Congratulations to recently promoted Fire Captain Paramedic Mike Salazar! Mike is assigned to A shift on Medic Engine 91. He has been with the department since 2012 where he started as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Mike joins the other captains with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm for the job! Congratulations Mike!

 
Red Engine Brewing Company will be opening in Fillmore, California in early 2022. Stay tuned for construction updates and sneak peeks as they transform their new building into our flagship location. Rumor has it it will be in the Family Dollar building on Ventura Street.
Red Engine Brewing Company will be opening in Fillmore, California in early 2022. Stay tuned for construction updates and sneak peeks as they transform their new building into our flagship location. Rumor has it it will be in the Family Dollar building on Ventura Street.
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Ventura County Department of Public Health
Ventura County Department of Public Health

Ventura County Public Health has issued a new health order requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. This order will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2021. Businesses and other public entities have until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021 to comply. The order will be in effect until 11:59 pm on September 19, 2021, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by the Health Officer. “As of today, we reached a rate of 28 cases per 100,000, a 40% increase. I hope that this order will increase mask usage in Ventura County. I expect that this will have a beneficial effect on the increase in COVID-19 infections we are seeing,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.

As of August 20, the unadjusted case rate per 100,000 population over 1 day is 28, overall testing positivity over the past 7 days is 7.7% and the HPI lower quartile testing positivity rate over the past 7 days is 9.9%. Public Health reports 598 new COVID-19 cases and 3,995 new tests. There have been three additional deaths including a 98-, 76- and 87-year-old females.

The order directs that face coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose – regardless of vaccination status – in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces, including but not limited to offices, retail stores, restaurants and bars, theaters, family entertainment centers, conference and event centers, and government offices serving the public.

Individuals, businesses, venue operators, hosts, and others responsible for the operation of indoor public settings must:

• Require all patrons to wear face coverings for all indoor settings, regardless of their vaccination status; and
• Post clearly visible and easy-to-read signage at all entry points for indoor settings to communicate the masking requirements to all patrons. Signage is provided by Ventura County Public Health at www.vcrecovers.org.

This health order aims to reduce community transmission of COVID-19. Health officials are concerned by the substantial levels of increased community transmission, especially among unvaccinated people. In part, this is due to the widespread COVID-19 Delta variant, which is substantially more transmissible than previous forms of the virus. Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the Delta variant to others, and so indoor use of face coverings provides an important added layer of protection.

“Masking indoors must again become a normal practice by all, regardless of vaccination status, so that we can stop the trends and level of transmission we are currently seeing,” said Public Health Officer, Doctor Robert Levin. “We continue to urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their family and friends. Becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19 remains the best protective action that people can take. It significantly reduces the risk of infection and, for the small number of people that get infected, it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death once you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.”

More information about COVID-19 available at: www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

 
Fillmore’s Paola Estrada represented the Pacific Coast Shockwaves (Location# 4 Fillmore) in the Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championship from July 26th to August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida. Congratulations Paola!
Fillmore’s Paola Estrada represented the Pacific Coast Shockwaves (Location# 4 Fillmore) in the Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championship from July 26th to August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida. Congratulations Paola!

Courtesy Isrrael Estrada

Fillmore’s Paola Estrada represented the Pacific Coast Shockwaves (Location# 4 Fillmore, Ca) in the Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championship on from July 26th – August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Pacific Coast Shockwaves Location #4 concluded their 2021 season by participating in the USATF Track and Field Jr. Olympic National Championship on July 26 - August 1, 2021. One local athlete from Fillmore, 11-year-old, Paola Estrada well known as “Balita Estrada” traveled across the country to Jacksonville, Florida, where she encountered various challenges in competition such as humidity that was ranging from 95%, plus rain, thunderstorm, and Covid-19.

Paola Estrada ran the 1500 meters against 55 girls from all over the USA ranking number 10 with 5:10.81. Also, was part of the relay team 4X800 bringing the Ventura County the silver medal. On July 28th Paola Estrada ran the 3000 meters ranking number 10 out of 30 girls with a time of 11:43.74, not her best time due weather conditions but she did her best representing Ventura County.

She was to thank her Pacific Coast Shockwaves head Coach Temo Laureano, Coach Juan Toledo and her Dad Israel Estrada for their support and dedication for her to succeed. We know our athletes will go far if they push themselves daily with one goal. “If you dream it, you can do it” Thanks family and friend for their support.

 
Fillmore Stores on Main Street, 1890.
Fillmore Stores on Main Street, 1890.
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Stephens Store on Central Avenue, 1914.
Stephens Store on Central Avenue, 1914.
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Turners Cottage Hotel, the 1st hotel in town, 1887.
Turners Cottage Hotel, the 1st hotel in town, 1887.
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Former Post Office location in the Masonic Building, circa 1955.
Former Post Office location in the Masonic Building, circa 1955.
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Deweys Garden Center with the old Elkins building in back, 1979.
Deweys Garden Center with the old Elkins building in back, 1979.
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McCampbell Insurance Barbershop, circa 1910.
McCampbell Insurance Barbershop, circa 1910.
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Post Office building built in 1951.
Post Office building built in 1951.
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Central Ave is the local business district today. It was not always so. In the earliest days businesses were located on Main St. in close proximity to the Southern Pacific Depot. C.C. Elkins described these as Turner’s boarding house which included a livery stable, an old house once belonging to Tom More which was occupied by the manager of Sespe Land and Water Co., a saloon and two other buildings he described as shanties. Sespe Land and Water Co. offered Elkins two lots in Fillmore if he would build and operate a store. He immediately set about the task and built a new building on the northeast corner of Main St. for a general merchandise store with apartment upstairs. This building was finished and in use in 1888. It remained in that location for 29 years as a local landmark. When a new bank building was to be built at that location it was moved east on Main St. near Fillmore St. to serve as a warehouse for several businesses. Eventually a new addition was built in front and it became part of Dewey’s Garden Center. In 1989, after 101 years of use, it was destroyed in a fire.

