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Vol. 9, No. 17 – May 25 – June 7, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

5-10 9:20pm, contacted a local transient living in his vehicle and illegally parked on Spinnaker Drive.  Officers issued a warning and the individual and his passenger left the scene without incident.
5-11 10:20pm, received a report of a flare sighting from a fishing vessel near Oxnard Shores.  The sighting was out of our area, but a vessel was in distress near Hueneme Harbor and was rescued and aided by U.S. coast guard.
5-13 2:20pm, officers received a report that a vessel was in distress near the Ventura Pier.  Officers responded and offered assistance to a sailing vessel using an under-power outboard engine.  The skipper refused assistance.
5-14 8:10pm, observed a state parks officer chasing a dog down the beach near the Santa Clara Rivermouth.  Officers assisted State Parks attempt to capture the animal.  After a few hours and several attempts to catch the dog, it eventually escaped into the river bottom.

8:46pm, received a dispatch to a medical at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire with an ill person.
5-15 3:10pm, received a report of a fuel spill near the National Park Service docks.  Officers responded and attempted to locate the spill but were unable to.
5-16 4:15pm, received a dispatch to an unconscious person at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire and AMR with the patient, a 60 year old female who was transported to local hospital.
5-17  

11:35pm, received a dispatch to an unknown medical at the launch ramp.  The call turned out to be an individual attempting to enact revenge on his boss who owed him money.  The subject was eventually arrested by Ventura PD.

3:10pm, received a report of a disabled vessel near Ventura Isle Marina.  The vessel was eventually towed by a good Samaritan.  Officers escorted the two vessels to the Ventura boat rentals dock.

7:59pm, received a dispatch to a medical at the Marina Mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted a 62 year female with a fractured foot. AMR transported the patient to local hospital for further evaluation.
   

 

Vol. 9, No. 17 – May 25 – June 7, 2016 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Armed Robbery with Arrest

On May 7, at approximately 8:45pm, Ventura Police patrol officers responded to a call for service of a man brandishing a knife outside of the business. Prior to the officers arrival, the suspect who was later identified as 33 year old vagrant from Ventura Thomas Pecel, ran away, however the officers found and detained him near the Bus Depot on the north side of the Pacific View Mall parking lot. The subsequent investigation revealed the suspect had been inside of the business where he stole items and left the store. When he was confronted by employees of the business, he pulled a knife from his pants, brandished it and threatened them. At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was booked into Ventura County Jail for armed robbery and an unrelated misdemeanor warrant. No one was injured during this incident.

Concealed, Stolen Firearm Arrest

On May 8, at approximately 2:30am, Ventura Police Patrol officers responded to a call regarding a fight in a parking lot in the 2100 block of South Victoria Avenue. One of the involved persons was armed with a handgun and another person was armed with a knife. The officers arrived and found a large group of people leaving the parking lot, and they were able to detain several of them. Ronald Lewiskates, 20 year old Ventura resident who was in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, was one of the people they were able to detain. The investigation revealed he had been involved in the incident, and he had two misdemeanor warrants. When the officers searched his vehicle, they found a hidden, stolen handgun.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Lewiskates was booked into Ventura County Jail for possessing a concealed handgun in the vehicle, possessing stolen property and the two unrelated misdemeanor warrants. The fight was determined to be mutual combat, and no prosecution was desired, though the defendant has the right to a defense attorney. No one was injured during this incident.

Stabbing

On May 13, at approximately 4pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a stabbing victim in the 1100 block of S. Seaward Ave. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found the victim, later identified as Kent Winder, suffering from a non-life threatening laceration to his face. He was immediately transported to VCMC for treatment of his injuries. The suspect , a white male in his 20’s, was last seen fleeing southbound on Seaward Ave. towards the beach.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4488. An anonymous tip can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Felony and Misdemeanor Battery, Felony Vandalism and Conspiracy

On May 19, at approximately 3pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a possible battery that just occurred in the area of Grant Park, 699 Brakey Rd. Eilar called to report that his friend had been assaulted and was now injured. He said the suspects left in a vehicle, although were possibly still in the area. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire personnel responded to the call and found the victim, later identified as Erick Stevenson, suffering from a moderate facial injury and scratches. He was immediately transported to VCMC for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Officers learned that Stevenson and Eilar were sitting in a parked vehicle at a turnout near Grant Park, when the three suspects, 19 year old Ventura resident Hugo Cervantes, 18 year old Ventura resident Noel Cavazos and 18 year old Ventura resident Carlos Perez-Mares, drove by and stopped. The suspects confronted Stevenson outside of his vehicle and started hitting him in the head and face. Stevenson was then pushed down a nearby hillside and fell a short distance. The suspects then confronted Eilar and struck him several times.

