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By Anonymous — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
An Increased Risk of Fire Is a Reality of Thanksgiving
 Cal Fire Sacramento – With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, CAL FIRE is reminding Californians about the dangers that lurk during the holiday season. When most people think about Thanksgiving, they envision turkey, pumpkin pie and time spent with their loved ones. Who thinks of fire at this time? “During the holidays we tend to have multiple items cooking on the stove while we are visiting with friends and family,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “It is critical to not get distracted and to always stand next to what you are cooking. Thanksgiving Day is often one of our busier days responding to home cooking fires; we would like to reduce that number by practicing a little extra fire safety. Hopefully, together we can prevent cooking fires and you can enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.” According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day. NFPA’s latest cooking estimates show that there were 1,550 cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2013, reflecting a 230 percent increase over the daily average. Home cooking fires also spike on other major U.S. holidays, including Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Memorial Day weekend. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, State Fire Marshal. “That is why it is so important to “keep an eye on what you fry” and stay in the kitchen when preparing your holiday meal so it isn’t left unattended. One more safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It’s an added measure to protect you from fires in your home. ” To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, CAL FIRE would like to offer the following tips: For more tips on cooking fire safety, watch this short video https://www.youtube.com/v/aIFBJrAcGRE and visit www.fire.ca.gov. |
 Suspects: (1) Hispanic male, 5’7”-6’0”, 180 lbs., mustache; (2) Black male, 5’7”-6’0”, 180 lbs., beard; (3) Black male, 5’9”-6’2”, 190lbs., beard/mustache; (4) No distinguishing information, (5) No distinguishing information. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
East County detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying burglary suspects captured on video. On November 18th, 2015, deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to Oak Park High School in reference to a burglary. During the initial investigation, it was discovered five suspects broke a window and gained access to the computer lab and stole 17 computers. During the early morning hours of November 18th, 2015, the five suspects were captured on Oak Park High School’s video surveillance system entering the property on foot. All five suspects appeared to be wearing dark colored clothing and wore either hooded sweatshirts or beanie hats in an attempt to hide their identities. This video surveillance system showed the suspects enter the computer lab and later exit holding several computers. The suspects then left school property. School officials confirmed 17 Apple IMac computers with 21.5 inch monitors were stolen from the computer lab. Numerous Oak Park High School students stored assignments, graphic designs, and portfolio information were on these stolen computers. The academic information stored on these computers is not retrievable and represented an enormous amount of work by the students. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects responsible for this burglary and recovering these stolen computers. Anyone with information regarding this crime or information on persons attempting to sell Apple IMac computers, please contact East County Investigations Unit Detective Marta Bugarin at 805-371-8342. Nature of Incident: Oak Park High School Burglary |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, November 23rd, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Share-iff’s Toy Drive has been a tradition in Ventura County for 30 years. Many families do not have the resources to provide their children with a traditional Christmas celebration. Each year, thousands of children experience a Christmas morning with no gifts to open. Members of the Sheriff’s Office respond to calls throughout the county and encounter families without the means to exchange gifts during the holiday season. Fortunately, some of these families will be the recipients of gifts this holiday season, thanks to volunteers who participate in the Share-iff’s Toy Drive. The Sheriff’s Office will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 13 and younger. All of the toys will be distributed to children within the cities of Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Fillmore, Ojai, and the unincorporated areas served by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. All of our patrol stations will have boxes where staff members and the public can leave their unwrapped toys Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm between November 23th and December 18th. On December 19th, members of the Sheriff’s Office will open Santa’s workshop and provide some Christmas magic to those who need it most. Toy drop off locations: Camarillo Police Department 3701 Las Posas Road, Camarillo (805) 388-5100 Thousand Oaks Police Department 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 494-8200 Moorpark Police Department - 610 Spring Road, Moorpark (805) 532-2700 Fillmore Police Department - 524 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore (805) 524-2233 Ojai Police Department - 402 S. Ventura Street, Ojai (805) 646-1414 Sheriff's Headquarters - 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura (805) 654-2304 For more information about how you can help, please contact: Corina Lozano at corina.lozano@ventura.org, Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Office to Kick Off 30th Annual ‘Share-iffs’ Toy Drive |