Fire has always been a worry for Fillmore. On November 8, 1903, a fire which had started with an east windy day and a knocked over kerosene lamp in the saloon burned through and destroyed the Main Street businesses. It also badly damaged the second floor apartment of Elkins’ store. The burned out second story was removed and the building modified to be one story. Local businessmen decided not to rebuild on Main St. and began construction on what would be the Central Ave business district.

Each decade in the life of the city brought major changes. By the late 1890s there had been plantings of pepper trees on both sides of Central and a number of businesses operating out of tents or a combination of tent and wood buildings. Among these was McCampbell Insurance, a Barber Shop with a residence behind it and a Photo Shop in a tent. These were on the east side of the street somewhere close to where the theater is now.

One of the earliest permanent buildings on Main St. was Richard Stephens’ general merchandise store built in 1911. It supplanted a wood structure which was built in the 1890s and served as a general merchandise store for Richard Stephens and then Cash Commercial Co. Over time this building has had many owners but has always remained a grocery store. In the mid-1930s it was an early Safeway and today, La Estrella.

Hotels were an important early business as passenger service on the railroad increased. One early hotel on Central Ave. belonged to Owen Miller. Miller was also a local constable with a side business as the local bootlegger. His hotel was located on the west side of Central at about today’s location of the Post Office.

As with many businesses, Post Offices moved frequently in the early days. The first postmaster was Royce Surdam who developed Bardsdale. When the mail arrived on the train he would pick up the letters, put them in his pocket and deliver to the recipients. (There wasn’t much mail because there weren’t many people here in the late 1880s.) The post office soon moved to Turner’s Rooming house. For a period of time it was in the depot, then C.C. Elkins store and then Stephens’ Store. You can see the flagpole above the Post Office entrance in early photos of the store. When the Masonic Temple building was built in 1919, the post office moved to the easterly corner of the building along the alley between Central and Fillmore Streets. In the 1950s, local jeweler, Duard Goble, built a new building on the west central side of Central Ave. across from the theater. For many years he had a jewelry and watch repair store in the area of the building where the post office counter is located today. Eventually the post office added that space to its facility.

As of today we at the museum have identified over 900 businesses which have existed since the founding of Fillmore in 1888. Over time we will tell more of their stories.

 
On Tuesday, August 10th, the City of Fillmore put a hold on the City Aquatic Centers pool replastering project.
On Tuesday, August 10th, the City of Fillmore put a hold on the City Aquatic Centers pool replastering project.
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City of Fillmore
City of Fillmore

The City Council rejected all bids to replaster the Aquatic Center pool Tuesday, August 10. In July 2020, Ventura County Health Division (VCHD) staff brought to the City staffs attention that the deteriorated condition of the pool surfaces triggered the need for the pool to be resurfaced. The project was to take three months at a total cost not to exceed $521,223.80.

When this project was put out to bid, the City believed that the Fillmore Unified School District, (District), which has exclusive use of the pool 8 months of the year, would be paying half of the cost of this work. Unfortunately, the City and District have been unable to negotiate an agreement due to demands by the District.

The District included language allowing it to walk away from the agreement for any reason and not have to pay for the resurfacing work already paid for by the city. In addition, the District demanded use of the pool during the City’s exclusive use of the facility (Memorial Day to Labor Day) for two hours Monday — Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm when the City provides programming for the residents — programs include Mommy and Me, private and group swim lessons, water aerobics, recreation swim and other activities.

The District has exclusive use of the facility for eight-months beginning after Labor Day through one week prior to Memorial Day and pays $4,500 per month totaling $36,000 per year. In 2019, non-personnel costs for the City to maintain the facility totaled over $67,000 during this eight months. City staff time to maintain the pool in 2019 during the District’s use period exceeded $56,000, for a total cost in 2019 of more than $124,000 to support non-city activities. This is part of the reason why the Aquatic Center has a fund balance deficit totaling $856,500.

Because many District students are City residents, the City has agreed to some subsidy of the District’s use, however the District cannot continue to pay the same reduced costs when the City’s cost for the District use increase each year. The City asked the District to pay a modest cost of living increase each year of this agreement on the nominal utility charges only. There has been no increase in over two years. The City also offered to provide pool time when the City did not have programming during its exclusive use time, and suggested that the District pay the City back over three years, instead of requiring for payment upfront for the replastering work.

The demands by the District are regrettably too burdensome to overcome. “It is unfortunate we were not able to come to a reasonable agreement. Approving the version of the agreement that the District sent the City on the morning of the City Council meeting would be irresponsible to the City’s residents. We were striving for a win-win agreement. Unfortunately, the District wanted a win-lose agreement which ultimately hurts their students who participate in water polo and swimming” said Mark Austin, Mayor.

Questions regarding the press release should be directed to David Rowlands, City Manager at (805) 524-1500 or Tiffany Israel, City Attorney at (949) 250-5411.

