Mathew Gomez, Port Hueneme 37

During the month of June 2023, a Moorpark Patrol Deputy took a report from a female juvenile. The juvenile alleged she was sexually assaulted continuously over an approximate two-year period. Deputies learned that Mathew Gomez, an acquaintance of the victim, was the suspected abuser.

During the investigation, further evidence was discovered that linked Gomez to the crime. Detectives learned that Gomez was currently a resident of Port Hueneme.

On July 12, 2023, detectives located Gomez in Port Hueneme. Gomez was contacted and arrested for several aggravated sexual assault crimes and possession of child pornography. Gomez was also in possession of a concealed firearm, controlled substance for sale, and a high-capacity gun magazine.

The Directed Enforcement Unit authored a search warrant for Gomez’ residence. During the execution of the search warrant additional items of contraband were discovered. Detectives located additional firearms, high-capacity magazines, controlled substances, and paraphernalia indicative of drug sales.

Gomez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on 13 criminal counts related to sexual assault, firearms, drug sales and possession charges. Gomez is currently in custody while being held on $500,000 bail.

The investigation is currently ongoing. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office believes there could be additional victims. If you have any information regarding Mathew Gomez or this case, please contact Detective Greg Webb at 805-371-8309.

Nature of Incident: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Juvenile, Possession of Child Pornography, Felony Weapon Violations, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.

Report Number: 23-76459
Location: 4700 Block of South Moorpark Avenue in Moorpark, CA
Date & Time: 07/12/23 @ 12:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Thousand Oaks Makor Crimes Sexual Assault Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Police Investigations Bureau

(S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent:

(S) Gomez, Mathew Port Hueneme 27
(V) Juvenile Female Moorpark 14

Prepared by: Detective Greg Webb
Approved by: Captain Kevin Lynch

HELP WANTED – House cleaning person for private home. Eight hours a week between M – F from 7:30am – 11:30am and/or 2:30pm – 6:30pm. Well paid. Call 805 – 524 – 9929. (7/13).

Above is Ari Hopper’s wife Susannah Easley Hopper.
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Above is Ari Hopper, Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge as of today. The Refuge is closed to public access due to the sensitive nature of California condor recovery efforts and physical access limitations, like no public roads leading to the Refuge. Find out more info at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hopper-mountain. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is the Ari Hopper Land Claim, c. 1887. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

We’ve all seen the sign for the Hopper Canyon turnoff on Highway 126 between Fillmore and Piru. But how did it get its name? Were there large grasshoppers there or an abundance of rabbits? No, it was named for one of the earliest pioneer families – the family of Ari and Susannah Hopper.

Ari Hopper was born in Lafayette, Missouri in 1923 to William and Nancy Armstrong Hopper. He was one of four boys, all of whom migrated to California. Susannah was one of nine children born to Stephen and Rebecca Cunningham Easley. Besides Susannah, her brothers Pleasant, Samuel and Warham came to California. Sister, Missouri, married Benjamin Warring and settled on the Buckhorn Ranch near Piru. The Easley’s parents also came west.

Ari and Susannah married in 1845 in Missouri and came to California in 1852 and first lived in the other “Santa Clara” up north before coming to our valley in the late 1860s. The 1870 census found them in Township 1 of Santa Barbara County in the San Buenaventura Post office. At that time Ventura County was part of Santa Barbara County. According to the census they were living near Stephen Easley (Susannah’s father) and Benjamin Warring.

Ari Hopper was one of those historical figures who seemed larger than life. He was known for at least three things: being a great bear hunter, having a presence and voice which commanded attention, and being a master of pit cooking meat.
Of course these skills were not mutually exclusive. In the book “Bears I Have Met”, written by Allen Kelly in 1903 this story was related as having been shared around a campfire. Names of those in the party were not given.

