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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
And this week's Letter to the Editor from Mr. Prado
 Fillmore Unified School District Ventura County District Attorney's Office addresses possible Brown Act complaint against FUSD OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY Re: Brown Act Complaint Dear Mr. Prado: We have received a complaint regarding the Fillmore Unified School District Regular Meeting of March 18, 2014. You presided over at least a portion of the meeting. I reviewed the agenda for the meeting and an audio recording of the relevant portion of the meeting. I also discussed the matter with Superintendent Alan Nishino and Assistant Superintendent Deo Persaud. Following the presentation regarding agenda item 1-2, “Fillmore High School Update on the WASC Process by FHS Staff,” a member of the public sought to address the Board. She informed me that she had completed a public comment card but had not been called upon to give her comment. On the tape, she asked, “Can I ask a question?” You responded, “1 want to caution you. Questions, yes. Comments or speeches, no.” She then spoke for several minutes, but it appears that your “caution” may have limited her presentation. At one you point, while she was attempting to answer a question you posed to her (why teachers would be afraid to come speak for themselves), she responded that she would not make a comment because you did not want any comments. An individual who attended the meeting (not the individual who sought to give public comment) brought the matter to the attention of the District Attorney’s Office. Your “caution” that CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
 A Chevy Blazer crashed through a picket fence, knocked down a mailbox and landed in the middle of a livingroom in a house located in the 700 Block of B Street. Driver Milka Catalan Ramirez, 26 of Fillmore, was cited and released at the scene for being an unlicensed driver. No evidence of alcohol or drugs was reported. It is considered a distracted driving incident. Fillmore Fire responded to stabilize the residence for the removal of the vehicle, and shut off all utilities. No injuries were reported. The incident occured at 5:55am, Tuesday morning, April 1st. Significant structural damage was done to the home. Photos courtesy Fillmore Fire. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
 Ten people were injured in a multivehicle crash on Highway 126 at Hopper Canyon, on Sunday, March 30, 2014. The crash took place at 2:10 p.m., at the Railroad track crossing west of the Rancho Sespe Apartments. One victim was airlifted by Sheriff’s helicopter to Los Robles Medical Center, Thousand Oaks. Three were transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura; two victims were taken by ambulances to Henry Mayo Hospital in Santa Clarita. Four refused treatment at the scene. Fillmore Fire Dept. provided one engine and a rescue unit. Eastbound lanes were closed but reopened by 4 p.m. Events leading to the accident are under investigation. Enlarge Photo |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
During Public Comments Karen Ashim, retired Fillmore High School (FHS) Counselor, addressed the Board with observations over her many years at FHS stating, "Fillmore High School is disintegrating. For 25 years I saw improvement in student achievement and college acceptance rates. During my 26th and 27th years, I saw established practices be thrown away. This year FHS is crumbling and you the Members of the School Board have done nothing to stop it; not even to go visit the school to investigate problems brought to your attention. Leadership is an active process." She then confronted the Board on an issue that occurred at the March 18, 2014 meeting where she was told she could only ask questions on an agenda item and nothing else (a Brown Act violation, see VC District Attorney letter, page 2). The agenda item she referred to was Fillmore's accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The accreditation process CONTINUED » |
 Major Steven Kane, Executive Officer, 11th MP Battalion (CID) David's Mother: Julia Winters WO3 David M. Warlock-Ortiz David's Uncle Richard Ortiz. Enlarge Photo By Dick Diaz — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
1996 Fillmore High School Graduate David M. Warnock-Ortiz was recently promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3 (WO3) in the United States Army. WO3 David M. Warnock-Ortiz, 36 years, is a career soldier serving as a Senior Digital Forensic Examiner, Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Fort Hood, TX. The Army’s Fort Hood located in Killeen, Texas. He also attended San Cayetano Elementary School and Fillmore Junior High School. While in the Army David has taken college level courses pursuing a degree in computer science. (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz is married to Sonja (originally from Mississippi), who he met while stationed in the military in Korea. Together they have three sons; Isaiah 12 years, Israel 11 years and Zion 7 year. (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz is the son of Julia Ortiz-Winters and James Warnock of Fillmore and the stepson of Donald Winters. His Maternal Grandparents are the late Fred and Virginia Ortiz of Fillmore and his Paternal Grandparents are the late Ronald and Lillian Warnock of Fillmore. He has one sister, Darlene Leighton, 38 years, living in Texas. (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz comes from a long line of family members who have served in the United States Army; Grandfather Fred Ortiz served during Korea, Grandfather Ronald Warnock also served in the Army as did Uncles Ray Ortiz Sr. and Pete Cervantez and Cousin Ray Ortiz