VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that charges were filed against Barry Fike (DOB 09/05/55), of Fillmore, for multiple felony counts of sending harmful matter to a child, felony communicating with a child with the intent to commit a sexual act, and arranging a meeting with a minor for a lewd purpose. Fike pled not guilty to all charges at today’s arraignment.

The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Fike on July 17, 2023. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Sexual Assault Unit assisted with the arrest.
Fike is a minister at Fillmore Church of Christ. He previously taught at Oaks Christian High School and has been a visiting professor at Pepperdine but is not currently an instructor at the university.

The Task Force began investigating Fike on July 10, 2023, when he allegedly started communicating online with what he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. The conversations were sexual in nature and Fike allegedly shared explicit photos of himself with the victim, who was actually an undercover officer.
The chatroom Fike was allegedly communicating in did not have any safety features in place to verify a person’s age or to monitor the communication.

“There are many chatrooms online that are not moderated or do not take any steps to limit adult contact with minors,” said Supervising District Attorney Investigator Terrance Dobrosky. “All too often, this exposes children to potential exploitation as predators take advantage of the limited oversight.”

Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, is prosecuting the case. Fike is scheduled for an early disposition conference on July 27, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He is currently in custody with bail set at $150,000.

Further investigation into Fike remains ongoing and anyone with additional information regarding the investigation of Fike, can contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Terrance Dobrosky at (805) 383-4779.

The Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (VC-CEHTTF) is comprised of investigators and prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, the FBI, and United States Attorney’s Office. The Task Force is committed to identifying, rescuing, and protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse through education, enforcement, and through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.

The Task Force reminds parents to remain vigilant as to their children’s social media and internet activities to keep them safe from predators. Parents can help protect their children by educating them of the risks and dangers of online interactions with people they do not know and by teaching them healthy internet habits. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s internet usage and setting limits.

Case: 2023018280
Defendant Information: Barry Don Fike (DOB 09/05/55) Fillmore

Arrested on:
(4 counts) PC 288.2(a)(2) – Sending harmful matter
PC 288.3(a) – Luring; Contacting a minor with intent to commit sexual offense
PC 288.4(a)(1) – Luring; Arranging meeting with minor for lewd purpose

MISSION: We develop high-performing students who are engaged and productive members of society.

VISION: Fillmore Unified School District prides itself as a district rich in culture, history, and tradition where each student is recognized, valued, and inspired to be contributing members of our global society.

July 24, 2023

Dear FUSD Community,

I would like to thank our students, families, and community members for attending the July 18, 2023, board meeting. The meeting provided a respectful and structured environment for all members of the public to be heard. As your Superintendent, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to uphold the district’s mission and vision statement to ensure that each student is recognized, valued, and inspired to be contributing members of our global society. The mission and vision statement were board adopted in October of 2021 and serve as a guide for our district.

The existing resources provided on district-sponsored websites and district-sponsored social media sites are provided for students and families who choose to utilize them. The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) will continue to share existing local and county resources, including One Step a la Vez, for families to assist them in supporting their children's education and well-being. FUSD will also continue to identify additional relevant resources for students and families.
The FUSD mission and vision statement also support students to become engaged, productive members of society. Students at our secondary schools participate in district and student-led and initiated clubs. Student-led and initiated clubs allow students to meet during non-instructional time to discuss topics relevant to them. Students may also invite speakers, local organizations, and non-profits, including One Step a la Vez to speak on topics of interest to the club subject to FUSD policies and regulations.

As we move forward, we will continue to review board policies and administrative regulations to ensure they are effectively implemented and adhered to. This will ensure that our district operates in compliance with state and federal regulations, fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

We will continue to prioritize the importance of collaborating with our families and the wider community and we know that the strength of our educational system here in Fillmore and Piru lies in the support and involvement of our students, families, and community. Let us continue to work together to model respect, empathy, and understanding for one another. Our students are counting on us!

Respectfully,
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent

A suspect has been identified and arrested for burglarizing a local residence where he was an entrusted employee. Over the past month, the homeowner discovered expensive jewelry and currency missing from her residence. The victim took proactive steps and installed a security camera to capture and identify the suspect responsible for the thefts.

On July 19, 2023, the suspect returned and entered the residence where he began rifling through the victim’s bedroom. The victim called 911 and deputies assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Fillmore Patrol Station responded to the in-progress crime.

Upon arrival, deputies quickly identified the suspect as Antonio Martinez, an employee for the homeowner who was still at the location. A search of Martinez and his vehicle yielded numerous pieces of jewelry and currency that belonged to the victim. Deputies arrested Martinez for residential burglary and grand theft.

Detectives assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Station responded to assist with the investigation. Detectives authored and served a search warrant at Martinez’s residence located in the Newhall / Los Angeles County area. During the search, detectives located and seized additional stolen jewelry that belonged to the victim.

Martinez was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he remains in custody with his bail set at $50,000.

Nature of Incident: Residential Burglary and Grand Theft Arrest
Report Number: 23-92216
Location: 1900 Block Pasadena Avenue, Unincorporated area of Ventura County / Fillmore
Date & Time: July 19, 2023 @ 10:40 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Santa Clara Valley Station Patrol, Santa Clara Valley Station Detectives

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

(S) Antonio Martinez Newhall 44

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

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Please excuse this unusual informality.

