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

On February 29, 2024, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced 293 middle schools and high schools have been selected for the prestigious 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program, California’s program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those closing the achievement gap and those demonstrating exceptional student performance.
Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “On behalf of the Fillmore Unified School District Governing Board, I would like to congratulate Fillmore High School for being named a 2024 California Distinguished School.”
Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students.

Superintendent Schieferle said, “Thank you to all classified, certificated, and administrative staff for the support and dedication you provide to our outstanding students. Congratulations to all students for your hard work and commitment to your education. Thank you to all families for supporting your students and the community.”
More information about the California Distinguished Schools program may be found at https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr24/yr24rel09.asp

During the month of March 2024, the Fillmore Police Department will be conducting extra traffic enforcement in the city of Fillmore and the surrounding unincorporated areas focusing on drivers who are suspected of driving under the influence.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to remind drivers, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get arrested for DUI. Marijuana can also cause impairment, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can also result in being arrested for a DUI.

Today, getting home safely can be inexpensive, but being arrested for DUI is not. Drivers suspected of driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, and other expenses in addition to possible jail time.

Everyday approximately 28 people in the United States die in DUI related crashes. That result statistic averages out to be one person every 52 minutes.

The Fillmore Police Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired trying to drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.

Report drunk drivers – Call 911
Hosting a party? Offer non-alcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

Funding for this extra DUI enforcement is provided to the Fillmore Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nature of Incident: DUI Enforcment
Report Number: N/A
Location: Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: March 2024
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Serivces

Courtesy Brandy Hollis

Sandra Butts officially retired from Fillmore Unified School District, after 24 years, earlier this month. Sandra was also a longstanding and beloved member of Fillmore Women’s Service Club, which said goodbye to her as she and her husband Gary move to Arizona.

Sandra has a spunk and zest for life I personally adore. We joked about finding a way to house her during 4th of July so she can help in the club’s fireworks booth, the reason she first joined the club, according to her. I’m not sure if she was serious or not. Maybe she just loves to light them—said with a smile on my face.
Fillmore Women’s Service Club members wish them the best of luck in their future home, and hope retirement is blissful! Sandra, not only from the FWSC, but all of Fillmore and the lives you have touched, we wish you all the best and thank you for being of service to our community, which speaks volumes about your character. You will do well wherever you go, and will be sorely missed.

On a very personal note, you were my son’s 5th grade teacher at Mountain Vista for half a year. He came home at 10-years-old cracking up that his teacher’s name was Sandy Butts--such a great icebreaker! Thank you for caring for our kids. Thank you for teaching my son!

Though this article only touches on a small part of your impact on me and this community, I hope you enjoy it.
Note: Please follow Fillmore Women’s Service Club on social media. The club meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Send us a message and we can get you more information!

Crime prevention through environmental design techniques assisted Fillmore Patrol Station with capturing an out-of-county agricultural theft crew.

On February 24th, 2024, patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a call for service in the 1400 block of San Cayetano Street reference an audible alarm from a residence. During their investigation, patrol deputies discovered a theft of smudge pot agricultural equipment had occurred, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $2,500 to $3,500. Surveillance camera footage showed two unknown subjects on the property at the time of the theft.

In the early-morning hours of February 25th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded to an additional call for service in the 1400 block of San Cayetano Street reference an audible alarm from a residence. Utilizing remote access to surveillance cameras on the property, the ranch manager advised Sheriff’s Dispatch there was an unknown subject actively stealing agricultural equipment. Upon their arrival, patrol deputies detained Juan Carlos Leon and identified him as the suspect involved with the theft. During their investigation, patrol deputies found Juan Carlos Leon to be in possession of smudge pot agricultural equipment, with an estimated value of approximately $1,000. Juan Carlos Leon admitted to also being responsible for the theft occurring on February 24th, 2024. Juan Carlos Leon was subsequently arrested and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for being in violation of Penal Code § 487 (a) – Grand Theft.

Fillmore Investigations Bureau conducted a follow-up investigation reference the theft of agriculture equipment occurring on February 24th, 2024. Utilizing various investigative techniques, investigators were able to identify Juan Carlos Leon’s co-conspirator as Juan Manuel Diaz. On February 27th, 2024, investigators contacted Juan Manuel Diaz in the 500 block of Sespe Avenue in the City of Fillmore. As a result of the contact, investigators arrested Juan Manuel Diaz and booked him into the Ventura County Main Jail for being in violation of Penal Code § 487 (a) – Grand Theft and Penal Code § 182 (a)(1) – Conspiracy. Investigators were also able to recover some of the stolen smudge pot agricultural equipment and return the property to the victim.

The Fillmore Patrol Station encourages the agricultural community to utilize “Farm Watch,” a partnership between the farming community and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Farm Watch is a county-wide electronic neighborhood watch program that is distributed to more than several hundred farms, ranches, nurseries, and supply houses. This program provides information to ranchers on agriculture crime trends and on how to react and treat the crime scene so that potential evidence is preserved for immediate processing by deputies of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Report Number: 24-23424 and 24-23771
Location: 1400 block of San Cayetano Street, Unincorporated area of Fillmore
Date & Time: February 25th, 2024, at 0100 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Investigations Bureau
Suspects
(S) Juan Carlos Leon Lindsay, California 28
(S) Juan Manuel Diaz Lindsay, California 29

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heersche
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon, Fillmore Police Chief

The 2023 CIT Deputy of the Year Award ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements of Ciara Hays, Cody Massengill, Andrea Rodriguez, and Allison Wallace.

These remarkable individuals were recognized for their exceptional work within the Ventura County Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Team, a collaborative program involving various law enforcement agencies such as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Oxnard Police Department, Port Hueneme Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, and Ventura Police Department.

Nominated by their respective agency’s leadership, the awardees were commended for their significant contributions to law enforcement and their compassionate interactions with individuals facing mental health crises. The ceremony, graciously hosted by the Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board, highlighted the dedication and commitment of these deputies in providing crucial support and assistance to those in need within the community. Their unwavering efforts exemplify the values of empathy, professionalism, and service, making them truly deserving of this prestigious recognition.