Phillips was arrested for allegedly pointing a laser at a Sheriff’s helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

On 12-27-2011, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 500 block of Central Avenue in Fillmore. Sheriff’s deputies requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit in an attempt to search for the gunman who fled from the scene of the shooting.

Members of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit launched Air Squad 9 from the Camarillo Airport to assist in the search for the gunman. Air Squad 9 was manned by a sheriff’s pilot, sheriff’s crew chief, and by a Ventura County firefighter/paramedic. When they arrived on the scene of the shooting, the crew of Air Squad 9 utilized night vision goggles to assist in the search for the gunman.

While conducting the search, the crew was subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. When a laser beam is directed at a subject utilizing night vision goggles, the subject can experience serious eye damage, whiteout conditions and disorientation because the night vision goggles do not have the ability to compensate for higher levels of light generated by a laser beam. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

The crew of Air Squad 9 continued their search for the gunman involved in the shooting when they were subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter a second time. The crewmembers were able to pinpoint the house where the laser beam was coming from, but they were unable to make contact with the occupants at that time. As a result of the laser incident, the crew of Air Squad 9 could not safely complete the flight and had to return to the Camarillo Airport.

On 12-28-11, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit began assisting in the investigation of the incident. They arrested Torrey Phillips at his residence in the 600 block of Fernglen Circle for an outstanding felony warrant. When Phillips was arrested, he was found to be in possession of a green laser pointer. As a result of their investigation, gang unit investigators found that Phillips pointed the laser beam at the sheriff’s helicopter on two different occasions on 12-27-11 while the helicopter was assisting in the search for the gunman.

Phillips was booked into the Ventura County Jail for discharging a laser at an aircraft and for felony warrants.

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Fillmore Fire Department responded to an unknown type explosion 118 B St. (Convalescent Center). upon arrival Fillmore Fire Chief met with facility staff and was briefed on what they believed was an explosion that appeared to have originated from the roof area. Fillmore fire personnel laddered the building and check for damage to roof area. Fire personnel used their gas monitor and checked the area and building for any gas leaks. No leaks could be found. Gas company was called out to this location and met with Fillmore fire Chief and briefed. No injuries to report and no evacuation of facility was necessary.

Fillmore Fire Chief, Fillmore Engine 91, Squad 91, Quint 91, Engine 191 and MRE 27 responded to this incident.

Being the first baby born in Ventura County in the New Year is an honor. And this year the honor went to Jayden Bernal and his parents Joshua Bernal and Angela Bustos, both of Fillmore.

Jayden was born at 12:02 a.m., Sunday, at Santa Paula Hospital. He arrived a few days ahead of schedule, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, 20 inches long.

Jayden’s paternal grandfather, Ramiro Bernal said it’s a good sign that he is the first baby to be born this year.

Congratulations to the Bernal-Bustos families.

The Fillmore Gazette is offering a reward of $300 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the losers who plastered graffiti around town last week. The Gazette previoulsy offered $200 and a concerned citizen added $100 to the reward. Anyone wanting to contribute to the Graffiti Reward fund can visit the Gazette with your name, phone number and amount to be contributed upon arrest and conviction. Thank You.

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Henry "Hank" Data was born in 1916. As a young man leaving the U.S. Navy after World War II, Hank found there were no jobs to be. However Florine, hank's wife, had an uncle named Otto Jones who, with his brother, owned Jones brothers Pontiac in Fillmore and Hank was in the car business.

At 31 years of age, the youngest in his class, Hank took advantage of the G.I. benefits he had coming and was off to the General Motors Institute in Flint Michigan to begin his training as a parts and service manager. He returned to Jones brothers as a genuine GM parts manager, a position he was to hold until 1961 when the Jones brother kids became old enough to take his job. It was then that Wm. L. Morris II hired.

Hank at the Santa Paula location. Bill Jr was the boss but poppers would be there everyday and noticed Hank because of his turning off of un needed lights at the dealership. This got Hank on his good side.
In 1973 when offered a position at the Moorpark location, hank declined citing Grime’s Canyon twice a day as a main hurdle. So, he landed in Fillmore where he worked until his retirement in 1986 with a few returns to "break in a new guy" when called upon by Mr. Morris.

Hank was enlisted and valued greatly as an inventory specialist. Hank worked for over 4 decades in the parts business and 3 of those for Wm. L. Morris Chevrolet Oldsmobile. He is truly our "Employee of the Century".

SACRAMENTO, CA. – An adult male in his late 30’s is the first reported fatality linked to influenza for this influenza season, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer, announced today.

“This death is a somber reminder that the flu can be a serious and even deadly disease,” Chapman said. “I encourage Californians to get their flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their families.”

The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age and includes protection against the H1N1 strain. It is particularly important for people at high risk of complications, including pregnant women, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, children and older adults to be vaccinated. Chapman urged Californians to get their flu shot today if they have not done so already. In addition, the nasal spray flu vaccine is available for healthy individuals ages two through 49 who are not pregnant.

Statewide surveillance shows that influenza activity remains low in California. Typically, influenza peaks between January and March. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu-associated deaths nationwide range from an estimated 3,000 to 49,000 annually.

“Since the flu season can last through May, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine,” Chapman said. “There is plenty of flu vaccine available.”

