Fillmore High Seniors Jacqueline Tovar, Catherine Alonso, and Misael Ponce have participated in Mock Trial for the last four years.
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Sophomore Paulina Guerrero won a Most Valuable Player award garnering admiration from her team and coaches.
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Written by By Laura Bartels and Anna Morielli

Fillmore High’s legal team made major strides during the Ventura County Mock Trial competition on February 22nd and 23rd. The highlight of the competition was Fillmore’s prosecution received a GUILTY verdict against powerhouse top team La Reina High School of Thousand Oaks. The Fillmore team, now in its fourth year, consisted of 7 seniors, 1 junior, 4 sophomores and 4 freshmen. At the awards ceremony held at the Oxnard Civic Center, senior Matthew Hammond won Ventura County Second Place as campus security guard prosecution witness Lou Williams and sophomore Paulina Guerrero won a Most Valuable Player award garnering admiration from her team and coaches for her leadership. Also honored at the raucous ceremony were seniors Misael Ponce, Jacqueline Tovar, and Catherine Alonso who have participated in mock trial all four years of high school.

This year’s case, People v. Hayes was the trial of Jamie Hayes, a student at Central Coast University (CCU) on a track and field scholarship. Hayes faced a felony charge of murder for the homicide on May 15, 2014, of Lee Valdez, a campus security guard. Hayes raised the affirmative defense of “defense of another” in order to claim the homicide was justifiable. The students portrayed each principal of the cast in a courtroom, including attorneys, witnesses, defendant, court clerk, and bailiff. The trial played out in real courtrooms at the Ventura Superior Court before actual judges and scored by Ventura County practicing attorneys.

The first evening began with a pre-trial motion designed to exclude evidence gained by an illegal search. This year’s pre-trial motion focused on the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination-- “no witness in a criminal case shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.”

The prosecution attorneys, senior Catherine Alonso, senior Naythan Martinez, and sophomore Paulina Guerrero excelled in round two against Rio Mesa High School and again in round three against La Reina High School. Prosecution attorney for pre-trial motion, freshman Fatima Bazurto, strongly presented the prosecution’s argument of why the defendant’s confession was obtained voluntarily after being properly Mirandized and after a lengthy interrogation, confessed. Attorney Bazurto argued that once the defendant was given the Miranda warnings, the interrogation by the police and the police officer’s threats of embarrassment to the defendant’s mother, did not rise to such coercive behavior which would render the confession involuntary. The officer acted reasonably and the interrogation was the result of good police work. The judge was so compelled by Attorney Bazurto’s persuasive nature that he denied the defense’s motion giving Fillmore’s prosecution a huge advantage resulting in a guilty verdict and a WIN in points.

In a strong opening statement, CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

The March 15, 2016 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Meeting was not a long one but two items reflected the interest the District and a past resident holds with our community. One item discussed during Dr. Adrian E. Palazuelos' Superintendent Report, and the other during a presentation by Assistant Superintendent Andrea McNeill.

Dr. Palazuelos informed the Board of a program that honors our veterans and citizens whose education had been impacted or interrupted by war. The program first came to Palazuelos' attention while working in Sacramento which he then brought it to FUSD announcing it in a newsletter that states; The Fillmore Unified School District Board of Education wants to honor the many contributions of those whose education was interrupted due to wartime circumstances. Former Fillmore High School Students who left high school to serve in the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War, and received an honorable discharge may contact Fillmore Unified School District to receive there high school diplomas. Fillmore Unified School District also presents diplomas to Japanese American Citizens forced to leave high school due to WW II internment. Individuals may request diplomas on behalf of themselves or qualifying family members, including persons now deceased. Those who earned a G.E.D. or graduated from high school while in an internment camp are still eligible for diplomas. To be considered for the spring 2016 awards ceremony, submit applications by April 24, 2016. Applications are available beginning Friday, March 18, 2016 from the Fillmore Unified School District (805) 524-6038 or visit www.fillmoreusd.org.

The second item brought forward by Asst. Superintendent McNeill was the reinstatement of the James Jimenez Foundation Scholarships. The foundation was established on February 13, 2007 to provide financial support for equipment, services and programs at FUSD. The programs include scholarships and internships along with assisting and supporting educational, cultural and scientific goal in fulfilling FUSD's role in service to the community.

From May 2009 to January 2013 a total of $21,850 were awarded to 23 scholars with amounts ranging from $250 to $2,400. The Foundation was dormant from February 2013 through April 2015, but revised on May 4, 2015 with a new Foundation Board consisting of Dr. Palazuelos, Fillmore High School Principal Tom Ito, Asst. Superintendents McNeill and Martha Hernandez. In 2015 ten $1,000 scholarships awarded and $8,000 in requests to be paid in the 2015-16 school year.

James Jimenez, who owned a large ranch here in Fillmore, was an inventor and major donor and supporter of student scholarships. Born August 9, 1913 in San Bernardino Jimenez was the second child to a family with 12 children. In 1911 his parents first moved to El Paso, Texas from Mexico. The family then moved to San Bernardino and later to Los Angeles. Jimenez and his family often vacationed in Mexico at their cousins large hacienda; that is where Jimenez became familiar with crops and the influence corn had on Mexican food. As a boy he worked summers in the fields of Cucamonga picking grapes and off season shinning shoes.

After graduating from Lincoln Heights High School in 1928, Jimenez was offered a full scholarship to Stanford University but turned it down to work and help the family with the goal of keeping his 11 siblings in school. Education was his top priority and to keep himself continuing in school he worked mornings delivering milk and newspapers and afternoons at a machine shop, washing dishes, sanding floors, doing cost accounting and selling insurance.

