The altar and font given to Trinity by Mrs. Thomas Bard.
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The modern Trinity Episcopal church building.
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Courtesy Fillmore History Museum

Fillmore has many church buildings. Some are old. Some are modern. Some are no longer used as churches. Over several articles, we are going look at the history of some of them.

One of the older church buildings in Fillmore hasn’t been in town all than long. Trinity Episcopal, known affectionately as “the Chocolate Church,” was built in 1901 in Hueneme, on the east side of Ventura Road (formerly Fourth Street) between Pleasant Valley Road and Clara Street, by Senator Thomas Bard for his wife, Molly. Senator Bard was Presbyterian and was active in the Presbyterian Church in Hueneme. His wife, Mary Gerberding Bard, was a devout Episcopalian. The small, “English gingerbread, Craftsman style” church was built for her worship.

There had been an Episcopal contingent in Fillmore as early as 1892. A traveling minister or the minister at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Santa Paula would hold services in rented space or private homes. Frequently this would be in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stephens, a prominent businessman. By the early 1930’s the congregation decided it was time for a church of their own. By then the little church in Hueneme was no longer in use and had fallen in disrepair. Mrs. Bard, a widow since 1915, had refused several offers to purchase the building, but when she was approached by Rev. George MacDougall, who was the current minister in Santa Paula, she agreed to donate the building to the congregation in Fillmore. She also donated the altar, a communion service, a chest of linens, the font and other furnishings, a generous gift indeed. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens donated the land on the northeast corner of Second and Saratoga.

Now the only problem was getting the building from Hueneme to Fillmore, about thirty (30) miles, and then rebuilding it.

A local builder, Bill Yeakle, was awarded the contract to move and rebuild the Church.Under his supervision, Ed Rice, helped by a Mr. Seichert, dismantled the church in Hueneme. Each piece was numbered and brought to Fillmore by pickup trucks. The trucks were so heavily laden that they took back roads to avoid being ticketed for being overloaded. It is estimated that there was close to one million separate, numbered pieces. It was not unlike doing a jig-saw puzzle to reconstruct the building in Fillmore.

Eventually the job was done and on Sunday, December 17, 1933, the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, Rt. Rev. W. Bertrand Stevens, assisted by Rev. Macdougall, consecrated the little church. The night before the consecration, the first wedding was held in the church. Helen Price and Thomas Powell were married by Reverend MacDougall, the first of many weddings, baptisms, and unfortunately, funerals.

Trinity Episcopal has continued to this very day, although due to Covid there are no in person services. The altar and font used by the congregation are the ones donated by Mrs. Bard in 1933. In 2014, Joanna Bard Newton, the granddaughter of Senator and Mary Bard, visited the church. She was baptized in the church when it was in Hueneme in 1917, although she admitted she didn’t remember the occasion.

Guy Olvera, 40, Santa Paula.

A Santa Paula man was arrested for attempted murder after stabbing another man on 2/17/2021.

On 2/17/2021, deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 14000 block of Foothill Road, in the unincorporated area near Santa Paula. Upon their arrival, deputies located a 31-year-old male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau and Gang Unit responded to assist with the investigation. They determined that (S) Guy Olvera stabbed the victim several times over what is believed to be an ongoing dispute between the two men. Additional evidence revealed that Olvera fled the scene in a vehicle that was associated with an address in the 500 Block of 13th Street in Santa Paula. Later in the night, Olvera was contacted at the Santa Paula address when he arrived alone in the suspect vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident.

Olvera was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for one count of PC 664/187(a) - Attempted Murder. He remains in custody on $515,000.00 bail and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on 2/19/2021.

Investigators are seeking additional witnesses or information pertaining to the crime. If anyone has information, please contact Detective Douglas at 805-384-4732.

Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder
Report Number: 21-22024
Location: 14000 block of Foothill Road, Santa Paula, CA
Date & Time: 2/17/2021 @ 1742 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol Station Sheriff’s Gang Unit
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Guy Olvera, 40, Santa Paula
Prepared by: Detective James Douglas
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller

Jessie Fontes
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Did you know Fillmore has three successful female athletes, Valerie Tobias (Soccer), Jessie Fontes and Cielo Meza (Softball), who are playing Soccer and Softball at the Division 1 Pac12 level?

