On Tuesday, May 16, the Fillmore Police and Fire Departments held “Coffee with the Badges” in support of the First Responders for Mental Health Awareness Initiative. Pictured (l-r) are Fillmore Council Member Christina Villasenor, Sergeant Will Hollowell, Assistant Sheriff Jose Rivera, Captain Eduardo Malagon, Sergeant Meixner, and Maya Zumaya. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News
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The Fillmore Police and Fire Departments proudly announce “Coffee with the Badges” event in support of the First Responders for Mental Health Awareness Initiative. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As First Responders, we will come together to promote awareness about the mental health issues affecting millions of people in the United States.

On Tuesday, May 16th, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Fillmore deputies and firefighters will be at Starbucks Coffee, located at 650 Ventura Street in the city of Fillmore, sharing a cup of coffee with our neighbors. Communication and community trust are key elements to the success of the Fillmore Police and Fire Departments. By sitting down and having a simple conversation with members of the community we serve, we can develop and build meaningful relationships.

The “Badges” invite the community to come out and ask questions, voice concerns, obtain crime and fire prevention advice, and get to know the “Badges” in your neighborhood. This is a relaxed, informal event and is not about speeches or agendas but simply about casual conversations. The goal of “Coffee with the Badges” is to engage our community, discuss concerns, and raise awareness for mental health."

Nature of Incident: Nature of Incident: Fillmore Police and Fillmore Fire Department Host ~ “Coffee with the Badges” in support of the First Responders for Mental Health Awareness Initiative

Location: Starbucks Coffee Balden Towne Plaza 650 Ventura Street, Fillmore,. CA 93015
Date & Time: May 16th, 2023, from 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department / Fillmore Fire Department.

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

On Tuesday, May 16 at 3:15pm the Flashes Baseball Team hosted and played in the CIF Semi-final game Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary. Fillmore fans filled the stands and enjoyed the game as they watch the Flashes defeat Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary and secure their spot for the Championship game to take place Friday, May 19 against Ganesha High time and location TBA. For updates visit https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/fillmore/fillmoreflashes/baseball/schedule/
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On Friday, May 12, Fillmore Flashes Baseball team defeated Artesia High School in the Division 7 CIF Quarter-Finals, score 7 – 1. This advanced the Flashes to the Semi-Final game at home against Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary on Tuesday, May 16, and defeated them 4 – 1. Above are the Flashes after a big win, they have now advanced to the championship game set for Friday, May 19, against Ganesha High School time and location TBA. For updates visit https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/fillmore/fillmore-flashes/ baseball/schedule/
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Courtesy FHS Head Baseball Coach Arye Kinberg
May 9, 2023 CIF Playoffs Round 2 - at Fillmore – Flashes vs. Animo Leadership
Fillmore 10 - Animo Leadership 0
Highlights: Ivan Becerra got the win pitching 6 innings with 6 K’s, 2 walks, 2 HBP, and 3 hits. He also went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI’s. Santi Avila went 1 for 4 with a double, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored. Matt Magana went 1 for 2 with a walk, 2 runs scored, and an RBI. Jarod Uridel went 1 for 1 with a walk, a sacrifice fly, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI’s. Jathan Magana went 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI’s.
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Friday, May 12, 2023 CIF Quarterfinals at Artesia – Flashes vs. Artesia
Fillmore 7 - Artesia 1
Highlights: Jathan Magana got the win pitching a complete game with 5 K’s, 2 BB’s, 6 hits, and 1 run. He also went 2 for 3 with a single, a double, and a run scored. Matt Magana went 2-4 with an RBI. Santi Avila went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Andrew Portugal went 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Ray Alcantar went 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
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May16, 2023 CIF Division 7 Semi-Finals at Fillmore – Flashes vs. Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary
Fillmore 4 - Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary 1
Highlights: Jathan Magana got the win pitching 7 innings with 11 Ks and 0 walks, giving up only 3 hits and 1 run. Anthony Chessani went 2-4 with 2 RBI’s. Ray Alcantar went 3 for 3. Matt Magana went 1-3 with a single, a walk, an RBI and 2 runs scored. Ivan Becerra went 1-1 with a double, 3 walks, and an RBI.
This will advance the Flashes to the Championship Game which will take place this Friday, May 19th against Ganesha High School time & location TBA. Info courtesy https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/fillmore/fillmore-flashes/baseball/schedule/.

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On May 2, 2023, at approximately 7:20 PM, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of Meadowlark Drive in the city of Fillmore. Our Sheriff’s Communication Center received several calls from callers reporting hearing gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, deputies contacted some of the parties involved and located evidence that a shooting occurred.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact the detective below or Crime Stoppers, also at the below listed number. The reporting party may remain anonymous. Anyone wishing to provide surveillance videos of any kind related to this case can submit the videos using the following link:

https://venturasheriff ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/requestforpublicassistance

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.

