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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Frank Mutz surveys the fire damage to the kitchen of his building, formerly Diamond Dave’s Café. On Monday, August 3, Frank and his wife Stacy were at Diamond Dave's Cafe in Fillmore, taking interior and exterior photos of the property at 454 Santa Clara Street that they lease to Dave Burns for his popular restaurant. They finished photographing the property and left, but returned 45 minutes later. And it’s a good thing they did. A kitchen fire had ignited and the Mutz's were met with billows of smoke pouring out of the east kitchen windows. Frank ran inside, while Stacy called 911. He grabbed a fire extinguisher hanging in the kitchen, one of two on the premises. But the flames were already lapping up to the kitchen ceiling and pressured cans were starting to explode, forcing Frank out of the area. Fillmore Fire Department, and Ventura County and City Fire arrived within 15 minutes of the 911 call. It took two hours to extinguish the fire. "I want to thank the fire departments for treating it with such urgency," stated Frank. "They got it out pretty quickly, considering," added Stacy. The fire caused over $250,000 in damages, but that figure is not final until the insurance company makes its final determination, stated the couple. The fire was caused by large appliances plugged into an electrical outlet behind the stove. The overload caused an outlet arc fault which sparked the fire, according to Stacy and Frank. The Mutz’s have owned the building since 2004 and ran a restaurant out of it from 2004 to 2006, when the leased it to Burns. Frank and Stacy plan on reopening the business themselves. "We can't wait to get it reopened again for all our customers, and see all their friendly faces," said Stacy. "I miss them all and think about them often." |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
A 25-year old woman was raped at a Lake Piru campground between 12 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Sunday, August 16th. She was attacked near a restroom, and did not know her attacker before that night. The woman had been partying and drinking. The man fled after the attack. Major Crimes detectives are actively working the case, stated Captain Tim Hagel, Fillmore’s Police Chief. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
 A three-vehicle collision happened Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 126 and B Street. No injuries were reported. Two vehicles received relatively minor damage. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
 Peter Egedi Nature of Incident: Arrest of Former Fillmore Fire Chief Location: Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility Date & Time: August 11, 2009 9:00am Unit Responsible: Special Services Division / Major Crimes Bureau A) Egedi, Peter Karl, age 40. On Tuesday, August 11, 2009, Peter Egedi surrendered himself to detectives of the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau pursuant to an arrest warrant. He was subsequently booked at the Main Jail for violation of California Penal Code sections 487PC – Grand Theft and 504PC – Embezzlement by a Public Officer. Egedi, the former Chief of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department was the subject of a lengthy investigation that began in April of 2008 into allegations that he had misappropriated Fire Department funds. Officer Preparing Release: Official report: Docket Date all counts: August 10, 2009: Complaint filed on 08/10/09 09:23:41 by Ventura County District Attorney. Felony charge 504 (PC) filed as count 1 with violation date of 03/22/05-Embezzlement by Public or Private Officer: CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
 John Wooner speaks to the council on the City of Fillmore’s 2009-2010 Budget. On August 11, 2009, Fillmore City Council held its third Budget Workshop as part of the development of a 2009-2010 budget. The Council plans to adopt the final budget after a formal public hearing on August 25th. At the previous workshops, on July 23rd and 28th, Transitional City Manager Larry Pennell expressed concerns that the City would suffer a financial crisis in the middle of the 2010-2011 fiscal year if spending were not curbed to match projected decreases in revenue. The Council directed staff and John Wooner, a consultant who had been hired to help with budget preparation, to incorporate suggested cuts and other recommendations into the budget. The budget was revised on August 10th. After a general overview of the changes, the Council reviewed the budget funds almost page-by-page, asking questions, making corrections, and requesting changes. Wooner hopes to receive the last of the Council's change requests by August 14th, so that he will have time to incorporate the changes into the final budget to be presented on August 25th. Wooner had been hired, on Pennell's recommendation, to reformat the budget. On July 23rd, Wooner presented the Budget in a new format as a series of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The formatting changes to the budget do not indicate a shift in accounting practices, but are expected to make the budget more transparent to increase its usefulness as a management tool. The new format is expected to provide City employees, Council members, and the public with a budget that is easier to read, analyze, and manage. The Council will be able to see spending patterns on a monthly basis. The previous budget format was more line-item oriented, and items were identified by fund and divisions within each fund. The new format shows a summary page, detail page, and salaries page for each fund. The August 10th version of the 2009-2010 budget will be available for download in pdf form at www.fillmoreca.com CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
