Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The 4th of July holiday is a time to enjoy firework shows and show country pride, but is also traditionally one of the more dangerous times on the road.

To keep families safe this Independence Day, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrol resources deployed. Their focus will be on impaired driving during the 4th of July holiday.

According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol, seven people were killed and 73 injured in alcohol-related crashes statewide on fourth of July last year. Every deadly crash involved a driver who had been drinking.

“Drinking and driving is a bad combination,” says Captain Shane Matthews. “There is no excuse for making such a reckless choice given all the other options available. Calling a friend or family member for a ride, calling a taxi, or using a ride share application…these options are available to everyone. Please be smart and make this 4th of July holiday a fun and memorable one.”

If you are headed to 4th of July parties, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. See people leaving who have been drinking? Check how they are getting home. Offer to let them stay the night if a sober driver is not available to take them home.

The average cost of a DUI arrest is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office also reminds residents that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana can all be impairing and land you a DUI, especially in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs.

Fillmore Fire Department

Courtesy of Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola & The Fillmore Fire Department

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.

• Older Children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Do not hold lighted fireworks in your hand.

• Never light them indoors.

• Only use fireworks away from homes, vehicles, people and flammable material.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Do not ignite fireworks in containers.

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

• Do not put hot fireworks into garbage receptacles.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to soak spent fireworks for disposal or in case of fire.

• Report any unsafe acts or illegal fireworks activity.

Bob Crum

On Saturday morning, June 22, I jumped out of bed excited and full of vim and vigor. It was day one of the Fillmore Honey Harvest Festival. I decided to ride the 11:05 a.m. train to Bennett's Honey Farm. Arriving downtown, I was surprised to find a parking space without having to drive around town for 30 minutes. Love miracles!

The Honey Harvest Express left right on time. Oh how I love fun-filled assignments. However, as a long-time photojournalist, I've learned to expect the unexpected so every shoot is a challenge. As expected, it was.

As in years past, there are beehives and workers somewhere on the route. A great photo op. The train usually slows down at the area of the hives, but it's still not as smooth as a drive down Central Avenue in my Rolls Royce Phantom. So, I set a shutter speed of 1/500 second to compensate for the rollicking ride and the aperture at f/10 for depth-of-field. I was ready! We arrived at the designated area and flew by at track speed. Arrrgh! I managed to capture only a couple of so-so photos. Bummer! Not to fret I was told. It was scheduled to run by slowly on the return trip to Fillmore. We'll see.

At Bennett's Honey Farm, we toured the facility. Lots of changes from years past. Starting in the warehouse, we saw worker bees (employees) make beeswax candles and honeycomb trays. Then on to the extractor and the honey filter. After filtering, honey is piped to the highly mechanized bottling room. Then on to the best part: Taste testing! Oh my, so many flavors - buckwheat, red clover, blackberry, avocado, orange blossom, sage, eucalyptus, wildflower and more! Buckwheat is my usual favorite. This year I bought blackberry honey. Soo yummy!

Back on the train, away we go, track speed to Fillmore. I reprogrammed my camera to be ready for the hives in the orchard. As we approached the area, the train began to slow down, slightly. Wait, going too fast! SLOW DOWN!, I yelled, as if the engineer could hear me. Again only a couple of so-so shots. Not happy!

Back in town, I stopped by the Rotary Club's BBQ for a late lunch. Made a few photos of the happy vendors and then back on the next train. But first I yelled up at the engineer to slow down at the beehives! He yelled back; it's up to the conductor. OK!

Off we go. Before long, the conductor came by. Ah, excuse me, but it would be much appreciated if you would have the engineer really slow down at the designated area. He smiled and nodded. At the designated area, the train passed the beekeepers slow enough for me to photograph them and the gazillion bees. A rare successful do over! Did you know that honey bees flutter their wings 200 times per second flying a speedy 15 mph? Harder to photograph than an F-14! The little brown spots in the photo of the week are honey bees!