In 1945 Jimenez started B&L Moulding Supply Company with his partner Paul Bloomquest. Five years later Jimenez began working for a tortilla machine manufacturing company and traveled to areas with a large Mexican community to sell the machines.

In 1963 Electra Food Machinery was formed by Jimenez and Harold Olmstead that developed a series of equipment patents for the Mexican food industry including the production of both corn and flour tortillas, taco baskets, ovens and rails. Jimenez designed an double layer oven that could produce 3,000 dozen tortillas an hour. Today both Burger King and Jack in the Box use Jimenez' patented double-infrared system to cook hamburgers as well as the two belt system to grill patties and heat buns in one operation.

In 2000 Jimenez donated his $1.4 million 546 acre citrus and avocado Fillmore ranch to to create an endowed scholarship fund that provides scholarships for Occidental College, FUSD and Lincoln High students. Jimenez died October 2, 2008 in Temple City at the age of 95.

During Public Comments FUSD teacher Sandra Butts addressed the Board by reading a letter written by a fellow teacher. In the letter the writer questions the course of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the ability, or lack of it, to keep and attract quality teachers with claims that FUSD teachers receive the lowest pay in Ventura County while the administration receives the highest in the County.

During closing comments Trustee Sean Morris wanted to recognize Larry Emerich, a FUSD English teacher who passed away a month ago. Morris informed the Board that Morris had been his English teacher and stated, "Larry was an incredible spirit, always happy....he had a big influence on my life."

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Mauricio Chavez, 21 of Fillmore, was sentenced Thursday in connection with what the authorities say were gang related shootings in west Ventura last July that left a man in his mid-30’s injured, and a nine year old girl with a gunshot would to her leg.

Chavez was sentenced to 18-years in state prison after pleading guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm, one count of street terrorism, two special allegations of committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang, two special allegations of use of a firearm and two special allegations of causing gross bodily injury.

The shootings happened on the late afternoon of June 23, 2015 in the 400 block of W. Ramona Avenue.

The man and nine-year-old girl were left with non-life threatening injuries.

Ventura police investigated the incident and arrested Chavez on unrelated charges a week later.

He was charged a month later with the shootings while still in jail in the unrelated case.

Fillmore high will be celebrating the boys CIF soccer championship with a parade and celebration in downtown Fillmore. Community organizations will be in the parade along with school clubs and the CIF championship team. Parade starts at 6:30pm at the corner of Second Street and Central Avenue, ending at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue. Downtown Fillmore Celebration will feature speeches from coaches and players and the CIF trophy will be on display. Food vendor trucks will be parked on Central Avenue between Sespe Street and Main Street from 6:30pm to 9pm for all to celebrate with the team. [Editor's Note: Mark your calendars. Go Flashes!]

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 02/29/2016, at approximately 1:50 PM, a patrol deputy working in the city of Fillmore located a two year-old child strapped in a stroller, a few feet into the road, on the 1100 block of Los Serenos Drive.

Initially, the deputy saw a couple of adults nearby and suspected they were the child’s parents/guardians; however, after swerving to avoid hitting the stroller and parking his patrol unit, the deputy found out the child was abandoned.

The child appeared to have been crying due to having mucus running down his nose and was only wearing a shirt and diaper. The deputy also noted the temperature, which was between 85 and 90 degrees.

One of the adults told the deputy he saw two females arguing and leaving in separate directions, leaving the child in the stroller. Neither of them returned for the child. As the adult was about to call for police assistance, the patrol deputy arrived. It was estimated the child was alone for approximately five to ten minutes.

Unable to locate any responsible person(s) for the child, the deputy had the child transported to the Fillmore Police Station and contacted the county’s Children’s Protective Services (CPS). A social worker responded to the station to assist.

Several deputies assisted with the investigation and, with the assistance of local residents, the child’s mother, Marisela Aguilar, and aunt, Elida Aguilar, were located. They were questioned about the incident.

After the investigation was complete, both Marisela and Elida were arrested for child endangerment. Marisela also had outstanding warrants. CPS was able to place the child with a responsible family relative.

The case was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. The District Attorney’s Office elected to file one count each of felony child endangerment against Marisela and Elida.

Nature of Incident: Found Child / Two arrested for Child Endangerment
Report Number: Report Number 16-31260
Location: 1100 Block Los Serenos Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: February 29, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office - Fillmore / Santa Clara Valley Station
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence
(S) Marisela Aguilar, Fillmore
(S) Elida Aguilar, Fillmore
Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez
Media Release Date: March 4, 2016
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Javier Chavez, Fillmore Sheriff’s Station
805-524-2233
Approved by:
Captain Dave Wareham
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

Greg Ryan President of Pasteurization Technology Group gave a presentation on the new technology his company developed to save energy and more.

Tuesday’s City Council meeting began with a Ventura County Transportation Commission Presentation and was followed by addressing some changes to the City's Aquatic Manual during the times that FUSD uses the pool, along with amending Fillmore's Municipal Code relating to curfews for minors during school hours.

Other items discussed were the Do Not Sit On Wall signs placed on the planter in the center of Central Avenue and a report on the Humane Living Standards Residential Property Inspection Program.

FUSD Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos addressed the Council and Trusties regarding the Long Range Facilities Master Plan. It’s a 10-year plan to upgrade and maintain the district's infrastructure. Palazuelos stated the importance of knowing "where to invest" and "what is actually possible," adding, "we want to do everything" but we must prioritize and identify what needs to be addressed first then define facility standards and question what should be fixed/repaired or replaced.

"We need to make Sespe School up and running again" and that the current facilities need to be brought up to a high standard. He reminded everyone that the next Steering Committee Meeting will be held March 22, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the FUSD Board Room.

Each Councilmember responded CONTINUED »