Get more information about flu and find a flu vaccine clinic near you. www.cdph.ca.gov

Merry Christmas to all! The other day I made a phone call to Santa Claus. I’ve had his phone number since 1993. That was my son Joey's first Christmas. It came to me in the mail, and as a first time father I just figured it came with being a Dad. My Mother always seemed to have his number when I was a kid. She would say, "You better be good or I will call Santa. I’ll tell him not to come by this year." It worked on me and my two sisters. And it always worked for me as a father to all of my kids, Joey, Sarah, Jake, and Mahaila.

When I called Santa, he was working at the North Pole. He was nice enough as always when I called, to stop what he was doing and take the time to talk to me. So this is how it went.

Joe: Merry Christmas Santa. Thank you for taking my call.

Santa: {Laughing} I always have time for you Joe. Merry Christmas!

Joe: I am writing a story on you for the Gazette. Is that okay with you?

Santa: Okay. I need a break right now. I will be glad to talk with you.

Joe: Thank you so much. Well let’s get started. How long have you been bringing gifts to kids?

Santa: All my life that I can remember. I was lucky enough in the year 295 A.D. to have the money to give toys to all the kids in my area. Before you knew it I was doing it for everybody. I never had kids of my own, but I have always loved seeing the kids’ faces when they get a toy or gift from me. It makes me happy.

Joe: Where are you from, the North Pole?

Santa: No. I was born in Smyrna. It’s in Turkey, in the year 280 A.D. That is where I met Mrs. Claus. I was a toy maker. We both love toys and kids. One day in around the year of 350 A.D. we were asked by a Elf named Pa Pa if we wanted to move to the North Pole. He said he had a great work shop of toys, but needed my help to get them to the children around the world. The Mrs. and I talked about it, and we both thought it would be the right thing to do.

Joe: So what is Mrs. Claus's name, may I ask?

Santa: Sure you can. Her name is Annua. But I call her Mama.

Joe: You have called many things, what’s your name?

Santa: Well my name is Nicholas Kris Kringle Claus. Some time ago they made me a Saint of toys. So they called me Santa Claus. I have been known as Saint Nicholas. In Hungary and in Slovenia they call me Mikuals. In the Netherlands and Belgium they call me Sinterklaas. Charles Dickens called me Father Christmas. Some call me Saint Nick or Kris Kringle. All I ask is that you don't call me late for dinner! {Deep Laughter}

Joe: {Laughing} Yeah, I know. I love to eat too! So how many Elfves live at the North Pole, and do they work all year?

Santa: We have 1,278 Elve's here at the work shop. They love this place. It has been their home longer than mine. The way me and the Mrs. feel we are still their guest. We all work together for our big day. But we take a break every year after Christmas is over.

Joe: Santa, does everybody leave you milk and cookies?

Santa: I do love milk and cookies. The fine people in the U.S. and Canada leave me them. In Great Britain and Australia they leave me a little Sherry and Mince Pie. In Sweden and Norway it‘s Rice Porridge. In Ireland it’s Milk or Guinness and Christmas Pudding. Now you know why the call me plump! {Booming Laughter!}

Joe: What is your favorite story or movie about you?

Santa: I like most of all of them. Some are so silly. The people make up their stories, some are so far fetched I have to just laugh. But I guess I still love T’was the Night Before Christmas, the best. But let me tell everybody out there, I am not the reason for Christmas!

Joe: What do you mean about that?

Santa: So many people forget what Christmas is all about.

Joe: What is Christmas to you Santa?

Santa: That’s easy! Christmas is a time to always remember the birth of the Son Of God, Jesus. That is what it is all about. A time we all can come together with our family and friends, in peace and love in our hearts and souls. This is what I was taught since I was a little boy. It is not about what I got or what I did not get for Christmas, it is about the birth of Jesus Christ. They don’t call it Santamas. It is Christmas!

Joe: Wow. Some people do forget the real meaning don't they?

Santa: They sure do. But I know. And so should everybody else.

Joe: I agree with you. But you do make people happy and smile.

Santa: Thank you Joe. If I can do that, then that is my small part of the holidays.

Joe: The first Christmas I remember was in 1966, my whole family was at the house. That was a great one for me.

Santa: You were five years old. Your Mom made sure that all of your family was there that year. Joe, that was the year your Father was killed in that car crash in March. Your Mom needed everybody near her that year. The whole family came to Fillmore! What was missing with your Father gone was made up for all the love from the family in the house that day.

Joe: And you brought me a.....

Santa: A bike! Your first "Big Boy" bike. It was green.

Joe: It sure was.

Santa: I think you needed to know that at that time, you were a "Big Boy".

Joe: Thank you Santa. I will never forget that Christmas.

Santa: No Joe. Thank you. I love to make kids happy. It is so great to be able to give.

Joe: One last question if I could please. What makes the Reindeer fly and how do you do it all in one night?

Santa: Well we have special Reindeer hay we give them on Christmas Eve. They fly as fast as the speed of light. We start in Asia and work our way with a lot of help from my Elves around the world with time. Last stop is the Hawaiian Islands, then home.

Joe: And your Reindeer's name?

Santa: Well you know! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. And of course Rudolph with his nose so bright. I love them all so much. {Deep Ho Ho Ho's}

Joe: Well with that, I know I have taken too much of your time. Merry Christmas Santa. And thank you so much for everything over the years.

Santa: {Laughing} Joe it is always nice to talk with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
So in closing this story out, my Mom would say, " Yes, Denise, Donneta, Joe, Shane, Jeremy, Alyssa, Robbie, Joey, J.D., Sarah, Jake, Mahaila, Haley, Landon, Little Sarah, and Glen...and you too Virginia, whereever you may be. Yes, there is a Santa Claus!