Miya Ponsetto, 22, Piru

A Piru woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for a fugitive warrant in connection with a recent assault at a New York City hotel.

Sheriff’s deputies contacted Miya Ponsetto during a traffic stop near her home in Piru. She did not stop for deputies until she reached her residence, and she refused to get out of the car. Deputies forcibly removed her from the vehicle and arrested her for the outstanding warrant. Ponsetto was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, where she is being held without bail for the fugitive warrant. She will remain in local custody pending an extradition hearing. Detectives from the New York Police Department arrived in Ventura County on Thursday morning to help coordinate the arrest.

Nature of Incident: Woman wanted for assault in New York arrested in Piru
Report Number: 21-2852
Location: Marina Circle, Piru, Ca.
Date & Time: January 7, 2021 @ 4:30 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office / New York Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Ponsetto, Miya, Piru, Ca., 22
Prepared by: Captain Eric Buschow
Approved by: Sheriff Bill Ayub

2020 was a watershed year in many ways. There were national and global issues such as the Presidential Election, Black Lives
Matter, and Covid 19, but there were other things going on. People got married, had babies, and bought new homes. People lost loved ones, jobs or had illnesses. The Fillmore Historical Museum would like to collect your memories and thoughts of what you experienced in 2020 for our historical archives. This can be the “BIG Issues” or the personal memories of the year. Your submissions will be property of the Museum and will be stored in the archives. They may be used in research and in written form in reports and historical narratives. If you would like to participate, please submit your thoughts, photos, or stories in whatever format is comfortable for you to the Museum by March 31, 2021. These can be emailed to Fillmore.museum@gmail.com or mailed to Fillmore Historical Museum, PO Box 314, Fillmore, CA 93016.

Courtesy City of Fillmore Post Date:01/12/2021 9:54 AM

Vaccine Registration Information.

The County of Ventura is currently in Phase 1A, Tier 1, 2 and 3 of vaccine distribution. All vaccine phases can be viewed here: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/vaccine-prioritization...
Those in Phase 1A Tier 1, 2 and 3 can register at the following link: www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/portal/.

Proof of being in the current tiers is required at the vaccination site. Please only register if you are in the current phase. Please do not take an appointment for someone in the current phase. The State portal may allow you to register even if you're not in the current phase but you will not be able to get a vaccination at the site unless you are in Phase 1a Tier 1,2 or 3.

You will be required to show one of the following four pieces of identification at your vaccination appointment:
• Health Care Worker employee badge with photo, OR
• Professional license AND a photo ID, OR
• Signed letter from employer on facility letterhead AND a photo ID, OR
• Payment stub from healthcare provider with your name AND a photo ID

For residents of facilities:
• Please provide a medical face sheet or LIC610

The current Phase 1a includes:

Phase 1a Tier 1

• Acute care hospital staff who have patient contact will receive first allocations without regard to status in the medical hierarchy (staff includes all workers that work in the individual unit: janitors, housekeepers, maintenance, security, ward clerks, nurses, physicians, techs, respiratory therapists, lab techs, etc.):
• ICU staff
• COVID holding unit staff
• ER staff
• Registry nurses working in the above units
• All other healthcare workers in the acute care hospital (nurses, doctors, janitors, housekeepers, maintenance, security, ward clerks, nurses, techs, respiratory therapists, lab techs, etc.)
• Staff at Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals.
• Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and similar settings that have registered with the Federal Pharmacy Participation Program (which has contracted Walgreens and CVS to carry out on site vaccination) will have both staff and residents vaccinated together.
• All other hospital support units (laboratory, radiology, etc.)
• Remaining hospital ancillary staff not previously mentioned
• Following vaccination of acute care hospital staff:
• Staff at psychiatric hospitals/residential and in-patient mental health facilities
• Residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals.
• Staff and residents of special needs group living
• Paramedics, EMTs
• Dialysis Centers
• Vaccinators