 Meteorologist Mark Jackson from the National Weather Service spoke at the El Nino Preparedness meeting on Tuesday night. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 18th, 2015
El Nino is on its way
On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services (OES) held an El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting for Santa Clara Valley residents which included the towns of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru. It was a very informative meeting, held at the Fillmore Memorial Building. Upon entering Information pamphlets from various emergency agencies and refreshments were provided by Ivan Rodriguez and Junelyn Segul with OES, who greeted the 250 attendees. Once seated, Kevin McGowan with OES introduced the many agency representatives starting with Meteorologist Mark Jackson from the National Weather Service stationed in Oxnard which covers both Los Angeles and Ventura County. Jackson explained El Nino is a periodic warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Why this happens is unknown and happens about every two to seven years and lasts for six to 18 months. La Nina which is the opposite, is marked by cool temperature in the Pacific. The 2015-15 El Nino is expected to strengthen further to the end of the year and may be the most powerful in 18 years. The strongest was recorded back in 1997-98. Another El Nino year was 1982-83 which to date is considered the second strongest. Jackson informed those in attendance that Fillmore's average yearly rainfall is 18 inches. In 1982-83 it was 41.00 inches and in 1997-98 Fillmore had 45.95 inches. The coming El Nino will come as a season of storms, not just one, with the heaviest rainfall expected during February 2016 and decreasing that following spring. Areas near recent wildfires are susceptible to flooding due to loss of vegetation on hillsides and natural waterways that may become clogged with ash and debris. The amount of vegetation that would normally grow naturally after a fire has not occurred due to the years of drought conditions we have experienced. These conditions could bring even more mudslides and debris flows. Jackson said to expect some flooding, flash flooding and coastal erosion. He informed everyone that a flood watch is given when flooding is possible, a flood warning when flooding in your area is imminent or already occurring and a flash flood is a sudden, violent flood that often come as a wave. Next to speak was Bruce Rindahl with the Watershed Protection District. Rindahl stated that not all El Ninos cause flooding, but to expect the possibility with at least a two times normal amount of rainfall. He advised everyone to know their local creeks and rivers and showed models of what the predicted riparian waterways may look like with inundation and impacted forecasting. Rindahl stressed the importance of preparedness for yourself and your families, suggesting a disaster kit with seven days food, one gallon of water per day per person, extra prescription medication, food for pets, extra clothes and a small disaster kit for the car, cash, credit cards, photos, insurance papers. Also fill your gas tank, and move furniture to the highest point in your home. Register your phone number with www.vcalert.org or call 805 648-9283 to register. He also stated people need to stay informed. Police Chief Dave Wareham along with Santa Paula Police Dept. Sgt Jimmy Fogata explained what the Police and Sheriffs Departments will be doing to prepare and what services will be provided. Wareham explained that "voluntary evacuation" happen when a threat is not yet imminent, but residents should be prepared with personal belongings including pets and livestock for possible "mandatory evacuation" which is due to an imminent threat. This happens when conditions are seriously imperil or endanger the lives of those in the defined area. No one will be forcibly removed from the area, but once out of the area the general public (including residents) will not be permitted to return until the danger passes. There are two types of road closures; hard road closure and soft road closure. Hard closure, the general public is prevented, by both law enforcement or barricades, from entering the area on foot or by vehicle. Soft closure, law enforcement prevents the general public from entering, but allows access to those with an ID who reside in the impacted area. Shelter-in-place requires residents lock doors and windows, select an interior room where they are with no or few windows and take refuge. Wait for an all clear from the various news outlets. Those outlets include VCAlert, door to door notification, public address systems, local media including TV, radio, social media and agency websites. Wareham warned that historically Hwy 126 is susceptible to isolation in many areas due to creek crossings and the potential for debris flows into the roadway. He pointed out the area between Santa Paula and Todd Road that floods and the area of Hwy 23 near the Equestrian Center. Wareham also warned that just six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars which can cause loss of control or stalling. Many cars will start to float in as little as one foot of water, with two feet of flowing water able to sweep away most vehicles, including large four-wheel drive cars. For road closure information: Highway Patrol, http://cad.chp.ca.gov; County