The Ventura County Sheriff's Office issues a warning to the public regarding a telephone scam that is making its way through the county.

According to reports, the scammer is identifying themself as Captain Greg Gibson from the Sheriff's Office and is demanding a large sum of money to pay an outstanding warrant. However, it is important to note that the caller is NOT affiliated with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, and the phone number used is NOT associated with law enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies have frequently issued warnings about phone scams, emphasizing that law enforcement officials do not call citizens asking for money. Scammers often pretend to be law enforcement, or federal agencies, threatening individuals with arrest, fines, or deportation if they don’t pay taxes or some other debt immediately. They’ve also been known to tell the victim, falsely, that a warrant has been issued because they missed a court date, did not show up for jury duty, have an overdue fine, or something similar, and they will be arrested unless they pay right away. These scammers also disguise their Caller ID information by spoofing the phone number to appear as though it is from a legitimate law enforcement agency.

The scammers will likely threaten immediate arrest if you do not cooperate and provide payment over the phone. They may demand that fines or fees be paid with credit cards, gift cards, payment apps, or even cryptocurrency. Just to be clear, no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call an individual demanding money or threatening arrest.

Don’t let your guard down and don’t be intimated into providing personal details, or financial information. The best protection against these scams is to simply hang up. Do not call the phone number left on a voicemail requesting a callback. Always do your research before providing any personal information or sending money over the phone. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

If you have been scammed and suffered a financial loss, contact Sheriff's Dispatch at (805) 654-9511 to file 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.

Nature of Incident: Phone Scam Targets Ventura County Residents
Location: Ventura, CA
Date & Time: 11/28/23

Prepared by: Senerey De Los Santos / Sheriff's PIO
Approved by: Captain Dean Worthy

VENTURA, Calif. – Today in a unanimous vote during the regular meeting, the Ventura County
Board of Supervisors approved a new position within the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office,
Bureau of Investigation. This position, a Crime Analyst II, will be funded by a California AB 178
Firearms Relinquishment Grant.

In 2022, the District Attorney’s Office partnered with the Ventura County Superior Court and the
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to seek competitive grant funding from the California Judicial
Council to remove firearms from prohibited persons. Prohibited persons include people convicted
of a felony; persons subject to a domestic violence restraining order, a gun violence restraining
order, or a civil protective order; and persons subject to a mental health prohibition. Ventura County
was one of seven grant awardees and received over $1.4 million dollars through fiscal year 2024-
2025.

The firearm relinquishment program in Ventura County is a unique partnership between the
Ventura County Superior Court, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and the Ventura County
District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation. The program ensures the safe removal of
firearms from individuals who become prohibited from possessing firearms pursuant to a court
order.

“All too often, our local police officers respond to calls for service involving dangerous individuals
that should not be in possession of firearms.,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This new
position will allow us to better enforce firearm restrictions against prohibited persons that are at risk
of hurting themselves or others.”

Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttittta@ventura.org
Approved: SW
Date: December 5, 2023
Release No.: 23-142

The Bureau of Investigation is a subrecipient of the grant administered by the Ventura County
Superior Court. Acceptance of the grant funding was authorized by the Board of Supervisors as
part of the adopted annual budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.

The Firearms Relinquishment Grant also funds an investigator position within the Bureau of
Investigation. The crime analyst will provide investigative analytical support to the grant funded
investigator. This will include logging incoming cases and obtaining all relevant police reports and
court orders. The analyst will gather raw data from a variety of law enforcement sources and
convert that data into common information and trends among the different agencies. Having a
dedicated position completing these critical and time-consuming tasks will free up the investigator
to conduct relinquishment activities.

“California law enforcement is still playing catch up with all the red flag gun laws," said Chief
Investigator Scott Whitney. “We’re working with our criminal justice partners in Ventura County to
bring about more understanding of these laws, and to close compliance and enforcement gaps.”
The crime analyst position will be grant funded from December 5, 2023, to June 30, 2025.

