Truck Flips on Highway 126, Driver Uninjured
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
On Monday, April 8, at 3:38 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol responded to a reported overturned vehicle on westbound SR126, just east of Old Telegraph Road. Arriving firefighters found a white truck on its side. AMR Paramedics treated one patient, who refused medical treatment. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
On Monday, April 8, at 3:38 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol responded to a reported overturned vehicle on westbound SR126, just east of Old Telegraph Road. Arriving firefighters found a white truck on its side. AMR Paramedics treated one patient, who refused medical treatment. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
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Fillmore USD Recognizes Zamora & Chavez at Board Meeting
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
At the April 2, 2024, Fillmore Unified School District Board meeting, Office Manager Beatriz Zamora and English teacher Bill Chavez we’re recognized for their dedication and commitment to Sierra High students. The Board of Trustees, Superintendent Christine Schieferle, and Sierra High Principal Blanca Mendieta said they appreciate everything Beatriz and Bill do to support student success! Zamora said, “My ultimate goal is to always put students first.” “My career here at Sierra High School has been important and meaningful,” stated Chavez.
At the April 2, 2024, Fillmore Unified School District Board meeting, Office Manager Beatriz Zamora and English teacher Bill Chavez we’re recognized for their dedication and commitment to Sierra High students. The Board of Trustees, Superintendent Christine Schieferle, and Sierra High Principal Blanca Mendieta said they appreciate everything Beatriz and Bill do to support student success! Zamora said, “My ultimate goal is to always put students first.” “My career here at Sierra High School has been important and meaningful,” stated Chavez.
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Flashes Anthony Tafoya Breaks School Discus Record
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
Fillmore High School has a new Track & Field school record in the Boys Discus. At the Flashes’ April 3rd meet, Anthony Tafoya hit a mark of 154 feet 6 inches, breaking the previous record mark by Justin Coert (2015) of 149 feet, 9 inches. Photo credit Kim Tafoya.
Fillmore High School has a new Track & Field school record in the Boys Discus. At the Flashes’ April 3rd meet, Anthony Tafoya hit a mark of 154 feet 6 inches, breaking the previous record mark by Justin Coert (2015) of 149 feet, 9 inches. Photo credit Kim Tafoya.
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Council Approves $68k for Office Furniture Update
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
Includes Removal, Electrical & IT Costs

8. NEW BUSINESS

All items passed 5-0

8.A AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FURNITURE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS’ OFFICE RECONFIGURATION.
RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council approve: 1. An appropriation in the amounts described below; 2. Authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute a contract with Omnia Partners BNR $68,766.62 ($63,880.15 for furniture and installation $4,886.47 for removal of furniture) through Tri County Office Furniture, in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office, for the purchase and installation of furniture and modular walls for the Administration and Finance departments; and 3. Authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute a purchase orders in the amounts of $2,000 for electrical costs and $3,000 for IT related costs associated with the office reconfiguration.

AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FURNITURE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS’ OFFICE RECONFIGURATION
8.B PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT (NO. ZOA 24-01) AND RESOLUTION NO. 24-3991 ADOPTING A BUSINESS PARK MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT (NO. SPA 24-01) PROHIBITING SELFSTORAGE AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council approve: 1. An appropriation in the amounts described below; 2. Authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute a contract with Omnia Partners BNR $68,766.62 ($63,880.15 for furniture and installation $4,886.47 for removal of furniture) through Tri County Office Furniture, in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office, for the purchase and installation of furniture and modular walls for the Administration and Finance departments; and 3. Authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute a purchase orders in the amounts of $2,000 for electrical costs and $3,000 for IT related costs associated with the office reconfiguration.
 
VC Aviation Unit Rescue 11 Adults & 3 dogs from Sespe River Trail
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024

On the afternoon of March 30, 2024, the Ventura County Aviation Unit responded to multiple groups of stranded hikers on the Sespe River Trail, in the Los Padres National Forest. This area is north of the Fillmore area. In total, 11 hikers and 3 dogs were airlifted to safety.

The recent storm over the weekend caused major impacts to the Sespe Trail in the Los Padres National Forest. Rain caused water levels in the Sespe River to rise quickly leaving hikers stranded in harsh conditions. Ground units from the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department were unable to safely access the areas to lead the groups to safety. Two separate rescue helicopters were dispatched to the area.

Copter 9 is a Bell 412-EPX helicopter equipped with a rescue hoist, available seating for 10 passengers including the crew of 4, a paramedic, crew chiefs, and pilot. Copter 4 is a Fire Hawk firefighting/ rescue helicopter equipped with a rescue hoist, and available seating for 14 passengers including 2 crew chiefs and a pilot.

This year, Ventura County and most of Southern California has seen an increase in storms and rainfall. These storms have the ability to change normal water conditions into dangerous water currents and flash flooding. This has in turn increased the amount of rescues in the region. While both the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office have highly trained teams to respond to these types of emergencies, we encourage outdoor enthusiasts to closely monitor weather conditions and recommendations given by public safety agencies. Rescue operations are intrinsically dangerous to both the rescuers and the victims.

The Ventura County Aviation Unit is a partnership between the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Fire Department. Together the agencies provide staffing to the unit and respond to a variety of missions to include firefighting, search and rescue, medical calls, and law enforcement. The unit is staffed 365 days a year with highly trained Firefighters and Deputy Sheriffs. The Aviation Unit patrols and responds to all cites and areas of Ventura County regardless of which municipal police or fire department has primary jurisdiction.