Back in town, no time to rest. The Fillmore Recreation department's Great American Camp Out was taking place at Two Rivers Park. Oh what fun!!! Tents everywhere. At sundown, Fillmore firemen lit a campfire. With the fire roaring, out came the (flammable) marshmallows and hot dogs. Remember s'mores? Sooo good! Campfire, s'mores, tents, sleeping bags, now that's living. Wait, there's more. As the campfire dwindled, campers gathered to watch an outdoor movie on a giant blow-up screen. Afterward, everyone tucked in their sleeping bags, the Sandman made his rounds but, not until the cow jumped over the moon. Sweet dreams!

Send comments, suggestion or questions to: focusonphotgraphy@earthlink.net

Happy children hug their loved ones goodbye each morning, entrusting drivers with the safety of their parents and grandparents as they maintain the state’s highway system. Today Caltrans, along with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), announces the new “Be Work Zone Alert” public awareness campaign to remind drivers to slow down when passing highway workers.

“Our children depend on your safe driving all day, every day,” said Elissa Konove, Undersecretary of the California State Transportation Agency. “This campaign aims to protect highway workers who work inches from traffic daily to maintain our state’s transportation system.”

The department’s work to maintain and improve the system that empowers Californians to move around their state relies on these brave Californians’ service. But public servant is only their secondary job—many are also moms, dads, and grandparents. As the department and our partners strive Toward Zero Deaths, Caltrans aims to reduce deaths of workers in the line of duty. Billboards and radio spots will spread across California, to put a face to the families that depend on an alert traveling public.

“Being a transportation worker is one of the most hazardous professions in the nation” said Laurie Berman, Director of Caltrans. “We hope this campaign will move every Californian to consider the dangers the brave men and women of the Department face every single day and slow down.”

Your mindfulness is the key to reuniting these families every single day. Not just these highway workers’ lives are on the line—games of tag, catch, hide and seek, and years of happiness and memories are too. To view the new radio and TV spots, visit BeWorkZoneAlert.com/campaign.html.

“Mere seconds of inattention or distraction can be destructive to the lives of so many people,” said Warren Stanley, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). “The CHP is a proud partner of Caltrans and hopes efforts like this one reduce the risks to everyone on our roadways.”

California’s “Move Over” law requires all drivers to move over a lane if safe to do so, or slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles, or other emergency vehicles and tow trucks. Highway construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, and this law is a crucial tool to protect those on the road. In 2018, more than 7,000 work-zone collisions occurred on California roadways. About 2,300 resulted in injuries, and 46 involved a fatality. Nationally drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of the people who are killed in work zones.

Since 1921, 189 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job, and one of the biggest hazards to them and anyone working on the roads is from motorists who do not exercise caution. Those 189 employees represent scores of families torn apart.

“We live in a fast-paced world, but need to slow down on the road, particularly when highway workers are out trying to do their job,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “This campaign is intended to remind drivers of the dangers highway workers face every day and be mindful of their presence.”

The campaign is funded with highway maintenance funds and a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Emilio Montiel, 36, Santa Paula.

A Santa Paula gang member was recently convicted of firearms charges that will send him to prison for 6 years.

On 11-19-18, detectives from the Fillmore Police Department’s Investigative Unit received information about a female subject who had a warrant for her arrest. She was allegedly staying at a residence in the 700 block of Harvard Blvd in the city of Santa Paula. Acting on the information, investigators responded to the location and served the warrant. During the service of the warrant, they encountered the female and her boyfriend, Emilio Montiel. Montiel was uncooperative and refused to follow deputies’ directives. Montiel initially provided a false name to detectives because he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Investigators conducted a search of the location per the probation terms for the female and Montiel. During the search, detectives found a loaded handgun in a common area. In addition, detectives determined both were under the influence of drugs and they were arrested for related charges.

