Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer was named Cal South State Champs last weekend. Pictured top (l-r): José Valdez (Assistant Coach) Alonso Arellano, Jovani Huerta, Giovani Valdez, Julio Ballesteros, Julian Medina, Hector Hernandez, Jose Zaragoza, Juan Medina, Juan Lizarraga, and Christian Ramirez. Bottom (l-r): Toni Hernandez (Assistant Coach) Javier Cisneros, Abe De La Cruz, Nathaniel Negrete, Angel Garza, Toni Hernandez Jr, Saul Magana, Julian Huerta, Luis Vigil, and Juan Hernandez (Head Coach). Not pictured: Xavier Lara and Jesus Canchola. Photo credit Erika Arana.
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Last weekend Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer was named Cal South State Champions for the first time ever. Above is the team celebrating after their victory, holding up their trophy. Photo credit Erika Arana. Full story begins on page 1. Above is one of Fillmore’s California United FC 2008 Boys Soccer players as he tries to keep his opponent from taking the ball.
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By Erika Arana

For the first time ever, a Fillmore team has won the Cal South State Cup! The last two weekends, March 16th, 17th, and 23rd, Fillmore’s Competitive Soccer Club, California United FC, was crowned the 2008 Boys State Cup Champions!
This was a mentally tough and physical tournament filled with rain in every game, long road trips and injuries. Every player was critical in this championship run and deserving of our congratulations.

Goal keepers Julian Medina (co-captain) and Jose Zaragoza only allowed 3 goals all 7 games with co-captain Hector Hernandez leading the defense as well as creating for the offense. The defensive backline of Javier Cisneros and Saul Magana with Giovani Valdez made it a tough outing for opposing offenses resulting in an overall tournament goal difference of 22-3.
The middle was controlled by Christian Ramirez, Julio Ballesteros, and Juan Medina along with wingers Julian Huerta, Jesus Canchola, Xavier Lara, Angel Garza, and Nathaniel Negrete. The adjustments and touch on the ball as the tournament progressed was impressive and goes to show the hard work the players and Coaches Juan Hernandez and Jose Valdez put in.
Up front was Abe De La Cruz, Jovani Huerta, Luis Vigil, and Antonio Hernandez, III who consistently pressured the defenses, attacked the goal and made the plays when needed, with all-utility player Juan Lizarraga ready to fill in on defense, middle, and forward as needed.

Leading scorers for the tournament were Abe De La Cruz with 6 goals followed by Jovani Huerta with 5. Assist leaders are Julio Ballesteros and Christian Ramirez with 4 followed by Hector Hernandez with 3.
This was truly an all-team effort with ups and downs, plenty of travel and parent support. The future of Fillmore High School soccer looks bright with these up coming players. California United Fútbol Club is proud of the team, coaches and parents for their hard work and dedication. We hope this motivates the younger CU teams to follow in their footsteps and bring more championships to the club and community. California United. Building Champions!
State Cup - CU 2008 Boys

Game 1: CU 5 - 1 Necaxa USA
Goals: Hector Hernandez 2, Abe De La Cruz 1, Xavier Lara 1, Nathaniel Negrete 1
Assist: Hector Hernandez 2, Xavier Lara 1, Christian Ramirez 1, Julio Ballesteros 1, Christian Ramirez.
Overall Record : 4-0-0

***

Game 2: CU 1 - 0 Olímpico
Goals: Christian Ramirez 1 PK
Overall Record: 5-0-0

***

SEMI FINAL: CU 1 - 0 Premier Elite
Goals: Christian Ramirez
Assist: Julio Ballesteros
Shutout: Julian Medina
Overall Record 6-0-0

***

FINAL: CU 5 - 1 Toritos
Goals: Jovani Huerta 2, Abe De La Cruz 1, Jesus Canchola 1, Javier Cisneros 1
Assist Coach: Christian Ramirez 1, Hector Hernandez 1, Jesus Canchola 1
Overall Record: 7-0-0
California United 2008 Boys Cal State Champions.