Roads http://pwa.ventura.org. Luis Espinosa, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, informed everyone that during an evacuation the shelters are open to everyone, but shelter sites could change. He also stated pets are not allowed in the shelters; drugs and weapons are also banned. Transportation to the shelters is not provided and everyone should bring their own essentials such as phone, medication and toiletries. Choose two places in advance where to meet up with family members. Evacuations may be for an hour or all night. There is a Red Cross Emergency App available for Smartphones. Ramiro De Arcos, with Ventura Animal Services, suggested those with animals discuss their options ahead of time with relatives or friends where the animals can be taken, especially with large animals such as horses. Inform family, friends, neighbors of your evacuation plans and post detailed instructions where emergency workers can contact you. Evacuate early, do not wait until the roads are closed or jammed with emergency vehicles. Have equipment ready for each animal and enough feed and water for five days. Any animal recovered later will require proper identification to be reclaimed. Call Animal Services 805 388-4342 or 1-888-223-7387 if you need assistance with evacuation or www.vcas.us for information. The Emergency Volunteer Rescue Team (EVRT) is available only in a disaster. Contact 1-866-EVRT911. Richard Rudman with Remote Possibilities Contract Broadcast Services, reminded anyone whose electric service is cut off, to use their car radio to receive local media and information. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) includes every radio and TV station. The primary local EAS stations are: KVEN 1450 AM, KHAY 100.7 FM, KMLA 103.7 FM (Spanish). There was a question of the homeless living in the area and what is being done for their safety. Wareham responded the police/sheriffs are trying to locate any homeless in advance and offer them housing in Ventura. But, unless it is a trespassing issue, nothing can be done to force the person to cooperate and seek a safer place. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 18th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Upon learning about the developing El Niño condition in the Pacific Ocean, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services along with numerous other Federal, State, County and City agencies initiated a rigorous planning and preparedness campaign geared towards evaluating local response and recovery capabilities. One area that was unanimously identified as being difficult and time consuming was the filling and transportation of sandbags during flood conditions. In an effort to alleviate the drain on first-responder labor and resources and more effectively build sandbags for flood fighting, the Office of Emergency Services has partnered with the Todd Road Jail staff to purchase a sandbag filling machine capable of filling bags at a rate of 1,000 bags per hour. Bulk materials including sand, sandbags and pallets have been pre-staged at the jail facility in Santa Paula and will be available for emergency use countywide. Several inmates at the facility have been trained on the safe operation of the machine and the production of sandbags. These inmates will serve as the primary workforce behind the mass production effort. The Ventura County Fire Department will be prepositioning the sandbags throughout the county for emergency flood fighting purposes by fire personnel only. For more information on where residents can obtain sandbags please visit www.readyventuracounty.org/elnino Nature of Incident: Todd Road Jail to Assist in Building Sandbags for El Niño |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, November 17th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department The busiest shopping days of the year are upon us. Malls, other retailers, and grocery stores will be more crowded than usual with busy shoppers. Whether you are about to celebrate a holiday in the coming weeks or not, please keep the following in mind when going out to shop: 1. Remember to lock your vehicles. Whether you are at the shopping mall or parked in your own driveway, lock your vehicle and hide or remove your valuables from your car. 2. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies when taking mass transit: report any unattended packages to security or staff. 3. Be sure not to buy more than you can carry. If your packages are blocking your view and/or restricting freedom of motion, ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to your car. 4. Be extra cautious if you carry a wallet or purse. Do not leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart, or turn away from it while shopping. 5. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings. 6. Remember that the bad-guys may be watching you place your packages in your car and then go to another store. That’s when they break into your car to steal what you just stowed away so you could continue to shop. If you go shopping with children over the next several weeks, keep the following advice in mind for everyone’s safety: 1. Ensure that any children with you know your cell phone number. Give cards with contact information to any who don’t. 2. Make a plan with children in case you get separated. Have a central meeting place, and review with your children who they can turn to for help if they find themselves alone. 3. Go over the dangers of strangers with them so that they know who not to talk to or follow. By following this advice, you can reduce the stress of shopping during the particularly busy season. As always, keep your personal safety in mind, be aware of your surroundings, and be on the lookout for fraud and identity theft. Please report any suspicious activity to the Moorpark Police Department (805) 532-2700 or in the case of an emergency dial 911. Nature of Incident: Holiday Safety Tips |
