Brandon McInerney

A teenager who fatally shot a gay classmate in the back of the head during an Oxnard middle school computer lab will spend 21 years in prison under a plea deal reached Monday, closing the books on a case that drew international headlines and ignited debate on how schools should handle sexual identity issues.

Brandon McInerney, who was 14 when he pulled a gun out of his backpack and shot Larry King two times at point-blank range, will be kept behind bars until he is 38 under the terms of the deal struck by Ventura County prosecutors.

In an unusual arrangement, the 17-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree and voluntary manslaughter. In return, prosecutors agreed not to go forward with a second trial, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

The family of the victim... http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-1122-gay-shooting-20111122,0,425...

Tim Burhoe and David Landeros

On Monday, November 14, at 9:30pm the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire
at 1100 Block of Shady Lane in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving on scene firefighters observed smoke and fire coming from the chimney portion of the residence. Fire Personnel were able to launch an aggressive attack on the fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire in the fireplace and chimney. Fillmore Firefighters checked the attic and surrounding walls for any signs of heat or fire that may have extended. Fillmore Firefighters did a tremendous job keeping the fire from spreading to adjacent rooms and there was no other damage to the rest of the structure. A special thanks to the Tim Burhoe and David Landeros for their quick reactions. They were driving by the residence and noticed a large amount of fire coming from the residence fireplace. They immediately stopped and notified the residence that they had a problem which lead to the quick response from the fire department. Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department.

It was standing room only at the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting on Tuesday night, November 15. Some had come with presentations, others with thankful appreciation and some with grievances.

During the comment section of the meeting Richard Townend, whose two sons attend FHS, addressed the Board wanting answers as to why FUSD is currently providing medical insurance for his sons. Townsend’s ex-wife, Evalene Townend, ended her employment with FUSD a year ago and is now employed at Pleasant Valley School District (PVSD). But unlike PVSD, FUSD covers its employee’s medical insurance and Mr. Townend wants to know why a third party employed at FUSD is claiming the boys as dependents and using FUSD medical coverage. Townend says that the boys are not the FUSD employees dependents and would like to know who approved this and why. He suggested that the school district check all their employees to make sure others are not receiving the District-paid medical coverage who are not qualified to receive it. Townend said he sent an email 41 days ago asking FUSD to look into the matter but never received a response, adding that with the poor financial shape of the District, they cannot afford to provide medical insurance to those who are not qualified.

Bullying and harassment was another grievance brought by Gus the uncle to a student who is a junior at Fillmore High School (FHS). He stated that his nephew has been bullied for the last two months at FHS by four students who belong to a local gang. There have been several incidents that have taken place both on and off campus. The uncle stated that the harassment has take place at school on a regular basis but also at the student’s home and at the Pacific View Mall where it became physical and required others to step in to stop it. He asked the Board for the school’s guidelines on bullying and that the District “take more serious measures” in addressing it. When interviewed and asked if he, the student, had brought this to FHS Administration and what he would like done to remedy the situation, the student stated that the school has accused him of instigating the situation and suspended him for the language he used when addressing the gang members. As to what he feels could resolve the situation, he said he would be open to mediation to resolve it or that those harassing him be reprimanded.

Fillmore Middle School’s (FMS) Principal Dr. Ellen Green, along with seven faculty members, gave a presentation of the Revised Site Plan which began with “Purpose, Beliefs and Goals” focusing on six priorities; improve reading, writing, math, close the achievement gap between subgroups and raise proficiency among English Language Learners and students with disabilities, improved teaching techniques, technology support to enhance instruction, increase and improve parent involvement. Green proudly stated FMS’s new mission statement, Think, Believe, Create, Achieve and added, “We believe that all students can learn.”

This won’t be an easy task; for the last nine years FMS has failed to meet State Standards, continually remaining in Program Improvement Status. Since 2008 the school has declined even farther in English, history, mathematics and science; with the exception on science which improved in 2010-2011.

Language proficiency is a huge hurdle for educators at FMS. Of the 830 students 24% are English Language Learners, 12% Initially Fluent English Proficient and 23% Reclassified Fluent English Proficient. To address this, the English Language Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss ways to build English skills and catch the students who are falling behind. Another change being implemented to address unprepared students is making sure they do their homework. Any student who has not completed his/her homework is required to finish it during lunch under a teacher’s supervision.

It seems some of the chalkboards have been replaced with new technology and other interactive tools that enhance learning, but these new items come with a price that requires items be introduced to a few classrooms at a time. Green and the other presenters are enthusiastic about the work being done, but Green admitted the financial problems are huge stating, “We’re confined with our budget.”

