opening of the school, where she started as a sixth grade teacher. Now she is a counselor. “She is very organized and she has a can do attitude,” he said. Assistant Principal Tricia Godfrey said, “She handles advisory and makes us better all the time.”

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney said he's received a letter from the County Board of Education concerning a public hearing on the proposed Charter School in Piru. The hearing is set tentatively for January 12 or 13 at 6:00 p.m. On January 25 at 6:00 p.m. the County Board will either grant or deny the petition for the Charter School.

Superintendent Sweeney asked Fillmore High School CONTINUED »

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury has found Gerardo Resales Villa (DOB 6/11/76), of Fillmore, guilty of killing Miguel Gallardo while driving with gross negligence, and while under the influence of alcohol. The jury also found true the special allegations that Villa personally inflicted the great bodily injury which led to the deaths of Guillermo Aguiniga, Juan Gallardo, Raul Fletes, and Horacio Sanchez. Villa was also found guilty of driving with a suspended license due to a prior driving under the influence conviction.

The driving that led to the deaths of the five victims occurred during the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, on Guiberson Road, between Piru and Fillmore in Ventura County. While driving with approximately twice the legal limit of alcohol and with methamphetamine in his system, Villa drifted over the center line of the two-lane road and struck a utility pole, killing all of the occupants instantly while Villa survived virtually unharmed. Villa was determined to be the driver of the vehicle after a thorough investigation by members of the California Highway Patrol, Moorpark Office.

Sentencing is set for January 8,2010, at 8:30 a.m., in Division 25. Villa faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison.

What a great tribute the “Military Banners Program” has become to the men and women of Fillmore currently serving in the military. The immensely popular Banners have now been placed on Central and Sespe Avenues and the available spaces have rapidly been filling with new Banners almost monthly. I, for one, almost daily go to town and rarely do I not take a trip by my son's Banner to acknowledge his service. I know of a few other parents and family that do the same with their loved ones Banner. I also make it a point to acknowledge the others as I travel past theirs and note that some of the young men and women have had Banners placed by their family, but have not had an article written about their service. Some of them I know and others I don't. I curiously wonder about what they do within their respective branches of the military, who their family are and maybe I wonder a little about this brave person who chose to serve all of us. If for some reason the family of those American Heroes and Fillmore/Piru son's and daughters felt it is to late to have an article put in the Fillmore Gazette, it isn't and I would be proud to gather the information and photograph and share their story with the rest of the community. My contact information runs weekly in the Fillmore Gazette.

On Monday, November 23, 2009 at 9:00 AM five more banners were CONTINUED »