By Gazette Staff Writers — Sunday, December 31st, 2023
Courtesy Ventura County Transportation Commission https://www.goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs/?mc_cid=f6d3865132& mc_eid=c5734b16a7 We want to know if bus, paratransit, dial-a-ride, on-demand, or rail services are meeting your needs. Your local transit operators are looking for comments and suggestions that will help to plan and improve transit services in Ventura County. Share your comments by attending an in-person or virtual meeting. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024 Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 Can’t make the meetings? |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Sunday, December 31st, 2023
VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gerardo Israel Escalante On December 16, 2023, at approximately 8:36 p.m. the California Highway Patrol received a Escalante, who is currently on probation for DUI, was also transported to VCMC and later arrested. Escalante’s arraignment was continued this morning to December 27, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
More than 80 graffiti-laden railroad cars parked outside Fillmore, an eyesore and attractive nuisance for months, have moved about a mile west and are no longer in sight, according to a Ventura County Transportation Commission agreement with Sierra northern Railway. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
On Friday, December 15, at the Fillmore Fire Station, a Holiday Giveaway was held for children with special needs and their families. The kids had their pictures taken with Santa Claus, as well as other fun activities while they collected their unwrapped toys. Pictured above is Fillmore City Manager Dave Rowlands, Fillmore Mayor Carrie Broggie, and Sandy Gurrola with her husband, Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola, who were in attendance and helped hand out toys. Pictured below is McGruff the Crime Stopping Dog and Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
Pictured (l-r) is Fillmore Rotary President Scott Beylik with Ventura County Sheriff Commander Garo Kuredjian. Garo, former Chief of Police in Fillmore, gave a presentation to the club about his new position as commander at the Ventura County Pretrial Detention Center. Photo credit Carina Montoya. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
If you came to any Fillmore Little League game last year you most likely heard Rob Lemons’ voice over the PA or watched his livestream of the game he offered for the folks who couldn’t make it. Rob has a big heart and is always trying to give back to the community while running a business in Fillmore. He is also another person I see give back outside of Fillmore, including Project Understanding’s Golf Tournament. His signs, made by Lemon Tree Embroidery, covered the greens. I am always counting on him to make a sign, embroider my sports teams’ hats or print sports/sponsor banners. If you need help for any type of sponsorship or assistance in the community, he is always there to lend a hand (even if I am texting him from a dugout or first base because I didn’t like a call at a baseball game). He can be seen him on the soccer fields, sporting events, all over town, always doing his best for Fillmore. If Rob isn’t around or getting right back to you, it’s safe to assume he is out with his rig and beautiful family camping, away from all the machines. Thanks Rob, for being a constant in Fillmore’s life. I really don’t think it can be said enough, how much your community appreciates you—but let me say it again, Thank You! Photo credit Brandy Hollis. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
Downtown Central Avenue is full of the holiday spirit with Christmas trees decorating both sides of the street. The trees are donated for decoration by the public, including school children, local clubs and groups, churches, businesses and families, who all make a special tree their own. The Christmas Spirit is still alive and well in Fillmore - the last, best, small town in California! Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County law enforcement is pleased to highlight a recent report on crime rates published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance. The report identifies Ventura County as the safest large county in California, according to data from the California Department of Justice. The report shows that Ventura County had the lowest rates of reported crimes amongst the 16 largest counties in California in 2022. While many large counties in the state saw a rise in crime between 2020 and 2022, metrics show Ventura County’s crime rates decreased. The 2023 State of the Region Report also shows Ventura County’s crime rate in 2022 ranked Property crimes include theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and arson. Violent crimes include criminal homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. The data is measured by the number of crimes reported per 1,000 residents. Ventura County often leads the way in public safety, but the 2022 numbers show an even larger gap between Ventura County and the other large counties. In 2022, the Ventura County violent crime rate was just under 2 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, 30 percent below the county with the second lowest violent crime rate. Ventura County’s 2022 property crime rate was 13.51 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, 17 percent below the county with the second lowest property crime rate. The cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks reported the lowest crime rates in Ventura County. Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said, “These statistics don’t just showcase the incredible work the women and men of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office do day in and day out, rather it also demonstrates the strong relationship we have with our community members.” Sheriff Fryhoff continued, “Our approach to reducing crime and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors, is based on the collaboration between law enforcement and the community coming together to identify and solve public safety issues.” Crime has been consistently trending downward in Oxnard for the past three decades, and last year Ventura County’s largest city witnessed its third lowest year in reported crime during this time span. Oxnard Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team, Homeless Liaison Officers, and officers and staff across the department continue to prioritize community safety and community engagement. Chief Jason Benites stated, “We will continue to put forth a determined and ongoing effort on public safety across the board, focusing on matters such as traffic safety, the devastating community impacts of fentanyl, and providing support and resources for the unhoused.” Simi Valley continues to be one of the safest cities in the state. In fact, crime in 2022 was lower In 2022, the City of Ventura, saw its lowest overall crime rate in over three decades. Chief Darin "We've made incredible progress; however, challenges like increased visible signs of vagrancy and The city of Port Hueneme saw an 8 percent decrease in violent crime and a slight increase in |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
VENTURA, Calif. – The District Attorneys of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo have joined forces with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to create a safe and sober driving message for the month of December, which is Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The PSA highlights the dangers and life-changing consequences that impaired driving can have. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Senior Investigator Judi Estrada shares her story. Judi was struck by a drunk driver while in the car with her family. The crash has impacted every aspect of her life since that day. According to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on Christmas Eve, 57 people were killed nationwide in alcohol-related crashes in 2021. On New Years Eve, 35 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. For the entire year of 2021, MADD and NHTSA data shows every 81 seconds someone in the United States is injured and every 39 minutes someone is killed in a traffic collision involving a driver that is driving under the influence (DUI). In Ventura County specifically, the District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit reviewed 261 DUI cases submitted by law enforcement in December of 2022. In all of 2022, the DUI prosecution team filed 1,156 DUI cases, including 105 DUI drug cases and 12 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases. “All of these crimes are 100 percent preventable,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Don’t get behind the wheel impaired because your choice can end up changing someone else’s life forever. We want everyone in the Tri-County area to get home safely this holiday season.” Along with the PSA release, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office windows will be lit in red tonight, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, joining other offices, businesses, and iconic landmarks across the state to honor and remember victims of drunk and drugged driving. Families and community partners are invited to join us in this cause by illuminating a special place at home or place of business in red. MADD welcomes everyone to share photos or videos of your special illuminated areas on social media by tagging @MADDCalifornia on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtags #OneMADDCalifornia #RedforMADDCA #NoMoreVictims. Watch the PSA here: English: https://youtu.be/1f2hhnXvs2o |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 21st, 2023
VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on December 15, 2023, Derrick Toole (DOB 09/27/64) of Woodland Hills, pled guilty to two felony stalking charges. The crime of stalking occurs when any person willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family. Toole also admitted to the special allegation that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism. In 2020 and 2021, Toole stalked not one, but two different women that he once dated. The first victim received a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Toole in 2019. After receiving the TRO, Toole continued to contact the victim by calling, texting, and showing up at her home unannounced. He would show up at her new address uninvited, damaged her home door locks so they would not work, vandalized her vehicle, and placed a tracking device in her vehicle. The conduct was reported and documented by the Simi Valley Police Department. While that case was being reviewed, Toole began dating his second victim. The relationship ended after a few months and the victim began receiving messages from Toole insinuating that he knew her location. After a few days, this victim searched her car and found a location device in the glove compartment. Another GPS tracker was found on the undercarriage of the car. Toole also showed up uninvited to her home, pasted large posters of their text communication on her garage, shot a BB gun into her front yard in the middle of the night, and overwhelmed the victim with text messages. He was also seen on a doorbell camera entering the property while the victim was away and driving by her home at all hours of the day and night. Toole was arrested by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on July 19, 2021. Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit, prosecuted the case. “The victims in this case were traumatized by the defendant’s repetitive and relentless stalking behavior,” McCarty said. “It is my hope that this conviction provides them the closure they deserve.” Toole is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 24 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He’s facing a maximum of three years and eight months prison. Case: 2020029103 Charges pled guilty to:(2 counts) PC 646.9(a) – Stalking Special Allegations: CRC 4.421(a)(8) – The manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, December 15th, 2023
Fillmore City Council approved a 12-month extension of construction on the Sonic fast-food restaurant at 655 Ventura St., to open in November 2024. It was originally scheduled to open in the spring of 2019 but due to the pandemic plans were delayed. Come fall of 2024 we will see Sonic going up with 2,370 square feet of space, nine drive-in parking stalls and 19 parking spaces. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, December 15th, 2023
On December 11, 2023, Fillmore Civic Pride Volunteers announced the 2023 Holiday “Yard of the Month” award given to Chris & Karen McDermott’s home on Meadowlark, pictured above. Photo credit Linda Nunes. Enlarge Photo By Linda Nunes Civic Pride Volunteers have selected Chris & Karen McDermott’s home at 1028 Meadowlark to receive the Holiday “Yard of the Month” award. They received a $50 gift card for Otto & Sons Nursery, provided by the nursery in support of this program. It was exciting to drive around the community and see so many more decorated homes and apartments than in previous years! Be sure to check out these past award winners: 738 Mountain View, 910 Taylor Lane, 360 C St., 406 Robin Court, 408 Edgewood, 910 Sespe Ave., 969 5th St, and 1171 Shady Lane. Honorable mentions: 420 Casner, 635 Central, 925 & 933 Sespe, 635 Central, 970 Meadowlark, and 1026 Arrowsmith. Now you are ready for a tour! |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, December 15th, 2023
Pictured is Fillmore Rotary Club President Scott Beylik (left) with last week’s guest speaker, Danny Haro. The club donated $500 for Danny Haro’s trip to Mexico a year ago. He was there to film various surgeries done by the doctors of Mission: Brain. This organization is committed to helping people in an area with few doctors specializing in brain surgeries. These surgeries are free and change peoples’ lives. Mission: Brain also wants to attract and educate students to go into the healthcare field. Photo credit Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Friday, December 15th, 2023
Pictured above is Luv 2 Dance owner Sandra Cummings (center) along with her family. Photo credit Brandy Hollis. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Brandy Hollis Fillmore’s only dance studio, Luv 2 Dance, was started by and is owned by Sandra Cummings. Sandra is a neighborhood staple. Her turnouts at the town parades are spectacular, always including a dance for the judges and spectators. The classes at the studio range from ballet, hip hop, and folklorico to name a few! Even before she had a studio, out of the goodness of her beautiful heart, she taught a group of girls from garage, for them to perform in the Piru Christmas Parade. My daughter happened to be one of those girls and started at her studio many years ago; she loved to salsa with her friends. Now Sandra’s studio continues to grow year by year, and even has performance teams. Fillmore is lucky to have this wonderful family. Mr. Cummings is a teacher and his wife Sandra sings like an angel, as well as her dance moves. Their family is rounded off by two talented girls. Sandra has a tree decorated on the corner of Central and Sespe, covered in pink and purple to represent the studio in the holiday season. I have not met a single person who has anything but the kindest things to say about her. Her hard work and perseverance to serve our kids is inspiring. Thank you. Sandra. for giving the Luv of dance to Fillmore! |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 14th, 2023
Tis the season to be joyful! Join us in ringing in the season and try your best to play a bell! We will assist you in ringing and singing carols and you will feel the Christmas spirit the entire time! The Bardsdale United Methodist Church Bell ringers, the Orange Pealers, are having their annual exciting Christmas program on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at five pm, in the sanctuary. The festive agenda includes holiday music and yummy munchies. The interactive Christmas program features an opportunity for the audience (children and adults) to ring and sing carols, as well as listen to a concert given by the Orange Pealers. If you wish to support the bell choir, there will be a free will donation basket at the back of the sanctuary. You may call either the church office (805 524-2070) or Marcia Heerema, director, (805 524-3674) for more information. So, round up the family and neighbors and join us for a fun, Christmas event! |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 14th, 2023