Media Follow-Up Contact: Fire Captain Jeff Seabrook (805) 388-4212/ jeffrey.seabrook@ventura.org

Prepared by: Fire Captain Jeff Seabrook – Ventura County Aviation Unit

Approved by: Captain Brian Slominski
 
9-1-1 Filming in Fillmore
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
On Friday, April 5, Sheriff’s deputies were detouring traffic near Sespe & B Street as Hollywood set up to film 9-1-1: Lone Star, making Shiells Park the base. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
On Friday, April 5, Sheriff’s deputies were detouring traffic near Sespe & B Street as Hollywood set up to film 9-1-1: Lone Star, making Shiells Park the base. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
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Ballot Initiative Seeks to Increase Misdemeanor Fentanyl & Thefts to Felony Status
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 11th, 2024
Over the weekend, a petition table was set up outside of VONS Fillmore seeking signatures on proposed initiative 23–00017A1. The petition allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs, including fentanyl, and for thefts under $950, both currently chargeable only as misdemeanors—with two prior drug or two prior theft convictions, as applicable. Defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment can have charges dismissed: Increases sentences for other specified drug and theft crimes: Increased prison sentences may reduce savings that currently fund mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 schools, and crime victims; any remaining savings may be used for new felony treatment program. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state criminal justice system costs potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to an increase in the state prison population. Some of these costs could be offset by reductions in state spending on local mental health and substance use services, truancy and dropout prevention, and victim services due to requirements in current law. Increased local criminal justice system costs potentially in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to increased court-related workload and a net increase in the number of people in county jail and under county community. The petition requires 546,651 signatures to make the ballot, As of 01/24/2024, 25% signatures were reached, deadline 04/23/3024. Courtesy https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/initiative-and-referendum-status/circulating-initiatives-25percent-signatures.
Over the weekend, a petition table was set up outside of VONS Fillmore seeking signatures on proposed initiative 23–00017A1. The petition allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs, including fentanyl, and for thefts under $950, both currently chargeable only as misdemeanors—with two prior drug or two prior theft convictions, as applicable. Defendants who plead guilty to felony drug possession and complete treatment can have charges dismissed: Increases sentences for other specified drug and theft crimes: Increased prison sentences may reduce savings that currently fund mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 schools, and crime victims; any remaining savings may be used for new felony treatment program. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state criminal justice system costs potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to an increase in the state prison population. Some of these costs could be offset by reductions in state spending on local mental health and substance use services, truancy and dropout prevention, and victim services due to requirements in current law. Increased local criminal justice system costs potentially in the tens of millions of dollars annually, primarily due to increased court-related workload and a net increase in the number of people in county jail and under county community. The petition requires 546,651 signatures to make the ballot, As of 01/24/2024, 25% signatures were reached, deadline 04/23/3024. Courtesy https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/initiative-and-referendum-status/circulating-initiatives-25percent-signatures.
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Fight at Balden Center Parking Lot Ends With 2 Taken into Custody
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 4th, 2024
On Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a reported fight in progress with multiple subjects at the Fillmore Vons parking lot. According to sheriff’s dispatch, two male subjects and two female subjects were involved in an altercation. Arriving deputies located one male subject with a bloody face in front of Vons and a second male subject in front of Subway; both male subjects were detained. According to witnesses one of the female subjects threw a large bottle of alcohol at one of the male subject’s face. A detective sergeant attempted to make contact with the female subjects who had fled into the coin laundry, running out the rear of the business. They later returned to the scene. Deputies also requested Fillmore City Fire Department and AMR Paramedics to respond to the scene to examine the male subjects. Both were taken into custody. Photo credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
On Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a reported fight in progress with multiple subjects at the Fillmore Vons parking lot. According to sheriff’s dispatch, two male subjects and two female subjects were involved in an altercation. Arriving deputies located one male subject with a bloody face in front of Vons and a second male subject in front of Subway; both male subjects were detained. According to witnesses one of the female subjects threw a large bottle of alcohol at one of the male subject’s face. A detective sergeant attempted to make contact with the female subjects who had fled into the coin laundry, running out the rear of the business. They later returned to the scene. Deputies also requested Fillmore City Fire Department and AMR Paramedics to respond to the scene to examine the male subjects. Both were taken into custody. Photo credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
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Arson Suspected in Vehicle Fire
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 4th, 2024
On Saturday, March 30, at 10:32 a.m., Ventura County Fire was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the area of East Guiberson Road and Torrey Road. Arriving firefighters reported a truck on fire, requesting an additional engine. Firefighters requested an arson investigator and the CHP to start an arson investigation while they were on-scene. No other additional information was provided. Photo credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
On Saturday, March 30, at 10:32 a.m., Ventura County Fire was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the area of East Guiberson Road and Torrey Road. Arriving firefighters reported a truck on fire, requesting an additional engine. Firefighters requested an arson investigator and the CHP to start an arson investigation while they were on-scene. No other additional information was provided. Photo credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
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Old Telegraph Road Reopens!
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 4th, 2024
Old Telegraph Road has reopened after being closed in early February for repairs caused by the Sespe River after a heavy rainstorm. The bridge repair was made possible by the hardworking crew at Ventura County Public Works. Photo Credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
Old Telegraph Road has reopened after being closed in early February for repairs caused by the Sespe River after a heavy rainstorm. The bridge repair was made possible by the hardworking crew at Ventura County Public Works. Photo Credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.
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