A reported weapon on campus put Fillmore High School on lockdown, Tuesday, November 13th, from noon until 2:45pm. About 50 Sheriffs Deputies searched the students, backpacks, lockers and rooms. No weapon was found. Above, concerned parents gathered across from the school.
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Students were told to shelter in place, many hiding in barricaded storage rooms as shown right.
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The Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigated an anonymous tip of a gun on the campus of Fillmore High School. After an extensive search of the campus, no handgun was located and the campus was deemed safe.

On 11-13-18, at 10:50 A.M., the Fillmore Police and Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Fillmore Unified School District administration regarding an anonymous tip received by the school. The tip came through an anonymous reporting system set up by the Fillmore Unified School District. The tip provided very minimal information, saying that there was a gun on campus and someone wanted to hurt a student.

Out of an abundance of caution, and for the protection of the students, district and school administrators decided to place the school into lockdown. More than 50 Sheriff’s deputies worked to verify the information in the tip and ultimately conducted a search of every classroom, student, locker and room at the school. After the three hour extensive search, no firearm was located and the campus was deemed safe.

At the conclusion of the incident, students were released pursuant to school district protocol.

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Courtesy Dan Michel

To many, sitting around a camp fire could be considered living a life of paradise. But to former Fillmore resident, Virginia Michel (FHS class of 45) and her family members, escaping the Camp Fire that was consuming the town of Paradise was anything but idyllic.

She along with her daughters, Candy Woods (class of 65), Holly Peters (class of 77), granddaughter Kacey Woods (class of 72), niece Cindy Sweeney Medley (Class of 68) granddaughter Cally Tidey as well as two nieces and two step-grandsons and their families did just that on Thursday, November 8 as the deadly flames began consuming the town.

Wind-driven smoke and embers turned day into night and clogged escape routes tragically took their toll on many trying to escape the inferno. The death toll stands at 29 souls and 7000 structures lost. Fortunately all of Virginia's family made it safely to a granddaughter's home in Chico but then could only sit and wait for the word on the fate of their dwellings. Several days later the word came that five of the seven family homes were part of the 7000. Holly's home where Virginia lives still stands but is possibly damaged due to the loss of the detached garage. The house belonging to step-grandson Jay Peters was the other survivor. Home owners were told they wouldn't be able to return to their properties for one to three months because of potential toxins.

Dan Michel, Virginia's son and Fillmore resident, said the families seem to be coping as best they can. He added, "I think they're focusing so much on the beginning recovery steps such as dealing with insurance companies and utilities that the gravity of their loss is pushed aside until the wee quiet moments. They were so supportive when my step-son Brian Zell’s apartment building, Hawaiian Village, burned to the ground during the Thomas Fire; we have to be there for them."

Since Virginia and her late husband Lloyd moved to Paradise in the 1980"s according to Dan, the town has dodged some bullets in regards to fires. Judging by the pictures of the smoking remnants in the media, this time it was a bomb you couldn't evade.

Submitted by Brian Wilson

Rosalyn Diaz, a student at Fillmore Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Diaz’s poster was among more than 450,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Kindness Matters”
Fillmore Lions Club President Eddie Barajas said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the entries this year. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”

Diaz’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district and international levels of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner,” Barajas said.

One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of US $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to a special award ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award.

At Tuesday's regular city council meeting, Mario and Vanessa Robledo were selected to be operators of the Fillmore Equestrian Center.

Both the Robledos and longtime Fillmore resident Steve McKinnon proposed plans to manage the center.

McKinnon has lived in Fillmore since June 1982 and has been a boarder at the FEC for over 20 years. He also has a good relationship with the roping club. He is a semi-retired general contractor with 25 years of property management.

Mario and Vanessa Robledo have lived and board (ed) at the FEC. They own several horses and have a 50-acre private ranch outside of Fillmore where they manage horses and have hosted multiple boarders. In addition, they own and operate Robledo Transportation Logistics, Inc. and Prancer’s Village.

The council praised both offers but decided that the Robledo's provided more experience with equestrian issues.

Public hearing: development permit 17-06 - for 133 detached Condominium units by Comstock Homes located in tentative tract
Map 5520 (phase 2) was unanimously approved.

Heritage valley parks subdivision – consideration of easement Agreements with the Ventura county transportation commission
(“VTTC”), the city of Fillmore, and hearthstone was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: zoning ordinance amendment 18-04 (ZOA 18-04) Deleting section 6.04.7220 of the Fillmore municipal code to
Eliminate general plan amendment pre-screening and adoption of Finding exemption from CEQA, was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: zoning ordinance 18-05 (ZOA 18-05) amending Fillmore municipal code sections 6.04.0401, 6.04.0410, 6.04.0496 and 6.04.3415 to clarify family day care and day care center zoning Regulations citywide and adopt findings of CEQA exemption, was unanimously approved.