During the altercation, Cavazos removed a knife and stabbed one of the tires of Stevenson’s vehicle. Cervantes and Perez-Mares also threw rocks at his vehicle and broke the driver’s side window.

Cavazos, Cervantes and Perez-Mares then got back into their vehicle and fled the scene. An officer responding to the call saw the vehicle driving in the area and conducted a traffic stop. All three suspects were detained.

All were booked into the Ventura County Jail for felony and misdemeanor battery, felony vandalism and conspiracy.

The suspects were not known to either Stevenson or Eilar prior to this incident, and the reason for assaulting them is unknown.

 

Vol. 9, No. 17 – May 25 – June 7, 2016 – Mailbox

Breeze:

The Star was in such a rush to get the story (Irish Centenary) in the next day’s paper their coverage was superficial and they made serious errors. Their reporter didn’t notice last minute changes to the program and had two wrong captions.   The VC Reporter only gave this unique event a few tiny lines in their calendar because they were busy with Earth Day.

John McNally
Remax Gold Coast Realtors

Dear Editor,

This week the Ventura City Council gave the green light to work on placing an initiative for the November ballot increasing the sales tax one-half to 1%.

Although I support the school district, I believe that lowering the tax rate one half of a percentage point would actually increase sales in town, thus achieving the same result of adding sales tax dollars to Ventura.

For example, the purchase of a $35,000 automobile or kitchen remodel would cost $350 less in Ventura than Oxnard if our tax rate was 1% less than Oxnard. I think this would drive people to spend here considering the savings.

Excessive taxes and business regulations are a damper to our economy. The problem in Ventura is not how much taxes we collect but rather how poorly we spend our dollars. The facebook page Watchdog Ventura is a good platform for studying this issue. I encourage everyone to read it.

Sincerely,
Randall Richman – Ventura

To Shana Epstein-Ventura Water General Manager

We here in Pierpont have seen this before and complained about.  I know you are probably cleaning out the waterline on Waterbury LN since you are doing work on the line on our lane.  But why don’t you capture this water with a water truck and take it to one of the parks that could use the water?   Why are we residents expected to conserve 20% when you are pouring hundreds of gallons of water onto Pierpont BL?   You would think that the Water Department would be making an effort to set the example.

Murray Robertson

opinion RobertsonThank you, Murray, for your understanding of why we are flushing the waterline.  We are actually in the process of purchasing a truck as you suggest and hope to have it by the end of this year.  We will be able to flush water into the truck, treat it and then put back into the distribution system.

I appreciate your conservation ethic.
Shana Epstein

Hey Sheldon,

You know that that the Breeze is my fav Ventura pub, and you are a most delightful curmudgeon, but really…

Yes, it was the preliminary hearing (proposed 55-unit hillside development) and those us who attended all understood the purpose of that hearing.

The point of the signs was, as it was then, and still is, to draw awareness to the public. The prescreen is over but the bigger point is to keep it fresh in the public eye.

No need to spend more of someone’s generous personal money to do this, in case you’d perhaps like to pick up the tab, to “right this terrible wrong” with the signs to have it changed. 😉

Second, the “exaggerated concepts” that the locals put together were based on only what the development had made public months before the meeting. My impression was that the presentation they made that night had been put together with a lot of burning of the midnight oil to counter what the citizen group put together. The lush green renderings made it look quite appealing, but when has the hillside ever looked as lush or green as that?

Now that we are in a serious drought, let’s all be realistic going in. So many other issues… vacation housing for the retired and wealthy? (the reality) We have plenty of hillside opportunities now.

best to you,

Kurt Triffet
Triffet Design Group

Kurt: We all look forward to see what their next round of drawings are. Assuming that they choose to continue with the project. We have contacted Regency to learn of the their plans.

After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say,
” I want to see the manager.”
~ William S. Burroughs

Vol. 9, No. 17 – May 25 – June 7, 2016 – Forever Homes Wanted

scamp to adopt VCASPenelope is a beautiful brindle and white nine year old Plott Hound/ Boxer mix. She is a very Happy mellow, friendly, well-mannered and affectionate senior dog with plenty of life and love to offer her new family. She loves going for walks and has great leash manners. She is easy to handle and eager to please. She would love to meet you! Ventura County Animal Services – Simi Valley location – 670 W. Los Angeles Ave. Penelope A635290

scamp to adopt CARLHi: We’re Nacho (Min Pin X) and Dosia (Terrier X) !  We’re both very sweet, but a little shy as we get used to our new surroundings.  Through no fault of our own, we are in need of a new home as our living situation has changed.   We don’t have to be adopted together, but wouldn’t mind staying together.  All we want is to be loved and cared for.  We hope it’s not long before we’re making new memories with our forever family.  CARL

