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The Fillmore Fire Department joined communities across the nation in honoring the lost lives during the September 11, 2001,
attacks by hosting a remembrance ceremony at the Fillmore fire station on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Community members, dignitaries, and local officials were invited to attend the ceremonies, which began promptly at 6:45 a.m.
with the staging of fire and law enforcement apparatus on the station ramps. At 6:55 a.m., firefighters and Sheriff deputies
assembled at attention to raise the American flag to half-staff, followed by a moment of silence at 6:59 a.m. to honor the
2,977 lives lost that day.

After the moment of silence, a tribute statement was read by on-duty fire personnel. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony
they also included the symbolic ringing of bells, four sets of five chimes, signifying a firefighter’s last alarm.

September 11 reminds us of the bravery of first responders who ran toward danger, and the resilience of a nation that came
together in its darkest hour. Standing together as a community ensures that their sacrifice and courage are forever honored.

Following the ceremonies, attendees were invited to join first responders for light breakfast snacks.

All flags at City facilities were flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk in accordance with Presidential proclamation.

On Friday, September 12th, Fillmore Flashes JV & Varsity played at home as well as hosted their annual Youth Night. Youth Night is when local Fillmore’s Youth Football and Cheer teams join the Varsity team in running onto the field as they return from halftime. FHS JV played & defeated Oxnard 14-6 and Varsity defeated Grace 54-40. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
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On Friday, September 12th, Fillmore Flashes Varsity hosted their annual Youth Night as they took on Grace High School. Above is FHS defense putting a stop to a Grace player during Friday night’s game. Inset, Flashes JV played Oxnard High School; a Flashes player ran the ball up the field as teammates cleared his path during Friday’s game. FHS defeated Oxnard, 14-6. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
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By Head Football Coach Charlie Weis M. Ed.

The Fillmore Flashes football team continued their perfect season Friday night with an electric 54-40 win over the Grace
Lancers, moving to 4-0 on the year. In front of a packed home crowd for the annual Youth Night, the game was a tale of two
halves that highlighted the resilience and firepower of the Flashes.

Trailing 20-14 at halftime, Fillmore came out of the locker room with renewed energy, scoring 27 unanswered points to take
control with a commanding 41-20 lead. The dramatic turnaround showcased the team’s ability to make key halftime adjustments
and execute under pressure.

Senior standout and two-way star Thomas Alamillo ignited the second-half surge, delivering a 50-yard interception return for
a touchdown, a 40-yard touchdown run, and a 41-yard touchdown reception—all in the second half. His explosive performance
set the tone and proved to be too much for the Lancers to overcome, despite their late-game push.

The Fillmore defense, led by senior linebacker Mauricio Ocegueda, was instrumental in breaking the game open. Ocegueda
racked up 16 tackles on the night and helped anchor a unit that completely shut down Grace in the third quarter, allowing
the offense to build a dominant lead. The Flashes’ physicality and relentlessness on defense were key in flipping the
momentum of the game.

The atmosphere was especially memorable with dozens of youth football players and cheerleaders in attendance, taking part in
the annual Youth Night tradition. Seeing future generations of Flashes share the field with current players served as a
powerful reminder of what makes small-town Fillmore football so special.

The Flashes will wrap up their non-league schedule this Friday as they travel to face longtime rival Carpinteria. The
Warriors, currently 1-1, will look to play spoiler, while Fillmore aims to remain unbeaten heading into their bye week
before league play begins.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. On Friday, September 19th. JV plays at El Camino Real Charter High School on Thursday, September
18th at 4p.m.

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During the month of August 2025, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit, along with the Ventura
County Aviation Unit, located an illicit marijuana cultivation operation in a remote location in the Los Padres National
Forest. The Narcotics Unit partners with the California Department of Justice – Eradication and Prevention of Illicit
Cannabis Team (EPIC) each year to identify and eradicate illicit marijuana cultivation operations on public lands.

On September 5, 2025, the Ventura County Special Weapons and Tactics Team and Narcotic Detectives executed a search
warrant at the cultivation operation with the assistance of the Aviation Unit, the National Guard Counter Drug Task
Force, and EPIC. The search warrant resulted in locating a large illicit marijuana cultivation grow with approximately
2,500 actively growing plants.

Additionally, two rudimentary living quarters with food and cooking supplies, a man-made reservoir, thousands of feet of
plastic watering hose, pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, and trash were located within the cultivation area. Also
of significant note, evidence was located indicating this illicit marijuana cultivation was operated by the Cartel
Jalisco New Generation, a Mexican-based drug cartel.

It was discovered that the operation was syphoning water from a natural spring into the manmade reservoir, which was
then pumped to the plants throughout the cultivation area. The plants and water were treated with various pesticides,
fertilizers, and insecticides, including a Spanish-labeled insecticide containing Metamidofos. According to the
California Environmental Protection Agency, Metamidofos is highly toxic and banned in the United States. This
cultivation was located near Munson Creek, and any water runoff drains directly into the creek before ultimately flowing
into the Sespe Creek.