Public hearing: adoption of zoning ordinance amendment 18-06 (ZOA) 18-06) to permit supportive and transitional housing and
Emergency shelters citywide as required by the general plan And state law and clarify the distinction between group homes
And residential care facilities and adoption of a finding of Exemption from CEQA, motion was unanimously passed.

Public hearing: adoption of zoning ordinance amendment (zoa 18-08) to eliminate development permit requirements and certain Development standards for new commercial uses in existing Structures city-wide and adoption of a finding of exemption from CEQA.

The Fillmore Christian Academy requested a waiver of entitlement fees as they relocate their campus. Council denied a waiver but structured payment of $4,289 in three parts to facilitate the move. This fee covers the costs of the planning department, Willdan Engineering, and the city attorney to review and process the permit.

Requested approval of a contract with Rincon Consultants, in Connection with planning development application review was unanimously approved.

Bob Crum

It was a dark sunny night as I traipsed with trepidation around the Day of the Dead celebration. Tough assignment because my camera doesn't have a “Night” white balance setting. Upside, photo ops aplenty.

A friend approached and asked, “Why are you still lugging around that big ole camera? Get a cell phone, dude!” I smiled, and winced. Such questions are like weeds – persistent and irksome. Yet could the answer serve to motivate fence-sitters to buy a camera? Let's see.

First, let's consider microwaves and ovens. Many don't, but I like Brussel sprouts. I used to steam them in the microwave. The micro made quick work of the mini cabbages. But I prefer tasty crispy sprouts! Steamed, they just cannot match the sprouts baked crispy in the oven! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put trimmed Brussels sprouts, olive oil, a dash of kosher salt & pepper in a large plastic bag and shake to coat. Pour onto a baking sheet and place on oven center rack. Roast for approx. 30 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes for even browning. That's how to do scrumptious!

For steaming the veggies, the microwave (cell phones) works well. For crispy sprouts, must roast in an oven (dedicated camera). The point: Two different tools for two different results. One is not necessarily better, just different. Same with photography? A cell phone (steamed photos) is OK for snapshots to quickly send off on the Internet. But, for the ultimate control and creativity, a camera (baked photo) is obviously superior. Two different tools for different purposes. Important: don't fry photos!

I've also have a few photographic friends who think that digital photography, with dedicated cameras, is dead. They're eating too many steamed Brussel sprouts. I ask them how come camera manufacturers continue to produce state-of-the-art cameras. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic to name a few, continue to produce new generation cameras with ever better technology. Sure, camera sales may not be as robust as they used to be, but thousands are still made and bought every year. Like ants at a picnic, phonetographers are everywhere including in my way! But there still are hundreds of thousands of photographers who use cameras and upgrade to newer cameras as needed.

Which reminds me of another frequent question: I have a model X camera and wondering if I should get the latest model? I answer with a question: What might the new camera do that your present camera doesn't? If not much, take the savings and treat me to lunch. If, on the other hand, a new model incorporates features that would enable you to accomplish your vision easier or better, buy the new model and enjoy.

I still have my first Canon 7D. At seven years old, it's ancient in technology years but still an excellent camera. When the sensor needed cleaning, I let the pros at Canon clean it and make sure all is perfect. But, the newer 7D Mark II incorporates technology and options not available on the older 7D which makes the 7D MKII a better tool for the work I do.

If I go out to shoot landscapes or mermaids at the beach, the 7D works just fine. However, the 7DMKII provides many more important focus points and superior AI servo technology, both of which are a huge advantage when shooting fast moving objects, like leaping grasshoppers or sprinting hippos.

Here's the link to review the Dia De Los Muertos, Day of the Dead celebration. https://youtu.be/_2N6OgLukkw

Send questions, comments or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

On September 22, 2018, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit were assisting in an investigation involving shots fired in the city of Fillmore. Detectives canvassed the area and were able to locate an occupied residence and occupied vehicle that were struck by bullets. Additionally, large bullet fragments were located near the scene. During the course of the investigation, Detectives obtained information regarding three suspects who were seen in the area at the time the crime occurred.

Search warrants were served on November 1, 2018 at multiple locations and the suspects were located. Additionally, an illegally possessed firearm involved in the shooting was located and seized.

Based on the information obtained, Alexis Meza, Edwin Meza, and Israel Resendez were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle, and conspiracy to commit a crime. All three suspects are currently being held on a $200,000 bail.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Sarah Bramlette at 805-654-2856.

Prepared by: Detective Sarah Bramlette #5020 / (805) 654-2856
Approved by: Captain Todd Inglis

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).