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Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects wanted in two fast food robberies that have occurred in less than two weeks.

The first incident occurred on 12-3-13 at the Taco Bell restaurant on E. Avenida De Los Arboles. The lone suspect entered the restaurant and ordered food. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the suspect removed a hammer from inside his shorts and demanded money from the register. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect fled the scene and got into a maroon colored Jeep Cherokee (see attached video/photos). The Jeep Cherokee drove through the Vons shopping center and was last seen turning southbound onto Erbes Road. Detectives believe there are two other occupants in the vehicle.

The second incident occurred on 12-16-13 at the Taco Bell restaurant located on N. Moorpark Road. Authorities believe the same suspect as the first robbery, entered this establishment with a second suspect. The first suspect ordered a drink. When the clerk opened the register, the second suspect stepped up to the counter, displayed a knife and demanded the money from the register. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, both suspects exited the restaurant and were last seen eastbound in the alley behind the shopping center businesses. No vehicle was seen in this incident.

Anyone with information about either of these robberies is asked to contact Detective Todd Welty at (805) 494-8224 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers. Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Nature of Incident: Suspects sought in fast food robberies
Report Number: 13-27013 / 13-28069
Location: Taco Bell 1928 E. Avenida De Los Arboles
Taco Bell 1330 N. Moorpark Road
Date & Time: 12-3-13 @ 3:50 p.m.
12-16-13 @ 4:00 p.m.
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit
Prepared by: Detective Todd Welty
Media Release Date: 12-17-13
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Jason Robarts
(805) 947-8108
Approved by: Sergeant Alan Hartkop

Councilmember Manuel Minjares is sworn in as Mayor at Tuesday night’s meeting.

There was good and bad news at this Tuesday's Fillmore City Council Meeting. The good news is that Fillmore received a $500,000 grant. The bad news is an increase of both water and sewer rates. Also, Fillmore also has a new mayor, mayor pro tem, Code of Ethics and logo for the 100th Year Celebration.

Back in August 2013 Police Chief Monica McGrath informed the Council of a $8,215,000 (for the entire State) restitution fund available for the fiscal year 2014-2015 and her plans to apply for a grant of $500,000 from the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention (CalGRIP) Program. The grant is for the period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015. These grants are a competitive process controlled by the Board of State and Community Corrections and require a dollar for dollar match. Back when announcing she was applying for the grant McGrath told the Council she may not get the large amount she was asking for and that asking for such a large sum is really reaching out there, but she felt it was worth a try. At Tuesday's meeting McGrath announced the grant was approved for the full amount of $500k and will cover Fillmore, Piru and Rancho Sespe.

CalGRIP was introduced by the California Emergency Management Agency, also known as Cal EMA and previously known as OES. In July 2012, The Board of State and Community Corrections took over the program and became the lead state entity on adult and juvenile criminal justice policy and will be prioritizing state and federal funds guiding local policy and programming.

Preference is given CONTINUED »

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86th National FFA Convention

Day 1:

First, I would like to acknowledge my FFA Advisor and Past Ag. Teacher, Joe Ricards. Without him, receiving my American Farmer Degree wouldn’t even be possible. Thank you for your continued support through out the years Ricards!

Alright so back to my trip. Well we left California at 6 AM and arrived in Louisville at 3 PM. Got to the hotel and was dressed in my full uniform by 5 to attend the reception that was put together for all of the American Farmer Degree Recipients at the Kentucky Fair and Expo. I was able to hear the inspiring words of some of the representatives of the companies that continue to support in sponsoring the National FFA Convention. They spoke of us very highly in stating that we we’re very lucky to not only achieve our degree, but to receive our degree in person at the convention.

After the reception we went into downtown about 2 blocks from our hotel, and ate a t a very nice restaurant and called it a night.

Day 2:

The next morning we woke up at 4 AM and got dressed for the big day! Today was the day that I had been waiting for; I was receiving my American Farmer Degree this morning in front of 68,000 people, plus not to mention I’ll be on television! We arrived at the Kentucky Fair and Expo. And in no time, I was seated with many other FFA members around the country receiving their American Farmer Degree. Walking across the stage, receiving my degree was probably one of the best feelings I have ever had. To shake the National Presidents hand and to receive a National Honor was amazing. After, the recognition I was reunited back with my Ag Advisor and parents. We then went to the Shopping Mall that was full of FFA attire and much more.

