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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The El Nino Town Hall Meeting for the Santa Clara Valley is Tuesday November 17, 2015 from 6pm-8pm at the Veterans Memorial Building in Fillmore. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Vicente Sosa Pedrito, Aka: Juan Mendoza, Juvenal Martinez, Alfonso DeLeon, “El Peluchin”, DOB: 05/29/1967, 05/05/1975, Sex: Male, Ethnicity: Hispanic, Eye Color: Brown, Hair Color: Black, Height: 5’5”, Weight: 150, CDL: C6458134, Tattoos: Rose flower on left hand, Jesus on left arm, woman on right arm. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating Vicente Sosa Pedrito. Pedrito has been out of compliance with his sex registration requirements since March 18, 2015. Vicente Sosa Pedrito Felony Warrant issued on 03/13/2015 for Probation Violation and Failure to Register as Sex Offender. Information about Pedrito's whereabouts can be shared with: |
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By Leslie McAdam — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Laura Bartels Santa Clara Valley Attorney Laura Bartels was recently selected to be the recipient of the Ben E. Nordman award, the highest honor of the Ventura County Bar Association. She will receive the prestigious honor on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the bar’s annual dinner at Ventura’s Crowne Plaza Hotel at 7 PM. Known for her two decades of work with Fillmore’s Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, Laura began volunteering there as an attorney in 1997, acting as the director since 2002- two decades of volunteering every Thursday night during the school year. Laura is proud of the fact that most of the attorneys at SCVLA have received the California State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award; Laura received the award in 2001 along with attorney Debora Vierra, the legal aid’s founder. Legal Aid has served over 11,000 people since its inception. It is unique as an all-volunteer organization that relies exclusively on individual donations. Laura describes the power of transformation at SCVLA – how the focused, active listening to people sharing their problems and giving them legal advice and hope, validates their concerns and liberates them toward change. She loves helping people because it is “so rewarding.” SCVLA provides information to the individuals and families who come; if necessary, individual matters are handled by the attorneys on their own. Laura started volunteering in the 1990s for the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, helping victims of clergy sexual misconduct. She observed first-hand “the transformative power of having the person tell their story and having someone listen and be an advocate.” Since then, she hasn’t stopped being of service. She has been elected Bardsdale’s representative to the Valley Advisory Committee (a Santa Clara Valley land use advisory committee to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors), appointed to the Ventura County Planning Commission (including serving as chair), a member of the Santa Paula Hospital Board of Directors; a mentor for Ventura County Big Brother-Big Sisters; recipient of the Fillmore Soroptimist Women of Distinction; a member of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board; a Ventura County 99 (women pilot’s); President of the Ventura County Bar Association, and many, many other activities, including coaching Fillmore High School Mock Trial. Laura’s unique ability to immediately connect to people strengthens the bond created in serving others. For four years she organized a winter coat drive in Fillmore, giving away around 1,800 coats; this was the only time I have ever been Black Friday shopping: with Laura Bartels at 3:00 in the morning, buying out Macy’s, Old Navy, and J.C. Penney’s. After the coat drive got too unwieldy, she still went to Walmart, bought as many soccer balls as would fit in her car (over fifty) and gave them out at Christmas. Last year she actively participated in a local coalition in providing assistance to immigrant children fleeing from Central America, who were temporarily housed at Port Hueneme Naval Air Base. Husband Bill is the Ventura County Film Liaison and Laura’s supportive, caring and deeply loved partner. Married 28 years ago, their 3 children are the fifth generation of Bartels who have grown up in the ranch house built by Bill’s great grandfather 100 years ago. Son Matthew (13) is an 8th grader at Fillmore Middle School; Hannah (15) is a 10th grader at La Reina High School; and Nico (17) is a senior at Fillmore High School. The family farm is currently planted to artichokes, but has grown jalapeños for Sriracha hot chili sauce, Brussels sprouts and navels and Valencias. After high school on the north Oregon coast, Laura attended Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college in the country, with a degree in History and a minor in Women’s Studies. Laura and Bill moved to Fillmore in 1986 and she started working for attorney John Scoles in 1988 as a legal assistant. With his encouragement, she began studying law at Ventura College of Law in the mid-90s and took the February 1997 bar. With her paralegal Joi Searson, office