“Old Ari Hopper has had more queer experiences with bears than anybody. He has given up hunting now, but he used to be the greatest bear-killer in the mountains. Ari has a voice like a steam, fog-horn—the effects of drinking a bottle of lye one night by mistake for something else, and when he speaks in an ordinary tone you can hear him several blocks away. You can always tell when Ari comes to town as soon as he strikes the blacksmith’s shop up at the cross-roads and says, ‘Holloa’ to the smith. Ari was out on the Alamo mountain one day and got treed by a big black bear—”

“A black bear on the Alamo?” interrupted Dad. “There ain’t nothing but Grizzlies and Cinnamons over there. I was over there once—”

“Hold on, Dad, it’s my turn yet. You never heard of a Grizzly climbing a tree, did you?”
“Oh, well, if you’ve got to have your bear go up a tree, all right. We’ll call it a black bear. Besides, if it’s one of Ari’s bear stories, anything goes.”

“The bear treed Ari,” resumed the other, “and just climbed up after him in a hurry. Ari went up as high as he could and then shinnied out on a long limb. The bear followed, and Art kept inching out until he got as far as he dared trust his weight. The bear was climbing out after him and the limb was bending too much for safety when Ari yelled at the bear: ‘Go back, you’d——d fool. You’ll break this limb and kill both of us. Want to break your cussed neck, goldarn ye?’

“Well, sir, that bear stopped, looked at Ari, and then down to the ground, and then he just backed along the limb to the trunk, slid down and lit out for the brush. Ari swears that the bear understood him. Bears have a heap of sabe, but I’m inclined to think that it was Ari’s stentorian roar that scared him away.”

Ari seems to have been very adept at tree climbing. “Sunflower” reported in the July 14, 1883, Ventura Signal that, “Uncle Ari was out looking for a cow that had a young calf. He found the cow but could not find the calf so he set the dogs on the cow to make her hunt it up, but instead of running to her calf she ran Ari up a tree, and he climbed pretty lively for an old man.”

Ari wasn’t the only renowned bear hunter in the family. The May 1, 1880, Ventura Signal reported Mrs. Ari Hopper had recently dispatched a large grizzly. In September of the same year, the Signal noted that Mrs. Hopper had killed an eagle with a wingspan of 7’ 2" and on the same day killed a rattle snake. It should also be noted that Mrs. Hopper regularly “supplied the venison” for the 4th of July barbecues,

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Ari Hopper was called on to oversee the cooking of the meat for any gathering, with the venison frequently supplied by his wife. He oversaw barbecues in Sespe, Ventura and in Santa Paula. In 1875 he was in Santa Paula and according to the Ventura Signal of July 10 of that year, Ari knew “just how to roast an ox to perfection.”
Ari was also often called upon to be the featured speaker at various events. An ardent Democrat, he frequently spoke at political gatherings or other causes dear to his heart. The July 7, 1883, Ventura Signal reported that he had spoken in Newhall on temperance, and they wanted him to return to speak again. Writing after Ari’s death in 1905 in the Ventura Free Press, a writer commented that “Hopper had a voice that could be heard. It could come as close as near being heard in the next county as could the voice of any man.”

At least once Ari’s skill as the pit master and as an orator met. For the 4th of July in 1891 the new community of Fillmore celebrated the day conveniently close to the Sespe station (probably Kenney grove) with a major event. The cooking of the meat was of course under the eye of Ari Hooper Entertainment included the Ventura City Band, the Sespe Choir singing “We will Stand by the Flag,” and the Declaration of Independence read by C. J. McDevitt of the Santa Paula Chronicle. The main event was a speech by Thomas Toland of Ventura. Toland by 1891 was practicing law in Ventura, having previously practiced in Santa Paula in the firm of Toland and Guiberson. He was considered an up and coming orator. On this day he was not able to start his speech until 12:15. As one writer recalled in 1906 “He (Toland) was twisting the lions tail and tearing the red coats to tatters throwing cargo and cargo of tea overboard in Boston Harbor. He was just in the prettiest of his talk. That particular place where an orator knows he will make a hit. All of a sudden and when the crowd was hanging on to his word with mouths agape, a stentorian voice broke out. Ari Hopper opened his mouth, and from “yon mountain to yon mountain,” to quote T. Wallace More, there went the reverberating sound. “The meat is done.” Toland found himself talking to the atmosphere and the side of the hill.” Toland later said he had never been left alone so suddenly.