Detectives eradicated all the marijuana plants and approximately 2,000 pounds of trash and infrastructure located in the
cultivation. The approximate black-market value of 2,500 plants, once processed, could be as much as $2,000,000,
depending on the plant’s yield. Additionally, illicit marijuana cultivation operations circumvent Proposition 64’s
cultivation tax, which could be as much as $750,000 for a cultivation of this size. Furthermore, this illicit
cultivation caused substantial and lasting environmental harm to public land set aside for our community’s enjoyment.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detectives will continue to seek out, disrupt, and destroy these types of
illicit marijuana cultivation operations.

Prepared by: Sergeant Dan Ashmore

News Release Date: 9/8/2025

Approved by: Captain Matthew Young

Booking Photo Release:

NO 1

***

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal
complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded.
Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Rotherie Durell Foster, 37, Camarillo, Ca

VENTURA, Calif. – After a seven-day preliminary hearing, a Ventura County Superior Court Judge has ordered Rotherie Durell
Foster (DOB 11/03/85), of Camarillo, to stand trial on 35 felony counts, including the murders of Jose Velasquez and Bill
Levy, a violent armed robbery in Fillmore, and a series of financial fraud crimes. The court also held Foster to answer on
six special circumstances and all special allegations alleged by prosecutors, including murder for financial gain, personal
and intentional discharge of a firearm, and murder by poison.

Foster is accused of murdering Mr. Velasquez in 2022, stealing his van and financial information, and later disposed of his
body in the Santa Monica Mountains. That same year, Foster is charged with murdering Mr. Levy through intentional fentanyl
poisoning. While he committed Mr. Levy’s murder, Foster stole Mr. Levy’s phone, bank card, and credit cards in order to
drain his bank accounts.

Foster is also accused of committing an armed robbery at La Unica Mini Mart in Fillmore in July 2022, where employees were
held at gunpoint, bound with duct tape, and robbed of thousands of dollars in cash. In addition, he faces multiple charges
of financial fraud targeting vulnerable and elderly victims.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide
Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Foster is scheduled to be arraigned on the information on October 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura
County Superior Court. He remains in custody with no bail.

Case: 2023001092

Defendant Information:

Rotherie Durell Foster (DOB 11/03/85) Camarillo

Charges:

• PC 187(a) – Murder (2 counts)

• PC 211 – Robbery (4 counts)

• PC 459 – Burglary

• PC 487(a) – Grand theft (3 counts)

•PC 368(d) – Theft, forgery and identity theft from an elder/dependent adult (10 counts)

• PC 470 – Forgery (2 counts)

• PC 530.5(a) – Identity theft (9 counts)

• PC 25850(a) – Carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle

• PC 30305(a)(1) – Possession of ammunition by a prohibited person

• PC 29800 – Felon in possession of a firearm (2 counts)

Special allegations:

• PC 189(a) – 1st degree murder

• PC 190.2(a)(1) – Murder for financial gain

• PC 190.2(a)(17)(A) – Murder during the commission of robbery

• PC 190.2(a)(17)(G) – Murder during the commission of burglary

• PC 190.2(a)(3) – Multiple murders

• PC 190.2(a)(19) – Murder of a witness

• PC 667(c) – Serious or violent felony (strike prior)

• PC 667(e)(2)(C)(iii) – Prior serious or violent felony conviction

• PC 12022.53(d) – Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury

• PC 12022.53(b) – Personal use of a firearm

• PC 667(a)(1) – Prior serious felony conviction

• PC 667.9(a) – Crime committed against a vulnerable victim

• PC 790(b) – Jurisdiction

***

Contact: Joey Buttitta

Title: Communications Manager/PIO

Phone: (805) 767-3400

Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov

Approved: PN

Date: September 5, 2025

Release No.: 25-111

***

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Gazette posted – online Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

On 02/08/2023, detectives with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau arrested (S1) Rotherie Foster for the robbery at La Unica
Mini Market.

On 07/03/2022, at approximately 07:42 AM, deputies from the Fillmore Police Department responded to a robbery that occurred
at La Unica Mini Market, located along the 500-block of Old Telegraph Road in the City of Fillmore. Deputies learned that
two unknown male suspects entered the market and brandished their firearms at the store’s employees while demanding money.
The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the store. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major
Crimes Bureau responded to assist with the investigation.

During the investigation, detectives identified one of the robbery suspects as (A)-Rotherie Foster. On 02/08/2023,
detectives contacted Foster at the Todd Road Jail, where he was incarcerated for an unrelated case. Foster was arrested and
supple mentally booked for PC 211-Robbery.

On 02/08/2023, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of second-degree robbery against Foster. Foster
remains in custody and his next court date is scheduled for 04/12/2023.