manager Andrea Davis, and office German Shepherds Twiggy and Brando, she has an active probate and estate planning practice in Fillmore at Taylor, Scoles & Bartels which is celebrating 85 years of serving the families and farmers of the Santa Clara Valley. Laura is quite the Foo Fighters fan, and thanks to family connections, Laura has seen, to date, 39 shows, in cities throughout California, as well as St. Louis, Atlantic City, New York, Kansas City, and even Germany. Recently her seats were on the stage with her mother, where the guitar techs had to walk around her. Besides the Foos, she is a licensed pilot and her hobbies are photography, activities with her children, and cheering Le Tour de France. She also collects handshakes with famous people. On her list so far: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm, guitarist Dave Grohl, writer Ram Dass, actor Richard Gere, model Cindy Crawford, software guru Peter Norton, California Chief Justice Ronald George (ret.), California Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakayue, and singer Sheryl Crowe. Noted anthropologist Margaret Mead was a good friend of Laura’s mother and her famous quote seems to have seeped its way into the fiber of Laura’s being: “Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world … indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Laura has received other honors and awards, including the Volunteer Lawyer Services Program award in 2001 and 2003, and the Holly Spevak Memorial Award from the Ventura County Women Lawyers in 2012. However, the Nordman award is truly a special honor. Please call the Ventura County Bar Association at 805-650-7599 for ticket and sponsorship information. Reservations are required. Leslie McAdam is a partner at Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP, where she handles business litigation, employment counsel and litigation, and real estate matters. Leslie is a six year veteran volunteer of Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 The Fillmore Unified School Board presented the Fillmore Alumni Association with a Proclamation of gratitude for all they do for the school community at last week’s school board meeting. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On November 02, 2015, Deputies along with Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau responded to a call of a stabbing at the intersection of Third and B St., in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving, it was discovered the victim had been involved in an altercation with the suspect and the victim sustained a stab wound to the chest. The victim was transported to VCMC where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau. Nature of Incident: Homicide 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). |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
LOS ANGELES – As we honor our military service members on Veterans Day, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to Californians regarding scams targeting seniors who served in the military and their survivors. These scams have been reported to the California Department of Justice’s Public Inquiry Unit. “California’s veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices to keep our nation safe and uphold our most sacred values and freedoms,” said Attorney General Harris. “Sadly, many of our senior veterans are being targeted by scam artists seeking to take advantage of them for a quick profit. My office will continue to protect our veterans and ensure that predators who seek to profit from their service are held accountable.” These reported “pension poaching” scams prey on veterans and target the financial assistance offered through the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Program, which provides pension benefits to financially disadvantaged wartime veterans and their survivors over 65 years of age. Specifically, pension poaching scams involve unscrupulous insurance agents and their representatives posing as unpaid volunteers or accredited VA representatives who offer to help seniors apply for VA pension benefits. These insurance agents and their representatives lure seniors into buying an annuity or setting up an irrevocable trust to create a false appearance of financial hardship by attempting to conceal the senior’s assets. Insurance agents and their representatives charge high fees for these services, including undisclosed sales commissions that are paid to the purported volunteer. Targeted seniors may not be fully aware of the consequences of moving their assets into an annuity or irrevocable trust, such as strict withdrawal limitations leaving them without access to funds they may actually need for their care. Although a VA pension benefits application based on false financial need may be successful, those who receive this benefit may face significant financial and legal consequences if the concealed funds are discovered, including repayment of benefit amounts received. Seniors who receive other VA or government-sponsored benefits that require disclosure of funds held in annuities and irrevocable trusts are especially vulnerable to reversal of their VA pension benefit. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE OFFERS TO HELP YOU APPLY FOR VA PENSION BENEFITS HELPFUL RESOURCES You can also file a complaint with the California Department of Justice by visiting http://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company. A searchable list of VA-accredited representatives is available at www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp or call 1-800-827-1000. For more information about VA Aid and Attendance pension benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov/pension. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, November 9th, 2015