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By Anonymous — Monday, November 16th, 2015
The ninety three members of the Flashes Regiment came away with top honors on Saturday November 12 at the Granada Hills Charter High School Field Competition with an overall first place in the open division, first place in percussion and second place in colorguard. But the best news came with the announcement that Fillmore won the coveted music sweepstakes award, earning the highest music performance score of the day out of twenty two bands. It was a busy week for the students as they practiced many hours on the field and put on a concert for the community. Saturday’s competition wraps up the field show season for the Regiment. The group will now start preparing for parades and various winter activities including indoor percussion and colorguard and concert band. Mr. Godfrey and the all of the students involved with the Flashes Regiment would like to thank the Fillmore Band Boosters and volunteers who helped with the field show competitions and fundraising throughout the competitive season. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, November 16th, 2015
Cal Fire Sacramento – While recent rains and cooler temperatures have lowered the threat of wildfires in some areas of the State, CAL FIRE continues to have extra firefighter staffing statewide and remains at peak fire season in Central and Southern California. Last week alone CAL FIRE crews responded to nearly 50 new wildfires. Even as CAL FIRE transitions out of peak fire season in Northern California and into its winter preparedness mode, fire officials are still asking residents statewide to be cautious outdoors as ‘One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire’. “As drought conditions continued throughout the year, we experienced a significant increase in the number and size of fires," said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Even with the increased likelihood of precipitation due to El Niño, it will still take several years of steady rainfall for some of the larger vegetation to return to normal levels and no amount of rain will bring back millions of bark beetle infested dead and dying trees across the state. We can’t let our guard down, especially with changing climate conditions leading to longer fire seasons and larger wildfires.” While CAL FIRE has begun to close some of its seasonal fire stations and facilities in Northern California, CAL FIRE is maintaining firefighter staffing that meets the current threat, as well as strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. As California prepares to enter the fifth year of drought, CAL FIRE will continue to monitor weather conditions closely to determine when it can move into winter preparedness in Central and Southern California. The department will also increase staffing in Northern California should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or any other emergencies in Southern California. The 2015 fire season to date has been an extremely active year, even more than in 2014. Statewide, CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 6,100 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 308,000 acres. This is nearly 1,800 more wildfires this year than in an average year. Across all jurisdictions in California there were over 8,100 wildfires that burned nearly 825,000 acres in 2015. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped outdoor landscape debris burning. Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. In Northern and Central California residents should ensure it’s a permissive burn day in their area by contacting the local air quality district and make sure they have any and all required burn permits. During burning make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter, provide a 10 ft. clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile and that a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel. Firefighters will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health on private and public lands. For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Realtors Continue to Object to New Ordinance
 Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. The November 10, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting had a full agenda including a Consent Calendar second reading of the Humane Living Ordinance which brought back local realtors to voice their opposition. First to speak on the ordinance was former Fillmore Realtor Doug Hause who did not hold back when questioning the Councils motives stating "....I just wonder if this Council hasn't been lobbied by contractors and others in the construction business to sweeten opportunities with the strong arm of the government in town" suggesting the council had been influenced. He commented on the financial stability of some vulnerable residents "living paycheck to paycheck" stating "this ordinance by its very nature puts many at risk" leaving the door open to the unscrupulous predator practice of selling for the minimum through private sale. "I have lived in this town for 45 years and never have I seen such a mean spirited self-serving proposal as this ordinance." The second person to speak was Realtor Cindy Diaz-Telly who wanted to correct the City record on a number of issues. One was the amount of citizen calls the City received concerning the issue as 33. Diaz-Telly informed the Council that