This is an on-going investigation. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau is seeking the public’s assistance in

identifying the second suspect. If anyone has information that would be helpful in this case, please contact Detective Corey
Stump at (805) 384-4745 or by email at Corey.Stump@Ventura.Org.

***

Nature of Incident: Robbery Arrest / Request for Public Assistance

Report Number: 22-87452

Location: 500-block of Old Telegraph Road
Date & Time: 07/03/2022 at 07:42 AM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Police Department Investigation Unit, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age

(S1) Rotherie Foster, 37, Camarillo

(S2) Unknown

Prepared by: Sergeant Francisco Jauregui

Approved by: Captain Victor Medina

At Tuesday night’s city council meeting the city presented a proclamation for September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encouraged community-wide participation in suicide prevent efforts. Pictured is Mayor Christina Villaseñor presenting Maya Zumaya with the proclamation.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, 6:30 PM CITY HALL

All items passed 5-0 vote.

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ROLL CALL

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

5. PRESENTATIONS

5.A PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 2025 AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY-WIDE PARTICIPATION IN SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS

7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, COMMENTS, COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS

8. CONSENT CALENDAR
RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEM 8A. THROUGH 8B. IS TO BE APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE.

8.A CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-SEPTEMBER 9, 2025.PDF

8.B AUGUST 26, 2025 - REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUCNIL MEETING MINUTES.PDF

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.A AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING SERVICES BETWEEN CITY OF FILLMORE AND SANTA CLARA VALLEY DISPOSAL AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RATES AS REQUIRED FOR A PROPOSITION 218 MAJORITY PROTEST PROCESS AND
APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 25-4083 TO AUTHORIZE RATES AND ANNUAL INCREASES FOR A FOUR-YEAR (4-YEAR) PERIOD COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2029 WITHIN THE CITY OF FILLMORE
SR RESTATED HARRISON AGREEMENT - RATE INCREASE 2025.PDF

9.B PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT 25-02 (ZOA 25-02) TO IMPLEMENT 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
SR ORD 25-987 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE.PDF

9.C AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE KM INTERNATIONAL 2-TON HOT BOX THROUGH THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM
SR - AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE KM INTERNATIONAL 2-TON HOT BOX. FINAL.PDF

10. CITY MANAGER
CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT

11. CLOSED SESSION

11.A CLOSED SESSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 SEPTEMBER 09, 2025 - CLOSED SESSION.PDF

12. ADJOURNMENT

MAYOR CHRISTINA VILLASEÑOR ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025, CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.

Denise Berrington, New FUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services

Denise Berrington is a seasoned school business leader with more than 17 years of experience in California public education. She specializes in fiscal stewardship, facilities management, transportation, energy efficiency, and long-range planning, and has a strong record of leading organizational improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support student success.

Most recently, Denise served as Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation for Moorpark Unified School District, where she led a team of 75 employees, oversaw multimillion-dollar construction projects, and managed district-wide safety initiatives. She secured more than $7.5 million in grants to modernize HVAC systems and $6 million to launch one of the county’s largest clean-energy school bus programs, driving major sustainability and efficiency gains.

Prior to that, she spent nearly 12 years with the Fillmore Unified School District in various leadership roles, where she built a strong foundation in facilities and organizational management. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her collaborative leadership style, ability to build strong teams, and strategic approach to aligning operations with district-wide goals.

Denise holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University and is completing her MBA with a concentration in Finance. She completed a certificate from the USC School Business Management Program, earned her School Business Finance Certificate through CASBO, and is a CASBO Certified Chief Business Official (CBO).

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By Linda Nunes

Civic Pride Volunteers have selected the yard at 731 Balden, belonging to Victor & Veronica Aguilar and their family which includes Candy, Brandon, Alexis, Michael & Nick, for the September “Yard of the Month.” The family moved to Fillmore from Santa Paula in 2021.

Victor is the one who enjoys the yard work & designed the miniature tree Roses to surround the inside of the white picket fence. These Roses have blooms of red, shades of pink & orange. He removed a big tree in the center of the yard & planted a tree that has four different fruits grafted on; apricot, plum & two different types of peaches. All of these have produced fruit, says Victor.

Other fruit trees in the front yard are Pomegranate, Strawberry Guava, & Lime. Veronica says they have trees with oranges & figs in the backyard. Victor trained a large seedless green grape vine to grow across the entry way & on across the top of the garage door opening, giving the home great “curb appeal”.

Near the entry way, a very unusual, deep purple shrub with beautifully shaped leaves was described by Veronica as a red blooming Hibiscus that they brought from Mexico as seeds & have successfully grown it into a show piece. Other plants seen are white grandiflora roses, small palm trees, an Aloe & tomatoes with lettuce in a pot.

The Aguilar family looks forward to exploring Otto & Sons Nursery to use their gift card award. Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for generously providing this award to keep our project going. We have seen creative improvements all around the community…making Fillmore beautiful!