This week we will feature Fillmore’s Jessie Fontes who is currently a Freshman Pitcher for the University of Arizona Wildcats, a Division 1 NCAA Pac12 Softball team.

High School Highlights:
- Ranked as the #24 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball and #54 by FloSoftball
- Named second-team All-American by USA Today
- An all-state, all-district, all-county and all-conference performer at Adolfo Camarillo High School in Fillmore, California
- Named League MVP three consecutive seasons
- As a junior, went 25-5-1 with a 0.36 ERA with 264 strikeouts in the circle and a .53- batting average at the plate (senior year was canceled due to COVID-19)

Personal Notes:
- Born Aug. 2, 2002 in Ventura, California to Jeff and Karen Fontes
- Has one younger brother (Jamie)
- Hopes to one day become a coach
- In her free time, enjoys hanging out with friends
- Chose Arizona because of “Coach Candrea and the coaching staff, the history of the program and Arizona felt like home.”

Stay tuned for next week’s feature of Cielo Meza.

Player profile courtesy of the team website https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/softball/roster/jessie-fontes/11192

Junior Michael Camilo Torres had the fastest time at 16:38.36.
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FHS Senior Fabian Del Villar posted the second-best time of the day at 17:32.30.
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FHS Junior Alianna Tapia had the fastest time of the day for the girls with a mark of 21:35.42.
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On Saturday, February 20th, the Fillmore High School Cross Country teams toed the line as one of four teams competing for the first time since November of 2020. The teams competed over a 3-mile course in and around the Nordhoff High School campus. Other teams competing throughout the day in the first Citrus Coast League meet were Santa Paula, Nordhoff, and Hueneme. Carpinteria and Malibu were unable to compete since they did not fall under the umbrella of Ventura County Schools.

To minimize any possibility of COVID transmission, and ensure a safe race, the teams followed practices and procedures agreed to prior to race day. Each team had a separate arrival time and a separate race start time. Each team lined up at the starting line 3 across or less and started 15 seconds apart. Each athlete competed or ran against only their team members. Teams were required to leave the site before the next team arrived. Each team could field a cohort of 14 runners in each race division. A leader board posted online allowed teams to measure themselves against the other 3 teams.

Camilo Torres and Fabian Del Villar and Matt Munoz were the first three Fillmore runners off the line with Camilo posting the fastest time of the day for all competitors, with an early season mark of 16:38.36. Fabi posted the second-best time on the day of 17:32.30, and Matt Munoz posted a time of 20:12.62. They were followed off the line at approximately 15 second intervals by Alianna Tapia and Erick Gutierrez. Alianna followed her teammate’s lead by also posting the fastest time of the day for all girls with a mark of 21:35.42. Erick ran a time of 18:26.96. They were followed by freshman Diego Ramirez 21:26.47 and first-time competitor Kobe Lizarraga in 24:37.03. The final two off the line were Andrea Laureano in 28:37.96 and Daisy Guerrero in 32.12.76.

Even though this was not a head-to-head team competition, the boys team had the best team placement among all teams that competed, while the girls did not score, since they did not field the minimum number of 5 team competitors.

The Fillmore coaching staff was excited to have our athletes compete in this modified cross country meet and proud of our athlete’s performances.

It took a lot of work, coordination, and compromise to make the 3-meet season a reality for a much deserving group of athletes. All precautions were taken to assure safety for all those involved. We want to thank all those involved (too many to list). We hope that this first step will be the first of many for our athletes, community, and staff to return to a safe and planned daily routine.

Next Saturday, Fillmore High School will host the second meet of the series of three at our school farm. The meet will start at 9 a.m. Our Fillmore event will be closed to the public and spectators at this time. We appreciate the support and look forward to having friends and family cheer us on soon.