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Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore, California—Fillmore Unified School District is one of 477 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 4th Annual AP® District Honor Roll for increasing access to AP® course work while simultaneously maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Reaching these goals indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are likely to benefit from rigorous AP course work. Since 2011, Fillmore Unified School District has increased the number of students participating in AP while also improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher.

In 2013, more than 3,300 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement and/or consideration in the admission process, with many colleges and universities in the United States offering credit in one or more subjects for qualifying AP scores.

“It is indeed both an honor and a privilege to be named one of 477 school districts in the United States and Canada selected for this most prestigious award. We congratulate our students, teachers, and administrators for their hard work and dedication as the District continues the arduous journey toward higher expectations and academic rigor. This award is just one more indicator that our students can and will succeed in the future as we continue to implement one of our mottos: ‘Student Success, Whatever It Takes’,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Alan K. Nishino.

Data from 2013 CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

12/03/2013
Vandalism
C St. / Meadowlark
Stolen Vehicle
800 Blk. Valley Vista
Keep the Peace
300 Blk. Market
Burglary Vehicle
600 Blk. River
Drunk in Public
900 Blk. Central
12/04/2013
Vandalism
A St. / Santa Clara
Search Warrant CONTINUED »

Dustin Anderson

Fillmore native Dustin Anderson took the $1,000 prize, competing on the holiday baking edition of “Food Rush”. He received a $1,000 gift card from Cost Plus World Market. “It’s marked down as one of the milestones of my life,” stated Anderson.

Executive chef at Rabalais Bistro and Bakery of Santa Paula, he competed on the holiday baking edition. The show aired on November 26th on the Disney-ABC Television Group’s Live Well Network hosted by “Top Chef” alumni, Ryan Scott.

Anderson was invited to compete on the show after an interview.

He flew to San Francisco for a week of filming. While in San Francisco, Anderson had the chance to meet with some renowned chefs including celebrity chef Tyler Florence, owner of the Wayfair Tavern.

New to being in front of the cameras, Anderson said he eased his nerves with his sense of humor. "I was able to joke around on camera and with the people so it loosened me up quite a bit but the hardest part was not looking at the camera. It’s hard to ignore when it’s right in your face."

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Tuesday's Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting focused on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and school funding. There was also a presentation of FUSD's 2012 and 2013 audit by Jenny Dominguez, Senior Manager of Forensic Services at Vicenti, Lloyd, Stutzman Business Consultants and CPAs.

Raina Arellano, Educational Staff Services, presented the CCSS Update: Fillmore High School Curriculum Map Implementation Plan. This is a continuance of the "shift" in teaching that was presented to the Board at the last meeting. Arellano's presentation follows the work of Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Executive Director of the Curriculum Mapping Institute, whose work school districts throughout the country are following. Jacobs considers present teaching skills and paper textbook to be dated. Her website states that teaching for the 21st Century requires overhauling and updating the K-12 curriculum replacing it with contemporary content and skills in a deliberate process of upgrading to technology and how these changes are transforming teaching. The site goes on to say that with these newer technology tools students will be motivated and more engaged, with the goal to encourage wanting to learn. What Jacobs is striving for are students becoming informed users of multiple forms of media and gaining a global perspective. Students writing essays or teachers standing at the front of the class giving a lecture is a thing of the past.

Arellano told the CONTINUED »

It’s nearly time for the 2013 Fillmore Christmas Parade sponsored by Fillmore’s Lions Club. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, December 7th at 1:00 p.m. and will start at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street and then proceed down Central to Santa Clara Street.

Santa Claus is expected to be in Fillmore in time for the parade and to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. He will also be available for pictures at the Fillmore Historical Museum, near the train station, immediately following the parade. So be sure to bring your camera so that you can capture all those parade memories along with that special picture with Santa.

The Fillmore Lions Club continues to sponsor the parade in honor of their long time member, the late Henry “Hank” Carrillo. Hank urged our Lions to assume the responsibility of the parade when it was in danger of losing sponsorship. This is the 12th year the Lions Club have sponsored the Annual Fillmore Christmas Parade.

The Parade is open to all groups or persons wanting to celebrate the season with a holiday themed entry. Parade check-in is at 11:30 AM on Second Street in front of the Memorial Building. Applications to participate in the parade are available at Fillmore’s City Hall and at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Office located at 211 Central Avenue.

See you all on December 7th!

Merry Christmas!