NEW BUSINESS
8.A All items passed 5-0 last night. Please note that for item 7-E under consent there was a correction made to the staff report. Warranty bond is 25%, not 15% as indicated in the staff report.

CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 24-967 TO UPDATE PORTIONS OF FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.06 WHICH SETS FORTH REGULATIONS FOR STORMWATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT 9. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS 10. CITY MANAGER CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024, 6:30 PM CITY HALL AGENDA RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEM 7A. THROUGH 7E. IS TO APPROVE BY VOICE VOTE. CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-MARCH 26, 2024.PDF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 27,2024. PDF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 12, 2024.PDF THIRD AMENDMENT TO GOVTEMPSUSA.PDF SR - ROTORCRAFT ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.PDF SR - STORMWATER ORDINANCE UPDATE. ORD NO.24-967. FINAL.PD

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council introduce first reading of Ordinance 24-967, updating various sections within Fillmore Municipal Code (“FMC”) Chapter 8.06 for compliance with State and Federal law pertaining to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (“NPDES”) program for municipal dischargers: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA, UPDATING PORTIONS OF THE CITY’S STORMWATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS AND FINDING OF EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.

Last week, the Rotary Club of Fillmore celebrated its 100 Anniversary on Saturday, March 23, at the Fillmore Museum Depot. There were 50 people present; many were past presidents going back to 1990. The two couples who traveled the farthest were Bob and Mary Taylor and Dave and Diane Wareham.

Our District Governor Marta Brown and District Governor Elect Sherry Sim presented the Club with a certificate from President R. Gordon R. McInally of Rotary International. During the event three members shared the Rotary history. Martha Richardson shared the Fillmore Rotary original Club history while Kyle Wilson shared the Fillmore Rotary Sunrisers history, and Sean Morris concluded with the merger of the two Clubs and how with more members and a unified group they are able to do more for the community and the world.

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, Fillmore High School students were treated to the musical sounds of cumbia and boleros by Grammy award winning Mexican-American band La Santa Cecilia in celebration of “World Down Syndrome Day” and “Dia Del Campesino.” Above is Councilmember Christina Villaseñor, Commissioner Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez, FHS student Emi Martinez, his mom, Ana Cardenas, Field Representative Manuel Minjares, and Special Education Teacher Mr. Rockney, who came out for the fun. Photo courtesy Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez.
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On Thursday, March 21, 2024, Fillmore High School students hosted Grammy award winning Mexican-American band La Santa Cecilia in celebration of “World Down Syndrome Day” and “Dia Del Campesino.” Above are students and staff dancing and enjoying the music. Photo courtesy Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez.
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By Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez

On Thursday, March 21, Fillmore High School students were treated to the musical sounds of cumbia and boleros by Grammy award winning Mexican-American band La Santa Cecilia, all in celebration of “World Down Syndrome Day” and “Dia Del Campesino.”

This celebration brought together students, staff, city officials, and the perfect combination of history, culture, inclusion, and diversity through the power of song; Mr. Herrera, who teaches Spanish and forms part of the musical group “Hermanos Herrera,” has been very successful at using every opportunity to incorporate music into his lessons making the learning experience in his classroom an enjoyable one. La Santa Cecilia, a band that represents US bicultural identity, has a unique sound that captures their Latin American influences and Mexican heritage, music that resonates with many Fillmore students from all walks of life.

World Down Syndrome Day has been celebrated on this day every year since 2012, this year’s theme is End the Stereotypes. Mr. Rockney, a Special Education teacher at FHS, believes “students with Down Syndrome have hopes, dreams, and challenges much like any other child their age. They have a deep desire to connect with their peers and to engage in meaningful friendships. They want to show their teachers and friends what they know and what they can do.”

Supervisor Kelly Long, who had field representative Manuel Minjares present the band with a certificate of recognition, was honored to have her office present at the event, not only to celebrate Dia del Campesino “a day where we honor the immeasurable contributions from farm workers in our community,” but also to “recognize World Down Syndrome Day which seeks to bring awareness to the challenges faced by the Down Syndrome community and create change to improve their quality of life.”

