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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
Now that the school year has begun, we would like to remind residents who drive around the city’s schools to be mindful of children walking or riding their bicycles to and from school. Drivers are reminded to be patient in or around school zones as traffic is typically backed up with parents who are attempting to drop off their children at school. It is recommended that if you do not have children attending a school, you find an alternate route during the school hours of 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM in order to avoid any traffic congestion in front of our city Parents are also reminded to teach their children proper bicycle riding safety. Children under the age of 18 must wear helmets properly while riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard. Studies show that 74-85% of bicycle related injuries could have been prevented with the proper use of a helmet and using proper bicycle safety. Proper use means buying a good helmet, making sure it fits, and making sure to buckle the chinstrap, while fitting it properly under the chin. We would like to remind children to look for an intersection that has a crossing guard or a marked crosswalk before crossing, as this is the safest way to cross the street. A bicycle is considered a vehicle and while riding you must obey the rules of the road. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
 City of Fillmore 08/20/13 |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
City of Fillmore On (date) 8/23/2013 you were notified of the need to boil/disinfect all tap water or use bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes. The City of Fillmore Water System in conjunction with the California Department of Public Health, and/or Ventura County Environmental Health Jurisdiction, has determined that, through abatement of the health hazard and comprehensive testing of the water, your water is safe to drink. It is no longer necessary to boil your tap water or for you to consume bottled water. For more information call: Water Utility contact: City of Fillmore @ (805)524-3701 California Department of Public Health: (805)566-6625 Local Environmental Health Jurisdiction: (805)654-2818 NOMBRE DEL SERVICIO DE AGUA FECHA _____________ CANCELACIÓN DEL AVISO DE HERVIR EL AGUA El (fecha) de le notificaron que tenía que hervir o desinfectar toda el agua de la llave que utilizara para beber y cocinar. El Sistema de Agua de junto con el Departamento de Salud Publica de California, o la Jurisdicción Local de Salud Ambiental han determinado tras la supresión del riesgo de salud, seguido por un análisis completo del agua, que puede beber el agua de su llave sin peligro. Ya no es necesario que hierva el agua de su llave ni que consuma agua de botella. Para más información llame a: Contacto en el Servicio de Agua: Departamento de Salud Publica de California: Jurisdicción Local de Salud Ambiental: |
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By Anonymous — Friday, August 23rd, 2013
City of Fillmore A quick update. For those who haven't heard, there has been a major water leak on a trunk line on Ventura St. (126) and Central Ave.in Fillmore. This was caused by a company installing fiber optic line. Nearly everyone South/East of that intersection is being affected by the leak. At this time there is a boil water notice. See below... Date:8/23/13 BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING Due to the recent event of water outage situation, the California Department of Public Health in conjunction with the Ventura County Health Department, and City of Fillmore are advising residents of the southeast area of Fillmore per the attached map to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking and food preparation until further notice. This is the preferred method to assure that the water is safe to drink. • An alternative method of disinfection for residents that are not able to boil their water is to use fresh, unscented, liquid household bleach. To do so, add 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of clear water or 16 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) per gallon of cloudy water, mix thoroughly, and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before using. A chlorine-like taste and odor will result from this disinfection procedure and is an indication that adequate disinfection has taken place. We will inform you when tests show that water is safe to drink and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem by Sunday, August 25, 2013. For more information call: Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. |
 Jeffrey McGuire, 16, Fillmore FFA, raised a 1,345 lb. market steer that was awarded FFA Reserve Grand Champion. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
Part 2
 Phillip Theising, 11, Bardsdale 4-H, raised a replacement heifer and was awarded 4-H Champion/Reserve Champion. Phillip's champion replacement heifer, Penelope, fetched $10,000 at auction. Enlarge Photo  Samantha Points, 14, Bardsdale 4-H, raised a replacement heifer that was awarded 4-H Reserve Grand Champion and received a top bid of $3,000 at the auction. Enlarge Photo  Timmy Klittich, 16, Fillmore FFA, raised a 150 lb. FFA Champion/Reserve Grand Champion market lamb. Enlarge Photo Story and photos by Bob Crum [continued from last week] Tons of hard work, hours of toil and a little serendipity paid off in a huge way at the Ventura County Fair. Eleven Fillmore, Piru, Bardsdale youngsters raised animals for show and auction that won championships. Incredible! Jeffrey McGuire, 16, Fillmore FFA, raised a 1,345 lb. market steer that was awarded FFA Reserve Grand Champion. Jeffrey is deaf and relayed his story with his mother interpreting. Jeffrey was prepping his large animal and I asked his name.” Diesel” was the reply. An unusual name so I repeated the question. “Yep... Diesel.” Because, as Jeffrey explained... his ears go up and he's all black which reminds him of a diesel truck. Makes