In 1897, Rebecca Hopper Riley, Ari and Susannah’s daughter died. She and her family had been living in Covina. Ari and Susannah apparently moved to Covina to be closer to their motherless grandchildren. It was there on January 21, 1898, that Ari was killed. According to the Los Angeles Herald, Ari was going rabbit hunting with his grandson. While driving his buggy down a wash, his shotgun slipped out of the buggy, the hammer striking the front axle. The full load of number 5 shot lodged in Ari’s side. He told his grandson he was fatally shot. He only lived a short time.

Together Ari and Susannah had six children with three living to adulthood. Susannah passed away in Covina in 1905.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is temporarily expanding Intercity bus service and its roadside assistance service to help visitors enjoy a smooth and easy trip to the X Games California 2023 on July 21-23 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.

VCTC strongly encourages people heading to the X Games to take advantage of public transit, to carpool or to walk or bike to the event. Public transit options during the X Games include VCTC Intercity and Gold Coast Transit District bus service, as well as Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink rail services. For people who must drive, VCTC will offer roadside assistance through its Freeway Service Patrol along a segment of Highway 101 in Ventura.

“X Games California 2023 is an exciting event for Ventura and Ventura County,” said VCTC Chair and Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Bryan MacDonald. “VCTC is happy to provide safe, affordable transportation options to help visitors get to the X Games without the hassle and expense of driving and parking.”

VCTC Vice Chair and District 1 Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere said X Games visitors are supporting sustainability and helping to ease traffic congestion when they use public transit, bike or walk to the events.
“People going to the X Games can help the environment by taking the bus or train, carpooling, or using active transportation,” LaVere said. “Fewer vehicles will be on the road, which in turn reduces greenhouse-gas emissions.”
VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson said the X Games and similar community events are a good opportunity for people to explore public transit options in Ventura County.

“Visitors can take the bus or train, or a combination of both, to travel to the X Games and see how public transit can become a part of their everyday travel plans,” Erickson said.

ADDITIONAL INTERCITY BUS SERVICE

VCTC will provide boosted service on three routes during the X Games:
• Highway 101, which serves Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks;
• Highway 126, which serves Fillmore, Santa Paula, Saticoy and Ventura;
• Coastal Express, which serves Oxnard, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta and UC Santa Barbara.
The Highway 101 and 126 routes will be extended to Thompson Boulevard and Figueroa Street in Ventura. The Coastal Express route will also stop at Thompson and Figueroa instead of Santa Clara and Oak streets. The Highway 101 route, which normally operates Monday to Saturday, will be extended to Sunday for the X Games.

Riders can get more information at goventura.org/xgames. Riders are also encouraged to use VCbuspass, a contactless regional transit pass that can be used on any bus operator in Ventura County. To get a pass, download the Umo Mobility app on an Apple or Android phone. VCbuspass cards can also be purchased at goventura.org/vcbuspass or by calling VCTC’s Regional Transit Information Center in advance of the X Games at 800-438-1112.

Visitors to the X Games are encouraged to take advantage of the Youth Ride Free and College Ride programs, which allow youths 18 and younger and students enrolled at participating colleges to ride any bus in Ventura County for free. For more information, including participating colleges, visit https://www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/free-fare-programs/.

VCTC buses are specially equipped with spaces to store bicycles. Most buses have either front-mounted bicycle racks and undercarriage compartments. E-bikes are allowed if they do not have lithium batteries.
VCTC buses are also equipped with lifts to assist riders who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

ADDITIONAL METROLINK RAIL SERVICE
As part of its new weekend service, Metrolink will operate two round trips Saturday and Sunday between L.A. Union Station and the Ventura County Fairgrounds on the Ventura County Line. Ventura County residents can board in Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, East Ventura and the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The expanded weekend service, which began July 1, will continue after the X Games.

The service is made possible through funding from VCTC.
For train schedules and rider information, visit https://metrolinktrains.com/x-games
EXTENDED FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL
To assist motorists, VCTC will temporarily extend its Freeway Service Patrol to a segment of U.S. 101 through Ventura during the X Games.

One FSP tow truck will patrol U.S. 101 from Johnson Drive to California Street from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily July 21-23.