 
Fillmore Unified School District
Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) understands that the Fillmore Aquatic Center is provided for the community’s benefit and is owned and operated by the City of Fillmore (City). With the current operating model, the Aquatic Center is open to the general public during the summer from approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the facility costs more to operate than the revenue generated by use of the pool. Bottom line, the City’s Aquatic Center is losing money.

The City requested that FUSD pay half of the cost of replastering that was required by Ventura County Health Division. The District agreed and is willing to support this necessary project to ensure that our students continue to be able to safely use the pool.

FUSD’s concerns are:

• FUSD agreed to pay for 50% of the replastering project over the next three years. What if the City shuts the pool down or it cannot be reasonably used by FUSD through no fault of, or beyond the control of, FUSD during that time? FUSD should not be forced to pay for a facility that its students cannot use. FUSD requested some form of temporary deferral, credit, or abatement of these payments during the time FUSD cannot use the facilities, but the City refused.

• If the City closes the pool through no fault of, or beyond the control of, FUSD, then FUSD will need to transport its student athletes to another pool. Should FUSD be required to pay for pool use at another site in addition for a pool that is closed by the City?

• For many years FUSD was allowed to use the pool during daytime hours in the summer. Oftentimes, the City’s programs, like swimming lessons, are not using the whole pool. We shared. FUSD would like to return to that cooperative relationship.

• FUSD was also allowed to use the whole pool in the “down times” between scheduled programs by the City during the day. We would like to be allowed to do that again.

• The City made the decision to close the pool from after Labor Day to approximately Memorial Day every year. Without FUSD, no one would be using the pool during this time period. During that time, however, the Aquatic Center still needs to be maintained. The facilities need to be monitored by City staff, the pool must remain filled, and necessary repairs need to be made. To assist the City to fund the required maintenance of the facilities while not being used by the City, FUSD worked with the City to establish additional costs to be paid by FUSD for its student athletes to use the pool, and a fair amount was assessed. FUSD custodians clean up after practice, and FUSD coaches are certified lifeguards.

• If the City wants to establish any cost increases to be paid by FUSD, then FUSD should be allowed to review the actual costs for pool operations and adjust, if necessary. Just because FUSD is required to pay an automatic increase does not automatically mean that the City’s actual costs are increasing by the same amount or rate.

• FUSD’s use of the pool generates most of the income to maintain the facilities for use by the City and others. FUSD is only requesting reasonable terms and conditions for its use.

Fillmore High School has expanded to offer its students both boys and girls water polo teams in addition to our swim team. As these teams compete in different seasons, FUSD requested to use the City’s Aquatic Center to practice during the City’s closure time. If the City does not complete these required repairs and has to close the Fillmore Aquatic Center, it will be our students who lose.

 
Katrionna Furness, FHS Graduate.
Katrionna Furness, FHS Graduate.

Courtesy Katrionna Furness

I am writing this message because I recently heard that the City of Fillmore is considering closing the community pool in order to avoid spending the money to replaster it, and future upkeep costs. Receiving this news was very disheartening as the Fillmore Community Pool for me personally has been a huge contributor to my success both at Fillmore High School and at university. I know others feel the way, as many people have a sense of attachment to the pool, whether it be memories of outings with family and friends, or swim team meets. The pool provides a safe, fun environment for the residents of Fillmore to gather in a community setting.

For me the Fillmore pool is where I spent countless hours in high school training with my team, competing, and working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. From working as a lifeguard, I saw the enjoyment both the children and adults who live in Fillmore experienced simply by coming to the pool for recreational swim. The pool was always well utilized by the community, and the swim team. Getting rid of the Fillmore pool would be taking away a fun, recreational environment for the community as well as a space for kids to work hard towards their goals.

I competed on the Fillmore Swim Team and left with four CIF titles, as well as competing in relays with other team athletes, which later led me to swim in college on an athletic scholarship. I am now starting my third year in pre-med, Integrated Physiology, and I consider the experiences and accomplishments I had as part of the FHS Swim Team to be a part of my continuing success.

My understanding is that Fillmore Unified School District has agreed to split the cost of replastering the pool with the city, showing the commitment the district has to keeping it open. However, according to the city, the district is making unreasonable demands as part of the cost-splitting agreement. (See “Aquatic Center Pool Replastering Project Placed on Hold”)

I think this talk of terminating the pool needs to be reconsidered and Fillmore City Council Members and the Fillmore Unified School District need to acknowledge the importance of the pool and work together to guarantee it’s future.

 

Courtesy Cindy Blatt, FHS Swim Coach

Thank you to the FUSD Trustees, Administration and especially AD Kim Tafoya for all the hard work in getting an agreement that gives FHS aquatics full access to the Fillmore Aquatic Center. With no year-round youth swim team or water polo teams to feed the high school programs, it is important that our FHS student athletes are going to be able to have summer and pre-season access to the pool for conditioning and practice.

We compete against schools who have many year round swimmers. This agreement will help our student athletes be more successful and competitive.

We coaches will have more time to spend with beginning swimmers and even non-swimmers.

Lastly, our student athletes are members of the Fillmore community and this is their pool too.

I'm looking forward to a successful and fun FHS swim team season.

 

Dear Families of Sierra High School and Heritage Valley Independent Studies.

It is an honor to be serving your student and family as the new Principal of Sierra High School, Heritage Valley Independent Studies, and Fillmore Adult School. My name is Amber Henrey and I am proud to say that I am originally from Fillmore and attended elementary schools here in the district. I have a great appreciation for this community. I have worked in the Fillmore Unified School District for 15 years serving as a Teacher, Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Director of Curriculum, and now Principal.