The hit Fox Network series “Bones” was fi lming in Fillmore on Monday, August 10 on Grand Avenue and Old Telegraph. Shown is a FBI van used in fi lming. Bones is an American drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensics and police procedurals in which each episode focuses on an FBI case fi le concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth to the forensic anthropology team of Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan. Emily Deschanel stars in the title role, opposite David Boreanaz as Special Agent Seeley Booth. The rest of the cast includes Michaela Conlin, T. J. Thyne, Eric Millegan, Tamara Taylor and John Francis Daley. The series, created by Hart Hanson, is very loosely based on the life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, who is a producer on the show. Its title character, Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan is named after the protagonist of Reichs’ crime novel series. Bones is a joint production by Josephson Entertainment, Far Field Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. The fourth season premiered on September 3, 2008 on Fox. In the UK, it aired on Sky1 on Thursdays, starting on September 25.[3] The show was picked up for two more seasons, with the fi fth season set to premiere September 17, 2009 on Fox. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department 07/22/09-08/09/09 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
 A crowd gathered in Central Park on Monday, August 3, to watch the Fillmore Fire Department and supporting units fight a fire at a popular restaurant. At approximately 9:55a.m. the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a kitchen fire at Diamond Dave’s Cafe located at 454 Santa Clara Avenue, Fillmore. Upon arriving on scene firefighters observed heavy smoke from the rear entrance and rooftop of the structure. Shortly after entering the structure, firefighters were able to launch an aggressive attack resulting in minimal damage to three rooms and the exterior of the structure. The fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of the arrival of the first unit. The restaurant was closed at the time of the incident preventing any injuries to occupants or bystanders. Additional resources from the City of Santa Paula and County of Ventura were requested shortly after the time of dispatch. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The building is owned by Frank and Stacy Mutz and was leased by Dave Burns. Enlarge Photo  A neighbor quickly attempted to assist with fighting the fire, and stayed with it for about 20 minutes. Enlarge Photo  The smoke was thick, and filled the entire structure. No injuries occurred and no structural damage. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
 A concrete slab which had supported a temporary classroom at San Cayetano is being converted to a patio, and there will be steps from the patio to the kindergarten play area. Enlarge Photo Board Member Tony Prado presided over the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting on August 4, 2009. The Board reviewed salary schedules for the upcoming year, heard an update on facilities repairs and improvements, heard plans for welcoming staff back to school, and approved a bus contract. School will start on August 19, 2009. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney said that staff were being welcomed back to school on Monday, August 17, 2009. Sweeney said on that Monday staff will receive training on the new data management system, Zangle, which Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush has been working to roll out. The motivational guest speaker for the day will be Jeff Eben (www.jeffeben.com). Teachers will be setting up classrooms on August 18th. The Board postponed approval of the 2009-2010 Salary Schedules, because Board Members John Garnica and David Dollar were absent. Materials handed out at the Board meeting consisted of: the Certificated Salary Schedule, the Certificated Salary Schedule with Longevity, rates for Hourly Teaching Assignments, description of rates for Extra Services by Counselors, description of rates for Extra Period Teaching Assignments, the Extra Pay Schedule (Stipends), the School Psychologist/Coordinator Salary Schedule, the Management Salary Schedule with Longevity, Classified Job Titles and Longevity, the Classified Salary Schedule, and the Supervisory Employees Salary Schedule with Longevity. Substitute teachers’ pay rates were not included. Bush noted that approving the Schedules was a formality, and that the Schedules merely implemented decisions that the Board had previously made. Sweeney noted that the Certificated Salary Schedule includes the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association’s 1% raise. Bush noted that the Management Salary Schedule includes reductions to the number of days worked per year. When Prado asked whether the Schedules contained anything controversial, Bush replied that some people were not happy with working a shorter year but the Board had already considered that issue. Bush explained that he needs the Schedules approved to issue August paychecks, but said that the Board could approve them on August 18th, which is before paychecks would have been issued anyway. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Real Estate Fraud Division and Consumer Protection Division have concluded a civil prosecution conducted against real estate businesses owned and operated by Oscar Soto Vasquez (DOB: 11/30/71) of Fillmore and his wife Delia. Vasquez, along with his loan company, Quest Home Loans, Inc. (“Quest”), dba Quest Mortgage of Oxnard, and his realty company, Real Estate Vision, Inc. (“REV”), dba Century 21 New Vision of Oxnard, and Vasquez’s wife, Delia Vasquez (DOB: 05/25/71) of Fillmore, agreed to pay restitution, civil penalties and costs of the suit. The Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction were signed this afternoon by Judge Frederick Bysshe. An investigation of Quest was initiated by the District Attorney’s Office in 2005 after Quest was determined to be the most prolific advertiser in local Spanish-language media for home loans and refinancing services. The Office began an investigation into whether Quest was providing written Spanish translations of loan documents written in English to its Spanish-speaking customers as required by law. The investigation discovered that Quest only provided documents in English. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
 Construction is almost complete on the MG Development plaza, located on Highway 126, west of B Street. The structure will offer retail/office space with anchor pad. Enlarge Photo |
 The dedication of the Neil C. Schmidt Community Aquatics Center was held Saturday, July 25. Evaristo Barajas and Cindy Blatt spoke during the ceremonies, there was a lifeguard demonstration held, along with the ribbon cutting. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
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By Mariandrea Mueller — Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
 Pictured above (l-r) City Planner Manuel Minjares and Mayor Patti Walker. Minjares was awarded Employee of the Quarter. Enlarge Photo  Pictured above (l-r) Community Services Supervisor Annette Cardona and Mayor Patti Walker. Cardona was Employee of the Quarter for April-June. Enlarge Photo The City Council met July 28th, had many of its questions regarding FEMA flood maps and flood insurance answered by the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, conducted miscellaneous City business, and presented awards to staff. Staff from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD) provided a presentation which addressed the need for Fillmore residents in certain locations to buy flood insurance before the updated FEMA maps are finalized and go into effect. The report provided updates on the Status of FEMA's Sespe Creek, Pole Creek, and Santa Clara River Flood Insurance Study, FEMA's Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), and the District's Levee Certification Efforts for the Sespe Creek Levee. The three main parts of National Flood Insurance Program are mapping (to identify flood hazards), floodplain management (building practices aimed at reducing flood damage), and insurance (reducing the economic impacts of flooding). Flood Insurance Studies are used to develop maps which set flood insurance rates based on potential flood scenarios (specifically, severe floods which are estimated to occur only once in 100 years). Rates are set by location, with higher rates for areas more likely to be flooded. Some mortgage-holders require homeowners to buy insurance if their houses are in high rate (i.e. high risk) locations. A letter of final map determination for countywide DFIRMs was issued July 7, 2009, but the Santa Clara River and Tributaries DFIRM letter of final map determination will not be issued until May 2010. The DFIRMs are legally effective six months after the final map determination letter is issued. Fillmore and VCWPD worked together after the initial maps were issued to use technical evidence to convince FEMA to reduce the projected amount of water flow, reduce the projected flood area (i.e. the floodway), and to re-certify the Sespe Creek levee. The levee was conceptually divided into two parts for analysis and certification. FEMA is expected to re-certify the first part by November 30, 2009. Construction will probably be necessary to enhance the second part of the levee, but studies are ongoing, and the final report including a proposed solution to the levee's alleged deficiencies will not be ready until September 30, 2009. Revised Sespe Creek DFIRMs are expected in September 2009. VCWPD staff explained that flood insurance would be available until the end of 2009 at a reduced rate of $350 per year. Fillmore residents within the designated floodplain might be required by mortgage-holders to pay $1700 per year if they wait to buy insurance and the levee is not certified. Even if the levee is certified, as expected, the price for flood insurance will rise to $850 per year after 2009. The Council directed staff to post a map showing the projected floodway on the Fillmore City Hall web site (www.fillmoreca.com). FEMA insurance experts will be in Fillmore on September 30, 2009, for a public workshop at 6:30 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building. Flood insurance is available through insurance companies. CONTINUED » |