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced that CDPH has received the first report of an influenza-associated fatality in a person under the age of one year for the 2015-2016 flu season. The death occurred in Stanislaus County and serves as another somber reminder that influenza can cause serious illness or death. “As California’s public health officer, I am saddened when the flu turns into loss of life,” Dr. Smith said. “It is especially troubling when a baby, too young to be vaccinated, passes away. To protect babies who cannot yet be vaccinated, we should get our flu shots. Preventing the spread of this often deadly disease is why getting vaccinated is so important.” Young children less than a year of age are at increased risk of severe influenza. While children cannot be vaccinated for the flu until they are six months old, there are several ways to protect them. Pregnant women should get vaccinated. This will protect the mother and the newborn baby. Also, anyone who is around a young child or other high-risk person should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of spreading influenza. Overall influenza activity in California remains sporadic, but Dr. Smith points out that influenza viruses circulate at their peak levels from December through April. "I urge you to be vaccinated now before the flu really spreads widely to protect yourself and those around you," said Dr. Smith. Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the 2015-2016 flu season. Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season. Only deaths in persons under age 65 are reported to CDPH and many influenza-associated deaths are unrecognized. Therefore, the actual number of deaths due to influenza was much greater. Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also: • Stay home when sick Dr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations. For more information about the flu visit the CDPH influenza web page.To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department A stabbing took the life of Fillmore resident Edgar Torres Monday night in the 900 block of Third Street, Fillmore. The call went out at approximately 9pm. Torres, a 2009 Fillmore High graduate, died from his wounds at the Ventura County Medical Center. There is no information on what led up to the altercation. No arrests have been made and investigators were still on scene Tuesday morning. A www.Gofundme.com site has been set up to help with funeral expenses. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
 Kate English, the new Director of One Step A La Vez, presented the program at Rotary. She expressed her excitement as she described a La Vez as a drop-in center with homework help, a community center with classes for parents, a food distribution center, and a place to guide teens age 13-19 toward a better future. They also have guest speakers and field trips to expand their horizons. The site is located at 421 Sespe Avenue. Three students, Noah, Emily and Dillon, talked about what the center meant to them. After the program the Rotary Club presented them with a check for $500. Pictured (l-r) are Kate English, Noah, Emily, Dillon and Cindy Blatt. Enlarge Photo |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
 Realtor Cindy Diaz-Telly warned “If the seller refuses (the inspection) it can cause an escrow to fail...it brings up red flags to the lenders” regarding the new Home Sale Ordinance. An ordinance regarding home sale requirements has once again brought local realtors to the Fillmore City Council Meeting. They had shown up to the original scheduling of this item on October 27, 2015 but were not notified of the meeting's cancellation. The cancellation was a result of agenda not being made public in the legal timely manor. City Manager David Rowlands stated it was the responsibility of Patrick Maynard to post it, but there was some confusion on what the legal timely requirements were. The new ordinance, Humane Living Standards Residential Inspection Program, has local realtors in strong opposition. A card mailer was sent out last week along with robo calls asking for the publics’ input on the ordinance. The Council has changed the original ordinance draft and it now reflects that the housing inspection is voluntary. But realtor Cindy Diaz-Telly countered by saying the added red tape causes problems stating, "If the seller refuses (the inspection) it can cause an escrow to fail...it brings up red flags to the lenders." She continued stating she is already seeing pushback on sales and told the Council the realtors encouraged the council to work together with them, but that they did not reach out to the realtors before moving forward with the ordinance. She made the point that it was a code enforcement