The Fillmore Investigations Bureau would like to educate the community and remind them to be alert to ongoing financial scams that attempt to solicit funds from unsuspecting victims. Millions of elderly Americans are targeted by criminals each year with a variety of financial fraud and/or confidence schemes. It is common for criminals to impersonate family members, government agencies, technical support professionals, banking institutions, and others to steal money and information. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Elder Fraud Report, the following are the most common types of fraud scams affecting victims over 60 years old:

Tech / Customer Support and Government Impersonation Scams
Tech / Customer Support derive from call centers that are often located outside of the United States. These call centers overwhelmingly target the elderly and are responsible for defrauding thousands of victims each year. Scammers will often exploit the victim’s naivety with technology and online banking to manufacture deceitful circumstances of outstanding debt or payment discrepancy requiring immediate corrective measures. Government impersonations can be perpetrated in a variety of ways, from a missed or overdue jury summons, outstanding and unpaid tickets, or false claims of a family member being in severe trouble with law enforcement. The scammers will demand monetary compensation in exchange for resolving the situation. The effects of these scams are devastating, with victims being coerced into providing large sums of money to remedy the issue.

Investment Scams
Trust-based investment scams often exploit the good-natured and trusting characteristics of the elderly to establish a rapport with the victims prior to offering low-risk investments with guaranteed returns. Victims are pressured to invest as much money as possible into the fraudulent scheme, oftentimes being enticed to access and deplete saving accounts, retirement accounts, and/or the equity of their home. Reporting data indicates victims over 60 years old are devastatingly impacted, as they are typically on a fixed, limited income and often lose their entire life savings.

Lottery / Sweepstakes / Inheritance Scams
The functionality of lottery / sweepstakes scams and inheritance scams are very similarly to one another, with the initial contact often being a call, email, social media notification, or a piece of mail notifying the victim of winning a big contest, lottery, or sweepstakes the victims did not enter, or as being the recipient of a large inheritance from a distant relative. In order to receive the proceeds of either the contest winnings or inheritance, the victim is instructed they are required to pay upfront fees and/or taxes. Depending on the susceptibility of the victim, the scammers can prolong the scam and demand additional payment for months or even years, with the promise of the prize or inheritance being contingent on the additional payments.

Romance / Confidence / Extortion Scams
Exploiting the victim’s confidence and affection, scammers will adopt a fake online personality and use their expertise in forming false emotional connections, giving the illusion of being caring, believable, and genuine. Once rapport is established with the victim, the scammer will use their romantic or close relationship to influence and manipulate the victim into providing them with money or other assets. Scammers will often select a cover story, such as being in the military or employment in a trades-based industry, which would restrict their ability to meet the victim in person. This strategy also strengthens the plausibility of circumstances surrounding the scammers request for money to be sent overseas. Another strategy associated with this scam is to extort the victim for monetary gain by threatening the release of sensitive data, such as sexually explicit photographs or reputationally damaging communications.

Tips for Protection
Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.
Never give unknown, unverified persons remote access to devices or accounts.
Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.
Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.
Government or law enforcement officials will not demand payment by cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, wire transfers, or overnight mailed cash, nor contact a subject by phone to notify that they are under investigation.
Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals, nor demand immediate payment or require payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or mailed cash.
Legitimate lotteries and beneficiaries do not need to pay upfront taxes and fees to claim a prize or inheritance. Playing foreign lotteries in any form is a violation of federal law.
Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you do not know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account.
Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.
Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls. Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.

If you receive a suspected scam call, we recommend citizens hang up, block the number (if possible), and do not send the scammers any money. If you are unsure or concerned you may be involved in a scam, you can contact the Fillmore Police Department at 805-524-2235. If you are a victim of a scam, please contact the Sheriff’s Dispatch non-emergency number at 805-654-9511 to make a report. You can also file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department 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 @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Dustin Heersche
News Release Date: April 22nd, 2024
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured is a Fillmore firefighter surveying the fields during a previous weed abatement event. Photo courtesy Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola.
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All properties located within the city limits of Fillmore are due for abatement of hazardous dry grass/brush/weeds that could carry and sustain a fire capable of threatening residents and their homes or other property.

The large amount of rainfall received this past winter combined with several weeks of hot dry weather has created a dryer and earlier than normal potential fire season. Historically our residents have been noticed to have their dry weeds cleared by June 1 of each year. Property owners are again noticed to have the weeds cleared before June 1st, but the Fillmore Fire Department is asking that all property owners try to clear all weeds as soon as possible.