The FSP program places roaming tow trucks along freeways with the goal of quickly getting disabled vehicles moving again at no cost to the motorists. Drivers provide such services as changing flat tires, providing a gallon of fuel and taping leaky hoses.

The program aims to reduce congestion and prevent secondary accidents. FSP trucks currently operate along three segments of Ventura County highways during peak traffic periods Monday through Friday. In 2022, FSP drivers provided direct assistance to 3,387 motorists.

For more information, visit https://www.goventura.org/getting-around/fsp/.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org and in Spanish at goventura/org/buenas.
About Metrolink
Metrolink is Southern California’s regional passenger rail, operating seven lines along a 538- mile network that travels across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. More information is available at metrolinktrains.com.
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Melissa Bravo and Denise Ybarra were identified as the suspects in a tire slashing spree spanning three separate evenings. Bravo and Ybarra caused more than $4,000 in damages to at least twelve different vehicles.

Deputies from the Camarillo Police Station responded to numerous reports of vehicles with their tires slashed throughout the city of Camarillo. The victims reported their tires were slashed during the late evening hours of 05/06/2023, into the early morning hours of 05/07/2023.

This crime spree was linked with two additional cases of tire slashings in the city of Camarillo. These two incidents occurred on 04/11/2023, and 04/20/2023. These crimes were linked based on the similarity of how the tires were slashed and the same vehicle being involved.

In all of these cases, the sidewall of the tires were punctured. The puncture mark was in a straight line consistent with being stabbed by a knife. Some of these individual investigations had video surveillance that captured the complete incident, the suspects, or the suspect vehicle.

Detectives from the Camarillo Investigations Bureau reviewed all the associated video surveillance from each crime. After reviewing the video surveillance, detectives were able to identify the vehicle and the suspects involved in the crimes. The suspects were identified as Melissa Bravo and Denise Ybarra.

On 05/24/2023, Melissa Bravo was stopped while driving her Jetta in the unincorporated area Somis. During a subsequent search of Bravo’s Jetta, detectives located two kitchen knives and one folding pocketknife. Detectives determined these were the knives used to puncture all the victims’ tires. Bravo was arrested and booked at the Main Jail.

On 06/28/2023, Denise Ybarra turned herself in at the Camarillo Police Station. Ybarra was arrested and booked at the Main Jail.

Bravo and Ybarra were charged with PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, six counts of PC 594(b)(1)- Vandalism Over $400 and five counts of PC 594(b)(2)(A)- Vandalism Under $400. Bravo and Ybarra are currently out on bail with a pending court date of 07/21/2023.

Report Number: 3-49724
Location: Various locations in the city of Camarillo
Date & Time: 04/11/2023, 04/20/2023, and 05/07/2023
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Patrol Services, Camarillo Investigations Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

Bravo, Melissa Jasmine Camerillo 28
Ybarra, Denise Nicole Oxanrd 29

Prepared by: Detective Kris Doepking
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren

In June of 2023, a Newbury Park residence in a gated community was targeted by a sophisticated burglary crew. A month-long investigation by the Thousand Oaks Career Criminals Unit and the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit led to the arrests of two suspects.

In June of 2023, suspects committed a residential burglary in Newbury Park. During the investigation, detectives learned the suspects conducted surveillance of the victims over the course of three days. The victims, who are owners of a small restaurant, were watched at their place of business and followed to their home during this time. The suspects eventually committed the burglary while the victims were away at work.

Through this investigation, detectives identified the suspects and learned they were residing in South Los Angeles. On July 7, 2023, the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit and the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit watched the suspects as they appeared to case a community in the city of Irvine. With the assistance of the Irvine Police Department’s Investigations Unit, the two suspects were arrested as they attempted to commit a residential burglary. Burglary tools were located on the suspects during the arrest.

Quickly following the arrests, Thousand Oaks detectives conducted the service of a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in South Los Angeles. During the search, evidence was recovered including high end jewelry and handbags, cash, two-way handheld radios and vehicle trackers.

The suspects were booked into the Orange County Jail with a bail amount of $300,000, where they remain on charges of 182(a) PC and 459 PC, Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary. The suspects will also be extradited to Ventura County where they will face additional residential burglary charges.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious people and vehicles by promptly calling 911 or our non-emergency line (805) 654-9511. If you see something, say something.