Nature Incident: Shooting Investigations/Request for Public Assistance
Report Number: 23-55655
Location: 1100 Block of Meadowlark Drive / Fillmore Ca.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Major Crimes, Fillmore Detective Bureau, West County Special Enforcement Unit

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News

Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 received a $5,000 anonymous donation to help provide youth participants with uniforms, equipment, entry fees to events, and on-going training.
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The Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 received a generous donation from a community member who wished to remain anonymous. The donor gave the Fillmore Explorer Post a check in the amount of $5,000! The donor is a long-time supporter of the Explorer program and the opportunities it provides our youth. Generous donations like this help provide the youth participants with uniforms, equipment, entry fees to events, and on-going training. Thank you for your generous donation!

The Explorer program is a youth program for young men and women, ages 14 -21 years old, interested in a career in law enforcement. The program offers young adults personal knowledge of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition, and other activities. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship, and patriotism. Our Explorers receive weekly training, ride-along with deputies, volunteer in the community, learn about the criminal justice system, and attend a three weeklong Explorer Police Academy. Anyone interested in joining the program can contact the Fillmore Police Department, or your local police agency.

Ventura County Librarian Nancy Schram gave an extensive power-point presentation to City Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Ms. Schram spoke of the new features and schedules now available in the expanded library space (2,000 sq. feet) including a new community classroom.
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9.A REQUEST That the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 23-949 to Prohibit Camping and Related Activities In, On, or Within Publicly Owned Property in a Red Line Channel or Related Critical Public Infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Introduce an ordinance of the City of Fillmore adding Chapter 15.05 to the Fillmore Municipal Code to prohibit camping and related activities in, on, or within publicly owned property in a red line channel or related critical public infrastructure within the City of Fillmore. (9-A was tabled 5-0)***

9.B REQUEST That the City Council approve an agreement with Fillmore Unified School District for the continuation of two (s) deputy sheriff positions in the City’s existing police services contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to serve as School Resource Officers (SRO) for fiscal year 2023-24. (9-B approved 5-0)

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council authorize the extension of one deputy sheriff position to the existing police services contract with the Sheriff’s Office to add a second SRO for fiscal year 2023-2024 to be paid for by FUSD.
9.C REQUEST Staff requests that the City Council authorize the purchase of one pick-up truck for the Public Works and Facilities Department.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: • Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and purchase a Public Works and Facilities Truck for not to exceed $49,800. (9-C approved 5-0)

*** PROTECT OUR WATERSHED-FILLMORE: Our Local Watershed aka The River Bottom - Watersheds are protected areas that people are not supposed to be in. Nature.com - Watersheds sustain life, in more ways than one. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than $450 billion in foods, fiber, manufactured goods and tourism depend on clean, healthy watersheds. That is why proper watershed protection is necessary to you and your community. Google: Ventura County Watersheds, Homeless. Part of public works. They have specific plans laid out.

On May 2, 2023, deputies arrested Frankie Cantero from Fillmore for his involvement in numerous graffiti vandalism crimes. Over the past several months, deputies assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Police Station have seen various graffiti tagging spray painted along Old Telegraph Road. The graffiti consisted of large spray paint tagging on roadway signs, train cars, fences, and road barriers. These vandalisms were reported by many concerned citizens who live in the area.
Deputies assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Station, along with station detectives began an investigation into these crimes. On April 29, at approximately 11:30 PM, a diligent patrol deputy located a suspicious unoccupied vehicle parked at of Old Telegraph Road and Grand Avenue in the unincorporated area of Ventura County/Fillmore. The deputy also located freshly painted graffiti in the area.

The vehicle was subsequently towed because the registration tags were expired over six months, a violation of Vehicle Code section 22651(O). Deputies conducted an inventory of the contents of the vehicle and located spray paint cans and writings that were consistent with the fresh graffiti in the area. Additionally, deputies located personal items belonging to Frankie Cantero.

On May 2, 2023, Detectives located and arrested Cantero for felony vandalism. Detectives served a search warrant at Cantero’s residence and seized additional evidence linking him to the vandalisms.
Cantero was subsequently booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he remains in custody with his bail set at $ 10,000.00.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.
The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. After police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crime is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233. The reporting party may remain anonymous.
For graffiti removal in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, call Ventura County Public Works at (805) 654-2018 M-F 8 AM-5 PM.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling our dispatch center. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

“On Sunday, April 30, at about 1:2am, a Fillmore patrol sergeant was patrolling the Balden Plaza area and observed a vehicle parked near Moonlight Donuts. The sergeant noticed the male sitting in the driver’s seat was leaning back and appeared to be unresponsive. Additional deputies and paramedics arrived on scene and entered the vehicle to check on the male subject. The male, a 42-year-old Fillmore resident, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies located narcotics paraphernalia which indicated the death was likely a Fentanyl overdose. The Medical Examiner responded to the investigation.” Information courtesy Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. This is the second Fentanyl death at the Vons Center; on March 26, 2023, a male subject was discovered deceased in the Vons restroom.

