Pictured above is Arnold Munoz and Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez, riding in last Saturday’s Lions Club Christmas Parade.
Pictured above is Arnold Munoz and Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez, riding in last Saturday’s Lions Club Christmas Parade.

This town sure is a small one. Seems like you see and meet people you know everywhere. I originally met Arnold Munoz back some 10ish years ago when I coached my daughter and they sent him in to referee the loud coaches’ game (must have been the other coach). Looking back, I can see why Arnold has a calm and quiet soul, but his passion for keeping this program going and growing is evident in this year’s enrollment and community involvement. He has been involved in the program since 2007 as a coach and referee and then the next year became part of the AYSO Board. In 2012 he was named the Regional Coach Administer and then in 2015 he was elected to Regional Commissioner where he still sits today. You can always catch Arnold at the soccer fields before anyone else arrives, or wait till the end of a hot Saturday game and you might catch him under the shade. During the day he is chalking the fields, setting up, coaching and refereeing, plus all the other duties one takes on in that position. Arnold’s drive and determination has led AYSO242 to be the largest youth organization in Fillmore with approximately 700 players. Before I took this picture and before the start of the parade, Arnold proudly pointed to the magnet sticker on the side of the truck that read Bunnin Chevrolet. I know in previous articles I have mentioned how much they do, but here they are doing it again. AMAZING!

Sitting alongside Arnold in the Lions Club Christmas Parade is Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez. Nancy is currently the AYSO Epic Coordinator and the truck bed held the participants of the Epic Program. AYSO Epic focuses on children who are on the spectrum along with the rest of the special needs community. This completed AYSO Epic’s second successful full year here in Fillmore. Nancy not only has been in radio broadcasting for 25 years, she is also a commissioner on the city of Fillmore’s Cultural, Arts and Recreation Commission. With her son in mind, her biggest passion is for inclusivity through sensory friendly environments. That includes many of the city’s events, which are just starting to roll out thanks to her hard work and determination. She is blessed, like so many of us are, with small town willingness to work together. The city of Fillmore, Estrellas Market, Fire Chief Keith Gurrola and Fillmore City Manager David Rowlands are all helping in making our city more inclusive for all. She is also working to start an inclusive basketball team through the city as well. Nancy is driven and passionate, a true momma bear doing everything in her power to empower her son the best way she knows how.
Nancy and I met while working with a non-profit Charitable Givings Committee (Boys and Girls Club of SCV).That year saw a sizable donation and was very exciting. Next time, Heather Swetman and I were setting up a tree for her company Escalera Pest Control, that she sponsored in memory of Ari Larson at the Boys and Girls Club SVG Light Up the Season event. She was at the soccer field and this past year I have come to know her sweet, friendly, compassionate personality. Her desire to make the world more harmonious for not only her son but the entire community is crystal clear by the programs she is putting into place. I know I for one support her movement. The kids are our future and we have to be mindful that everyone deserves to play.

 


 
On Monday, November 27, at 2:59 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, Fillmore Fire Department, Ventura County Aviation Unit (Air Squad), AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported traffic collision at eastbound SR-126/Old Telegraph Road. Arriving firefighters reported a red Lexus sedan and a Dual gravel truck involved with the Lexus fully engulfed in flames; Ventura County Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. According to radio traffic, both drivers received minor injuries. California Highway Patrol left one eastbound and westbound lane open at the scene, causing traffic to back up from Old Telegraph Road into the Fillmore city limits to the east. Cause of the crash is under investigation by CHP. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Monday, November 27, at 2:59 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, Fillmore Fire Department, Ventura County Aviation Unit (Air Squad), AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported traffic collision at eastbound SR-126/Old Telegraph Road. Arriving firefighters reported a red Lexus sedan and a Dual gravel truck involved with the Lexus fully engulfed in flames; Ventura County Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. According to radio traffic, both drivers received minor injuries. California Highway Patrol left one eastbound and westbound lane open at the scene, causing traffic to back up from Old Telegraph Road into the Fillmore city limits to the east. Cause of the crash is under investigation by CHP. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On Tuesday, November 21, at 2:46 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire Department, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a vehicle versus pedestrian on C Street and Meadowlark Drive. Arriving deputies found an injured child, Brandon Alvarez, 11, who was treated by AMR Paramedics and transported to a local hospital reported in critical condition. It was known the child was riding an electric scooter. The driver remained on scene and was compliant with deputies during the investigation. See Prayers for Brandon. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Tuesday, November 21, at 2:46 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire Department, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a vehicle versus pedestrian on C Street and Meadowlark Drive. Arriving deputies found an injured child, Brandon Alvarez, 11, who was treated by AMR Paramedics and transported to a local hospital reported in critical condition. It was known the child was riding an electric scooter. The driver remained on scene and was compliant with deputies during the investigation. See Prayers for Brandon. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On November 21, at 2:46pm, Fillmore Fire, AMR paramedics and Fillmore Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian at Meadowlark Drive and C Street. The pedestrian, 11-year-old Brandon Alvarez, was coming home from school on an electric scooter when the accident occurred. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, involving a broken neck and brain bleed. The driver of the vehicle remained on-scene. Brandon was later transported to Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. He had just finished soccer playoffs the prior weekend (Boys Jr. Flashes 12U AYSO) and was gearing up for The Bad Boys basketball season. Donations for Brandon’s family may be made at this link: https://mealtrain.com/m3wogl. The Alvarez family is asking for prayers for Brandon, who is thankfully showing improvement. UPDATE: Brandon is home! See family message on page 10.

