News Source For The Santa Clara Valley In Ventura County
Tuesday March 09, 2010
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Road Closure Notice
City Of Fillmore
February 10, 2010
There will be a road closure of Mountain View at the railroad tracks. It is being closed from Tuesday, February 16, from 7 a.m. until Friday March 12, 2010, at approximately 5 p.m. Excessive rain could lengthen the closure, but good weather could shorten the closure.
The road is being closed to allow the reconstruction of the three tracks which cross the street. The new crossing will have concrete pads similar to the new crossing installed on Central Avenue. The work will dramatically improve the vehicle and pedestrian access across the tracks. The construction will be performed by Fillmore and Western and Mendez Concrete.
The complete closure of the street was selected after careful consideration of a number of alternatives including night work, partial closure and detour options. The other choices had significant safety concerns, greater impact on adjacent neighbors and higher costs in some cases.
Please bear with us through this closure. We know it will be an inconvenience for many residents and the other users of Mountain View while it is closed. The good news is that after the crossing is reconstructed Mountain View will be repaved and the street will be new and smooth for many years to come. Thank you for your patience.
Breakfast with Champions Featured
Guest Speaker Actor Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen is shown with Santa Paula Rotary Club President Pamela Lindsay who had accepted a beautiful plaque for the clubs large donation.
The special invitation breakfast held at the Ventura Farm Museum in Santa Paula drew businesses, farmers, and members of associations which filled the room.
February 28, 2010
A breakfast meeting was held on Friday, February 26, 2010, at the Ventura Farm Museum, which has been known as The Mill, in Santa Paula, CA.
The event was focused on the businesses, farmers, and associations through out Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru to hold the special Breakfast which featured guest speaker, long time member and supporter actor Martin Sheen.
The program included a video presentation at the start of the early morning event was of boys and girls who are members of the Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru Boys and Girls Clubs, giving everyone a real story as to what it means to them to have such a fantastic program for them.
In all good humor, Santa Paula Police Chief, serving as Master of Ceremonies, presented his “special friends located at the entrances which were two officers in full riot gear” along with Sheen as an incentive to make sure everyone makes an attempt to contribute their donations to help support the Boys and Girls Clubs. Everyone was very impressed as they entered the two entrances of the building, and there was laughter from everyone.
Others awarded with words of thanks were The Santa Paula Rotary Club which accepted a beautiful plaque for their large donation of $10,000 by current President Pamela Lindsay. Later Lindsay stated "it was done to inspire other businesses and organizations to donate, the plaque was very un-expected and not the intention for the recognition."
Martin Sheen was very humble in his presentation as he explained that the actual name on the card was not Martin Sheen but Ramon Estevez, and that all of his brothers before him and after were all members of the Boys Club, since he attended an all boys Catholic school it would have made a different impact if it was the Boys and Girls Club back those days, but he loves the program and all the boys and girls. The audience laughed. Mr. Sheen took more time out to sign autographs and have pictures taken with the attendees and the staff. Sheen was truly here for the club and the program, he never once was ever in any kind of rush, he even asked if he could have more time.
Martin Sheen was given two gifts from the Boys and Girls of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru, which were a rancher’s style cowboy hat and a framed piece of art made by one of the kids.
It was stated by the Boys and Girls Club officials that they had seating for 300 and had 250 people confirmed their RSVP, plus there were more showing up at the door. The room was packed by 8:30 a.m.
El Pescador Restaurant provided the scramble eggs with ham or with Chorizo with their beans and rice and the Salsa with chips, and coffee, as well as orange juice and tomato juice.
Pictures by Timeless Images Photography.
Actor Martin Sheen stands between two police officers in full riot gear, pretending to make sure everyone will make their donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru.
Martin Sheen is shown wearing his new ranchers hat and holding a framed art piece one of the children from the club had done just for him.
Farm Watch
February 28, 2010
Welcome to the second February 2010 Ventura
County Sheriff Farm Watch.
Uniting farmers, ranchers, supply houses, nurseries, oilfields and our
entire agricultural community.
For our newest members, remember you will never get spammed. You can
un-subscribe any time, just send us an email.
Congratulations Farm Watch members!
What a perfect Saturday morning to be writing our newsletter.
We just broke the 500 member mark.
Who would have ever thought 500 ranches farms, nurseries and such..?
500 different sets of crime fighting eyes, keeping Ag-crime abated in
Ventura County and joining one another in an entire virtual rural community.