Phase 1a Tier 2

• Staff at Intermediate Care Facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care.
• Residents of Intermediate Care Facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care.
• Intermediate Care Facilities that have registered with the Federal Pharmacy Participation Program (which has contracted Walgreens and CVS to carry out on site vaccination) will have both staff and residents vaccinated together.
• Primary Care Clinics, including FQHCs, rural health centers and urgent care clinics in zip codes 93015, 93030, 93033, 93036, 93040 and 93060. (While there are many zip codes with elevated case rates, these are the 6 with rates over 50 and which were centers of elevated rates even before the current surge.)
• Jail staff
• Home health care and in-home supportive services/Hospice staff
• Public Health high risk workers and field staff
• Primary Care Clinics, including FQHCs, rural health centers, correctional facility clinics and urgent care clinics not in the above-mentioned zip codes
• Private MD Office Staff
• Surgical Centers
• Dental and other oral health clinics
• Jail medical staff
• Behavioral health outpatient staff/psychologists and social workers/staff of outpatient substance use disorder and crisis stabilization units
• Community health workers including promotoras
• Midwives (not vaccinated as in-hospital staff)
• Medical Examiner Investigators/DA Investigators
• CDPH Licensing & Certification Surveyors
• COVID Testing Site workers/COVID hotel site workers
• Regional center staff

Phase 1a Tier 3

• Other health settings and healthcare workers
• Specialty clinics
• Laboratory workers
• Blood bank workers
• Pharmacy staff not working in settings in higher tiers
• Physical therapists
• Ombudsmen for long term care facilities
• Mortuary and cemetery workers

Volunteer Vaccinator Interest Form

The County of Ventura is seeking volunteers to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations. The State of California has provided a list of authorized vaccinators. If you are interested and listed on the form as an authorized vaccinator please complete and submit the Volunteer Vaccinator Interest Form.

www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information

Circa 1905 crossing the river the hard way.
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1909 picnic celebrating the opening of the Bardsdale Bridge.
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1910 Bardsdale Bridge.
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January 2nd 1914 approach to Sespe Railroad Bridge.
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1914 remains of Sespe Railroad Bridge approach.
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1914 remains of the Muir Street Bridge.
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1914 Sespe bridges before collapse.
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1928 remains of the Bardsdale Bridge.
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1938 Bardsdale Bridge before north end collapsed.
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1982 moving the Bardsdale Post Office over the 1938 Bardsdale Bridge.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Before Fillmore or Bardsdale were established the main centers of population were on Rancho Sespe along the Sespe and Santa Clara Rivers and Rancho Camulos along the Santa Clara River just east of Piru Creek. In order to shop for the necessities of life, families took the wagon road to Santa Paula or Ventura or crossed the Santa Clara River where one could join the existing dirt road to Los Angeles. Needless to say one didn’t make the two day trip to Los Angeles unless it was necessary. Rain in the winter would have made this trip treacherous. Even in the summer the Santa Clara River was a continuously flowing stream fed by a multitude of small creeks. Crossing by horse or wagon was difficult and dangerous because of the running stream and quick sand.

The arrival of the railroad in 1887 made trips to the city much easier as Southern Pacific built bridges across all the streams and the Sespe River. The two day, one way, trip to Los Angeles could now be done in a day. It was a giant leap forward in communication via telegraph and travel via railcar.

But crossing the Santa Clara was still a problem. Developer, Royce Surdam, was selling property in Bardsdale south of the Santa Clara River. He would pick up potential buyers at the train station in Fillmore and take them by buggy or in an 18 passenger carriage across the river to view property for sale.

Crossing the Santa Clara remained a problem until about 1908. That year, C.C. Elkins found himself trapped on the north side of the river unable to get to his home on the south side of the river because of the high water. It was one of those storms when the Santa Clara River was running nearly bank to bank. Elkins, with several Fillmore residents, fed up with the situation made the trip to Ventura where the Board of Supervisors was in session. Elkins, dressed in his dirty blue overalls and work shirt was asked by the group to be their spokesman. When it was his turn to speak he told the Supervisors that the river stood between him and his clean clothes but that was just the smallest of the issues. The river posed serious problems year round with access between Fillmore and the south side of the valley. In January, 1908, the Basolo and Armstrong families had tried to cross the river through the rolling stream. Their wagon box filled with water and the young Armstrong son was swept into the raging water. Armstrong was able to save his son but the wagon, its contents and horses were still in danger. Soon Minnie Basolo and Bill Elkins showed up to help and rescued the wagon and families with extra horses, chains and ropes. The men had to swim under the wagons to attach the chains in order to salvage the rig.