Report Number: 23-73443
Location: Cities of Thousand Oaks and Irvine
Date & Time: July 7, 2023
Unit(s) Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Investigations – Career Criminals Unit, Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Irvine Police Department Investigations Unit.

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

(S) Juan Carlos Ovledo Vargas Los Angeles 42
(S) Claritiza Ovideo Vasquez Los Angeles 57

Prepared by: Sergeant Dillan Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Kevin Lynch

Santa Paula, Calif. – An adult male in his 50’s who suffered gunshot wounds in Santa Paula died after lifesaving efforts by medical personnel. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

On July 8, 2023, at about 3:15 p.m. the Santa Paula Police Department received a call of a gunshot victim on Whipple Rd. Police Officers and medical personnel arrived on scene shortly after and saw an adult male laying on the ground. The victim was treated at the scene by medical personnel and transported to an area hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Santa Paula Police Department detectives are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident can call Detective Virani at (805) 525-4474 Ext. 145 or email SPCrimeInfo@spcity.org

Stock Photo: Angel Esquivel-AE News

As we continue to enjoy this Independence Day weekend, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office/Fillmore Police Department would like to remind our community members to do so with due regard for the safety of others. Public safety is our number one concern, and we want to make sure our community members are safe and celebrate responsibly.

During these celebrations, we want to remind our community members that the discharge of firearms in a celebratory fashion is extremely dangerous and against the law. Anyone who willfully discharges a firearm in a grossly negligent manner will be subject to arrest. Discharging firearms in such a manner can lead to great bodily injury or the death of an individual. Although one might think that firing rounds in the air is safe, it is negligent and dangerous. Those rounds will come down and they have the potential to injure people. In addition to being subject to arrest, anyone who willfully discharges a firearm in a gross and negligent manner will be subject to having their firearms and ammunition seized, as well as face other law violations depending on the circumstances.

Differentiating between the sounds of fireworks and gunshots can be difficult, especially during the Fourth of July weekend. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately call our dispatch center at 805-654-9511 or 911 if they observe anyone discharging firearms. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their ongoing support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured above is Brinley’s Blacksmith shop where, in 1907, several men took two 150-pound anvils and placed one upside down, filled the cavity with black powder, put the second one on top of the first and set it off by touching the powder with a red hot 15-foot iron rod. It woke the entire town to start the celebration of 4th of July. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Above is Fillmore’s July 4 barbecue back in 1900. Inset, removing meat from BBQ pit. Photos courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum. More photos online at www.FillmoreGazette.com.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum
It started with a bang which woke nearly everyone in Fillmore! Several very strong men had taken two 150 pound anvils from Brinley’s blacksmith shop, placed one upside down, filled the cavity with black powder, put the second one right side up on top of the first and set it off by touching the power with a red hot 15 foot iron rod. It was 5 a.m. July 4th in 1907.
Thirty five years earlier, in 1872, the festivities were much more sedate. A vote of the legislature in Sacramento on March 22, 1872, had approved the separation of Ventura from Santa Barbara County effective on January 1, 1873. So the 3500 county residents not only were celebrating the 4th but also the formation of the new Ventura County.
According to the “Ventura Signal” of July 19, 1872, the festivities were held at the “Hercynian” grove in “Spraguesville”. The location was most probably on the property (Now called Kenney Grove) owned by F .A. Sprague who would soon be elected a justice of the peace in the new county. A trio of ladies, Mrs. Guiberson, Mrs. Marple and Mrs. Haskins sang the Star Spangled Banner. Sprague read the Declaration of Independence and everyone present sang “America”. There were more patriotic speeches and songs followed by dinner prepared by the Sespe Ladies.
Eight years later, 1882, the 104th anniversary of American Independence would be celebrated in the “Hercynian” Oak grove then known as “Kenny’s” Grove. That year the celebration was on the 3rd of July as the 4th fell on a Sunday. Once again the festivities began with the singing of The “Star Spangled Banner” by the Sespe Glee Club. The Scienega choir followed with “Independence Day” sung in a very patriotic manner. Orations were made by the Honorable J.D. Hines. “Darius Green and his Flying Machine” was read by Miss Mattie E. Bain. (Look for the poem online.)
The eight years from 1872 to 1880 had seen an increase in the local population and the construction of school houses at Willow Grove south of the river and Sespe on the north, as well as increases in the population of Scienega and Sespe. The crowd enjoyed a barbecue of beef, pork, mutton, goat and venison. The deer had been killed the day before by Mrs. Ari Hopper. The bountiful dinner was followed by a baseball game between St. Julians and the Electric Lights. After two innings the crowd moved to the dance floor where the young people enjoyed some dancing and Ari Hopper gave a patriotic speech. In the evening all moved to the Sespe Schoolhouse where the “young people tripped the light fantastic” til midnight. On the night of the 4th everyone enjoyed fireworks at Santa Paula.
The arrival of the railroad in late 1887 allowed 4h of July celebration participants a faster trip to “Kenney” Grove. They did, however, have to walk from the Sespe or Brownstone stations to the grove. According to Edith Jarrett every livery stable owner probably met the train with a 16 passenger “tallyho” to ferry party goers to the event. But train passengers had to make the 4:30 train for home so most probably came in their own buggies.
The McNabs sycamore tree on the corner of First St and Saratoga was the location for the 1906 4th of July celebration. There were speeches and a band concert on a platform made of apricot pitting trays and apricot boxes. Blanche Guiberson sang the “Star Spangled Banner” accompanied by the Harmonson and Rood orchestra.
The 4th of July is today celebrated with safe and sane fireworks purchased at one of the 20 fireworks stands located in Fillmore and manned by members and friends of local nonprofit groups. This year the city will provide a fireworks show on the evening of the 3rd. But I’m sure community members will provide their own spectacular show on the 4th.
The manner and events of the day may have changed over time but the sentiment as we honor our flag and country is the same as it has been since horse and buggy days. So have a wonderful day, eat some barbeque and enjoy the show.