A follow-up investigation was conducted by investigators and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Science Laboratory. A forensic analysis was completed on the handgun and scientists conclusively located Montiel's DNA on the handgun. In addition, detectives authored a search warrant for his cellular phone and discovered photographs showing he was in possession of a second handgun. The District Attorney’s Office elected to file additional charges on Montiel being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Montiel recently had a jury trial within the Ventura County Superior Court system. He was found guilty of two counts of 29800 (a)(1) PC- possession of a firearm with prior conviction, 148 (a)(1)- PC- obstructing a peace officer, 148.9 (a) PC- providing false information to a peace officer.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) plays an integral part in solving crime. They are comprised of 31 scientists and 8 support staff who analyze thousands of cases per year. This case was a fine example how detectives and scientists’ thorough investigative techniques worked in conjunction to obtain a conviction of a subject who is a threat to public safety.

Nature of Incident: Gang Member Convicted of Possession of Firearms
Report Number: 18-180277
Location: 700 Block of Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula
Date & Time: 05-17-19
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Detective Bureau/ VCSO’s Forensic Science Laboratory
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Emilio Montiel, 36, Santa Paula
Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

In an effort to recharge the aquifer, dilute nitrates and neutralize sea water intrusion issues for Ventura County, United Water Conservation initiated an immense water release from its Santa Felicia Dam at Lake Piru on June 3, 2019. Normally, conserved water is released from Santa Felicia Dam in the fall of each year, but, due to the saturated conditions in the Santa Clara River and its tributaries, water release in June will assure maximum regional benefits. The release of water, the largest amount in decades, will help combat rising nitrate levels such as those recently seen in the El Rio community in May, which forced the shut-down of drinking water wells for 364 residential and business customers of Vineyard Avenue Acres Mutual Water. “This historical release of water at our Santa Felicia Dam will ultimately result in the diversion of high-quality water at our Freeman Diversion facility, helping to recharge the area’s aquifer still recovering from drought and helping to offset the increasing nitrate levels of wells within the immediate vicinity of El Rio. It will also help with sea water intrusion issues we continue seeing on the Oxnard Plain,” explains Mauricio Guardado, General Manager for United Water Conservation District. “The timing of the release is crucial in that we want to take advantage of the high saturation level of the Santa Clara River that exists right now with all of the rain we’ve had. This will allow us to make the most of the water release,” added Guardado. The District serves as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore, as well as several mutual water districts, farms and individual pumpers.

This June, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Why? Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.

Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.

Your support will change little lives.

Thank you,
Larry Cassidy,
Fillmore

To donate, please visit https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/LarryCassidy

About The Great Cycle Challenge
Over the past 19 days, riders from every state across our great country have pedaled 2,496,885 miles, on all types of bikes and in all kinds of weather. It's been incredible to witness this fantastic event grow over the past 5 years, and the 2019 Great Cycle Challenge is set to break all the records.

Here are just some of the key stats so far this month:

80,209 riders are taking part from every state in the country.

144,292 individual donations have been received to support your efforts.

$7,489,619 has been raised (so far) making this year's event the biggest EVER in the global history of the challenge. WOW.

Together, we've logged 180,079 rides and ridden a total of 2,496,885 miles which is the equivalent of pedaling for 7,928 days (non-stop).

On the other side, over those 19 days you've been riding in the challenge:

817 American families have heard the painful words, "your child has cancer."

We've lost 95 children to this terrible disease.

At last night’s school board meeting Mary Ford spoke to the board her concerns regarding disruptive student conduct at the Fillmore Middle School.

Spring 2019 Sports Update for Fillmore High School
The Governing Board received a presentation on the Spring 2019 Sports Update. Fillmore High School Principal, John Wilber presented the information.

Spring 2019 Sports Medicine Report for Fillmore High School
The Governing Board received a presentation on the Spring 2019 Sports Medicine Report. Director of Sports Medicine, Breanna McLain presented the information.

