I was unable to attend the special meeting held on 7-26-16 (last night) so I will summarize Chief Wareham's notes, as presented by Chief Vasquez and Jackson, concerning effects of marijuana on communities that legalize it. Next week I hope to publish more detail on these findings. Here are some highlights.

My thanks to all three Chiefs for providing this voluminous information. I will republish their 8-page, single-space report in full next week.

On returning from an investigative trip to Colorado, Oregon, and Washington (where medical marijuana has been made legal), Police Chief Dave Wareham notes the following:

1. Overall Message, "Don't do it", i.e. approve a medical marijuana grow and distribution operation in our new business park.

2. Biggest issues are home grows, doctors issuing recommendations for profit, and very high potency.

3. 46 of 52 counties that opted out of commercial jarijuana. still experience problems.

4. Common comment: "I voted for it, but didn't think I was voting for this."

5. Colorado is now #1 in teen use, adult use, and college use.

6. Marijuana is now 100 percent different from traditional pot.

7. 80-90 percent of the population smoke; edibles and the concentrate scare them.

8. They have criminal organizations, Cuban nationals, Russian mafia, etc. coming into state, renting houses and setting up large illegal grows. Marijuana going out of state for large profit ($2,000 per pound in Colorado - $5,500 per pound East Coast.

9. ER admissions up 100 percent. 138 visits this year linked to marijuana.

10. DUIs: 77 percent linked with marijuana.

11. 2015 had highest fatality rate in TC.

12. Crime is us 6 percent state-wide. There is a noticeable increase in disorder, vagrancy, social issues.

13. Homeless population is up 153 percent.

14. Most homicides are marijuana related.

15. BHO explosions (over 20) on the rise

16. They now have "travelers" (homeless) who come to Colorado on 420-day, they stay to use marijuana and leave at first snowfall. They live and beg on the streets, urinate/defecate in public and are a community eyessore.

These statements comprise less than one page of the report. The entire report will be published next week in the Gazette.

A word to the wise: VOTE NO ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

My thanks to Chief Wareham for providing this valuable information.

The Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru would like to welcome the community to come participate in a series of forums this summer on different patient outreaches for the American Cancer Society. To show the community how the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life can give back to their local communities. We have already had a successful event on June 20th, where Kretta Shaner came out and spoke on the Look Good Feel Better program. On July 25th at 7pm David Weissman will come, and speak on Road to Recovery, and on August 22nd at 7pm Pam Brady will come and speak on the 24/7 1-800-227-2345 number. These meetings will take please at the youth building next to the memorial building in Fillmore (511 2nd Street, Fillmore CA).

On July 25th at 7pm at the youth building next to the memorial building in Fillmore (511 2nd Street, Fillmore Ca). David Weissman, a volunteer who has been participating in the Road to Recovery program for over 6 years, will be joining us, to discuss the program. David has helped over 150 patients get to their cancer treatments, and volunteers because someday he might be the one that needs these services, and will rely on volunteers like himself to get him to treatment.

Road to Recovery is a curbside-curbside transportation service that provides free rides to cancer patients to and from treatments. Trained volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles to help patients get to treatments they need. The program is offered to people with cancer who have no means of transportation and/or are unable to drive themselves.

So Why is the Road to Recovery Program important? Many people need daily or weekly treatment, often over a course of several months. Increasingly, these treatments are provided on an outpatient basis, which means that the person must have a way to get to the appointment. Family and friends may help, but they may not have the time or financial means to assume the total burden of frequent trips to treatment centers. A successful transportation assistance program can be a tremendous asset to the community.

How do patients schedule a ride? To request a ride patient must contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Patients must give a minimum of four (4) business days’ notice in advance of the date the ride is needed.

How to become a Road to Recovery Volunteer? Please contact the local Society Office, visit cancer.org/drive, or call 1-800-227-2345.

Relay for life of Fillmore-Piru will be happening September 24th-25th, 2016 from 9am-9am at Shiells Park in Fillmore. For more information on the Relay for life of Fillmore-Piru, please visit www.relayforlife.org/fillmoreca, or contact Caitlin Barringer (805)644-4237.

After checking some last minute information about marketing marijuana in California, and the serious social, economic, and legal problems plaguing Colorado, (which has legalized pot) I firmly believe the Council should vote "No" on this proposition. Otherwise we would set a terrible example for our young people and be rightfully seen as profound hypocrites. Fillmore would become the state's largest purveyor of marijuana.

I have always hated illegal drugs, including marijuana. I am completely biased on the issue, though I have never in my life taken an illegal drug, including marijuana. (I wish I could say the same for alcoholic beverages). Drugs have been the bane of our society, particularly since the 1960s. I've witnessed too many deaths and otherwise ruined lives due to drugs. I also believe that marijuana is indeed the gateway to hard drug abuse.

