Dear Community of Fillmore,

In 1991 Mrs. Raelene Chaney co-founded what was once Grad Nite Live. The purpose of Grad Nite Live is to have the students in our community celebrate a safe and sane graduation. This non-profit organization ran for over 26 years, it was not until Mrs. Chaney’s health took a turn that she could no longer run the non-profit.

At this time the nonprofit folded, students in our community for two years did not have the opportunity to participate in Grad Nite Live. Within the last two years Fillmore Safe Graduation, a nonprofit organization was re-established for the students in our community to celebrate one last evening together as a class before they venture off.

The goal of this organization is to bring back what Mrs. Chaney started years ago; the boat cruise. The class of 2020 will be the first class to have this opportunity in years.

In order for us to make that happen we need the help of our community. A large deposit is required to make this happen and unfortunately we don’t have the funds at this time. We are asking for the support of our amazing community to help us offer this opportunity to our students.

Please help us make this happen for the graduating class of 2020. For more information you may contact Jennie Andrade @ (805) 340-3601 or Alicia Hicks @ (805) 824-9962.

Sincerely,
Fillmore Safe Graduation

The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold it Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27th at 11AM.

The Ceremony will start with a fly-over by the 805th Navion Squadron.

The featured speaker this year is Captain Douglas W. King, Civil Engineer Corps, Chief Staff Officer Naval Base Ventura County. Capt. King is a Seabee Combat Warfares Specialist, Warranted Contracting Officer and Acquisition Professional Community member. He has been awarded the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal and other awards. He is married and has 3 daughters.

The Reverend Bob Hammond of St. Stephens Anglican Church will give the Memorial Service and special music will be provided by the Bardsdale Methodist Church Choir and Cub Scout Troop 3400.

Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bob Thompson. The Boy Scouts will put out the flags on Friday, May24th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 28th.

A special thank you to Garcia Mortuary for furnishing the doves to conclude the service and to the P.E.O. for furnishing cookies.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Gabe Asenas, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary, Rita Rudkin, and Kathryn Wren Gavlak would like to invite the community to this special event.

On Friday, May 17th, at around 1:30 a.m., a crash was reported on Telegraph Road at Claremont Way in Ventura. When police arrived on scene they found a vehicle had crashed into the traffic signal pole with five occupants inside. Fifteen year old Cecilio Ortiz Garcia, Jr., who was sitting in front right seat of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 21-year-old male driver was taken to the VCMC in critical condition, and the three other 15-year–old male passengers were also taken to the hospital in serious condition. All five were from Fillmore. No other cars were involved in the crash. Police say alcohol and speed were contributing factors.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Henry Mata (DOB 6/13/1951), of Fillmore, was sentenced by Judge Anthony Sabo to the California Department of Corrections to 310 years to life. On April 17, 2019, a jury convicted Mata of molesting four children. Specifically, Mata was convicted of one count of oral copulation on a minor under the age of 10, one count of digital penetration on a child under the age of 10, seven counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, five counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, and one count of annoying or molesting a child. Additionally, the jury found true special allegations that Mata committed lewd acts involving substantial sexual conduct upon multiple victims.

In April 2016, the first of four victims came forward to Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives stating Mata committed numerous lewd acts upon her in his Fillmore home when she was eight years old. After an investigation, Mata was arrested and charges were filed. Shortly thereafter, three additional victims came forward with information that Mata molested them numerous times between 2004 and 2014 while they were between the ages of 6 and 12. Two additional victims testified that Mata committed lewd acts upon them in the 1980s when they were between the ages of 7 and 10 years old. The crimes against the individuals who were victimized in the 1980s could not be charged as they were outside the statute of limitations. All victims were related to Mata.

Fillmore Unified School District

May Revise Presentation
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Andrea McNeill.

Fillmore USD English Language Arts Adoption Process and Tentative Timeline
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, Micheline G. Miglis

Approve Fillmore Unified Preschool Program Self-Evaluation
Contractors are required to submit a Summary of Finding of the Program Self-Evaluation to the California Department of Education by June 1 of every year.

Personnel Recommendations
The Governing Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, retirements, and leaves.