issue, not a real estate issue adding that real estate is the leading factor in economic recovery in Fillmore and this is harming that recovery. Realtor Dennis Goldstein spoke of the data that was sent to the Council which showed percentages of homes now built and the percentages 35 years in the future and questioned, "How effective is this ordinance going to be?" He ended with saying there are may things a city can do such as code enforcement. Real Estate Broker D.J. Ward VCCAR President told the Council, "We're encouraged to disclose" all issues related to the property and "the ordinance, although well intended, will create problems" financially with the sale. He explained that the buyers and sellers often negotiate the price when property needs improvements or changes, adding, "We feel it is a burdensome ordinance that is not in the best interest for a percentage of Fillmore." Attorney Neal P. Maguire with Ferguson, Case, Orr, Peterson L.L.P. spoke of the problems with a Point of Sale Program such as the ordinance, stating that it often comes with incomplete reports especially with older homes and the cities often shift the problem to the homeowner when the problem should stay with the cities regarding the property history. The ordinance states the City of Fillmore has 14 days to submit a report and Maguire felt that is too long, saying a two day period would be more appropriate and that there should be a penalty if the report is not given in a timely manor or the property sale should be allowed to move forward without it. Fillmore Real Estate Broker Evaristo H. Barajas, who formerly served as Mayor of Fillmore, addressed the Council stating the "human living conditions" are unacceptable. "Fillmore has half the mean income of Ventura County....when on the Council we worked on making it easier for the people of Fillmore....have you thought about the people living in those homes?" He continued by informing the Council the vacancy rate in Fillmore is zero and that the Council should be thinking of ways to provide housing. "This is survival for some people...you're approaching it the wrong way...it's human survival." City Manager Rowlands responded, "What's the right thing...what's the fair thing to do?" City Attorney Tiffany Israel was asked what experience her law firm has dealing with such ordinances and she responded the programs are a success. Councilwoman Carrie Broggie thanked the realtors for their coming forward to speak and said that she realized it might be an inconvenience to the buyer and seller, but "it is a violation of the law" and the Council "can't turn a blind eye when they know what is going on." Councilman Rick Neal stated he had heard from the public and they told him they were happy with the ordinance. He added that he agrees with having a shorter time to submit the reports to the seller, that it would be better than the 15 days the ordinance now requires, and that there should be some relief for the seller if it not done in a timely manor. Councilwoman Diane McCall said she also spoke with the public on the ordinance and that not one person was in support of it. "I'm not for it.....it infringes on ownership rights....this is voluntary, so we're not accomplishing what we're trying to do." She continued that the City needs to step up code enforcement and she understood that is was well intentioned. "At what point do we draw the line...we don't have enough housing for people to live." McCall ended with, "If this were to be brought to the public for a vote it would be voted down." Mayor Douglas Tucker stated that his interactions with the public regarding the ordinance was about half in favor and half opposed. Tucker then mentioned extreme conditions such as 20 people living in a one bedroom house and spoke of unethical realtors showing homes before the foreclosure process. He mentioned the Brown Act and its requirement for open public comments and that the discussions were helpful, "We've listened to the realtors, I think we've done a good job of listening....I think this ordinance does a good job." McCall then interjected, "We haven't really spent a great deal of time on this, with what--three meetings? I would like a subcommittee to research the impact on the real estate market." Neal responded he did not want a subcommittee, "I'm convinced how I feel about it...the robo calls and mailers were misleading." Broggie said she sees it as a tryout with it having a sunset clause in 18 months which Tucker agreed saying "....the 18 months give time to see how well it works." Neal asked to bring it to a vote, which ended with a 3-1 decision and McCall the only No vote (Council Member Manuel Minjares not in attendance). Another item on the agenda was the proposed light signal on Highway 126 and Mountain View. It seems that for every plan check submitted to Caltrans a new item is required by the State. The plans have been submitted three times. This last time two additional items have been added that were not part of the original plans. A 140' retaining wall 5' high on the northeast corner along Hwy 126 which needs surveying, designing and a geotechnical report and will take approximately 8 weeks, is now required. This means they will not break ground until 2016. Police Chief Dave CONTINUED » |