After the near disasters of January, 1908, and the requests from Elkins and other Fillmore and Bardsdale residents, the Supervisors finally agreed to have the bridge built. It opened with a gala celebration on November 23, 1909. Four thousand people showed up to celebrate. Each was presented with a button that proclaimed “All Roads lead to Fillmore. Meet me there.”

But bridges didn’t always last. In 1914 the approach and part of the structure of the Bardsdale Bridge was washed away as were the Sespe railroad bridge and the Muir Street car bridge. In a short time the railroad bridge was replaced and the Muir St. Bridge was replaced with a new one built closer to the railroad bridge.

In 1928, the entire Bardsdale Bridge superstructure and floor disappeared when the St. Francis Dam failed and sent a 40’ wall of water down the Santa Clara River. Construction began that year on a replacement bridge using the remaining piers for support.

In 1938, flooding washed away the north approach to the Bardsdale Bridge. At first a bosons’ chair was slung across the river for access, one person at a time. Within weeks a swinging bridge was constructed for pedestrian traffic. The local Chamber of Commerce kept a car and driver at the north end of the swinging bridge providing transport for those who needed to shop in town or conduct other business. The new approach piers were finished by June, 1939.

By 1993, the 1928 structure over the Santa Clara was described as too narrow and too “risky.” In the 1950s and 60s there had been a sign on each end declaring that it was a “one way bridge for trucks and buses”. By 1993 that warning was gone and crossing the bridge was a nerve-racking adventure if a semi-truck or a bus was coming from the opposite direction. At a width of only 10 feet for each lane, it was too narrow for modern cars and trucks. Accidents were commonplace.

With the finish of the new modern bridge in 1994, the old, green, 1928 bridge superstructure was purchased by the city and moved to a storage location on the north side of the river near the Pole Creek outlet. There it sat for years as the city tried to find it a new home. You could see it every now and then as the setting for a movie or commercial.

Finally with construction of the new subdivision it was repurposed as the Mountain View entrance to “The Bridges.” Two parts of the superstructure are at the Mountain View entrance and two additional parts are now south of the new traffic light on the east end of Fillmore at the entrance to Heritage Valley Grove.

The old green bridges now serve the community in a new safer way and are a reminder of what used to be the most dangerous crossing in the county.

Michael Lara

Michael Lara passed away last weekend after a short battle with Covid. Michael was loved by so many in Fillmore and Santa Paula, where he kept his home. For years his beautiful voice and organ playing could be heard each week at Fillmore's St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Sebastian's in Santa Paula. He was the foundation for many of the programs at St. Francis and his contributions are irreplaceable. Michael was a true friend to so many and his passing leaves a sad void. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without measure and is now reunited with his beloved mother and father. Well done thou good and faithful servant.

On December 30th the California COVID Relief small business and non-profit grant program opened up to accept applications. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can be used to pay for an establishment’s rent, utilities, resources, employee expenses and other relevant costs. The deadline to apply for the first round is midnight on Friday, January 8, 2021. For additional information please visit https://careliefgrant.com. Courtesy City of Fillmore https://www.fillmore ca.com/Home/Components/News/News/3302/18 Post Date:12/30/2020.

Sanitary Dairy truck in 1925, with Cliff, Dorothy, Russell and Evelyn Hardison sitting on the truck. Children would jump on and off the running boards to deliver milk.
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Elvira Hardison at food stand, 1955.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

The local dairy was founded in 1916 by Elvira and Clifford Hardison. Clifford Hardison was the resident manager on the Hardison Ranch Company’s La Campana property in Sespe when the young couple decided to start their own farm properties. When the nearby highway was realigned south from Muir, they then bought 10 acres on “Telegraph Road”. They bought cows (some from other local farmers) and started a herd of about 30. A modern milking barn and milk handling room were built to plans from the University of California. A prefabricated grain silo was purchased from Sears and set up on site. It was topped with an arrow and large wooden milk bottle and painted “SD”, signage that could be seen from the highway. A hay barn and corrals housed the cattle.