A presentation was also given by five FHS student members of the National FFA Organization (also known as Future Farmers of America) who attended the 84th FFA Convention held on October 18-23 in Indianapolis, Indiana. All the presenters gave great descriptions of what they had learned and enjoyed while attending the convention. The students listened to motivational speakers and various sessions, toured processing plants, learned about mold prevention on harvested crops, dairy farms and the production of milk and the importance of environmental systems like bee production. But it wasn’t all learning, there was plenty of fun as the students visited the Indy Speedway, enjoyed a Blake Shelton concert, and wandered through a corn maze.

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students and could be seen as each of the FFA member explained the impact the conference had had on them, such as; a renewed inspiration and motivation to be active in their community, greater leadership skills, the importance of agriculture and the many related industries, being less judgmental and a better understanding of others.

Sammy Martinez, FHS Speaker of the House, informed the Board that the Associated Student Body (ASB) is planning a convention with Santa Paula ASB. Also on the students’ agenda is Renaissance Week which began on the 14th and ends the 18th with a rally and all classes have ongoing fundraisers.

Video Highlights

When I first heard that the historical method of partially funding Fillmore High School Sports was in serious jeopardy, and in fact by law, has been eliminated, I thought of how important sports was for our son Phillip. Both Carolyn and I agreed that if it were not for Fillmore High School sports and the regimental training and academic requirements to participate in sports, our son, who otherwise lacked the motivation to maintain his attendance and grades, would have struggled to get through high school. I really need to stress “motivation” here because my son had the ability and support at home to academically perform well, but it took the academic requirements placed upon Fillmore High School's student athletes and his love of sports to encourage him to do well. It went beyond academics and motivation though; he learned about “inspiration” from other athletes who lacked the natural athletic ability to play a standout game, but still tried their hardest to help the team. He learned about team work and how to understand coaches who pushed him to get his head in the game! But, I am sure many of you have your own stories of how Fillmore High School Sports positively affected maybe you, one of your children, or relatives, or one of your neighbors, which is why I think it is so important to ensure that Fillmore High maintains their ability for reaching out for partial funding for Fillmore High School Sports programs. What created this situation is, by law, the elimination of the mandatory Athletic Participation Fee all of us, until the current school-year began in August of 2011, gladly provided so our sons and daughters could play Fillmore High School sports.

Since 1879, Article IX, Section 5 of the California Constitution has required that the State of California provide a system of free public schools. In 1984, the California Supreme Court clarified the intent of the Constitution and ruled unequivocally in Hartzell v. Connell that public schools cannot charge students or families any fees as a condition for participating in “educational programs,” including extracurricular activities.”

So why did the American Civil Liberties Union CONTINUED »

James Lacotts, 49 of Fillmore, was killed Friday night, November 11th, near Piru in a one-car accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:15am.

It had been raining for several hours when Lacotts’ car crashed into a cement retaining wall on Pacific Avenue, north of Highway 126. The car left the road and entered a drainage ditch before hitting the wall.

A 19-year old occupant was transported to Henry Mayo Memorial in Santa Clarita for moderate injuries. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident; it appears neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt. Lacotts had two citations for not wearing seatbelts, one in 2004, one in 2005.

Lacotts was cited for a DUI last month and was scheduled to appear in Ventura Count Superior Court on November 16th.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At approximately 12:20 a.m. Saturday, a single-vehicle, hit-and-run traffic collision occurred at Ventura St. and Mountain View St. in Fillmore. A white, 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck collided with a light pole on the side of the road, requiring a Southern California Edison crew to respond for repairs. The truck’s driver and passenger fled the scene before police and fire personnel arrived. Moments before the collision, the truck had been seen in the area of Central Ave. and Ventura St. and might have also been in the parking lot of Burger King. Anyone who saw the truck and its occupants before the collision, witnessed the collision itself, or has information about the driver or passenger is asked to call the Fillmore Police Department.

Report Number: 110025782
Location: Ventura St. and Mountain View St., Fillmore
Date & Time: 11-12-11 @ 12:20 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V)Southern California Edison
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Kevin Vaden
Media Release Date: 11-14-11
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Mario Aguilar
805-524-2233
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Frank “Turtle” Estrada, Combat Fighting League M.M.A. Champion.
Enlarge Photo

Yes Fillmore, he did it again. Frank “Turtle” Estrada is still the 145 pound Combat Fighting League M.M.A. Champion!

Last Friday night at the Woodland Hills Marriot “Turtle” put his title on the line against a very game fighter named Jose Medina out of the Adrenline M.M.A. Gym.

“He was the toughest guy I have faced yet,” said ‘’Turtle”. “He would not give up. He had a lot of heart.”

Medina came in the fight weighing 143 pounds. “Turtle” came in at 144.4 pounds. By fight time he was at 151 pounds and ready to go.

Medina has a wrestling background. “He was scrappy.” said “Turtle”. “He was hard to catch. He had good stand up skills. I knew then I was in for a war.”