In addition to the annual weed clearance, the Fire Department is asking all property owners to pay special attention to any palm trees that they may have on their property. Dry palm fronds on the tree or on the ground are very hazardous when caught on fire. Every attempt should be made to keep palm trees free from dry fronds. If you have a palm tree with a large accumulation of dry palm fronds, advice should be sought on the best method of removal.

To help facilitate weed and brush disposal, your Fillmore Fire Department has teamed up with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council, to offer up a free Community Hazardous Yard Waste Disposal event to be held on Saturday May 11th from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM at City Well #4, 728 Goodenough Rd. Only vegetation will be accepted, no trash, metal, or other debris. This is a great opportunity for free disposal of any tree trimmings or any other vegetation. Clean up your yards of overgrown vegetation and have avoid dumping fees.

Dear residents of Fillmore,

We have recently become aware of a concerning issue regarding residents receiving false visits from individuals claiming to be from the City of Fillmore. These individuals have been falsely asserting that the water is contaminated and urging residents to purchase water filters from them. Here are the facts: **Unauthorized Visits:** The City of Fillmore has not authorized any individuals to conduct water tests inside residents’ homes. If anyone approaches you claiming to be from the City and asks to test your water, please do not allow them access and report the incident to us immediately by calling: (805) 524-2233. **False Claims:** Contrary to what these individuals are saying, our water is not contaminated, and there is no need to purchase bottled water or filters. It is safe to drink, cook with, wash clothes, and shower in. **Transparency:** We maintain transparency regarding our water quality, and the latest water quality report is available on the City’s website for your reference. Link to reports: https://www.fillmoreca.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=40 Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are actively working with law enforcement to address this issue. If you encounter anyone making false claims about our water quality or falsely representing themselves as City officials, please contact us by calling: (805) 524-2233. Thank you for your cooperation and vigilance in safeguarding our community’s integrity.
- Fillmore Police Department

The California Highway Patrol is introducing a new system that will make it easier for motorists to obtain a digital copy of their crash report.

The agency took to social media on Monday to post about its new Online Crash Portal (CHP | Crash Report Search (ca.gov) that will be free of charge.

“Just another way to improve the service we provide to the communities we serve,” the CHP posted on Instagram along with a short instructional video.

Motorists involved in a collision will be given a crash card with a QR code that can later be scanned to find detailed information about the incident.

The information can also be obtained by registering and logging into the http://crashes.chp.ca.gov website.
Website users can then enter the information found on the crash card and search for their report.
Crash reports are typically available within eight business days of the incident, according to the CHP.

Picture courtesy Anna with her beloved dog, Casey Jones.
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Article by Brandy Hollis
I am pleased to introduce Anna Reilley, President of the Fillmore Rotary Club. Anna truly has a heart to serve.
Anna earned a Master’s in Business and Leadership at the University of La Verne. She has been married to Daniel Reilley for 34 happy years. They have five children, four boys and one girl, all adults now.
The longtime Ventura County residents and have lived in the Fillmore community for over 15 years. She is part of the legacy of the Joseph Chapman Family regarding Grist Mill in the 1700’s in San Gabriel and San Ynez.
She is also is a Toast-masters Member, along with being one of my favorites to serve with at Fillmore Women’s Service Club (we have such a great bunch of ladies). Anna also serves at the San Buena Ventura Women’s Club and is a Correspondence Secretary on the Advisory Council on VCAAA. She is a licensed real estate agent, and said, “I love helping our community and being involved with people that get things done!”
“I love to help out our seniors at the Active Adult Center and our youth to learn to be good leaders. I love being with my family, I love to garden, eat good food. I love country music and rock, movies like Star Trek and old classics.” Her favorite thing to do is play with her dog, Casey Jones (pictured).
I know her to be kind and a team player—she really does seek out ways to help. She’s great at bouncing ideas off of as well. If you see her, please go up and say hi. She comes across as shy… but her go-getter mentally will surely change your mind. I am proud to call her my sister in service and friend.
Thank you, Anna, for stepping up to all your called to do. I am so glad we have worked together this last year and can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the coming year. Fillmore is so blessed to have people like you!

Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, April 18, 2024, 4:00 p.m at City of Fillmore City Hall Council Chambers 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
To participate in the Board of Directors meeting via Zoom, please access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85480305580?pwd=ZnFBWGhtVU05dXd3REFkM255c0h6UT... Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580 Password: FPBGSA
To hear just the audio portion of the meeting, phone into: Toll-free number: 877 853 5247 Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580
AGENDA
1.CALL TO ORDER
1A Pledge of Allegiance 1B Directors Roll Call
1C Public Comments
Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency) will accept public comment concerning agenda items at the time the item is considered and on any non-agenda item within the jurisdiction of the Board during the agendized Public Comment period. No action will be taken by the Board on any non-agenda item. In accordance with Government Code § 54954.3(b)(1), public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker per issue.
1D Approval of Agenda
Motion
2.CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member pulls an item from the Calendar. Pulled items will be discussed and acted on separately by the Board. Members of the public who want to comment on a Consent Calendar item should do so under Public Comments. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
2A Approval of Minutes
The Board will consider approving the Minutes from the Board of Directors meeting of March 21, 2024, and the Special Board of Directors meeting from April 4, 2024.
2B Approval of Warrants
The Board will consider approving payment of outstanding vendor invoices:
RAMS $ 300.00
Aleshire & Wynder LLP $ 2,320.00
DBS&A $23,821.75
2C Monthly Financial Report
The Board will receive the monthly financial report for the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
3. MOTION ITEMS
3A Waiver of Late Fees and Interest for City of Fillmore
Motion
The Board will consider waiving late fees and interest in the amount of $2,963.09 for the City of Fillmore.
3B Amendment of Groundwater Sustainability Plans in Response to Findings and Comments from California Department of Water Resources
Motion
The Board will receive a presentation from Daniel B. Stephens and Associates and staff summarizing the findings, comments, and recommendations received from the California Department of Water Resources regarding its Sustainable Groundwater Management Act review of the Agency’s Fillmore Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan and Piru Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan and provide comments and direction.
4. FUTURE TOPICS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
5. ADJOURNMENT
The Board will adjourn to the next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024, or call of the Chair.
Materials, which are non-exempt public records and are provided to the Board of Directors to be used in consideration of the above agenda items, including any documents provided subsequent to the publishing of this agenda, are available for inspection at UWCD’s offices at 1701
N. Lombard Street in Oxnard during normal business hours.
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, the District’s services, programs or activities because of any disability. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, or if you require agenda materials in an alternative format, please contact the UWCD Office at (805) 525-4431 or the City of Fillmore at (805) 524- 1500. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make appropriate arrangements.
Approved: Board Chair Kelly Long
Posted: (date) April 15, 2024 At: https://www.FPBGSA.org
(time) 1:00 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra
Posted: (date) April 15, 2024
At: https://www.facebook.com/FPBGSA
(time) 1:10 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra
Posted: (date) April 15, 2024
At: UWCD, 1701 N. Lombard Street, Oxnard (time) 1:20 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra
Posted: (date) April 15, 2024 (time) 1:30 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra
At: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA

"Come help us celebrate! The Ventura County Garden Club is preparing to celebrate their 100 years of sharing friendship, gardening and beatification projects. The public is welcome to join in on the fun at the Camarillo Ranch House on May 1 starting at 10am. Events include car, flower and quilt shows, tours of the ranch house, a maypole activity, Japanese floral design demonstration by Gabriel Pacheco, the last 100 years in dance and music performance, snacks, picnic luncheon with desserts, door prizes, silent auction and more. Send your check for $50 made out to VCGC to Nancy Cope at 603 4th St., Fillmore, 93015. Please indicate your luncheon choice of Roast Turkey and Jack Cheese, Black Forest Ham and Cheddar Cheese, Vegetable and Cheese, or vegan sandwich, and, if you prefer, the Gluten Free option. Hope you can join us for this fun and historic event! We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com"

The speakers at Fillmore Rotary last week were Deresa Kenney, Virginia Feyh and Lisa Hammond from the Ventura County K9 Search and Rescue Team. This is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3), comprised of highly trained handlers and their canine partners who provide assistance to law enforcement in the search and recovery of lost and missing persons. Deresa and Virginia have dogs trained in Trailing by the person’s scent and other dogs trained in Human Remains Detection. Lisa is the current Treasurer of the Board and is training to be a flanker which means she will accompany a handler with their K9 so the handler can devote full attention to their dog. The handlers gave demonstrations with their dogs after the meeting. See www.vcsark9.org for more info.

By Chris Webb

The Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers award a Yard of the Month prize several times throughout the year. This month’s winner is Jeannie, and her garden, located at 125 Serra Drive, is one of minimalistic beauty.
The colors of the rock, block boarder, and plants combine in a natural and pleasing way. The materials are neatly installed, and the area is well maintained.

The combination and placement of cactus and succulents, including Oger and Aloe Vera varieties, create a simple and peaceful area. The plants are a combination of those planted by her late father and others she brought with her when she moved to Fillmore.

