 VC Sheriff’s Aviation Unit Search & Rescue, along with VC Sheriffs and VC Fire Dept., rescued 15 stranded hikers from the Tar Creek Falls area over the weekend. Photo courtesy Sebastian Ramirez. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
Los Padres National Forest, Sespe River/Tar Creek Falls The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit conducted a rescue of 15 hikers near the Sespe River after receiving distress calls/signals from the Sespe River/Tar Creek Falls area. The hikers were airlifted to safety after the river became impassable to cross. None of the hikers were injured. On Friday, February 28 at about 12:40 p.m., a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was dispatched for a group of 12 hikers stranded by high waters in the Los Padres National Forest. The group was on the fourth day of a five-day backpacking trip near the Sespe River and Tar Creek Falls. The group attempted to return to their vehicles when they encountered dangerously fast moving water at the swollen Tar Creek. One of the hikers called 9-1-1 and a Sheriff’s helicopter was immediately dispatched to the area, but was unable to continue the search due to unsafe visibility in the canyon. At about 5 p.m., a second request for a rescue helicopter was received for the same area. A separate group of three hikers activated their personal emergency satellite beacon and based on the satellite coordinates, this group was about one mile apart from the previously stranded twelve hikers. The Sheriff’s helicopter again responded where the original 12 hikers were located on the east bank of the Sespe River, near Tar Creek. The group appeared to be in a safe location. The Sheriff’s helicopter continued north along the river where the second group of three hikers was located on the west bank of the Sespe River, near the west fork. The three men were in an unsafe location on a rock shelf above the rising river. Hoist operations were conducted to contact and lift the three men from the area. Each person was evaluated for injuries and they were flown to a safe location where County Fire Department and Sheriff’s personnel awaited them. The Sheriff’s helicopter returned to the Sespe River in an attempt to make contact with the original 12 hikers. After locating them, a rescuer was hoisted from the helicopter to contact the group. None of the 12 was injured and they requested to remain for the evening. Based on their current location and condition, the determination was made that the group was in a safe location and the Sheriff’s helicopter returned to its home base in Camarillo. Due to the water flow across Tar Creek, it was decided that the Sheriff’s helicopter would return the following day to recover all 12 hikers from the location. On Saturday morning, the 12 hikers were hoisted from the area by the Sheriff’s helicopter and flown to Fillmore. No medical attention was required for any of the hikers. Both groups were prepared with the appropriate level of food, water, and personal survival gear. A cell phone and an emergency satellite beacon were key communication devices that were helpful in locating the backpackers. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit reminds all individuals who enter the backcountry that weather conditions, including waterways, can change rapidly. Prepared by: Senior Deputy Don White |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
 Nick Johnson, who was not in attendance, was awarded Student of the Year  The Teacher of the Year award went to Esperanza “Hope” Chavez, who teaches kindergarten at San Cayetano Elementary. Enlarge Photo The March 4, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board once again began the first half of the meeting in the auditorium due to the size of those attending. Over 70 attendees had come to address the Board and/or observe the honors presented to Teacher of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, Administrator of the Year and Student of the Year. The second half of the meeting was conducted in the Board Room where the Annual Budget was explained along with this year’s new student testing program. The Teacher of the Year award went to Esperanza "Hope" Chavez, who teaches kindergarten at San Cayetano Elementary. She was nominated by San Cayetano Principal Trisha Gradias. Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson announced Chavez's name will be submitted for consideration as Ventura County Teacher of the Year by the Ventura County Office of Education. Administrator of the Year was awarded to Sierra High School Principal Cynthia Frutos. Sierra High has received numerous rewards and honors the past school year which included the Golden Bell Award. Frutos responded to her success by stating, "It wouldn't have happened without the support of the Board and staff." George Negrete was honored as Classified Employee of the Year and nominated by Mountain Vista Principal John Wilber. Nick Johnson, who was not in attendance, was awarded Student of the Year. During the Public Comments, just as they did during the last board meeting, many FUSD teachers addressed the Board concerning salary increases. Mountain Vista Elementary Teacher Sandy Butts addressed the Board stating, ".....the negotiating process is not working. At the last board meeting members described dates that the FUSD team had rescheduled, was unprepared to negotiate, or did not provide requested specific information. These delays continue....Are you aware that this is a repeated pattern of what occurred in Morgan Hill under (FUSD Supervisor) Dr. Nishino's leadership?" Butts provided several newspaper articles regarding prior problems at school districts, including Morgan Hill, under Nashino's supervision. Donna Wojciechowski, who has taught for 23 years and is now a 4th grade teacher at Rio Vista Elementary, spoke to the Board adding, "There was a time when teachers were compensated for making the effort to become bilingual, to the tune of $1,500 per year. There was a time when 20, 25, 30-plus years of service were recognized and celebrated, but these things have fallen by the wayside." San Cayetano 3rd Grade Teacher Tammy Ferguson addressed the salary increase stating, "Although we are not at the bottom, we are not at the top." Rebecca Ruskin, a senior member on CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