I was drawn to this opportunity to work at these alternative schools because I want to be at a school that embraced a relationship-centric learning environment and allowed students a chance to succeed at a campus where the staff can really get to know each student. The staff has cultivated a true and lasting support system for our students and I am grateful to join their team.

Also new to our staff is our counselor, Jacqueline Gonzalez. Mrs. Gonzales is joining us from Fillmore High School where she served as their intervention counselor. She has already met some of our students as the intervention counselor at Fillmore High School and as the Summer School counselor. She can be reached at jacqueline.gonzalez@fillmoreusd.org

You can expect from us that we will get to know your student and will be supporting them to do their best. We want all of our students to all learn how to carry themselves as intelligent, thoughtful, and responsible young adults. We want them to be proud of their accomplishments. This year will be a fresh restart after a year and a half of learning during a pandemic. We are thrilled to have all students back on campus and in-person. This will be a great year!

The first day of school is August 19th. More information about registration will be sent home during the week of August 9th. You can reach me at my email, ahenrey@fillmoreusd.org or through your child’s Team chat feature. Our office reopens on August 9th. If you have a pressing issue before you can leave me a message at 805-524-8201.

Amber Henrey,
Principal, Sierra High School, Heritage Valley Independent Studies, and Fillmore Adult School

 
Come join the Fillmore Citizens Patrol! Above are members who helped at the 2019 Fillmore Bike Rodeo, which they participate in every year. Pictured are Jan O’Donnell, Isela Larin, German Cea, Lisa Hammond, Sandra Ponce, Ray Medrano, Lidia Arredondo, Annette Fox, Ron Smith, Laura Messina-Smith.
Come join the Fillmore Citizens Patrol! Above are members who helped at the 2019 Fillmore Bike Rodeo, which they participate in every year. Pictured are Jan O’Donnell, Isela Larin, German Cea, Lisa Hammond, Sandra Ponce, Ray Medrano, Lidia Arredondo, Annette Fox, Ron Smith, Laura Messina-Smith.
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Fillmore Station is looking for volunteers to join the ranks of the Fillmore Citizen Patrol team.

Citizen Patrol members are involved in a wide variety of activities in and around Fillmore. Members provide valuable support to the community by conducting patrols, assisting with community events such as the bike rodeo, annual toy giveaway, fireworks sales, and a variety of work details with station personnel.

We are seeking people of all ages. If you’re currently working, have retired, or anywhere in between we can use your valued assistance. After a background check, members will get the opportunity to attend a Citizen Patrol Academy, which will train and answer any questions you might have.

If interested, please contact one of the two Citizen Patrol Members listed below.

Ray Medrano raymedrano@gmail.com
Lisa Hammond hismile64@gmail.com

Prepared by: Sergeant David Sparks
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

 
"The Octopus" by G. Frederick Keller in The Wasp, 1882, courtesy Bancroft Library, which portrayed controlling all aspects of the California Economy. Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
"The Octopus" by G. Frederick Keller in The Wasp, 1882, courtesy Bancroft Library, which portrayed controlling all aspects of the California Economy. Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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The Fillmore Depot in 1887, which is when the Southern Pacific Railroad came to the Santa Clara River Valley. Photos Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
The Fillmore Depot in 1887, which is when the Southern Pacific Railroad came to the Santa Clara River Valley. Photos Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad to the Santa Clara River Valley in 1887 changed the face of the valley forever. The Southern Pacific Railroad was founded in 1865 and was controlled by the “Big Four”: Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington and Charles Crocker. They also owned the Central Pacific which met the Union Pacific at Promontory, Utah, in 1869 completing the transcontinental railroad.

The Southern Pacific linked San Francisco to Los Angeles by rail through the Central Valley in September of 1876. By 1880, they had built track to Tucson, Arizona. Over the next decades, the Southern Pacific not only absorbed the Central Pacific Railroad but many other lines throughout the United States.

Within California, the Southern Pacific and the “Big Four” become dominating factors in the economy and politics of the State. By 1882, the Southern Pacific was portrayed by G. Frederick Keller in The Wasp, as an octopus controlling all aspects of the California Economy.

By 1886, the Southern Pacific was ready to build a coast route between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their surveyors had already surveyed the area around Saugus and were familiar with the Santa Clara Valley. With no major rivers or mountains to cross, this was seen as a relatively easy route.

Thomas Bard, a major landowner and businessman in Ventura County, wanted a different route. His route would have gone across the San Fernando Valley to Santa Susanna Pass and on to Hueneme. To accomplish this, tunnels would have to be dug through the Santa Susanna Mountains between current day Chatsworth and Simi Valley. In 1884 he had a surveyor stake out a route from Hueneme, through his ranch lands over the Santa Susanna Pass. This would have included a tunnel 4,000 feet in length. Bard proposed this route to the Southern Pacific, even offering inducements such as free right of way across his property.

The route through the Santa Clara Valley was easier to do, which meant cheaper. Despite Southern Pacific having good engineering and financial reasons for choosing the Santa Clara Valley route, Bard became a sworn enemy of the company, eventually running against and beating the Southern Pacific candidate for a US Senate seat in 1900. Eventually in 1904, the Southern Pacific did build a line through the Santa Susanna Mountains with a 7,300-foot tunnel. This would become the primary route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Prior to the railroad, property in the valley was owned by a few large ranchos such as Rancho Camulos, and the remains of Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy and Rancho Sespe. The only towns in the valley were Santa Paula and Saticoy. The area was slowly being sold off in smaller parcels. When it became clear that the Southern Pacific would be coming through the area, several new town plans were laid out including Piru, Sespe, Bardsdale, and Fillmore.