Like all gardeners Jeannie has additional plans for the space, including the addition of a candy-striped Rose bush. Each Yard of the Month winner receives a gift card for Fillmore’s Otto and Sons Nursery, who are known for their incredible collection of roses and other plants.

This month’s winner is a great example of how beautiful outdoor spaces can be simple, easy to maintain, and full of beauty. Congratulations, Jeannie!

Pictured above are Rhonda and Paul Taylor outside San Cayetano Elementary helping out with school drop-off.
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Photo & story by Brandy Hollis

Let me tell you about a kind lady with a beautiful Louisiana accent. Her name is Rhonda Taylor. She has been in Fillmore for a few years now, and I have met her off & on around town. You might recognize her from the voting center doing more than her civic duty. She cares for our community and is impassioned to lend a hand as part of the FUSD Oversight Bond Committee, auditing and reviewing auditor’s reports. She is always involved with her beautiful grandchildren, whom she adores, along with her sweet husband Paul.

I ran into her one morning at the San Cayetano school drop-off on Mountain View and mentioned we had a new drop-off/pick-up procedure coming, and extra hands were always welcomed to help direct traffic. Guess what? She was there at 7:30 a.m. and jumped right in helping with the traffic, with kind reminders of new drop-off locations. As we finished, she wistfully said how much she missed working at the school and thought San Cayetano is a special place--she could feel it when she walked into the office.

If you could do one thing today, be like Rhonda Taylor, lend a hand! Be part of the solution. If it takes a village, I’m glad my village includes Rhonda and Paul.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=95
(Ventura) – Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced today the official election results certification for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. A total of 196,415 ballots were cast in this Statewide Direct Primary election: 89.84% of voters cast vote-by-mail ballots and 10.16% voted in person, resulting in a 38.51% voter turnout in Ventura County.

According to Elections Code 8140, County nonpartisan contests are decided in the primary and will not appear on the general election ballot if a candidate garners more than 50% of the vote. The offices elected in the March 5, 2024 Primary Election are:
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 1st District: Matt LaVere
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 3rd District: Kelly Long
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 5th District: Vianey Lopez
• Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. Four: Julia Snyder

The Presidential Primary races were party-specific with separate elections held for the six official political parties in California: American Independent, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, and Republican parties. Other federal and state races are scheduled for a run-off of the top-two finishers in the November 5, 2024 General Election. Full election results from Ventura County are now available on the VenturaVote.org website. Statewide contest results are on the Secretary of State website: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/

Today’s certification completes the Official Canvass period that included: tabulation of early voting ballots, Election Day ballots, and Vote-By-Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received by the 7-day deadline; investigations of conditional registration and provisional ballots; the One-Percent Manual Tally audit; and the curing of mail ballot signatures. All processes necessary to complete the Official Canvass were completed well within the 30-day deadline required by the California Elections Code.

“I’m very proud of the work our team has done in this first major election of my term,” said Registrar Michelle Ascencion. “The Presidential Primary can be confusing: people may have been looking for a candidate that didn’t appear on their ballot because of the party-specific slate, and No Party Preference voters didn’t have a presidential contest on their ballot at all! We worked hard to communicate with voters – via media releases, online postings, direct mailings, various outreach events, and the Election Education Series – to give them a head’s up on what was different. Thankfully, the General Election in November is more straightforward.”

Registrar Ascencion and the Elections staff extend their appreciation to the Ventura County community for its support in bringing the election to fruition.

“We are enormously grateful to the other County departments and their employees for assisting us in this election, and there are also many other people to thank,” Ascencion said. “The hundreds of temporary Election Workers from throughout our community, the locations that hosted our Vote Centers, our local media who helped spread the word, our US Postal Service partners who handled hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail for us… we couldn’t do it without you all, thank you!”

Additional information can be found on the Elections Division website at VenturaVote.org

Adult Tricycle – One year old $200 – Call 805-524-2830. (4/4)

This Sunday is Easter! Please join your church family for a festive morning. We will be decorating the cross with flowers upstairs in the sanctuary, starting at nine, so we need you to bring your flowers for this lovely cross.
Next, we will have an Easter egg hunt at 9:15 in LeBard Hall. Since the weather forecast is for rain, the children can hunt eggs in a dry, indoors setting. Unless of course, the forecast changes!

Then after church we will continue to celebrate with a potluck dinner in Lebard Hall! We will order chicken from Super A, so all you need to bring will be side dishes and desserts. Please let the church office know if you are attending, so we can order enough chicken.