Marijuana is particularly insidious because it has so often been portrayed as something innocent, just something some people do to have fun playing with their brains, particularly young people. But science tells us marijuana smoke endangers our brains far more than tobacco. The science is clear and conclusive on this matter.

The dilemma here is that the city stands to make a lot of money taxing such an enterprise if it's allowed to develop in our Business Park. On the other hand such permission wounds Fillmore's reputation, sets a terrible example for our youth, and would attract crime and criminals like flies on a watermelon. Marijuana survives in a nest of crime and always has.

Although California has approved medical marijuana, getting a "recommendation" has always been easy for just about everyone, and growing and selling it is still a federal crime.

Growing and harvesting marijuana for strictly medical purposes is a legitimate practice, but should be as strictly controlled as hard drugs. I know of many cancer patients (my brother for one, who died of pancreatic cancer) who could only control the pain and nausea with marijuana. And control has always been the problem with marijuana. After all, it's just a weed.

Weed or no, today's marijuana is many times more powerful than that of the 1960s, and is often used as an ingredient in cookies and candy, which can entice children.

So, for these reasons I would strongly advise our Fillmore City Council to vote "No" on permitting the medical marijuana co-op to take a place in our Business Park. I hear that most if not all Ventura County cities feel the same.

When it came to making a decision, golf wasn’t the first choice; but it was the only choice. For the first twelve years of his life Joey Herrera played baseball, basketball, and even flag football. But as soon as he decided to focus on golf like so many in his family, there was no turning back.

“I always loved basketball, but unfortunately due to my height that was never a realistic choice.

My Dad took me out to the golf course more often and I realized I could succeed without having to worry about physical limitations. I fell in love with the game in such a short amount of time and was motivated to get better each and every day.”

Herrera has the pedigree to play at the highest level. His father, Bill, played golf at the University of Southern California. His sister, Megan, won a state championship at Santa Barbara City College after picking up the game in her freshman year of high school. His cousin Troy played golf at St. Bonaventure before him as well.

“My first aspiration was to play golf at USC. I’ve grown up a Trojan fan all my life and knowing my Dad got to that level has just motivated me even more to work on my game. This was something I wasn’t sure was possible a couple years ago, but I know now that I can get there if I keep working. It’s been great having my sister develop along with me, and wanting to beat my cousin, who is basically a brother, has definitely helped me get better. My grandpa, Dr. William Herrera, has been taking my cousin and me out to Saticoy Country Club for as long as I can remember. It is a top-notch and difficult course that has definitely taught me how to play the tricky courses. The staff there has been incredibly welcoming and my cousin and I plan on following in my Grandpa’s footsteps and play there when we are old and gray.”

When asked if CONTINUED »

American Red Cross of Ventura County

For the first time in eight years, the American Red Cross in Southern California has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Blood donations through the Red Cross in Southern California and across the country have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations nationwide than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day blood supply available at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that would require significant volumes of donated blood products. Currently, however, the Red Cross has less than a five-day supply on hand.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Dr. Ross Herron, chief medical officer of the Red Cross West Blood Services Division, which includes the Southern California Blood Services Region. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

How to Help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.

Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.

Who Blood Donations Help
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide, including more than 120 healthcare facilities in Southern California.

Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products to patients like 11-year-old Mae Rainey, who needs regular blood transfusions as part of her treatment for a blood disorder.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities that the Red Cross has given us to get her to her healthiest state,” said Caleb Rainey, Mae’s older brother.

Watch Mae’s story to learn how blood donations can make a lifesaving difference.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Ventura County

Thousand Oaks
7/18/2016: 1 - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd.
7/19/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., KLOS Radio Thousand Oaks, 75 W. Thousand Oaks
7/20/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., KLOS Radio Thousand Oaks, 75 W. Thousand Oaks
7/21/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., KLOS Radio Thousand Oaks, 75 W. Thousand Oaks
7/22/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., KLOS Radio Thousand Oaks, 75 W. Thousand Oaks
7/25/2016: 1 - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Ventura
7/20/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., EP Foster Library, 651 E Main St.
7/22/2016: 2 - 8 p.m., EP Foster Library, 651 E Main St.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The public and the media are invited to join the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (S.P.A.R.C.) for a special adoption event Saturday, July 23, in conjunction with local television stations seeking to “Clear the Shelters.”

The second annual “Clear the Shelters” event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday July 23. Many dogs and kittens will be available for adoption at the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, 705 E. Santa Barbara St. in Santa Paula. Media coverage is welcome.

S.P.A.R.C is especially seeking adopters looking for larger dogs, as well as adult cats and about 45 kittens. Adoptions for big dogs at the special $20 adoption fee will begin a week prior to the “Clear the Shelters” event, on July 16, to allow time for processing adoptions and doing necessary checks. All animals adopted are spayed, neutered, microchipped and have up-to-date vaccinations.