 
Fillmore has just experienced its first (and hopefully last) example of anti-Semitism. On Thanksgiving Day no less, some ignorant halfwit expressed his hatred for the Jewish people by trespassing over a boundary fence to paint “F... Isreal” [sic] on a newly constructed building across from the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. A note to the racist: You misspelled the word Israel! You must be a Hamas thug. Don't you know that you have collected a curse for your action?
Fillmore has just experienced its first (and hopefully last) example of anti-Semitism. On Thanksgiving Day no less, some ignorant halfwit expressed his hatred for the Jewish people by trespassing over a boundary fence to paint “F... Isreal” [sic] on a newly constructed building across from the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. A note to the racist: You misspelled the word Israel! You must be a Hamas thug. Don't you know that you have collected a curse for your action?" I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. Genesis 12:3.
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Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department

The Fillmore Fire Department in conjunction with the Fillmore Fire Foundation is kicking off the annual Holiday Toy Drive this week. Collection drop off boxes for new toys are available at the Fillmore Police and City Fire Station, City Hall, local banks and Diamond Realty. As part of the Toy Drive, on Sunday, December 3rd, the Fillmore Fire Foundation will be holding the annual BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser to collect donations that are used to purchase hundreds of toys for children in the Fillmore/Piru area. A complete chicken dinner meal is prepared for anyone wanting to donate fifteen dollars ($15) or a brand-new toy valued at fifteen dollars or more. This year, the dinner will be held as a drive through only at the Fillmore High School Cafeteria in the Horseshoe area, enter off First St. Dinner will be served from 5:00 -7:00 PM. The hundreds of toys purchased from this event will be combined with those that are donated by the Community and then distributed on Saturday, December 16th, in a huge Community Holiday Giveaway event. To order your tickets for the December 3rd BBQ Chicken Dinner call 805-524-1500 ext 226. or 805-815-0328 or stop by the Fillmore City Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane. New Toys may also be dropped off at the Fire Station.

 
 
On Monday, November 20, at 3:17 p.m., Fillmore City Fire and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a vehicle fire in the 700 block of Third Street. Arriving fire crews found a white Lexus sedan with smoke from the hood. Flames were starting to appear, and firefighters were able to knock them down in minutes. The vehicle was unoccupied; cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Monday, November 20, at 3:17 p.m., Fillmore City Fire and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a vehicle fire in the 700 block of Third Street. Arriving fire crews found a white Lexus sedan with smoke from the hood. Flames were starting to appear, and firefighters were able to knock them down in minutes. The vehicle was unoccupied; cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On Monday, November 20, at 4:20 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a fight in progress at Meadowlark Park, 966 Meadowlark Drive. Arriving deputies found several juveniles fleeing on foot. While deputies patrolled the area, one subject was placed in handcuffed. At press time it was unknown if any subjects were arrested.
On Monday, November 20, at 4:20 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a fight in progress at Meadowlark Park, 966 Meadowlark Drive. Arriving deputies found several juveniles fleeing on foot. While deputies patrolled the area, one subject was placed in handcuffed. At press time it was unknown if any subjects were arrested.
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On Wednesday, November 22, at 12:28 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported two-vehicle accident on eastbound SR-126 at Francisco Fruit Stand. Arriving firefighters found two vehicles involved, blocking one eastbound lane. AMR Paramedics transported one patient; condition Unknown. The crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Wednesday, November 22, at 12:28 p.m., Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported two-vehicle accident on eastbound SR-126 at Francisco Fruit Stand. Arriving firefighters found two vehicles involved, blocking one eastbound lane. AMR Paramedics transported one patient; condition Unknown. The crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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