A better public understanding of the firearm relinquishment laws improves public safety. Any
individuals or groups that are interested in more information regarding domestic violence
restraining orders, gun violence restraining orders, mental health prohibitions, and other gun
prohibitions may contact the District Attorney’s Office Communication Manager, Joey Buttitta, by
calling (805) 767-3400.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023, 6:30 PM SPECIAL MEETING 250 CENTRAL AVENUE AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.3(a) public comment at this special meeting is limited to addressing only the subject matter of the public hearing being held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.A FOURTH PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM 1-SR - (CVRA) 4th PUBLIC HEARING.pdf 7. CITY MANAGER 8. ADJOURNMENT - MAYOR MARK AUSTIN ADJOURNS TO THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023, CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.

11-28-2023
Last night City Council voted 4-1 to adopt Map 102 with minor modifications. The election sequence selected is: 2024 Election: District 1-Vacant. District 2-Mayor Austin. District 5- Mayor Pro-Tem Villasenor. 2026 Election: District 3-Mendez. District 4-Broggie.

Teresa Ontriveros of Fit N Fine Fitness in Fillmore

Courtesy Brandy Hollis
Most weekdays myself and many women at Fit N Fine Fitness in Fillmore start their mornings sweating hard to only hear they are just warming up. If you have it in you, you laugh. Teresa Ontriveros grew up in Fillmore going to Sespe School, FMS and graduating from Fillmore High School. She has a bachelors in Liberal Arts with a focus on Education. She formally worked for Head Start’s Migrant and Seasonal Preschool and now is coaching the fine women of Fillmore at Fit N Fine Fitness at the east edge of Santa Paula. She is a wife and mother of two children who are growing up in Fillmore to follow in her footsteps. She projects quiet strength and her example is amazing. What she helped me do in six weeks is more than most people accomplish physically in a year on their own (I actually did what she said and showed up). The truly exceptional thing is the gym is large and equipment provided. They have multiple morning classes, and, on the weekdays, afternoon and evening classes; weekend mornings too, and Sunday you might even find a hot Pilates class. I find myself carpooling with a group of four of us now only to be met with all the women around town there. It’s a women’s only gym and well lit. Teresa is dedicated. She’s a Fillmore powerhouse empowering women to live healthy and strong lives; she should be applauded. If you are interested in booking a class at Fit N Fine, you can do so on the Mind Body app. No membership required. Thanks Teresa and I look forward to what’s happening tomorrow… it’s always something different.

Fillmore Women’s Service Club’s November meeting was full of fun and business as we took care of needed tasks and enjoyed a fun cookie exchange! So many yummy treats to taste and take home. Fillmore Women’s Service Club will meet again on December 13th, a wonderful holiday event. Please contact 805-890-7113 for information. Consider joining a fun club that helps our community!

Eric Landis of Ameci’s Pizza in Fillmore. Photo credit Brandy Hollis.

Courtesy Brandy Hollis

Not all heroes wear capes, some of them are carrying pizza boxes. Eric Landis, in my opinion, is a hero with a pizzeria. If you go into Ameci’s Pizza, you will notice helmets from FHS Flashes and Fillmore Raiders on the counter, jerseys hung from all the sports teams, thank you plaques and hand-drawn pictures of thanks, with an especially cute one from Sonshine Preschool. If you go down to a sports field you may see a banner of sponsorship, gift cards at an AYSO raffle or pizza served at a snack bar. Your kids may be doing a fundraiser where a percentage of the profits go to their programs or may be being served pizza as part of a number of kids programs in town. Football players get fed the night before a big game, so they are stored up on fuel to burn. Personally, I have held team parties at the restaurant because he is always ready to be helpful to any organization, especially ones for the kid’s programs. Eric is usually behind the counter with a smile and thanks. He knows his business and makes the dough himself. He has a lovely family growing up in Fillmore and loves the community he works and lives in. Is it hot outside? That’s ok, Eric has the pizza ovens going at Ameci’s. Too hot for pizza? That’s ok, they have yummy sandwiches and salads too! If you need a good place to have a team party, they have indoor and outdoor dining. Catering menu too! Give Eric a shout-out online or tag him on social media to let him know... cheese and pepperoni go a long way. If this little epic contribution is cheesy, know that every single time I have asked Eric Landis to help in any area of this community, he has always said Yes. Thank you, Eric, for loving your community, and letting me be a lil cheesy.