Epi Torres is FHS Cross Country Coach

Fillmore Unified School District

Friday, February 19, 2021

Dear Fillmore USD Families,

The purpose of this communication is to provide information to District families about current actions to support District students and the status of future reopening of Fillmore USD schools.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES PROVIDES' DIRECTION

During the school Board meeting on February 16, 2021, the Board was given an update about the effects of COVID-19 on the District and deliberated regarding potential options for our schools. Asa result, the Fillmore Unified School
District Board of Trustees directed that:

- Transitional Kindergarten (TK) — 5th grade SDC and Moderate/Severe (small group cohorts) will continue in-person learning.

- For students in TK — 5th grade, an in-person learning option will be made available for those families who select in-person instruction if the County of Ventura reaches an adjusted Coronavirus infection rate at or below 25 per 100,000 population per day for at least five consecutive days.

- Students in 6th – 12th grades will remain in distance learning through March 26, 2021. District administration will continue to explore potential for return to in-person learning option if, and only if, the County of Ventura reaches the red tier. The County of Ventura has not provided a timetable as to when the red tier could be attained.

District staff will continue to monitor the case rates in the County of Ventura and provide information to the Board. Updates on the dates for the return to in-person learning, including health and safety requirements, will be provided to families in a future communication.

TK — 5th GRADE SPECIAL DAY CLASS AND MODERATE/SEVERE STUDENTS CONTINUE IN-PERSON LEARNING
Fillmore Unified continues to support in-person learning for six cohorts of students at three of our District’s elementary schools: Mountain Vista Elementary School, Rio Vista Elementary School, and San Cayetano Elementary School. Our staff and students are adhering to the health and safety requirements, which include a face mask being always worn, physical distancing in the classrooms, daily screening for symptoms, and other necessary requirements.

FILLMORE USD TK — 5th GRADE STUDENTS COULD RESUME IN-PERSON LEARNING
If the adjusted case rates in Ventura County drop below 25 per 100,000 for a five-day period, then schools providing instruction to students in grades TK to 5th grade will be permitted to return to in-person learning.

Public school districts in Ventura County will have the ability to open schools for in-person learning if they are in full compliance with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health.

The Fillmore Unified School District has been preparing for the potential to return to in-person learning. The District is providing information in a future communication to District families regarding the requirements to participate in in-person learning, process to confirm for your child(ren) to participate in in-person learning, and the potential return date for in-person instruction.

SECONDARY STUDENTS IN GRADES 6th – 12th STAY IN DISTANCE LEARNING

The Board of Trustees provided direction to District staff for students in 6th – 12th grades to remain in a distance learning model through March 26, 2021. Students and teachers will continue to work through the Microsoft Teams platform in synchronous learning, as well as utilize multiple curriculum and content providers to work during asynchronous time. The County of Ventura is reporting a decrease in the COVID-19 adjusted case rate which could potentially accelerate the county to transition from the purple (widespread) tier to the red (substantial) tier. District administration will continue to explore the potential for a return to in-person learning for students in grades 6th – 12th grades if, and only if, the County of Ventura reaches the Red tier.

VENTURA COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the County of Ventura reported a seven-day average case rate per 100,000 of 26.2. Over the past 14 days the City of Fillmore has had 83 positive cases, and the community of Piru has had 14 cases of COVID-19 reported for the past 14 days. We are seeing significant declines in the number of positive cases and need your help to continue to stop the spread of COVID-19. District families are urged to use face coverings, not gather with individuals outside of your household, practice social distancing, and test for COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms.

On Thursday, February 25, 2021 the Ventura County Health Care Agency will be conducting COVID-19 testing at Fillmore Middle School from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The COVID-19 testing is provided at no cost and without an appointment. Our team is working with the health care agency to identify additional testing dates in the coming weeks for our community.

In closing, it is imperative that our District community continues to do their part to stop the spread of COVID 19. We remain optimistic that COVID-19 rates will continue to decline in Ventura County and provide greater opportunities for Fillmore Unified to offer in-person instruction. Our District will be providing additional information in the coming week to those families with students enrolled in TK- 5th grades.