Be on the Lookout (B.O.L)
Ag Commissioner Henry Gonzales and his team of investigators, combined with
the Farm Bureau, state and federal scientist are looking for a fugitive
called the Asian Psyllid. This critter is trying to destroy our California's
$1.2-billion Ag-industry.
Just as the Asian Psyllid silently prepares to strike local farmers, so does
another element of well organized fugitives.
Skimmers:
We have recently been contacted by local residents
who have had their VISA and MASTERCARDS "skimmed" at gas stations throughout
Ventura County. This is a stealthy and silent crime.
What is skimming? After reading this, you will understand it and reduce your
chances of your farm or ranch becoming the next victim.
Skimming is a crime that is typically run by a well organized group out of
the Los Angeles basin.
A skimmer is a micro-credit and fleet fuel card reader that is illegal. The
criminal group installs electronic "Skimmer Recorders" inside the guts of
gas station pumps. You usually can't see them as they are often behind the
gas pump access door.
We just sent deputies out this week and checked the inside of pumps in our
area. On one search, we recovered 2 Skimmers. Each skimmer was high tech and
was holding about 400 credit card transactions. These crooks install them
late at night and harvest credit card information for days.
The "organized crime" group then makes a duplicate card of yours (with all
your personal information) and they then start making charges against your
credit card account out of the county.
Tip: These bad guys love to keep the illegal charges between $60 to $90 (low
and hidden) in your bill. There is not one specific gas station brand they
hit. As a matter of fact, they also hit fleet type gas stations and will
even clone fleet gas cards used by the police and farms.
We are on board with the Secret Service, Simi and Santa Paula Police
Departments to apprehend them.
You can help.
#1. Try to always use a pump that has a gas station video camera looking
right at it. Virtually every time, Skimmers only hit gas pumps without good
camera coverage.
#2. Skimmer Thieves love to install at gas stations without exterior
cameras.
#3. When in doubt or out of town, hand your card to an attendant. This
simple act will nearly guarantee no fraud.
#4. Check your monthly bill. Look for charges at gas stations that you do
not use.
#5. Report fraudulent use to your local police station and then Email me at
tim.hagel@ventura.org if you find a fraudulent skimming charge. Farm
Watch is working with the Secret Service and we want to coordinate
information so we can catch these guys.
#6. Encourage your gas station to check for Skimmers inside the gas pump at
least 3 times a day. Show the station manager the attached Farm Watch
picture of a skimmer. Early detection by a gas station owner or manager can
save hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims.
Like the Asian Psyllid , lets stomp out this crime.
Construction Site Burglar:
The latest victim was able to obtain a
vehicle plate as the crook took off at a high rate of speed heading in the
Ojai area southbound near Highway 150. The vehicle is a older model Mazda
pickup with a camper shell and has the word “Mazda” written in silver on the
tailgate. The license plate is CA 4S31082. If you see this vehicle, contact
Detective Wes Johnson at 805-684-5405 X423 Do not approach the suspect.
Foothill Burglar:
An unknown burglar is hitting our nurseries
along Foothill between Ventura and Santa Paula. He is even hit the S.C.E
service trucks in the area. The burglar prefers rural areas and uses the
cover or orchards to approach shops and nurseries. We have recovered some
stolen tools that he left behind in the orchards, so the burglar is running
away in haste. Taken was, 2 air compressors, 3 field pumps, 30 pair of
rubber boots. If you have any tips, contact Sheriff's Detective Chris
Returra at Christine.Rettura@ventura.org Chris
needs your help.
Who-What-Where-When-Why:
These are the questions a 911 dispatcher is going to ask you when you call
to report a crime. Farm Watch has released an information card attached in
PDF Form to this newsletter. This card is the same template your deputies
use every day to catch crooks. Print the card and keep them in your work
truck. Try to get as much information as you can when you call us. (not
included in this article.)
Ranger Burglar:
Two male burglars were caught in the act
along Guiberson Road. however, they escaped in an older White, extended-cab
Ford Ranger with a large blue stripe down both sides of the truck. A local
Farm Watch member caught them going through his equipment yard. They escaped
with stolen property. Folks, this should be an easy truck for the 500 Farm
Watch members to find, keep your eyes open. If you see it, get the license
plate and call me at 805-524-2233. Do not confront the suspects.
Lassie always gets the bad guys:
Last week, local Farm Watch members heard dogs barking outside at 530 A.M.