Investigation leads to arrest of suspect in connection with the death of Paul Kessler.

On November 16, 2023, detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau contacted Loay Alnaji in the City of Moorpark and arrested him for the death of Paul Kessler. Alnaji will be booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for California Penal Code section 192(b) – involuntary manslaughter and his bail will be set at $1,000,000.

Though an arrest has been made, we continue to encourage community members who may have information about this criminal investigation and have yet to come forward to please contact Detective Stump at (805) 384-4745.

Any persons who were driving a vehicle equipped with video recording equipment, such as Teslas, in the area of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard between 3:00 p.m. and 4 p.m. on November 5th, are encouraged to reach out to detectives or utilize the link provided below to download and submit video footage.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Those who wish to share video or pictures of the incident can do so and can remain anonymous by using the following link:

https://venturasheriffca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/23-1...

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – October 26, 2023– The Fillmore City Council unanimously approved the Hometown Heroes Military Banner program at its meeting on October 24. The City is proud to recognize Fillmore’s military heroes for their service through the City's Military Banner Program. Family members and loved ones may nominate duty service members from any branch of the United States Military to be honored with a street banner with the service member's name. The City will officially take over the program as of Monday, November 6.

Prior to commencement of this program, the creation of military banners was a joint effort between the City and the Fillmore Unified School District. For a coordinated and consistent program, the District and City determined that the City should administer the banner program on its own.

To qualify, honorees must meet the following requirements:

o Live within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries at the time of enlistment; and
o Be active-duty military personnel in any branch of the United States Military (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps), including active Reserves and active National Guard; or,
o Be inactive duty or retired military personnel that served in any branch of the United States Military; or,
o Be a fallen service member in any United States conflict.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and banners will be installed and removed quarterly, on the last Thursday of the last month of each quarter (January, April, July, October), weather, City Holidays and staffing permitting.

Applicants must pay the vendor directly for each banner, which costs $138. The City will pay for the banner brackets, installation, and removal.

The banner applications and program guidelines can be obtained from the City of Fillmore’s website at https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1318/Hometown-Heroes or you may contact the Public Works Department to have them emailed to you by contacting Shannon Godfrey at (805) 201-9623 or sgodfrey@fillmoreca.gov. Applications will also be available at City Hall, in the lobby and second floor offices, located at 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA.

The City is also soliciting volunteers to be Ambassadors for the Fillmore Hometown Heroes Military Banner program. Ambassadors will provide assistance with administering the program. Participation in the program by Ambassador volunteers is strictly voluntary and uncompensated. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Erika Herrera, Assistant City Manager at eherera@fillmoreca.gov / (805) 946-1712 or Jacky Magdaleno, Senior Management Analyst, at jherrera@fillmoreca.gov/ (805) 946-1295

Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

VENTURA, Calif. – Today, November 17, 2023, Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, pled not guilty at arraignment to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. Alnaji also denied the special allegations that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.

Alnaji is accused of engaging in a physical confrontation with the victim, Paul Kessler, on November 5, 2023, while both were protesting on the corner of Thousand Oaks Blvd. and Westlake Blvd., in Thousand Oaks. Mr. Kessler subsequently died from injuries sustained during the incident.

Earlier today, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff held a news conference discussing the arrest of Alnaji and the felony complaint filed today in Ventura County Superior Court.

“In filing these charges, we relied upon new physical and forensic evidence as well as findings regarding the injuries to the left side of Paul Kessler’s face,” District Attorney Nasarenko said during the news conference.