Emergency Action Plan for Athletics 2019-2020
The Governing Board received a presentation on the Emergency Action Plan for Athletics 2019-2020. Director of Sports Medicine, Breanna McLain presented the information.

Local Control and Accountability Plan for 2019-2020 and the 2019-2020 Proposed Budget
The Governing Board approved the Local Control Accountability Plan for 2019-2020 and also approved the 2019-2020 Proposed Budget.

Approve Pre-Qualified Pool of Construction Project Management Firms for Various District Projects
The Governing Board approved a pool of pre-qualified Construction Project Management Firms for current and future Measure V Bond Projects. The following firms met the threshold and are approved:
1. Linik Corp. Builders Management
2. Pacifica Services Inc.
3. SiteLogIQ united with IES
4. TELACU Construction Management

Personnel Recommendations
The Governing Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations and leaves.

Bob Crum

I previously mentioned that my readership is presently 2,397,602. Max Z. wrote to challenge the number. Max, here's the data: 276 readers in the U.K., 830 throughout Europe, seven in Hong Kong, five mermaids, the remaining 2,396,484, including Max, are Fillmore readers!

Also, in my previous column, I mentioned histograms and some got hysterical. Reader Larry A., emailed me telling me that I was rude introducing a technical term without an explanation. OK, I'll explain!

Photography is an art form and a digital image or print is the artistic expression. But a little camera technical know-how helps one create the desired photograph. One great aid is the camera's histogram. While deceptively simple at first glance, a histogram contains a wealth of image information. However, it will not tell you whether or not your composition is compelling or provide the Power Ball winning numbers!

A. Make a photo and chimp the shot. (remember chimping from last week?) B. Push your camera's “Info” button. Voila, the histogram! It quickly tells you the light levels of the exposure in graph form. The histogram plots light (luminosity) levels from black – the left end (wall) of the histogram – to pure white – the right side (wall) of the graph.

A perfect histogram rises gently from the left cresting in the midsection and gradually drops to the right, indicating a full range of tones from C# to B-flat. Oops, I mean luminosity tones. By not hitting either wall, the histogram indicates that there's no loss of detail in shadows or in the highlights. Celebrate! Your exposure is sweet.

A histogram bunched up at the right wall is a high-key image. Spikes at the right wall indicates burned-out (clipped) highlights, i.e., no detail in the highlights. Not good. But note that the sun is so bright that it will spike at the right wall. A histogram hitting the left wall indicates underexposure with blacks clipped, meaning no detail in the shadows. Not good. Mostly. Now revel in your new histogram expertise.

Roger M. wrote insisting that the ISO of 10000 of last week's photo of the week is a typo. It's not! However, he's right to question the number. An ISO that high is almost always unacceptably degraded. Generally speaking, an ISO higher than about 1500 will begin to show noise. Image noise appears as random specks and when excessive, significantly degrades image quality. At 10000, there should be so much digital noise that it should look like it was snowing.

At an ISO of 10000, why isn't there noise apparent in the photo? The secret is deft post-processing (editing). With two computer software programs and and two plugins, I utilize a three-step process to eliminate as much noise (image specks) as possible. But the process requires patience because noise reduction typically decreases image sharpness and tends to dull detail. The process is like a do-si-do dance, a delicate balance of noise reduction while maintaining image detail and contrast. Not always easily accomplished. Get it all right and voila, a magnificent image sans noise.

Even in problematic event light, I can usually maintain a shutter speed sufficient to compensate for camera shake, and hold the aperture at f/8 through f/11 for depth of field and not worry about how high in ISO auto mode it has to go for a proper exposure because I'm can usually salvage the image from excessive noise in post-processing. Keyword: Usually. It doesn't always work.

Photo of the week is steam engine #14 heading for the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Society's turntable during a media photo op. Happy photoing!

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotgraphy@earthlink.net