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By Mariandrea Mueller — Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
 El Dorado resident David Roegner addressed the El Dorado Rent Control issue at Thursday night’s city council meeting. The Fair Rent and Home Ownership Initiative will be the only item on Fillmore’s November ballot. Enlarge Photo Fillmore City Council Chambers were packed last Thursday, July 23rd, for a Special City Council and Budget Workshop Meeting. Most of the audience was there to hear and comment on the Fair Rent and Home Ownership Initiative impact reports. The Council was legally required to either adopt the Initiative or put it on the November ballot. The atmosphere was tense as audience members whispered to each other about various speakers: “Is he on our side?” At one point, Mayor Patti Walker threatened to clear the room because a few who were apparently in favor of the Initiative were booing while people tried to speak. The Initiative will be the only item on Fillmore’s November ballot. Manuel Minjares, Assistant Planner, presented the Planning Department’s report on how the Fair Rent and Home Ownership Initiative would impact the General Plan, Housing Element, Zoning Ordinance, vacant land, agricultural lands, traffic congestion, and existing business districts. The City, at the Council’s direction, had hired Management Partners Inc. to conduct a fiscal impact study. Andrew Belknap, Regional VP, and Jovan Grogan, Management Advisor, presented the fiscal impact report at the July 23rd meeting. The Planning Department’s report notes, “If the initiative serves to facilitate a conversion of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park from rental to resident-ownership, with no age restriction, then it should be expected that traffic will increase as families move into the mobile home park.” According to the Planning Department’s analysis, the initiative would not significantly impact vacant land, agricultural land, open space regulations, or any business district in Fillmore. Minjares explained that the Initiative calls for the creation within the General Plan of a new land use designation, “Mobile Home Park Exclusive”, and would alter the Zoning Ordinance. The Initiative would theoretically allow El Dorado to grow to 562 units (the maximum is now set at 412), but El Dorado currently has only 302 units and it would be physically difficult to add more. CONTINUED » |
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By Tom Pedersen — Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
Our way of life in the “Land of the Free” is becoming less free every day; not because people force their wills upon us, but because we sit back passively and allow it to occur. We as a nation achieved greatness through a system of laws and traditions that encouraged independence, responsibility, morality, diversity, and the ability to succeed or fail according to our own accomplishments. The Founding Fathers recognized that to achieve such greatness freedom of speech was absolutely essential. Those who attempt to control or silence our freedom of expression endanger our basic rights as free men and women. In the past year we have been treated to some pretty lively debates in the Editorial and Letters to the Editor sections of our local newspaper. Battle lines have been drawn. Sides have been chosen. Many different opinions have been presented as to who is right and who is wrong. I would submit this to those who question who is right and who is wrong in such situations – it is never wrong for either party to express his/her sincerely held beliefs. In our country we are not required or expected to accept or reject one opinion over another. However, if only one opinion is allowed to be expressed with the opposing opinion silenced, we are deprived as a society from making rational and educated decisions. As Walt Lippman so aptly put it, “When all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