A complete recording of the news conference is available here: https://vimeo.com/884988975.

Alnaji is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 29, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 22 of the Ventura County Superior Court. A preliminary hearing date has been set for December 4, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. also in courtroom 22. Alnaji is currently in custody with bail now set at $50,000.

VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will have a specialized prosecution team to handle alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases through a $523,621 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS.)

“Impaired driving remains a significant danger to both motorists and pedestrians, particularly those drivers suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This program allows us to focus specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving to help improve community safety for everyone.”

The specialized prosecution team will also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program to provide training to other prosecutors and investigators, as well as collaborate with law enforcement agencies on best practices for handling and managing driving under the influence (DUI) cases.

Logo

Description automatically generatedThis is the twelfth consecutive year the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has received the funding for a specialized DUI prosecution program. Last year, the prosecution team filed 1,156 DUI cases, including 105 DUI drug cases and 12 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases.

The grant program runs through September 2024.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Ventura County Garden celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Club will be holding its annual Holiday Potluck at 11:30 am, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at 117 N. 7th St., Santa Paula. There will be Caroling, a White Elephant, Plant and Gift Exchange, organized by President, Marcia Heerema. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.

Above is Richard and Kay “Toolie” Palmer. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

There’s a new exhibit at the Museum. In it you will see images of some historical buildings in the area such as the Santa Clara (Little Red) School House, the Arundell Adobe, and even the Museum’s own Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse #2. But what you are looking at isn’t a photograph or a painting. It’s bark art.

Now some folks reading this already know what we are referring to, but to the uninitiated, bark art is an Australian Aboriginal art form, involving painting on the interior of a strip of tree bark. In some forms no paint is used, but instead the colors are achieved by the careful use of fire.

So why does the Fillmore Historical Museum have a small collection of Bark Art? Toolie Palmer is the answer to that question.

Richard “Toolie” Palmer was born in Fillmore in 1915 to George and Cecilia Buena Ventura “Tulip” Middleswarth Palmer. Richard received his nickname of “Toolie” because he was Tulip’s son. George was a barber in Fillmore as well as being fire chief.

Toolie attended Fillmore High School where he was a standout athlete. He set a school record in pole vault. In basketball he was the most valuable Class “B” player in both his junior and senior years and as captain, led Fillmore to victory in the Class “B” CIF Championship.

He received his bachelor’s of arts degree in physical education from Santa Barbara State and a Master’s in education from USC. In 1947, Toolie returned to Fillmore where he took over the duties of athletic director, track and basketball head coach and assistant football coach. He was on the faculty of Fillmore High School for 22 years. In 1986 he received the Southern California Interscholastic Coaches’ Award for his service to Fillmore High School. In 1989 he was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1975 Toolie and his wife, Kay, visited their son, Richard, in Australia. They spent about a year down under and during that time Toolie became interested in the indigenous art form.

The biggest hurdle Toolie had was finding the right bark. The traditional bark art “paintings” are made from the bark of the Australian “tea” or “swamp” tree (the scientific name is Melaleuca leauadendron). He finally found a source who would ship the bark to him at Fillmore. Eucalyptus is a possible substitute but would not have given a similar final product. In a 1980s interview with Janet Bergamo, Toolie said he had sold “1,200 paintings and has given away countless others to friend and former students from Fillmore High School.”

The Fillmore Historical Museum has been fortunate to have been given a small number of Toolie’s work and now can share that with the community.