02/25/14 to 03/03/14
 City of Fillmore 02/25/14 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is seeking to shut down the Fillmore & Western Railway due to a lease dispute. The Commission has given the railway until the first week of March to halt operations. Dave Wilkerson, the railroad’s president, claims the lease is still valid. The VCTC claims the railroad has not fulfilled its maintenance obligations. The VCTC owns the rail corridor which runs 32 miles from Ventura to the Los Angeles County line. Wilkerson hopes to reach an equitable compromise to assure that the trains continue to run. The train is said to bring in up to 50,000 tourists per year. A more complete up-date will follow next week. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
 Fillmore Chief of Police Monica McGrath was honored at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the last one she will attend. VC Sheriff Geoff Dean has promoted the current acting Chief of Police, Captain Monica McGrath, to Commander. As a result of the Captain McGrath’s promotion, she will be fulfilling a new assignment within the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. McGrath served Fillmore for three years and was well-respected by the community. Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros is pictured presenting her with a bottle of ‘Fillmore wine’ as a thank-you for helping make Fillmore a safe community. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
 Lifetime Achievement Citizen, John Scoles, of Taylor, Scoles, and Bartels Law Office. Community awards are given each year to outstanding citizens, businesses, law enforcement, Fillmore Fire honorees, teachers, and students by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. No biographies were submitted by the Chamber this year. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department During the early morning hours of February 7, 2014, the Fillmore and Western Railway Company was burglarized. The suspect got away with thousands of dollar’s worth of tools and equipment. Video surveillance captured one suspect in the act. Fillmore detectives provided a still photo from the video to the law enforcement community seeking the identity of the suspect. Within hours, deputies from the Moorpark Police Department identified the suspect as Leonard Hatcher who has a long history of similar crimes. It was discovered Hatcher had been arrested two days after the burglary on unrelated charges. Detectives interviewed Hatcher regarding the burglary and subsequently booked him for second degree commercial burglary. Nature of Incident: Burglary Suspect Arrested |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
02/18/14 to 02/24/14
City of Fillmore 02/18/14 |
 Faculty and parents attended Tuesday’s school board meeting to express concerns about the District’s leadership. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, February 19th, 2014
Over seventy faculty, parents and concerned citizens attended the first half of the February 18, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting which was held in the auditorium. Most had come to support those who spoke during the Public Comments. They addressed the Board on a variety of issues from concern over lack of leadership, questionable funding, English translators and teacher salary increases. During the second half of the meeting there were two presentations on the Common Core State Standards. Site Council Members addressed the Board stating no confidence in the Fillmore High School (FHS) Principal Russom Mesfun. There were complaints that during Site Council Meetings Mesfun showed little interest and would often leave early having stayed less than 15 minutes. Site Councils are a group of teachers, parents, classified employees and students (at the high school level) that work with the principals to develop, review and evaluate school improvement program and school budgets. They have an obligation to make decisions that will best serve the whole school community and advise the principal on the school’s academic or school improvement plan and evaluate the school’s progress. There were accusations of Mesfun not following legal requirements and distorting information on funding that was available while also leaving meetings early therefore not being available to discuss the budget. One of those that addressed the Board was Karen Ashim, who worked as head counselor at FHS and the Site Council for two years. Ashim stated, "Mr. Mesfun either lied or misled the Site Council" adding that Mesfun, after being asked about funding, sent an email six weeks later dated February 18, 2014 stating; "This is to ask you to get a wish list from team members for individual and/or departmental use. I would like to request the School Site Council to fund much needed materials and resources for classroom use. Please send me your items by Friday (2/28)." [See Letter to the Editor www.fillmoregazette.com/letters/february-20-2014 ] These concerns about Mesfun are CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 19th, 2014
 A 13-year old Fillmore girl was found lying in the 100 block of Sespe Avenue on Friday evening around 7:30pm. Initial reports indicated she was unconscious and not breathing with a head injury. She was airlifted our of the Vons parking lot area, conscious and breathing, in stable condition. Apparently she jumped out of a moving vehicle and hit her head. The car, driven by her father, was going between 20 and 30 mph. Enlarge Photo |