While waiting for the fight to start “Turtle” was focused on what had to be done for another victory to come his way. “I was ready to go. I trained hard and this was going to be my reward for it all” said the young fighter. “I did not come in too hyped. I knew this was going to be tough.”

As always when “Turtle” fights he has a huge Fillmore crowd to root him on. This was the case Friday night. “I love the fans from Fillmore. They are always behind me. Thanks for the support. ‘When I hear them it gets me pumped.”

First of three, two minute rounds got off to a quick start. The two fighters started in the stand up position. Then “Turtle” started to pin Medina to the cage. When he got him where he wanted him, he got a few good punches in on him. “I wanted to overwhelm him. But he was scrappy. I think I won the first round,” said “Turtle”.

When the second round started “Turtle” said he felt more confidence. “I was more aggressive then he was in the first round, I was ready to go.” The round started about the same. But about half way through “Turtle” was
on one knee on the mat when Medina gave him a illegal knee to the face. “He got me under my eye. After the Ref called a time out, I got my senses back,” said “Turtle”. The Referee took a point away for Medina. Then “Turtle”
came back aggressive. “I said okay let’s do this!” Medina stayed away most rest of the round. Then it was onto no-mans-land for the kid from Fillmore. He has never gone to the third round before. He has never gone the
distance.

‘’I knew when they took the point away from him, I took the round. This was new water for me so I took some deep breaths in the corner and listen to my Coaches.”

He said he thought he was in better shape than Medina, so he stuck with his game plan--be aggressive and pin him to the cage so he could get some good in close punches on him.

“He never hurt me in the fight. When the bell rang I knew I won the fight. But it was a war!”

The pro-”Turtle” crowd went crazy after the ring announcer said that he won the fight. “I shook my opponents hand, then took a little victory lap around the cage.” After some hugs and high fives from family, friends,
teammates, and fans, “Turtle” found out this was going to be his last Title Fight. He will leave the amateur iang, and head into the Pros.

“The announcement was made. I will have my first Pro Fight sometime early in 2012. This is what I have always wanted. It is not a dream, but the next step for me. I plan in the future to go after more titles.”

‘’Turtle” wanted to thank his coaches at Cazadores Boxing and M.M.A., and West Coast Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, and M.M.A., Brain Espinosa, Jamie Toney, Fredo Lemus, “Grandpa” John Hernandez, and Jay Scratch. Also his teammates, his brother Jose “Froggy” Estrada, Jesus Garcia, who won Friday night, David Tubb, the new 170 pound C.F.L. Champion, Joel Tinkard, Mose Aiti, and Justin Rodriguez.

And he could not have done any of this without his sponsors. The Lab, Sugerbeets and Iron Horse Bar and Grill in
Oxnard, Killer Bees Fight Shop, Pacific Property Painting, Tin Engery.com., E.Q. Fresh Cuts, and Color By Yayo Tattoos.

When I asked this young man if he had anything else to say to Fillmore, he said, “I just want to thank all the sponsors that make it possible for me to fight. And to the people of Fillmore, thank you for always coming to my fights.

Without roots like the ones I have in Fillmore, there is no base to stand on. Thank you!”

A Proclamation accepted by Lynne Brooks (center) recognizing the Soroptimist’s efforts on behalf of Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Prevention Month. Also pictured Patti Walker (left) and Mayor Gayle Washburn (right).

The November 8, 2011 Fillmore City Council meeting had proclamations and a few disagreements, and former city manager Roy Payne bringing to council and city’s attention the contract associated with the Hwy 126 Business Park concerning $1 million owed the city. Also on agenda was the future of the Town Theatre, Passport Applications, the contracts between the Tourism Bureau and the Fillmore & Western Railway, the City’s contract with E. J. Harrison for street cleaning and solid waste removal, and the resignation of Councilmember Patti Walker.

Former City Manager Roy Payne and Rod MacDonald of KDF Communities addressed the Council about the past Business Park contract with the City. Payne reminded the Council that all those involved in the contract negotiations are no longer with the City and the details and the money owed the City could be forgotten. Payne asked that it be reviewed annually and the resolution be put on the record and reminded the Council that when City Engineer Bert Rapp left there was over $1 million owned the City on the project.

Also, shortly after the meeting started, Walker stepped down from the dais and addressed the remaining Council announcing her resignation as of the end of the night’s meeting, stating, “The following statement is addressed first to the citizens of Fillmore and second to you, Mayor and the Fillmore City Council.

It is with heavy heart I am announcing my resignation from the Fillmore City Council. An unexpected opportunity presented itself that my family and I could not overlook. We have purchased a home in the Fillmore zip code, but located outside of the Fillmore City limits. With your indulgence, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratefulness I have experienced in my representation of the City for nine years.
First, I want to acknowledge the citizens of Fillmore who have on three occasions elected me to serve as their elected official. I have been honored to be your delegate here in Fillmore and as your representative on various county commissions and districts. I trust I have represented your interests well.