VENTURA, Calif, June 1, 2023 – Dignity Health Medical Foundation (DHMF) announced today that Valley Care Independent Physician Association, a Medical Group (VCIPA), will now operate as part of Dignity Health Medical Network – Ventura (DHMN – Ventura), an affiliate of DHMF. VCIPA was established in 1994, with the goal to provide local families with a choice of physicians practicing in Santa Paula and Fillmore. They have since expanded their service area throughout Ventura County.

The agreement, which keeps the physicians independent and local, is expected to bring about additional benefits to the community, including more integrated and affordable services for patients, access to a state-wide network of care, additional support for independent physicians, and increased physician recruitment to serve the community’s health care needs.

As part of the agreement, DHMF has acquired VCIPA’s HMO health plan administrative functions and their HMO physician network. As part of the agreement, Camarillo-based Identity Management Services Organization (IdMSO) which provides practice and medical management services for the VCIPA independent provider practices is joining the Dignity Health family and will continue to support the Ventura medical network.

“I am excited for Dignity's acquisition of Valley Care IPA and anticipate that our patients and physicians will see enhanced quality and level of service as their footprint grows.” said Dr. Micah Dickey, Regional Medical Director, Dignity Health Medical Foundation.

There is no action for Valley Care IPA members (patients) to take today as a result of this change. If they have questions, they are encouraged to call Valley Care IPA’s Customer Service Representatives at 805-604-3332. Members may continue to see their same primary and specialty care providers and do not need to change health plans. Members will continue to experience the same quality services and local customer service. There will be a period of co-branding between Valley Care IPA and Dignity Health Medical Network as the new name is introduced to the community. Members may see either name listed on their insurance card depending on their insurance provider as part of this transition. Both names give members the same access to the network and their provider of choice.

"By partnering with Valley Care IPA Affiliate, the members of our community will now have a greater selection of locally based, independent physicians to choose from, while having access to the resources here at our St. John's hospitals," says Barry Wolfman, President and CEO, St. John's hospitals. "This is an excellent opportunity for the families we serve, as they will have more options available to them through the Dignity Health Medical Network - Ventura.