ALL ITEMS APPROVED, 5-0

9.A THIRD PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM THIRD PUBLIC HEARING CVRA-MAPS.pdf

RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Receive a report from the City’s consultant, National Demographics Corporation (NDC), on draft district maps and potential sequencing for district-based elections; 2. Conduct a public hearing to receive community input on the draft maps and transition to district elections; and 3. Provide direction to NDC on any modifications to one or more proposed district maps and potential election sequencing.
9.B ANNEXATION OF FIVE PROPERTIES TO LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 2 PH FILLMORE LLD NO.2 ANNEXATIONS SR.pdf

RECOMMENDATION Conduct the Public Hearing upon the proposed annexation and consider all objections and protests, whether written or oral; if any; and Close the Public Hearing and direct staff to conduct Property Owner Protest Ballot Proceedings and tabulate Ballots for the Annexation of Territories: • DP 06-06 (Fillmore Groves) • DP 07-03 (The Stop) • DP 14-01 (Red Engine Brewing) • DP 15-10 (Rotorcraft Support, Inc.) • DP 18-01 (Sonic Drive-In)
9.C APPROVAL OF IRREVOCABLE OFFER OF DEDICATION AGREEMENT AND GRANT DEED AT 970 VENTURA STREET CC Staff Report 970 W Ventura IOD n Grant Deed FINAL W ATTACHMENTS.pdf

That the City Council (i) approve the form of an irrevocable offer of dedication agreement (“IOD”), and (ii) approve and accept a grant deed for public street along the frontage of the property at 970 W. Ventura Street (“Grant Deed”).
9.D CONSIDERATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OFFSITE DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENTS WITH SDI FOODS, INC. FOR THE SONIC RESTAURANT DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE THRU PROJECT SONIC-FIRST AMENDMENT TO OFFSITE IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT SR.pdf

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve an amendment to provide a 12-month extension to the Offsite Improvement Agreement (OIA) with SDI Foods, Inc. (Developer) for assurance of completion of public improvements for the Sonic Drive-In project, Development Permit No. 18-01 Modification #1, to be constructed at 655 Ventura Street and authorize the mayor to sign the amendment. The amendment also authorizes staff to provide additional extensions, not to exceed nine months, if needed

9.E APPROVE THE SECOND READING TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 23-955 TO AMEND FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 7.12 AND 11.20 SR - APPROVE THE SECOND READING TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 23-955.pdf

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve an amendment to provide a 12-month extension to the Offsite Improvement Agreement (OIA) with SDI Foods, Inc. (Developer) for assurance of completion of public improvements for the Sonic Drive-In project, Development Permit No. 18-01 Modification #1, to be constructed at 655 Ventura Street and authorize the mayor to sign the amendment. The amendment also authorizes staff to provide additional extensions, not to exceed nine months, if needed.

9.F INTRODUCTORY REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE INCOME AND EXPENSES PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 66001 AND 66006 SR FY 2022-23 DIF REPORT NOV 14 2023.pd.

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council receive a verbal introduction as a preliminary review of Development Impact Fee (DIF) income and expense report information for Fiscal Year 2022-23. Staff will continue this report at the December 12, 2023 City Council meeting by providing additional information and requesting that the City Council make the findings required by state law to allow the City to retain unexpended DIF funds that were collected five (5) or more years ago.

Ventura Sheriff’s Office partners with Ventura County Fire Department in Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive.
The Ventura Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Ventura County Fire Department in their holiday toy drive. Collection boxes are located at all sheriff’s stations. This community campaign is to collect new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Ventura County. In addition, this campaign is also to support Food Share, to help fight hunger in Ventura County. All non-perishable food and toys can be dropped off any time prior to December 11th.
In 2022, through generous donations from our communities, more than 30,000 local children and teens benefited from the kindness of our community members, businesses, and supporting sponsors. Food Share will also provide boxes of food for families served by the toy drive.

Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Office Participates in Holiday Toy Drive
Report Number: N/A
Location: All Sheriff’s Stations
Date & Time: 11/14/223 @ 10:00 a.m.
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Public Information

Prepared by: Sergeant Rob Yoos
Approved by: Captain Dean Worthy

The Ventura County Garden celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Club will be holding its annual Holiday Potluck on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at 117 N. 7th St., Santa Paula. There will be Caroling, a White Elephant, Plant and Gift Exchange, organized by President, Marcia Heerema. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.