Lastly, I have had the honor to work with a wonderful group of people who comprise the staff and my current colleagues Mayor Gayle Washburn, Pro Tem Jamey Brooks, and Council Members Brian Sipes and Steve Conaway. As volunteers for the greater good of Fillmore you have taken on what many term a thankless job. I thank you for the hard work and time you devote to keep Fillmore on track. It has been my pleasure to be a part of the process and I wish you all the best.” When asked what prompted Walker to run for City Council back in 2004, she responded, “I fought City Hall and I won.”

The remaining Councilmembers responded to Walker with heartfelt gratitude for her hard work and dedication as a councilmember. Mayor Washburn saying, “There is a huge loss to not having you on the Council.” Sipes responded, “I will be contacting you when I need advice.” Conaway commented that Walker was always prepared before coming to a meeting. Brooks agreed and added, “Patti served through blood, sweat and tears…she did her homework and ours.”

The law requires the council seat be filled within 60 days, if that is the course council decides to take (fill out an application and be interviewed by the selection committee or full Council in open session, or through an appointment). The seat may also remain open until the next election, June 5, 2012. Mayor Washburn scheduled a special meeting for 11am the following morning, Wednesday, to address it, but there was some disagreement on the timing; the Brown Act requires 24 hours advance notice be given the Council Members and City Manager Yvonne Quiring had not sent the notice out in time to meet that requirement. The next scheduled time that all members could agree upon was not until December 13th which is the next Council Meeting.

A real problem with regards to the newly vacant seat was covering the 16 committees that Walker sat on and required quick action by the Council to decide who would or could cover them. Conway commented, “Patti has been the most diligent in attending those community meetings.”

Also on the agenda was the Towne Theatre and what the City should do with it. The Theatre is the pride of Fillmore’s downtown and many of the town’s residents have an emotional attachment to it, but in recent years the Theatre has been a financial drain and owes $400,000 to the General Fund. There was a consensus among the Council that the future contract/lease being offered require the Theatre be available for all forms of entertainment and open to the community. Conaway reminded the Council that the City also needs to protect its assets, such as the projector. Janet Foy of the Sespe Players told the Council she has a committee trying to gather information on what they can do on a possible association with the Theatre.

Fillmore & Western Railway (FWR) representative Julie Latshaw told the Council the FWR does not want to lock and unlock the doors to the public restrooms anymore and that they did not agree to the restroom’s maintenance. There was an agreement and a contract drawn between the Tourist Bureau and the FWR that stated they would maintain and lock/unlock the restroom doors. As stated in the original proposal to the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau from the FWR; Fillmore & Western Railway Co. would like to assume control of the public restrooms attached to the building. The key would be available for check-out for restroom use, much like a service station.
Because of that proposal a contract was then agreed upon, but was later not signed and completed by FWR. This agreement to take responsibility for the restrooms was part of the exchange for reduced rent on a building owed by the City. The rent which was originally $9,000 per year was reduced to $10 per year for a period of one year, but the city has not received any money to date. It was agreed to arrange a meeting with the Tourist Committee on the matter.

The City’s Finance Director Glenda Jay brought up the problem of having less staff to meet the services once offered by the City. She told the Council the City is finding it difficult to process passports due to the cuts in employees and suggested those seeking the service go to the Post Office. The processing can take up to an hour and a half for a family and there is not enough City staff to provide this service any longer. In the past the City had up to four individuals certified and trained to accept passport applications. Today there are only two employees processing passports and those employees also service the main counter; as a result sometimes service is backed up for other customers. Jay informed the Council that the City is required to pass an audit to be a certified processing agency and the two employees must be re-qualified. Conaway asked if doing it by appointment would improve the situation, and was told No. Jay said the $25 application fee is set by the Federal Government and each application costs $5.25 in postage, but when the Post Office provides the service they do not have to pay that additional cost. A vote was taken and with a 3 to 2 vote, with Conaway and Sipes No, Washburn, Walker and Brooks Yes. The Council decided to no longer process passports effective December 1, 2011.
Quiring asked the Council to extend the Franchise Agreement with Santa Clarita Valley Disposal one year in order to merge the Street Sweeping Contract and the Franchise Agreement into one document and to incorporate the revised deal terms into the new agreement. The Council was also reminded that the residents of Fillmore have not been charged the additional $.85 each month for street cleaning and the City’s commercial solid waste removal also has not been charged. The extension was approved.

There was a Proclamation accepted by Lynne Brooks recognizing the Soroptimist’s efforts on behave of Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

Video: Meeting Highlights