Dia Del Campesino, or Farmworkers’ Day, is a celebration that was created by the Spanish Department this year. Mr. Luis Herrera and his team decided that with Cesar Chavez Day around the corner on March 31, it would be appropriate to focus on the significance of all farmworkers/campesinos as a whole. Mr. Herrera believes that “it’s important to recognize the history of struggle of campesinos and spotlight their importance within our community and society. Campesinos feed America, and their arduous work is often overlooked and dismissed.”

Councilmember Christina Villasenor, who acknowledged the band with a certificate of recognition from the City of Fillmore, is glad to see Fillmore High School students taking a moment “to show gratitude for our campesinos and celebrate them in our community.” She also agrees with Mr. Herrera, and believes farmworkers are “the backbone to our local economy, the backbone of our families and cultural fabric of our community, instilling the values of hope and hard work, perseverance and pride, strength and unity in all of us.”

Mr. Herrera has ten more musical events lined up for FHS this year, which also includes a week-long celebration for Cinco de Mayo; all festivities will have live music, including the school’s very own Mariachi Los Rayos and Johnny Tapia, who Mr. Herrera believes will be selling out arenas in the near future!

Community members and local businesses have jumped at the opportunity to support these FHS events, so a big thank you goes to Cultura Imports, Daniel’s Gourmet Foods, Lemon Tree Embroidery, Electric Remedy, Radio Lazer, The Candy Bar, La Fondita Restaurant, La Michoacana Bakery, Erika Sandoval, and Hermanos Herrera!

If any community member or local business would like to support any Fillmore High School events, please contact Mr. Luis Herrera via email at lherrera@fillmoreusd.org or through Instagram @hermanosherrera.

Christine Schieferle, Superintendent of Fillmore Unified School District

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

Dear FMS Families,
We want to thank you for your support as we worked closely with law enforcement Tuesday, March 19, 2024, to investigate the alleged threat to Fillmore Middle School. This morning a student notified school administration of an alleged social media threat. We immediately contacted law enforcement and implemented school safety protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, students were directed to remain in classrooms. Law enforcement determined there was no credible threat and the school resumed to normal operations.

We will continue to take all threats seriously for the safety and protection of our schools. Let’s continue to work together and if you see something, say something.

Respectfully,
Christine Schieferle
Superintendent, Fillmore Unified School District

On March 5th, 2024, Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle, Fillmore High School Principal Keith Derrick, and California State University Channel Islands President Dr. Richard Yao signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides opportunities for Fillmore High students seeking to attend college.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a guaranteed admission program to California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and makes the process of preparing for and attending college more streamlined, affordable, and accessible to all Fillmore High School (FHS) students. This year alone, 41 Fillmore High seniors were accepted to CSUCI. The MOU will increase that number in the future by providing a clear path to college with more resources, guidance, and opportunities outlined in the MOU and provided by both FUSD and CSUCI.

The conversations regarding the development of a MOU began over a year ago, when Superintendent Schieferle met CSUCI President Yao. Always working to fulfill one of Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) governing board’s goals of creating more partnerships with business, colleges, and universities, Superintendent Schieferle began the process of working with President Yao, CSUCI staff, FUSD staff, FHS Principal Derrick, and FHS staff to develop this opportunity for Fillmore High students.

“This MOU and new relationship demonstrates CSUCI’s commitment to the students in Fillmore and Piru,” said FUSD Superintendent Christine Schieferle. “This commitment to the FUSD community validates to our students that CSUCI believes in them and will offer the support necessary to see them accomplish their goals. This makes college a reality for our students before they graduate from high school.”

Schieferle said the district is grateful for President Yao’s vision and FUSD is committed to providing a rigorous college preparatory program for high school students; making sure students meet CSU admission requirements; promote CSUCI programs and services to parents and students; and share data about FUSD students with CSUCI.