Respectfully,
Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D., FUSD Superintendent

The amphitheater at Kenney Grove Park.
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Picnic area at Kenney Grove Park.
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Fillmore's first City Attorney, John Galvin.
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Sanitary Food Market, that later became Days Market.
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The Shiells family circa 1913.
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Oscar DeFevers Union Oil gas station.
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Fire Chief Oscar DeFever.
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Fire Chief Oscar DeFever and Fire Chief George Palmer.
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West of the depot before there was Fillmore City Park.
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Delores Day.
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Delores Day Park.
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Foothill Road's pocket park.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

There were few parks in Fillmore the early years. It was a small town and was located in the middle of orchards and at the foot of Sespe Canyon. There were plenty of places to visit the outdoors and have a picnic or a swim. Most of the children here grew up hiking the surrounding hills and swimming in the pool at Swallows Nest up the Sespe. Even earlier there was swimming at Wiley Lake at the top of the mountains to the south and for brave souls, a dip into the water at a variety of irrigation reservoirs in the area.

The first semiofficial park in the area was Kenney Grove Park. It was named for Cyrus Kenney who, in 1870, homesteaded property just east of a natural oak grove on the north side of the valley. Once the railroad came through in 1887 the oak grove became a meeting place for celebrations of all sorts. In 1898, over 2,000 people came by train to the park to celebrate the 4th of July. Locals came by buggy, the rest by train and hiked or were ferried by buggy to the park.

The property was originally part of Rancho Sespe and was purchased by Sespe Land and Water Co. from Martha Storke after the murder of her father, T.W. More. In 1929, Joseph McNab, founder of Sespe Land and Water Co., gave the 15 acre park to Ventura County. In 1957, the Sespe Loyal Friends, a women’s group descended from the membership of the Sespe Methodist Episcopal Church, donated funds to build the Kenney Grove Amphitheater. It has always been a gathering place for church groups, scout troops, picnics and outings. Many of the older members of the community will remember the “father powered” merry go round and the tall swings. There was also a BBQ pit used to prepare dinners for various groups in town and for the famous Fillmore Festival Pit BBQ lunches.

Central Park was Fillmore City’s first public park in town. It is located on Central Ave and Main St. But there wasn’t always a park there. In the beginning there was empty space around the Southern Pacific Depot. The railroad track was laid through Fillmore in 1887 leaving nothing behind but a boxcar. Soon the depot was built. Early photos taken in 1905 show stores built on Main St., but not so much as a tree or blade of grass beside the depot. By 1930 there were a couple of palm trees on the west side and the beginnings of a grassy area on the south side of the tracks. By 1948 grass and palms were well established. The park finally was formalized and officially named following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and construction of the Fillmore City Hall.

Delores Day Park located north of Old Telegraph Rd near Mountain Vista Elementary School is named for Delores Day, the first woman to win a Fillmore City Council seat. In 1946, she had come to Fillmore as the wife of Traver Day. They took over the “Sanitary Food Market”, which they renamed Day’s Market, located on Fourth and A St. and operated it for 25 years. In 1970, she was elected the first woman to serve as a Fillmore councilmember and eventually the first woman mayor, a title she held 5 times. Through her efforts ambulance service was brought to Fillmore. She also lobbied for and won EMT training recognition for the Volunteer Firemen and in 1976 pushed for the building of the Fillmore Convalescent Center. She was proud of the greenbelt that she co-sponsored with Eleanor Crouch of Santa Paula in 1979 and the construction of the concrete stairway up the steep hillside leading to the Jr. and Sr. High Schools. She retired from the Council in 1990.

Shiells Park is named for the Shiells family who donated the land for the park as well as land for the Fillmore Library and Veterans’ Memorial Building. William Shiells and his brother, James, came to Fillmore in 1879. They purchased 1200 acres of property on Guiberson Road. In 1911 he leased 880 acres of hill property to Montebello Oil Co. which succeeded in drilling the first producing well on the south side of the Santa Clara River near Fillmore. In 1913, William was elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The family was always civic minded and continued to support local churches and charitable agencies.