Well, I’m sitting down to write my column at 11:15 PM. Just got back from a devastating house fire. Before that, I had just returned from a long school board meeting concerning the Drag Queen show at an after-school organization designed to assist children with various youth challenges. The audience contained quite a few out-of-towners and demonstrated vigorous pro and con speakers.

Please note: To stop widespread false rumors, it should be noted that neither the Fillmore City Council nor the Fillmore School Board had anything to do with organizing the One Step A La Vez Drag Queen event reported by the Gazette on June 29. Two Council members attended that event on their own time. I have requested information from school Superintendent, Christine Schieferle, about possible presence of One Step A La Vez on the school campus. I apologize to Mrs. Schieferle for the short lead time provided for an answer, but the last 24 hours have been very busy. I’m assured the Gazette will be provided with accurate facts, and I thank the Superintendent for her consideration.

The theater room was packed with a considerate, orderly, and highly involved audience last night. I think everyone appreciated that. More details to follow.
Martin Farrell, Publisher

(l-r) is Fillmore’s Caleb Salazar & Gabriel Lopez who competed with their Simi Valley 9U All-Star team in the PONY Baseball Zone Tournament in Walnut, California this past weekend. Now they will play in the 2023 Pony International Mustang 9U World Series to take place Friday, July 21, 2023. Live stream the game at https://bnproductions.uscreen.io/.
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Gabriel Lopez and Caleb Salazar, both of Fillmore, battled it out with their Simi Valley 9U All-Star team this past weekend July 15 & 16, 20223 in the PONY baseball Zone Tournament in Walnut, California.

The duo helped their team clinch a spot on the International stage. Where their team is one of two in the State of California to compete in the tournament of teams featured from around the globe.

Teams from Japan, Mexico, Honduras along with four other teams from the United States will participate in the 2023 Pony International Mustang 9U World Series. The tournament begins July 21, 2023 at Keating Park in Vacaville, California. The boys will face off with their first opponent Mexico Los Mochis 5p.m. on Friday night. The Championship game will be held Monday, July 24, 2023. Gabriel and Caleb are excited for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to represent their community on such a big stage. “Their big dreams are now reality”. You can live stream the game at https://
bnproductions.uscreen.io/.

Two Council members received numerous complaints for attending the One Step A La Vez Drag Queen production a few weeks ago. Mayor Mark Austin made a point of stating this was not a Council sponsored event.
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July 11, 2023
All agenda items approved 4-0
9.A NEW BUSINESS 9.A PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING FOR 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE AND SELF-SERVE STORAGE FACILITIES WITHIN CITY LIMITS, DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF, AND FINDING AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
9.B 1. Adopt Resolution 23-3949 to extend the declaration of a local emergency arising from the collapse of a sewer manhole which rendered the downstream pipeline unusable.
9-C REQUEST: That the City Council provide staff direction on the preferred style and color to allow staff to prepare a bid specification and bid a project to construct new shade structures over the tot-lots at Two Rivers Park and Dolores Day Park.
9-D RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds in the amount of $150,000 to support the Spirit of Santa Paula in Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
9-E RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction on the request to sponsor up to $25,000 for the County of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Celebration.
All agenda items approved 4-0

Courtesy https://explorelakepiru.com/

Dear Lake Piru Visitors:

It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water.

The draw down will take several weeks/months so that swimming, fishing and boating will still be possible at Lake Piru through summer. We fully anticipate, however, that come November, we will once again be filling the reservoir as excess State Water from Northern California becomes available and winter storms bring more runoff. For information on how the water in Lake Piru benefits the region, please visit the United Water Conservation District (owners and operators of Lake Piru and the Santa Felicia Dam) website at www.unitedwater.org.

Personal watercraft (PWCs) will be limited to no more than 20 units on the reservoir at any given time. No vessels will be permitted past the 5 mph buoy line at the Reservoir’s South End near Santa Felicia Dam. This area will remain closed until further notice.

Civic Pride names Fillmore’s Juanita & Ray Morales as the July 2023 “Yard of the Month” award winners. Above are the two in their beautiful yard filled with red Yucca in bloom with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern & Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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By Linda Nunes

We meet the nicest people while presenting the Civic Pride Volunteers’ Yard of the Month award! The July award was presented to Ray & Juanita Morales at 951 Oliver St. They have lived in this home for 40 years and are now retired (Ray from working for the City of Fillmore), so both can enjoy working on the yard. When water conservation became a big issue, they removed the grass, built beautiful brick pathways, and are now in the process of adding weed barrier, with a brown rubber mulch to lower maintenance and prevent their dog from eating the regular mulch. Juanita admitted that she likes “rescuing” plants that look a little “sad” and are on sale. They have used these plants in a raised central area with pathways around the planted areas.
This side yard has a beautiful red Yucca in bloom as the focal point, with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern and Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Plumeria is in a large pot, and Star Jasmine on a trellis. They are preparing to plant a silver dollar Eucalyptus tree and roses for a border.
The front yard has wonderful “curb appeal” with Salvias, blue & white Bachelor Buttons, Gaillardias (blanket flowers), and flower-filled window boxes.

Juanita showed off a large tulip shaped coil pot that she made in the ceramics class that she attends in Ventura. She is in the process of making larger pots to create a fountain.
Ray and Juanita went to Otto & Sons Nursery to view the gardens recently and were so pleased to receive the $50 gift award to the nursery! Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for making this award possible for all these years!