In addition to providing a dedicated admissions counselor, CSUCI will also offer on-the-spot admission to Fillmore High students. This means that whenever CSUCI representatives visit Fillmore High, students may bring their transcripts and could be provisionally admitted to CSUCI that same day.

FHS Principal Keith Derrick said, “Through the commitments outlined in this MOU, our graduates will have a chance to access a high-quality, affordable college education close to home. We are excited to work with CSUCI to enhance our students’ success and future options. This agreement is an important investment in the young people of our community.”
The Fillmore Unified School District will also become a California College Guidance Initiative partner institution, with a task force and dedicated point-person, who will carry out the terms agreed upon in the MOU.’

Submitted By Jan Lee

Again, this year, the first two weekends of March 2024, Fillmore High School sent a Robotics Team to the international competition at the Port of Hueneme.

The students built a robot that would perform various tasks as part of a three-robot team competing against another three-robot team. These teams rotate through 10 matches. In a timed event, the robots had to hang from a chain, pick-up as many foam rings as possible and launch them at a goal. Successful completion of the tasks earned points. The robots were designed, assembled, and programed by the students in an 8-week period. The students used many skills to be able to participate in the competition. They had to design a robot that had the apparatus to perform the designated tasks (which change every year). It must move rapidly from one part of the arena to the other. It had to pick up an object, then the arm of the robot had to throw that object (a foam ring) at a goal.

With five other robots in the arena, they had to do this as many times as possible within the 3-minute time limit. In addition, there was a chain suspended between two poles which the robot had to extend the arms and hang from the chain lifting the robot off the ground.

The students also had to write the computer program that would direct the robot to do these tasks. The robot performed for the first 45 seconds of each match without human control. The robot was controlled by the students from outside the arena for the next 2 minutes and 45 seconds. It was amazing to watch hundreds of high school students, from schools of all sizes around the world, freshman through senior, maneuvering the robots, repairing them between rounds and cheering on their teammates. The Fillmore team has been working on all this after school and weekends since January.

Mr. Jeremiah MacMahon is the FHS advisor to the team. Mentors Bob Gradias, Chi Nyguen, and David Sell taught, encouraged, advised, cheered, and guided the team. A grant from the Department of Defense and the Gene Haas Foundation made it possible for the Fillmore team to compete. The team members would tell you it was a lot of fun, a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of learning and collaboration to be able to successfully compete in the competition. It is a exceptional accomplishment that the Fillmore team finished 26th out of a field of 50 teams.

Congratulations to the Flash Drives, the Fillmore High School Robotics Team on their successful competition. Thank you, Mr. MacMahon and mentors, for all your time, dedication and effort.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Azzan Sandhu
(DOB 01/26/96), of Fullerton, has been charged with nine felony counts related to the sexual
abuse of a 15-year-old female incarcerated at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF), in
Camarillo, California. The charges include seven counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one
count of using a child for the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count of
communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense. Each count also carries a
special allegation that Sandhu took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the
offenses.

Sandhu was arraigned today and pled not guilty to all charges and allegations.
Sandhu is a peace officer employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR), and was responsible for the supervision of minor inmates housed at the VYCF. He is
accused of committing sexual acts on a 15-year-old female under his supervision between
December 2022 and February 2023. Sandhu is further accused of using his cell phone to create
CSAM of the victim during the same period.

“The defendant is accused of using his position of trust and authority to sexually abuse a
vulnerable female entrusted to his care,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “We will continue to
vigorously prosecute any individual who is alleged to have preyed upon and sexually exploited a
minor.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Tony Wold, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s
Office Public Integrity Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@ventura.org
Approved: SW
Date: March 20, 2024
Release No.: 24-025

Sandhu is scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in
courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at
$1 million.

Case: 2024006271
Defendant Information:
Azzan Sandhu (DOB 01/26/96)
Fullerton

Charged with:
• (7 counts) PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd act upon a child
• PC 288.3(a) – Luring
• PC 311.4(c) – Using minor for sex acts
Special Allegations:
• CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was vulnerable
• CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offens