DHMN is Dignity Health Medical Foundation’s managed care health plan contracting entity for independent physician associations (IPAs) in California, providing the support and resources to help IPAs better serve their managed care patients. It partners with providers, hospitals, and health care delivery systems to create networks that deliver value for the communities they serve.

“Our long-standing partnership with Dignity Health and Dignity Health Medical Foundation has been successful for both our providers and our valued patients,” said Sonya Araiza, Chief Executive Officer of IdMSO. “This affiliation builds on our existing collaboration and allows us to better serve our community, while remaining independent.”

“Valley Care IPA has been an essential health care partner for our Ventura County communities,” said Anthony Quan, vice president of operations, Dignity Health Medical Foundation, Southern and Central California. “We look forward to this newly formed relationship, as we partner to broaden our services and strengthen our delivery of high quality and affordable health care choices to the community.”

DHMF supports physician medical groups, independent physician associations, and network providers, representing 1,500 employed and independent providers across California. This includes Dignity Health Medical Group — Ventura, with 11 locations in Ventura County, serving the health care needs of Camarillo, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and Ventura. They offer an integrated care delivery system that provides high-quality, compassionate care in family medicine, pediatrics, and cardiology.

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About Dignity Health Medical Foundation
Dignity Health Medical Foundation, established in 1990, is a not-for-profit organization providing award-winning and patient-centered ambulatory services in a variety of areas including primary and specialty care, diagnostic imaging, vision, occupational health, urgent care, and behavioral health. Dignity Health Medical Foundation collaborates with physician medical groups, Independent Physician Associations (IPAs), and network providers representing 1,500 employed and independent providers across California. For more information on Dignity Health Medical Foundation and the wide range of services it provides, please visit www.dhmf.org

About Valley Care IPA
When Valley Care IPA was established in 1994, its goal was to provide local families with a choice of physicians practicing in Santa Paula and Fillmore. Since that time, we have expanded our service throughout Ventura County. Valley Care IPA is comprised of physicians who have cared for members of our community for many years and have joined together to better serve the needs of area residents. Our physicians are dedicated to providing health care of the highest quality, delivered with care and compassion., please visit https://valleycareipa.com/

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko advises Ventura County real estate professionals of a rise in fraud by perpetrators who access a property owner’s personal identifying information (PIN), such as name, birthday, address, and social security number. After obtaining this information perpetrators list the property for sale, then steal the proceeds.

This fraud is accomplished in multiple steps, usually by individuals operating outside the United States. Perpetrators first utilize public records to identify real property, usually vacant land with no outstanding liens. Next, using the PIN of the true property owner, the perpetrator contacts a local real estate agent to list the property for sale. Early in the fraud to avoid revealing their identity, the perpetrator insists on communicating with the agent and escrow solely by email or text message. Typically, the perpetrator directs the agent to list the property for sale below fair market value and find an ‘all-cash’ buyer. After the agent secures an offer, documents required to close escrow are executed remotely at the request of the perpetrator while impersonating the victim. During the transaction, multiple signatures of the true property owner and notary are forged by the perpetrator, so documents needed to close escrow appear authentic. Unaware of this complex fraud, the escrow company closes the transaction and wires the proceeds to an account controlled by the perpetrator. The funds are then quickly dispersed to accounts outside the United States and are often unrecoverable.

Local real estate professionals should take the following steps to detect this fraud before it occurs:

Verify the identity of the seller before accepting a listing by conducting an in-person or, at a minimum, virtual meeting with the seller.
Request to see an official government issued form of identification from the seller.
Title companies should be wary of sellers who insist on communicating solely by electronic means and claim to be unavailable or out of state throughout escrow.
A signature that is notarized outside the state of California when the seller and property are in Ventura County, should be strongly scrutinized.
The Ventura County Clerk Recorder’s Office offers multiple services to county residents to monitor the status of their property. These services include a title search database Self-Service (ventura.org) and also a Fraud Notify Alert service Self-Service: Fraud Guard (ventura.org). County residents can also monitor their property by using known websites like Zillow and Redfin.

Should you discover your real property was listed for sale or sold without your knowledge or permission, contact the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit at (805) 662-1750.