VENTURA, Calif. – The District Attorneys of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo have joined forces with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to create a safe and sober driving message for the month of December, which is Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The PSA highlights the dangers and life-changing consequences that impaired driving can have. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Senior Investigator Judi Estrada shares her story. Judi was struck by a drunk driver while in the car with her family. The crash has impacted every aspect of her life since that day. According to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on Christmas Eve, 57 people were killed nationwide in alcohol-related crashes in 2021. On New Years Eve, 35 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. For the entire year of 2021, MADD and NHTSA data shows every 81 seconds someone in the United States is injured and every 39 minutes someone is killed in a traffic collision involving a driver that is driving under the influence (DUI). In Ventura County specifically, the District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit reviewed 261 DUI cases submitted by law enforcement in December of 2022. In all of 2022, the DUI prosecution team filed 1,156 DUI cases, including 105 DUI drug cases and 12 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases. “All of these crimes are 100 percent preventable,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Don’t get behind the wheel impaired because your choice can end up changing someone else’s life forever. We want everyone in the Tri-County area to get home safely this holiday season.” Along with the PSA release, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office windows will be lit in red tonight, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, joining other offices, businesses, and iconic landmarks across the state to honor and remember victims of drunk and drugged driving. Families and community partners are invited to join us in this cause by illuminating a special place at home or place of business in red. MADD welcomes everyone to share photos or videos of your special illuminated areas on social media by tagging @MADDCalifornia on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtags #OneMADDCalifornia #RedforMADDCA #NoMoreVictims. Watch the PSA here: |
Districting Map 102, the City Council introduced Ordinance 23-958 to view the map and for more information visit https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=52. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 7th, 2023
Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=52 FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – December 4, 2023– The City Council of Fillmore is pleased to announce the successful outcome of its fourth public hearing in the districting election process held on November 28th. Following careful consideration, the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of adopting Districting Map 102. In addition to the selection of Districting Map 102, the City Council introduced Ordinance 23-958, which paves the way for the implementation of a district-based election system. The ordinance also includes a finding of exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), ensuring a streamlined process that adheres to environmental standards. Residents and stakeholders can view Districting Map 102 by clicking on this link: /DocumentCenter/View/598 Residents, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to attend this crucial meeting to witness the culmination of the districting election process. The City Council values the input and engagement of the community throughout this important decision-making process. For questions and further information regarding this, please contact Erika Herrera-Terriquez, Assistant City Manager, at 805-946-1712 or eherrera@fillmoreca.gov. Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 7th, 2023
On Friday, December 1, 2023, Fillmore transformed into a Winter Wonderland. The event began with vendors, food, music and more for all to enjoy. The community gathered at Fillmore Central Plaza to enjoy festivities and the main event, the annual lighting of the tree. This year’s turnout was a huge success, and new this year was the 12-foot walk-through ornament, adorned with seasonal decoration where kids of all ages were able to take a photo with Santa Claus. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 7th, 2023
On Friday, December 1, Fillmore hosted the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony for the City of Fillmore, a tradition to kick-off the Christmas season. The night was filled with Christmas music and cheers, food and shop venders, and fun activities for the kids; one being making gingerbread houses. Picture right are the final creations of the kids who participated. Below are two girls smiling for a photo with their completed gingerbread house. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 7th, 2023
Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=53 Please refer to the Military Banner List using this link https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/595/Military-Banner-List?.... We extend our gratitude for proudly displaying these symbols of honor and recognition. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in acknowledging the sacrifices of our military personnel. |