Ventura Film Society Season 8 – “Hearing is Believing” the Rachel Flowers story June 9

Please join the Ventura Film Society on Thursday June 9th at 6:30pm at the Century 10 Downtown Ventura for the Ventura County Premiere of “HEARING IS BELIEVING”, the new feature documentary from VFS Founder & award-winning producer/director Lorenzo DeStefano. This film introduces the world to the multi-talented young musician and composer, Rachel Flowers. Born 15 weeks premature, weighing only one pound five ounces, Rachel lost her eyesight due to Retinopathy of Prematurity. When she was two years old she began picking up melodies from her musical parents and was soon playing every song she heard by ear, including Bach fugues. The child had perfect pitch. Starting her formal musical education at the age of 4, Rachel spent the next 10 years studying at the Southern California Conservatory of Music.

DeStefano and his team have created a dynamic and engaging portrait of nearly two years in the life of the tight knit Flowers family, a single mom and her two kids living paycheck to paycheck in Oxnard, California, with Rachel’s stunning music as the soundtrack. “Hearing is Believing” revels in Rachel’s joyous and free-flowing love of song, illuminating in the process the bonds of family and the divine mysteries of creativity. Among the incredible musicians appearing with Rachel in the film are the legendary Stevie Wonder, Grammy-winning rocker Dweezil Zappa, , the late Progressive Rock icon Keith Emerson, Grammy winning jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, the young Bay Area jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, and fifty members of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony.

Advance tickets available at www.venturafilmsociety.com/tickets.html. For more information – 805 628-2299 / [email protected]. The VFS thanks the City of Ventura Community Partnerships, Cinemark, Downtown Ventura Partners, Bell Arts Factory, and the Ventura Breeze for their support. The Ventura Film Society, we bring people together in the dark.

Ventura City Fire Department responds to kitchen fire in two story home.

On May 13, at approximately 4pm, Ventura City Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from a two story residential home. Upon arrival fire crews found a fire burning in the kitchen on the second floor. The fire was extinguished 10 minutes after arrival of firefighters. A sprinkler system was activated as a result of the fire and contained the fire to the area of origin. The home sustained water damage from the sprinkler activation on both floors of the residence. Three adults were displaced from the home as a result of the fire.

No firefighters were injured as a result of this incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

HOLLYWOOD

by Tony Rizzo

Have moviegoers tastes changed that much? The 2016 film release schedule reveals 15 documentaries and 10 superhero movies. The documentaries range from O.J Simpson, Frank Zappa, Norman Lear and Anthony Weiner to environment and climate change, stem-cell research, animal rights and cyber warfare. On the superhero side, we’ll be barraged with “Captain America”, “X-Men,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Independence Day,” “Tarzan,” “Suicide Squad,” “Doctor Strange,” “Rogue One” and “Assassin’s Creed.”

Along those lines, Chris Hemsworth has had a rocky road as a headliner when his films weren’t superhero-oriented. In 2012, he had four films: “Cabin in the Woods,” which made $36.5 million above cost; “Avengers,” which made $1.5 billion; “Snow White and the Huntsman,” which grossed $133 million and “Red Dawn,” which lost $17 million. In 2013, he had “Rush,” which made a $59 million profit, and “Thor: The Dark World,” which brought in $475 million. In 2015, “Blackhat” lost $50 million, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” made $1.5 billion, while “In the Heart of the Sea” tanked, losing $5 million. His latest, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” is off to a bad start, earning only $110 million of its $115 million cost.

Chris has won awards for his work: a 2012 Teen Choice Award (summer movie star — male) and a 2013 People’s Choice Award (favorite action-movie star) for “The Avengers” and “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and a 2013 MTV award (for best fight, in “The Avengers”). The public has spoken! They want him super-sized! Superhero films are usually in IMAX and 3D, and it would appear that moviegoers only to go to theaters to see what they can’t get on their electronic devices.

“Castle” is going for a 10-episode ninth season, but without its female star, Stana Katic. Reports say she wasn’t offered another contract, but since both she and Nathan Fillion are listed as producers, shouldn’t they have had a united front? The show monkeyed around with their relationship (to help ratings?), but it didn’t work. So expect her be killed off. And what’s with Fillion and those AAG reverse-mortgage commercials? He’s 45 years old trying to appeal to the over-60 crowd. Did they think graying his hair would accomplish that? Really!

Do we really need another production of “Hairspray,” this time live on NBC with Harvey Fierstein (in drag, as Edna Turnblad), Martin Short (Wilbur), Jennifer Hudson (Motor Mouth Maybelle) and Derek Hough (Corny Collins). I don’t know, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah and James Marsden are still fresh in my mind. Too much hairspray is bad for the ozone!

(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.