Jr. all of Fillmore. (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz enlisted in the Army in September 1996 after graduation from Fillmore High School where David played football for two-years. He initially enlisted as a Military Policeman and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). While there he completed Air Assault School, and then deployed to Egypt as part of a multinational training exercise. (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz has also been assigned in Korea, where he worked at a Military Intelligence compound protecting classified materials. He then returned to the United States and moved to Fort Carson, Colorado where he was assigned to patrol and direct combat support of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz is a career soldier and he is proud to serve his Country protecting all of us here at home. We wish (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz safe travel and thank him and his family for their sacrifices. His service is greatly appreciated. Congratulations on your promotion to United States Army Warrant Officer 3! (WO3) David M. Warnock-Ortiz is truly an American Hero! |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
 Three victims wait to be transported at the base of a 10-foot ravine. The vehicle they were riding in went down the ravine and came to rest at the edge of a crop field. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
03/18/14 - 03/24/14
 City of Fillmore 03/18/14 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
 Approximately three acres were charred on Friday, March 21st, in the Santa Clara River bottom, north/east of the Grimes Canyon bridge. The 1:35p.m. blaze shot flames 90 feet into the air and drew a large crowd of onlookers. Fillmore Fire, along with County and Santa Paula, quickly knocked down the flames. Bamboo (Arundo) could be heard exploding, before the fire was contained. At least one powerline was damaged. Enlarge Photo |
 (l-r) (top row) Steven Cheveste, Fillmore, 33; Pedro Tello, Fillmore, 23; Natane Chapman, Fillmore, 22; (bottom row) Martin Gaspar, Fillmore, 24; Jose Martin Herrera, Fillmore, 25; Frank Villa, Fillmore, 33. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department Deputies discovered two handguns and narcotics while serving an arrest warrant in Piru Tuesday morning. Deputies from the Fillmore / Santa Clara Valley Station went to a residence in the 900-block of Main Street in the unincorporated community of Piru to serve an arrest warrant for Pedro Tello. As they arrived at the house, the deputies noticed a structure at the back of the residence, where they found several known Fillmore gang members who were on probation. Three people fled from the building as deputies approached, but were eventually caught. Pedro Tello was hiding inside the house and refused to come out. He eventually surrendered to deputies, who arrested him for the outstanding warrant. Deputies searched the home and found a loaded handgun hidden in some clothing and a second loaded handgun in the area where Tello had been hiding. Deputies also found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana. Tello had 19 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, and Frank Villa also had a small quantity of methamphetamine in his possession. Deputies ultimately arrested six men for a variety of charges including weapons and narcotics violations. All six were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Nature of Incident: Gang Related Firearm and Narcotics Arrests |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 26th, 2014
City of Fillmore About five people, besides the council and city staff, attended Tuesday's Fillmore City Council meeting, which was completed by 7:00 p.m. There were a number of items approved; a reward for information leading to the conviction of a crime, and another to ensure continued train service and filming in Fillmore. Also discussed was the problem intersection at Santa Clara and B Street, and a settlement agreement on the tax sharing contract. Ventura Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the shooting death of Adrian Moreno on January 11, 2014. To date no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. The Fillmore City Council discussed also offering a one thousand dollar reward for the convictions of those involved to which Council Member Rick Neal responded, "I think one thousand is low, I'd like to see it bumped to ten thousand." Council Member Diane McCall added, "I think whatever we need to do to get people talking." City Manager David W. Rowlands informed the Council that if the person convicted is a minor, the parent or guardian shall be liable and levied for the amount of the reward. The reward will be paid within 30 days of a conviction. Councilman Steve Conaway then offered the $2,000 he has in Council Travel Expense Money be moved to the reward fund. All members agreed and the measure for a Fillmore City $10,000 Reward was passed. The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and Fillmore and Western Railroad are currently in a legal dispute which may lead to Fillmore and Western Railroad no longer providing tourist and filming operations. Rowlands reminded the Council how important the trains are to the economy of the City, drawing people to the area from all over the state. "The tourist train draws film and production companies .....television, commercials, movies are filmed using the tourist train," Rowlands told the Council. Neal responded, "I'm in support of this....the people of Fillmore like having the train." Conaway added, "It's incumbent on us to lobby for this." McCall agreed, "This is very important for filming." A resolution was agreed upon and sent to VTCT. City Manager Rowlands CONTINUED » |