In 1881, Reginald del Valle of Rancho Camulos ran for Congress against Col Henry Harrison Markham, who was backed by the Southern Pacific. Not surprisingly del Valle lost the election and found himself in debt. To clear his debts, he sold the Temescal Land Grant in 1887 to David Cook of Chicago. Piru was the project of Cook who, after making his fortune as a printer of religious tracts, came to California for his health. He purchased property from the Del Valles of Rancho Camulos on which to build his “Garden of Eden”.

With the death of T. Wallace More Rancho Sespe was divided among his heirs who quickly sold off the property. The eastern part of Rancho Sespe came into the possession of the Hull Family of Chicago. The Hulls along with Pacific Improvement Company, laid out the town Sespe.

Bardsdale was laid out by Royce Surdam on property purchased from the More heirs by Thomas Bard. He may not have liked the Southern Pacific Railroad but could see the potential of owning property along its route. Bardsdale was based on the idea that the railroad route would be south of the Santa Clara River.

The remaining portion of the More property was purchased by Sespe Land and Water Company and became the town of Fillmore.

In August of 1886, work began in earnest on the railroad line between Saugus and Ventura, 53 miles. The route would have to cross the lesser fork of the Santa Clara River, Piru and Sespe Creeks and several lesser creeks. Eventually there would be ten steel bridges on the eastern 37 miles of the line.

There would be several train stations along the route. The railroad had standard plans for the depots they built and they would vary with the size of the community. If there was not housing available for the staff, a two story structure would be built with accommodations upstairs.

The first train station west of Saugus would be at Rancho Camulos. On December 2, 1886, the first locomotive reached Camulos. In 1888, David Cook appealed to Charles Crocker for a second station at Piru, which was refused. In response, Cook built his own train station and staffed it himself.

The Southern Pacific originally wanted the next station to be at Cienega (near the current State Fish Hatchery) where Rush Ealy owned a stagecoach stop. Ealy refused to sell the property, so the Southern Pacific purchased right of way west of Cienega from the Sespe Land and Water Company who obligingly named their new town “Fillmore” after Jerome A. Fillmore who was then the general manager of the Southern Pacific “south of Oregon and west of El Paso. In January, 1887, the first train crossed the Sespe Bridge.

Another depot was built at the planned town of Sespe, with stops later added for the brownstone quarry and the Spalding home at Rancho Sespe. After Sespe, Santa Paula would be the next actual depot.

With the coming of the Southern Pacific came more settlers. The town of Sespe was never realized due to the growing town of Fillmore. The hope of a flourishing Bardsdale died when the railroad route went north of the Santa Clara River. David Cook returned to Chicago in 1900, Piru never became the “Second Garden of Eden” but is an unincorporated community today.

 
FUSD announced the school board’s decision to support the City’s Aquatic Center replastering project by agreeing
to pay 50% of the cost as both share the facility. Pictured is the FHS swim team which uses the City pool to practice and compete.
FUSD announced the school board’s decision to support the City’s Aquatic Center replastering project by agreeing to pay 50% of the cost as both share the facility. Pictured is the FHS swim team which uses the City pool to practice and compete.
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August 6, 2021
The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) is excited to announce the School Board’s decision to support the City’s Aquatic Center replastering project by agreeing to pay 50% of the cost. The estimated total cost of the replastering project is $542,072.75. The District’s contribution, $271,036.38, will be paid over 3 years, or a maximum of $90,345.46 per year. This will be funded by the Building Fund, with revenues from redevelopment, which must be used for facilities, not classroom instruction.

This is in addition to the $36,000 that the District currently pays for use of the facility when it is regularly closed by the City, mid-September through mid-May, or $4,500 per month for 8 months. During the District’s use time, the District provides its own custodial staff to clean the facilities and lifeguard supervision by our coaches. This fee was calculated based on the cost information provided by the City for utilities and maintenance supplies, such as chlorine.

In return for FUSD’s annual payments of $126,345.46 per year the District is requesting:
• Use of the pool for 2 hours per day, scheduled between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday during the City’s use time, mid-May through Labor Day
• Priority use from one day after Labor Day to two weeks before Memorial Day, with a proposed schedule of:
o Fall/Winter - September to March season for both water polo and swim: Monday - Friday 5:30 am - 8:00 am, 1:00 pm -7:30 pm and Saturday 6:00 am- 12:00 pm.
o Spring - March to Memorial Day: 1:00 pm -6:30 pm, 5:30 am -8:00 am, and Saturday 6:00 am – 12:00 pm
o This includes access to pool facilities including the restrooms, locker rooms, storage closet in women’s locker room, first aid room, storage room, office (for access to the phone for emergencies), telephone room (for access to overhead lights and the touch pads for the swim lanes), and parking lot

FUSD looks forward to completing this necessary maintenance project so that our students can continue to swim in our community, at the Fillmore Aquatic Center.