First Bardsdale School, c 1900, which was on Ventura Street between Bardsdale Avenue and Pasadena Street. The school eventually needed more space and a new school was built on the same site. Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is the Bardsdale Oil Derrick back in 1890. Today most of the crops grown are avocados, lemons, oranges and vegetables. Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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This fertile valley had been home to indigenous peoples since long before Portola traversed the valley in 1768 and named it for St. Clare. Spanish control brought the construction of the missions and the subjugation of the indigenous people. The Mexicans living under Spanish rule rebelled in 1821 and took control of California until 1848. This was the time of the great Ranchos such as Rancho Sespe. During this period and into the period when California became independent and then a state, there was continuous westward movement of Americans many of whom settled in the Santa Clara River Valley.
During the Spanish period, the area of the Santa Clara River Valley which would become Bardsdale and Fillmore was primarily owned and controlled by Don Juan Carlos Antonio Carrillo from his headquarters in Santa Barbara. The Rancho was given to him as a reward for his service to the Mexican government. It extended from Santa Paula Creek on the west to Piru Creek on the east and from mountain top to mountain top.

In 1853 after Carrillo’s death the ranch was sold to Thomas More and his brothers. While the More family controlled the ranch, they were unable to control the increasing arrival of settlers from the eastern regions of the United States who were looking for land to homestead. The arrival of these settlers caused great tension which culminated in the murder of Thomas More in 1877. (See “Sespe Gunsmoke” written by Charles Outland.)
With More’s murder, his children inherited the property and began to sell off tracts of land to pay debts. The Town of Fillmore would be developed on the tract purchase by Sespe Land and Water Company in 1882.
Also in 1882, the tract which would become Bardsdale was purchased by Thomas Bard from More’s daughter Mattie Mae More Storke.

In 1887, Royce Surdam purchased 1500 acres of the land from his partner, Thomas Bard. To honor his partner, Surdam named the soon to be developed city, Bardsdale. In 1887 the town was platted and approved by Ventura County. As part of the plan, lots were designated to be homes, schools, and churches. Streets will sound familiar to those of you who travel south on Hwy 23 over Grimes Canyon. They are Pasadena Ave., Riverside St, Bardsdale Ave, Ojai St, Simi St, Santa Paula St., Chambersburg, Las Posas, Gerberding, Surdam, Blanche, Berle. What? What are those last five names? They are names for streets that were never built. Unfortunately for the developer, the railroad laid its tracks on the north side of the river and the town of Bardsdale died on the vine along with all those undeveloped streets and lots that were never sold for housing.

Yes, there are houses there now but many of them were built by the farmers who bought larger tracts of land to produce at first, beans, alfalfa, potatoes, cattle and sheep. Surdam sold the land in 5, 10, 20, 40 and larger acres to farmers who moved here for the fertile soil and mild weather.

Some of the earliest families to move to Bardsdale immigrated from Germany. Their names included Haase, Baldeswieler and Bartels. There were no stores built, but a school was built to educate the farmers’ children. The first school was on Ventura St between Bardsdale Ave and Pasadena St. Soon the school needed more space and a new school was built on the same site. This school operated until the mid-1960s when it was determined to be unsafe in an earthquake and the children were bussed to Fillmore schools. The school still stands but today is a private home.

Religion was a priority for these families so in 1882 they built the first church on the south side of the river on land donated by Thomas Bard. On Sundays they walked to the simple building on what would become Owen St. This was the German Evangelical Church.

In a short time more farmers purchased land and built homes. They also used the little simple church. Services were in German in the morning and in English in the afternoon. By 1898 the membership had grown enough that a larger church needed to be built. This church, still stands today, also on land donated by Bard, on the corner of Bardsdale Ave and Ventura St. Originally it was known as the Bardsdale Methodist Episcopal Church. Today it is the Bardsdale Methodist Church. Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. in English and Spanish. The church is “carpenter gothic” in design and is registered Ventura County landmark #50.

Today Bardsdale is still agricultural. Over the decades the dryland crops transitioned to walnuts and apricots. These gave way to citrus, both oranges and lemons. Today the crops are primarily avocados, lemons, oranges and vegetable crops.
The Bardsdale hillsides are dotted with oil derricks. Oil was discovered in 1890 and is still a major industry today
For many in our larger community, Bardsdale is the final stop in their life. Perched on a hillside just off of South Mountain Road is the Bardsdale Cemetery. The Cemetery is the final resting place for residents of the entire area of Fillmore, Bardsdale and Sespe and Piru. It has the most beautiful view of the mountains to the north of any location in this valley.

In the early days before TV and all the activities which fill our time, families would pile into the family car and drive through Bardsdale to enjoy its serenity, its scenic views and the smell of orange blossoms in the spring. It is currently spring. Give it a try.