Astute as the were (the dogs and farmers), they checked outside and observed
two males hiding in an orchard. Remember this is 5:30 in the morning.
Deputies responded immediately and set up a perimeter. The deputies thought
that it was fruit thieves and were hoping to catch them. A great job by all,
as the deputies caught the male suspects.
They were arrested for conspiracy, drug charges and possession of burglary
tools.
As it turns out, these were not only fruit pickers. They had ski masks,
gloves and were ready to break into some farm outbuildings. Arrested was 23
year old Michael Wear.
Remember Lassie always gets the bad guys! By the way, Lassie's name had to
be changed in order to protect her K-9 witness status.
Backhoe recovered by Farm Watch:
A local Farm Watch member just had a brand
new rental backhoe stolen a few days ago from a rural farm site. Deputy Mike
Stevenson immediately started searching the Santa Clara River Valley to see
if he could find it. He was interviewing local farmers and a Farm Watch
member gave him a tip that led Stevenson to the location of the abandoned
backhoe. The suspects are unknown and at-large but the back hoe is recovered
undamaged.
Tree Theft:
A local nursery just had avocados trees
stolen. The crooks took twenty(20) . If you get an offer for a suspicious
sale of new trees contact Detective Ray Dominguez at
ray.dominguez@ventura.org
Saddle Theft:
A local Piru ranch just had an outbuilding
broken into. Saddles were taken. Their livestock was let loose. Isn't it
enough to steal, let alone endanger livestock near a highway?.. Any tips?
Las Posas Duece:
A drunk driver did a serious hit and run in
the L.A Avenue/118 corridor in Somis. He fled on foot and was hiding in a
local farm when nursery workers discovered him hiding in a building. The
farm workers immediately called 911 and he was caught by deputies and the
CHP. A big thanks to these workers who overcame their language barriers and
fear to call 911... Always encourage your Ag-workers to use 911, we are
ready for their calls.
Oh I forgot... the word Duece is also
police term for drunk driver. The term represents a portion of the numbers
in the vehicle code. A little farm watch primer in police jargon.... (:
Stay dry today on this wonderful rainy weekend...
and...Be safe Farm Watch,
Your Friend
Tim Hagel, Captain
ASK THE DIRECTOR
Q: Do I have to purchase flood insurance? Didn’t FEMA postpone the insurance requirement?
A: Many Fillmore residents are being told by their lenders and insurance carriers that they must purchase flood insurance even though they are not required to. Effective January 21, 2010, FEMA adopted a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMR) that effectively postponed the requirement to purchase flood insurance for about two years.
If you are being asked to purchase flood insurance and you do not want the insurance, you can obtain a copy of the LOMR by downloading it from the City of Fillmore web site (www.fillmoreca.com) or pick up a copy at City Hall during regular business hours. The send the LOMR to your lender or insurance agent and it will provide them the information they need to see that you are not required to purchase flood insurance.
There are two small areas of the City that are still required to purchase flood insurance. These areas have been required to have flood insurance since 1984 and include the easterly section of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park and an area in the vicinity of C Street and River Street.
Q: What are the purple pipes for along the railroad and bike path?
A: The purple pipes are a temporary irrigation system to water a tall fescue grass that will be planted this month along the railroad corridor from B Street to Central Avenue. After the grass is established the above ground sprinklers will be removed and the grass will be irrigated with a subsurface drip system.
The subsurface drip system is an important part of the winter time disposal system for surplus recycled water so it is not discharged to the river. During heavy rain events the drip system will percolate water into the soil. During the summer it will keep the grass green. The tall fescue will be mowed about twice a year.
Q: When will the Mountain View railroad crossing be opened back up?
A: The Mountain View Railroad crossing was opened up to pedestrian traffic on Tuesday March 2nd and will be opened to vehicle traffic on Sunday evening March 7th. The work to install concrete railroad pads is about a week ahead of schedule. In about four months Mountain View will be repaved and the street will be like new.
If you have questions regarding our public infrastructure please send them to: Bert J. Rapp, P.E., Public Works Director at City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore CA 93015, or leave a message 24 hours a day at 524-1500 x 231 and he will address them in a future column.
The photo is of the Mendez Concrete crew working on the Mountain View Railroad crossing.