 
On Tuesday, August 10th at 6:30pm at Fillmore City Hall, for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, Fillmore City Council held a 2021 in-person meeting. Pictured is the City Council in attendance, (l-r) City Manager David Rowlands, Council Member Lynn Edmonds, Council Member Ari Larson, Fillmore Mayor Mark Austin, Council Member Dianne McCall, Council Member Christina Villasenor and City Attorney Tiffany Israel. Welcome back!
On Tuesday, August 10th at 6:30pm at Fillmore City Hall, for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown, Fillmore City Council held a 2021 in-person meeting. Pictured is the City Council in attendance, (l-r) City Manager David Rowlands, Council Member Lynn Edmonds, Council Member Ari Larson, Fillmore Mayor Mark Austin, Council Member Dianne McCall, Council Member Christina Villasenor and City Attorney Tiffany Israel. Welcome back!
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Presentation - Green Business presentation. A presentation by the County of Ventura’s Green Business organization was given at Tuesday’s Council meeting. Managing this environmental outreach was Javier Saucedo. Mr. Saucedo explained the multi-faceted ability of Green Business to assist business owners with setting up ways to keep the environment clean and green.

9-C Council discussion of the Community Conversation Program and its Future. Extended discussion continues. 9-D Adoption Resolution No 21-3840 to impose lien to recover costs of replacing tree unlawfully removed by property owner. Fine paid and schedule agreed to for covering all additional costs to be paid in full within one year. 9-E one city council meeting a month until January 11, 2022. Agreed to unanimously. 9-F Allowing AYSO to rent fields at rate. Agreed, unanimously. 9-G Current license Agreement for COVID-19 testing kiosk on city property with 360 Clinic, Inc. Unanimously agreed.

 
Jacquie Day, Fillmore High School Principal.
Jacquie Day, Fillmore High School Principal.

Dear Fillmore High School Families,
It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the new principal of Fillmore High School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such rich traditions of academic excellence. I have been dedicated to the field of secondary education for the past seventeen years, the last seven of which have been as an Assistant Principal of Instruction at Burbank High School. I am excited and eager to bring my skills as an educational leader to Fillmore High School and work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child’s success.

Along with the teachers and staff, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success established at FHS by building strong relationships with parents, students and community partners. Returning to full time in-person learning will be both exciting and challenging for our community of learners. After three semesters of distance learning, we will all have some readjusting to being on campus. Because of this, we will be extending our orientation program to both freshman and sophomores to aid in the transition back to in-person learning. Orientation information will be sent in a letter along with our registration materials. All faculty and staff will be present on August 19th, the first day of class, and look forward to creating a welcoming environment for your student. Please check our website for community health related updates prior to the start of school.

Over the past year, FHS has added several new programs and facility changes to support our students. The FHS Wellness Center has been opened and will provide a comfortable, safe space for students to take a break from everyday stressors, access resources and get connected to different services for mental health and overall wellbeing. We also have two new CTE buildings that will be completed this fall. These spaces will support our established programs as well as provide the opportunity to add new programs. There has also been a refresh on campus of student areas such as the library, classrooms and some of our outside spaces. Students, upon their return, will be pleasantly surprised in the welcoming environment on campus.

I look forward to meeting and getting to know each and every one of you in the fall. Go Flashes!

Sincerely,
Jacquie Day, Fillmore High School Principal

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 28-year-old Carpinteria woman was arrested for stealing mail, burglary, forgery, and cashing the victim’s stolen checks.

On July 6, 2021, deputies responded to an identity theft call in the 2000 Block of Grimes Canyon Road. The victim reported to have had been alerted by his financial institution with regards to three personal checks that had been cashed by an unknown payee named Briana Gutierrez. The victim further reported to have placed these checks in his mailbox and he did not know anyone by the name of Briana Gutierrez, nor were the checks originally written out to Gutierrez. Three checks totaling $1,701.89 had been stolen, forged, and cashed.

The Fillmore Detective Bureau quickly followed up with this case and conducted their investigation. They were able to positively identify the suspect as Briana Gutierrez, a resident of Carpinteria who has a history of criminal theft crimes.

On August 4, 2021, Fillmore Detectives contacted and arrested Gutierrez in the city of Carpinteria. Gutierrez was taken into custody for several felonies. She was subsequently booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Forgery, and Burglary. Gutierrez’s bail was set at $70,000. She posted bail with a pending court date.

Anyone with information pertaining to crimes of this nature involving Gutierrez is urged to contact Detective Pewsey at the below listed number. Gutierrez may be implicated in additional check fraud crimes with other victims. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

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. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind citizens to be aware of loose mail placed in unlocked mailboxes and theft of mail left in unlocked mailboxes for extended time periods. Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can't do the job alone. You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. This diligence will assist in the prevention of becoming a victim of identity theft.

If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below link.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes...

Nature of Incident: Suspect arrested for Identity Theft, Forgery, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Burglary
Report Number: 21-52078
Location: 2000 Block of Grimes Canyon Road, Unincorporated area of Fillmore/Ventura County, CA
Date & Time: August 4, 2021 3:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Detective Bureau/Fillmore Police Department Patrol Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(A) Briana Gutierrez, Carpinteria, 28
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell

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).