The name “Sanitary” meant the cows were certified as healthy and the raw milk handled according to all regulations. It was carefully chilled, put into glass bottles and promptly deliver by twice-daily routes throughout the area – as fresh as it could be!

Elvira Hardison opened a stand alongside the dairy and offered fresh-squeezed orange juice from their trees and dairy products from the cows that were milked where the public could watch. Homemade sandwiches and candies, sodas and other items were for sale. A small gas station, restrooms and shaded picnic area made the place a popular stop for locals and travelers approaching Fillmore.

The dairy prospered and expanded over the years. Their children all worked at dairy chores. Dorothy Hardison Nickerson recalled that she and her brother Russ ran to deliver bottles to doorsteps as Cliff or Elvira drove the delivery truck. Daughters Evelyn Hardison Richardson and Betty Jean Hardison Burritt helped to prepare food and staff the stand. Days were long and very busy. They recalled a record day during the depression when sales reached $100!

Russell Hardison got his college degree in Dairy Science from UC Davis. After his wartime service he returned and took of the retail part of the dairy in 1946 and eventually became owner of the whole business. The herd was expanded further to 60 cows and a new Creamery building went up in 1948 to accommodate equipment for pasteurization and more bottling capacity. Schools wanted pasteurized milk, and the baby-boomer generation filled the schools. Routes now went out to Piru and Santa Paula and beyond.

The highway was realigned again south in 1956, leaving now on “Old Telegraph Road.” Elvira saw that it was time to close the roadside stand after 40 years of good business.

Through the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond, owners Russell and Betty Hardison were active in the community – supporting local causes, entering floats in the annual Fillmore parade, and hosting many, many local school children on field trips to the dairy. Children could watch as the cows were milked, could pet baby calves, and drink some chocolate milk while wearing SD beanies!

Because of decreased demand for home delivery, routes were discontinued. Sales then concentrated on serving schools. The dairy cows left about that time, but the buildings remained.

Russ Hardison had milk bottled in up in his brands at other local dairies and actually owned school delivery routes until the early 1980’s. The Hardison home and the dairy buildings on Old Telegraph Road are now used for other purposes.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors declared the Sanitary Dairy to be a County Landmark in 1989.

Javier Almaraz, 49, Santa Paula.

On December 21, 2020, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department responded to a traffic collision in the vicinity of Ventura and E Streets in Fillmore. Their investigation determined (S) Javier Almaraz had been driving while under the influence of alcohol and had collided with an Edison power pole; street, speed limit, and business signs; landscaping; a parked, unoccupied car; and a chain link fence. He was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Shortly before 9:00 PM Monday night, a witness called 9-1-1 to report a reckless driver on Highway 126. Before Fillmore deputies could find the vehicle, however, it was involved in a collision at Ventura and E Streets.

The investigation determined the driver, (S) Javier Almaraz, had originally been seen swerving in and out of his lane while westbound on Highway 126 from the Ventura/Los Angeles County line. Almaraz was reported to have driven on the wrong side of the four-lane highway and run a red light at B Street, as well.

Almaraz was found to have been driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than twice the legal limit of .08%. Almaraz, who was uninjured in the collision, was subsequently arrested for § 23152(a) and (b) of the California Vehicle Code, both misdemeanor DUI charges, and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a bail of $5,000.

In an effort to prevent traffic collisions, the Fillmore Police Department recently received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and is utilizing these funds to actively seek and arrest motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

It is extremely fortunate that this collision did not involve any other people, and no one was injured or killed as a result of Almaraz’ decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol. The members of the public who called to report his reckless driving and the collision are commended for their efforts, and the Fillmore Police Department encourages anyone witnessing unsafe driving to call 9-1-1 and help save lives.