There is a small “pocket” park on Foothill Rd. where the road splits and one side goes up south of the hill and comes around and down the steep side. There is today a sign at the park honoring Oscar DeFever one of Fillmore’s Fire Chiefs. But, many years ago the city named the park for John Galvin. Mr. Galvin was named Fillmore’s first city attorney in August, 1914, when the city incorporated. He retired in 1966 at the age of 77 with the distinction of being the longest serving city attorney in the State of California (52 years). When asked in 1964 how he achieved the respectable position so early in his life, he said with a twinkle in his eye “I had personality, obvious and unimpeachable character and I was the only attorney in town.” His family also was well known in the community. Many of you in Fillmore had his sister, Mary Galvin, as your kindergarten teacher. His sister, Leona Galvin Grady, served for 44 years in the post office. His brother Warren served as Fillmore’s first Fire Chief in 1916.

Oscar DeFever was one of our best known Fire Chiefs. Oscar was born in Kentucky but came to Fillmore at the age of 1 and remained here for the rest of his life except for his time as a Marine during WWII when he served in the Pacific during the battle for Iwo Jima. In 1935 he became a dealer for Union Oil, opening his own service station in 1938 on the corner of Sespe and Central. He was a member of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years and Chief from 1964 to 1979. According to his obituary, he was a “decent and honorable businessman, as public servant, as civic minded private citizen, and as just plain friend, he was an ongoing influence for good.” His remodeled station remains on the same corner today as an auto repair shop.

It isn’t any wonder that this small park was named in honor of these two men.

We are still growing and as new subdivisions are built we are seeing more parks. There is Rio Vista Park near the Santa Clara, Two Rivers Skate Park and a walkway along the Santa Clara similar to the walkway along the Sespe. We have plenty of outdoors to enjoy.

Valerie Tobias, #32 for the Oregon State University Beavers.

Did you know Fillmore has three successful female athletes, Valerie Tobias (Soccer), Jessie Fontes and Cielo Meza (Softball), who are playing Soccer and Softball at the Division 1 Pac12 level?

This week we will feature Fillmore High School graduate Valerie Tobias who is currently a Freshman Midfielder for Oregon State University Beavers, Division 1 NCAA Pac12 Soccer team. Below is her player profile courtesy of the team website - https://osubeavers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/valerie-tobias/8047.

Fillmore High School Highlights:
- Was a soccer academic all-league selection in 2016 and 2017.
- Named the varsity soccer “Rookie of the Year: in 2016.
- Earned All-Costal Canyon League Second-Team honors.
- Helped the Fillmore team to a state championship in 2016.
- Was a US Soccer Training Center participant from 2013-17.
- Named to the CalSouth ODP State team in 2015.
- ECNL Playoffs Best XI in 2016.

Club Soccer Highlights:
- Played for the Eagles Soccer Club under Kristy Walker.
- Helped the team to become National Cup Champions in 2016.

Personal Notes:
- Daughter of Denise and Ramiro Tobias.
- Has one younger sister, Naomi.
- Intends to major in business.
- Enjoys traveling, dancing and shopping.
- Chose Oregon State because she felt she belonged the moment she set foot on campus for the first time.

Stay tuned for next week’s feature of Jessie Fontes.

Courtesy City of Fillmore Facebook Page

Last month’s extreme winds broke numerous limbs and toppled entire trees on Fillmore City property. Staff was busy for several days mitigating the damage. This wind damaged was not limited to public property. There was major damage to trees, sheds, awnings and other items on private property. If downed trees and limbs in residential neighborhoods are left in place they will quickly dry out and soon pose a more significant fire hazard. Recognizing this potential fire hazard, the City will be hosting a tree and limb disposal day on February 20th from 9am to noon at City Well #4 located at 728 Goodenough Rd. Only tree trimmings and other vegetation will be accepted, no other trash or building material will be accepted. This free disposal day is in addition to the annual vegetation drop-off day in May; it does not replace it.

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Over the summer my former student and now President of the club, Emilia Magdaleno, approached me about starting a new club at Fillmore. Emilia is a junior at FHS and she is a wonderful student. Her idea was to form a club at FHS where students could make cards for people who are affected the most by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since September, 35-40 students have been meeting virtually online every week and have been making cards for the Fillmore community. The students have sent virtual cards to teachers, administrators and staff members of Fillmore High School as well as throughout Fillmore Unified School District to encourage and thank them during this challenging time. Club members have also made cards to encourage fellow students during the pandemic. Currently, club members are working on creating physical cards for the patients and staff members at the Greenfield Care Center in Fillmore. Currently they have made well over 200 cards and by the time I deliver cards to the Greenfield Care Center, that number will be closer to 400.