3-2-10
Arrest Of Armed Fugitive
March 6, 2010
During the last part of February 2010,
Sheriff’s gang investigators received information that David Castro,
26, was selling narcotics in the Sheriff’s Department
jurisdiction. Castro, a Santa Paula gang member, was wanted for
violating his parole and had a no bail warrant for his arrest. He
was listed as an armed and dangerous fugitive.
On Friday night, March 5, 2010 about 6:00
p.m., Sheriff’s gang investigators located Castro as he got into a
car in the 900 block of Santa Barbara Street, Santa Paula.
Investigators followed him to a fast food drive through in the 900
block of Harvard Blvd, where they approached him on foot. As
officers approached Castro’s vehicle, he removed a loaded handgun
from his waist and attempted to hide it from officers. He was taken
into custody without incident. In addition to the handgun, Castro
was found in possession of 3 ½ ounces of methamphetamine and over
$1,000 dollars in cash. The handgun determined to have been stolen
from a residential burglary in the City of Ventura.
Castro was arrested on a number of charges
including felon in possession of a firearm, transportation of
methamphetamine, possession of narcotics while armed, and possession
of a firearm by a narcotic addict. He was booked into the Ventura
County Jail and remains in custody without bail.
As part of the Sheriff’s Departments
efforts in reducing gang violence and making residents feel safer,
they maintain the GANG TIP HOTLINE. Residents can call
“1-888-58GANGS” and anonymously report criminal gang activity in
their neighborhoods. Residents are reminded to call “911” in
emergencies or (805) 654-9511 for non-emergencies
Pedestrian Killed In Traffic Collision
March 8, 2010
On
Sunday, March 7, 2010, at approximately 8:14 p.m., deputies from the
Fillmore Station and personnel from the Fillmore Fire Department
responded to a call of a pedestrian down from a traffic accident.
Federico Gomez, 32, who was known to possibly be homeless but had
previous addresses in Fillmore was crossing A Street on foot south
of River Street, just before the bridge at the Santa Clara River,
when he was struck by a 1992 Buick sedan which was traveling south,
just before the Santa Clara River bridge. The pedestrian was
transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he died as a
result of his injuries. The driver of the Buick was Harim Gonzalez,
22, of Oxnard, and his passenger stated they did not see the
pedestrian until after the collision. An independent witness in
another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on A Street
verified their account of the collision.
Fund Raising Event For Boys & Girls Club
On left is Marcos Hernandez and Buddy Escoto of theBoys & Girls Club. The two were pleased at the turnout of Fillmore's residents buying dinners at El Pescado Restaurant on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.
A large "Thank You" sign was hung on the windows at El Pescador Restaurant in Fillmore for all Jesus "Chuy" Ortiz did for the club. The signed was signed by lots of the people coming in for the well known establishment's great food.
Pictures by Timeless Images Photography.
Car Versus Bus Collision
February 8, 2010
On Sunday, February 6, 2010, at approximately 1:35 p.m. a gray, 2003 Volkswagen driven by Christina Florine, 22, of Ventura, was traveling south on Central Avenue. At the intersection of Santa Clara Street, Florine collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Fillmore Area Transit bus, driven by Paul Ortega, 43, of Piru, but when she attempted to proceed south on Central the bus was in the process of making a left turn on to Santa Clara and Florine struck the bus. American Medical Response (AMR) transported Florine with undisclosed injuries. The vehicles were towed from the scene with moderate damage.
Major Donations Presented At Council Meeting
At the Tuesday, February 23 2010, regular Fillmore City Council meeting the Ventura County Sheriff's Association donated $1,250, The Cops Running for Charity (CRFC) donated $500, and the Fillmore City Employees donated $626, all to be donated to the Boys & Girls Club. The 850 members of the Sheriff's Department will be donating another $1,250 in the future.
March 2010 Garden Of The Month
March 7, 2010
The Civic Pride Committee has chosen the garden of the month for March. Pictured from left is the owner of the Haase’s residence, in the middle is Arnaldo Salazar, the owner of Salazar Landscape and Civic pride committee member Linda Nunes. This yard located at 432 Mallard Street, in Fillmore, has been designed to require much less water and maintenance with the use of different types of rock, granite and sand. The plants include four types of cactus, flax, lavender and thyme. There is an attractive small redwood bridge across a small pebble filled stream and a great portion of the yard is filled in by sand and gravel. The owner is shown receiving a $25 Gift Certificate from Otto & Sons Nursery, 1835 Guiberson Road, Fillmore, CA.