and additional 22 residents contacted her stating they could not get through, that they received a recording stating the message box was full. She also disagreed stating Council Member Rick Neal had accused the realtors of threatening a lawsuit, responding there was no threat of a lawsuit. Another problem she stated in the claims of some Council Members was that discussions had already been tried, saying, "Talking at this podium for five minutes is not a conversation." Diaz-Telly spoke at length of legal problems associated with the ordinance and questioned the response at the previous meeting by City Attorney Tiffany Israel stating other towns have had a good response to similar ordinances. Diaz-Telly questioned "What cities are they, what is the median income?" She then questioned the proposed six months trial period asking, "What's your measure of success....at the end you're passing an open-ended ordinance" and ended with suggesting the Council slow down and "consider other options." Council Member Rick Neal, who has pushed to move forward made a motion to approve the ordinance. Council Member Manuel Minjares quickly interjected that he also felt the council members had not met with the realtors stated, "I want to give them the opportunity to talk it over with them." Council Member Diane McCall agreed with Minjares stating that people are still telling her they disagree with the ordinance. "I'm for putting together a better product." Council Member Carrie Broggie responded, "I keep hearing the same thing...citing the same points....I've heard nothing new.....if you want to talk to realtors I'm ok with that." Neal stated he would not talk to any realtors without an attorney present with each realtor and that it would cost the City a great deal of money to do that. He went on to cite the higher cost of Santa Barbara's ordinance compared to the proposed Fillmore ordinance, but did not mention the huge difference in income between the two cities. McCall reminded the Council that many of the homes in Fillmore are very old and there is no documented history on improvements and changes made. There are homes in Fillmore that date before the Fillmore Planning Department. Minjares told the others he would like to see a subcommittee created to investigate the need for the ordinance. Mayor Douglas Tucker reported he had heard from both sides, in favor and opposed and understood the need for housing and for safety, but "the end result is the ordinance improves the value of properties." Tucker ended with "the hardest part is we have to make decisions....allowing the trial of six months we'll see how it works for the community." A vote was taken ending in 3-2, with Broggie seconding Neal’s motion and Tucker being the deciding vote in favor. Both Minjares and McCall voted No. A Public Hearing item was the proposed 8% increase in trash removal fees. Fillmore resident Ray Mel addressed the Council stating there was no need to increase the brown yard clippings bin because there is less need since the drought and if the number of bins picked up stayed the same there would not be a need to increase the costs. He stated that so many utilities have increased and it is having a hard impact of residents. Councilman Neal responded, "I think there was an increase coming anyway." It has been 5 years since Harrison Industries has increased the fee and a 5% was expected. There was an offer of picking up all three bins every week at an increase of 8% and the Council agreed that for the added 3% the citizens were getting a better offer. Tucker reminded others that Harrison is still cleaning the streets without charging and McCall added that they also clean up after events with no charge to the City. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council of the El Nino Community Town Hall Meeting to hear from experts on the potential for a very wet winter season and the planning and response efforts underway. The agencies represented at the meeting: National Weather Service; Ventura County Fire Department; Fillmore City Fire Department; Ventura County Sheriff's Office; Watershed Protection District; Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services; Ventura County Animal Services; American Red Cross. It will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second St., Fillmore. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
 Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore. After a week long investigation the arrest of Elizabeth Moten, age 53 of Fillmore, was made today for forgery and grand theft from an elderly person. Investigators determined between March 2014 through August 2015 Moten had cared for an elderly couple, ages 92 and 83 years old of Santa Paula. During that time frame the suspect had written multiple false checks and made unauthorized withdrawls on the elderly couple's account. The total loss in false checks and unauthorized withdrawls is approximately $8,500. Also during investigation it was determined Moten had stolen jewelry from the elderly couple and had pawned it at a local pawn shop. The dollar amount regarding the stolen jewelry is still being investigated at this time. Based on the investigation at this time we believe the possibility exists there may be other people who have been victimized by Moten. If you believe you have been a victim please contact Detective Walter Harper at 525-4474 x 221. Moten was arrested for 470(a) PC - Forgery and 365(d) PC - Grand Theft from an Elderly Person. Moten was later transported to Ventura County Main Jail where her bail is set at $20,000. |
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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 » |