As a teacher at Fillmore High School and the advisor of the club, I am just endlessly impressed with and enormously inspired by the members of Flashes Cards 4 Kindness. During an incredibly difficult season, these students have decided to make time every week to create these cards and uplift others. They have busy schedules with distance learning and yet they keep showing up week after week.

Teachers have personally reached out to me to tell me how much receiving these cards has meant to them during distance learning when we have been unable to see our students face to face.

Here are the student leaders of the club:
President: Emilia V. Magdaleno
Vice President: Mckenna Taylor
Secretary: Olivia Palazuelos
Treasurer: Alexis Velasco
Head of Publicity: Aliyah Heredia and Aileen Lopez
Graphic Design Leader: Yzabella Rivero and Isabella Minjares

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Courtesy FHS Alumni Office

If you are a current Senior at Fillmore High School, and will be enrolled at a four year University, Community Collage, or Trade School in the fall of 2021, you may apply for the Fillmore High Alumni Scholarship starting Tuesday, February 16th by picking up an application at the High School in the main office. Deadline to hand in will be March 31st, 2021. You can hand in at the High School or by dropping off the application in the front door of the Alumni Office at 559 Sespe Ave. (Mail Slot on Front door)

The FHS Alumni Mission:
Since 1913, The Fillmore Alumni Association has been bringing people together to support education, students and the community of Fillmore. Our mission is to provide scholarships to seniors and any graduate seeking to continue their education. Join us today by becoming a member.

FHS Alumni office has help many of Fillmore Students obtain Scholarship money if they plan to attend a four year University, Community College or Trade school this years window to apply is February 16th to March 31st.

Above is the interior of the Artists’ Barn which opened in November 21, 1936.
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Pictured above is the Artists’ Wall today with a close up of local teacher, writer and artist, Harriet “Petey” Weaver’s square in the top right hand corner.
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Fifteen years ago, the tree split in two and it was advised to remove it. The current owners carefully nurtured a sprout coming up from the remaining roots, and here it is today.
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Art Lyceum 1937 Schedule which was a monthly event where speakers would come and speak about art.
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Courtesy Fillmore History Museum

One day in 1936, while visiting her in-laws, Ira and Kate Hinckley, Mildred Coombs Hinckley noticed a derelict barn, 50 feet long and 20 feet wide, on the two acres the Hinckley's owned off First St. The idea struck her that the barn could be converted into a home and studio. Her enthusiasm for the idea carried the day and Labor Day saw a family barn raising. One thing they didn’t immediately get was a new roof. The night of the first rain found the couple marshalling anything which could hold water to catch the water from all the leaks in the old barn’s roof.

By the fall, the newlyweds had a new home (with a new roof) and Fillmore had an art gallery, the Artists’ Barn. The gallery opened on November 21, 1936 and would be a landmark on Bard Street in Fillmore until 1961. Opening day saw exhibition of not only Hinckley’s work but Jesse and Cornelis Botke, Robert Clunie and Douglas Shively, all of Santa Paula. Also included from the beginning were wares of local craftsmen. The couple had expected a few dozen guests for the opening. Instead, they had over three hundred. Instituted the first year was the Art Lyceum, a monthly event with a speaker on something related to the art world. The cost? $5 per event. No one knew what sort of audience this would draw in the rural community, but like the opening event, it was soon had a waiting list for tickets.

When it opened, the Artists’ Barn was the only art gallery in the county. It became a meeting place for the community and for the art world. The Hinckleys drew artists from throughout the United States to the small community. The community became more knowledgeable and interested in art as a result. Besides artists, the Barn drew tourist buses as it made a good place to break the long drive between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It was estimated that in the first five years it was open; it had an attendance of 20,000 people.

Eventually, the Hinckleys had to enlarge the home to accommodate the art studio and gallery. One aspect of the home was the Artists’ Wall where visiting artists would leave signed works that became a permanent part of the home.