Nature of Incident: Reckless driver call ends with non-injury traffic collision, DUI arrest
Report Number: 20-175566
Location: Ventura Street and E Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12-21-20 @ 9:03 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence/Age
Javier Almaraz, Santa Paula, 49
Prepared by: Sergeant Kevin Vaden #2241
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

As a registered 501c3 organization, the Fillmore High Alumni Association welcomes all donations to their Scholarship Foundation. This year, we hope you consider a donation to their Scholarship program so that the Association can continue awarding Education Scholarships, and Continuing Education Grants to our Fillmore High Graduates. You can donate here, right now by clicking on this link, http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/donate or if your in the Fillmore area, you can drop off a check through their mail slot on the front door of their office at 559 Sespe Ave. All donation amounts are welcomed. (Our Tax ID number will be provided) Thank you in advance for your continued support in helping us, help our Fillmore High Graduates!! Onward and Upwards!!

The Depot in 1943.
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The Depot in 1960.
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The Depot today.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Seventy-five years ago, Fillmore and the rest of the world were just coming out of one of the worst series of events man had ever known – the Great Depression and World War II. Here is an excerpt from an article written in January, 1946, about our town by an unknown author.

“During the war everybody was expected to concentrate on winning for our side – and quite properly so.

But now that the war is over – theoretically at least – it would seem the part of wisdom to get busy, total up our prospects, and get going in high gear as soon as is humanly possible.

Suppose we start with buildings – both business and residential… There are some buildings that must be torn down to make way for progress… Why do we continue to tolerate the ancient edifice which is called by courtesy a railroad station? That rambling old wreck was built just after the Civil War, and is not getting any younger. When rain comes, the water naturally seeks the lowest level, which means that a good-sized pond is in evidence under the station floor for many days after each rain. The net result is rotting underpinning, so that when people walk into the depot they cannot be sure the floor will not give way and thus endanger life and limb.

From the amount of business, the (rail) road enjoys, it would seem at least that could be done would be a station which would be a credit to the railroad as well as the community. Looks like a very proper function for the Chamber of Commerce would be to storm the railroad offices and keep storming them until something is done about the deplorable condition.

Los Angeles has become so big that it is no place for people to live – so that many a business man has his business in Los Angeles, while his home is somewhere in the suburbs. Pretty soon many a Los Angeles business man will own a helicopter – and he will establish his home in Fillmore or some other suburban spot located in the fresh air zone. It will be a matter of ten or fifteen minutes to get home to Fillmore after closing hours…”

Well, not everything has come to pass quite as was predicted in 1946. The railroad didn’t improve the depot; instead it was closed and later sold to Edith Moore Jarrett for $1.05. It was moved and renovated to become the home of the Fillmore Historical Museum. In 1995 it was moved back near the tracks a little east of its original location. Even though the depot is not in the same location as it was in 1946, when it rains, water does accumulate beneath it – but now there is a very effective sump pump.

We do have helicopters flying over the town, but not for commuting business men. Not every businessman has his own helicopter, but with better roads and the move to telecommuting, Fillmore has become attractive to commuters, as can be seen with all the houses under construction. And the railroad has become a tourist attraction. We now enjoy the whistles and the sounds of the steam engine which reminds us of how it used to be all those years ago when the depot was the center of activity in town.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12/10/20, at approximately 7:26 PM, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Station responded to a report of an injured person walking in the 1100 block of Ventura Street. Upon arrival, the deputies contacted an adult male and determined he had been stabbed multiple times. The man was in need of immediate medical assistance and was transported, via ambulance, to a local hospital where he was stabilized with serious injuries.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined the victim had been assaulted before he was transported by vehicle from the 1100 block of El Paseo Street in Fillmore to the area where he was contacted on Ventura Street.

Detectives are seeking any witnesses or potential video surveillance footage of the vehicle, suspect(s), or the assault itself. If anyone has information regarding the incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Javier Chavez, with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, at 805-384-4725.