S.P.A.R.C. Spokeswoman Nicky Gore-Jones said the shelter has been inundated with big dogs recently, many of them pit bulls that are friendly and highly adoptable.

“We looking for adopters who understand that having a dog does require some effort in training and exercise and is a lifetime responsibility,” she said.

“When dogs arrive at S.P.A.R.C., scared and stressed, our goal is to help them through regular exercise, basic training and lots of love, so they can readjust and be ready to be adopted to their forever home. At S.P.A.R.C. we firmly believe that in order to have a well-balanced dog, it must feel like a member of the family.”

As part of the No Kill, No Excuses mission, S.P.A.R.C. also offers low-cost spay and neuter services to the public for their current pets at only $10 per animal, in an attempt to stem the flow of animals into the shelter in the future.

“Clear the Shelters” is being held at 55 animal shelters throughout Southern California in conjunction with NBC 4, KNBC and Telemundo 52. The national pet adoption drive is being organized by NBCUniversal-owned TV stations to raise awareness about the overpopulation of local animal shelters and to encourage people to adopt shelter pets. Participating shelters, including S.P.A.R.C., will offer a reduced adoption fee of just $20 per animal (if the application is approved). In 2015, 20,000 animals were adopted nationwide through this event nationwide.

“This initiative offers the community an opportunity to welcome a new addition to the family and be part of a national day of action,” said Telemundo 52 Los Angeles President and General Manager Celia Chavez.

S.P.A.R.C. is a private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County. SPARC is a place where homeless animals are brought for humane care without risk of being killed due to lack of space, illness or injury. S.P.A.R.C. relies solely on private donations. Visit http://www.santapaulaarc.org or call the shelter at (805) 525-8609.

To learn more about “Clear the Shelters” and locate other participating shelters, visit nbcla.com/cleartheshelters or telemundo52.com/desocuparlosalbergues. The public is encouraged to follow the effort and post pet photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with hashtag #ClearTheShelters @NBCLA and #DesocuparLosAlbergues @Telemundo52.

After a month since the last city council meeting, the council was ready to knock out a small, but important agenda. The meeting started with a public comment from Carmen of Santa Paula. She provided an open invitation to a public hearing for the proposed power plant in Santa Paula. She urged the city of Fillmore to fight against this power plant due to her concern for the fumes and the effect the pollution would have on the community. The hearing is set for Thursday July 28th at the Santa Paula Community Center.

Next was a presentation from the Junior Fair Board. The Ventura County Fair starts August 3rd and continues until August 14th. The theme this year is “County Fair with Ocean Air” and the Fair Board encourages citizens to participate in the annual art contest pertaining to the theme. The Fair Board also wanted to enlighten the people of Fillmore of the special entry days. Dollar Day will be August 3rd. Feed the Need Day will be August 4th, and any person to donate 5 cans of food before 3 PM will receive a free return admission ticket. The ticket is valid from August 8th to August 11th. Youth Day is August 5th and all children ages 12 and under will be admitted free all day.

Seniors and Persons with CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

This past weekend we watched Fillmore Girls Softball 8U All Star team compete among the top Southern California teams in the State C Championship. The little ladies battled their way through 6 games to place in the top 6.

They have worked extremely hard towards this goal and are not only fierce competitors but all-around great kids.

These athletes now earned a spot in the State C Regional tournament next week July 15-17th. The girls need Fillmore’s support with fees and costs to transport all 14 players to San Diego.

Please mail in donations to: Fillmore Girls Softball 8U, P.O. Box 221, Fillmore, CA 93016 or visit our Go Fund Me page https://gofundme.com/fillmore8Ugirls

Thank you in advance for your support,
Proud Parents of 8U All Stars

Photos and Video by Bob Crum

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that former Santa Paula resident and Mexican National Everardo Meza Alamillo (DOB 8/24/1969), has been extradited from Mexico to stand trial for the October 14, 1993, murders of his estranged wife, 21-year-old Adriana Castanon Meza, and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Armando Cauich, Jr. Special allegations for the personal use of a firearm and special circumstance allegations for multiple murder are also alleged. If convicted for the murders of Adriana Castanon Meza and Armando Cauich, Jr., Alamillo could face a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

On October 14, 1993, Adriana Castanon Meza’s roommates found her and her boyfriend, Armando Cauich, shot to death in her bed. Meza’s 2-year-old daughter was crying and was covered with blood. Alamillo was the last known person to see Meza alive, and his vehicle was found abandoned down the street from the murder scene. Detectives determined that Alamillo and had fled to Mexico immediately after the murders.

Alamillo was indicted on August 5, 1994, and a no-bail warrant was issued for his arrest. The FBI arrested Alamillo on the outstanding warrant in November 2015. Extradition proceedings were held in Mexican courts and Alamillo was ultimately returned to Ventura County on July 8, 2016.