Things slowed down during World War II and Lawrence went to work at Douglas Aircraft making charts for the Air Corps. The Hinckleys moved to Los Angeles, renting the Barn to Beatrice Albright, a schoolteacher. Agnes Ashby kept the gift shop running in their absence.

After the war ended, they returned to the Barn and began a new phase, ceramics. They made figures and kitchen items such as spoon rests (the first of its kind), match holders and funnels. Lawrence insisted that anything they produced be of the best quality and quickly disposed of flawed items. The current owners tell of when gardening finding unbroken ceramics buried in the dirt – Lawrence’s rejects.

Also, immensely popular were the classes that were held at the Artists’ Barn. Many residents remember taking classes there.

Their ceramics line was phased out as imports began to flood the market. In 1961, the Hinckleys closed the Artists’ Barn, converting it back to a private home. Lawrence continued to paint and Mildred, now Dr. Mildred Hinckley, a Doctor of Theology, became the minister at the Church of Religious Science in Fillmore.

In 1981 the Barn and the massive pepper tree in the garden were both declared Ventura County Historic Landmarks. Lawrence Hinckley passed away in 1987 and Mildred in 1995.

A crew of catalytic converter thieves were apprehended after they stole from a Fillmore resident. Investigators suspect they might be involved in similar crimes occurring in the region.

In the early morning hours of February 8th, a Fillmore resident heard a loud noise coming from her vehicle that was parked nearby. Upon further examination, the victim discovered her catalytic converter had been removed from the vehicle and the suspects fled the area. The victim provided the vehicle information that was believed to be associated with the thieves. Deputies quickly responded to the area and noticed two vehicles fleeing. One was identified as a white Toyota Prius, containing three suspects and a yellow Chevrolet Camaro with two occupants.

Deputies coordinated a stop of both vehicles. Deputies immediately noticed the Prius had a catalytic converter that had been cut in the rear compartment. The deputies investigated deeper and located saws, a car jack and other items related to catalytic converter thefts.

All of the subjects associated in both vehicles were deemed to be working in concert to steal catalytic converters. They were arrested and transported to the Police Station.

As the investigation progressed, a second resident called and reported that the catalytic converter was stolen from her vehicle which was parked in the 900 block of Fourth Street. Investigators were able to link this theft with the suspects associated with the Prius and Camaro.

All five suspects were arrested and booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for the following charges:
• PC 487 (a) Grand Theft
• PC 182 (a)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime
• PC 466 Possession of Burglary Tools

The suspects in this case are currently in custody pending a court appearance on February 10, 2021 and $300,000 bail.

Catalytic converter crimes are on the rise throughout county. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with reducing these events. We encourage you to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood and help reduce your chances of becoming a victim by parking your vehicles in well-lit areas or secured garages.

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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).

Daniel Gonzalez, 61, Santa Paula.

Santa Paula man arrested for possession of more than a ½ pound of methamphetamine.

During the past year, deputies received information regarding a local transient, Daniel Gonzalez, selling methamphetamine to area residents. This information came from multiple sources over a 13-month period.

On February 6th, deputies were conducting foot patrol of the district watershed area, in Santa Paula. While conducting their patrol, they contacted Gonzalez, who they suspected of trespassing. During their investigation, they determined Gonzalez was under the influence of a controlled substance and placed him under arrest. While conducting a search of Gonzalez’s personal belongings they discovered 246 grams (8.66 ounces) of methamphetamine.

The deputies arrested Gonzalez for violations HS 11550 Being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and HS 11379 Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sales. Gonzalez remains in custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility awaiting arraignment. Gonzalez’s bail has been set at $60,000.00 and he is due to appear in court February 9, 2021.

Nature of Incident: Suspect arrested with over ½ pound of methamphetamine
Report Number: 21-16845
Location: The Santa Clara River Watershed – Santa Paula
Date & Time: February 6, 2021 / 2:00 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: West County Patrol Services – Santa Clara Station
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
Daniel Gonzalez , 61, Santa Paula
Prepared by: Sergeant Daniel Blanck
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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).