Community: Fillmore Shooting - Request for Public Assistance
Nature of Incident: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Investigation
Report Number: RB# 20-170776
Location: 1100 block El Paseo Street, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: 12/10/20 @ 7:26 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau Sheriff’s Gang Unit Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(V) Adult Male
(S) Unknown, Fillmore, 22
Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller

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).

Local Fillmore youth cross country runners competed at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, December 5th. The group of local athletes competed and qualified for the event with the team known as the Pacific Coast Shockwaves which represent athletes from Fontana, Los Angeles, San Pedro, Victorville and Ventura County. The team is coached locally by Maria Elena Alcantara, Evelio Arriaga, Daniel Bakholdin, Israel Estrada, Temo Laureano, Juan Ruiz, Cynthia Tarango, and Juan Toledo. For more information on the team please call or text: 805-421-8741 or 805-258-3821.

The results are as follows:
Emily Arriaga, 12:11.61, Girls 3k Race: 9 -10 year olds, placed 27th overall out of a field of 142 runners, placing 20th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.

Mason Arriaga, 4:12.46, Boys 1k Race: 6 years old & under, placed 15th overall out of a field of 50 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 7th in his age group.

Julie Bakholdin, 11:43.08, Girls 3k Race: 11 - 12 year olds, placed 62nd overall out of a field of 240 runners, placing 21st in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 3rd.

Joshua Estrada, 14:28.79, Boys 4k Race: 13 - 14 year olds, placed 156th overall out of a field of 245 runners, placing 94th in his age group, with his Shockwave team placing 5th.

Paola Estrada, 11:00.59, Girls 3k Race: 11 - 12 year olds, placed 15th overall out of a field of 240 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 4th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 4th.

Leah Laureano, 8:55.25, Girls 2k Race: 7 - 8 year olds, placed 19th overall out of a field of 59 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 6th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.

Niza Laureano, 15:43.42, Girls 4k Race: 13 - 14 year olds, placed 104th overall out of a field of 214 runners, placing 45th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 4th.

Aaliyan Tarango, 8:49.25, Girls 2k Race: 7 - 8 year olds, placed 15th overall out of a field of 59 runners, earned All American Honors, placing 11th in her age group, with her Shockwave team placing 1st as National Champions.

Bestselling Author Brett Battles

Brett Battles, bestselling author of nearly 40 novels, has moved to Fillmore. Born and raised in Ridgecrest, California, Battles lived most of his life in the greater Los Angeles area, but felt ready for a change.

"I was looking for a place outside of Los Angeles, but close to Simi Valley, where my kids live," said Battles. "Ventura County seemed like the perfect solution. I checked out several places, and really liked the feel and size of Fillmore. Plus, one of my best friends lives here, so that was a bonus."

Battles has sold over one million copies of his novels. He is a USA Today bestselling author of several series including the Jonathan Quinn series, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder trilogy. His debut novel, The Cleaner (A Jonathan Quinn Novel Book 1), was nominated for The Barry Award for Best Thriller, and The Shamus Award for Best First Novel. His second Jonathan Quinn novel, The Deceived, won The Barry Award for Best Thriller.

Battles has traveled extensively to many international cities, Ho Chi Minh City, Berlin, Bangkok, Angkor Wat, Singapore, Jakarta, London, Paris, and Rome, all play parts in his current and upcoming novels. Although he enjoys traveling, Battles loves being at home to write and spend time with his three adult children, Ronan, Fiona, and Keira, who now enjoy driving up to Fillmore for visits and to play with Maggie, Brett's neurotic, paranoid, and very cute, Australian Shepherd.

"I love the pace of Ventura County. It’s both energetic and relaxed, perfect for me. I feel like I’ve lived in Fillmore for years. It really feels like home. I’ve made some great friends here already, and look forward to making even more."

Battles says, "If you like James Bond, Jack Reacher, or Jason Bourne, give my Jonathan Quinn series a try. I get the best feedback from Quinn fans. They seem to really love the main characters." Battles latest Quinn novel, The Vanished, was just released this December and has already reached #1 in several Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense categories on Amazon. You can lean more about Battles and his novels at his website www.brettbattles.com