so much sense I should have known. How about raising such a large animal. “No problem,” replied Jeffrey, adding, “he was pretty easy but a lot of work” Work? I could imagine but wanted particulars. “Every day, wash, feed and walk Diesel,” explained Jeffrey. “Every day... some days twice a day,” he added. And time it all took? “Two hours a day,” according to Jeffrey. Considering that I don't wash my hair every day, I naturally wondered why such attention to Diesel. “Because, Jeffrey explained, I want Diesel to look good every day.” To that end... Jeffrey uses shampoo and conditioner and blow dries him afterward so his hair is fluffy. Sounded like Jeffrey is a walking beauty parlor for steers. I didn't ask but I'll bet that if Diesel requested a massage... Jeffrey would oblige. Although the auction culminates the year for animal raising, Jeffrey had shown Diesel prior to the Fair and in doing so Diesel won four grand championships. Jeffrey bought his steer from Roger's Livestock. No doubt for good reason. “Roger's Livestock has good breeding lines... lots of muscle... lots of hair... things I like,” explained Jeffrey. But does a 16-year old pick out his own steer, one wonders? “Yes, I pick it out, explained Jeffrey, adding, “I look at his muscles, his hair... I like long hair... and how it walks. At the time of selection, the steer weighs about 500 pounds. Well, might as well pick what you like so long as the steer wins championships. Of course Jeffrey is CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
City of Fillmore 8/13/13 |
 Breanna Berrington, Fillmore FFA, raised a 1,342 lb market steer that won FFA Grand Champion and overall Grand Champion. “Bentley” fetched $25/lb, $33,550. Enlarge Photo By Bob Crum — Wednesday, August 14th, 2013
Part 1 (Part 2 next week)
 Macie Wokal, Fillmore FFA, raised a 274 lb market swine that was awarded FFA Grand Champion. Auction results: $40/lb, $10,960. Enlarge Photo  Jazmin Olvera, Sespe 4H, raised a 268 lb market swine that was awarded 4H Reserve Grand Champion. Enlarge Photo  Hailee Smith, Fillmore FFA, raised a market swine of 273 lbs which was awarded FFA Reserve Grand Champion. Enlarge Photo  Erin Berrington, Piru 4H, raised a 1,275 lb market steer that was awarded 4H Champion steer, overall Reserve Grand Champion. Enlarge Photo  Silver Perez, Sespe 4H, raised a 273 lb market swine that was awarded the 4H Champion/Reserve Grand Champion. Enlarge Photo Story and photos by Bob Crum Tons of hard work, hours of toil and a little serendipity paid off in a huge way at the Ventura County Fair. Eleven Fillmore, Piru, Bardsdale youngsters raised animals for show and auction that won championships. Incredible! Presented at the Junior Livestock Auction for sale by 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) youngsters were 347 market pigs, 52 market steer, 5 replacement heifers, 47 market goats, 144 market lambs plus a couple chickens, rabbits and turkeys. No peacocks. First chance you get, visit any grocery store of your choice. Go immediately to the meat counter. Aaaah... there it is... lamb. And you have the perfect recipe. About a pound will do. And it's only $225 a pound. Enjoy! Ummm... is there a problem? At the County Fair's Junior Livestock auction the high bid for the Grand Champion market lamb was $225 per pound! (a new record) The lamb weighs 148 pounds. That's a grand total of $33,300. That is how these 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) youngsters pad their college funds. Besides friends and relatives of all description bidding on animals, there are also several large entities the likes of TNT Truck & Crane, AAA Propane, The Wood Claeyssens Foundation and others that buy many animals at the auction. Sometimes they keep the animal. Sometimes it's returned to the youngsters. Most of the time it's donated to Food Share. It's all extraordinarily good! The following are conversations with the 4-H and FFA award winners at the Ventura County Fair. Macie Wokal, 16, Fillmore FFA, raised a 274 lb. market swine that was awarded FFA Grand Champion. Auction results: $40.00/pound; $10,960.00. Did Macie expect to win Grand Champion? “Umm... kind of,” said Marcie, adding “because when I picked my pig the breeder that I bought it from was really, really into it. The breeder is Leonard Cruz. Daisy is her name but turns out Macie didn't come up with her pigs name, her friend Breanna Berrington did. And how was Daisy as a growing pig? “She was pretty easy going,” Macie explained, adding... I used to raise cattle so this was easier for me.” Kind of took a year off? “Yeah,” she said, pretty much but I'll redo cattle next year. Why raise a pig this year? “Because I've been pretty busy... I play softball so this gave me more time to do softball because cows... you have them for like nine months and pigs you only have them for like four,” explained Macie. But there's more to Macie's story. “This the my first year raising a market hog which goes to slaughter so I'm easing my way into slaughter and then I'm going to do a steer next year, she said. Asking for clarification Macie added, “well because I don't really like the slaughter thing so a pig you only have for four months so you don't get as attached but a steer you have for nine months so you get really attached so I'm easing my way... slowly.” Does Macie have plans for the auction proceeds? “Yes, a car, because I just got my (driving) license,” Macie quickly said. Macie's future plans? “Graduate high school and attend Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University), San Luis Obispo to become an ag teacher.” Not surprised! Silver Perez, 16, Sespe 4-H, raised a 273 pound market swine that was awarded the 4-H Champion/Reserve Grand Champion. Porky's name is CONTINUED » |
 Alumni Association Board members Corinna “Chandler” Mozley, Mark Ortega, and Maria “Diaz” Kilgore are pictured with Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long for a presentation of a 100 year congratulatory Proclamation on June 11th. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 14th, 2013