 
Fillmore’s abandoned Burger King building in the Vons Shopping Center has construction underway. Crews were gutting the building this past week, with fences up while it is under construction. What’s coming to Fillmore? Rumors are a Wingstop and Jamba Juice to share the building.
Fillmore’s abandoned Burger King building in the Vons Shopping Center has construction underway. Crews were gutting the building this past week, with fences up while it is under construction. What’s coming to Fillmore? Rumors are a Wingstop and Jamba Juice to share the building.
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Juan Fustero Saddletree Maker in 1921. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
Juan Fustero Saddletree Maker in 1921. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Temescal School in 1900.
Temescal School in 1900.
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The Piru Mansion was built by David C. Cook in 1888, he also built the Piru City Hotel, later known as the Round Rock Hotel. He also purchased 14,000 acres of the Piru Canyon from Señora Del Valle, of Rancho Camulos.
The Piru Mansion was built by David C. Cook in 1888, he also built the Piru City Hotel, later known as the Round Rock Hotel. He also purchased 14,000 acres of the Piru Canyon from Señora Del Valle, of Rancho Camulos.
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Piru Creek looking upstream before the dam.
Piru Creek looking upstream before the dam.
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The dam, Santa Felicia Dam, on Piru Creek has been owned and operated by the United Water Conservation District since it was constructed in 1955, pictured above is that Reservoir area.
The dam, Santa Felicia Dam, on Piru Creek has been owned and operated by the United Water Conservation District since it was constructed in 1955, pictured above is that Reservoir area.
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View of the construction back in 1956.
View of the construction back in 1956.
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Lake Piru filled to the brim in 2005.
Lake Piru filled to the brim in 2005.
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Lake Piru spilling debris in 2005.
Lake Piru spilling debris in 2005.
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Lake Piru recreation area newly opened in 1956.
Lake Piru recreation area newly opened in 1956.
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Sign at vista point.
Sign at vista point.
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The Round Rock Hotel in 2021.
The Round Rock Hotel in 2021.
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The Piru Mansion as of today.
The Piru Mansion as of today.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

What do we know of Piru Canyon and Lake Piru? Check the Piru Lake website for photos of water skiing, fishing, camping and more at Lake Piru Recreation Area. But what of its history?

The dam and lake sit within the Los Padres National Forest in the Topatopa Mountains of Ventura County. The dam, Santa Felicia Dam, on Piru Creek has been owned and operated by the United Water Conservation District since it was constructed in 1955. But what came before?

The canyon where the dam and lake are located was primarily connected in the early history of the 20thCentury with Juan Fustero and his family. He was descended from the Shoshones and by extension to the Hopi and Aztec people. His people migrated seasonally and often connected with the coastal Chumash and tended to adopt their customs. This is how the family came to Piru Canyon. The name Piru is a shortened form of the original Pi’idhuku, the name of a reed used to make baskets.

Juan and his family lived far up the canyon in Temescal Canyon. He had come by his last name during a court legal action. When the presiding judge asked for his last name he replied that he had no last name. The judge then asked what his family did for a living. They had been makers of the wood framework for saddles or “saddle trees” called fustos in Spanish. So the judge gave him the last name of Fustero “he who makes saddle trees.”

In 1880, an early elementary school was built in the canyon about where the dam is today. Juan’s five daughters and three sons most likely were educated there. Three of the five daughters ultimately died of measles and were buried somewhere on the Fustero Ranch. Juan’s father and Juan himself were also buried in the same area of the ranch, an area which is now underwater. We have been told that there is a plaque up canyon honoring their burial place but have no photo of it.

Piru Canyon at one time was destined to be “Another Eden,” at least in the mind of David C. Cook who purchased 14,000 acres of the canyon in 1886 from Señora Del Valle, of Rancho Camulos. Cook, a devout Christian, had made a fortune publishing religious tracts in Elgin, Illinois. His health was failing and he had determined to come west to a milder climate. His second “Garden of Eden” would include 400 acres of oranges, 300 of apricots, 200 of English Walnuts, as well as figs, grapes, chestnuts, almonds, pomegranates, persimmons and olive trees. When the Southern Pacific railroad tracks were laid through the valley in 1887 Cook built his own depot. Once he was well established, his wife and two sons were brought to Piru. He built the Piru City Hotel, known later as the Round Rock hotel from the huge round rock located in the front yard, and the Piru Mansion In 1888.With his plantings producing well, he platted out the city of Piru and donated land for the building of a Methodist Episcopal Church. Cook saw to it that eight miles or roads and 12 miles of irrigation ditches were built, intending to turn the canyon into a self-sufficient farm. As his health improved he began to make trips back to Illinois. An astute businessman, he watched the development of the local oil industry. On his next trip to Illinois in 1899, with his health returned, he made arrangements to sell his property for oil development to the Piru Oil and Land Company. He had made a profit of $433,000 on a 13 year land investment.

Cook moved back to Illinois after selling his property in Piru, dying in 1927. His mansion remains, having been restored many years ago after a disastrous fire, and is today in use as a wedding venue. The Round Rock Hotel is still there but no longer receives guests. All that remains of “Another Eden” are a few olive trees on the way to the dam.

Santa Felicia Dam was constructed in 1955 in Piru Canyon and has become a popular recreational location drawing people from our local valley as well as surrounding counties.

Today, because of the drought, the lake is as low as it has been in decades. The 3” of rain we received locally in 2020-21 was not enough to keep the lake filled. It was built to hold winter rainfall from the surrounding mountains and then release the water in summer to refill naturally occurring underground basins beneath the Santa Clara River. Local farmers and local cities retrieve the water with deep water wells to supply the people in town and farmers’ orchards and row crops. You may not see the water in the river unless it has been raining, but it is there, underground.

Many local residents remember the extremely wet year of 2005. Piru Lake was filled to the brim and spilling over the spillway. The effects on the residents of Piru, Fillmore, and Bardsdale were dramatic. Water filled the Santa Clara River from bank to bank, surrounded the equestrian center and threatened to wash away the south approach of the Bardsdale Bridge. Land was washed away on the south and north side of the river greatly impacting agricultural operations.