 Between May 1 and June 30 unknown suspect(s) placed “skimmers” on credit card readers on the gas pumps at Valero Gas Stations in Fillmore and elsewhere. The information gathered is used for fraudulent purposes. Enlarge Photo The Ventura County Sheriff's Department’s Ojai Station Detectives are investigating the use of fraudulent credit cards. Between May 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009, unknown suspect(s) placed “skimmers” on credit card readers on the gas pumps at Valero Gas Stations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Criminals have been attaching “skimmers” to obtain account information and create fraudulent cards with the stolen account numbers. The “skimmer” reads all of the account information encoded on the card’s magnetic data storage stripe when swiped through the reader. In this case, the fraudulent credit cards are being used in Los Angeles County and other outlying areas of California and Nevada. Valero Gas Stations are taking a proactive approach to combating the thefts by conducting visual checks of all the gas pumps throughout the day. When using your credit card at any card reader, look to make sure there is nothing else attached to the reader. If you believe you might be a victim of identity theft by someone using your credit card, please contact your local law enforcement agency. |
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By Mariandrea Mueller — Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
 Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau will open its new office on July 31st. The Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau (HVTB) lost a significant portion of its budget, but plans to proceed with marketing as usual by making cuts in staffing and rent. Its mission is to promote tourism in the Heritage Valley, which includes Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, and Rancho Camulos. In April, the Santa Paula City Council voted to sever its relationship with HVTB by withdrawing financial support. Executive Director Della Reyes said that HVTB is undergoing an identity crisis as it reacts to Santa Paula’s $25,000 cut. HVTB’s fiscal year started July 1st. HVTB currently has a budget of approximately $42,000, according to Interim President Kathleen McCreary. She explained that Fillmore is contributing $25,000 (Fillmore and Santa Paula had been equal contributors), the Ventura County Redevelopment Agency is contributing $10,000 on behalf of Piru, and the remaining funds come from advertising partners and memberships. Businesses can pay additional fees to become advertising partners and appear in certain advertisements. Reyes pointed out that Santa Paula businesses and organizations have shown that they value HVTB by renewing their memberships. Reyes explained that in a weak economy advertising becomes more, not less, important. The organization has increased its general memberships by at least 10% from last year. HVTB has reduced staff hours and will be moving to a new location. Reyes’s hours have been cut from 30 hours per week to 18 hours per week. The HVTB office is currently open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reyes is optimistic about the change, but said that finishing all her work in just 18 hours per week is a challenge. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Fernando Cervantes, 44 of Fillmore, was arrested on suspicion of molesting five female relatives under the age of 14, allegedly between 1997 and 2008. Five counts were brought against Cervantes on July 16th in Ventura County Superior Court. A hearing date has been set for August 28, 2009. Cervantes’ sons Francisco Cervantes, 22, and Oscar Cervantes, 21, both of Fillmore, were also arrested and charged with molesting the female relatives. Francisco is charge with molesting one female relative, allegedly from 2002 to 2008. And Oscar allegedly molested three female relatives from 2002 to 2007. Most of the alleged molestations took placer in the defendants’ home and some took place when the men would visit the victims during the holidays in the Lancaster-Palmdale area. Fernando Cervantes is possibly facing a sentence of 75 years to life in prison if convicted of the crimes. Some of the victims were molested by all three defendants. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
 The driver of this pickup truck narrowly avoided serious injury when he lost control on South Mountain Road west of the cemetery road. Enlarge Photo  Extensive damage was done to the truck. No passengers were involved. Approximately 2 pm, Tuesday, July 23. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Four arrested on various charges
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Date & Time: July 17, 2009, 0630 Hrs. On July 8, 2009, at approximately 2200 hrs. deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to a shots fired call in the 300 block of Clay St., in Fillmore. When deputies arrived they found that rival gang members had confronted the victim, a known gang member. The rival gang members shot at the victim as he was driving away. On 7-17-09 at 0630, the Fillmore Special Enforcement Detail with the assistance of deputies and officers from the Santa Paula Police Department and Ventura Police Department, conducted search warrants at four locations in the City of Fillmore and one location in the City of Moorpark. This was in response to the gang related shooting that occurred on 7-8-09. The following persons were arrested as a result of the search warrants: Valerie Sanchez, 06-07-1981 Also Martin Gonzales 09-13-1984 was cited and released for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. |