On June, 11th, 2013, the Fillmore High School Alumni Association received a proclamation from County Supervisor, Kathy Long, and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. It was presented to the Association during the week of their 100th year celebration which was highlighted by a beautiful dinner celebration on the evening of June 15th, 2013 at the Veterans Memorial building. The Alumni Assoc will be at Central Station this Friday evening from 5:00pm to 9:00pm during "Flashback Fridays" in beautiful Downtown Fillmore, and will have their commemorative 100th year Wine glasses available for a small donation of $5.00 for each glass. Congratulations to the Fillmore High School Alumni Association. Onward and Upward to the next 100 years! Whereas, the first graduating class of Fillmore High School was in 1911 with four graduates: Mabel Arthur, Mary Cummings, Sarah King and Albert Wicklund; and |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 14th, 2013
08/6/13 |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
Well it's that time again, when the school bell rings on August 15th and classes begin. Tuesday's Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was the first of the 2013-2014 school year and with it came some changes. Those changes include 20 new certified staff members and new principals. Fillmore Middle School has hired six new teachers in various subjects: math, physical education, special education, language arts and two in history. Fillmore High School has a new Vice Principal, Joann Dabbs and San Cayetano a new Principal, Trisha Gradies, along with five new teacher; Kelly Sebek 1st grade, Marie Enriquez k-1st, Lucy Sevenson, Alisa Mitchel, Gaby Lopes, Special Education Severally Handicapped. Adding to the lineup is the new Secretary/Executive Assistant Irma Mendez who moved here from San Diego to be part of FUSD staff. Another new face at the board meeting was the new Student Representative/Speaker of the House Kiana Hope, a senior at Fillmore High School. Hope informed the Board that freshman orientation went smoothly but there were less Student Ambassadors to help with the orientation and more freshman students participate this year than had in the past. One of the biggest changes to the district is the opening of the new school, Rio Vista Elementary. The new school begins with 530-550 students and 25 classrooms: three kindergarten, one music, one science and 20 for 1st through 6th grades. About 60 of the new students will have transferred over from Sespe Elementary due to new school boundary lines. The new Principal, Victor Torres, has taught from elementary grades to high school. His resume includes Granada Hills High School along with working in Palmdale at a turn around school as an assistant principal and today is also a board member at Castaic Unified School District. The School Budget is not as healthy as once believed stated Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis and is still a work in progress. Davis informed the Board of the difference in funding from what Governor Brown had originally proposed saying the bill..."went through a rush with 25 transitional bills that followed....like peeling an onion, what was promised is not as much as once believed...part of the increase was money we were already getting” adding that the expected increase will be over a long period of time and depend on the State economy and budget. He then cautioned stating, "We do not want to add things that in the long run the money isn't there." Reducing class size and the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) out of Sacramento was discussed. Class reduction goals began in 1996 under Governor Pete Wilson when the state was enjoying a budget surplus. The goal was to reduce class size in early grades (k-3rd) to 20 students. But the state budget in recent years has unraveled the program, which gave a generous subsidy of more than $1,000 per student, with schools contributing part on the money if class size was maintained under 21 students. In 2009 the California Legislature gave districts the right to raise class size to over 25 student and still get 70 percent of the subsidy they had been receiving. The Federal Stimulus dollars helped keep the program afloat for a few years, but those dollars have long since dried up and Gov. Brown is proposing to eliminate the protected funding for the program. Fillmore Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino told the Board it was another unfunded mandate by the State and that if FUSD could bring the class enrollment down by one student the District could qualify for the additional funding, but the District may be in no position to make those adjustments without jeopardizing other needed items. Under the new formula, district receive the bulk of their funding based on average daily attendance in four grade spans which recognize the generally higher cost of education at higher grade levels. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office LCFF works out per student per year: k-3rd grade $6,845; 4th-6th grade $6,947; 7th-8th grade $7,154; 9th-12th $8,287. If a district reduces class size and qualifies the base adjusted increase would be 10.4% for K-3rd and 2.6% for 9th-12th grades. But for school districts with 50% or more English Language learners enrolled the increase generates a 50% adjustment in the rate according to the Legislative Analyst's report (http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2013/edu/lcff/lcff-072913.aspx). But as Nishino stated, "It's an unfunded mandate" so there is no guarantee the funds will come through. Board Member Lucy Rangel questioned why the sports fees have doubled this year. She was not given a direct answer but was told the students could fundraise and that she would be receiving an informational report on school policy from staff in the future to answer her question. State policy states that no child shall be required to pay or turned away for not paying. Nishino responded, "We need to know where the money goes" adding that the law comes first then the school policy. |