Rain years begin each year on October 1 and end on September 30. This doesn’t mean that rain will show up on October 1 but we hope that this year will provide the rain we need. In the meantime we use our water carefully and look forward with hope for a wet winter.

 
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent, Fillmore Unified School District
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent, Fillmore Unified School District

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year. I am honored to serve as the Superintendent for the Fillmore Unified School District and look forward to meeting with staff, students, families and the community to acknowledge and listen to what you love most about our school district and to identify areas of growth and improvement.

I am excited to share that we are preparing for a full in-person return to school on August 19, 2021. Our goal is to return our schools to as close as pre-COVID normal as possible. This includes scheduling Back-to-School Nights, parent trainings, in-person meetings, and bringing back the after-school Bridges program for students in grades K-8. In addition, students will participate in before and after school activities, athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities on our campuses. In order to do this, the District is required to follow COVID guidelines from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Ventura County Public Health (VCPH). Our district nurses and administrative staff are in frequent contact with both agencies and the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). We will adjust our protocols accordingly as guidance changes. Updated information will be shared with students, staff, families, and the community through our district communication system, district and school websites, and social media. We will always prioritize the safety of our staff and students and are working diligently to ensure all schools are ready for the first day of school.

Below are some of the changes for the upcoming school year:

• Per CDPH guidelines, masks are required to be worn indoors by employees and students at all school sites, with exceptions per the CDPH face mask guidance.
• Outdoors, employees and students are not required to wear masks.
• Students and staff will self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to school.
• Students who test positive for COVID-19, exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case should stay home and contact their child’s school. School staff will work with District nurses and with the family to identify the level of contact, quarantine timelines, if necessary, and any additional return-to-school requirements and support the family may need.
• Physical distancing is no longer necessary indoors or outdoors unless the District determines there is a hazard for a particular person or during a major outbreak.
• Disposable face coverings will be provided to employees and students, if needed.
• Classrooms, restrooms, playground equipment, buses, and common areas will be cleaned and disinfected by custodians daily with an emphasis on high-touch surfaces.
• Handwashing stations will be available at all school sites, and students will be encouraged to wash their hands regularly and practice good hygiene behaviors.
• Water fountains will remain closed and water bottles will be provided to students. Students may also bring their own filled water bottle from home.
• Students may bring their own backpacks to school.
• Non-essential visitors and volunteers will not be allowed on school campuses during the school day. All essential visitors (contractors, parents/guardians invited for parent meetings) must wear masks and sign-in.
o Parents and families will not be permitted to walk their students to class, except for the first two days of school, August 19-20 for elementary students only. Masks will be required outdoors for these two days.
• We encourage all who can receive the COVID-19 vaccinations to do so, but vaccinations are not mandatory for employees or students.
• An Independent Study program is an option for students who do not wish to attend school in person. Please contact the Educational Services Department at (805) 524-6036.

For more information, please see the FUSD 2021-2022 COVID-19 Return to School Protocols document located on our district website.

We know the last 16 months of school closures and distance learning programs have been challenging for our students and their families. We look forward to providing additional academic and social and emotional supports to make this return to school experience as smooth as possible and will take measures to respond to the needs of our students. To begin, all schools will have full-time counselors and additional tutoring and credit recovery opportunities for students. Additional teachers have been hired at all elementary schools to provide intervention support and to address learning gaps. A new Wellness Center at Fillmore High School will provide counseling support for students and serve as a resource for families. Family workshops will be provided in English and Spanish to share strategies to support students at home. We look forward to hearing from all our families on how we can best meet your child’s needs and work together as partners in learning.

I realize there are still many uncertainties and questions as we return to school. However, we do celebrate bringing students back into our schools and classrooms. We are confident that, working together, we can make this school year a safe and positive experience for our students. This is what we do best in Fillmore: we take care of our kids!

Proud to be a part of FUSD,
Christine Schieferle
Superintendent

 
(l-r) Damian Barron, 22, Bakersfield, Dequon Dillard, 21, Bakersfield, Marquishon Hughey, 22, Bakersfield.
(l-r) Damian Barron, 22, Bakersfield, Dequon Dillard, 21, Bakersfield, Marquishon Hughey, 22, Bakersfield.
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Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Three men robbed a Camarillo AT&T store at gunpoint Thursday evening before fleeing with cash and merchandise. The suspects left in a stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed. AT&T staff was able to track the stolen phones and provide responding deputies with a location and direction of travel. The suspects drove from the northbound US 101 to eastbound S/R 126 toward the city of Fillmore. Deputies in Fillmore spotted the vehicle and initiated a pursuit of the suspects.

The vehicle eventually traveled on city streets until it struck a parked car in a residential neighborhood. All three suspects fled on foot, but two were quickly apprehended. Deputies located the third suspect in the backyard of a nearby house with the assistance of sheriff K-9 units and a helicopter. Cash, stolen phones, and a handgun were recovered in the stolen vehicle. The three men were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

Community: Camarillo - Armed Robbery of AT&T Store
Nature of Incident: Armed robbery of AT&T store
Report Number: 21-100228
Location: AT&T Store 1955 E. Daily Drive #103, Camarillo, Ca.
Date & Time: July 29, 2021 @ 7:14 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo and Fillmore Patrol Units, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence / Age
(S) Damian Barron, Bakersfield, 22
(S) Dequon Dillard, Bakersfield, 21
(S) Marquishon Hughey, Bakersfield, 22
Prepared by: Captain Eric Buschow
Approved by: Captain Shane Matthews

 
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